Monday, October 29, 2012

Invitation in Green

This summer we struggled to maintain enjoyed the benefits of a bountiful garden. We had more summer squash than we knew what to do with, so we gave a lot away and made a lot of squash muffins (think "zucchini muffins" but with squash...yes, it works, but it's not the same). We also had a lot of okra - yum! And we soon discovered that it was better to pick small okra in the morning because by evening they were too tough to eat (seriously, they grew THAT fast). Anyway, one day we had some giant okra, so I decided to create an invitation in green. We'd already done the Yellow Invitation using the squash so it made sense - why not?!

 I set up an invitation on the light table after collecting a number of green tools for measuring, cutting, writing, and general exploration. Lately Addi shows interest in having a variety of collected items to create with, so I really did include a a lot (last year this many items would have overwhelmed her, so it's important to research your child's individual interests and needs when setting up an invitation).



Addi immediately took the lid off the homemade light table and brought it to the ground along with all the supplies; she always knows just how she wants to play, lol. Then she set to work pouring the paint into the translucent cups.  She noticed the cups with paint were now opaque and explored how to completely cover all the cups...the green popsicle sticks worked well.

"I can see through these, but not that one. Can you help me? Oh, I got it."

This summer her interest in letters grew, so I try to include them in most invitations. I didn't know how she would use them in her work; she started off by painting around them while singing a song from one of her favorite books (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom).


"Weeee said D to E F G I'll beat you to the top of the coconut tree."
"K is out of bed & this is what she said, dare double dare you can't catch me..."

And she painted her hand, around her hand, and made a hand print.


"I'm painting my fingers, not your fingers. Is that cool?"

Luckily there was quite a lot of paint on the ground because Addi LOVES to spray and wipe up...well, she loves to spray. And she likes knowing she can get her own cleaning cloths out of the closet.




I make my own cleaning products, so she's welcome to spray away!

Researching our children's interests can be a fun challenge as long as we don't set ourselves (or our children) up for failure. There are several ways to do this:
  • Does your child work more deeply with a few items or many?
  • How does lighting affect his/her play?
  • Include your child's favorite colors
  • Include an object your child visits often (lion, letters, etc.)
  • Consider a theme: color, animal, letter, medium (art, sand, water, etc.)
  • Give yourself a pep-talk before setting up a potentially mess-making invitation, "This is going to be messy and fun. The more mess the more learning. I will ignore the mess until after dinner if I have to, even until after bedtime." If you start to panic, focus on the sheer joy on your child's face!
  • Keep your sense of humor and playfulness.
  • Follow their lead: if they want you to play you can whisper, "what should I do?" Otherwise you can simply enjoy the show.
  • Jot down their reactions and responses. Their facial expressions and words can bring new and deeper meaning for everyone.
  • Let go of how you want the materials to be used and instead notice how your child chooses to use them - become curious! "Why did he paint the cup rather than the paper? Interesting: she took apart the light table before using the other materials! I wonder why she included the horse?"

Raising children is full of magical moments when we are able find within ourselves the time and space to watch and listen. I hope you'll find some today...or tomorrow!

You have read this article Clay and Crafts / Imagination / Independence / Instilling Capability / INVITATIONS / Letters/Numbers / Paint Play / Playing with Light / Rainy Day Play / Theme-based play with the title October 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2012/10/invitation-in-green.html. Thanks!
Sunday, October 28, 2012

Toys for 2s


20 GIFT IDEAS - AGE 2

Click on the links below each picture to find out where we purchased.  Also, if you missed our Age 1 toys, please see this post...

http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2012/10/20-gift-ideas-1-year-olds.html

We only say this because many of the toys we purchase grow with our children.  Almost everything on our Age 1 gift list our older children (2, 3, and 4) still play with now.


1. WEDGITS




 2. Clay / Clay Tools / Clay Hammers



3. PEG NUMBER BOARDS




4. MIGHTY MIND




5. FANTACOLOR JUNIOR PEGBOARD SET




6. FLANNEL BOARD / STORIES





7. SOUNDS BINGO




8. HOP AROUND STEPS




9. DESIGN AND DRILL




10. SNAP BLOCKS




11. MINI KICK SCOOTER




12. STRIDER BALANCE BIKE






13. GEOTRAX TRAIN SET


http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B000NW2D4Q

14.  TENT






15.  PLAY FOOD/KITCHEN/DISHES




Tons of options here, too.  We have birthday cake, fruits, veggies, and cookie sheet sets.  



Shopping Cart



We have the GreenToys Dish Set seen here...


Pots and pans seen here...


And kitchen set seen here...



16. STAMPS





17.  MAGNA TILES





18.  TALL STACKER PEGS





19.  ART EASEL







Or make your own.   :-) 



20.  PLAYMOBIL



So many different options for this.  


Up next... 3 year olds!






You have read this article Gift Guide / Products We Love with the title October 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2012/10/toys-for-2s.html. Thanks!
Saturday, October 27, 2012

Jack-o-Lantern on the Light Panel


My son really enjoyed the Magnetic Jack-o-Lantern invitation I created for him a few weeks ago.  Today I created a similar invitation for him on the light panel.  While he already know shapes and colors, this would be a fun opportunity to not only create funny faces, but also talk about colors and shapes.  He's never limited to the materials I present to him.

MATERIALS:



Print a picture of a pumpkin onto the transparency sheet - done. 
(I just used clip art)

THE INVITATION

Adding ears









- AK (MESE, MECD)

You have read this article Playing with Light / Seasonal with the title October 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2012/10/jack-o-lantern-on-light-panel.html. Thanks!

20 Gift Ideas - 1 year olds

Click on the link below each picture to find out where to purchase.  

1.  Magnetic Shapes 



2.  Puppets/Masks






3.  Musical instruments



4.  Step 2 car


This is just one version.  I know they have some out now with cup holders on the handle for mom and dad, too!  I believe I saw them in the toys-r-us catalog.  


5.  Play Tunnel


I cannot find this exact tunnel online but I would recommend a Pacific Play Tent product. They are great quality!  

6.  Magnet Board


This is a homemade board (framed sheet metal) but you can get your own at many different places... Michaels, Target, Walmart, etc.  


7.  Ball Drop




Or make your own with a gutter.  :-) 

8.  Jumbo Resource Animals


There are a ton of different sets... we personally have the farm animals, jungle animals, and dinosaurs.  They all are awesome!  One of our most used toys.  


9.  Cars/Trucks


Can't go wrong with cars and trucks. 

10.  Bubbles


We personally like Gazillion Bubbles. 

Click links below for bubble machines we have tried and love.  


11.  Light Panel/Box


We have the light panel from constructive playthings.  They also have them here...


Or you could make your own...


12.  Blocks


Many different types of blocks can be seen here...


and here... 


be sure to go through all the pages.  


13.  Swing


We purchased the swing pictured at Walmart but you can purchase many different swing attachments from various places.  

14.  Sensory Table/Bin





Or you can make your own...


15.  Sand box


This was homemade but you can buy sand boxes at varies locations.  

16.  Ball Pit (Baby Pool) and Balls




17.  Play-doh


18.  Paint


We always buy our paint here...


19.  Books



Be sure to hit next...


20.  Puzzles



If you scroll through here there are a lot of recommended puzzles...




Up next: 2 year olds!  
















You have read this article Gift Guide with the title October 2012. You can bookmark this page URL http://happychild2210.blogspot.com/2012/10/20-gift-ideas-1-year-olds.html. Thanks!