Help Planning Daily Lessons/activties for 2 Yr. Old This Summer

I agree with the post below-don't over do it! She will be learning everyday just through play and interacting with others. My 2 yr old takes swimming once a week and goes to a tiny-tot gym class once a week. I also take him to storytime at the library and try to get together with my friends who have little ones his age weekly. Try crafty things, like finger paining, etc. as well. Let her learn through fun activities-I think flashcards may be a bit demanding! However, if you really want to do flashcards, I have a neat spiral flashcard set that is made by the Baby Einstein Co. He really likes it and we read the cards together. Good Luck!

I'm a little late on this but I was looking on Mamasource for some ideas for my Step Daughter who is currently running an at home day care. I have two boys 4 and 2. I think your best bet is kind of a combination of things - "Field trips", to the zoo, the pool, the beach. When you're at home you could do a half hour of planned activities - practice letters or colors or whatever and then unstructured activities the rest of the morning. At that age they really can't go much past 15-20 minutes anyway. If you really want you could do something else in the afternoon, singing or practice trying to catch a ball or hop on one foot. Otherwise like everyone said, enjoy and let her enjoy.

I would say that the most important thing you can help her develop this summer is her imagination. Give her lots of free play time to help her learn how to entertain herself and allow her time to make up stories, etc. At this age she learns more than you can imagine just by playing and interacting with her environment. Also, enjoy these last few months when it is just her since your attention will be shifted once the baby is here.

Kidzone.com and Dltk.com are great sites for activities. The internet is a great source for finding fun things to do. I personally would not be too structured for a 2 year old and listen to her mood as to what to do. I read a lot of books to my grandkids at that age and let them help me make cookies in the kitchen. I see something you don't see is a great game for teaching colors or shapes. My grandkids at that age loved to do art activities. Paper lunch bags make great puppets. We took a box and made it into a car. We used a paper plate for their steering wheel, you can also use them to make wheels and glue or staple them on. I also took yarn and attached it to the box so they could hang it on them rather than just hold the box. They had lots of fun pretending to drive their cars. They also had fun decorating their cars. Just remember, whatever you do have fun and enjoy the excitement your little one will have in creating or learning something new.
Lynn

I think kids get tired of having so much planned for them. Just relax and enjoy your time together.

PLease make sure you plan in down time. As a mother of 4, I was in the same shoes you are 10 years ago. My job ended and I had 3 kids at the time. I thought to schedule my kids to keep us busy because I thought was the best thing to do. It wasn't. I learned real quick that my kids couldn't handle when they had nothing to do and complained of being bored all the time. I quickly realized I needed to teach them to enjoy free time. My youngest who was born after I stopped working is the best at free time and finding things to do. He is the most relaxed and most fun. My two middle children who are teenagers are unmotivated and don't handle stress too well. I realize now I over scheduled them and did not teach them to relax and enjoy their free time. One of them got burnt out from all the activities he was in and will barely do anything. Try to enjoy your child this summer. Take her to the pool; go the zoo. Maybe have one or two "field trips" a week. Have things you can do at home. Start teaching her now how to help you and prepare her for the new baby. Read together; do gardening. PLease do not stress her out before she even starts school. SHe will only be little for a little time and then you'll miss those days. SO enjoy her while you can and develop a good long relationship with her now because it will pay off when she gets older.

Just thought that I'd add my two cents in as well! I used to teach dance lessons to kids her age, and I noticed that a lot of parents pack activities into their kids lives...the kids end up really tired! I don't know how many times the kids would come in and lay down on the floor because they were tired! Remember to let her get plenty of sleep and she will play and be active on her own. Take your cues from her and just enjoy the summer!!!

Hello A. T.

I don't think you need to rely on flash cards to promote learning. When planning your summer with your daughter I think you are on the right track with some activities which involve large motor skills (i.e. swimming and going to the playground)and some activities which involve small motor skills (i.e. crafts, stringing macaroni necklaces,playing with non-hardening modeling clay or simple cooking/baking activities).
Also read to your daughter everyday. When you read use your finger to point to the words so your child can hear the word and see it in print. When there is a simple word like "cat" then point to the word and then point to the picture as you say the word. Children need to know that words have 3 parts: what it looks like, what it sounds like and what it means. When you read a story, ask your child simple comprehension questions so she can interact and respond to questions of "who, what, where, when, why, and how."
A 2 year-old usually loves discovery so trips to the zoo or aquarium or greenhouse are great. Your child's brain is like a sponge so the more she can discover about the world and how it works, the better. Less structured time is also good to foster skills of imagination and self-regulation with other kids. This is a time to fine-tune social skills such as sharing and manners and conflict resolution.
Remember that teaching your child to help you with simple cleaning tasks around the house is good for the brain because it teaches sequence and order. We love the Pledge Wipes for wood, Clorox Surface Wipes, Swiffer Floor Mop around here! You can sort laundry together and fold towels and match up socks because it is a life skill. Trust me that your daughter wants to be near you and when you praise her for a job well done she will beam! Also, you are going to have a new baby soon so this one-on-one is special no matter what you are doing.
I know that you and your daughter will make wonderful memories so take photos of all the activities and make a simple photo album together of the summer of 2009!
www.helpforreading.blogspot.com

Hello, I homeschool my kids and do daycare from my home, but the best advice I can give you is to NOT over do it. Keep it fun, flash cards at 2 might get old really quick, you want her to want to learn and enjoy it, not burn her out. go for a walk every day, actually let her walk with you and point out all the flowers, animals and bugs, colors and the weather. swim lessons will keep her busy at least once a week, and you could try a tumbling class as well. also check your local parks they normally offer programs for even the youngest kids and your library for story times.
REad to her, put in a cd of kid friendly music and sing and dance along, have fun, she'll learn in the process.

Hi A.!
As a former Nanny, I was always looking for fun things to do with my kids. I always did theses.
Your local library has story time that is free, so that is alot of fun. YOu can do music and singing classes at Kindermusic. Just look it up on line for area classes and times. Also, check out The Little Gym for fun activities and classes. Day trips to the Zoo, and museums, parks with a picnic. I hope this helps!!
Good luck!!

Involve your daughter in activities around the house (plant flowers together- seeds or plants), take walks, go to the zoo, museum etc. On rainy days "play school" or color etc. Don't force her to do flash cards how boring. Let her do imaginitive play-- better for her to be able to entertain herself than to know all her numbers or letters at 2yrs old. My 5yr old daughter is very imaginitive, and self- entertaining.