Toddler Learning

I am currently working on trying to find good ideas for teaching DS (Dear Son) the basics. He's 16 months old and I know once toddlers hit about 18 months their language is supposed to begin to blossom. I want DS to have a good head start in life since he will be one of the youngest kids on his class when he starts school. Also, when volunteering to help in the junior nursery (18 months-2 years) at church there were several kids in there who were great with their alphabet and their colors. I was shocked! I am a first time mom and I definitely don't want DS to get behind. So I've been researching various blogs and internet topics and trying to come up with some ideas for my son.

Now, like most toddlers, he has an attention span of approximately 60 seconds. So my goal is to chose one letter a week that corresponds with one color a week and a special word that goes with the letter of the week. Throughout the week I plan to point out words that start with that letter and things that correspond with the color of the week.

So to start out easy I'm going with the letter A. Here is the plan:

A is for Apple

 

Letter of the week: A

Find the letter A in his picture books

Print out Letter A printable and post on fridge for the week. Help DS to identify it       

 

Color of the Week: Red

Ideas: Make homemade red playdough

Identify the color red on toys and picture books

Try coloring an apple picture with red crayon

 

Number of the Week: 1

Count items around the house we only have 1 of

Show him one on his fingers

Look at the number 1 in his picture books

 

Word of the Week: Apple

Show him apples when we are out shopping and at home

Give him apples for snacks

Identify pictures of apples in picture books

 

Obviously when he gets a little bit older and has a longer attention span and better motor skills we will incorporate coloring sheets, matching activities, etc. I really like the printable "mommy school" packets put together by Alison on her Oopsey Daisy blog.

 

Right now I think that is too advanced for him, so we're just going to focus on incorporating the leter A "plan" into our daily conversations and activities.