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Hints and Tips
Ages
2-3
Transform Crafts into Learning Activities
Crafts are for adults, learning activities
are for children. By turning your crafts
into learning experiences, you give the
children worthwhile lessons that will be
with them long after the craft is gone.
Here's how: Focus on what the children can
learn rather than on what they can make. Do
this (1) by allowing the children to make
their own creations even if they vary from
the suggested pattern; (2) by describing to
the children the sensations they are feeling
as they experience their creations; and (3)
by pointing out acts of kindness and
relating them to what the Bible says about
being kind (for example, you might say, "
taking turns is one good way to be kind.")
Edible Play Dough
Combine 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup honey,
and 1 1/2 cups dry powdered milk in a large
bowl. Mix together well. Place the dough
in a covered container and store it in the
refrigerator. Cover a table with a clean
plastic tablecloth and make sure the
children wash their hands before playing
with the dough. This mixture can also be
used for no-bake cookies. Let the children
decorate, then eat their own cookies.
PLEASE ENSURE THERE ARE NO PEANUT
ALLERGIES IN YOUR CLASS BEFORE MAKING THIS
DOUGH.
Make Your Own Picture Books
Here are 2 easy-to-make picture books:
1) Use a photo album with magnetic pages and
insert pictures to show the children.
2) Use reclosable plastic bags to make a
flip picture-book. Sew 4-5 bags together at
the bottom, using a zigzig machine stitch.
Cut colored poster board to fit the pages
and give stability. Insert appropriate
pictures or objects, like colored leaves or
feathers in the bag.
Now That's a Story
Find ways for young listeners to participate
in the storytelling. Create a phrase that
can be repeated many times when you give a
hand signal. For example, you might say,
"Jesus said" (extend your arm, then move it
toward you), "follow me." The children will
say " follow me" each time you do that
motion.
Tour Guide for Life
Toddlers are their own best teachers. Don't
think of yourself as a teacher; think of
yourself as life's tour guide. Your task is
to plan the itinerary, show toddlers to the
place of learning, and then let them explore
and discover. Talk to them like a tour
guide. For example, while they are finger
painting, talk about the colors and texture
of the paint. Describe what you and the
children are experiencing. By linking
language with sight, sound, and activities,
you will teach the children important
pre-reading skills.
Diaper Discourse
Some twos are still in diapers. Don't waste
diaper changing time - it's an excellent
opportunity for one-on-one teaching. Play
these simple learning games while changing a
child's diaper: Using the child's name, say
God made Aaron's legs! (Touch his legs.)
Say God made Aaron's arms! (Touch his
arms.) Say God loves Aaron! (Hug him).
Sing nursery rhymes or short songs together
or recite simple, rhythmic poems or verses.
Choose 3-4 vocabulary words a week and put
numerous pictures of these on the wall next
to your changing area. Occupying the child
with interesting things to look at and do
will make the process go more smoothly.
Lots of times toddlers fight and squirm out
of boredom. Don't neglect the opportunity
for a special hug at this time!
Spiritual Building Blocks
Twos and threes are laying a foundation for
future spiritual development. One basic
foundation block for every child is learning
the difference between right and wrong.
Teach them that some things are always right
and some things are always wrong. But
remember when correcting a child, the 2-year
olds (and younger threes) respond better to
distraction than to reasoning.
Clean Finger Paint
Mix 1 cup powdered soap or detergent with
1/3 cup of liquid starch (or 1/4 cup of
water). Beat with an egg beater until
fluffy. Use this mixture as paint on
brightly colored construction paper. The
contrast between the paint and the paper
will provide a delightful experience for
your children.
Scribble Artists
A blank piece of paper is confusing to twos
and threes. They don't know whether to draw
on it, crumple it, or eat it. When you give
a child a paper activity, it is always best
to have some kind of basic drawing on the
paper, even if you have to draw something
yourself. Don't worry that you are not an
artist. Twos and Threes will think your
drawing is great and will love scribble
coloring it. |
