BEWARE: VERY LONG POST TO FOLLOW

I'm distraught right now as I sit down to post because I've lost my notes. Is anyone else out there so pathetic that they actually have notes about a post they want to do? I can't believe that I've been thinking about this post for a week now and I'm all geared up to write it and now I can't find my notes. You may be wondering what I could possibly write about that would require notes, and I'll tell you. It's a little secret of mine that makes me a little bit weird. Because I get all excited when I can share my ideas and thoughts on this subject. I talk fast, I get loud, and I try to convince people that it's all as great as I'm making it out to be. Don't be disappointed when you find out. Or at least don't tell me that your heart sank a little when it doesn't turn out to be some deep dark secret or some juicy bit of gossip. Because its simply this: I LOVE teaching children. Especially 2.5 year olds. I know thats a weird age range but I was a teacher/daycare provider of a classroom of 2.5 to 3.5 year olds and it was the best age I've ever worked with. Most of their little brains aren't quite ready for the heavy academics of letters and numbers but their bodies are ready for so much independence. I also worked at a montessori school for a few years and learned so much about providing hands on activities for young children. So when Susan asked me last week how I felt about geoboards (I call them rubberband boards) and if there were any education toys I would recommend, I got all excited and started making notes. Then I lost my notes. But I'm still gonna try to list some of my most favorite things. And I may have to repost later if I leave out any great ones.

Due to my montessori exposure, I learned that a lot of learning can take place with things that are not toys. But it's a different kind of learning. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a huge fan of blocks of any sort, animals of any shape or size, and really just about anything else you can find down a regular toy aisle. But sometimes kids need something more. I learned that teaching your children 'life skills' are just as important as the ABC's. How to use a spoon, how to put on their shoes and socks, how to cut with scissors. I love things that teach/encourage mastering fine motor skills.

Do I sound like a nerd, or what? I promise Susan, I'm getting to my recommendations (I doubt anyone else is even still reading at this point!).

So I'll start with the geoboards/rubberband boards. I love them. And they are great for a wide range of ages. At least they are with a husband like mine. Whenever we pull out the rubberband board, he plays with it too. I also love the velcro food. Sophie is starting to play with our set and she loves it. Peg boards are also fantastic.

I also love to provide sensory activities, though I wish I was as good about it now as I was in the classroom, or even with Spencer. I've used a real sensory table at home or just a regular plastic bucket/bin or even filled the sink with things like regular water, sometimes with food color or even icecubes added.
- Cornstarch mixed with water makes a fabulous substance, you just have to be careful how much water you add.
-Add sponges to water and show them how to soak up the water then 'transfer' it by squeezing it into a seperate container.
-A squirt bottle filled with water, a towel for drying and a window will keep them busy.
-Quick oats or flour with spoons and bowls is a great way to practice spooning and scooping. Add different sizes of scoops or spoons or even a muffin tin for scooping into.
I also love to provide sorting activities. Noodles are great for sorting with spoons or tongs or the little silver thingys used to stem strawberries. Anything that gets them using their fine motor skills.

So now that I've gotten this far, I've realized that I need to practice what I preach. And I've realized how incredibly long this post is already. So instead of finishing it, I'm going to set a goal of providing activities at least once a week at home for my kids and then posting them. Like killing two birds with one stone. Now don't get all excited and flood my comment box declaring your excitement. I merely only ask for a little tolerance and a little sharing if you decide to use any of these non-original ideas in your own homes. Thanks to anyone who actually got to the end of this...Maybe I should have a give-away for anyone who admits they read it all. In fact, I think I will...Go ahead, admit up.