Superscript
Tot School and Two Year Olds
How to get started with Tot School for Young Toddlers
Tot School is not quite preschool – there is no structured lessons or specific thing she has to learn. But it’s also more than just daycare. It’s more about creating an experience for exposure to concepts and everyday tasks, as well as the chance to practice skills that those busy toddler brains are already learning. It also gives a theme for some direction and keeps things interesting for everyone!
Explore
These activities are just like they sound, something put out in front of her to explore and experience as she sees fit.
Sensory baths – think shaving cream, bubble foam, glow sticks, dyed water, foam shapes, anything your willing to get wet is fair game.
Playdough/Slime/Gloop – fun stuff to play with that needs a bit of supervision. This is not the only time that she will get to play with these materials. Mostly this is for me to be able to make note of different recipes or invitations that I want to try. There are so many different kinds of slime and other messier sensory items! I am also looking forward to doing playdough trays as she gets older, so be on the lookout for those!
There are other kinds of ‘explore’ activities that we will use. These were just my most commonly used!
Fridays explore is slightly different as it is not a one and done activity this is something that I trade out each week to keep things interesting. Sort of like a mini toy rotation!
Discovery trays: A collection of items presented in some new way as to spark some interest or creativity. You can check out some of our first trays here.
Small World: This is something that we haven’t started yet and I am really looking forward to getting into! We just don’t have a lot of animals yet so I am limiting how much we have it set up. As our collections grow I imagine that there will be some form of a small world out most of the time. Check back in for sure on that!
Felt board: I made a felt board for Bitty when she was around 15 months and while she did interact with it some she really only knocked everything off of it. So I scaled back on it and put it into the rotation. That way it will only come out once a month or so/ We will continue to work on how to play with it over the next few months.
Art
Pretty simple for us right now. Coloring, stickers and abstract painting. I am looking to add some dot markers to the mix soon. I have three art projects planned out for each week but I wouldn’t be surprised if we only ever get 2 done. The 3rd is mostly for backup or weekend activities if we get bored.
Play
This is the free play section where I just make notes really. It is also a reminder that child-led free play is SUPER important and I want to make a point each day to encourage it! I keep track of what sensory bin we are on and any other play notes. As she gets more interested in dramatic play I will probably keep a note of that down there as well.
SAMPLE TOT SCHOOL PLANNERS
Select your free DIY Planners for Tot's Playschool
above you can see a really vague example of how I plan to structure most weeks. Nothing too crazy it just keeps me accountable and gives me something to fall back to, when the witching hour hits and we have a bored toddler on hand
The Easiest to Use Free Themes for Tot School
Welcome to the Tot School Curriculum Main Page!
Tot School is designed specifically for the 2-3 year old child. Every activity can be used at home with one or more children or adapted for use in a day care/preschool classroom. Tot school is all about exploring and learning together while exposing children to a variety of skills and concepts. The curriculum covers tons of literacy and math skills throughout the year with a goal of repeated exposure to concepts so that children learn as they are ready and not forced to drill concepts via flashcards or worksheets.
Here is the most current calendar of tot school themes:
September: Apples, All About Me, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Chicka Chicka 123
October: Fall, Bat & Spiders, Weather, Halloween
November: Dinosaurs, Transportation, Community, Thanksgiving
December: Gingerbread, Reindeer, Christmas
January: Winter, Penguins, Five Senses, Bears
February: Nursery Rhymes, Valentines, Space
March: Plants, Insects, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter
April: Frogs, Butterflies, Earth Day, Spring
May: Zoo, Farm, Ocean, Ice Cream
All themes highlighted in pink are currently in the process of being added to the tot school curriculum during the 2020-2021 school year. Click the images below to be taken to the blog posts or downloadable curriculum.
See all of our tot school activities in action in our themed blog posts! Each theme consists of a weekly plan with 5 books, 5 fine motor activities, 5 gross motor activities, 5 snacks, and 5 sensory bins along with a few other activities you may want to try!
Tot School Blog Posts
September: Apples, All About Me, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Chicka Chicka 123
October: Fall, Bat & Spiders, Weather, Halloween
November: Dinosaurs, Transportation, Community, Thanksgiving
December: Gingerbread, Reindeer, Christmas
January: Winter, Penguins, Five Senses, Bears
February: Nursery Rhymes, Valentines, Space
March: Plants, Insects, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter
April: Frogs, Butterflies, Earth Day, Spring
May: Zoo, Farm, Ocean, Ice Cream
Learning Land FREE Tot School Themes
Alphabet Activities:
Topics and Ideas
When teaching the alphabet, it is important to include tangible items or pictures to associate with each of the letters, so that the learner can begin to learn the phonemes (sounds). Which is why I chose to create my list of Alphabet Activities: Topics and Ideas, just for you! The topics and ideas I have…
Alphabet Activities: Topics and Ideas
Themed Teaching Ideas
Hi! If you’ve been following me, you will know that I have been teaching my toddler at home. These are the themed teaching ideas that follow/plan to follow throughout the year. I may not complete them in this exact order, and you don’t need to either! You will also see that I only complete two…
Christmas Activities
– Toddler School
This is such a fun time of year! I loved doing all of these Christmas Activities with Little Man! Christmas Books These are a few of our favorites, but there are so many more! Dear Santa by Rod Campbell The Grinch’s Great Big Flap Book by Dr. Seuss Elmo’s Countdown to Christmas by Naomi Kleinberg…
Christmas Activities – Toddler School
Holidays Around the World Activities – Toddler School
Let me start by saying that these Holidays Around the World Activities were probably my favorite by far! Little Man had a blast, and we both learned a lot of new things about different customs! I will say that what you read below, I found online, so if you find something to be incorrect, please…
Holidays Around the World Activities – Toddler School
Thanksgiving Activities
– Toddler School
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the extra time with your little one, and try some of these fun Thanksgiving activities!
Thanksgiving Books Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon Where is Baby’s Turkey? by Karen Katz Llama, Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney Biscuit is Thankful by Alyssa Satin Capucilli The Itsy Bitsy Pilgrim by Jeffrey Burton…
Thanksgiving Activities – Toddler School
Fall Activities
– Toddler School
I thought I’d wait until November before completing some Fall activities, even though everyone already thinks it’s Christmas! To each his own, but I don’t start on Christmas until after Thanksgiving! Surprisingly, I actually had a hard time finding activities for Fall. I thought it would be pretty easy, but most were too advanced for…
Fall Activities – Toddler School
Nursery Rhyme Activities
– Toddler School
This was a fun week! Little Man and I love Nursery Rhymes! He is even able to repeat a few lines from his favorites! And there are so many to chose from! Do you like the picture of Little Man looking at the clock from Hickory Dickory Dock?! This was taken at a small amusement…
Nursery Rhyme Activities – Toddler School
Pet Activities
– Toddler School
Do you have any pets in your home? Little Man has two guppies! Pets are a great way to teach responsibility! Pets come with a lot of extra chores! Little Man feeds his fish every day! Even if you don’t have any pets, these pet activities are sure to keep your little one busy this…
Pet Activities – Toddler School
Halloween Activities
– Toddler School
This was a long week! Mostly because I was sick, and who wants to do anything when you don’t feel well?! However, toddlers don’t care if you’re sick, go figure! So we carried on as normal because it helps to keep him occupied! Of course there are a ton of Halloween Activities on Pinterest, but…
Halloween Activities – Toddler School
Sports Activities
– Toddler School
I’m going to admit, I am not a sports fan! I barely even watch the Olympics. It’s just not my thing! So this week was a little hard! It was also a very busy week, so I had to toss activities in whenever I had a free minute, which means, I did a lot of…
Dinosaur Activities – Toddler School
I’m sure this was Little Man’s favorite week! He absolutely loves dinosaurs! National Fossil Day is on October 16, so make the day extra fun with all of the dinosaur activities below! Also, don’t forget to grab your calendar! What better way to start the week than with a trip to the History Museum!…
Dinosaur Activities – Toddler School
Fire Safety Activities
– Toddler School
This week is Fire Prevention Week in the United States. These fire safety activities are the perfect way to introduce your toddler to the topic. Even at this young age, it is important to practice some of the basics. Click below for your calendar filled with this week’s activities! Fire Safety Books I Am a…
Fire Safety Activities – Toddler School
Forest Animal Activities
– Toddler School
I loved this week! Mostly because I think forest animals are so cute! Little Man’s nursery was forest/moose themed! We had a lot of fun with these forest animal activities, and we hope you do too! Click below for the activity calendar! Forest Animal Books Hoot by My Little World If You Give a Moose…
Forest Animal Activities – Toddler School
Apple Activities
– Toddler School
Welcome! This week is all about apples, to honor of Johnny Appleseed Day, celebrated on September 26! Enjoy our fun apple activities! Don’t forget to grab your calendar below! Apple Books Many of these books were way above Little Man’s understanding, but I had a really hard time finding apple books. So, instead of reading…
Apple Activities – Toddler School
Camping Activities
– Toddler School
It’s camping week! So many fun ideas! Bonus points if you actually go camping! Unfortunately, it’s not exactly something we enjoy, so Little Man will just have to make do with the camping activities we try this week! Don’t forget to click on the calendar below! Camping Books No surprise, we didn’t have any…
Camping Activities – Toddler School
Farm Animal Activities
– Toddler School
This week we were “down on the farm”, for our Farm Animal activities and lessons! Click on the calendar below! Have fun and enjoy! Farm Animal Books The books for this week are listed below, but our basket was overflowing with many others as well! Who knew we had so many farm related books!?…
Farm Animal Activities – Toddler School
All About Me Activities-
Toddler School
Welcome to my, “All About Me,” activities and themed lessons! Here is my calendar for the week! Remember, the most important thing is to have fun! Enjoy! Books Little Man has so many books, so I pulled all the books relating to this theme, and put them in a basket. However, we don’t own any…
All About Me Activities- Toddler School
Toddler School Introduction
Welcome to the introduction of my Toddler School! Here, I will be explaining what to expect from my homeschool in the coming months! * When I originally wrote this post, I only had my one son, Little Man. I am now currently editing all of my school activities to complete with my second son, Little…
Caution: Construction Site!
I have been such a slacker! I do have good reasons though! If you can believe it, I completed all the activities for this post with Little Man back in October! Who would have guessed that you don’t get a lot of free time with a toddler?! However, these construction themed activities definitely held…
Forest Friends
Well, I think I’ve finally run out of animals after this! Too bad though; they are so easy and fun! I should have thought to do forest animals sooner; little man’s nursery is moose themed! Mathematic/Cognitive Skills: Have you ever read the book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt? It is the perfect book for…
Using STEAM Units -Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Music
Encouraging Explorations
Infants and toddlers develop at an astoundingly fast rate. A supportive environment cannot remain static, but must be continually adapted to meet their changing needs.
Discovery play in nature and science involves hands-on exploration and experimentation with the natural world to foster learning and development in children. It encourages children to ask questions, observe, investigate, and make sense of their surroundings, nurturing their curiosity and scientific thinking. This approach emphasizes active learning, where children learn by doing and directly interacting with the environment.
How Discovery Play in Nature and Science Works:
Active Engagement:
Children are encouraged to explore, experiment, and manipulate objects and materials from the natural world.Sensory Exploration:
Activities involve using all senses (sight, touch, smell, sound) to discover the properties and characteristics of natural items like leaves, rocks, and water.Questioning and Investigation:
Children are encouraged to ask questions about the world around them and to investigate those questions through exploration and experimentation.Problem-Solving:
Nature provides opportunities for children to solve problems, such as figuring out how to move an object, build a structure, or understand a natural phenomenon.STEM Connections:
Discovery play naturally connects to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts, introducing foundational ideas in a playful and engaging way.Building Relationships with Science:
Discovery play can help children develop a positive attitude towards science and a desire to learn more about the world.
Examples of Discovery Play in Nature and Science:
Children can experiment with different consistencies of sand and water, building and creating, while observing how materials interact.
Exploring the outdoors, collecting natural items like leaves, rocks, and twigs, and observing their unique features.
Using mud, water, and natural materials to create "recipes" and explore the properties of different substances.
Watching how animals and insects move, build homes, and interact with their environment.
Using sticks, leaves, and rocks to create forts, towers, or other structures, learning about balance, stability, and construction.
Benefits of Discovery Play:
Children learn to observe, ask questions, make predictions, and test their ideas, which are all important skills for scientific inquiry.
Fosters Curiosity and Wonder:.
Discovery play ignites children's natural curiosity and encourages them to explore the world around them with a sense of wonder.
Enhances Cognitive Development:.
Children develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and spatial reasoning through hands-on exploration.
Promotes Creativity and Imagination:.
Discovery play provides opportunities for children to express their creativity and imagination as they explore and experiment with natural materials.
By making science fun and engaging, discovery play can help children develop a lifelong love of learning and exploration.
Creating such an environment can be challenging, but is not impossible.
Discovery Baskets for
Babies and Toddlers
Hope and I have been having such fun putting together fun little discovery baskets for our sweet Sam to discover and explore. He loves them because it means that he gets to put his curious little hands all over all kinds of things he may not often have the opportunity to explore, and I love them because they’re fun and super easy to pull together. Plus I get to watch him very carefully inspect each object independently, which in my mama opinion, is the cutest thing ever.
Read MoreTHEMED ACTIVITIES IN A BASKET
Create color themed baskets for baby to explore | Natural Beach Living
Theme an entire play date around an Itsy Bitsy Spider basket | ri ici
Bring nature inside for babies to explore | An Everyday Story
Take everyday items from your kitchen for a quick and easy treasure basket for baby | Living Montessori Now
Simple circles are such a wonderful shape for baby to grab and explore | The Imagination Tree
Create a sound basket for baby | Happily Ever Mom
This is a big hit in our house ~ a ball themed basket! | Living Montessori Now
A scented basket is sure to be a big hit with babies (and older children, too!) | An Everyday Story
STEAM ACTIVITIES IN A BIN OR BOX
Simple sensory bins are the perfect entertainment for babies!
Kids will love playing in a bin with this edible snow recipe | Fun at Home with Kids
Use a box with ping pong balls as easy entertainment.
Toys in a water bin are the perfect way to entertain baby on a hot day | Wildflower Ramblings
Make a baby ball pit | Carrots are Orange
This cardboard car will entertain little ones for hours! | Craftulate
Make a beach bin with edible sand! | Fun at Home with Kids
STEAM ACTIVITIES IN A BOTTLE
Make an amazing glowing bedtime bottle for baby (or any age!)
Simple sensory bottles for baby with items from around the house | Sugar Aunts
Rainbow sensory bottles are perfect for little hands | Fun at Home with Kids
Use ingredients from your kitchen to make amazing sensory bottles for baby | Modern Parents Messy Kids
Put an ocean with seashells in a bottle for baby to explore | Childhood 101
Use only 3 ingredients to make an ocean sensory bottle | Happy Hooligans
Make night and day sensory bottles | Twodaloo
Let baby explore color mixing with these galaxy sensory bottles | Lemon Lime Adventures
Make a music themed sensory bottle | House of Burke
This gorgeous spring flower sensory bottle is a perfect way to bring Spring inside for babies | My little 3 and Me
DIY Discovery & Exploration Blocks
Goodness… I’m pretty sure I put making these simple little sensory science blocks on my to do list about 3 months ago. It’s ridiculous that it’s taken me this long to get to them given the fact that the entire project took about 10 minutes from start to finish, but I feel like that’s just my current state of life. Non-priority tasks aren’t happening as quickly as I’d like them to, but it is what it is. Either way, they’re made now, and I’m so happy with how they turned out! Sam loves them too, which is exactly what I’d hoped for.
They’re sort of like a combination of a miniature sensory science bottle {making them perfect for little hands} and these really fun little sensory science blocks that I was highly considering buying online late one night {making them perfect for stacking and crashing}. They’re also part musical instrument, so multi-purpose indeed {hah – have I sold you on making a set for your bub yet??}
They allow babies to examine and play with all sorts of fascinating little bits up close. So they can encourage them to engage and explore sciency things that would normally wait until older stages.
Don’t forget that nature provides all sorts of fabulous little bits and botanicals that are free.
{Baby Play} Exploring Hot and Cold
Oh goodness… Have this little guy and I ever been having fun lately! When Hope was this same age, we were in a major state of transition {hello packing up an entire life overseas, moving home to Canada, staying with family for several months, and then resettling in a different city} and doing fun little activities probably wasn’t at the very top of my priority list. But this time around, things are different… We’re a year into being back in Canada {for the second time}, Hope is now in school full days {*gasp*}, and I get to spend my days with our sweet little preemie babe who seems to be curious about almost everything.
Sorting and Classifying:
How to Make STEM Skills Fun
Whether choosing a toy in their favorite color or arranging treasures from a nature walk, children naturally gravitate toward sorting and classifying. Drawing from my 11 years in early childhood, I’ve come to recognize the incredible benefits of this type of play. Join me as we uncover how to promote these fun STEM skills in…
Read MoreSorting and Classifying: How to Make STEM Skills Fun
Activities for One Year and Above
Exploring outdoors • Snails
Exploring Textures in the Garden
Exploring Scarecrows with technology
Exploring Artists • Eric Carle
Exploring Outdoors • Colors of Spring
Mark Making • Toddler Explorations
Exploring Outdoors • seasons changing
Exploring Outdoors • Frog hunting
The Polar Express STEM Sleigh Exploration
Kids get Arty • Exploring Monet
Exploring Transpiration Process in Plants with Celery
Exploring outdoors • shop imaginative play
FREE Printable Beach Explorers Journal for Kids
Little Blue and Little Yellow Colour Exploration
Exploring Trace Fossils by Making Dinosaur Footprints
Exploring Symmetry with Leaves • Nature Art for Autumn
Exploring The Frog Life Cycle with Toddlers and Preschoolers
Space Science Experiment • Exploring one of Jupiter's Moons
Exploring Hot and Cold Colors with Wet on Wet Watercolour Painting
Mondrian Inspired Sun-Catcher
• Exploring Famous Artists with Toddlers and Preschoolers
Animals after the storm
Go Wild this Summer as a Family
Interesting Fungus Books for Nature Study with Kids
Mondrian Christmas Ornaments
Play Dough for Babies and Young Toddlers
Making Ice-Cream Soup a Preschool and Toddler Science Experiment
No mess color theory experiment • Simple Science at Home
Dinosaur Science
Lego Snowflake Symmetry
Fun Ways for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Learn their Colors
I Spy Game and Telescope Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Plant Science • Dissecting a Flower
Rainbow Rice
Simple and Easy Rocket Craft and Experiment
Bee Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Magic Tree House • Books and Activities for Kids
Read a Story • Paint the Ocean
Free Painting Canvas
The Knight at Dawn Unit Study • Middle Ages and Medieval Times
A Remainder of One Hands-On Division Activity
D.I.Y Nature Study Kit for Kids
Fantastic Books about Antarctica to Read with and for Kids
First Birds Interactive App from the RSPB
5 DIY Music Ideas for Tots
Spring Outdoor Activities and Tips for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Collages with preschoolers
Farm Small World Play
Investigating the Impact of Humans on Ocean Animals • Plastic Bag Jellyfish
A Simple Forest Scavenger Hunt Activity for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Weather crafts and activities
Paper Plate Ladybird
Planting a Rainbow
Rainbow Sensory Bag for Toddlers
Autumn Nature Study Ideas and Activities
Testing Soil • Simple Science for Kids
Currency Collections
Simple Preschool Apple Science Investigation Using the 5 Senses
Science for kids • "How Plants Drink"
Saving Seeds • Plant Science
Fun Hands-on Volcano Science for Kids
Dancing with Dinosaurs
Fun Activities for 18-month-old and younger
Favorite Winter Books and Stories for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Science for toddlers and preschoolers
Simple Summer Science and Nature Study Activities to do with Kids
Knights Castles and Dragons
Fun Learning Activities at the Beach
A Guide on How to go Rock Pooling with Kids
Using Nature for Forest School or Outdoor Nature Play
TOT SCHOOL & STORYTIME
FALL: Apples, Fall, Bat & Spiders, Weather
SPRING: Plants, Insects, Frogs, Butterflies, Earth Day, Spring
WINTER: Zoo, Farm, Ocean
Flowers, plants, and animals provide your little one with rich authentic learning opportunities.
From the first hour of life, when a baby stares into the eyes of his new parents, he is learning all about this brave new world.
Babies (under 4 years old) try to make sense of what they see, touch, taste, grab, hear, hold, and squeeze. Think of a baby clutching a hunk of ripe banana, slowly squeezing it, and watching in wonder as the yellow, creamy fruit slithers between his fingers.
Babies are born primed to learn how the world of people and objects works. That is why they love exploring their outdoor surroundings. Every bug, animal, or bird that your baby sees is a brand-new experience — especially because babies spend so much time indoors.
When at the park or in your yard, don't be surprised if your baby wants to touch a nice earthworm as she inspects the grass at the edge of her blanket. Many babies love to feel a caterpillar crawling on their arms.
Natural experiences should come in doses that are understandable for your baby and in ways that keep your baby safe, of course. Babies are forever exploring, whether trying to poke a finger into an electrical socket or attempting to tip over a stand so that they can pull at and maybe taste the shiny green leaves of a plant.
Babies are often unaware of dangers, and toddlers can climb with agility and fearlessness into hazardous situations. Be aware of the way your baby or toddler thinks. You might have a very gentle cat, but many a young toddler has pulled a cat's tail and received a strong scratch from the indignant cat! Social skills, such as decentering (taking the point of view of another) to consider the feelings of a peer or a kitty, are in short supply in infancy.
You might be surprised at how encounters in nature bring out a toddler's gentleness. Some will cry if you squash a Japanese beetle underfoot after you've seen the damage that beetle did to your rosebush leaves. Others will cry and protest if you clip the driveway bushes that are overhanging and scratching your car.
Little children believe that moving things are alive. The bushes move and dance with the wind; your toddler thinks that maybe they are alive just as he is alive. Little children need a long time to learn about living and about death.
“Opportunities to experience nature up close stimulate infant senses, provide loveliness for him to appreciate, and encourage you to label objects — flowers, plants, and animals — and to explain their characteristics.
The following suggestions provide great ways for you and your child to safely experience the outdoors and will lead to rich learning experiences.”
Observe animals in their natural habitat.
As you walk with your baby in a pack on your back, point out sounds she can listen to, such as a bird chirping or crow cawing at the top of a tree. Point out the insects crawling, the doggies running around sniffing, and the squirrels climbing up trees. As your baby begins to use some language, she may call your attention to a bird flying up and settling on a tree branch. Rejoice with her excitement. The world of animals and birds is a new kind of discovery for her.
Encourage touching.
In the park, you can introduce your baby to a great variety of nature's textures. Invite him to feel the grass and pinecones; to touch smooth, bumpy, and grainy textures.
Talk about the weather.
Lure your little one to a window to notice light raindrops, driving rain, and the way thunder rolls and booms after you see a jagged lightning streak. Encourage her to listen to the wind make its howling noises as it rushes by. If there is a rainbow, take your toddler outside to see this awesome arc in the sky. As your child spends time outdoors, she will become a better observer of nature, including of weather patterns.
Your child might whine if she can't go out to play due to bad weather, but if you point out different patterns — of rain, lightning, hail, or hot sun — to your little one and explain that sometimes playing outside is not safe, then your child will be aware of the weather rather than think you are making up an arbitrary excuse about why she cannot go out.
Visit the zoo.
Wheel your stroller close to an exhibit and point out what your baby is looking at, whether it's a seal splashing in the water or a monkey swinging from a branch. You have been reading animal stories to your little one from early on. Now, at the zoo, he gets to see all those creatures that were in the storybooks. Let your toddler tell you that he is watching Horton the elephant lift up his trunk!
Stroll through a garden.
Flowers and plants offer your baby sensory and aesthetic pleasures. She will be sensitive to, and admiring of, the colors, sights, and sounds. Trees, flowers, and plants provide opportunities for talking about rough bark, delicate blossoms, and perfume smells. Some flowers are lovely to look at but don't have a smell when you sniff them. You can also pick up your baby to show her a butterfly nosing about to get nectar. (A butterfly bush in your garden will attract more of these beautiful "flying flowers!")
Grow plants.
Planting is a wonderful way to generate toddler enthusiasm. When you serve orange or grapefruit slices for a snack, remove the seeds for planting. Citrus fruits, including lemons, make small, lovely plants with shiny, dark green leaves. Your toddler can spoon some dirt into a disposable drinking cup and drop the seeds into the mix. Water the plant every few days and soon two little leaves will sprout. These plants grow slowly, but they are precious to watch. Your child will learn that not only can he enjoy eating the fruit, he can make a plant grow from the fruit's seeds. How empowering for him! (Note: Flowers are lovely to adorn a home, but some plants have poisonous leaves. Be sure to keep only plants that are safe for children.)
Introducing your child to all aspects of nature will help her with language development, and will give her an appreciation for the needs of other creatures and a sense of pride at helping wildlife flourish.
Enjoy these experiences together!
If you are looking for sensory experiences for toddlers in Natural world, this article is for you.
“Children deserve to grow and learn in a place and alongside a force that is as wild and alive as they are” – Nicolette Sowder
Scrunching gray pebble stones at every step of the narrow footpath, we strolled further and further into the bushland. It was our bush- walk day with the kids.
For me, nature is a small laboratory to experience all kinds of visual treats, exotic smells, vibrant textures, enchanting sounds and peculiar tastes.
Read about how to build connection between kids and nature
This is how I make sure our bush walk is appealing to all their faculties of sight, sound, taste, smell, touch PLUS balance and body awareness.
Following sensory experiences are not necessarily to be experienced in one outing. On the contrary, children need to get closer and closer a little bit every day as they grow up.
Sensory experiences for toddlers - SIGHT
“Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing” -Camille Pissarro
If we open our eyes to the little miracles around us, there’s a myriad of them offered to us by Nature. Something as little as a spider’s web can spark our wonder and curiosity as to how a small spider managed to make this thing of beauty.
These little wonders compel us to slow down from our endless rat race and pay attention to minute details in Nature.
When children are encouraged to admire these little beauties that an ordinary person may fail to notice, they will look at life from a different angle.
In addition, what they see and admire today, can be the reason why they become a scientist, Nature poet, Environmental conservationist or best of all, a happier human being. Because Nature inspires us in so many ways while giving us a feeling of security and freedom.
Letting my kids bond with Nature and encouraging them to make unforgettable memories is something I am aspiring to do with my kids. Age appropriate discussion is always what I aim for.
For example color, shapes, patterns, wildlife, plants and minerals are topics they can soak up at this age. And we can always go from there as they grow up.
Don’t fail to notice these little miracles in Nature. Let your kids relish them and in the long run it will help our little ones find THEMSELVES!
Blue sky
Birds flying in the sky
Colorful flowers
Green meadows
Mountain ranges
Mossy rocks
Brambles
Frothy bubbles in the creek
Tadpoles
Algae
Watching how a seed sprouts
Fallen trees/tree logs
Beehives
Ant hills
Dewy plants
Sun- drenched tree tops
Bird nests
Flocks of native birds
Shapes made by clouds
Thick green forest
Amber-red maple leaves
Dull yellow leaves
Worms under a rock
Rainbow
“The earth has music for those who listen” W. Shakespeare
Getting familiar with the varied sounds that nature has to offer not only relaxes you, but also revives your connection to the natural world.
The innate desire of man to live in harmony with Nature, makes us deeply bonded with sounds like chattering water, wind whistling, rain splattering so on and so forth.
These sweet sounds can be a way of signaling our brain “You are home and you are safe”.
To indulge in these melodious sounds with children, all you have to do is pay attention with your ears open. Your child will find Nature an orchestra itself.
Chirping of birds
Rustling of leaves
Creaking branches of trees
Hooting of owls
Insects humming
Animals munching and chomping their food
Rain splattering on leaves
Thundering
Sound of waterfalls pounding the rocks
Quacking of ducks
Huffing and puffing sounds of wild animals
Buzzing of bees
Wind whistling
Grunts and clicks of frogs
Cooing of doves
Chattering of creeks
Very little encouragement is enough to help children bond with nature
“Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions or will- Patrick Suskind
I cannot stress enough how underrated our power of smell is. Just as people have their own unique smell, the natural world is also enriched with subtle variations of fragrance and aroma.
If our little ones take in this assortment of stimuli, they will see how much Nature is ALIVE in her own peculiar way.
Even the musty smell of rotting wood is an indication that Nature is alive. Though the wood is living her last days , it has given life to another living organism, the fungi.
Our Natural world is filled with the smell of LIFE itself, Let’s teach our kids to cherish it.
May be they will one day look back on these special moments spent in natural world with hearts filled with warmth and nostalgia.
Fragrance of flowers
Smell of rain on parched earth
Rotting wood
Musty smell of moss, damp wood and rain-sodden leaves.
Earthy smell of mud
Smell of mushrooms
Pungent smell of pine sap
Lemony smells of citrus trees
Scratch and sniff leaves and smell their distinct aroma like mint, wild
ginger, wild onion
Deer dung
The earthy moist smell when you lift up a rock to see worms
Dusty smell of hot summer breeze
My daughter says these water drops taste better. May be she's right 🙂
“We could have never loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it” George Elliot
Nature is full of flavor. Since the first primitive cell of life on earth, Nature has always been our lifeline.
Man is biologically dependent on flavors Nature offers to us and no wonder why our kids JUST LOVE to eat wild berries, drink flower nectar or even rain water.
With little to no encouragement, they are going to explore these because they are part of Natural World.
Taste of rain water
Sour wild berries
Sweet wild fruits
Sweet flower nectar
Spicy cinnamon, pepper
Salty water from sea
Earthy spicy taste of wild onion and wild ginger.
Edible plants like dandelion
Mint flavor
Encourage your child to have muddy, grassy or sandy feet at the end of each day. That’s the childhood they deserve”- Penny Whitehouse
Children’s hands and bare feet can absorb so many stimuli of different textures, temperatures and contacts with Nature, building a strong nerves connection.
Let them explore, get dirty and get connected with these vital sources of stimuli Nature has in abundance.
Damp. mossy rocks
Rough tree barks
Spiky wild bushes
Silky smooth bird feathers
Sticky sap of trees
Fruit flies hovering around the face
Spider web strands on face
Dewy grass cooling feet
Silky soft sand in riverbanks
Scorching sun burning the skin
Soft, slimy mud
Cold/warm water from creeks
Tickle of falling leaves
Smooth pebble stones in creeks
Ants and termites running on skin
Nature has ample of opportunities to help children improve their balance and coordination skills
“Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves” Stephen Moss
Balance or in other words vestibular sense is a skill of understanding where your body is in space.
It helps movement and balance. Body awareness or spatial awareness helps children understand where their bodies are in space. Nature has multitude of opportunities for little ones to improve these skills.
Walking
Stepping stones
Climbing trees or rocks
Swinging on vines, low branches
Walking on uneven ground
Balancing on fallen tree logs
Hiking
Our Experience ...
The stillness of giant trees and the indistinct patterns of shadows retained an aura of mystery. An occasional puff of wind would sweep through our face leaving fragrance from wild flowers.
It was the season of autumn. Different hues of yellow and orange veiled over the woodland like a dome.
The kids collected amber-red maple leaves for their artwork. Their pockets were full of wild blackcurrants that they kept chomping, making their lips scarlet red.
The day is a bit overcast, with some rain clouds looming in the distance, but we just did not have the heart tun back. We carefully made our way down a fairly steep, muddy bank to the edge of a small creek.
The glass shine of the surface and the dull murmuring of the water flow had the lullaby effect on us. We sat on a mossy stone and looked around that amazing natural habitat that gives life to millions of plants and wildlife with awe.
We got carried away admiring the beauty and failed to notice the rain at hand. As the soft drizzle turned into swollen, ploppy raindrops, we hurried our steps to take shelter under what seemed like a Centuries-old Oak tree.
Though it was autumn, it still had leaves survived from rain and wind. We felt grateful for that ancient leafy canopy for everything she has provided for us for hundreds of years and counting.
Bush walk day is a special day for our family for so many reasons. But my favorite reason is, it gives so many opportunities for children to find their connection with nature.
Furthermore, children and Nature have their own special bond where they give so much to each other. If you think about it, it really makes sense. Man is biologically bonded with nature.
One glance at my children, playing with rain water dripping down the tree branches is enough to prove that. Their curiosity to see how bird eggs hatch, excitement to see how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, interest in sweet-smelling flowers remind me that nature is their HOME, nowhere else.
In order to whip up my point, let me add that there’s short term benefits of sensory experience too associated with cognitive skills which eventually will help children get better grades at school.
Having said that, I strongly believe, long term benefits are the ones we, as parents should be aiming for. A child who grows up to be an independent thinker and a believer in the power of Mother Nature.
Montessori Language Miniatures:
What Are They And How I Use Them?
(Other people refer to them as Props OR Loose Parts)
Montessori offers a great tool for busy parents trying to teach their kids the skills of letter sounds and vocabulary: Montessori language miniatures.
Montessori language miniatures are small, realistic replicas of everyday objects that often come in sets. Here’s an example of a Montessori miniature set you can use with your children. Just as the name suggests, Montessori teachers and parents use the miniatures to teach language concepts, including expressive language and letter sounds.
These skills prepare children for writing and reading. Language miniatures are best suited for children ages 3 to 10. Because of their versatility and simplicity, language miniatures are a popular choice for Montessori homes and classrooms. They can greatly simplify your life as a parent — say goodbye to getting a new activity, game, or toy to teach every new language concept. You can use language miniatures to teach a variety of concepts to children of all ages.
Let’s explore how to use them.
Introducing the miniatures to your child is the fun part. They get to explore and play with the toys, which may include objects like a hat, button, or rolling pin. As they play, they can learn the letter sounds.
Here’s how to start:
Sit beside your child and name each object as your child explores it. Use rich language to describe the object’s characteristics.
Ask your child questions about what they notice about the object and what they think it might be used for. Invite them to use the name of the object as they describe it.
This simple play can build both receptive and expressive language skills. Receptive language is the ability to comprehend the language one hears from others. Expressive language is the ability to use language to communicate wants, needs, and ideas. The development of both receptive and expressive language depends on a child first knowing the right words to describe the people, places, and things that make up their world.
Montessori language miniatures are an excellent tool to help your child expand their vocabulary. As you build your child’s vocabulary, you strengthen the foundation that will one day help them read and write. And unlike flashcards or tablet games, language miniatures are engaging, tactile, and a bonding experience between parent and child.
As your child becomes more familiar with the vocabulary associated with the miniatures, switch up how you use them — but keep it simple! Many children enjoy a classic scavenger hunt. Start by hiding some of the objects in a room of your home. At first, you can play with a smaller set of 5-10 objects. As your child gets the hang of the game, you can gradually add more.
Once your objects are hidden, give your child the name of the object they need to find and set them loose. If they bring back the incorrect item, name the item they brought back. Give them a hint about what the requested item looks like so they can try again. Up the ante by timing how quickly they can find the miniatures. Challenge them to get faster and faster each time you play.
As your child grows, the fun with language miniatures continues — you don’t need to spend money on something new. Knowing letter sounds and hearing the different sounds in spoken language are key skills that children need before they can learn to read and write. You can use your language miniatures to practice letter sounds and help your child begin to recognize them in speech.
Start off by inviting your child to play with the miniatures again. Sit beside them and again name the objects. This time, comment on the sounds that you hear in the vocabulary words.For example: “The turtle is swimming! Turtle – /t/, /t/, turtle! I hear the /t/ sound.” Relate the sounds to other common words your child knows, such as another miniature (“top hat”), a friend or family member’s name, their favorite characters from a book or TV show, or a word from a familiar letter sounds song.
As your child grows, you can play Montessori sound games with your language miniatures and their corresponding letter sounds. One way to play sound games is with a version of “I Spy.” You can set out a language miniature, like a turtle, and say something like, “I spy something that starts with /t/.” When your child gives you the item, emphasize the sound again. Keep Montessori sound games simple when you first start by using just one obvious object. You can gradually add more items as your child becomes more confident.Pairing Language Miniatures with the Movable AlphabetOnce your child knows their letter sounds, they can begin learning the symbols that represent these sounds: letters.
The Montessori movable alphabet is a hands-on material that Montessori children use to master their knowledge of letters. Pairing language miniatures with the movable alphabet is an effective way to help children practice their early reading skills.
This activity is best completed with a child who is already familiar with each letter. Start with just a handful of miniatures and letters. Invite your child to place each language miniature with the corresponding letter of the movable alphabet. For example, they can match the strawberry language miniature with the “s” and the egg with the “e.” As your child masters this activity, you can increase the number of language miniatures and movable alphabet letters you present at a time.
With Montessori Language Miniatures, Practice Makes PerfectUsing language miniatures is an easy and stress-free way to teach your child letter sounds at home. You can use any words you and your child know. To engage your child even more, consider using words about objects they enjoy.
Once you’ve given your child lots of examples of words that start with the same sounds as the miniature, invite your child to think of their own — but don’t expect perfection immediately! Hearing different letter sounds is a skill that takes time to develop.
The more you practice with language miniatures and sound games, the better your child will get. You can refer back to the miniatures in any conversation you’re having with your child. Challenge them to identify other words in your conversation that start with the same sound as the miniatures. Because you can play this game anywhere, at any time, for as long as you want, this is an easy and fun way to help your child one day read and write.
These are just a few ways to nurture your child’s Montessori language development with language miniatures, but the possibilities are truly endless. You can practice rhyming, alliteration, inventive spelling, or simply use the miniatures to inspire your child’s imagination and let them create a game of their own.
Check out these Montessori language miniature sets ($$) for yourself, and let us know how you and your child use them in creative ways to have fun and build language. We’d love to share your ideas!