Tot Spot: Build a Snowman!

Source: whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com via Candice on Pinterest

I printed out this snowman that I found on Pinterest and placed it between two sheets of contact paper and then I cutout the pieces.  The whip-up time was about ten minutes total and that's because I had to COLOR the pieces in so we can start practicing identifying colors. 

Now, we have this..

This was super fun and TOO easy to create!  You can't beat that!

Any new idea's for involving your toddlers (between the ages of 12-24 months) in Christmas crafts?  Idea's are very welcomed here, as we are always looking for awesome age appropriate activities to try!  :) 

Happy Holidays!

Candice S

Autumn Apple Wreath

Did I mention, that I am utterly in love and completely addicted to Pinterest?  Well, I cannot help but find an amazing array of inspiration everywhere I click...Starting with this awesome Autumn Apple Wreath pictured below from The Crafty Crow.

Source: thecraftycrow.net via Candice on Pinterest

 I saw it and couldn't help but think that it was completely age appropriate for my 18 month old and my five year old to do together!  .. Let me tell you, it was a huge hit in our house this morning! 

Here's what you need:

Two Cereal Boxes

Red Paint for Apple Stamp

Green Paint for Thumb Prints

(I'm glad that I decided to go with our homemade finger paint recipe because Baby Brother enjoyed taking in between work breaks to munch on his apple)

Scissors to cutout the apple's after they dry.  I did Mark Jr.'s and Harmony dd her own.

Hot Glue Gun for Parent (Tacky glue did not hold)

Plate

Have fun making your Autumn Apple Wreath!

During the "drying process" we decided to have some story time.  The following is our Fall theme books that we selected from the library and we've enjoyed every one of them!

Enjoy!

Candice S

Tot Spot: Montessori Sensory Basket

I read How To Raise An Amazing Child the Montessori Way at the beginning of the year and fell in love with quite a bit of Dr. Montessori's methods for teaching small children and the emphasis of importance she placed on supporting the learning environment from birth and beyond.  Simple techniques are discussed, as well as ideas's for extremely simple sensory play examples using items from the home.

  Creating a nature basket is an idea that is recommended for babies.  I have found that most of our learning toys, textures, and objects laying around the house have become favorites for our basket.  About once a month I change out the books, toys, and textures so we can explore something new.

Sensory Basket

Straws with a small, medium, and large cup used for nesting.  My 18 month old loves nesting cups and placing objects (straws) inside of them so this idea was super simple and he LOVES it! 

Pom Pom Game.  A recycled tub of butter becomes a game by stuffing pom pom's inside the hole, which promotes coordination.  Mark's attention span is astonishing while playing this game.

Texture Swatch/Sample.  A sewing swatch with a picture on it for Mark Jr. to feel, see, and explore.  The picture is of Mommy and Ni Ni (Sister)

Nesting Caps.  Various bottle cap sizes to use as a nesting toy.  **Beware of smaller bottle caps as babies enjoy placing these in their mouths.

V Tech Record and Learn Photo Album is definitely one of our favorite items.  You can record a personalized story and change out the photo's as often as you'd like.  This product also plays music and explores sights and sounds... 

I included some our Sock Puppet's for role play.. and to use while reading the following stories!  Mark loves using these and growling..  "Rooooaaarrr"





What are some of your favorite activities to do with your toddlers?

Candice S

Tot Spot: Creative Play with Upcycled Cardboard Box

Harmony started Kindergarten this week so I have been planning toddler/tot curriculum and activities for Mark Jr.  We are just enjoying each other right now, trying to keep "happy" and "calm" without Big Sister to play with.  I have saved this box for a few weeks now because Mark has really enjoyed tossing it around and playing with it so I decided today, that we would make it into a car because his favorite toys are firetrucks and cars. 

"Vrrrooooommm vrooooom", Mark Jr. loves to say.


You start by cutting the flaps off of the sides of the box with a razor blade.

Trace the shapes with things around the kitchen, such coffee tins and cookie cutters.

You can use scrap cardboard to cut out the steering wheel and then attach it with wire, a tact, or use a paper clip.

If you want to get super creative then you can even make straps and attach them to the sides of the box so your little one to walk around with their new car zzzzoooooooming all over the house!


There are so many fun things you can do with recycled materials!  My 16 month old loves his car, but I can tell you that as cute as the steering wheel is.. it isn't going to last five minutes!!  I love it!










Have a great weekend!

Candice S