Toddler Exploration
Eye Level Mirrors
Materials:
Mirrors: You'll need one or more full-length mirrors at the toddler's eye level.
Props: You can provide hats, scarves, sunglasses, and other props for the toddlers to experiment with in front of the mirror.
Music: You can play music or sing songs to encourage the toddlers to dance and move in front of the mirror.
Engage:
To engage the toddlers, you can start the lesson by asking them if they have ever looked in a mirror before.
You can also demonstrate how to make different facial expressions and encourage them to imitate you.
Explore:
For this activity, you'll need one or more full-length mirrors at the toddler's eye level.
You can also provide props such as hats, scarves, and sunglasses for the toddlers to experiment with in the mirror.
You can also play music or sing songs to encourage the toddlers to dance and move in front of the mirror.
Explain:
Explain to the toddlers that they will be using mirrors to look at themselves and explore their faces and bodies.
Show them how to use the props and encourage them to experiment with different expressions and movements in front of the mirror.
Elaborate:
After the toddlers have had a chance to explore the mirrors and props, you can encourage them to interact with each other in front of the mirror.
You can also play games such as "I Spy" where you describe body parts for them to find in the mirror.
Discuss with the toddlers what they see in the mirror and how they feel about their reflections.
Evaluate:
To evaluate the toddlers, you can observe their engagement and participation in the activity and their reactions to their reflections in the mirror.
You can also ask them to point to different body parts or describe what they see in the mirror.
Interactive Reading
Materials:
Age-appropriate books: You'll need a variety of books with colorful pictures and simple words.
Soft seating: You can provide pillows or bean bags for the toddlers to sit on while they read.
Simple books: For independent reading, you can provide simple books with large, clear text and plenty of pictures.
Engage:
To engage the toddlers, you can start the lesson by asking them if they have any favorite books or stories.
You can also show them a variety of books with colorful pictures and ask them to describe what they see in the pictures.
Explore:
For this activity, you'll need a variety of age-appropriate books with colorful pictures and simple words.
You can also provide soft and comfortable seating such as pillows or bean bags for the toddlers to sit on.
For independent reading, you can provide simple books with large, clear text and plenty of pictures.
Explain:
Explain to the toddlers that they will be reading books with an adult and practicing reading on their own.
Show them how to hold a book and turn the pages, and encourage them to point to the pictures and describe what they see.
Elaborate:
For reading with an adult, you can choose a book with simple words and pictures, and read it aloud to the toddlers, pointing to the words and pictures as you go.
You can also ask the toddlers questions about the story and encourage them to predict what might happen next.
For independent reading, you can provide a selection of simple books with large, clear text and plenty of pictures, and encourage the toddlers to choose a book to read on their own.
Evaluate:
To evaluate the toddlers, you can observe their engagement and participation in the activity, their ability to follow along with the story, and their willingness to read independently.
You can also ask them questions about the story and encourage them to describe what they see in the pictures.
Helping One another
Materials:
Puzzle sets or blocks: You'll need materials that the toddlers can work on together, such as puzzles or blocks that require two or more people to play.
Soft seating: You can provide pillows or bean bags for the toddlers to sit on while they work together.
Visual aids: You can show pictures or videos of children helping each other to reinforce the concept of helping and working together.
Engage:
To engage the toddlers, you can start the lesson by asking them if they have ever helped someone else before.
You can also show them pictures or videos of children helping each other and ask them to describe what they see.
Explore:
For this activity, you'll need a variety of materials that the toddlers can help each other with, such as puzzles, blocks, or toys that require two or more people to play.
You'll also need soft and comfortable seating such as pillows or bean bags for the toddlers to sit on.
Explain:
Explain to the toddlers that they will be helping each other with different activities and encourage them to work together to complete the tasks.
Show them how to ask for help when they need it and how to offer help when they see someone else struggling.
Elaborate:
For this activity, you can divide the toddlers into pairs or small groups and provide them with materials to work on together.
You can encourage them to take turns and help each other as needed, and praise them for working well together and being kind to each other.
Evaluate:
To evaluate the toddlers, you can observe their engagement and participation in the activity, their ability to work well with others and help each other, and their willingness to ask for help and offer help to others.
Adventurous play
Materials:
Balance beam: You can provide a low balance beam for the toddlers to walk across.
Stepping stones: You can provide stepping stones for the toddlers to jump or step on.
Soft seating: You can provide pillows or bean bags for the toddlers to sit on while they take a break from playing.
Visual aids: You can show pictures or videos of children taking safe risks while playing to reinforce the concept of trying new things.
Engage:
To engage the toddlers, you can start the lesson by asking them if they like to play and explore new things.
You can also show them pictures or videos of children trying new things and taking risks while playing.
Explore:
For this activity, you'll need a variety of materials that will allow the toddlers to explore and take risks safely, such as a balance beam or stepping stones.
You'll also need soft and comfortable seating such as pillows or bean bags for the toddlers to sit on.
Explain:
Explain to the toddlers that they will be trying new things and taking risks while playing, but that it is important to do so safely.
Show them how to use the materials provided safely and encourage them to take small risks and try new things.
Elaborate:
For this activity, you can set up a safe and supervised play area with the materials provided.
Encourage the toddlers to explore and take small risks, such as walking across a balance beam or jumping off a small platform.
Praise them for trying new things and taking risks safely.
Evaluate:
To evaluate the toddlers, you can observe their engagement and participation in the activity, their willingness to take small risks and try new things, and their ability to do so safely.