Fun ideas and links for 2-5 year olds!
Welcome to my Homeschooling Toddlers & Preschoolers Fun Page! I have tried to include a lot of different things that would make learning fun for our little ones! Some of these things I have made up, some I have obtained from other sources. There are so many things we can do to make learning fun! Even our toddlers and preschoolers can be learning so much and not even realize it! Enjoy your precious children – they grow up and are gone before you know it! Make each day full of love and learning . . . and have fun!!!
Here is a special treat just for you!
Download this HUGE list of Craft Recipes!
You will find recipes for bubbles, clays, playdoughs, paints, etc. Enjoy!
Fun Things To Learn:
- Alphabet (upper & lower case letter recognition & sounds)
- Writing the Alphabet
- Colors & Shapes
- Animals
- Transportation (car, truck, bus, train, airplane, etc.)
- Continents (begin learning about continents & oceans)
- Community Helpers (mailman, fireman, policeman, doctor, etc.)
- Health & Safety (brush teeth & hair, bathing, washing hands, etc.)
- Manners (not interrupting, using kind words, table manners, etc.)
- Science (there are lots of fun things that would fall under this!) Counting 1-30 (number recognition) and Writing 1-10
Learning Supplies:
- Music Praise Tapes/CDs
- Board puzzles
- Large Floor Puzzles
- Lace It Cards
- Play Dough
- Wood Blocks
- Large Legos
- Coloring Books
- Crayons
- Washable Markers
- Water Paints
- Small Dry Erase Board & Markers (for writing letters & numbers
- Alphabet Flashcards (see my flashcards I have made below)
- Numbers Flashcards
- Animals Flashcards
- Construction Paper
- Blunt Scissors
- Elmer’s Glue
- Glue Stick
- GlitterPopsicle Sticks/M&Ms (math)
- And Lots of Books!!!!
ABC Flashcards!
by Sheri Graham
Do you want to have FUN with your children and teach them the letter names and letter sounds too? These ABC Manuscript Flashcards are just the thing for you! There are flashcards (upper and lower case) for each letter of the alphabet, along with some fun ideas how to use them! Get yours today! Click the links below to download!
ABC Flashcards – Manuscript (PDF file)
ABC Flashcards – Cursive (PDF file)
Open Classroom:
This is an idea I got from an email loop friend (Cindy in CT). She does this with her kids and I thought it was a wonderful idea- especially for our little ones! She has an hour and a half each morning that is called “Open Classroom”. During this time each child has to choose three activities from the Open Classroom list to do, spending no less than 15 minutes on each activity. At the end of the Open Classroom period the kids then have to report back to Mom what they have done.
Now, this Open Classroom list is made up of activities the kids can do on their own, or with little supervision. For younger children this would make a great time for Mom to play with them and do some learning games with the alphabet and numbers. For little ones this may include: puzzles, coloring, play dough, blocks, legos, flashcard games, etc. For older children it may include: write a poem, do Jumpstart Typing CD, play Scrabble, play Rummy Roots, label all the states on a USA map, list all the US states and capitals, do Learning Wrap-Ups, learn a Bible verse, learn a new vocabulary word, practice telling time with talking clock, etc.
If you are like me, you have a lot of “educational” toys you have accumulated that aren’t being used. Make a list of all these things – you will be surprised how many “educational” things you have!
Once you make your list, print it out and then mark off as each activity is done. This way they have to go through all the activities before doing the same ones again.
Alphabet & Number Charts & Writing Pages
Alphabet Chart & Writing Pages
I have made an alphabet chart and writing pages that you can print out on card stock paper, then laminate or cover with contact paper. Use washable markers to practice writing the alphabet over and over again!
I have made a number chart (1-20) and a writing page to practice writing numbers. Print these on card stock paper, then laminate or cover with contact paper. Use washable markers to practice writing the numbers over and over again!
***Another idea how to use these: Put in sheet protectors and place in a notebook with a couple washable markers. This would be a great portable learning tool to take in the car!
Weekly Lesson Plans for Children Age 2-3
Click here to go to my pages of weekly lesson plans. There are 36 weeks worth of lessons. I have included an introduction page at the beginning to explain how I put together these lessons and how you can use them. Have fun!
Reading Books:
One of the best things you can do for your children is to read to them! Spend some time each day reading to your Toddler/Preschooler. Our reading time is right before bedtime. My toddler likes to pick out the same book every night to read, but he LOVES it! He has fun racing me to the chair and then sitting there laughing that there is no place for me to sit. I then, of course, have to tickle him, pick him up, and plop him on my lap. Our reading times are so precious and I wouldn’t miss it for anything! It is said that reading to children gives them a head start on learning to read, and helps instill in them a love of reading. Keep lots of books within reach of your toddler so he/she can easily get books out and look at them. Make the time NOW – and make reading a part of your day! You AND your child will be blessed!
You may also want to check out my fun ebook, Learning for the Littles, that makes learning lots of fun for your little ones!
