BlogFrog

I wish I could give you some words of wisdom, but it's a free-for-all here!

I may be able to help you!  I can share a little bit of what our toddler room at our high quality center has...
I know home & "school" is different but it might help you to get the ideas moving.
First we serve food (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack & late snack) every 2 hours!  This is something i have transfered home! (i work 3 days a week, home the other 4)  They go outside once in the am & once in the pm.  They do several projects (art, science, math, language, world around us) they serve lunch, have a 2 hour nap period.  They also change diapers every 2 hours per our state licensing. 
So their day is filled with diapers, food, projects.
What time does your LO get up?
Does writing plans/ideas help you?  I know for me, i sometimes need to commit to my schedule in writing to feel more accomplished.
Do you live near a library, Gymboree (or something where you have open gym etc), a YMCA?
Do you live in an area where you can get outside all year round?
I like doing my projects/errands etc in the morning.
So perhaps, i would run a toddler schedule like this:
wake up
breakfast
independent play
(so i could get dressed/ready)
out n about (hour-2 hours with drive time )
library-m
gym-tues
errands-wed
playdate-thur
Park-friday
Bringing a snack on the go with us
Home-
independent play until lunch
lunch
nap (i would try really hard to get a 2 hour nap/rest time in for child- i need that time to get dinner/laundry/exercise/rest)
project (great websites out there for SIMPLE & Easy toddler activities
play with mommy (cars, dolls, dramatic play-role play, balls, etc) (would alternate fine motor & large motor every other day...Fine motor- great example-threading beads on string (way advanced for most tods, just the example)
Large motor- active play-muscle development-outside time-kicking a ball, jumping, dancing etc

Independent play until dinner

Can you tell i love my job of working at a high quality child care center & that i help coordinate the lesson plans...i love sharing about curriculum and activities.

LOVE THIS WEBSITE (She's on this forums also :)
http://tvfreetoddlertime.blogspot.com/
If you are interested i can post projects that i teach in an activity class for parents.

Ooooo, Tracy, thanks so much for the linky love!

We have lots of activities... my kiddos current favorites are building caves out of their beds, having a drum band with the pots and pans and making paths with old shoes.  They probably play by themselves for an hour in the morning and afternoon - I call it timer time and set the timer for "free play".  They do "school" each morning too (coloring, playing with goop, using sticky sticks to form letters, playing starfall, etc.)  I am blessed that my youngsters have each other to play with and help entertain each other.  Other than those 2.5 hours of the day we usually do chores and play together.

I blog about our activities and learning fun

ohh Quirkymomma, i have to give you props (too) i love your website & have implemented some of your ideas in my preschool room...as a matter of fact, i was going to email you...(about sharing your laundry as math with my center)
http://quirkymomma.com/2009/chores-laundry/
it's a fab article!  I have shared it with a couple of parents who are struggling with the idea of having young children assist with chores.  (some are surprised when i suggest they give chores to help with growth, self confidence & independence)
i also love
http://lovemylifex4.blogspot.com/
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/  (this site is totally ME, i love combining sensory activities with books!) ( i actually teach classes (IRL) about this idea)
one last link
http://lapbooksbycarisa.homestead.com/TraysforTots.html
Blogs have completely changed the way i search for early childhood activities/articles for my personal life & at work.

WOW ladies you really went above and beyond * Thanks*!! I appreciate the links so much. At nap I will actually get a chance to peak and read through it more!

He is involved in activities throughout the week, gym class, swimming and MOPS. We get out and about it is our at home time that I am beginning to feel needs some structure because he is just pulling toys out and running around like crazy. We have a very loose schedule right now and I feel like he and I could both benefit for some more structure. Outside play is limited since we have about 2 feet of snow right now. The poor kid can not even really play in it, it is so deep. I think I am going to start to pull some of the activities off the blogs so that we are engaging in some project/structured learning time in the am and pm each day. Great idea Tracy about writing it down, I know it helps me with my chores if I jot down some chores it gives me a goal so to speak!  Keep those ideas coming I love them and find them very helpful.

Tracy it sounds like you love your job and are very dedicated! How wonderful that you get to do something you love everyday :)

Wow!  I just have to say that you mommies are "ROCKSTARS"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tracy, thanks for all these links! I added them to my toddler time blog roll, including Quirky's, which I should have done a long time ago!

Does anyone else have a huge blank space in this thread.... weird... this forum is having some problems today!!

Jen WOW!! I love your blog hun..... read through 5 pages before I 'saw' you wonderful will be stealing your ideas right and left!! :)