Theme for the Week - Cars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

Cars! On November 1, 1927, Ford started making the Model A to replace the Tin Lizzie.  It cost $460! It was a much improved design with a choice of several styles. This was a huge innovation for the car company, and for manufacturing in the United States. So this week, we'll have some fun with cars! What would we do without them?

 

Our cars are such a huge part of our everyday life - even if you live in the city, there's a good chance you get in a taxi often so you can appreciate what an important part of life the car plays. My toddler loves to play in our car while we're parked in the driveway - 

pushing buttons, "adjusting" the mirror, turning up the radio.  Of course, I never leave  him unattended and I always have the parking brake on! If you click on "November 1st"  above it takes you to an interesting website with other historic events from this day. 

 

Letter of the Week: L  - for "Lizzie" - point out things that start with "L" -  lemon, light, loud. Show your toddler a picture of both a capital L and a lower case l. Draw an L on paper, or use your child's finger to draw it in the sandbox or dirt. Use bath tub or 

refrigerator letters to show him/her this letter as well. I've been showing my toddler letters in the bathtub - while he isn't identify them correctly, he does make "sounds" when he sees them because he knows that's what I do. You can even use flashcards a little at a time. We recently saw this link on Twitter about how to teach your toddler the alphabet, brought to you by the website www.toddlerinterpreting.com

 

Number of the Week: 4  - When you show your child anything say "4 lemons" (or whatever you are counting). Count to 4. Write the number 4 on paper or show your toddler a flash card. Show your child 4 things at a time and count them - "one" "two" "three" - so your child gets used to the pattern. When I have been counting to my son, he now points to things and makes sounds like he's trying to count. 

 

Songs of the Week:  Over the Mountains- This is a really cute little song and if you click on the "CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE SONG" it plays a video for the song too.  It's catchy! Check out the rest of the British Council website-  There are tons of fun things to do!

 

Story of the Week: Cars & Trucks & Things that Go by Richard Scarry. This isn't our typical storybook selection but Richard Scarry books are just so fun and have great illustrations. Your toddler may not read the book cover to cover but there are plenty of fun pictures to look at. If you can't find these books at the library this week, you can look on on-line for your favorite book seller. 

 

Snack of the Week:  Snacks for the Car - This website gives some suggestions for what to bring in the car when you are out - just make sure you use your best judgement on what's appropriate for your child - they suggest grapes, which are fine but I still quarter grapes for my toddler.  Cereal - like Cheerios, string cheese, animal crackers, etc.  Also, make sure someone is watching your toddler if you all are going to be eating in the car in case he or she does choke.  

 

Spanish Words of the Week: el coche or el carro = car, conducir = to drive, adiós = good-bye

 

Do It Myself: Climb into Your Seat - With your help, let your toddler climb into the car and into his/her seat.  Of course, you can give help when needed but instead of just hoisting them into their seat, this lets them control things a little. You'll still want to strap them into their car seat.

 

Activity of the Week: Car Shapes Craft - This is a really cute craft to make a paper car. This link gives you instructions and has a link to a printable template. The best part of this craft is that you can talk to your toddler about shapes while you help him/her glue the pieces together. You can customize your car with crayons/markers. 

 

Yoga Pose: Bridge Pose - Since yoga was around way before the car, I had to stretch this a little. We do go over bridges in our cars :) PS - Our kids always liked the Yoga Kids series if you'd like more ideas for doing yoga with your toddler. 

 

Sign Language Sign of the Week: Car and Go.  If your toddler is still learning how to talk, sign language can be a great way for them to communicate.  And as they get older, they'll pick up signs faster and it can be more of a fun thing versus a way to communicate.