Any Ideas For 1 & 2yr Old Curriculum?

[applejx12]

Hi, A friend and I are currently working on starting a daycare facility here in Florida, we have idea's on what we want to implement for our 3 and 4 year olds in terms of lesson plans but I would like to have more ideas for the younger kids. What have you all done with the 1s and 2s? All input and advice wanted and NEEDED..thanks!

AppleJx12

Visit www.highreachlearning.com. Their curriculum is wonderful!

I am a home dc and I do a preschool curriculum. My experience is that 1 and 2's are just too difficult and too young to do a preschool curriculum. I have found the best age to start is 3. You could possibly do things like...when child is in the high chair give them blocks to build with or other creative toys for manipulation. I am not sure, as sometimes I think kids just need to be kids (in this case a toddler), and not have things (curriculum) forced upon them.

[applejx12]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am a home dc and I do a preschool curriculum. My experience is that 1 and 2's are just too difficult and too young to do a preschool curriculum. I have found the best age to start is 3. You could possibly do things like...when child is in the high chair give them blocks to build with or other creative toys for manipulation. I am not sure, as sometimes I think kids just need to be kids (in this case a toddler), and not have things (curriculum) forced upon them.

Hey I agree I don't want to force anything on the kids...but I wonder what would be good activities to have? What I did with my own child may not be appropriate for other kids....for instance my 1 year old KNEW when Law n Order Was coming on :-), or other things like chase mommie...the blocks idea is great my son loved to push them over when he was 1....maybe the correct question should be...What fun activties have you all tried with the 1s and 2s?


AppleJx

A little of what a preschool day is like for me in my dc.

I put a preschool program together every year for my preschoolers. I base it on information I received (by request) from our elementary school. I asked them for the kindergarten packet that explains what the child needs to know to pass the k screening. Basically it covers: numbers 1 thru 10, 11 colors, alphabet, 4 basic shapes. I also go beyond that with some concept words, weekly craft projects, baking day, free play, music, etc.

I basically present my preschool in the mornings, when those under age 2 are napping. Rules are simple: sit quietly, listen, do your work and have fun.

I get most of my information off of websites. I love Kidsoup.com., and it is well worth the $22 per year. Also Childcareland.com is very good. There are many others out there too.

We do a lot of holiday activities/crafts. Bake something about 1 time per week. Have music day, book day, etc. I have found that coming up with a plan is the best and hardest thing to do. But once you figure it out and keep to your schedule....your days will go much smoother.

Here are a couple samples of what I used for my preschool outline....and just built off of it:

SEPTEMBER

Numbers: 1, 2

Alphabet: A, B, C, D

Shape: Circle

Colors: Red, Blue

Back To School

Fall

Apples

Song: Good Morning Song


OCTOBER

Numbers: 3, 4

Alphabet: E, F, G, H

Shape: Square

Colors: Orange, Brown

Halloween

Pumpkins

Fire Safety

Nursery Rhyme: Little Miss Muffet

[applejx12]

Hey Thanks for the great ideas...I will def remember your suggestions they are really good and build from them as you said....

AppleJx

I have run a childcare with a preschool program for 8 ys now. I know the younger children are more challenging to include in lesson plans, and to find developmentally appropriate activities is more difficult. Nonetheless, it is important as more and more is expected of our children in elementary school, and more is expected of our teachers, to provide opportunities for learning in daycare.

I use a full 3-4 yr old curriculum, and then add customized activities for the younger kids that fit/match the preschool activity/theme. As we introduce colors, for example, make sure to have colored bean bags or balls to hold or play hot potato with during circle time. Encourage early language by repeating the words. All of my two year olds know all of their colors and shapes and most of the alphabet. Incorporating multiple learning styles is important as well. While older children practice writing the letter you are working on, perhaps a lacing letter manipulative will help the younger child in the group. Sorting blocks by shape and color using traditional block shape sorter, while you assist and encourage them to say the shape or color, as a game with you, should have those skills mastered in no time. Songs for each letter, color, number and season are available ( I think I got mine through Trend)and music is universal.

It's important to include the younger children as much as possible while respecting their natural attention span limits. Use many, many short 5-10 minute teachable moments throughout the day, reinforcing the same concepts. Make sure to read several times a day. Choose short easy books for the toddlers as well as books appropriate for the 3-4 yr olds. Have board books that they can have handy, and read them every time they bring it to you to share. I have kids reading as young as 3 here. Best of luck, and kudos to you for trying to give all the children in your care the best!

[gkids09]

I have owned a daycare for almost 2 years, but have worked there since I was about 15. My grandmother owned it for 22 years, and I took it over from her when she retired, so I have seen many activities she did with younger children. Now, I take kids age 1-5 years, and have some after school kids too. At this time, I don't have any kids who take a morning nap, as most of them realize about 1.5 years that they're "missing out" on something sleeping!
Anyway, for the younger kids, I do not force them to do anything, but sit them down with the older kids and let them color a picture. We read to them, sing with them, do nursery rhymes, count, go over colors and shapes, and randomly say the alphabet, months, and days. One of my employees and I also spell their names VERY frequently. I have a one year old now who can already spell her name, and almost all of the older kids can too. Now for circle time, which includes calendar, shapes and colors, counting, patterns, seasons, etc etc etc, I start them when they seem to WANT to sit down and pay attention with the other kids. Usually, this is around age 3, but I have three or four 2 year olds who do circle time now.
I find lots of ideas online. prekinders.com has some good ideas to build on, and this website, http://www.123child.com/UBB/showthread.php?p=50992, I have always liked to use for fingerprint activities, which I have found all ages can do. Good luck!!

ABC Jesus Loves Me has a great -FREE - preschool curriculum program. Although only a 3 and 4 year Curriculum is available right now, the creater of the site (Momma C) is working on creating a 2 and 5 year curriculum as well.

Originally Posted by applejx12

Hi, A friend and I are currently working on starting a daycare facility here in Florida, we have idea's on what we want to implement for our 3 and 4 year olds in terms of lesson plans but I would like to have more ideas for the younger kids. What have you all done with the 1s and 2s? All input and advice wanted and NEEDED..thanks!

AppleJx12

I have a 2.8 and a 1.1 year old (both boys) I have noticed that my 1.1 year old loves to do what my 2.8 year old does. if he colors he wants to be there as well, if we read books, he is there as well. I as well have a daycare. What i do with my kids and my daycare i use flash cards and we do phonics for example A makes this noise ah and maybe show them an apple and say it to the Ah-pp-el ( making sure to emphasize on the A sound) They are learning new words all the time and they might start to get confused with sounds and so on. this will help them develop there pronouciation and beging reading as well. Another thing is Stamp art.

THANK YOU for the ABC Jesus Loves Me website.... they have two year olds up now

Crafts are a great idea for any daycare curriculum. I currently work at a daycare and we do a lot of crafts with the kids. We frequent the blog at Factory Direct Craft because of the many great ideas there. The kids crafts can be found at http://factorydirectcraft.com/factor...ts-and-crafts/

Originally Posted by applejx12

Hi, A friend and I are currently working on starting a daycare facility here in Florida, we have idea's on what we want to implement for our 3 and 4 year olds in terms of lesson plans but I would like to have more ideas for the younger kids. What have you all done with the 1s and 2s? All input and advice wanted and NEEDED..thanks!

AppleJx12

I work at a daycare and for 1 and 2 classes we do color songs, the alphabet, calender, numbers, weather, and other sorts of things you can teach them just about anything but you just cant do it to the limits you would set for a 3 or 4 year old but its definitely not a hard thing to do you just have to have patience with them and do it repetitively.

I lead a class of one year olds and we do circle time twice a day with flashcards, singing songs, and reading short books. They now know that right after snack is circle time and they run to our rug to sit down for it as soon as they finish snack. My center also teaches 3 languages including sign language. After having this particular group of kids for 2 weeks they are beginning to recognize and sign colors, more, and please. Some of the kids can also sign for water and milk when they are thirsty. Some can let me know through sign when they need a diaper change. They are eager to learn and experience the world around them and I often theme my lesson plans. One week I did bears and we colored bear pictures, read Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See. They love anything that they can put in their mouths without being reprimanded. For example, I sometimes let them finger paint with something edible like apple sauce or yogurt. They also love the reach and feel box. I took an empty tissue box and filled it with objects that will stimulate their senses: I have soft and rough items, sachets containing cinnamon or lemon zest (I put new ones in periodically so the lemon zest doesn't spoil), balls that bounce, rattles, etc..., and they take turns pulling items out of the box to examine. They also love when a grown-up talks to them with a puppet. They love any kind of music and most of my kids have mastered head and shoulders knees and toes. It's never too early to start teaching kids, the trick is for adults to teach the kids effectively.

Kids, teachers and parents love this curriculum.

•Nursery: http://www.discipleland.com/Nursery
•Preschool children: http://www.discipleland.com/Preschool
•Kindergarten kids: http://www.discipleland.com/Kindergarten

[Largemouthfrog]

http://youtu.be/bw2nif3jt6w

This clip teaches little ones about animals, counting etc and does it through a great music cartoon clip.
The site also has other resources.
www.largemouthfrog.net

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am a home dc and I do a preschool curriculum. My experience is that 1 and 2's are just too difficult and too young to do a preschool curriculum. I have found the best age to start is 3. You could possibly do things like...when child is in the high chair give them blocks to build with or other creative toys for manipulation. I am not sure, as sometimes I think kids just need to be kids (in this case a toddler), and not have things (curriculum) forced upon them.

I am sorry, but I disagree. I too run a home child care. I have a one year old currently in my care. She is now able to recognize the color's purple and green on her own. She may not be able to speak well, but can point them out if you ask her. She was taught by me.... I taught in a fun way. We laughed, danced, and played all while learning. She was not my only youngster at the time either. I also care for a recently turned 2 year old. She now recognizes all her colors and her letters A, B, and C.... plus the sounds they make..., as well as her numbers 1-5 (recognition, and grouping). My 3 year old daughter knows her letters by sight and sound as well as numbers 1-12. She has also mastered rhyming words.

Children are never too young to learn. They just learn in different ways. My best advise is to be creative. Don't always think things have to be by the book. Children need creativity and to know that what they are doing is valued. I do agree not to push, but if you are doing a curriculum where it is fun they do not see it as learning. Always keep a schedule where they know what to expect at all times. Kids need this to grow.

These are just things that have worked for me... oh and one other thing, 1 and 2 year olds love to paint with their hands (finger paint) and when you do this in a certain color it also helps them to learn their colors while making a mess!

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am sorry, but I disagree. I too run a home child care. I have a one year old currently in my care. She is now able to recognize the color's purple and green on her own. She may not be able to speak well, but can point them out if you ask her. She was taught by me.... I taught in a fun way. We laughed, danced, and played all while learning. She was not my only youngster at the time either. I also care for a recently turned 2 year old. She now recognizes all her colors and her letters A, B, and C.... plus the sounds they make..., as well as her numbers 1-5 (recognition, and grouping). My 3 year old daughter knows her letters by sight and sound as well as numbers 1-12. She has also mastered rhyming words.

Children are never too young to learn. They just learn in different ways. My best advise is to be creative. Don't always think things have to be by the book. Children need creativity and to know that what they are doing is valued. I do agree not to push, but if you are doing a curriculum where it is fun they do not see it as learning. Always keep a schedule where they know what to expect at all times. Kids need this to grow.

These are just things that have worked for me... oh and one other thing, 1 and 2 year olds love to paint with their hands (finger paint) and when you do this in a certain color it also helps them to learn their colors while making a mess!

Originally Posted by applejx12

Hey I agree I don't want to force anything on the kids...but I wonder what would be good activities to have? What I did with my own child may not be appropriate for other kids....for instance my 1 year old KNEW when Law n Order Was coming on :-), or other things like chase mommie...the blocks idea is great my son loved to push them over when he was 1....maybe the correct question should be...What fun activties have you all tried with the 1s and 2s?


AppleJx

I have one year olds at the daycare that I work at. I am required to do lesson plans & it is very difficult because there attention span lasts about five minutes. They could care less about a "schedule". Give me a break, they are still babies!!! They are happy when I set in the floor and play, sing songs or read to them.