Hi,
I was working part time and recently got laid off from my job, which means I am spending a lot more time with my 3 yo dd. She is our only child right now, we are TTC # 2.
Can anyone suggest some activities - preferably educational or learning based, that I can do with her. e.g. words, numbers, letters. Sometimes I see she is bored around the house, and would like to provide her with some activities that she can learn things from.
Also I thought this would also be a really good time to build a stronger and better relationship with her too - not that I didn't before. We go places together and in some ways, not having a job makes me focus on her more, which is great. Any suggestions for things we can do together / relationship builders that I could do with her?
Thank you.
M

Read, read, read....that is the best thing you can do with your preschooler....but if you are looking for something more, here are some resources to get you started.....

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/

http://preschoolmama.com/

http://teachingtinytots.blogspot.com/

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/

http://www.letteroftheweek.com/

We LOVE www.starfall.com - lots of great ABC and other fun activities.

The library- go and check out a bunch of cool books, or go for storytime.

Let her look through old magazines and help her cut out pictures to paste in a notebook for her own "scrapbook."

Help her decorate an oatmeal container or other plastic container with stickers/ribbons/paper, etc. to store her special things/hair ties/pennies in.

Let her help you around the house- we love doing "laundry races" where DD and DH each take a small pile of clothes and see who can put them away first. Let her help you unload the dishwasher or help cook (stirring, etc.)

Pretty much anything can turn into a learning activity! :-D

Let us know what you girls end up doing!

I picked up this wonderful preschool prep book at Sams Club that I use with my 3 year old. It helps teach them their letters and numbers along with what words start with what letters and how to write the letters properly. I love it and Rhyanne really enjoys showing her work.

I think the other ladies covered the learning activities fairly well. As for relationship building, I don't think it matters so much what you're doing, so long as you're doing something, anything.....meaning you could be walking, playdo, reading a book, building something with blocks, running in the sprinkler, wrestling on the floor, watching Elmo, going to the library, etc. and that is what builds the relationship.....spending time together. What you're doing isn't so important.

I agree with Cheryl...and i have an almost 3yr old. Jake will be 3 next month.
I'm not so worried about numbers & letters.
my other two boys will be in kindegarten & 1st grade this fall. Jake learns those things from his brothers. he has picked up on a lot.
I think sometimes we get caught up in teaching at such an early age. why can't 3yr olds be 3yr olds and just play.
there is a lot of learning in play.

ok...i'm getting off subject! SORRY!

like Cheryl said...anything you two do together will help build your relationship.