Guided Activities 1-2 year Olds?

[sunnydays]

SO glad to hear this Playfelt. I often see other caregivers at playgroups forcing their kids to "make" a craft, which is mainly done by the caregiver and then I hear them say "don't touch it"...what did the child learn from all of this? I do crafts with the kids and colouring etc...but I keep it really simple and short and let the kids do the work...I am not interested in doing crafts for them! The it would be MY work hanging on the parents' refridgerators...ahh aha! I also do lots of singing songs and rhymes with the kids, but I usually do it while they are in their booster seats at meals and snacks as I find it is easier than trying to get them to all sit for circle time, plus it keeps them from getting restless. I also think that kids learn a lot at this age through simply talking to them about the things we see around us...I talk to the kids a lot, ask them questions even if they cannot yet answer...point to things and name....etc. I think learning language is one the biggest things kids at this age have to learn and it isn't going to come from a worksheet! I think the other thing kids learn at this age is social skills...how to play in a group...to share...to take turns, etc. This is huge and cannot be learned at home if there are not other kids. I actually think these skills are far more important than anything learned from a craft etc.

[Daycare123]

Kangaroomama- I use art more as a sensory exploration at this point so the children can really explore. I agree that full on art or craft activities are not so beneficial to the wee-est children