Farm Week 1

During nap time, aka, break time for MamaRach, I found this website: Everything Preschool .  It has a few sample lesson plans and lots of ideas.  I was so thrilled that I attempted to follow their lesson plans titled "Farm Week".  I made my own changes since my charges (nanny kids) are on 1.5 years old. 

Little People Barn and Farm Animals

Above:  The boys LOVED these!  I was lucky enough that there were 2 barns.  Even with both barns there were times that we had to work on sharing and 'gentle hands'.

Coloring a farm picture

We also worked on fine motor skills through artwork.  Here, I had the boys color a picture of a farm.  As they colored we talked about the the objects in the picture and the sounds each animal made.

It snows on the farm too!

Too cold to play outside?  Bring the outside in!
Honestly, I had high hopes for this but it just didn't work out as well as I had hoped.  Although my oldest charge (5.5 years old) loved it!  The plan however was to have the boys play in the snow with the Little People animals.  Next time I will set up cookies sheets with snow.  The little guys (1.5 years old) just couldn't reach the animals in the tub.

Painting a horse

Don't interrupt.  He's very focused!

I love texture play, and the easiest way to do that is with paint.  Dump a little paint into a bowl.  Give the kids paint brushes, a picture to paint and you have an instant master peice!  (This is also good for fine motor).
*tip: Use painters tape to hold pictures in place

'P' working on his puzzle

Little Man working on the puzzle with 'P' there for support.

These Melissa and Doug puzzles from Target proved to be a big hit.  I specifically like that the are thick for little hands and have the picture on the puzzle board.  It only took one or two times of working with the boys before they started figuring it out on their own.  'P' was able to complete a whole puzzle by himself!

Mama Rach



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Mother's Day is coming!

In preparation for Mother's day I had my charges (my nanny kids) make cards for their mom. 

 Project 1:

Materials: glue, markers, sissors, and left over paper or tissue paper.

Tear or cut paper into small peices.

Draw an outline of a flower. 

Have kids glue paper inside the flower.



Tips:  When working on this project with younger children I show them a completed project 1st.  It seems to motive them, and they have a better understanding of what they are making.

Project 2:

This is a simpe project for the very young. 

Paint one hand and stamp it on the paper.

Tips:

To open infant's hand, gentle use the tips of your fingers to pull their up.  Then, quickly press to paper.  I recommend that you practice on scrap paper to get the technique down before doing the final project.

Use a paci so that the child does not put painted hand in mouth.

For easy clean up, fill a bowl of warm water in sink before painting his hand.  Baby wipes are also great!