Theme for the Week - Helping!
Hurricane Katrina happened late August, 2005. Many people lost everything they had ever had and needed a lot of help. So this week, we'll learn a little more about the word "help" and what it means to be a helper!
Letter of the Week: K - for Katrina (we haven't done K all year!). Show your child a picture of both a capital K and a lower case k. Draw a K on paper, or use their finger to draw it in the sandbox or dirt. Use bath tub or refrigerator letters to show them this letter as well.
Number of the Week: 5 - For 5 years ago. When you show your child anything say "5 fingers" and show them a picture of the number 5. Write the number 5 on paper. Show them 5 things at a time and count them - "one, two, three, four, five" - so your child gets used to the pattern.
Songs of the Week: Songs for Teaching - Here's a really fun website full of songs to learn about cleaning up, quiet time, lunch, etc. This particular link is to their Transitions songs, which can help when you change actitivies so your child goes along with the change, which can sometimes be a little stressful.
This board book is about a light house that helps people and the words are sung to "This Little Light of Mine." - How sweet!
Snack of the Week: Helping Fix Snack - This week, teach your child the concept of helping by letting them "help" put together their snack. He/she can help put a few crackers on their own plate or spread peanut butter or cream cheese on their bread.
Spanish Words of the Week: to help - ayudar, helper - el ayudante, helpful - servicial
Do-It-Myself Activity: Help Mommy - This week, concentrate on really driving home the concept of helping. When you are loading the dryer, let your toddler help by throwing a few things in and then make a huge deal by praising him or her - "You helped Mommy! Thank you!." You can think of all kinds of things they can help with - throwing toys into the bath at bath time, throwing away their napkin from lunch, etc.
Craft of the Week: Dishwasher Magnet - This is a Clean/Dirty magnet you put on the dishwasher to tell everyone if it needs to be cleaned out or can be loaded with dirty dishes. The link here is to a ceramic magnet but I would suggest buying some squishy foam and cutting a circle for your child to decorate. Again, make a big deal out of telling them how much they are helping you by making this craft. Yoga Pose: Staff Pose - Since staffs help people, we chose this pose for this week. It's super easy - basically, just sit up straight on the floor!
Most of all - give your little one a hug and say "I love you" as many times a day as you can think of! You can never give them enough love.