Monday, February 7, 2011

Tot School

- Adam is 38 months old -
Tot School Logo

I struggled this week with Tot School.  We were reading “The Runaway Bunny” and did a few activities but then I lost interest.  It seems like I go in cycles.  I’m either excited about it and have a great week, or I’m burnt out and wind up not doing anything.  I guess that’s the beauty of this age…..I don’t have to do anything if I don’t want to.  However, if I don’t do anything all I hear all day is, “Is it Top School time?  Let’s do Top School!”.  Not to mention he gets bored of his regular toys.

Here is what we did do!

Bear Puzzle from Melissa and Doug
And yes, he is Buzz Lightyear, as he was several days this week!DSCF5442

In true Adam style, he grew bored of doing the puzzle and decided it was an airplane and the bears were inside going on a trip.DSCF5445


Cutting paper using these scissors.
Stefanie from Life With My Giggly Girls suggested them to me and they are great!  Adam has struggled with several other kinds of scissors and these are so much easier for him to use.DSCF5449

Shape Matching Wheel with Clothespins
aka "Open and Close Pins” which actually makes perfect sense!DSCF5469


Counting Bears
I have had my eye on these Counting Bears for a while now.  I should’ve bought them sooner because they are a huge hit with both kids!DSCF5477

Adam played with them for like 45 minutes the first night!DSCF5485

Sissy getting in on the actionDSCF5488

And finally, Adam watched Speekee a few times.DSCF5500 
Speekee is a subscription-based Spanish program that was made in the UK.  It’s a total immersion program so it’s entirely in Spanish, but you can turn on subtitles.  It got really good reviews on The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew so I signed up for the free 2 week trial.  I’m still unsure how I feel about it.  It’s not great quality, it’s cheesy, and Speekee is kind of creepy, but it’s a great way to expose Adam to Spanish.  And from what research says, exposing kids to a second language (including ASL which we’re already doing) can help them learn the language easier, and with a better accent, later on.  I also have several CDs with Spanish rhymes and songs that I bought when Adam was a baby and only used a few times.  I decided I may as well play them during lunch and play time a few times a week instead of the regular kids music/Mommy music I normally play.

DSCF5499

The subscription is $7.50 a month but I would want Adam watching an episode (around 15 minutes each) 2-3 times a week to make it worth it.  So, maybe when I become more structured with preschool, we’ll give it a try again.

That was our Tot School week.  Let’s hope I can get my act together for this week.  Adam is more entertained and productive when I do it.  How do you non-Tot Schoolers keep them busy during the day?  He (and let’s face it….I ) get so bored of the same toys!  I can’t wait until Spring when we can go outside!!!