Wednesday 14 May 2014

Our Weekly Activities

I see a lot of people asking for ideas of how to keep a toddler entertained everyday so I thought I would share our weekly activities. Bear in mind that I work Monday-Thursday in the afternoons and all day Saturday so our activities are structured around that. 

Monday 

11am sing and sign. 
This class is a music, movement, singing and baby signing class that we have been attending since Mia was 13 months. We use instruments, sing songs and use baby sign. Although Mia doesn't sign (this is probably partly my fault as I never practise at home with her!) she really loves this class. She understands some of the signs and it has definitely helped with getting Mia to understand the word NO. There are also some lovely songs that we have learnt to go along with signing such as one for using the potty and one for all our colours. 

Tuesday

Generally Tuesdays is a random day. In the sense that we have no structured activities planned as yet. From June we will be going to arts and crafts on Tuesday mornings but until then we sometimes visit the park, feed the ducks, play indoors or in the garden. We also sometimes go to our local baby friendly cafe where I can have a coffee with my mummy friends while Mia plays with the toys with her friends. 

Wednesday 

10am song and rhymetime
Song and rhymetime is basically what it says in the title. Songs and rhymes with puppets, props etc. 
10:45am stay and play
This is one of our favourite activities of the week. Stay and play is hosted by our local nursery and is an opportunity for children under the age of 5 to experience what a nursery setting is like without leaving their parent/carer. They have painting, outside space with sand and water play, a role play area, books, building blocks, playdough... Basically everything you would expect to see at a nursery. I have put Mia's name on the wiring list for the nursery for when she turns 3 and would love for her to get a place. Attending the stay and play is brilliant as it gets her used to the setting as well. 

Thursday 

Again Thursday is another free day. Everyone needs a morning of just being indoors don't they?!

Friday

10am Movers 
Movers is a music and movement yoga based class. Mia loves this class as we learn to do handstands, stretches and learn to relax and listen. They use flashing light balls, twinkling stars and a parachute. The children all get rewarded with a soft toy on their chest at the end when they are lying down and calming down and a sticker at the end. 

Saturday 

Saturday is daddy daughter day. Generally Adam will try and take Mia somewhere even if it's just to the park to burn off some energy! 

Sunday 

Sunday is family day. I like to do something just the three of us.  We will have a walk, take Mia on a day out (London, zoo, park, farm etc) and sometimes we will chill out indoors and do housework (boring but won't do itself!!) 

I feel taking Mia to these activities three mornings a week definitely helps her sleep better as we are so active during the day and she has learnt a lot from each class. She follows instructions really well and really loves sharing. I have never seen Mia snatch a toy or push or ht a child. If a child takes a toy from Mia, Mia doesn't react. I do believe that spending a lot of time around other children has helped Mia's social skills. I also believe that Mia coming to work with me and being around older children has developed her socially. She loves sharing and being around other people. 

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