[blparent] what to do with a toddler?

[PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)]

You mentioned being tired and mentioned that all your early childhood education was gone and not due to come back. I had the impression early childhood ed was your field and so thought that type of memory loss seemed worrisome. 
Also, the time stamp on your email had me thinking maybe you couldn't sleep and were stressed. Maybe it's just me, but at 1245, I'm either in bed or I'm talking with friends or I'm reading, I'm not thinking about my kid unless I'm truly worried or concerned about something. 
As for stuff to do, I agree with the suggestions others provided, though beads would not have beena good choice as mine would have tried to eat them. 
I also wouldn't worry too much about a structure, their concept of time is very different then yours and mine. The preschool structure doesn't really kick in until age 3, and I don't know anybody that follows that at home. That being said, I don't know many stay-at-home moms. 
I highly suggest time with other kids, either at a preschool or daycare or at places like Little Gym or the YMCA. 
I think I'd suck at homeschooling so can't advise on that. Really, the best thing is to teach your kid the things you care about, and also listen to what they like and care about. Communication and learning goes both ways. It isn't our job as parents to be the font of everything

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deborah Kent Stein
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 2:04 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] what to do with a toddler?



Dear Pipi,

I agree with the others that it sounds like you are providing a wonderfully 
rich environment for your daughter.  The only thing I can think of adding 
would be contact with other kids.  Are there any opportunities for Savannah 
to play with cousins or neighbors?  When my daughter was two I discovered a 
nice weekly program called Moms 'n' Tots which was run by the Chicago Parks 
District.  The kids had a gym to run around in, playing with hula hoops and 
lightweight cloth balls.  There were some structured activities such as 
somersaults on mats, but also some free play during which the moms could get 
to know each other a bit.  I really looked forward to it as a chance to get 
out and be with other adults, and it was great for Janna to be around 
children her age.

Debbie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pipi" <blahblahblah0822 at gmail.com>
To: <blv-moms at googlegroups.com>; <blindparenting at googlegroups.com>; "NFBnet 
Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 11:40 PM
Subject: [blparent] what to do with a toddler?


> Hey Y'all,
> Sorry, I didn't really know how to title this email. Ramblings of the 
> exhausted probably fits better. I'll try to keep it short.
> Savannah turned 2 in November. I feel like all of my previous early 
> childhood education has gone out the window and has no intention of coming 
> back anytime soon.
> I am wanting to do a more structured routine with her. I want to start 
> preparing her for a routine of preschool and the likes. Other than simple 
> routines such as bedtime, meals, brushing teeth twice a day, we don't have 
> many others.
> My first question is, is she too young for a home preschool atmosphere?
> Another question, what should I be working on with Savannah? I've seemed 
> to have forgotten these things. I know letters, numbers, colors, shapes, 
> but what else? Is there some sort of online lesson plans I can look at to 
> get ideas?
> To get an idea of some of the things we do now, a typical day is filled 
> with tons of book reading spread out, savannah watches sesame street, 
> super y, or one of her dvd's,  she loves her play kitchen where i both 
> play with her and let her play alone.  we color, occasionally get out the 
> paint, play with mega blocks and wooden blocks, physical time with 
> dancing, running, jumping, or playing in her tunnels. she has the tag jr. 
> that she loves, clay, fridge phonics and other magnetic letters, numbers, 
> and shapes.  There are other things that are escaping my brain now.
> Obviously we don't do all of that in one day, but i do my best to keep her 
> doing something, and then a break with a dvd or free play without me being 
> involved thrown in there every so often.  I just want more of a routine 
> for her, and also for myself so i can track the progress. I'm very list 
> and chart orientated, and I don't have that now.
> what should i be focusing on, for fine motor skills? large motor?  the 
> basics i mentioned above? what am i forgetting.
> what are some of y'all's daily routines?
> I also want to try this out to gage my ability to possibly home school in 
> the future if that is the path i choose.
> I feel like I don't have much control right now. I don't mean over 
> Savannah, but over how I'm raising her. I've finally started reading Dr. 
> Sears and have other books that are coming up soon to read. I just need my 
> nice neat list of things to do and i don't have it and it's driving me 
> crazy.
> Please help if you can.
> Pipi
> _______________________________________________
> blparent mailing list
> blparent at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blparent:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.net 


_______________________________________________
blparent mailing list
blparent at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blparent:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com