Keeping Preschoolers Productive

When I first started homeschooling my eldest, she was four years old, and I found it difficult to keep my son occupied. He was a very active 2 1/2 year old, so I thought that the only way to keep him from destroying something, was to put a short movie on for him. Almost everyday, as soon as I popped the movie in, and set him on the couch, he ran out to the kitchen, to observe his big sister. It didn't take long for me to realize that all he wanted was a workbook of his own, and time to observe his big sister learning. I literally struggle with getting him to stop doing schoolwork, sometimes. Thankfully, I know better now about the many wonderful ways there are, to keep a toddler productive. The following are a few excellent materials/activities for engaging toddler/preschoolers hands and hearts:

Wikki Stix - Little ones can shape these into letters, numbers, map outlines or even animal figures. These are amazing tools for elementary students, as well.

Lauri Puzzles - These help tremendously in developing reading readiness skills.

Sort beans/pasta- I like buying a package of Wacky Mac, for my little ones to sort. It has so many fun colors and shapes.

Color with homemade crayons

Playdoh

Do A Dot

Tangrams

Watercolors

Stitching Block- I do not own, this, but it looks terrific.

Measuring Cups, a tub of rice/beans, and bowls- Children have so much fun and learn so much by simply holding objects, and transferring them to another medium.

Mural- Unroll a paper roll on the table, and let your toddlers create a mural. Give them a scene to work on.

Paint- These paint pots look like a terrific solution!

Preschool Activity Bags- A lady at my church hosted a Preschool Activity Swap. There were 10 ladies participating, and we were making a total of 20 activities. We each made ten of two activity sets. These are the best items I own for keeping my younger children intelligently busy during school time with my eldest. Activities include fishing with a magnet on the end of a rod to making things out of straws and paperclips, to sorting "b" and "d" cards.

Pop Up Tent- I set this up in the living room, and the little ones bring baskets of pretend food and play house.

Bible coloring books

Wedgits

Legos

Kinex

Abacus

Counting/Sorting Bears- I was thrilled to find these on sale at a local discount store, recently, for $1.99!

See and Spell- I don't own this, but it looks like a terrific tool for teaching basic words.

Tub of Toys- I keep a large Rubbermaid container full of toys, and often pull it out for learning time.

Puppet Show- I put a curtain tension rod in the doorway, and drape a blanket over it, for fast and fun puppet shows.

Blocks

Wooden Pattern Blocks

Cookie Tray- pour cornmeal into cookie tray and let child trace letters with his fingers.

Signing Times dvds- We like watching these together after school lessons.

Lincoln Logs

Leap Frog dvds- These are terrific learning tools, especially when Mommy needs a minute or two to finish a task.

Moon Sand / Delta Sand / Make your own

Phonics Tiles

Memory Game

Book Basket- my 2 yo has her own book crate. She always gets excited when her books are given to her to look at.

Cuisenaire rods

Pieceless Puzzles- Tired of picking up puzzle pieces and ultimately losing pieces? Pieceless puzzles are one big piece that fit together. These are recommended for ages four and up.

Geoboards- These are terrific for learning shapes, teaching perimeter, and learning fractions.


This is an excellent website full of craft recipes, such as homemade finger paint and slime.
What are your favorite learning activities for your little ones? Blessings!