I am a SAHM looking for new activities to do with my son. He loves playing outside, but when its really hot outside I don't let him go out. We read books and play with his toys but I am wanting to do educational stuff with him, just not sure what is approarite for his age. Any suggestions?
Where do you live? I saw Liberty somewhere? There is a local moms club chapter there.
www.geocities.com/momsclubofkansascity
Hope that hellps!
B.
The BA library has a great story and song time on Wed. @ 10:30 and 2:00. I enjoy that. Also tomarrow I am taking my daughter to a Learning through music class at the Hardesty Library. Can't remember what time. Call me if you want info. I am also a part of ____@____.com We have LOTS of fun playdates. I highly recommend it. We are having a huge Garage sale Saturday as a fundraiser if you would like to meet some moms. My number ###-###-####. -C.
We got a book called Wonderplay at Barnes and Noble it has a lot of good ideas of things to do with your child to expand their horizons.
Also we go to story time at a local library and you can learn all sorts of songs to sing with them to help them learn words and learn motor skills.
Getting into a moms group might also be great because they do different activities for kids.
Some malls have a free play area for kids where you can go early before the mall opens and meet other moms and make contacts.
Gymboree also has a play center in some cities where they have tumbling classes and different activities for different ages to develop specific skills.
Maybe try some of these websites for different groups or ideas.
www.matchingmoms.org/local_info/United_States.Kansas/Sedg...
www.childavenue.com/pages/playgroups_pages/playgroups_ks....
I took my 15 month old daughter to our first Kindermusik class today and loved it! The class was small, fun and the music was great. I highly recommend it.
We have a free play group at my center the third Friday of the month. 11:30-12:30. We also have a "Baby Bodies" group going on right now, which is either drop off or stay with your child. It has kiddos 15 mos. to 2 years old in it. It's a motor group. If you're interested, I can give you more information. Do you live in St. Louis?
If you have the money you can take him to Gymboree and other places like that on hot days. Other then that what you are doing right now is great.
Hi, M....you might look into something like Kindermusik. You can find a teacher in your area at www.kindermusik.com These music and movement classes are for newborns to 7 yr-olds (and caregivers) and are split up into different age ranges or there is a class where you can bring one or more children of different ages. Music and movement activities stimulate development in every area of the brain: language, cognitive, emotional, physical, social. It is really a wonderful program. There are also home materials that include CDs, activity books, literature books, instruments...so you can continue the fun at home! The classes are once a week for 30-45 minutes, depending on the class, and are 15 lessons in the Fall and Spring. Summer is also 30-45 minutes, depending on the class, and is usually 5 lessons, which are held once a week or everyday or every other day, etc. Just depends on the educator's schedule. ~L.
M.:
I started a Friday play group (one Friday per month), for mom's and their children, ages 1-3. I will be posting our next playgroup, which will be at the end of September. There are so many things to do with your child (my son is also 15 months)to stimulate his/her mind and body. Going to the park, gymboree, reading at the library, singing songs, puzzles, water play.....the list goes on and on. Just be creative!
A.
I belong to an orginization called MOMSClub. There are chapters all over the country, and they are great for meeting new kids and moms. My boys and I usually go to a couple of activities a week, and they have so much fun, and I get to sit around and talk to other ADULTS!! Check out their website to see if there is a chapter in your area. http://www.momsclub.org/
Good luck!
J.
At 15 months I would focus on colors, shapes, animals, letters and numbers. I used to focus on a letter a week and we would learn different objects that started with that letter. At that age they are stimulated visually so lots of picture books, blocks, and big soft plastic letters and numbers would be your best choices.
All the ideas listed above are excellent. Since you said you were layed-off, money may be a little tighter so I wanted to list a few ideas that had little to no cost. The Hardesty library is excellent. It has a very large children's area and they offer story telling times also. Also, bookstores will have reading times too. You can call and find out a schedule but also a good place to find the schedule and other activies is in Tulsa Kids. You can pick up the magazine in area resturants and stores. If you can't find one go to: www.tulsakids.com Click on the calendar and it will list activies going on for the month, many of which are free. I would also suggest you get involved in a playgroup. You can find a Moms Club in your area. Your child will get to interact with other children his age and you can also make friends and have adult conversations. There is also the play area at Woodland Hills mall. That is a good way to wear them out before a nap. You can make the play time educational just by talking about what he is doing. Like climbing "up" the stairs and going "down" the slide, going "in" and "out" the tunnel. Also most play areas are very colorful. Talk about the colors of each item. Or count the number of steps up a ladder, etc. You could also take him to a McDonalds that has a play area. Do it mid-morning so you don't have to buy lunch. You could just get a bag of cookies for a snack or go after lunch and just get an ice cream cone for a treat. Both very inexpensive but he could play for as long as you'd like to stay. Have fun exploring the world with your son!
Legos! Get the big blocks. They have the people and cars. Play stories with him using the blocks or you can just sort them by colors.
By the way you stole my name and I am also a SAHM near Liberty with a 2 yr old (and a 6, and an 11, and a 14 and a 15 yr old).
Stages Performing Arts Academy in Chesterfield has Mommy & Me type classes for Toddlers (18-36 months) and preschool arts classes for 3-5 year olds. You can see the classes offered, the days, times, etc. on their website: www.stagestlouis.org
The classes start this week or next. If you mention Mamasource, you can get a 15% discount on your tuition this semester.
Hope this helps,
S.
