Summer Tot-School Themes

I’m still in planning mode for tot-school (preschool?), beginning next Monday.  I think it will help my brain if I scribble my thoughts down here, and maybe even pull links to resources and whatnot. 

So here’s what I’m thinking (these are brainstorming ideas, assuming that I have an unlimited amount of money to spend-which I don’t.  We won’t be doing all of these things—just ideas to kick-off on!  Also, a good old google search will probably happen prior to each week’s theme.  There are endless possibilities!):

-ocean/beach

• Confessions of a Homeschooler's "O for Octopus"
• Carisa’s Ocean Animals Tot-book
• Ocean file folder game on filefolder.com
• scoop and play fishing game
• magnetic fishing puzzle (or the target brand equivalent)
• water play activities (perhaps with some dollar store ocean animals?)
• "F is for Fish" by COAH

-caterpillar/butterfly

• "B is for Butterfly" by COAH
• "C is for Caterpillar" by COAH
• caterpillar art
• coffee filter butterflies

-birds

• birds preschool pack by 1+1+1=1
• "N is for Nests" by COAH
• Listen and watch for birds on a nature walk

-frogs/ponds

• Totally Tots Sensory Tub
• "Pond Life" preschool pack by Homeschool Creations
• Frog/Turtle sort (printable made by me)
• "T is for Turtle" by COAH
• “Five green and speckled frogs” song
• visit a creek

-birthday

• birthday puzzle
• birthday dramatic play (party hats, pretend to wrap presents)
• bake cupcakes/cake
• The Mini Birthday Pack by Homeschool Creations

-garden/flowers

• Garden preschool Pack by Homeschool Creations
• plant our own flowers
• dirt/watering can/tools to use in outdoor sensory box

-bugs

• magnetic bug puzzle
• Insect & spider theme box
• pretty bugs preschool pack by 1+1+1=1
• "A is for Ant" by COAH
• "L is for Ladybug" by COAH

-zoo

• "E is for Elephant" by COAH
• "M is for Monkey" by COAH
• visit our zoo!

-Camping

• dramatic play-set up a tent, flashlights, make a pretend camp fire
• make s’mores!
• talk about moon/stars/constellations

 

Hmmm… maybe I’ll just try to stick with those 9 and spread them out/allow myself extra time (and hopefully by the end of summer, I won’t feel guilty that I didn’t squeeze in everything that I wanted to).  I can also add in more if I need to.  And if I can manage 9 themes each season, that’s 36 total.  Seems like a good goal, right?  I would love to hear your ideas as well!  What are your summer tot-school/preschool plans? 

Back on the “tot-school” wagon…

I admit that I am not a very organized person, even if I always intend to be (this blog, for example, is something I think about often, and even outline posts in my head… but clearly, following-through is not always my reality!).  I first read about tot-school a year (or more?) ago, and have had “good weeks” and “bad weeks” and everything in between.  Ella became a big sister in January, and OH MY I can’t believe how fast time has gone since then. 

So, I’m giving myself a break (because LIFE happens and feeling guilty over not being a perfect housewife and perfect mom isn’t doing me a single bit of good) and hitting the “reset” button with tot-school/preschool.  I’m also taking a new approach: planning ahead!  Instead of making or printing off activities to do TODAY, I’m going to take the next 2 weeks to plan, create, gather, and relax! 

I am also going to plan differently.  Instead of outlining specific activities to do each day (or week), I have created a generic planning sheet that fits me better.  Although I love the tot-school planning sheet (found here), I find that having certain things to do on specific days just doesn’t work for me long-term.  I’m a more open-ended kind of girl, which means I like to

If I was super savvy, I would give you a download to my planning form (which is essentially boxes where I can write in ideas for different categories.  These ideas and activities can be implemented at any time.  There is no “date” listed on my planning sheet, just a space to put in “age” and a “theme” if you want one.)  Anyway, if you would like it, I would be happy to e-mail it to you (leave your e-mail address in a comment or on facebook and I’ll send it ASAP!).  I’ve also included ideas on how to use the planning sheet and different open-ended activities to try. 

For more on tot-school, visit Carissa’s blog by pushing this button!