We’re on letter “T” in our preschool alphabet games. This week “T” is for turtle, trucks, turkeys and things.
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This is our family’s version of a Tot school for my 34 month old son. We’re using a Montessori method of challenging little ones to learn by using their natural tendencies towards learning. You can read more about it on my Preschool Planning Post. On my planning post you can download a FREE planning chart and organizing chart. The purpose of this tool is to help brainstorm new ideas on ways we can implement learning and I’m not using it like a checklist but more like a brainstorming tool. Some of the things we do during the week are also great for learning but were never planned. I think that having tools like this mainly helps me to be more intentional about the time I spend with my little ones.
Our plan for the week on the planning chart:
Every day starts with character building and this week we’re focusing on being Trust-worthy. The best bible story I’ve found for this is from Nehemiah 2 where the king so trusts his cup-bearer that he sends him with supplies to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. We read bible stories every morning before breakfast to make sure we start our days off right.
Our set-up for our letter “T” study included flashcards of a turtle, tent, tree, toothbrush, teddy-bear, tiger, and tennis racquet. We use “Hooked On phonics” flash cards and these “Go Fish” flashcards by School Educational Products.
Our favorite puzzle for teaching Peanut phonetic sounds is {pictured in the lower right hand corner}:
Our theme for the week is transportation which is great because our Wilton Cookie Cutters come with the shapes of a plane, train, truck and car. We also have two teddy-bear sizes for sequencing different sizes. Our shape for the week is the triangle which is easily portrayed by our Shape Sorting Blocks. We can also make shapes out of play doh using shapes printables from Confessions of a Homeschooler. I have two cards to create a train and a tepee from foam magnet shapes; we use Smethport Foam Magnetic Pattern Blocks. The activity drawers for the week are pictured above.
From the very start Peanut wanted to play with the Dress Up Bears by Melissa and Doug. I called them “teddy-bears” since we’re on the letter “T”.
The faces, arms and legs of a mama, baby and papa bear can be exchanged so you can mix and match outfits as well as facial expressions. Peanut seems fascinated by their faces. He talks about a face being happy or upset and it’s interesting to see how he translates the expressions. Over the next few weeks I hope to coach Peanut into being able to dress himself. Two great books for toddlers on the topic of getting dressed are “Froggy Gets Dressed” and “Thumpity-Thump gets Dressed“.
We reviewed the sound the letter “T” makes and talked about the flashcards in this video: Letter “T” review:
Both boys enjoyed playing with the Trucks Block Puzzle. It’s big and chunky which makes it perfect for Nugget too.
Some meal time fun which was great in the sensory department for taste and touch.
If you’d like a copy of our letter “T” printables, you can download your FREE copy here:
Being with two little ones is a blast. They keep surprising me every day. This week hasn’t been as structured since both boys came down with a cold. But despite poor sleep no one has lost their sense of humor. 😉
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Thank you for joining us on our journey through the alphabet. For me the letter “T” stands for thankful. I’m so thankful that I can be home with my boys. I thank the good Lord for His provision in allowing me to be a stay-at-home mommy and I’m especially thankful for having these two little miracles.
In His Grip,
Linking up at: 1+1+1=1, Raising Reagan, Trivium Tuesdays, Hip Homeschool Hop, Top Ten Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesday, iHomeschool. I link to nearly 100 parties a week. Additional links can be found at my Link Party Page.
For some of our previous posts on our journey through the alphabet go to:
- Some additional fun videos from our week:
- Playing with Alphabet Blocks
