Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Looking for ideas for my younger 2 and older 2s.

    Posted 02-19-2021 10:55 AM
    I have a classroom a mix of young twos and older twos. What are some ideas that yo use for small groups that is child directed more than teacher. I love letting them use sand,water, paint, and many other things. I am just looking for things that may interest each group.

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    Joy McVicker
    Battle Creek MI
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  • 2.  RE: Looking for ideas for my younger 2 and older 2s.

    Posted 03-15-2021 03:01 PM
    Hi Joy,
    Have you seen these NAEYC articles on Toddler DAP?

    https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2016/rocking-rolling

    https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/jul2016/beyond-bouncing-ball-toddlers-and-teachers-investigate-physics

    https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/jul2016/beyond-bouncing-ball-toddlers-and-teachers-investigate-physics

    Hope this helps!


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    Deanna Jackson
    Senior Assessor
    NAEYC
    Upper Arlngtn OH
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  • 3.  RE: Looking for ideas for my younger 2 and older 2s.

    Posted 03-16-2021 08:17 PM
    I'm a teacher for young 2's as well. Use feathers for a science activity. Beans and rice sensory bins! These children are missing out on sensory things and we need to introduce as many as we can!

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    Jennifer Alquist
    Teacher
    Concord First Academy
    Concord NC
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  • 4.  RE: Looking for ideas for my younger 2 and older 2s.

    Posted 03-18-2021 01:26 PM
    Feathers are great, but have you considered that using beans and rice as sensory bin material is problematic for many communities? It's not appropriate to use food for play when families are struggling with food insecurity, and the use of these particular foods could be seen as wasteful and disrespectful. Beans and rice are staples of many diets.

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    Maureen Milarch
    Assistant Director
    Grand Rapids Community College Early Childhood Learning Laboratory
    Grand Rapids MI
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  • 5.  RE: Looking for ideas for my younger 2 and older 2s.

    Posted 03-18-2021 04:47 PM
    Great point, Maureen. While these sensory items are cheap and easy, they can produce anxiety, shame, and confusion for little ones with food insecurity.

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    Melinda Rossi
    ECSE
    Denver CO
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  • 6.  RE: Looking for ideas for my younger 2 and older 2s.

    Posted 03-18-2021 06:01 PM
    Young children enjoy tearing paper.  Have them scribble with crayon or a marker then tear up paper (newspaper, store adds, etc.) to make a collage.  Once they have completed the collage ask them to tell you what they made.  Record what they say--this teaches them the flow of writing and that words can be written. This fosters language development, fine motor skills and creativity.  Another activity is to cut toilet tissue or paper towel roll into an inch and a half or two inch spools.  You can use food coloring, markers or crayon (three or four colors) to color them and have the children match them or string them together.  Again, it targets the fine motor, hand-eye coordination and thinking skills.  You might also try looking on Pinterest or other instructional websites for ideas.  I hope this give you a starting point.

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    [Aisha ] [Jahi]
    [Early Childhood/Special Educator]
    [PGCPS]
    Suitland MDAishaJahi
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  • 7.  RE: Looking for ideas for my younger 2 and older 2s.

    Posted 03-18-2021 05:26 PM
    Sand and water are great sensory options. It might seem boring to us adults, but as you rotate and change the materials to experience digging, scooping, pouring, hiding, etc., this is a very interesting and science rich sensory experience. It takes good supervison of course, as any sensory bin does. I appreciate the thread related to using food as a sensory experience, I worked with a teacher that is of Asian American heritage. Rice is a staple for all meals, she spoke candidly to our team about its use as a play experience. Considering culture and heritage is so important in our choices.

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    Susie Norys
    Regional Coordinator
    Arkansas State University Childhood Services
    Fayetteville AR
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