Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 19

Steve would be proud!

Having begun loosely structuring a few Tot School activities since my last lament, I've noticed a trend.  Some of L'il Man's minimal amount of  whining he does can be attributed to "Mom, I'm bored!"  He has always been so good at playing by himself, that this hadn't entered my mind as a possible contributor.  Refocusing him on a task when we hit one of those zones has increased the level of peacefulness in our day.  (Gee. One would be surprised I'd had five children at that comment, huh?  Shouldn't I know this by now?  LOL)

This morning, we've hit a major milestone!

Pretend Time!

L'il Man was playing quietly beside me, cutting play dough with a butter knife.  Out of the clear blue, he spoke, whilst pushing the play dough container, heaped with play dough to the rim, toward me:

"Coffee, Mom?  Coffee?"

Stunned at his offer, I accepted it graciously and with fanfare!  "Oooooo!  Delicious coffee!" as I 'drank' it down.  At this he giggled with delight, then turned his head away ever so coyly, knowing his 'pretend' moment was noticed.

Within twenty minutes, he had moved on.  This time, he was playing with a nerf football, tossing it about the house.  Soon, he was calling out to me for help.  As I moved toward him, I could see the football on a bookshelf, but well within his reach.  I quizzically asked him about it.

In reply, he began barking and whining like a dog - Annie Hall to be exact - while placing his "paws" up on the shelf ledge and looking at the ball hungrily.

He was pretending to be Annie Hall the dog!!!

Oh. my. gosh!!

Do I recall the moment when my other children began to 'pretend play' so openly?  I tell the truth, I do not . . . it just became part of the rythym of their playfulness.

Today I noticed the entry of developed, thought out pretend play by Keller St. John.

Oh, the wonder and delight of it all!  :D

No Sooner Than . . .

No sooner than I began fidgeting about Tot School or the apparent lack thereof last week, Keller managed to knock my socks of by demonstrating to me his newfound stenciling capabilities.

This $20 Parents Easel set has been more than worth the monies spent! I do not make it available at all times, and when it does come out, he plays with it for extended periods of time. :)

Here's L'il Man, making squares and moons, all on his own! :D

I've Got The Tot School Blues ~

I found myself thinking about Tot School the past few days. In our current scheme of things, my stash of odds-n-ends Tot-able items are nowhere to be found. The cabinet back home sits, awaiting our return, ready to supply with an abundance of raw materials at the ready.

It's not like I couldn't get my hands on plenty of spaghetti, or string, or play-dough.

It's not like Tot School isn't portable.

No, what's missing is my purposed, focused direction of L'il Man to an item of inspection - at the time of my choosing.

He's picking up language at breakneck speed; still uses sign language often; and engages himself with items of interest regularly.

He's still learning; still investigating his world.

Yet I miss being such a direct part of his discovery process.

Instead, the world is his playground; his learning curve; his slate upon which he draws conclusions, assumptions, and ideas of life and people and things.

It's not such a bad way to glean understanding . . . but as usual, I wonder to myself what all these experiences: people and places; auditions and faces; drives and walks; the sights and sounds of the big city - will imprint upon this young lad.

Watching him interact boldly with Frank today in between photo takes with Israel, I couldn't help but smile to myself, and be glad that he's gaining confidence in who he is with others.

Hm.

Perhaps Tot School hasn't been let out after all . . . and maybe, just maybe, the one in greatest need of learning - is the Mom.

If You're Happy And You Know It . . .

Brush your teeth!

A little sojourn to the local children's museum net the KBoyz a visit to the arts and crafts room - and a little help from Dad (a.k.a. GilPa)!

The focus? Healthy teeth.

It is very interesting to us, Keller's fine motor skills. He's pretty swoof with a pair of scissors - but what does one expect from a baby who's been eating with a fork since before his first birthday??

Keeton was a bit less interested in the activity. His attention was rivited upon the trains he'd just carted off from a nearby display!

The Boyz left with a brand new toothbrush and a few other goodies. What a grand day! :)

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This post is part of the Tot School [Tuesday] Series - Volume 20. Find other great Tot School ideas here.

Music To Fly By

The evening was damp to touch, but not oppressive as we parked in the gravel driveway of an old church, located on the edge of the narrow street. The old lamps attached to the side of the raised houses flickered with gas flames, hours before darkness was to fall.

We filled the wagon with our picnic basket filled with goodies, a blanket, and a boy, and set out to discover the three blocks between us and the large body of water, the park, and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Already the air was filled with the sound of tuning oboes, violins, and tubas. People on bikes, on foot, with strollers and dogs were milling about. The evening had all the promise of a California summer eve as we found our place under the shade of a massive old oak.


Here it was that Keller St John entered into his precursory training in the fine arts. As all good music should produce, he was soon on his feet, dancing. Running, squealing, playing . . . and finally: flying.

As all good parents know: no symphony in the park is complete without a Dad, a boy, and the Flight Of The Bumblebee.

*****

This post brought to you as part of the Tot School [Tuesday] Series: Volume 19

More Tot School posts can be found here!

Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 18

Immersion training for tots, a la' ChoiceCentral style:

As you can see, Keller's form is near perfect as he snags the unattended laptop for his own personal use! LOL

Note his delight with all the available information on the web:

He surrounds himself with a dedicated team of cyber-slueths, determined to find the latest research available!

Yes, Tot School fans ~ there's nothing quite like immersion training for your youngster!

Our L'il Man is certain to have geek in his blood.

:D

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You can view more Tot School posts here. Enjoy!!

Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 17

A papercutter resides at our home, for the purpose of scrapbooking, primarily, yet the tool has been used for umpteen different types of tasks in it's long lifetime among us.

After one such recent use, Keller became quite interested in watching Dad's hands manuever the paper this way and that, swoosh! and slice.

He decided he wanted to try.

For the next 45 minutes -I'm not exagerating - L'il Man engaged his thought process and cause and effect experiments on the leftover scraps. Such studiousness, such concentration.

Surely he is his father's son.

The Box Of Toys

The box of toys arrived yesterday.

The toys we'd acquired for Keller while in Michigan. I had to make consessions somewhere in the packing-for-a-month-or-more-stay, and the cut came at familiar playthings for the L'il Man.

Unwittingly, we garnered quite a stash of items. One here, one there, a clearance sale on books, a nifty item he'd found during a store run that his interest was keen on . . .

Originally, I had intended to gift any items to the local Salvation Army, for another to enjoy. Yet, as I watched Keller play with these items with genuine engagement and enthrallment, I determined I'd not rob him of his newfound skill-building toys.

Into a box they went, and off to the post office, hopefully to meet us when we arrived home.

Just as L'il Man expressed joy over the familiarity of our home upon returning, so he dove into the box of items sent from Michigan just for him.

I'm glad I chose the route I did.

He's playing happily behind me, stacking and unstacking; placing puzzle pieces and moving parts.

What a wonderful way to spend the morning ~ for all of us. :D

Tot School [Tuesday] Volume 16

How many zoos does it take to get to the center of a toddler's heart?

L'il Keller-Man and I managed the Detroit Zoo [our third in three months!] on Saturday afternoon. We arrived with our special Animal Cards in hand, so as to compare the photos with the actual animals.

What I discovered was Keller's new found interest in the whole zoo process. Prior to this visit, at other zoos, when we'd arrive at an exhibit, I'd have to engage his senses for him. This time, he 'got it' ~ and was quick to ask to be lifted up to see whatever creature was before us!

Also, he was quick to sign as well as attempt to speak the names of the animals. Definite evidence of a growth curve on his part! Gorilla's [g-la-la's], horses [oses], and fish [ish] were among our sight-seeing adventure.

Llama's and camels held his attention for quite sometime, as did the lemurs, meerkats, and monkey's.

When we arrived at the rhinoceros, however, Keller's educational gear kicked up a notch ~ he turned in his stroller to quickly find the o-ring and gathering of cards thereon! He scrolled through them with his tiny hands. I did end up having to assist him . . . but it was a thrill watching him equate the animal in front of him with information on a card!

I chose not to take any pictures yesterday, due to the overabundance of photos from our Columbus Zoo trip . . . but rest assured ~ learning continues in our Tot School attached to Life Adventure!

:D

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Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 15

One might justifiably ask: "What on earth could a twenty month old boy learn on location while his older brother shoots a film?"

Plenty, I say.

While the past week has been a chaotic blue of last minute travel plans, days filled with new faces and places and unique environments, L'il Man has taken it all in.

Last night, for instance, Keller received an education on Linguistical Studies, as he hob-nobbed with a 18 month old from Germany; a 23 month old from New Zealand; a 21 month old from Australia; and a 20 month old whose parents just arrived from Belgium. Seems play activity transcends any language barrier between babies. :)

Furthermore, the opportunity to investigate the jowls of a warehouse was at L'il Man's disposal. Playing and exploring to his heart's content, he found the most fun sliding down the sloped edge of an indoor curb, painted bright parking-lot yellow, then smeared with years of mechanic grease for effect. Yes, this slide resulted in one. dirty. boy. But I didn't mind. I'd rather a soiled outfit and an engaged mind any day.

There is much in store for us over the next month or so. Now that we've had a few days to settle in, pictures should be a more present activity, that Tot School viewers web-wide might enjoy this little break-from-the-routine type educational track. :)

Join us! It's sure to be a fun adventure! :D

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Find more Tot School posts here, and expand your ability to engage your toddler's mind!

Today's MySonThe Actor post can be found here!

Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 14

Physical Education for Tots

You know, all kinds of learning takes place with our littles. Nothing escapes their watchful eye, their curiosity, their sense of wonder . . .

Likewise, learned behaviors crop up everywhere, especially when they want to mimic what they see their older siblings doing.

Such is the reason we've chronicled the following under the heading: PE. :D

Motor Sensory Coordination Education:





Equine Agility Class:




:D Enjoy!

**Find more Tot School posts the blogosphere wide here!**

Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 13

Is Tot School out for summer??

Well, no . . . but we have been flying by the seat of our pants as of late.

And besides ~ Grandma just arrived! The Boyz of Summer will keep you entertained momentarily. Please hold. :giggle:

Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 12

We had seen the Columbus Zoo ~ the loving handiwork of Jack Hanna ~ on a hot, sweltering day that held most of the animals under it's oppressive sway by sending them in search of shade or coolness. We weren't disappointed, really, we could see what a wonderful facility it was. Yet perhaps the less regal viewing of wilderness beasts is what created the atmosphere that produced my love affair with the Columbus Science Museum, and the toddler rooms thereof!

I was off in another section of the spacious center with the teens, whilst Gil stood sentry over our sleeping baby boy, exhausted from an already full morning of educational sights. A season of time passed, and I discovered the pair had moved. Searching high and low for them, I unearthed a previously unseen by me staircase. Arriving at the top landing, I gasped with wonder.

A veritable toddler heaven stood before me, encased in floor to ceiling glass, and governed by security personnel. Marking each person that entered, the guard ensured the safety of the littles inside. I pressed my face against the glass, peering down the long room to my left, then again to my right, and center again.

To my amazement, Keller emerged from a toddler-sized tree house, and all by himself, slid down the slide. I squealed with delight, and gained entry.

Once inside, I was in awe. Keller was 100% engaged with his surroundings. Everything was designed for toddlers. The GilGuy had already spent the better part of an hour with L'il Man in the midst, and detailed for me the lads total enthrallment with each component he came in contact with.

Station after station, seating area after seating area stood before us. Making our way down the wall of the room that was easily the size of a football field, my mouth went agape when we rounded the corner. There before me was the most wonderful water play ground! Keller squealed with his own delight, and immersed himself [pun intended!] with water works.

It was very difficult to peel ourselves away from the play ground . . . but peel we must. There were more other destinations to be seen before the week was over. However, the imprint of the excellence of the facility is etched in my mind, not to be easily erased. As for Keller, learning among other things, how to slide down a slide on his own accord is worth of honorable mention for Tot School this week. :)

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Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume11

Planes, trains, and Keller?

Yup.  This little lad *loves* airplanes and trains.  Yesterday's travel day afforded him up close and personal viewing of "big birds" and lots of people watching!  :P

Today, we put our Animal Safari Cards to tangible use as we head to one of the nations' best zoos!  YAY!  

Tot School is in constant motion at our house, indeed!

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Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 10

With all the "Hollywood Hulla-baloo" this past week, our purposed and intentional Tot School efforts were pushed into a tiny corner of our world ~ but not to the negating of L'il Man's learning efforts! Water play came to the forefront - a enjoyable distraction that provides hours of fun in the [hot Mississippi!] sun.

While I played Administrative Secretary on all things LA, the Israeliboy graciously entertained his little brother with wetness.

Once all was said and done logistically, Aubrey and I turned our long wait for word from Israel in LA into a factory assembly line, completing the Zoo Animal Cards I spoke of in last week's Tot School post.

After these were laminated and connected (with ribbon, no less, since I could not locate my o-rings!) I was amazed at how interested in them Keller was. He carried them with him; asked for them; browsed the pictures; listened repeatedly as I went through the list with the letter sounds . . . AND . . . learned new signs for all but about three of the animals!

It warmed my heart that my zoo prep plans were so warmly received! Within a few days, we'll be at a major zoo, putting these learning efforts to work with real live animals! YAY!

Tot School is a wonderful way to connect with your toddler! Terriffic ideas abound among the shared ideas of Tot Schoolers 'net wide! Find them here!

Tot School [Tuesday] - Volume 9

If one were to combine Keller's sign language skills and his [current] greatest love [trains], what do you suppose it would net?

A trip to the zoo!

Yes, all those signs for monkey . . .

giraffe . . .

turtle . . .

horse, lion . . .

and elephant have paid off big time for the small tot! Joining Grandpa on the Acadiana Zoo Train was the icing on the cake.

It is important when raising a toddler to help them order their world in reality. Fantasy cartoons and books have very little to do with how they engage in life on a day to day basis. A toddler cannot take away any skill from a fantasy cartoon since it doesn't translate directly to the world around him. Therefore, I've been careful to bring the intangibles of exotic animals [such as were listed above] into Keller's mental ability to grasp through tangibles like plastic or stuffed replicas, a Jack Hanna "Baby Animals" video, and by reading plenty of story books with pictures. Oh ~ and don't forget a youtube clip or two!

I felt I had prepared him well when we entered into the zoo grounds. His face lit up with excitement and wonder, and I could almost see his mental gears spinning as he analyzed each animal before him.

The wonder was made even more precious by spending time with Grandpa. Who can replace moments like that?

This excursion was preparation for an upcoming zoo trip we'll be taking. In the next couple of weeks, I'll be adding to his sign language/understanding repertoire with such signs as penguin, tiger, gazelle, hippo and the like. [Baby Sign Dictionary]

We'll also be using several printables that accompany these book titles:

These wonderful resource[s] can be found thanks to about.com Homeschooling, who has been awarded a resource grant for Sylvan Dell Publishing's' online book source. These delightful, colorful, and educational ebooks come with teacher's resources, crafts, and games to enhance the learning experience.

Among other things, I'll be printing and laminating these Animal ABC cards, one-hole punching a corner of them, then connecting them all with an "o-ring". This item will then accompany us on our next zoo trip. When we see a hippo, then, we'll both sign hippo, and look at the picture card for hippo, making a tangible, mental connect-the-dots for our Tot.

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