Finding activities to stimulate, distract and yes, even educate our toddlers, can sometimes be a fearsome challenge. 

I was encouraged, awhile back, reading a post by Jeannie Fulbright (Apologia Elementary Science) regarding this subject.  One of the ideas listed in the article discusses the idea of having "days of the week" boxes with different and varying activities in them.  As they are rotated, the child's focus moves from different activities in hopes of keeping them busy while they are challenged and learn something new.  The emphasis for the boxes, is on things they can do by themselves. 

My intitial thoughts on this were that it was a fantastic idea, but my special little three year old was too adventurous to be "detained" by the contents of a box!  As our school time has progressed and she is more and more demanding of my time and attention, I see more the need to have structured activities for her alone time and scheduled time for the two of us.  So I began to plan the boxes.

Here is my first attempt:

Monday:  Emphasis on ABC's. 

ABC lift the flap book.

ABC Laurie puzzle.

My first LeapPad with ABC book.

Playdoh with cookie cutter shapes (my abc jello molds are on the way!)

Tuesday: Emphasis on writing.

Write on Wipe off book, "Before I Print"

Pipecleaners and large beads

Drawing pencils and paper.

ABC rubber stamps and ink pad with paper. (I would have put this in with Monday, but I'm trying to stick with one "messy" craft per day!)

Wednesday: Emphasis on farm animals.

Farm animal book.

Little People farm animals

Farm life magnetic scene

Octopus Dominoes (color matching)

Thursday:  Emphasis on building and art

Legos

Blocks

Paints (new brushes loaded with paint--we will see!)

Eric Carle's "From Head to Toe" (wonderful fun colored animals)

Baby Einstein's "ABC's of Art" (colorful masterpieces)

Friday: Emphasis on Madeline

Madeline Feltkins

Cutting pages from Kumon cutting book & scissors

Madeline Jigsaw puzzle

Madeline doll with removable clothes

This has been a great experiment so far.  She is enjoying opening the box each day--though she does often want something from another box--but she is getting the idea!  I did leave the playdoh out (newly made by yours truly and much better than store bought, if I do say so myself!) because she's enjoying it immensely. 

I'm sure we will both tire of this, or the well of ideas will run dry when it comes to changing the box contents.  Either way, I'm sure we'll be ready for the next stage when that time comes.  Already she is coming to the table more and more to "draw near" and hear what is being discussed or read aloud.  Love that!

Playdoh Recipe: NOT sticky & doesn't dry out fast!!!

1 c flour

1/2 c salt

1 T oil

2 T cream of tartar

1 c boiling water

A few drops of smelly extract (we used orange!)

Food coloring (more than you think!)