Theme for the Week - Airplanes
This week we look at airplanes and things that fly since BOAC started flying the first passenger fights between London and New York on Oct 4th, 1958. Flying is something we take for granted now - fly to grandma's, fly to vacation, parents fly away on
business. All of my children flew as babies - my first flight was when I was 14! Point out airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, even blimps if you see one in the sky this week.
Letter of the Week: P - for plane - point out things that start with "P" - plane in the
sky, plate, paper, peaches, peas. Show your toddler a picture of both a capital P and a lower case p. Draw a P on paper, or use your child's finger to draw it in the sandbox or dirt. Use bath tub or refrigerator letters to show him/her this letter as well. You can even use flashcards a little at a time.
Number of the Week: 8 - When you show your child anything say "8 peas" (or whatever you are counting). Count to 8. Write the number 8 on paper. Show your child 8 things at a time and count them - "one" "two" "three" etc - so your child gets used to the pattern.
Songs of the Week: Airplane Songs - This website link has several cute action songs about airplanes that you can do with your toddler. Click on the link to go directly there and scroll down a little bit.
Story of the Week: A Pilot Flies Her Plane
- This is a fun little book on the Epic app that talks about a pilot flying her plane. This would be a great book if you are going on a trip soon. Warning - if you let the app read to you, it's an earworm. That song will stay with you for a long time. Epic offers one free book a day or you can pay a monthly fee and read more.
Snack of the Week: Airplane snacks - Instead of having a specific snack this week, we thought we would suggest some good snacks to take on an airplane ride (or any trip - short or long) - goldfish, cereal like Cheerios or Mini Wheats, fruit strips, string cheese or fruit but make sure you bring a baggie for the peels/core/etc.
The one thing we suggest is to pace yourself on giving out the snacks, and once the snack is out, give them a little at a time so you have plenty of time, especially on long plane rides. This holds true for toys and games as well! Here's a great link to a website about airplane snacks and traveling with kids. Make sure you read the discussion comments down below too. The one thing I did see here is I wouldn't bring a hard-boiled egg on board (or tuna either). Your fellow passengers might not be too appreciative - as if traveling near a toddler is high on their list anyway...
Spanish Words of the Week: el avión = airplane, volar or correr = to fly, el piloto/la pilota = pilot
Do It Myself: What Flies? - Gather several items together that will float or fall quickly - scarf, rock, pilot seed pod, toy airplane, etc and have your toddler stand on a porch, deck, step stool. Let him/her toss the items up in the air and see what floats to the ground and what falls fast. Talk about flying and why some things float and some sink.
Activity of the Week: Paper Airplane - You will have to help your toddler fold and crease the paper but he/she will have fun throwing it when it's done. We suggest making several since they will most likely end up crushed or crinkled! Use fun colored or patterned paper and have your child decorate their plane with crayons or markers. This website actually has video of the folding in case you are "engineering-challenged" like us!
Yoga Pose: Airplane Pose - This pose is super easy and fun and this website has a video too. You can make flying sounds too when you are showing your toddler. Try each leg for developing balance PS - My kids always liked the Yoga Kids series if you'd like more ideas for doing yoga with your toddler. Check it out here: yogakids.com
Sign Language Sign of the Week: Airplane and Helicopter If your toddler is still learning how to talk, sign language can be a great way for them to communicate. And as they get older, they'll pick up signs faster and it can be more of a fun thing versus a way to communicate.
Like we say every week - don't forget to give your toddler a hug and say "I love you" as many times a day as you can think of! You can never give them enough love. Talk to them, even though they may not talk back and read to them everyday - even if it's the cereal box at breakfast. Enjoy!