In less than a week, I’ll be posting the learning plan and schedule I intend to use for the summer. I’m telling myself ahead of time to be prepared, but also to BE FLEXIBLE. Remember, we’re not stressing this summer. We’re planning and preparing to ENJOY “Reaching for the Stars in Our Own Backyards.” This is about seeing and maximizing learning and development opportunities in our everyday lives.
I work on a teacher’s schedule. So I am primarily off work during the summer. I have some projects and tasks I need to take care of, but for the most part my schedule is more flexible than someone who is working remotely or has to go into the office. With that said, do what works for you. I’m just sharing my learning plan, ideas and processes because it helps me grow. I’m also sharing in hopes that it sparks ideas and stirs encouragement in the hearts of other parents and caregivers.
Okay, let me get on topic. Today’s post is about GATHERING before you buy. My husband will tell you, I can get excited about a new recipe or art project and want to quickly buy supplies. He’s always telling me to check what we have first. It annoys me at times, but if I’m honest, it’s great advice and has saved us money time and time again. It never fails, after I check the cabinet for seasonings or my art closet for supplies, I always find something that was on my “to buy” list. (Where’s the eye-rolling emoji when I need it? LOL)
With that said, as I’ve been planning activities for the summer- and putting items on my Amazon “saved for later” list- I’ve been putting to the side items I could use. I still have some more “gathering” to do. As I gather and as I take an honest look at what my priority activities will be, my “saved for later” list gets smaller.
Things I’m keeping in mind as I gather (and add to my Amazon list LOL):
I know that I want to make a schedule for my daughter to manage by moving picture cards.
I know that I want to have a print rich environment (surround her with relevant words/labels/vocabulary).
I know that I want to work with the alphabet.
I know I want to have buckets with items ready for usage (especially for days that are not going smoothly as well as days when I am less motivated or tired).
I want to do crafts.
I want to have a theme each week: Transportation, Under the Sea, Bugs, Weather, etc.
I want to make vehicles out of boxes.
I want to make an aquarium out of a box.
I still have some gathering to do. I may or may not use all of the things I’m setting aside. The point is, I’m gathering things so that I can at lease SEE and KNOW WHAT I HAVE. Similar to gathering tangible items, I’ve also been “gathering” YouTube videos for learning songs, yoga for kids, etc. Some of the items still on my “to buy” list are: play dough, sea animals, a Mindfulness activity book for toddlers, a water table, magnets for an interactive schedule, etc. Even as I list the things I still want to buy, I know I could get around buying some of them. For example, there are online recipes for play dough. There are also articles I could glean from for mindfulness activities for toddlers. We’ll see what I actually purchase. For now, back to gathering and planning.
Let me know what items from home you’re using as learning tools.
We can all glean ideas from each other and save our pockets.
Best wishes as you gather for the summer!
