Puzzles for toddlers

 I read some where that if you want your children to work with puzzles start as early as you could. It is better we introduce puzzles as soon as possible. These are some puzzles for toddler which they would like to work with (Please let me know if you have any other puzzles that would interest toddlers)

1. Melissa & Doug See & Spell : This toy is great for 2 year old. There are 10 sturdy wooden board with 3 letter words and 4 letter words on both sides. The board has pictures of those words. This is excellent teaching toys, they can spell the words and at the same time place the letters in order. The best way to introduce this Puzzle is to give them a set of letters for one word at time so that they focus on arranging the letters in the board.

    2. Melissa & Doug Beginner Pattern Blocks : This is an great teaching tool especially when it comes to the pattern. The wooden board is sturdy with brightly colored patterns and the pieces are sturdy too with great finishing. It helps the child to develop fine motor skills and to learn shapes.First I let Harshini to choose a pattern she wants and then I give her shapes needed to solve it . 

I will keep on adding more puzzles.

Thanks

Harshini's Favorite books

        Harshini has certain set of books that she loves to hear me read again and again all day.

1. Pat the Bunny (Touch and feel book) by Dorothy Kunhardt : When She was 10 months old I bought this book and read her.She like to turn all the pages, her favorites are playing Peek a boo with Paul and touching her daddy's scratchy face. The special thing about this book is each page has something fun for them to do.This book is a true classic children book. The only con of this book is  the plastic binding, the pages comes out quickly. I wish this books comes as a board that wouldnt fall apart. Other than that it is great book for new baby.

2. Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton : I got this book when Harshini was 11 months old and it became   her all time favorite.This book really teaches the sounds of the animal. Her favorite part is the three singing pig says LA LA LA. Me and my husband read it several times we memorized it!. This is a board book and more durable. It is another gem from Sandra Boynton.

I will keep on adding her favorite books :).

Thanks

Your Baby can read WORKS :)

One day I saw the commercial for Your Baby can read program and was impressed seeing the cute little ones responding to the words. So when Harshini was 6 months old I bought Your baby can read Program(YBCR). And showed her the DVD twice a day. At that time I didnt have much knowledge about early reading program.
Harshini started to respond to the words when she was 10 months old. That moment is really unforgettable. It is the moment every Mom waits for:)
Recently I came across this video from MSNBC.

I would like to share reviews about YBCR program. Initially everyone tends to memorize things such as names of places , foods, words as such and later try link it to our practical life. And the same things happens in this program too, Babies try to memorize the words or the pattern of letter. And later they will correlate to practical life.

But all I could say is, this program gave my daughter a head-start in reading. There are also other lot of programs such as Little reader,Right brain education is not as popular as YBCR might be because of the marketing issues.

Reading is FUN

Harshini loves to look at the books, turn pages and sometimes she points out to me some words or letters. Speaking of Letters Leapfrog "Letter factory" DVD is one of the best teaching tool. In fact my friend Priya told me about it. So I gave a try, it is 100% success.

I also bought Leapfrog Alphapet Explorer and became Fan of Leapfrog products.

First step to geography !!!

                      Recently I am trying to teach Harshini about Geography. So I didnt know How to start or Where to start .... I am very much newbie to Montessori way of teaching and came up with an idea let me start with solar system. I bought a solar system chart from the Parent and teacher store.

I hung the chart on a wall so that she can point out words. I also downloaded flash card from here.And also this website has e-flash cards too. I show it twice a day.I am not sure whether she understands the concept of solar system or earth...  But I just want to a give a try.

Later I will start with seven continents. Since Harshini is pretty familiar with flash cards I printed these cards and inserted in sheet protector. Thanks to Swathi for sharing her continent flash cards with me and thanks to Martha for her idea of using sheet protector. You can either buy a ring or just tie  three holes of the sheet protector with thread or wool. I will also show her this song about continent from youtube.  

Emmmm................

Hi y'all This is my first post in my first blog..... Really excited !!! Emmm.... Before creating a blog I had lots and lots of information to share but now when I created it I feel like "Emmmmm...." lost all thoughts and looking for words :( 
But hope to see you with good topics to share !!!