Body Part Flash Cards

As another great way to learn body parts as well as get familiar with the way they are spelled and the writing for them looks I created some flash cards. Super simple and FREE for you to download.

Tools:

Body Part Flashcards
Heat Laminating Sheets
Laminator (I use my YourStory Binder)
Binding Ring
Scissors

Instructions:

1. Download the Body Part Flashcards here.
2. Cut out along the lines.
3. Laminate for longevity.
4. Punch a small hole for a ring in the upper corner.
5. Combine and play.

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all. 

Scissor Practice (+bonus activity)

A fun activity for those beginning cutters to do. 

Instructions:

1. Print the worksheet on colored or white paper/cardstcok.
2. Cut out the long rectangles to make each scissor activity
3. You could also print an additional set and laminate to use for a tracing activity for the little ones.
4. Allow child to cut using child safety scissors, you may have to guide their hand the first couple of times but soon they'll be sipping along on their own.

Counting Objects 1-5

This is for older toddlers (3-4 years old), but a fun activity none the less, and even one you can work on with your 2 year old to begin learning counting basics. 

Instructions:

1. Print the counting game out on a colored printer (you can do black and white but it's not as much fun). One page will be for your board the other for the cards.  To download the worksheet, click the link below the picture

2. Cut the sheet containing the numbers to create cards.

3. Laminate the cards and the "board" (heat laminating works best)

4. Use adhesive Velcro dots to attach the cards to the sheets.

5. Allow to set for about an hour (full adhesiveness will not take effect for 24 hours)

6. 3-hole punch the sheet at the side (if you're going to put them in a 3 ring binder) 

7. Allow your little one to play. 

 Counting Objects 1-5 

Coloring Books are EXPENSIVE (this is how you can REUSE them hundreds of times)

My daughter may only be 23 months old but she LOVES to color, and can go through an entire coloring book in one afternoon, and she only likes to color "name brand" ones (Umizoomi, Bubble Guppies, Spongebob, etc) which can range from $2-$8 each (and even if you print coloring pages, once you take into account the cost of ink and paper it can get up there as well). Well I discovered a way to save A LOT of money by buying one of each of her favorites and reusing them hundreds of times and all you need is:

3-ring binder

Page Protectors

Dry Erase Markers/Crayons

It's super simple. Break down the coloring book into individual pages or print off your favorite online coloring pages and place them in page protectors in a 3-ring binder. If you get one with the cover plastic you can place the cover of the coloring book in there and have a separate binder for each book (you can get 3-ring binders for $0.97 at Walmart, or $1 at Dollar Tree). VOILA!! You have a completely reusable coloring book. 

This also works great for those activity books because the kids can do the activities over and over again. It also allows for erasing mistakes. 

If your child is super proud of a picture you can just take it out of the binder and display it on the fridge in the page protector, and even take a picture of it to keep longer. 

Doing it this way will allow one coloring book to last years and even through multiple children. 

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all. 

Toddler Learning Activity: Simple Sorting Activity (Busy Bag)

With how much my daughter loved her Animal Matching worksheet I wanted to make her something that would take her longer to complete. She also LOVES Umizoomi so I used a picture of each of the characters from a Google search to make some cards and sorting boxes Since the images are copyright protected I am not sharing the sheets I used, but if you pick your favorite pictures (from Google, clipart, or ever family pictures) and just Right Click-- Print -- then choose "Contact Sheet (35)" they come out the perfect size for both a fine motor activity and a sorting one. The sorting box was SUPER simple to make, I used 3 jewelry boxes I had lying around, stapled them together and glued a copy of each picture into the bottom. Then I put all the other cards into the baggie. She prefers to dump them out and sort, but it takes her about 20 minutes to get them all done.

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all.

Toddler Learning Binder: Animal Matching

I'm so excited to share these sheets I've made with you, and they are completely FREE to download. The instructions are SUPER simple, but will bring TONS of educational fun to your little one. 

Instructions:

1. Print 2 copies of each Matching game you want to create. One will be for your board the other for the cards. 

2. Cut one sheet to create cards.

3. Laminate the cards and the "board" (heat laminating works best)

4. Use adhesive velcro dots to attach the cards to the sheets, try not to cover the pictures as this will make it difficult for your little one to match them up. 

5. Allow to set for about an hour (full adhesiveness will not take effect for 24 hours)

6. 3-hole punch the sheet at the top (if you're going to put them in a 3 ring binder) 

7. Allow your little one to play. 

While playing identify each animal, make the sound and try to get them to mimic it as well. Some of the sheets that will be coming out later will also have the words incorporated to help them begin to identify the word with the animal, and then later still we will have just the words to match the animal. The great thing is you will only need to create new cards as the board can be reused with each set. To download the worksheet, click the link below the picture.

**UPDATE: I have built the pages below to now include the picture, the pictures with the words, and then a final sheet with just the words. 

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all. 

Animal Matching Page 1

Animal Matching Page 2

 Animal Matching Page 3

Animal Matching Page 4

Cleaning Out Your Closet

Ever wonder what you should donate when you're going through your closet? Have clothes you tell yourself you're going to wear, it's just the wrong season? Well, the easiest way to see what you really wear and what you don't is to turn all your clothes hangers backward and then after 6 months any that are still facing forward should be donated as they haven't been worn. 

If you start on January 1st, then by July 1st you have hit 3 seasons and should have worn everything you would ever wear. Maybe add it to you New Years Resolutions since the new year is only 111 days away. 

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all.