2-Step Activities With Toddlers

I love expanding and expounding on learning topics with learners through activities. I also place emphasis on keeping things simple when training with teachers. Do not over complicate & choose your battles! By this, I mean its okay if some kids don’t want to participate in circle time or certain activities. So long as you have the majority engaged, keep teaching! If 1 or 2 want to wander off, that’s okay! If the majority are not engaged, that tells you that is not a preferred activity at this time and adjust it or move onto the next planned activity. Rotate the activity back in and try it again in a month.

Oftentimes I’ve noticed we overstress and overthink as caregivers when children can actually be some of the most open minded and carefree individuals in our society, ESPECIALLY toddlers. I notice children value new-ness. Repeat the same lesson & information you are trying to teach but change HOW you teach it. Tying things they’ve never done before is a preference amongst toddlers, and the more you can alternate materials, the smoother your toddler classroom will be. Most importantly, ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE DAY — You should have an order-of-the-day plan in your mind before you clock in to the classroom.

I’ll give an example of a 2-Step Actvitity for toddlers. I substituted in our toddler classroom recently with the lead teacher. The lesson plan theme was shapes! The toddlers finished their shape tracing/coloring & shape puzzles fairly quickly, they are used to these class puzzles and are fluent with them. Always remember regular classroom materials that the children explore with regularly will not keep their attention long so don’t plan on them being engaged for more than 5-10 minutes, especially toddlers. They are still developing their attention span. It is importantly to swap out their materials often.

Instead of leading them into another activity, i thought on the fly to expand their time in math/writing with a 2-step activity. We have a large learner-

level dry erase board in the classroom. I grabbed my pad of sticky notes and began drawing shapes in marker: As i drew i passed the sticky notes learners and had them place it on the board. Toddlers value independence and LOVE when you give them a task. After placing a variety of shapes on the board, we began step 2 by giving each learner a dry erase marker. With that, they were able to trace on the sticky notes & attempt to mimic the shapes on the boards they were stuck to. Because it was something they’d never done before and they were able to complete it independently and creatively, the engagement time was about 20-25 minutes which is really good for toddler learners who rarely stay in one place for too long!

I’ll attach photos for example.

So remember! Have a plan of action — don’t overthink it — don’t force engagement — KEEP IT SIMPLE.

Check out my shop to purchase all-inclusive lesson plan themes curated by me.

I know its been awhile but expect lots of upcoming posts. I have lots to say haha. Thanks for reading!