Help teach your toddler numbers!

Visit the website below to print out large number sheets. After cuttng each number out, you can play telephone with your toddler to expose them to the numbers. With your older toddler, you can teach them their telephone number using these number sheets as well.

http://www.toddlertoddler.com/todays_phone_numbers.htm

Teaching manners to your toddler

Is there a way to teach manners to your toddler? Learn more here:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_teaching-table-manners-to-your-toddler_1429019.bc

Having trouble locating books that are appropriate for your toddler?

There are many authors that write wonderful books for toddlers. We have many books beyond these authors that would be great for your little ones. Stop by the Youth Services desk and we would be more than happy to help you locate some books.

Here are just some of the authors whose books we have on our shelves at Matteson Public Library:

Jane Cabrera

David A. Carter

Maria Carluccio

Nancy Tafuri

Bill Martin Jr.

Jan Carr

Eric Carle

Karen Katz

Sandra Boynton

Todd Parr

Denise Fleming

Philemon Sturges

Byron Barton

Simms Taback

Lauren Thompson

Leslie Patricelli

The weather is getting cold again!

That means your little one is going to be getting very antsy because they can't go outside and move their bodies! Don't worry! There are many inside movement activities that you can do to get your toddler to move and use some of their energy.

Step "Toddlerobics":

Time for some exercise! Take out some of those storage bins you have full of stuff and turn them upside down. Leave about a foot between them and have your toddler step up then down and then up again, while holding your hand if necessary. He'll have a great time going up and down, and up and down. If your containers are transparent then he can look at what's inside each bin while getting some exercise.

Toddler Jump Rope:

It's time to have some fun and jump rope...well maybe just the belt from your bathrobe. This is an activity that you can do indoors or outdoors. If you don't have a bathrobe belt, you can use some yarn and cut a piece 2 feet long. Then tape the ends to the floor/rug/driveway/sidewalk (make sure the yarn is pulled tight so that it is flat on the ground and your child can't trip on it.) First, ask your toddler if he/she can step over the piece of "rope". Then see if he/she can JUMP over the piece of "rope". You can show him how at first and then see if he can follow your lead. He might jump on the yarn and that's okay! Take turns jumping over the string and you can even bring out some stuffed animals to help demonstrate how to jump over string. For the more advanced jumpers, you can put down a few pieces of string about a foot apart so that your toddler can jump a few times in a row!

Mommy Bridge:

Here's a fun activity for you and your toddler! You'll giggle lots and have some good fun. Find a place in your house where you can get on all fours on a rug or mat. Then tell your toddler that you are "Mommy Bridge" and ask her if she can crawl under you from one side to the other side. As she is crawling under you, sing the "London Bridge is falling down" song using Mommy instead of London. Then just as your toddler is all the way through, fall down a little on her and tickle her toes or give her a big hug! She'll probably squeal and giggle up a storm! Let her get up and do it again! Remember that your enthusiasm and excitement will build her enthusiasm and interest in the activity!

For more fun ideas visit: http://www.toddlertoddler.com/

Are you wanting to potty train your toddler but don't know where to start?

We can help! Matteson Public Library has many materials to help assist you and get you started in potty training your toddler. Stop by the Youth Services desk at any time and we'd be happy to help you locate what you are looking for!

These are just a few of our materials:

The Potty Movie for Girls DVD 649.62 POT

The Potty Movie for Boys DVD 649.62 POT

Go Potty Go DVD PARENTING 649.62 GO

The Potty Book for Boys PARENTING SHELF 649.62 CAP

The Potty Book for Girls PARENTING SHELF 649.62 CAP

The Potty Training Answer Book PARENTING SHELF 649.62 DEE

The Everything Potty Training Book PARENTING SHELF 649.62 SON

Dinosaur vs. the Potty EASY SHEA

The Prince and the Potty EASY LEWISON

The Princess and the Potty EASY LEW

Ruby's Potty EASY ROGERS

I Want my Potty EASY ROSS