Shape hunt!

Another great idea from Toddler Toddler! Visit the website for the printable page of shapes to use for this activity.

"It time for another hunt! We seem to have lost some shapes in the house and we know that toddlers are great at finding things! Print out the sheet of shapes and outlines. Cut the sheet in half (along the line). Then cut out the SOLID shapes only and hide/place them around the room with a little tape on the back. Now give your toddler the half-sheet with outlines and help her find the shapes and stick them on to the outlines!"

A Holiday Toddler Craft Idea

The holiday season is upon us and what better way to give gifts than with a little personalization from your toddler! This can be done very simply or with a little extra effort they can really look great! You'll need cardstock or construction paper, crayons OR washable paint, and house sponges cut in various shapes (if you're going to use the paint).  Place a few small circles of paint on a paper plate and let your toddler dip the sponge shapes into the paint and decorate the paper however they please. Once they're finished and you let them dry, you can write whatever you'd like on them. So much fun and so creative. Grandparents especially will love these. :)

Family Open Swim at the Matteson Community Center

Do you have the winter blues already? Are your littles ones getting antsy to let out some energy? Why don't you take them over to the Matteson Community Center for one of their family open swims? Visit http://www.mattesoncommunitycenter.com/ or call (708)748-1080 for times and more information. Please note that there is a fee required.

The same book again?

Your toddler may want to read the same story over and over and over and..well you get the point. :) Guess what? It is perfectly normal. Repetition is okay; in fact it is great for little ones!

One More Time


You may go through a period when your child favors one book and wants it read night after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular story, and this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind, however, that a favorite story may speak to your child's interests or emotional needs. Be patient. Continue to expose your children to a wealth of books and eventually they will be ready for more stories.

Visit this webpage for a great article on Helping your child learn to read.