How it goes

So our attempt at a routine has been successful in some aspects, and not a complete failure in others.   One of our successes is that Mandie is starting to have a better concept of days of the week, she can also use her chart to tell us what we are going to be doing that day.  It has also been a good way of giving her something to look forward to, because as we put her to bed we remind her of what the activity is for  the next day and she doesn't even fight going to sleep.

Where we haven't done as well is in pre-planning projects and following through with ideas.  I knew we would have a hard time with this part, but I don't thing we have done horrible.  Either way she has had fun and done something related to the activity for each day.  We can work on the rest. 

One way to help with the pre-planning projects, especially when you are super busy with a work project that is sucking all your time, is craft kits.  I feel like it's cheating in a way, but Mandie loves them just as much as the kits I take the time to make.  So in the end we still accomplish the same thing, and I can grab it from her craft box and she doesn't have to miss a day because I didn't have time to put something together.  (I do have a goal of setting up several projects so they are ready to go - but that is still a work in progress.)

This is a Crayola Kit I found on sale at the toy store and not only does it come with everything I need right in the box, but it was fun, easy and SUPER CUTE.

It said it was for ages 3+ but it was easy to modify the steps so that she could do it.  I traced her hand and cut out all of the pieces.  Then I let her glue things into place.  For the tissue paper spots on the giraffe I drew on the circles and put dabs of glue down and let her crinkle the paper and stick it in place.  She loved sticking the green tissue paper on to make the tree.  (I just noticed now that the piece we put down as grass looks a little like poop...it still turned out cute.)

This kit came with several handprint projects, so I look forward to doing more with her.  I'll make sure to pre-cut the shapes though, because she quickly grew tired of waiting as I cut around each bump of the giraffe's mane. 

Our science project was amazing so that will get a post of its own!

Routine

Mandie has gotten very into planning and scheduling.  It actually helps get her to go to sleep faster.  Every night after I tuck her in I tell her, "You are going to sleep in your bed, I am going to sleep in my bed, because tomorrow we are going to do _____."

Really Mandie is just like most kids and likes routine.  She likes having an idea of how/when things are going to happen.  Taking her lead I have decided to start small and give each day a theme, with a goal of doing at least one big activity based on that theme.  (I hope to do more than one thing each day, but I am admittedly easily distracted.)

So here is our chart for the first two weeks..

Cooking, school type learning, swim, crafts and sports

 Now if I was the Mom that I am in my head,  Monday would go something like this.....

She would help a little with breakfast - maybe stir her eggs or something.

At some point after breakfast we would have a pretend meal that she would prepare in her toy wok.

Then in the afternoon we would make pizzas out of construction paper, including little paper mushrooms and pepperoni - the works!

 At dinner time she would completely help with making 3 or so mini pizzas with different toppings.  Some with new things that she hasn't really tried - and of course her favorite pepperoni and cheese.


What I know will happen is the pizza making.  At least one pizza.

Let's hope that I can make at least some of the other stuff happen....and I'm hoping to get through the entire week. 


Well I'll post what the outcome is next week...I'm really hoping that this will be a good plan.