Coloring--expanding the experience
My 2 year old is currently showing a preference for crayons over markers. I use the crayola "Twistables" as they don't break, and she doesn't need the fat crayons. We often use plain white copy paper for coloring, though I have some large pieces of manila paper I got from the Parent Teacher Store. I think colored pencils, markers (Crayola washable are my favorite) in the fat and thin styles, colored chalk and white chalk for dark paper, and crayons are all nice to provide to a chld for coloring and writing practice.
Cut paper into different shapes and sizes to see how your little one uses the space. We folded a corner and cut a piece of copy paper into two big triangles and one long, skinny triange. Also, try cutting a shape from INSIDE the paper and see how your little one uses the "negative space".
Keep an eye out for differently textured paper. If you find packing material that has an exposed corrugated surface, that is a great surface to explore.
Talk about what your child is doing, colors they are using, shapes they are making, etc. It isn't always good to say, "What is it?" because it may not be anything besides free exploration, OR it may be insulting to a child if they are old enough to think they are creating a resonable facsimile of a specific object.. One child responded to that question with, "It's a rainbow, Dummy!" My daughter "named" two pictures yesterday. "Fish" and "Butterfly". It is ALWAYS good to say, "Tell me about...."
Cut paper into different shapes and sizes to see how your little one uses the space. We folded a corner and cut a piece of copy paper into two big triangles and one long, skinny triange. Also, try cutting a shape from INSIDE the paper and see how your little one uses the "negative space".
Keep an eye out for differently textured paper. If you find packing material that has an exposed corrugated surface, that is a great surface to explore.
Talk about what your child is doing, colors they are using, shapes they are making, etc. It isn't always good to say, "What is it?" because it may not be anything besides free exploration, OR it may be insulting to a child if they are old enough to think they are creating a resonable facsimile of a specific object.. One child responded to that question with, "It's a rainbow, Dummy!" My daughter "named" two pictures yesterday. "Fish" and "Butterfly". It is ALWAYS good to say, "Tell me about...."
Breast is best
I am fiercely protective of my right to breastfeed and also of the right of other mothers not to. I have breastfed all 3 of my children on demand. I have been encouraged to wean my 2 year old, but I know that the American Academy of Peciatrics recommends:
"Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child. "
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/feb05breastfeeding.htm
I know breastfeeding can be a hassle at times, and can be difficult to get established. Even with my 3rd child (after my first c-section) I relied heavily on the assistance of the lactation consultant. But for me and my children, the benefits have outweighed any inconvenience. My children have enjoyed exceptional good health and development. My youngest's tooth decay has been blamed on night nursing, but I don't believe it. I nursed my other 2 kids during the night.
I like the idea of "child led weaning", but I think breastfeeding will no longer be "mutually desired by mother and child" after age 2 1/2 or so. I put Thumz on my nipples to wean my oldest at 2 years, but I spent a couple of weeks preparing her for the milk to "go bad".
