Toddler & Infant Day Care Projects

Young children are often eager to explore different types of materials with all of their senses. Very young children are more process-oriented, as opposed to project-oriented. While you may provide them with the materials for a structured project, they will often want to simply play with the components, and may want to throw it all away when they're done playing. When working in a day care setting with babies and toddlers, remember that the learning comes from playing with, feeling, smelling, and, in some cases, tasting the items needed.

Babies

Babies less than a year old are unable to benefit much from traditional art or science projects, but are ready to learn through their senses. The best way to engage babies is to supply them with various materials that they can explore. Hang posters featuring geometric shapes, in either black and white or bright colors. Give babies rattles that make different sounds. Babies old enough to sit up may like toy xylophones or drums. Stock your day care with different textures for babies to feel: crinkly toys, soft fabrics, smooth plastic, lambskins and plush carpet remnants. Remember to observe all safety rules and not to leave babies unattended with anything that might possibly choke or suffocate them.

1-Year-Olds

One-year-olds are walking but have very short attention spans. The best projects for this age group will interest the young toddler for several minutes, then allow him to move on to something else. Give him a fat paintbrush already dipped in tempera paint, and allow him to dab it on paper. If his attention span permits, give him a second color to dab on top of the first color. If you have adequate supervision, young toddlers may enjoy playing with salt dough. Mix two cups salt, two cups flour, and a cup of water in a bowl. Gradually add more water as necessary to make a dough-like consistency. If the dough is sticky, add more flour. Add food coloring if desired. Once the children are done playing, this dough can be stored in zip-lock plastic bags for a week or two.

2-Year-Olds

Two-year-olds have a slightly longer attention span than 1-year-olds, and are ready to start learning about their world with more structured activities. Children this age often love coloring with crayons and markers. They can finger paint as well, with commercial paints, or with items such as vanilla pudding with food coloring added. Using pudding will eliminate any risks of the children eating the "paint." Two-year -olds also can plant beans: Fill a disposable plastic cup about halfway with potting soil. Poke a hole in the soil about 1 inch deep with your finger. Have the child drop a seed in the hole and cover with the soil. Be sure that children do not put their hands in their mouths, and that they wash carefully with soap after touching potting soil. Children can water their seed daily, and will be thrilled when a tiny shoot emerges.

References

• Salt Dough Recipe
• Art Projects for Toddlers and Preschoolers