Childminders - please can I pick your brain?

[cheekster]

I need some inspiration really and experience of what has worked with you.

I am soon to be minding a 19mo old, very forward physically but only just speaking a few words.

I am wanting to plan a topic of learning but not sure what topic would work well and be appropriate for his age

My thoughts were

Homes, Farm, Pirates,

Can anyone add to these ideas or say whether any topic is particularly successful

Thanks

Really no need to plan anything, you need to get to know the child first and then take the lead from his interests.
I would suggest you vist some toddler groups and just get to know each other, chill, have fun and get into a routine that works for you both. Enjoy

I agree with Danthe4th, get to know mindee first, build on what interests him. Its good that you have some topics in mind though as you can introduce those activities into the childs interests too.

Should have said I do an All about me, thing as well and find loads out from family and siblings if they have them.

Thanks a lot will bare that in mind.

Wasnt planning on starting straight away, just wanted some ideas for topics that might work with that age range.

I like the All about me topic, would be nice to start with.

Was also thinking about a transport type topic maybe?

Any other ideas?

minni beasts is good they love the hungry caterpillar story at that age and they can easily blob paint on paper to make a butterfly with.

Oh what a lovely idea, never thought of a minibeast topic, would be lovely for the summer - thanks

ah right I see what you are on about

okay

I have loose themes, that I use to underpin the child's likes and interests

eg

Jan 2010 snow flakes (lots of them this year outside lol !!)/smells tastes textures/foraging and collages

Feb 2010 Valentine's day/pancakes/CNY

March 2010 St David's Day and Welsh culture/signs of spring/Mothering Sunday

Ah some great ideas boysarelikedogs so you generally go with what is happening in the world at the time, lots of festivals etc. I like chinese new year idea - year of the tiger, but may be a bit late for that.

Can I be nosy and ask what other topics you have done that have worked well with toddlers that cant yet talk but understand very well.

okay, back in a bit

right smells tastes and textures

taste test with marmite crumpets/marshmallows/lemon curd on toast/different kinds of melon/mini meringues/chili crisps

yuk or yum with smiley/sad faces to point at if they like

smells : vanilla pod/cut lime/curry paste/fresh mint/lavender bags etc

yuk or yum, again with smiley/sad faces

textures: oats or rice instead of sand in the tray/marzipan instead of play doh/jelly play

HTH

obv you must risk assess first

The first few months of the year are quite full on with stuff, Chinese new year, pancake day, valentines, mothers day, then spring topics we generally do mini beast stuff to include life cycles, caterpillars or frogs, planting cress seads in egg shells, other seasonal plants in pots. You can generally adapt most things to fit all age ranges or help a little with the younger ones where needed or the older ones love to lend a helping hand to the toddlers. Bird feeders are good too, even cheerios threaded onto string, to hang in the garden etc.

I find the age group you are looking for also enjoy junk modelling loads of old boxes and a tub of pva and spreader goes down great and they make some lovely all be it strange stuff.

We have some small plastic trays (cat litter trays are great) new obv, and very cheap, fill with stuff like, sand, soil, bark chippings, spaghetti, rice, shaving foam etc and hide stuff in like little plastic animals, worms or if your brave real ones , mindees spend ages with these and never get bored making mess. Gets some great pictures for their learning journeys too.

Wow, some amazing ideas there Thanks boysarelikedogs and atworknotworking.

Will definately invest in some cat litter trays