Letter "Aa" Week

Who's ready for "Aa" week?  Me, me, me!!!  We're all so excited around here we've been doing heel clicks for two weeks straight.  Melanie's been tap dancing and Lisa's been been stuffing her face with apple pie, apple fritters, and applesauce.  She's pregnant, give her a break, people.

Disclaimer:  We will try to post the week's ideas on the Friday or Saturday before, so you have enough time to get supplies needed...or if you're an overachiever and want to start ahead.

Apple Paper Plate

You’ll need...

• Paper plate
• Red paint, crayon or marker
• Green and brown construction paper

Paint paper plate with red paint, cut out into apple shape after it dries. Use brown paper to cut out a stem and green for the leaf and worm. Cut a slit into the plate to slip the worm into.
http://playtimewithmommy.blogspot.com/2010/10/paper-plate-apple.html

Letter Hunt
Find a bucket, basket or bowl and let your child “hunt” for items around the house that begin with the letter “Aa”. Will they find an alligator, apple, ambulance, or ants? You can repeat this several times throughout the week! When they find an item, make sure you’re reinforcing what letter the item begins with.

I like to find "Aa" items the night before and hide around the house.  They think it's fun when they wake up in the morning!

Apple Krispy Treats

6 C. Krispy Rice Cereal
1 pkg. large marshmallows
3 T. butter
1 small pkg. Jell-o powder, cherry or strawberry flavor
Tootsie Roll candies
Green Airhead candies
Baking spray
Wax Paper
Red Food Coloring, optional
(I cut this recipe in ½ because otherwise it makes 25!)

Directions: Place marshmallows and butter in large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave for an additional minute. Remove from microwave and stir in jell-o powder. If desired, you can add a few drops of red food coloring (depending on how "red" your jell-o is). Add Krispy Rice cereal and stir well. Spray hands with baking spray and roll mixture into balls (a little larger than a golf ball) and drop on wax paper.http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2010/09/krispy-apple-treats.html


FINE MOTOR SKILLS: Fill a plastic baggie with paint and use a q-tip to write letters and numbers. Depending on their age and level, you can write it for them and let them guess the letter, number, and/or shape.

http://lets-explore.net/blog/2009/10/paint-bag-writing/

BOOKS: Below you will find a few suggested books for your little one. You should be able to find these at your local library. 

• The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
• Alligator Shoes by Arthur Dorros
• Ten Apples Up On Top! by Dr. Seuss

COLORING PAGE: Print off the Aa for Alligator coloring sheet on the Fisher-Price website. Click on the link below and it will take you to your destination.http://www.fisher-price.com/us/ms7/alphabet-coloring-pages.asp


“LITTLE” TIP OF THE WEEK: Post a large piece of paper with the letter “Aa” somewhere easy to see. Point it out several times a day throughout the week and ask questions. What letter is this?  What sound does it make?  Depending on their level, begin with introducing the "short a" sound first, as in apple and alligator, not as in alien. What things start with the letter A?

Here's a fun website for your little smartypants:  www.abcmouse.com

If you click on Alphabet and Phonics, then on letter Aa, you can do all sorts of fun games and activities geared towards the toddler age.  You can also set up an avatar that looks just like your child!  It's cute, people.  It's really stinkin' cute.

Now go have some fun with your little stinker!! 

Welcome to Lessons for Littles

Beginning in August, we'll be starting "Lessons for Littles", a blog dedicated to creative and educational ideas for you to do with your little ones!

We cannot stress enough of the importance of early childhood education. These early years are some of the most crucial times for learning in your child's life. The brain is developing at such a fast rate, the time you put in with your child now will pay off for the rest of their life.

We will base our ideas off of a "Letter of the Week".  At the beginning of each week, we will post activities, recipes, crafts and tips for you to do with your toddler. You can do as little or as much as you would like! We will also be setting up a Facebook page so you can post your own pictures of the activities you've done or new ideas you wish to share.

Have fun and let the learning begin!