Activity ideas for my upcoming 3 yr old

[Liz]

Because DS doesn't turn 3 until March he misses out on initial enrollments into the preschool we want him to go to. I rang today and they've marked his name as still wanting to start so if a vacancy comes up we can have it. (we put his name down as soon as he turned 2 which is the earliest they can go on the list)

But it's a real possibility that he won't get in next year, and I don't really want to look at other ones, for various reasons. I'd just rather get him into the preschool that feeds into the local 'big' school he'll be going to. He's the type to take a long time warming to places, and I don't really want to put him in one place next year, and then in this preschool the next year. I dunno... am I being too picky? Maybe he would handle the change in schools?

Anyway.. if he doesn't end up at preschool as a 3 yr old.. I'm gonna have to step up the activities that we do at home to keep him stimulated.

Any ideas? So far we do colouring in & drawing, painting, playdoh, and building blocks & usual play stuff. OK.. that sounds like a fair bit.. but I don't always sit down with him to do it. I really need to find a way of finding specific time to teach him things (I'd be a hopeless home schooler LOL) Any suggestions with this would be good too.

We go to music lessons, so that keeps us going with singing and dancing.

I'm seriously considering setting up a calander for him and scheduling stuff in. We thought of this to control his DVD viewing habits LOL. He's constantly asking to watch movies and gets upset when I keep saying no. So we thought if we draw up a calander and he can see (probably cut out pictures to stick on each day) what he can do that day, that it would help.

Anyway.. how do you plan things to do with your toddler, and what do you do? (and please don't suggest day care or anything.. I'm gonna wait it out for preschool ) If we don't get into preschool next year I'll use the opportunity to save that money I think LOL.

[MrsFabuloso]

Have you thought of just going to playgroup for now? Social play is important at 3yrs.

Here's some info I have collated for work, HTH!

Social and emotional
Three year olds often enjoy being with other children and can now play together more.
They are learning that other people are real and have real feelings.
They may still have fears of noises, the dark, animals, monsters and so on.
Three year olds are developing a sense of humour, and like to laugh at and repeat silly words and situations.
They may still need a comforter (such as a dummy or favourite blanket) when tired or away from home.
They can have very stereotyped ideas of what 'boys' and 'girls' are supposed to be like.
They are starting to take responsibility for their own toileting, but may have accidents during the day and be wet at night.

Developing understanding
Their own inner world is very powerful for your three to four year old. Sometimes it is difficult for them to distinguish 'real' from 'pretend'. They are not lying on purpose.
Characteristics include:
They show some understanding of time and understand that night follows day.
They now understand that parents can't read minds.
By the age of four, they can probably draw a person.
They still don't really understand things like height and size.

Physical development
In this year, children delight in physical activity, and parental supervision is important. Characteristics include:
They are not very good at pacing themselves, and will get tired and cranky if not offered enough quiet activities.
Three year olds can roll and bounce a ball, but catching is still difficult.
By four years, a child can hold a pencil correctly.
During this year, they will learn to cut with scissors.

Language
Three year olds are now talking in simple sentences, but they often stutter and stumble over their words. Be patient.
Characteristics include:
Some three year olds speak very clearly, while others still use some 'baby talk'.
The average three and a half year old knows more than 1,200 words.
Three year olds ask questions beginning with 'what', 'who', 'where' and 'why'.
They can talk about yesterday and tomorrow.

Suggested activities
Suggestions on encouraging and supporting your child's development include:
Allow plenty of physical activities.
Provide simple games with rules so your child can learn the basis of cooperative play.
Provide music, songs, picture and storybooks, and plenty of opportunities for drawing and painting.
Children may enjoy appropriate television programs and videotapes.
Give them lots of love, fun, approval and encouragement.

[Liz]

Ooh.. thanks Kel Hmm.. he's doing a lot of that at 2! LOL. A friend of ours was shocked at how good he is with scissors.. I didn't know he had learnt that early! He's cut stuff up for ages now.

I guess I could find out about local play groups. We haven't bothered with it previously, as we see plenty of people and kids, just not necessarily on a regular/scheduled basis.

hmm.. games with rules. That's a good idea.. a new 'dimension' to our play.

Thanks heaps for that.