I found out rather quickly that there was no way one of the stepstools (stepladders) we already owned would work. Although they place her high enough, Lorelei still can’t reach the faucet – and, since we won’t be installing a child-sized sink (with running water) – she may just have to use a wash cloth to get the whole “washing of hands” thing down. Unless of course, someone can find me a mini sink that uses a pump and jug of water to continuously pump water in and out of a kid-sized sink. That I could refill and empty. Or…um if you want to make one for her…like um if you are her handy dandy Grandpa or Granny or something. *cough cough* (Hint hint) Ha ha. (Wondering if the pump would be similar to what you use for a water pond and then just use a large covered bucket with a hole in it? )

Anyhow, after much research and looking around, I’ve found a good “curriculum” for us to go by – Montessori Infant/Toddler style. Keep in mind, this isn’t really set-in-stone, basically just a list of things we will try to do during our days/weeks. (We’ll try it for the rest of this month and make changes as needed.)

Care Of Self
- Assisting with diapering – The kid already does this by handing and unfolding the diapers for us. Once, she even put the diaper creme on herself. With her clothes on. Made for some greasy spots (at least she knew WHERE it went). We’ll also begin trying the diapering thing standing up (at least some of the time).
-Calming self to sleep – She already does this, too.
-Washing and drying hands
-Taking Clothes Off – You know, I’ve heard horror stories about this. Where the kid is dressed and ready to go, and then you come back and they are stark nekkid. Oh crap. If she learns to do this, then that means she can take her shorts off and the diaper and leave poo on the walls? We might actually skip this one for a bit. Or, only learn to take shirts off.
-Using a fork and spoon at meals – She roughly has the idea of this. Just a matter of A) not picking it off the fork to eat it and B) poking the fork just right so it catches food.
-Using cup to drink – We’ll still use sippy cup for non-meal time just so I don’t lose my sanity. She knows how (in theory) to use a cup but doing it ALL BY HERSELF usually ends in her getting a little too excited about it and pouring too much too fast and not in her mouth. She’ll be drinking water with meals because of this.

Care Of The Environment
-Clearing their space at the table after meals
-Adults model using a towel to wipe up wet spills
-Adults model using care when handling work

Language
-Please, Excuse Me, Thank You, Mine
-Greeting Others (Hi, Bye)
-Recognition of Name (spoken)
-Practice Saying Own Name
-Adults use action words to describe routines
-One piece puzzle
-Two Piece puzzle
-Basket with different textures and shapes from outside
-Shelf with books
-Basket with farm animals *** (need to get these)
-5 min of Foreign Language DVD and practice (?)

Songs and Finger Play
(a variety of songs like Row Your Boat, Five Little Monkeys, Baa baa black sheep, etc.)

Books
-Together, we’ll read books and have story-time

Practical Life
-Dropping Balls into Ball Popper
-Dropping Clothes Pins in a jar
-Insert shapes into corresponding openings
-Transfer objects (ice with spoon, etc)

Sensorial
-Maracas
-Drums
-Tambourine ***(need to make this)
-Color Chain Links *** (need to make this)

Manipulative
-Pull Toy *provide cause and effect*
- Toys with buttons and music/sound

Pre-Math
- One ball in a basket
-1,2,3 Counting

Stationary Work
- Crafts

Large Motor: Indoor
-Up and down stairs
-Obstacle course made with chairs and pillows (or boxes)

Large Motor: Outdoor
-Pushing toys (play lawnmower or riding toys)
-Water Table
-Swing
-Watering Garden

See? Not that much different than what parents already do – it’s just my way of organizing things to make sure she’s getting well-rounded experiences. And, the “curriculum” will change almost every month to reflect what she’s learned to do and to add new skills in! I plan to either remove the mattress from her crib or make a nap mat (trouble will be finding one she finds appropriate) so she can lay down for naps when she gets tired. I kind of want a separate “mat” or small mattress, though because I really do not want to encourage night time middle of the nighters. So, mat it is.

I’ll post some photos later of things we do and make.

Welcome back!