Lollyellen
05-22-2009, 12:51 PM
Teaching your toddler what the word "available" means has been a total sanity-saver to me - as a teacher, a mom and a babysitter!
As in, "uhoh, the shovel doesn't look 'available' quite yet. Sean put the shovel down so he could go get the dump truck. But he is trying to tell you that he is still using it. When Sean is done with the shovel, it will be 'available' for someone else to use."
The twenty times per day that someone sets a toy down for what ever reason, yet isn't quite finished with it, really can be a great opportunity for showing and telling what 'available' means. And, yep - they "get" it. :nod:
When a toy is just sitting there all alone, totally not being used, then it is "available".
When there's a question, ask! ...And model asking by doing it yourself - yes, it's totally dorky, but roll with it (it won't be the last time you seem like a dork to your kid) - recruit your older kids in the conversation - "Sam are you done with the toothpaste? Is it 'available' yet...? Thank you, golden child of mine." :)
As in, "uhoh, the shovel doesn't look 'available' quite yet. Sean put the shovel down so he could go get the dump truck. But he is trying to tell you that he is still using it. When Sean is done with the shovel, it will be 'available' for someone else to use."
The twenty times per day that someone sets a toy down for what ever reason, yet isn't quite finished with it, really can be a great opportunity for showing and telling what 'available' means. And, yep - they "get" it. :nod:
When a toy is just sitting there all alone, totally not being used, then it is "available".
When there's a question, ask! ...And model asking by doing it yourself - yes, it's totally dorky, but roll with it (it won't be the last time you seem like a dork to your kid) - recruit your older kids in the conversation - "Sam are you done with the toothpaste? Is it 'available' yet...? Thank you, golden child of mine." :)