July | 2015 | Forcing the Bloom

Maybe you don’t need to consign those old puzzles just yet…

This Melissa & Doug puzzle is not a challenge for my toddler anymore. It’s perfect for my 8 month old. I found a way, however, to expand its use and let my toddler get more out of it. Here are some ideas for this puzzle…

Cutting

1.) We drew shapes on construction paper so that the shapes and colors matched the spots on the puzzle. First we practiced cutting the shapes to match the puzzle pieces.

Sorting

2.) Then we matched the cut out shapes with the puzzle holes. (You can also count them as you go.)

Tracing

3.) Last we used the big puzzle pieces to practice tracing shapes with crayons. The big knobs were very helpful!

I wonder what else we can come up with for our other puzzles!

He’s keenly aware of his brother every move. He scoots across the room as soon as you turn your back. He thinks he can walk (he can’t) and insists on standing up (one second). He pulls himself up on things and then topples over. He has two bottom teeth, which he likes to grind into my shoulder. He is DONE with baby toys – only big brother’s toys will do. He either screams or sleeps in the car, there’s no in-between. He sucks his thumb when he’s tired (pretty cute). He’s tried mashed bananas and avocados so far and although he doesn’t appear to get any of it into his mouth (it’s straight into the bath after a feeding) his poops smell like, well, poop. He’s SEVEN MONTHS!

My favorite things to do with my seven-month old:

Put him in my wrap and go for walks or go to the beach or pool. (I have a regular wrap and a water wrap).

Roll a ball to him (he’s always amazed when it reaches him).

Try and read a book to him (before he eats it).

Watch him cover himself with mashed bananas (somehow cuter than mashed avocados).

Baby exercises! (He sits on my stomach or around me for leg lifts, sit-ups, stretches, and squats.)

Introduce new things (primary colors, shapes, textures) in a small wooden tray Montessori-style. (He usually tries to eat the tray.)

Let him check himself out in the mirror (he’s in love with his reflection – the brother he wishes really he had).

Swing in the baby swings at the playground (or with Daddy on the big swing).

Play peek-a-boo! (Usually during diaper changes using a small blanket – otherwise he scoots away before we’re done).

Tickle-fest! (He has the funniest laugh!)

Songs with musical instruments (usually something we can bang – BAM-BAM)!