Well, I figured I might as well continue now that I am started. This is written from my head with just memories to work from - if there is something you would like to add in the comments please do, and welcome. Or if it is something that 
should be included in the article then please just let me know and I shall edit.
When E was two I started doing more craft type things with her:
Glass painting;
OK, this was something that i was doing for me, but she did a couple of her own also.
Card-making;
We usually make our own cards, and this was a great way to encourage her to design things for different people instead of just free design. She assigns the person a colour scheme and keeps to it. Even to this day!!
Painting posters;
I got her to paint her own birthday poster - it was certainly a work of art!!! Making painting a special occasion event makes it easier for me to say 'No, lets do that for (such and such occasion) and today why don't we do (different activity)' So far it works well for us. And she knows that I keep my word if we are going to do it on a different day. Occasionally we both forget, but she is kind and we renegotiate another time.
Play-dough or plasticine;
I actually started this one earlier than 2, but we started making different things, shapes, modelling objects etc rather than just feeling the texture of it which is all it was really before then
Sticking;
This is such a great one. Leaves or lolly wrappers are great easy places to start, and if you
don't have paper around the home just cut up an empty cereal box so you have one large size to glue onto
Cooking;
This skill develops, when E was 2 she did more and more of the stirring and as long as she watches what she is doing i can leave her to stir while I wash up a few bits and tidy the area - stirring often comes in close to the end of the cooking activity, so it is a great way to keep her occupied and not eating mixture while I tidy up and before I put it in the oven, then it is just a quick wash up of the bowl while she takes off her apron and hey presto! we finish working in the kitchen at the same time, get ourselves a drink and head for the sofa for a well deserved break!
Water play; had graduated to her washing dishes - all things plastic are hers to do - I often wash them quickly first, then leave her to play while I get on with something else. I am usually in the same room, and just invent things to do while she occupies herself
Dressing Up box; this includes all kinda of things - and often various other things like jewellery, scarves, and mummy's shoes. A great fun activity that I can leave her to do alone as she was able to dress herself by the time we did this - even if it was just putting a dress or shirt over the clothes she was already wearing.
Playing house; With various toys that are on the market to provide kitchens and other household imitation your child can clean the house alongside you without actually getting in your way. In our case we don't have that, so she actually does clean the house with me, I give her a bath, give her a clean cloth and she rubs away making the bath shine while I work on the rest of the bathroom. Works well for us and after that she has had enough, so while she plays with something in a specific defined area I can get on with other bits.
Cards; we play snap and memory with cards created for this age group. We also use different cards with letters and numbers on them to help us in learning alphabet and numbers in a fun way. Cards are easy to make, they do not have to be bought, just some brightly coloured paper cut to various shapes and sizes - uniform or not as you desire with letters and numbers or shapes on will suffice. It is a great learning tool and makes education fun from the outset.
Reading; a few more words to a page is good at this age. 'Real stories' and even following the words in the story with your finger so your child can 'read' with you and begin recognising words and shapes of words. I kept reading simple 'baby' books at this age to test comprehension and discuss the narrative to have her following the content of a story as I found some of the other age appropriate books were losing her too quickly an although she knew the story if she told it in full, she couldn't concentrate on smaller portions.
2nd Birthday Party; E chose to have a 'tea party', the colour scheme was rainbow i guess in that each person had a colour and they had to wear that colour and make a party hat in that colour. It was great fun. At this age there are themes, friends, possibly even competition from friends/family/other parents to have the best birthday. Always remember; It is up to you what you do. You have nothing to prove, only to do the best by your child, which really should be our everyday wish and dream anyhow. So see what you feel up to doing, what can you afford (realistically) financially and time-wise? Offer your child some choices based on the musings you have had and refine it into the ultimate party for your child and yourself. At this age it is possible to rent an adventure play area that caters for parties and you just pay the money and they do the rest.
There is so much to do - and I am sure that there will be many great ideas left in the comments box below also. I love all the things that I can do and involve her in now.
Peace
EF.x
(January 2007) (
