 Re: 2-3 years old
2 and 3 year olds are too young for extended periods of group activity. They are still in parallel play mode most of the time. Keep any circle/singing/game time very short and optional. Don't try to force a 2 yr. old into doing what everyone else is doing.
Try centers with language/literacy rich materials. Have a few non-negotiable rules and prepare the environment (2 chairs at a table, so 2 people at a time can do this activity). Make the language part of the environ. (e.g. sing while doing/use predictable phrases to describe what is happening) and participation non-coersive. Attract, but never force. Always be doing something that will create more interest than running (you might need to institute a sanctioned running time). |