She just recently posted a chart that summarizes your baby’s needs in the first year. I found the chart to be a great run down and a wonderful tool for first time moms.

Here is the post: http://www.babywisemom.com/2012/01/your-babywise-baby-first-year-overview.html

In the playroom, I have toys in plastic containers with lids. The containers with toys are all kept on shelves I bought from Walmart for $15 each. We have 4 shelves (with 3 shelves each).  I only let them get out two containers at a time. I also have a play kitchen in the playroom and a small table and chair set in the playroom.
Toys we have in each container are:
- Wooden Train Set
- Playfood, Cups, Bowls, and other kitchen items
- Plastic Animals
- Building Legos
- Medium Sized Cars
- Puzzles
- Toddler Toys in 2 different boxes (various toddler toys)
- Little People Items

In my son’s room, he has a few toys. The toys are arranged in plastic containers with lids too. He is allowed to choose 2-3 different type of toys to have out during roomtime. The rest stay on his shelves in their containers and are not played with. The kids also do sibling playtime in Coopers room a few times a week- and the same rules apply, only 2-3 types of toys out at a time.
- McQueen Cars (from the Movie Cars)
- Chuck Car items
- Marble Run
- Books
- Other Match Box Cars
- Felt Roads & Play Rug with Roads
- Tag Junior
- Vet Clinic Toy
- Stuffed Animals

In the Girls’ Room, they have a few toys. I store all their toys in their closet. They still have IPT in their cribs. I usually allow them 2 types of toys and some books during IPT. They toys stored in their closets are:
- Little People Sets
- Little People Builder Blocks and Sets
- Light & Sounds Toys (electronics)
- Playfood
- Babydoll items
- Books
- Stacking toys & Shape sorters

In the Gameroom, I store all their educational materials, art supplies, and other table activities. I have it stored in an entertainment system with doors. I have things in plastic containers with lids marked with what time of things are inside. We don’t really have any other toys in the gameroom because we don’t play too much up their yet because I cannot keep an eye on them in there if I am down stairs working (game is upstairs).

In the living room, I have a basket of random toys- some cars, some stuffed animals, some little people stuff, some other toys (doctor kit, etc). They can take anything out of the basket when we are in the living room, but it all has to be put back when we leave the room.

In my bathroom, I have a small tub of toys for when I am getting ready in the morning or during bathtime. I usually bathe all the kids at the same time, but they don’t all get in the tub at the same time so I need toys to keep the occupied during bath time. I have books, cars, and a few small toddler-ish toys in there.

In the kitchen, I have a few leap frog toys on the fridge and I also have some file folder games, busy bag activity, quiet books, and play dough items all stored in my pantry. That way if I need a quick table time activity for a time of transition or while I am cooking dinner, I can quickly pull them out.

What I have found, is even though I don’t rotate all the toys, I think allowing them only a few toys at a time helps. Having them play in the playroom, bedroom, and living room at different times of day helps too. I think that free play, Independent Play Time, and table time/ blanket time help to keep it interesting. I also do outside play every day and try to include a walk. So variety of activities, organized toys, and not allowing them to play with too many things really helps to keep the kids happy and having fun throughout the day. The toys don’t get as boring this way.

Candy Themed Lesson Plans and Ideas

Babywise Schedules by Month (Version 1: My Son)
Babywise Schedules by Month (Version 2: My Twin Girls)

Structuring Your Toddler’s Day When Taking Two Naps A Day
Structuring Your Toddler’s Day When Taking One Nap A Day

We have been doing a “dream pee” with Cooper for a while now. He is now 3 years old. He was fully day time potty trained at 22 months, but has never really got the hang of nighttime potty training. He wakes up dry only 50% of the time if we do not do a “dream pee” with Cooper. He also wakes up in the middle of the night, say at like 2 or 3am and will call out to us to take him to the potty. Call me selfish, but I don’t really want to take him to the potty in the middle of the night. I have a hard time falling back to sleep after I get up with him and take him potty. Cooper is still afraid to go to the potty alone in the middle of the night so one of us needs to take him if he wakes and needs to go. Cooper has also not really mastered clothing management (putting his clothes back on himself sufficiently). The “dream pee” prevents middle of the night wakings and I get to sleep a longer more interrupted night of sleep, plus the added benefit of him waking up dry. I am not sure how long we plan to do a dream pee, but for now, until he is able to use the bathroom on his own and control his bladder all night long, we will continue using this technique!

Why These DVDs Rock
Then I met a good friend of mine when I moved and her daughter was featured in the Baby Signing Time DVDs. She lent me her 4 baby signing time videos and I used them to teach the twins and even my son signs. I LOVE THESE DVDs. My kids are totally engaged in the DVD. Rachel Coleman, the host, sings songs while signing many of the signs she teaches throughout the DVD. My kids love the songs, which I believe has helped all my kids to learn the signs faster. In the DVDs, she also has real life toddlers doing many of the signs and real images of what she signing. These DVDs are also great language builders and teach your baby and toddler about common life things, object, and places. For instance, on one of the videos, she teaches signs about the weather. When my son was 2, he learning about the weather through these videos and can sign all the signs associate with weather.

How I Use the DVDs
I usually let the kids watch the DVDs and I sit with them and sign along with them or point out some of the signs to them. I also use the DVDs during their blanket time or when I need a few minutes to get something done I feel good about allowing my kids to watch these DVDs because they are educational and not just “filler” (if you know what I mean). I do use the signs we have learned in the DVDs throughout our day, which I think is key. You need to apply the signs to real life situations in order for your child to truly acquire the signs.

http://www.signingtime.com/shop/baby-signing-time

1. Give a warning: If your baby or toddler is in the middle of play and it is time for a diaper change, give them a warning that you need to change their diaper. I usually say and sign diaper when I need to change their diapers. I do this about three times before I remove them from their play situation to change their diaper. That has helped to soften the blow and makes them more compliant towards coming with me for the diaper change.

2. Keep a basket of books, toys, and pictures near changing area: Give your child a distraction to keep them from fighting you. My girls love to look at books and photos. They are love touch and feel books so that has helped cut down on the tantrums and fighting while changing their diapers.

3. Have everything ready to go: Make sure the diaper, wipes, or whatever else you might need for a diaper change is already out and ready to go. You want to make sure that the diaper change happen as quick as humanly possible. The longer you take to set things up while your little one waits, the more resistance and frustration your child will build up waiting to be changed. I had to learn this the hard way.

4. Bribe: I know this probably not the best tactic, but there have been times when my girls will not come to me for a diaper change or are being very difficult. I offer a bribe at these times, especially when I am in a hurry to get somewhere or get out the door. I give them one M&M, a few goldfish, or a mum-mum. That seems to help calm them and make them more compliant for the diaper change.

5. Praise, Praise, Praise: Make sure you praise your child for coming to the changing area on her own. Also make sure to praise your child for being still while changing her diaper and for doing a good job helping mommy. I have found the more positive praise that I give, the more willing they are to come to the changing area easier next time.

6. Signing: My daughter Molly LOVES music. Her favorite song is the “Itsy Bitsy Spider”. So I end up singing that tune a lot while changing her diaper. She uses her hand motions while I change her diaper to accompany the song. The length of the song is just long enough for me to complete the diaper change too.

7. TV: I usually change diapers on a blanket in our playroom. I have a TV in that room. I sometimes turn on Baby Signing Time and that will provide a long enough distraction for me to a lour them to the blanket and change their diapers without too much fuss. I use this strategy when I can tell that the diaper change might be a doosey if left to my normal tricks, LOL.

8. Pops and times outs: When my girls get very physical and start to kick and even bit me, I have resorted to a pop on the thigh. I try to use this as my last resort. And even still, the pop does not always work. It is just a quick hand to the thigh to grab their attention, which is followed by a stern “no”. If that does not work, I will remove my daughters from the situation and place them in their pack n play or on a wall out of the room in order for them to calm down. Then once they are calm, I bring them back to the changing area and finish the diaper change. I make sure to give a lot of verbal praise if they are able to come back to the changing table and let me finish the diaper change without a lot of fuss.

Here is a short video clip of my 13 month old twin girls during blanket time. Currently they do blanket time for 30 minutes in the morning while I do circle time (learning activities) with their older 2.5 year old brother. When I recorded this video, their older brother was visiting his grandparents (which is why I had a chance to capture this short video clip).

Cooper at 12 months

Anna & Molly @ 13 months

Target Skill: Fine Motor
Target Age: 9-18 Months

You Will Need:
Either an old formula container, coffee container, or yogurt container with a plastic lid
Round head clothes pins
scissors

Prep:
Cut a round hole in the lid of the container.

Activity:
Allow your child to try and place the clothes pins through the hole of the container. You might need to show your child how to do this at first.