Methods to teach children learning basics.

I have been trying to come up with new and creative ideas of things to do with the children I babysit. The girl is 7yrs old, her brother is 2 and a half, whom I have mentioned many times before and my son is almost 2. The boy tends to be very aggressive with my son. I have to constantly tell him to stop hitting and pushing and throwing things at my son. Although, I do let them work it out on their own as well because I want my son to learn that he also has to learn to stand up for himself as well. So, I bought them foam swords at the dollar store. This worked well at the beginning. Both of them were playing and play fighting with the swords, but then the boy decided it was still more fun to hit Markus and make him cry.

As for the girl Tatjana. She is very easy to get along with and very mature for her age. That comes with having a younger brother. Yesterday, I had her help me build a solar system for Markus's room. I had her look on google at what order the planets are in. I had some decor stickers, black bristol board and coloured pencils. We had great fun doing that, she wanted to show her mom, when her mom came to pick her up.

On Wednesday, I took them to Kariya Park. I wanted to take pictures with my new Nikon camera that Tom came home with on Tuesday. He said it was my early birthday pressent. My birthday is not until Sept. I will take it. In any case, I got quite a few good pictures. Tatiana loves modelling for the camera.

Today, they are playing with clay. I bought some clay at the dollar store and they love it. It is so much easier to play with than play doh. I will go back and buy some more, the kids seem to love it. I sat with them for a bit as they molded this clay. I started to think is this what teacher's college will be like?

I am excited but nervous at the same time. I want Markus to come with me so bad. My biggest fear is that my MIL will get him and take over. By the end of it, he will be confused who is mother is. He will not know to go to her or me. It could just be a stupid fear but I have reason to believe it because of how excluded I already feel and how she makes me feel. I am sure many woman have problems with MIL, this is common, but it doesn't make it any easier. Movies have been made over this topic.

In any case, I am looking for more interesting ideas to do with 2 yr olds. The 7 yr old girl is easy, the boys not so much. Everything has to be for 5 to 10 minutes before we move on to the next thing. They have a short attention span at this age. Yet, they love the interaction in any activity.