occupying child with something other than tv while you are busy

[lorenp77]

i got my son a pair of kitchen tongs and he collects stuff and transfers them from one container to the other.  This keeps him entertained for ages.  Before this he was learning to unscrew lids to get things like pom poms out.  I also drilled holes into the plastic lid of a formula tin and he likes to poke straws or pipecleaners in.  He is 19m.

[momtomany]

Lately I've been looking at Montessori ideas too to keep these littles occupied and content.  lorenp77... your ideas sound so Montessorish.  We had company last weekend and the 14mo old was getting fussy in his highchair (he was tired, so I knew putting him on the floor wouldn't help either), so for only a few minutes more of peaceful conversation I grabbed an empty toothpaste box from the counter and two straws and showed him how to put the straw in the box, out the box, in, out..... then left him to it and it kept him busy for quite a while before I put him to bed.  Maria Montessori formed all her learning ideas from closely observing children.  I think the most important thing I've learned from my reading lately is to try not to interrupt a child who is intensely preoccupied with something.... try to stay out of his 'work' and only assist them the littlest you can if they get frustrated.... in this way the ability to focus and concentrate on an activity for a prolonged period of time is developed.  One of the notable things about Montessori classrooms is how peaceful and relaxed the children are as they go about their 'work'.... Maria Montessori observed that play (work to a child) that is meeting their developmental needs does not tire them out or leave them cranky.  Also what I find appealing about Montessori teaching is that they encourage the little ones to practice and learn the practical life skills early on (pouring, food preparation, dressing oneself...)... to a mom of many, getting them to do-for-themselves a.s.a.p. sounds wonderful!  Google "homemade Montessori", "Montessori homeschooling", or "Montessori preschool activities" to find some really cool ideas of activities to present to your little ones to keep them happily engaged in developmentally appropriate 'work'.  If you're looking for toy ideas (for birthday or Christmas) try googling "Montessori toys" for some ideas of quality toys that are also good for their development.

[waterdreamer]

Those are great ideas! We made a rice table out of a rubbermaid container and put in measuring cups and such. My son also loves spending time doing puzzles at his table in the kitchen while I do dishes.
I also want to make a boxs with ziploc activities for him to do during times that I need him occupied.
http://thesunnypatch.blogspot.com/2007/09/activity-bags-for-preschoolers.html

[Isabeau]

Hi!  I also find playdough to be a really great thing for my son to do while i'm making supper.  AND with playdough we often make long playdough snakes, and he cuts them while I make supper.  I know some parents are scared of scissors, but the occupational therapists that I know REALLY encourage their use in play because they're so effective in teaching fine motor skills.  I just pull his chair up so he can sit at the kitchen counter (it's a low counter) and I make a bunch of snakes out of playdough, and he cuts them.  Loves it! 

Someone mentioned baby einstein DVDs.  I recently read about some studies of kids that watch those DVDs -- might not be that great for kids after all.  Apparently, studies have shown that kids who watch the Einstein DVDs in particular actually have a 20% LOWER vocabulary rate than kids who have never watched them.  It has something to do with the fact that kids learn words from watching people verbalizing them and since the einstein videos are overdubbed, and there isn't actually anyone shown speaking the words, the kids don't actually pick up on them or learn them.

I love some of these responses!  Great ideas.  Thanks everyone, as always, for the super ideas!

[wenjonggal]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I loved the links to ziploc activity bags... I am usually so short on time when we come in from walking the dog and it is late getting supper started, it is hard to get him started in a project and we often resort to dvds as it just takes less input from me (he doesn't get tv, just dvds in chinese or french, or signing time... haha! I try to convince myself it is not the same as tv... sigh). If I made up bags in advance, he could mostly just take one and have all the stuff on hand. I googled ziploc activity bags and there are a LOT of great ideas out there. Also if anyone here is Canadian, there is a great Montessori equipment site I found online at http://ca.montessorioutlet.com/ though the shipping is expensive (fedex).

[Quiet Cricket]

I love all the ideas on this thread!

I rotate DS's toys so there is always a fresh box of toys or activities ready to pull out as needed.  When I need to distract him or get him to play nicely by himself, I just pull out the "new" toys and he will play by himself for a good 30 minutes sometimes.  I don't keep many toys out at once -- he has several low bookshelves that hold his toys, crayons, paper, playdoh etc rather than a toy box.  I found that he doesn't play with stuff that's out of sight anyway.  I saw some other posts that used Montessori ideas -- this is actually a Montessori-style setup to have activities lined up neatly on shelves so each thing has its place. 

I also sometimes let him draw on his plastic highchair tray with bath crayons -- they wipe off very easily and it's a treat for him.  He still usually demands my attention from time to time ("look Mommy, I drew a cow!") but it lets me cook dinner without him underfoot if other distractions are not working to keep him busy.

[maduwee]

What a great thread! 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but what are some of your ideas for occupying your toddler while you are trying to get ready?

[akalori]

My daughter likes to play the "Dress Mommy Game."  I let her rummage thru my closet to look for things for me to wear.  In the meanwhile I get dressed.  It occupies her for a long time because she ends up trying on lots of my shoes in the process.  Then I just tell her that maybe I'll wear her selected outfits tomorrow.  I don't have a shower solution.  While I shower my daughter stands in the bathroom and cries.  It's awful so I take really fast showers.  We also have brushing parties.  My son and daughter get on their respective step stools so everyone can see the mirror then we all brush our teeth together.  I rarely wear makeup so I can't help you with that one.

Lori

[maduwee]

Thank you Lori.  It does not take me long to get ready, and I suppose some of it I can do the night before(pack his snacks and drink ect.).  I always just feel so back asking him to give me a few minutes to get ready.  I have always waited to take a shower until I get him to sleep at night because up until recently..Ronan would have reacted the same way as your daughter.

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