Anyone have any good ideas on being creative with a 14 month old? I need some new things to do to entertain, teach, occupy my little one's time. I have been working 4-10 hour days (that may change) and with that being said, I'd like to educate my little one while I'm home. However, keeping that active little one engaged is the problem. We've purchased, be given, etc, every toy you could think of, have tons of books, we have crayons and coloring books, we have (and I absolutely love) the AquaDoodle Pad. But I need some new and fresh ideas to work with Kayleigh. Please...anything would be great (and nothing is dumb!!!)!!!!!!!!
Thanks in advance!!
From the preschool teacher... (and I know you already do a lot of these)
ReplyDeletetake field trips occasionally--library story hour, parks (not in this weather, but get her out in your backyard to play in the snow), walks, maybe join or create a mom and me group with other friends with kids of similar ages
art activities--fingerpaint with various things (paint, pudding, ketchup, shaving cream if she won't eat it), paint with different objects (different types of brushes, qtips, old toothbrush)
sensory stuff--get a shoebox-sized tote and fill with various things, rotate what you put in it (water and cups/funnels/boats, sand, shredded paper and hide little people in it)
motor--crumple/tear newspaper, throw wadded up paper for an indoor snowball fight, chasing/hiding games with each other, hide a favorite toy (maybe in the same place over and over, or someplace where it is partially visible)
music--make musical instruments (water bottle, funnel, rice) and play in a band, empty out the pots, pans, lids, big spoons, and play in a band, crank up the music (various kinds) and dance baby dance, sing the classic baby songs and start teaching the fingerplays (5 monkeys, teapot, etc)
read books over and over and over, let her turn the pages, point out things in the pictures, make a book with pictures of family (could just be a photo album) and make up stories to go along with it
stack blocks and knock them down
take care of baby--provide props and tell her to brush hair, take bath, etc, play along
cooking--simple prep stuff: wash apples that you will have for snack, wash grapes, she won't be much help at first, but it's all good
I have a button on my blog that will hook you up to 'No Time for Flashcards' if you look around on her blog she has lots of good ideas that you could adjust (and she has a baby now that she has started including).
Remember, it doesn't have to be anything extravagant, the littlest things done in a fun way are the best.
I have a hard time with that with Emelyn, and I remember struggling with Olivia knowing what to do for activities. We read a lot of books and played songs. I also let her help me cook. I gave her a bowl and a spoon so she could practice stirring. She loved to sit on the counter. I put Emelyn in her bumbo and both girls are now trying to help. There is also bath paint, a lot less messy. I didn't let Olivia paint till she was 2 :) It was easy to let school kids make a mess when I am not the one to clean it up, but harder let my own play with messy :) Olivia and I have also made peanut butter play dough. I can try to find the recipe if you want it. That way she can play and eat it.
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