How do you entertain a 6 year old girl?

Question

Recently I have been watching a 6 year old girl, twice a week for about 5-6 hours each day. I've boughten her a box full of toys, but sometimes she just doesn't want to play with them....how can I help to keep her busy and entertained? Also, what are some good disipline ideas? Thanks.

Answer 1

1. Video games
2. Read her stories.

Answer 2

Ok with discipline, you need to talk to the parents first on what they view as acceptable disciplinary action for what behavior. That way there is no misunderstandings that could possibly land you in a court room. I just felt that aspect took the highest importiance in your question. When you speak to them, if she hasn't been acting up, reassure them that she is doing fine, but if it ever occurs, that you want to be able to issue discipline that they are already using. If she has been acting up, outline what she has been doing, what lead up to the outburst, and why you felt the behavior was inappropriate. This will show them that you're mature enough to respect their discipline style and you respect their daughter.

Are there parks in the area? Friends of hers that live nearby? If it's acceptable with the parents, you could have a friend of hers over or take her and a friend to the park and do the whole hair and painting the nails thing, or playing frizbee or whatever things the park offers. Does she have a bicycle? Maybe walking with her around the block while she's bicycling would help keep her entertained. Does the family have a lawn sprinkler? Let her run through the sprinkler, it's hot as an oven this year, I'm sure she'd love it.

Just a few things that came to mind.

Answer 3

OHHHH thats such an easy one! Go to walmart or the dollar store and buy a bunch of really colorful beads so the two of you can make necklaces- rings- and bracelets. I loved that when I was little. Go thru your closets at home- take some of your mom and dads old clothes as well as yours ( shoes and hats too) take them over when u watch her and play dress up. Disipline for a 6 year old should be time out for 6 minutes. Then let her know why she was put there. After 6 minutes she can get up and you guys can continue to play like it never happenned! Run her a bubble bath and give her the washable soap crayons so she can solor all over the shower stalls and tub ( it will wip right off) Good luck to u If u run out of ideas- if she has a cat or dog you can always dress them up like babies too!!!! Have fun!

Answer 4

My cousin is around the same age. She loves to play with me when I come to visit her, especially barbies. Her only sibling is a boy. Kids want to play with another person, not just toys.

A lot of girls her age like barbies and dolls. You could do some doll's hair with her, or play house with her barbies.

You may not be allowed to watch TV for too long, but if you do watch TV most kids like cartoons like Kids Next Door and random stuff on the Disney channel. Some kids don't watch anything that's not cartoons, and, personally, I can't stand half of that stuff, so maybe bring over Aladdin or something.

The girls parents may want you to do some educational stuff with her as well. My cousin has a lot of workbooks, since it's over the summer. You can work in those. But not for too long a time, since kids that young are easily distracted or bored.

As for discipline, you have to be very, very stern. Since usually, you're playing with the child and the kid knows you aren't her parent, she'll be more likely to disobey. So when you tell her to stop something say it very seriously, with a serious face. Say "stop" no more than 3 times, and after that, if you are supposed to put her in time out, or maybe take away TV-time, do so. Make sure she knows this punishment before hand, so she can decide to stop or not.

Answer 5

kids like it when u give them wild piggy back rides and throw them around and stuff (not violently just playing with them) you should also try to make her laugh. Kids love funny stuff! also you should ask her what her favorite games are. if you watch her at HER house then play with her with her favorite toys. if you are at YOUR house then play some games with her that do not require anything but 2 people and an imagination such as princess! you could let her be the princess and you could do special things for her (not REALLY special just like bringing her her "royal toys" and stuff) see if she has any special games that she likes to play. you could also play hide-and-seek. makeovers are always fun for little girls too!!!!

disipline tips: you should usually give a child 1 or 2 warnings before you do anything really drastic. when you have to go to drastic measures, you should put her in timeout or punish her in other ways. this could be anything from sitting in a corner staring at a wall to making her eat vegetables or threatening to tell her parents. when you give her warnings though, tell her what her punishment will be so she can get an idea of how bad it will be. thats about all i've got. i hope i have helped :)

Answer 6

For entertainment just rent her a movie each time you watch her (That'll keep her busy for an hour and a half at least). Also try painting her fingers and toes, play dress up, go for walks, stuff like that. As for discipline I would recommend spanking but I don't know if her parents would feel comfortable with another person spanking their child. Just make her sit in a room with no distractions such as tv or toys. (Maybe try the kitchen or dining room)

Answer 7

At six they need a bit more stimulation than toys often provide. She is old enough to help with some gardening chores. Naturally you'll have to oversee her and won't want her swinging a hoe, but you'll excite her intellect and eye-hand skills by having her plant seeds, mix soils, and watch the seeds sprout and grow. Start a window garden. Herbs are good. They smell nice and the kids think it's tres kewl that you can really cook with them.

Also, drawing and water painting is fun and creative. Make sure to spread a water-proof tarp or tablecloth both on the table and floor beneath. Then paint with her. Look at famous paintings and try to emulate them.

Answer 8

Involve her with whatever it is you are doing as long as it is child appropriate.
She undoubtedly wants attention.
Bake cookies together from scratch,
play dress up, fix each other's hair,paint your nails, draw, use construction paper, pens, pencils, glitter, and make cards for parents or grandparents,
make paper dolls then make their clothes,
go for a walk, play some board games,
practice your vocal ability sing some songs,
dance, talk about life,
get her to help you with your household responsibilities, and show her how to clean up.

Teach her as you go. Your time will go faster if you both are having fun.

As far as discipline goes, if she is bad, then give her time out.

Say to her, you must sit here, until you apologize, or until you clean up this mess.

Tell her she has 5 minutes in that spot. If she gets up, the time starts over at 5 minutes.

OR you can say, you can't watch tv, or play until you do this.

IF you deny her something she wants, she will comply.
But you have to stick to the punishment everytime or it means nothing. She must respect you.
Good Luck!

Answer 9

Usually if they are busy enough there shouldn't be many discipline problems, and by the way, that should be discussed with the parents.
Most little girls like to help make cookies or just help in the
kitchen. My granddaughter puts a stool up to the sinks and stands there and likes to wash dishes. You could teach her to make kool aid,you put the water in the pitcher and let her add the kool aid and sugar and stir.
Actually I have four granddaughters and they love to help dust, sweep,etc.
Try taking her to the park museum,swimming( make sure parents approve). These little girls are incredible. They love helping, and the more you praise their help, the more they want to help. Have Fun!
And don't forget playing dress up. Nearly every little girl likes playing dress up

Answer 10

That's tough. I have a 7 year old boy and he is hard to keep entertained. Always wants me to play with him. Any chance of inviting another 6 year old? My son has all sorts of toys and he hardly plays with them. Time out is what I use or take something away. Do not bribe. It isn't good to negotiate.

Answer 11

Read together so you are teaching her proper English.
Play WITH her!
My grand-daughter is 6, and she reads to me.
We do orgami, and I am teaching her to sew. (by hand and machine.)
I show her how to cook things like cookies, toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, and Ants in a boat (peanut butter and raisins on celery.)
I never have any discipline problems with her, because she is not bored or ignored. I have had to remind her to use her "inside voice" and "Calm down,." but that is about it. She should be getting her discipline at home. If not, you will have very poor results.
Love her, and play with her, and show her she is fun and wonderful. She will respond by behaving.
We take "nature walks", and glue leaves to a piece of paper, and go to the library and get a book to identify the trees. Or make a dress for her doll. Or sort out a drawer full of junk. Sing, play music, and dance. (My g-d plays violin.) Go swimming. Take her fishing. Get a tape of a foreign language and learn it. ( My g-d is bi-lingual Spanish and English.)
Give her a box of hats, and play dress up with her.
If either of you are bored, you aren't taking advantage of the wonderful source of fun and variety you have at your fingertips. Six-year-olds are a hoot! Good luck.