Two afternoons a week I babysit for 4 hours a 3 year old and a 10 month old. What can I do to make it fun for the 3 year old while still watching the baby?
2006-10-11 05:21:00 · 9 answers · asked by lilygateau 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
IDEAS FOR CAREGIVERS
Be patient with toileting. Many children (especially boys) will not be ready for toilet learning until after age 3. Accidents will happen for a while; treat accidents calmly and matter of factly. Avoid shaming a child.
Encourage development of hand-eye coordination by providing large buttons or old beads to string on a shoe lace.
Play ball - show children how to throw, catch, and kick balls of different sizes.
Show children how to hop like a rabbit, tiptoe like a bird, waddle like a duck, slither like a snake, and run like a deer.
Talk frequently with children; use short sentences, ask questions, and listen.
Add new information to your children's sentences. "Yes that's a flower - it's a tall, red flower and it smells so good."
Teach children to memorize first and last names.
Provide books for children to read, and read the same books to them. Read poetry and nursery rhymes. Encourage a child to repeat a story and discuss the ideas and events. Read titles and point to important words on pages, packages, and street signs.
Encourage interest in reading and writing by sharing a grocery list or note for parents. Provide paper, small notebooks, and markers for use in dramatic play.
Count objects of interest; for example cookies, cups, napkins, or dolls. When possible, move one at a time as you and the children count. Measure, and have children help measure and count as you follow a recipe.
Explain why and how things happen with the help of a reference book. Help them do simple science activities like magnetic attraction, freezing water, planting seeds, making a terrarium, and flying kites on a windy day.
Provide sets - toys and other objects that go together. Discuss similarities and differences. For example, point out sequences in cooking. Let children experiment with faucets, tools, light switches, knobs, latches, and toys that come apart.
Sing simple songs. Make simple rhythm instruments: oatmeal box or coffee can drums, rattles of dry beans in a box, etc. Encourage a variety of body movements and dance to music of many kinds. Play musical games such as "London Bridge," "Ring-around-the-Rosie," and "Farmer in the Dell."
Encourage free expression in art projects. Avoid asking "what" children are drawing. Three-year-olds may not know or care, but simply enjoy the process of drawing.
Ask parents to bring baby pictures. Talk about "When you were a baby."
Draw a face on an old sock and show children how to "talk" with puppets.
Talk about colors, numbers, and shapes in your everyday conversation. "We need ONE egg. That's a RED car. The butter is in this SQUARE box."
Ask for help with very simple household tasks such as putting the napkins by each plate, putting socks in the drawer, watering plants, or stirring the muffin batter.
At ten months, individual differences in motor development are very apparent. Some babies are just learning to creep, while others are already good walkers. Help your baby develop, whatever her stage. (The following information has been adapted from Dr. Segal's book series, "Your Child at Play.")
Steps
Put some of your baby's favorite toys on a low table if she's able to pull herself up to standing. She'll have to stretch to reach them, which will increase her awareness of "close" and "far away."
Try a tearing activity if she's ready. Old magazines, tissue paper, wrapping paper and foil are all fun to rip. If she would rather eat it than tear it, save the activity for a later month.
Give her a third toy when she has one in each hand. See if she can figure out how to hold all three toys.
Practice filling and emptying a container. Use a plastic bottle and a handful of clothespins. She'll probably need help emptying it at first. Later, vary the containers and the objects.
Roll a ball back and forth with her. See if she'll roll it to other adults, too.
Play "follow the leader" using simple gestures and movements. Talk about what you're doing so she can learn the words.
2006-10-11 06:30:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mary 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do cute word games help the 3 yr old up his vocab. Do counting games. Do colors and shapes. These are things the child will need to know for school. Teach the 3 yr old how to write his/her name. Letters are always fun. Read stories and help him/her learn the words. Lots of educational games to play and it helps mom get them ready for school.
2006-10-11 12:28:24 · answer #2 · answered by melwil25 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Allow your 3 year old to build animals or other structures from building blocks or allow the child to colour or scrible. This work for me.
2006-10-11 14:52:20 · answer #3 · answered by Debbie S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the toddler be your helper when your attention has to be on the baby. There's a great book (link below) with ideas. I was in Barnes & Noble and it was on clearance for $7.95.
2006-10-11 14:11:30 · answer #4 · answered by crchkc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Play Doh!
2006-10-11 12:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by deepseaofblankets 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Play kid game like ring around the rose
2006-10-11 16:02:09 · answer #6 · answered by Dipa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just have fun !give them some crayons and color with them and congraulate them on their master peice.
the ten month old just give him or her attention and like putt them in a walker to be mobil while your coloring with the other one!
good luck and much patients youll need it :)
2006-10-11 12:26:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
make up a craft box. and let the kid have some fun deciding what to make everyday.
2006-10-11 13:15:15 · answer #8 · answered by ms01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have him join in on answers here with the rest of these kiddies.
2006-10-11 12:28:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋