me and my kids are becoming addicted to tv. i only put on educational shows, but it is such a great way to occupy my 2 yr old and 18 month old that i let them watch tv. they also play in their playroom a lot, but what can i do with my boys so we don't turn to the tv so much?
2006-12-21 12:14:42 · 13 answers · asked by mna 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Look into story times at your local library, or joining a parent and tot class at your local park district/YMCA.
My daughter (28 months) and I go to the library once a week and do story time there every Thursday, afterwards she loves to check out one or two books for the week. She really enjoys us reading to her the books we've checked out, after a few rounds she reciting the books to us (its amazing how much they retain!).
I also have her enrolled in a toddler gym class (with parent of course) once a week. As well as a parent and tot, "Mom & Me" class where we sing songs, dance, listen to short stories/books, do a craft, and have some free play. Some classes can cater to 18-24 months of age. This also gives you the opportunity to meet other moms (or even dads) with children in the same age group as your own, and perhaps start a play group amongst yourselves.
If your more the "stay in" type, plan more structure in your day. Instead of turning on the TV, develop a schedule of things to do each day. Such as craft time, story time, follow the leader (exercise), and set aside time for free play as well. Even when its time for meals, you can have your 2 year old help prepare the meal (if its real simple and not as messy). Look at some websites or check out a book with activites appropriate for toddlers.
I do admit, I do let my daughter watch up to one hour total per day. Usually its some 30 minute educational show in the morning and a 30 minute DVD of her favorite cartoon or show after naptime but before dinner. Usually after dinner TV stays off and its more of a relaxed/quiet time before bedtime. We usually read books and sing songs.
Anyways, I hope this helps!
2006-12-21 13:14:02 · answer #1 · answered by dimplz119 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I see many have responded with "spend time with them" and I feel thats not really a suggestion because you could very well be spending time with them while watching television shows. I would suggest you do a variety of things including guess what??? Letting them watch television. I am a pre-k teacher and I have a variety of movies I order for my 4 year old daughter including my class from Netflix.
A few excellent movies for your children:
(1) LeapFrog: Talking Words Factory ********
(2) LeapFrog: Letter Factory
(3) LeapFrog: Math Circus
(4) LeapFrog: Learn to Read at the Storybook Factory
(5) Rock 'n Learn: Phonics
(6) Reader Rabbit: Wordville Soup
(7) Reader Rabbit: The Great Alphabet Race ******
(8) The Magic School Bus (Excellent! all episodes)
Television can be a very beneficial tool if used properly. I think netflix has a special where you can order one movie for $5.99 per month. I'm not sure of the details. Even if they don't grasp the entire dvd they still will learn letters and how to make sounds, plus they really are entertaining. Sometimes I don't think the children realize they are learning.
Some other things to try include buying them puzzles and other educational toys. Most children love playing and walking around the park, also you can have playdates with their classmates/neighbors. You can find arts & crafts for various themes. One of my favorites is coloring with my daughter, if yours are anything like mine simply hide the crayons afterwards to keep the tension down :) They even have educational video games available now!! I'm sure your goal is to get them learning rather than learning to waste time.
Hope I helped a little.
Dee
2006-12-21 21:38:13 · answer #2 · answered by dinatuff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TV is definitely addicting. We realized when our son was about that age that he was becoming addicted SO we just shut the doors on the armoire. It was difficult at first but now at 4 he only watches 30 minutes before bedtime. He doesn't even ask for it.
Go out and get some toddler or preschool action songs CDs. You and the children (or just the children) can listen and follow along. They will keep the kids busy doing the hokey pokey, head shoulders knees and toes, and the wheels on the bus.
Books are always great. It is important to get the children into books at early ages! By board books so they can read them all they want.
Library Toddler Time - see if your local library has a story hour you can take your toddlers too. They are normally a lot of fun and just a way to get out of the house for awhile.
Hide and Seek is a fun game at that age. You can sit on the couch and look around for them - and they wll be standing in the corner facing you thinking they are invisible. :)
My little boy loved the little tykes slides at that age. I brought it into the house and put it right in the middle of the family room. It was an eye sore but he went up and down that thing for hours - it really was a life saver.
Don't forget about playing ball. Children that age love to roll balls, throw balls, catch balls...fun times. :)
Extend bathtime! Get some new bathtoys and spend a big part of your day playing in the tub. Very fun times.
Have some computer time. The children would love going online with you to check out www.pbskids.org, www.nickjr.com, www.playhousedisney.com, www.noggin.com.
Other suggestions: Play dough and cookie cutters, watercolor painting, washable markers and stickers, mega blocks, wooden building blocks, large wooden puzzles, chalk board/dry erase easel, large trucks, kitchen center because boys love them too, plastic animals, ride on toys, squirt water bottle and towels!
Good luck! SD
2006-12-21 21:39:54 · answer #3 · answered by SD 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Reading is great for them and you, also I use flash cards with my 2 year old alot and she loves them, you can color, blow bubbles, name items around the house, sing songs, dance, play peekaboo, tickle them, hide and seek, paint, have a puppet show, pull out the tupperwear or pots and pans and make a band, toss a ball back and forth, oh there are just waaaay too many things to list here, go for a walk with the stroller. 18-24 month old children need to be active for at least 1 hour a day, Are there any parks by you? You should be teaching them how to be, not raising them to be TV headed couch potatoes. Im sorry its harsh but Ive seen it too many times. PLEASE throw your TV out, for all your sakes! Good Luck!
2006-12-21 21:19:29 · answer #4 · answered by lana_zug_zug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn the TV off, there is nothing that educational! Get a routine going.....after breakfast, get dressed. Go for a walk, come home and read to them. Have them help you straighten up....they have little bitty brooms too. Have them pick up their toys....give em half and hour in the playroom, then you can have them come out to help with lunch.......get the idea?
2006-12-21 20:19:03 · answer #5 · answered by WitchTwo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Parent and toddler groups during the week.
Wrap up warm and go to the park to feed the ducks.
Play little games in the house that don't involve the TV.
Read with them.
Do some finger painting or use potato stamps.
2006-12-21 20:18:41 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get out of the house, that way it's not a choice. as soon as you are up in the morning, get dressed. as soon as you are dressed, get fed. as soon as you are dressed and fed - coats and boots on and out the door to play with balls in the yard.
or go to a playgroup or whatever.
check out your local community center, ours has a tot gym 3 times a week so the kids can run around and play and blow off steam.
2006-12-22 03:27:09 · answer #7 · answered by sheila 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about spending time with them or buying them educational toys? it is really good for them 2!
2006-12-21 20:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe buy them some educational toys? they have uite a few god ones out these days for all ages :)
2006-12-21 20:16:56 · answer #9 · answered by ruthybabe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i bought my 2 little ones cd headphones with kids cd s
2006-12-21 20:17:30 · answer #10 · answered by peterosefan1414 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋