What do you guys do with your toddlers & preschoolers during the day?

Question

Just curious what you stay-at-home mothers do with your toddlers and preschoolers all day? Do you have some sort of formalized "curriculum" or schedule that you do with them to teach them various things? Or do you let them decide what they want to do? I stay at home with my two boys, ages 1 & 3, and I feel really guilty all the time that I don't do any sort of formal teaching or activities with them. We really don't watch much TV; most of the time, I just let them play freely. My three-year-old is especially into playing firefighter these days. Anyway, just wondering!
Thanks!

Answer 1

I let my toddler play what he wants. He goes two half days at a Montessori and we have two playgroups we attend a few times a month. I don't have a "curriculum" b/c I think that he is learning and mastering things everyday without a lot of structure on my part. We color, read, build blocks(his favorite), wrestle, go to the park. When they're so young, getting their attention long enough to do some sort of formal teaching activities is tough...not to say that you can't sit down with them and play educational toys and things. Don't be too hard on yourself. They've got about 12 years(at least) of formal education so let them enjoy being kiddos. Good luck!

Answer 2

mine are older now but when they were that age i found out where all the mother and toddler groups in the area where and went to a different one EVERY day,walk to feed the ducks,go to the park,bike rides(kids on the path or on back of my bike in child seat)also i went to the swimming baths once a week to a mother and baby group there(the laws are stricter now i think it is one adult per child allowed in the pool these days i used to take 3 kids that where 4 and under!!!)is your 3 year old not going to nursery this year?we used to paint,make things with old cereal boxes when at home,i bought them a kiddie gardening set so they could help in the garden.the list is endless.i hardly ever put the telly on.and for meals we sometimes would only be having butties so we would have it on the lawn and all take a teddy to have a teddy bears picnic.or make dens in the house and sit in them playing.i miss those days . childrens brains are like sponges waiting to soak up loads of information.it obviously paid off cos eldest has just passed 11 GCSE'S grade A to C's.you should try to interact more with them if you can they can learn so much from you and you will be their biggest influence in life so you need them to trust and respect you from a very early age.good luck.

Answer 3

I pretty much just let my toddler run around all day and do what she wants, besides nap time of course. Don't worry about "entertaining" them the whole day. Maybe do one or two things for a half hour or so, and let them entertain themselves. I just read an article on it, kids get very creative and good imaginations when they do this. Plus, it's a lot easier on the parent.

Answer 4

I would not worry too much about entertaining them all the time. Use your every day tasks as learning tools, for example, Talk alot out loud about what you are doing, and let them be involved. The twins both help with laundry(LOL they try to help) pulling weeds, cleaning thier rooms, helping with dinner(learning to set the table, mix up dry good, help with emptying a dishwasher etc) and then point out colors and objects, and talk about them(the sky is blue today! The moon is so big!) Find out what gets them excited, and bank on it as a learning oppurtunity. My daughter loves to help clean, and garden, so I let her help, and talk with her about it(even if I can't understand what the heck she is saying!) Same with Dakota, he is fascinated with tools of any kind, and with cars. Best of luck, and don't feel guily!

Answer 5

I have a 21 month old and a 9 month old.... they both eat and nap at the same time everyday... usually between we play in our playroom with balls and puzzles and such, and then when the weather is nice we go to parks and zoos... normal things pretty much

Answer 6

Play outside
Do activities such as coloring, painting,
Play with toys
Read

Just let them help out with everything you do...cooking cleaning and everything

Answer 7

I wish I could be at home with my 17-month old. But he's in daycare. When we are home with him, we take him to the park, read to him, play with him, let him play ...