I am working on putting more limits on my young kids' TV viewing. I'm aiming for under 2 hrs a day. I've tried letting them help me cook, but they either eat the food raw before I can cook it or they beg for a snack. I've also tried putting up a dry-erase board for them to draw on but that only worked one day. Any other options?
2007-03-13 16:47:29 · 10 answers · asked by caffeinatedmom2 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Good ideas, but more specifically - when I am in the kitchen cooking, they want to eat what I'm trying to cook. I need something besides TV to distract them in another room for a while.
2007-03-13 17:22:10 · update #1
Cutting back on TV time is the best thing you can do for your family. Good Job. :)
Some ideas are:
- putting them at the table or in highchairs with playdoh and cookie cutters
- washable markers while in highchairs or at the table
- paint with water books
- books and puzzles
I would sit them down and tell them that while you are cooking it is a special play time. Have bins with different manipulatives in it that they can only play with when you need them to have "special play time". Never get them out other times because they will lose their power!
It all depends on your childrens ages too what is in the bins:
- smaller legos
- lincoln logs
- plastic animals (dinosaurs or a farm set)
- linking shapes
- lacing beads
- lacing cards
- view finder and variety of cartridges
- wooden blocks (add different things - small cars, people)
- Mr. Potato Head
- instruments (for when you are really brave)
- puppets
I teach preschool and during our quiet centers I get these out and they will play forever. The simplest puppets are such a joy for preschoolers.
Having a certain place that they play with the bin you give them is such a great time. Get creative and make it something special.
Good Luck. SD
2007-03-13 18:31:03 · answer #1 · answered by SD 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find a home made play dough recipe and make it. add smell. It is so much softer and nicer than purchased play dough, more like pie crust. And almost any human including adults can hardly keep their hands off of it,it is therapeutic and they actually use it for therapy. have a special table or place where they can use it, not over bare carpet, and give them rollers, like cut up large dowels, and cookie cutters and plastic knives and so on. Watch under 2's they will eat it, and cause stomach ache,nothing serous though. Try it, you'll like it.
2007-03-13 17:25:41 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some toddler songs on the stereo, put the stereo in the room and have them try to clean their room before you get done with dinner. That way they are busy and you get a clean room. If you make it into a game and check on them a few times you can get some stuff done while they clean. It works with my 3 year old and we get more time together because he is cleaning while I am busy so when i am free, we can play instead of cleaning his room.
2007-03-13 17:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by lilly j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I gave my daughter crayons and a coloring book
when she was 6 months.and now shes really good at art
I had her sit at the kitchen table so I could watch
at all times.I also let her help cook but w/hot oil and
hot pans that doesnt always work .so play dough and cookie cutters(wax paper) so she can pretend to help.
good luck
2007-03-13 16:55:20 · answer #4 · answered by soccermom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get them one of those child-size kitchens and have them play like they're cooking dinner the same time you are.
Are they old enough to set the table?
Will they sit still long enough to color?
Can you put on some music and have them dance and sing?
2007-03-13 16:52:57 · answer #5 · answered by Ginny 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i was having the same problem....with my husband! lol when our son was born I was determined to stop the cycle of TV abuse with my husband's generation!! We simply cancelled our cable service. We don't get a single tv channel now! We still watch movies together and the kids have a couple "wiggles" dvd that they are allowed to watch in moderation :)
I am a big fan of play dough, coloring books and art projects!
good luck
2007-03-13 16:55:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I always have a radio on in the kitchen, instead of TV.
My kids enjoy reading and puzzles. Playdoh is fun too.
I do allow them time to play their handheld games and
computer time, but that is all in moderation as well.
2007-03-13 16:51:45 · answer #7 · answered by yarmiah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My 3 year old daughter LOVES music. So I bought her a CD of children's songs. It's AWESOME! She loves it! Now she asks for the CD instead of TV. I even put the songs on my cell phone so she can listen while we're out.
In fact I made copies for all of my friend's with kids, my sister and my mom. And they all love it. I'd be more than happy to send you a copy too. Or ... I guess I can send it in a file to your e-mail if you have DSL or cable. If you want it e-mail me at TGFann@yahoo.com
2007-03-13 16:58:19 · answer #8 · answered by tgfann 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let them play! Kids are imaginative... they will come up with something. I like the playdoh idea tho... I loved that stuff when I was a kid... anything you can be messy at. And it helps if your kids are in the kitchen with you so they can feel like they're doing something to help.
2007-03-13 16:56:48 · answer #9 · answered by bianca_tru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what I do is put some music on and we dance. my 17 month old loves it plus its good exercise for her, my 3 month old thinks it is hilarious
2007-03-13 16:51:48 · answer #10 · answered by loca_mami13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋