Entertaining a hyperactive low attention span 1 year old ?

Question

any ideas or tips for a first time mum on how to keep my little cherub busy on these rainy days??

i think people have mis-understood we do alot together we go library,read,walk,draw,splash about in bath,i let him climb all over me and we play football i just wondered if anyone had any different ideas from experience thats all xx

Answer 1

Yes. I had one and now he is 11 and I have a 3 year old too! First thing is to set up a little routine for you both. When my son was little, we started the day with bath, dressing, breakfast, clear up and then chores. put on his trousers and I used his butt to dust and polish - he laughed his socks off! You sort of circle then about on polished surfaces! All the usual stuff. Pots and pans on the kitchen floor to bang about with and a wooden spoon. Means you can get on with things you need to do. And then a good long walk/drive to do the shopping or just to the local coffee shop for a snack. Back to house for nap and me put feet up, then afternoon play which involved getting the toy box out and allowing a little play time on the floor! Then later a little half hour of TV so you can get supper sorted. Sort of same thing everyday so that you encourage the naps and the low-key playing so they learn to entertain themselves. Not too much TV as its more useful as a quietener if its not on all the time. Used sparingly, the children are absorbed by it and its a great time to nip in and out while you are busy. If you have a routine as well, it means its easier for you to keep the day full and structured but also built around your needs and not just baby's.

Answer 2

i have a 17month old son who has a short attention span too so i know how difficult it can be.
my son loves to look out of the window for hours just watching and waving at the cars and people walking by, he also enjoys it when i put a bowl of warm soapy water on the floor n give him some toys that will go in the water, he can spend an hour or so doing this.
he also enjoys his dad chasing him around the living room so he can climb onto the sofas n giggle, this also uses up excess energy.

ill be keeping an eye on your question as i need a few ideas too.

good luck with your answers.

Answer 3

Ok great 1yr olds are so much fun!!!

Ok take a splash bath, put him/her in one of those bath seats and climb in yourself (the bath that is, not the seat!) have a bubble contest with him/her making the biggest bubbles. Teach him/her how water can be caught in a cup but runs through the sponge.....just have fun....

Ok next you can do a garden adventure in your living room, put a black plastic bag or two on the floor (its too cold outside lately) get some soil, leaves from different trees/non toxic plant leaves, worms, bark from tree, rocks etc and let him interact and touch and play. (might wanna take the bath idea above after this!!!)

Get poster/water colour paints and paint his little hands and feet and get some messy fun play on paper (I kept these from when my daughter was 12 months)

Answer 4

Forgive me for sounding old fashioned, but aren't you expecting far too much from a one year old child?
It's still a baby, of course he/she has a short attention span, the only thing they can do for more than several minutes at a time is Sleep! Why do you need to keep him busy at that age when he/she is awake you should be playing with him, or he should be in a chair watching you with a toy!
Don't be in such a rush to make himher grow up!

Answer 5

Well, first of all, you must understand that ALL 1 yr olds are hyper and have no attention span! Watch some "educational" tv, let him fingerpaint, take a long, messy bath, go to a fast food place with an indoor playground. Get him a slicker and boots and let him splash!!

Answer 6

haha
hyperactive & short attention span are two words that describe just about every one year old in the world=)
They are just old enough to walk, touch, and discover all of the new things in their surroundings!
Play outside! (if the weather is nice, of course) Look for bugs, play in the dirt, play cars, balls, just run (That will probably be the only thing he really wants to do)

Go to the zoo, park, for a walk around the neighborhood(he'll enjoy it even though riding in a stroller will be the best option.. and exercise for you!)

play blocks, blow bubbles, treat him to an extra long bubble bath!

Good luck!

Answer 7

Please tell me you don't call your little one cherub to his/her face? If so please stop. He/she most likely wanders the attention to get away from being called the most nauseating term ever created.

I can keep my wee lad amused for ages by simply playing phyiscal games with him that involve some kind of movement for both of us. Be it with a ball, coloured blocks, pushing him around on his ride on car etc. The more effort you put in the more he will focus.

I hate to be an old foggy but the did the first answerer say put on the TV and also go to a fast food joint - surely not !?!?! Heaven preserve us all if either of those two options ever appears as even a minimal part of a solution to looking after our one year olds.

Answer 8

try not to label yourbaby , they are all like that. He should be able to play by himself by now. Just set out a couple of toys at a time and when he tires of these put them away and bring out more. Put him in wet weather gear and you and go for a walk. They love to jump in puddles.

Answer 9

Bricks - loads and loads of lego. Not to build, but to throw. Also, you will have it for years, then it can be used proper. They love throwing stuff around - it's a 5 minute tidy.

Answer 10

Shame on you for putting a label on him!