Toddlers and 10 Minutes - An Easy Guide !

You may not have much time, but a simple game can bring a toddler’s day alive!

Start playing yourself, drawing, painting, building, and then they’ll do it too.

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THEY ARE EASY TO PLEASE

Young children love doing anything with you, whether it is reading a story, chatting, or watching their favourite TV show with them. Mostly they just want your time and attention. Make space for them and give your relationship a boost.

TIP - SMART PRAISE

If they show you something they have done, give them loads of praise and pick up on the specific things they've done well - e.g.  I like that big green squiggle, rather than a really general comment like "you're the best artist in the world!". They are not asking you whether it’s good, because, in the child’s eye, everything they do is good - it’s the best they can do.

If you jump up too quickly and say, “That’s a wonderful picture of a car,” when actually it’s a ship, you’re going to knock his confidence. He’s going to think he’s no good at drawing ships.

TEN IDEAS FOR TEN MINUTES WITH TODDLERS

• Sweeping: Let them help you do your chores. If you’re sweeping, give them a little brush. If you’re shaving, let them soap your face. It will bring you closer and make them feel they are helping mum and dad.
• Hide ‘n’ seek: Obviously, don’t find them too quickly! Even if there are only a few good hiding places, they’ll try them again and again. Finding is hug time, naturally.
• Posting: Pretend to post your toddler. Wrap them in pretend paper, stick pretend sticky tape on, write the address (tickly), stamp and post. You can post to grandparents, giving you a chance to discuss them.
• Chalk boards: Get a mini one, a few pieces of chalk and a dust. You can play with them for hours.
• Scribble and draw: They're learning how to manage a pen. So let her try different types of felt pens and crayons.
• Treasure baskets: Fill a basket, bucket or saucepan with household items such as spoons, sit your child between your legs and they’ll play happily for ages. It could be the start of a great musical career.
• Cups and stones: Literally a few plastic cups and some stones. One day a stone will be money, another food, another wall-building material. From six months to five years. Great to fuel the imagination.
• Washing up: Give them a few pots and pans to wash up. They’ll get wet. Your kitchen will get messy. But it’s a fun way to tidy up together.
• Water cups: Pouring water from one plastic cup into another will delight your toddler – and helps them develop hand-eye coordination.
• Paper mosaics: Cut up bits of paper, preferably coloured, into inch squares. Then let your child stick them together into patterns. Good for your child’s creative development.

This article is taken from Dad Info

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