January 26th, 2012 31 days to a more Playful Tot {Day Twenty Six} Quick 5 minute activities Posted by Melitsa in 31 days, Memes, play activities

There are times when you have a spare 5 minutes and want to start something with the children.  It helps to have an idea about  where to find things  to reduce the time spent in frustration looking for that one things. And yes it usually is one final thing that derails us and causes us to abandon the activity due to frustration, high emotions, and lack of time now.

We all need some back pocket go-to activities that can be found at a moments notice.

Here’s a start………….

Pinch and clip

Find everyday objects that pinch and clip and a willing partner. Read full instructions.

Sibling dice game

For those starting to count the idea of flipping numbers is exciting. Keeping one game altogether and out of reach is perfect for that quick 5 minute game. Everything is altogether and bonus is it is special as it only comes down when the parent takes it down. Read the instructions.

How curious?

Collect :: mount:: discuss all the while you are doing it together. Here we were in nature. Try magazines, newspaper or junk mail. . For full instructions.

What are your go to 5 minute activities?

Click here to read the rest of the posts in the series, 31 Days to a more Playful Tot.

January 25th, 2012 31 days to a more Playful Tot {Day Twenty Five} Asking the children Posted by Melitsa in 31 days, Memes, play activities

We do a lot of things on their behalf. We make sure they have good food, good play experiences and good times. I still get battles with my three year old though. He doesn’t often /always appreciate the choices he has…..can we say in a small voice- tantrum or melt down.

“It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?”

~Henry David Thoreau

 

Have you listened to parents talk in the corridors; you on one side and they on the other . We have the funniest conversations. It makes you wonder what the children really think about things?

Today is the day to find out for fun.

This will work on your chatty under 5s.

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January 24th, 2012 31 days to a more Playful Tot {Day Twenty four} Goodness for your ears Posted by Melitsa in 31 days, Memes, play activities

Did you get a smartphone, ipod, or Kindle recently? Chances are you are loving the freedom of looking things up at a moments notice. Audio and video is something to look out for in the Early Childhood world. No I’m not talking about our little tots this time. I’m talking about us. We don’t always have time to flip through a book or magazine but we do have time when we’re going up and down during the day or perhaps folding laundry or working out when we have time to listen.

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January 23rd, 2012 31 days to a more Playful Tot {Day Twenty Three} Problem solving Posted by Melitsa in 31 days, Media, play activities, Sites to visit

Some days you just get blown away by the simplicity of a message. Today was that day.

Do you ever find yourself  doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. What about the children do you see that in them? How do you get them to move to a point where they can set simple goals and achieve them. Concentrate and persevere in an age appropriate manner.

I’m a totally a visual person so really appreciated Dr Becky Bailey  demonstrations and explanation on the importance of developing the executive state in the frontal lobe. Before you switch off thinking oh no brain science how will this impact my child let me encourage you with a few highlights.

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January 22nd, 2012 31 days to a more Playful Tot {Day Twenty two} 7 words that help shorten an outburst Posted by Melitsa in 31 days, Memes, play activities, Thought of the week

Ever been derailed by an outburst or tantrum?

Our instinct is to rise above it. Sometimes you need to but not always.

We do need a strategy for when a tantrum strikes. A strategy presumes then that you’ve tried many different ways and you have something now that works for you and your family. What works for one doesn’t always work for another. Even the same thing doesn’t always work for siblings or the same child all the time. Don’t let that stop you from finding something that works. Having a bunch of different ideas about how to work through this outburst is super helpful- as not all outbursts are created equal.

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