Do you know a toddler that is on the go 24/7? Some toddlers have more energy than others just like some adults have more energy than others and always have to have something to do. Toddlers that are always on the go may seem like they are always getting in trouble and can be a challenge to entertain but here are a few clever ideas to help keep those busy toddlers occupied:
· Clean up after play—it is a good for little ones to learn to pick up after they are done playing. At the Center every toy has a home--baskets, shelves, closets, etc. You can use shoe boxes or card board boxes to help organize the toys. Take a picture of the items stored in the boxes and tape them on the outside of the box to help the toddler identify the right home for the right toy. So every time the toddler is done with a toy, encourage him/her to pick it up and put it way (can’t take out a new toy without putting the old one away).
· Summer time is a great time to keep toddlers busy outside. Buy a very small watering can or use a water bottle that has a pop up top and give the toddler his/her own plants to water. This can even be a part of your grass that the toddler waters. You can do the same thing with house plants.
· Cleaning up around the house. Dust using an old sock to put on the toddler’s hand-- spray a small amount of the dusting spry and let him/her go to work, fold laundry, sweep with a small broom and dustpan special for the toddler.
· Cleaning his/her own mess. When toddlers spill milk at our Center, they know where to go to get a towel or a paper towel to clean up their own mess. We help them as need but they have learned this self-help skill and take pride in being able to take care of themselves and they even help their friends.
· Taking care of pets can stop the toddler from eating the pet’s food. Let the toddler measure out the pet food with a small measuring cup to give to the pet. The toddler can also fill the pet’s water dish using small measuring cup.
· Make a chore chart with pictures of the chores the toddler is responsible to do each day. Give him/her stickers to put next to the chore chart as he/she completes the chore.
I am sure you can think of many other creative, fun ways to keep that busy toddler occupied. The main thing to keep in mind is that while the toddler is busy working, he/she is learning many valuable self-help skills and social skills. They are also learning how to care for self and others. Make it fun by putting on music when cleaning, setting up the table, or putting way groceries. Toddlers at our Center really enjoy setting the table and they love having candle light lunches (we turn off the lights and put on small candles that are in glass containers and use our whisper voices). This makes a very special, quiet lunch.
Fun Books--
My Daddy and Me By: Karen Hill
I Can Do It Myself By: Diane Adams
I Can Do It Myself (Sesame Street Book Club)
Helpful Web Sites--
http://www.chorecharts.com/Free_Chore_Charts.html This is a fun website that offers thematic chore charts.