Preschooler/Toddlers .. busy

I can’t find the exact site anymore, perhaps some of the other moms have run across it, but a lifesaver for me was a site I found where some people put up ideas that they kept in gallon sized plastic bags–like one that had colored beads on dowels–you’d glue some on a stick in a certain pattern and the child would line them up in the same pattern. I had a bag of droppettes, spoons, etc. that I put down with a basin of water on the floor and let him play. I had a bag of cards that he had to match up two things that went together, like a bird and a nest, etc. I had a bunch of these, and that site was free.

I also used a lot of file folder games, and you can find those online as well.

I stocked up on games like Concentration and Hi Ho Cherry O–those are really learning games!

I had several happy, praise-type CD’s of music for dancing–one of my older boys would go in and put it on and they’d both dance around. PE for both. 🙂 (We did this downstairs so as not to disturb others)

There are now products you can purchase that are specifically designed for this very thing. They are Preschool Activities in a Bag, and there are two on Currclick.com I haven’t bought them as my baby is now 8, but they look great.

Also, Lauri items can be very nice. I bought several things at the My Father’s World booth each year. Also they have a tape they sell on keeping younger kids occupied in good ways.

Sorting is always good, too. I inherited a bag of buttons from my grandmother and I’d dump them in a bowl, put down an egg carton with colors in the bottom, and tell him to sort them. Or sort the two-holed from the four-holed from the little loop on the back. Or sort them into shapes. You get the idea!

Then, whatever you do, DO NOT PUT THEM DOWN for everyday. JUST use them during school time so they are “special” and try to have enough things to rotate a little to keep it fresh!

Michelle D

Oh, Cindy, I’m so glad you could remember the site! That’s the free one I meant and my brain just wouldn’t produce for me–I knew it was a woman’s name but kept wondering “Carla? Deena?” and could not think of “Paula” Thanks!!!!

Any nice young moms want a brain trade? LOL