Entertaining Babies and Toddlers
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011It can be difficult to care for an infant, baby, or even a toddler for several hours if you are not used to it. How can you entertain them for that long?
Well of course what you do varies by age, so lets start with infants. Most infants sleep for many hours a day. But, there will always be an exception to the rule or just a day when a normally sleepy baby will simply refuse to nap.
Almost all infants like motion. Thousands of parents have often strapped their babies into their car seats and taken them for a a drive around the block a few times to get them to sleep or just to soothe them. You can use this miracle of motion by taking the baby for a walk in the stroller. Even if it is a chilly day, just bundle baby up first and then go for a nice long walk. Not only will baby love all the new things to look at, but you’ll get some exercise and fresh air too! Most babies will be very happy and content throughout the walk having so many new things to see and hear.
Toddlers can be easier to entertain than infants but can also be challenging when you need to entertain them for several hours. Walks can work well for toddlers also, but many times they want to actually walk as opposed to being pushed in a carriage. If you decide to go for a walk with a child that actually plans on walking, try not to plan to be at a specific destination by a certain time unless you also plan on leaving early. Toddlers love to stroll along slowly, stopping every few feet to pick up a rock, pluck a dandelion, or sit on a step. It can be very frustrating if you had planned to meet a friend and the child she’s babysitting at the playground and you are moving along at a snails pace and also stopping here, there, and everywhere along the way.
Give yourself plenty of time and use the walk itself as a way to entertain the child. Point out birds you see, let him watch a bug run by, step on dry leaves together and let him listen to them crunch. There’s so much to do outside.
Photo Credit
When you’re playing inside, puzzles and blocks are two great toys that toddles typically enjoy. But, don’t be surprised when a little hand or foot quickly topples the impressive tower or castle you just built! As much as little ones love to build towers, they enjoy knocking them down even more!
When entertaining little ones, remember that they love to learn about the world around them by seeing, hearing, and touching new things. Making sounds with a spoon and some metal pots delights most toddlers and babies. Prepare an area with lots of newspaper or a plastic table cloth and let baby splash with her hands in a plastic bowl of water. Use your imagination; the possibilities for fun are endless!
Lisa McLellan