One question homeschool mothers often ask me is, "What can I do with my toddler while I'm trying to teach the school-age children?" My favorite response: "School in a bag!"
You'll need a nice sturdy box (the kind that copier paper comes in is a great size) and several gallon-size zipper bags. Fill each bag with materials for one activity, and then put your bags in the box. Save this box only for during "school time."
Some of my favorite ideas:
- A handful of pipe cleaners and some chunky beads or buttons… or if your little one still has a tendency to put things in his mouth, provide a handful of Cheerios or Fruit Loops!
- Another idea is to provide some inexpensive stickers from the dollar store or just colored dots from an office supply store and a spiral notebook to stick them in.
- More traditional preschool activities include play-dough, blunt scissors with scraps of construction paper, or a handful of Legos.
Plop the Little Guy in his high chair with the tray and give him the contents of one bag to play with while you sit at the table and teach your older children. When he gets bored trade bags with him. If he has a tendency to go through them too fast, set a timer for whatever length of time seems reasonable to you and tell him he gets to trade when the timer goes off. (Note: I don't recommend giving the toddler the plastic bag. Take the activity out of the bag before you give it to him.) You should have enough bags in your box to keep him occupied for an hour or so by rotating bags with him.
Karla Cook rambles about family life, road trips, outdoor adventures, and all things vintage at Ramblin' Roads.
Photo credit: sxc.com
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This is a great tip! I think I'll be making up a box of bags this week!
Oh this is perfect. I had one of those toddler days today. I didn't think of strapping her down and giving her and activity.
I've got lots of little activities, but not the time to do them with her which is what she wants. Maybe seating her near the rest of us with them and switching them out will do the trick.
I'm stepping back into the toddler school thing, so this reminder came in quite handy.
I LOVE having little ones around but man, do you have to be prepared!