#JoziMom Tracey, is a former communications specialist and globetrotter and now also a content contributor to ThingsToDoWithKids. She shares some tips and insight on how to master this long house-bound holiday.
Having a week or four of uninterrupted time with your kids will give you a wonderful opportunity to observe how they have grown and developed while also giving you a chance to give them your undivided attention (in-between working from home of course) and learn how to play with your child with stimulating activities that will boost their development and strengthen your bonds.
Now for some entertainment ideas to select from for all ages that will provide great opportunities for stimulation, fun and lovely holiday bonding while still allowing you some well-earned time to get your own things done!
Get cooking and baking
Many fine motor skills are strengthened and refined while baking and cooking or preparing food. Babies and toddlers will also be more likely to try some new foods if they have helped to prepare them with you so this is a great activity for fussy eaters (many toddlers eat while preparing the meal).
Put on a show
Through music, children learn essential skills for language development and early social, cognitive, and communication learning. The planning and practising will keep them busy for some time while giving you a chance to have an uninterrupted conversation. Pull out any musical instruments so that they can include singing and dancing in the act and find dress-up costumes to add to the entertainment. Encourage the older kids to help the little ones get involved in this great, creative fun and don’t forget to make a huge fuss of your budding stars when the show is over.
Age-appropriate chores – Family chore time
It may be holidays but since it’s a critical no contact time, many of us lose our trusted helpers as they too have to be home with their little ones. But the chores still need to get done. Household chores are a great way to get your little ones to help out while stimulating Gross Motor Development and providing Sensory Stimulation. “Pushing” and “pulling” chores such as vacuuming, sweeping mopping, wiping down table tops, packing and unpacking the washing machine are good examples.
The key is to make it fun so hold competitions and allow the winner of the day to choose a special treat.
Independent Play
Fostering independent play takes time and patience. But once it’s mastered this allows for so much extra time for moms and dads to get some free time in or to work. “In our house I find LEGO is great for independent play and I taught my son (5yo) how to play solitaire too,” says Tanya Badenhorst – editor of Things to do With Kids. On a more personal note, while we agree on the LEGO, I find in our house independent play comes mostly from imaginary play, colouring in and Play Station. I find PlayStation uses fine motor skills and problem solving and ensuring the game is age appropriate can give hours of problem solving fun. Try Cars3 or Peggle.
Other simple and fun things to do with your kids this holiday:
Go on a picnic: You don’t have to go far to have a picnic – your own garden is a great option. Let your kids help you pack the picnic basket from whatever you have in the fridge. It’s amazing how much more fun it is to snack in the outdoors!
Go camping: Build a tent indoors or outdoors with blankets and sheets. Once the tent is up, make a password so only you and your kids can enter.
You can even choose to sleep in the tent that night making it even more fun.
Do a treasure hunt: Make a treasure map out of brown paper with clues to find some treasure you have hidden somewhere in the house or garden. Even the smallest treasure, when found, will be greeted with much excitement.
Make a robot: Don’t throw away present boxes from the deliveries you are going to get or from the empty cereal boxes. Fantastic robots can be created with some glue, finger paint and a just a little imagination.
Do a puppet show: Make sock puppets by gluing wool on the top of an old sock and using a permanent marker to draw eyes, nose and a mouth.
Go on a colour hunt in the house: Collect objects of a certain colour. The winner has collected the most objects in the set time.
Build a garden patch: Dedicate a small patch in the garden to the kids and create an outdoor play area. Fill with pots, a small rake, bucket, spoons, utensils and solid plastic toys like animal figurines. Plant flowers, herbs and lettuce – anything that grows quickly and gives them the satisfaction of having produced something. If your kids are small, just give them a spade, put on their old clothes, and let them loose.
Visit www.thingstodowithkids.co.za for more great ideas.