8 Ways to Keep a Preschooler Engaged While You Work
If you work from home and you have a child, chances are you hear the words “Mommy! Mama! MOM!” more often than you hear from your editor, boss, or clients. With a little luck and some ingenuity, you can keep your kids busy—and yourself insane—to meet those deadlines. Here are 8 ways to help you beat the clock, keep your kids happy, and wow your friends with your incredible multitasking skills.
8. Stick in a DVD. This is your last resort, which is why it’s last on the list! If you have Noggin, or PBS, those might work—just check out the shows before you let your kids watch (for example, while many children enjoy The Wonder Pets, at least one episode promotes circuses using animals, which some parents may not approve. While you probably don’t want to use this tactic daily, a half an hour here and there probably won’t hurt. Use your own beliefs and judgment.
7. Bring on the mess. Most kids love to get messy. If your little one likes to make a mess, try laying the floor of your office with canvas or a blanket, newspapers or butcher paper and let them go at it with some finger paint, glue sticks and cut-outs, or their favorite artistic activity. Be sure to lay down some ground rules—such as staying on the canvas, as well as keeping their materials on it.
6. Let your little chef shine. Lay out a small table with an array of simple snacks, cups and utensils. Let Emeril Junior try mixing cheerios with raisins, or top celery sticks with peanut butter or applesauce. Then he can enjoy the snack he made all by himself! Alternatively, you could always use fake food and toy dishes.
5. Mold it and sculpt it. If your child loves play dough, you are in luck! The squishy delight can keep your preschooler engaged for a lengthy amount of time. Moon Sand, Floam, and clay will work, too. Worried about the eating-it factor? Try making some edible play dough.
4. Alternate toys. If Johnny or Jane is sick of their favorite game or doctor kit, break out some long-forgotten toys that may be hidden away. Keep rotating toys on a regular basis for this purpose. Have an electronic car, dinosaur, or other battery-operated gem that’s run out of juice and been out of commission? Put some batteries in it—your kids may not have even remembered that Sharp Tooth walks and roars!
3. Let them play assistant. Give your child his or her own little desk with paper, pencils, a play phone, and whatever other essentials he or she may need to play mini-you. Chances are you’ll keep them happy—as well as gain some insights on how you look and sound all day!
2. Dole out the chores. Many children love to do “chores,” so why not give them a pile of laundry to sort—or clean laundry to fold?
1. Get some live entertainment. Don’t book Barney or kidnap one of the Wiggles—book someone better: Grandma! And if she’s not available, try a trusted sibling, neighbor or friend. Perhaps someone is willing to trade some playtime with your little one in exchange for other services—such as cooking a meal, helping out with some lawn work, or another skill you’re good at. Who knows? You could start your own neighborhood co-op.
