Re: Too much T.V
Asked by Melons

Question:

I would really love some suggestions on activities my 3 year old can do at home. He is getting soooo bored and therefore doing some very naughty things. i try to make some time everyday

to play with him but i also have a 4 month old baby girl and while she is a really good baby i still need time for her not to mention the dredded housework. All my son mostly does all day is watch his cartoon movies. it's too much. He knows how to turn the tv on and play his own movies so i need something that will hold his attention enough to let me do what i have to do but also not want to just watch tv. Any sugestions would be appreciated i'm going a little bit insane:)

My Advice:
The TV & DVD's are a real easy option & a trap especially when your busy & the child can turn them on for their selves.  Firstly you need the limit the amount they watch which can be hard, then lock the TV, most modern TV's have a parent lock (or unplug it from the wall).

Young children don't need television, they are great imaginative players at this age & the less they watch TV the better at playing by themselves .

Also you need to work out your priorities with kids & choirs, some housework can be left, I feel your children are only young for such a short time & housework will always be there (it never goes away!).  My house is clean enough,dishes done, clean clothes for kids but the dust on the shelves can wait & I usually wait till the kids are in bed then I will do things like fold & put the washing away & sweep the floors etc...

Now things to entertain a three year old.  At this age they love too help, so if you really must do housework get them to help

When doing the clothes washing get them to help sort the clothes & put some in the machine & the best part turn it on.

Dishes (most people have dishwashers) but they can still help put a little water & dish liquid & they can wash some of the more durable items while your loading the dishwasher or if you wash them like myself the old fashioned way leave a few they can wash when you have finished.

Vacuuming my 3 year old loves to do this, so he is always eager to wait patiently for a go when I finish a room.

If you sweep the floors or the path outside get then a broom too, you could be amazed how activities like this can keep a young child entertained.

Crafty things.

Playdough (bought or home made) & some cutters rolling pin & other simple tools (cleans up easily as long as you don't do it on carpet).

Crayons & pencils & lots of paper on the kitchen/lounge table, easel or floor.

Boxes large & small (there houses,cars,trains,beds children see them as so many things).

String or wool & cotton reels or pasta like penne to thread.

When you don't mind some, mess paint with brushes or not.

Other things to do.

Cooking, they love to help,whether its chopping some simple things for dinner,  go with the flow on this one, bits will be odd shaped & a little chunky but does it really matter (if it does it can be fixed) so invest in maybe a small chopping board & not so sharp knife & go with it.  Or make simple things like bread or biscuit dough they can help with,  or easy cake mixes or muffins with things like flour sifting, egg cracking (with a little help), & lots of mixing & tasting, yum!

Gardening, weed pulling, pruning or start a simple vegie patch, even if it a few polystyrene boxes with lettuces, herbs or just grow some colourful flowers, all exciting stuff when your 3, we grow quite alot & my son calls it his farm.

Go for walks & talk about things like colours, trees, flowers, other houses, anything.

Look at the clouds & see what can it there, a dragon, horse all sorts of things.

Go to the park or just spend time sitting outside under a tree.

Have a picnic lunch you don't even have to leave, have it in the back yard.

Make a cubby inside with some blakets.

Go to the library, many have story time ideal for pre school children.

I could keep going you should get the idea, simple is best.

So many things to do, so little time.

And if you do have to turn on the tv, sit down with them & put something like playschool on, much more can come from one short show they endless hours of cartoons.

All of this can be achieved with a little less spent on house work & lots of time spent with kids. I have four...    13, 7, 3 & 7 months

Have fun & keep it simple...

emma