How do you keep LO occupied? | ExpatWoman.com
 

How do you keep LO occupied?

121
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 15:00

DS is 11 months old, crawling and cruising around the furniture at home. I would appreciate some ideas from mums as t which toys are good fro this age group, also how do you keep LO occupied at home? do you have a routine of activites eg rhyme time, free play?? I do take him outdoors daily but Im worried that he seems to be getting bored and Im not stimulating him enough! Thanks in advance

35
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 13:51
We bought him a play activity wherein he's there for few minutes a day, if you feel like wanted to relax... he will surely never bother if u are existing then once he's already in there, he's started to learn to play on his own!
Anonymous (not verified)
0
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 18:30
My DD is 12 months. We do lots of reading, singing, playing dolls, playing with blocks, balls. If I can't play with her, we have a couple of secret cupboards. I fill them with different toys, cards, books, plastics, metals, boxes, making sure there is nothing she can hurt herself with. Then I let her totally demolish the cupboard, she will sit for ages. And, she secretly thinks, 'Ohhh, Mum doesn't know I'm in the cupboard". It works a treat.
15
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 January 2011 - 18:51
Am having the same problem. DS is almost 11 months old, very active but easily bored. He seems to need a lot of variation. Have used a variety of plastic containers for him to play with in the kitchen while I am preparing vegetables,... He also just loves to go outside so I take him to the park almost every day or definitively for a walk. He loves crawling in the garden or in the sand. I also agree with a large variety of toys. I bought many second hand. DS goes from one toy to the other in our living room. I will definitely try the tent/tunnel and the balloons as that seems easy enough. Let me know if you have any other ideas.
6
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 January 2011 - 09:14
I bought bags of dried pasta shapes (the large pasta shapes) from Carrefour and filled DS's water tray with them indoors. Great fun and easy to clean up after, just had to make sure he was supervised when playing. I put different containers in there for him to fill up and empty and big spoons. Kept him occupied for ages and started this from an early age of 9 months and he still loves it at 18mths! It's easy to put different types of toys in the tray so they dont get bored. Also bought a cheap small paddling pool and have filled it with those plastic balls like a ball pit. Again keeps DS amused for ages. I have a small indoor slide which I have put in the ball pit to make it more fun for DS. Balloons are a great hit in our house hold too. Every couple of weeks I tidy away all DS's toys and just blow up loads of different coloured balloons. Agree with the comment of having quiet a few different toys to rotate around as well.
201
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 23:44
Agree, water play is great, different coloured cups (cheapies from ikea - or tupperware) are always entertaining. I use to paint, play playdough, read stories, do puzzles, colouring, stacking and shape sorting toys are great for this age. Play dates a few times a week over at other peoples houses, soft play areas in the malls, swimming, park, flashcards, big picture books are great especially with textures, also sand play. This age is great for joining classes. Like Mygym, swimming lessons, kiddlywinks, boogie babies are all great too to get you out of the house. All these activities help with various skills and keeps kids busy. I loved this time with DD we learnt so much together and she just bloomed. Xx
181
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 22:40
Water play is fun. Make sure the water temp. stays warm + fill tub with lots of colourful toys, they will love splashing about + exploring what sinks/floats etc. Don't have to wait till the evening bath time to do this. If you have a balcony you can get a large sized plastic basin or paddling pool + fill it with sand (ELC sell sand very cheaply). Little ones always love playing with sand, but stay close as it can often end up in their mouths! My guys love tents + things to crawl in + through. Get creative + build your own with chairs, blankets etc. or buy a cheap tent from Carrefour or IKEA + swop around the toys you put inside. The thing toddlers love to play with most of all is Mummy of course so you'll be having to crawl around on your hands + knees too if you go with the tent option :)
68
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 22:00
We didn't have a routine but LO was also very active and got bored quickly. I find that a lot of toys help because you can periodically change them so he doesn't get bored of them. Definitely take him outside every day. He needs the fresh air and he needs to be outside. Just think about how you feel if you are locked indoors all day. You can take him to the playground and let him play in the sand or walk around in the pram. This time of the year the weather is so good you need to make use of it. Get lots of toys too. If you have friends with kids similar age try toy swapping. New toys are always exciting. Also try if you can to take him to play dates. Interacting with other kids is very good for them.
184
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 17:16
My kids love blocks, wooden puzzles, a mega sketcher with magentic pen and books. My 13 months old loves anything that can be banged...lol. Don't worry too much about your baby getting bored. Kids love time with mummy more than anything, well, at least mine did.
429
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 17:06
I found that DS started being interested in toys around 18months.. till then he wasnt so much into them. If your taking him out everyday, wow! thats great! He is just exploring his house now, so let him be. I would say dont waste ur money on too many toys yet. I usually read a story or 2 for DS at bedtime. Even i had felt my DS was bored at around 11months and was even considering nursery for him.. thank god i dint! :) Just let him play with pots and pans.. calculator.. hangers.. odd things around the house that are safe.. He should be fine.. :)
 
 

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