I am anticipating that sharing my attention is going to be a real adjustment for Immy when the baby arrives. Although she is pretty good at playing independently when I am busy with chores, I am sure that giving the bub attention is going to be a whole different story (a bit like when I am talking on the phone!)
In preparation for needing time to feed the baby (which I can recall often taking quite a long time with a newborn!) I have been stocking up on quiet activities for Immy to do either independently or sitting with us as I feed. So far I have collected;
- A set of tiny Care Bear figurines: Immy has recently discovered the Care Bears and I know she is going to love these. I am also thinking that when things settle down a little we will be able to make a little Care-a-Lot play scene as home for the Care Bears
- Activity books: Simple dot-to-dots and mazes
- A new felt/flannel board story set
- The latest issue of Big Kids Magazine (Treasure Maps), a unique, creative arts magazine that features kids art side by side with that of adult artists. Immy really enjoyed the first issue (which was a sell out) and I loved that it generated lots of art talk and provides a springboard for creative projects all of one’s own
- Sparkle World kids magazine: Immy loves ‘reading’ magazines and completing the puzzles and activities
- A couple of Tinkerbell and Friends chapter books to read with my fairy lover
- A new-to-us DVD
- A couple of new audio stories loaded onto the iPod
- A simple sewing activity that I have prepared and will share in future post
My plan is to ‘wrap’ each activity in a brown paper bag dressed up with stickers or stamps and then I will let Immy discover one whenever I feel she needs a little constructive distraction 🙂
Obviously these activities are most suited to Immy, her age and play preferences, but I hope they provide other expectant parents with ideas for collecting their own stash of quiet play activities in preparation for the downtime needed to feed a newborn!
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
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