If you have toddlers at home, you would agree to the fact that loves to spend their time sitting on a couch in front of some sort of screen. Instead of going for any outdoor activity or playing a board game, they prefer to play games online. In many cases, slowly gradually digital devices are stealing childhood and innocence from kids. On the other hand, piling workload and tight work schedules leave parents with limited time to spend with their children. Even for the homemakers, the picture is almost the same. So, the whole question arises on despite having limited time, how to engage children meaningfully and productively at home throughout the day.
By nature, kids are curious and easily get bored with the same activity. Their curiosity always makes them look for something new. Their inquisitive attitude always motivates them to explore the world in their own way. This often makes parents worried about how to engage those little minds creatively and effectively at home. They have to constantly think of activities to feed their curiosity. According to child care experts, every child needs to have physical activity and cognitively stimulating tasks every day.
How to engage children – some tips for parents:
When it comes to spending quality time with children, most of the parents feel clueless; they are, as if, left in the dark. Be it working ones or the homemakers – both face entirely different challenges in keeping their kids busy in some productive activities.
- For working parents, the overdue tasks and the scheduled appointments never seem to cease. Despite having a tight schedule you should not bring your work home with you. If you have to, let your child sit with you. Try to give them some activity that would require concentration. For example, give them a jigsaw puzzle or a cube to solve, or some mental math worksheets, or colouring activity. So, they will not disturb you, but still, get to spend time with you.
- Try to take some time off from your work schedule and spend time with your child. Do things that he would enjoy. It is better to avoid reprimanding them or talk about school or grades during this time.
- Whenever you are running errands, let them be with you. In fact, you can ask them to help you in doing the household chores. Whenever there is an opportunity, encourage them to apply their learning in real-life situations. For example, if they have learned about currency, ask them to calculate how much did you spend in grocery shopping.
- Talk to your child and listen to him carefully. Even if it is for 5 minutes a day and he wants to share something with you; please listen. Let them understand that you love him and care for him. They will feel important and slowly gradually will try to understand your problems also.
- For homemakers, the challenge is to continually channelize the child’s energy meaningfully while constantly coming up with new and better ideas every day. This may sound very easy but in reality, is quite tough to execute.
Moreover, your positive attitude towards them will make them feel more responsible and confident about themselves. They will feel encouraged to do activities like painting, storybook reading, doing papercraft, or playing with playdough.