I feel quiet times/quiet play are important for children. It helps children establish focus, controlled play and aids in sitting through church, meetings, plane rides, car tips and long waits in Dr offices. Plus it helps mom get her head back on straight!
How to start, when to start, what to do and will it work, were all questions I had 9 years ago when I started quiet play time with my first child. It is best to start when your child is a baby, but don't worry, you can begin at any age. When starting late, is it important to keep the time short to begin with and work up.
Babies can begin with belly time on a small quilt. Set the boundaries, let baby know them. You need to make the rules, not the baby. Use your crib or porta crib as an additional play place. Establish a clear difference between play time and sleep time when using the crib. You can do this by turning on music, leaving the lights on/shades open and setting one or two small toys or books in babies crib to look at/play with. Start small, 5-7 minutes and gradually work to 15 - 20 for babies and 30 - 60 for toddles and older children.
Quiet time isn't a punishment, it should be part of your child's routine. How do you make quiet time exciting? Keep special toys for quiet time. Don't allow your children to play with them unless they are in quiet time. Babies like wooden blocks, soft books, stackable objects, chunky beads and safe odds and ends from your kitchen. Toddlers do well with puzzles, books, sewing cards, magna-doodles, or any toy that can be contained and played with quietly. You may also allow books on CD or music. But, be careful not to use this as their sole entertainment for every quiet time. The goal is to help your child focus on one or two toys/several books and be able to have self control to sit quietly. You may have a box of items and allow your child to pick what he/she wants to play with for the day, or you could assign a toy for each day of the week. The important thing to remember is don't use everyday toys they play with all the time.
My older children are required to read. Find books they love, on subjects that interest them. My oldest started reading his grandfathers Hardy Boys books last year. He can't get enough of them.
Remember, start small. Have your children gather their books and toys together when they are finished, and then praise them for their great job!
How to start, when to start, what to do and will it work, were all questions I had 9 years ago when I started quiet play time with my first child. It is best to start when your child is a baby, but don't worry, you can begin at any age. When starting late, is it important to keep the time short to begin with and work up.
Babies can begin with belly time on a small quilt. Set the boundaries, let baby know them. You need to make the rules, not the baby. Use your crib or porta crib as an additional play place. Establish a clear difference between play time and sleep time when using the crib. You can do this by turning on music, leaving the lights on/shades open and setting one or two small toys or books in babies crib to look at/play with. Start small, 5-7 minutes and gradually work to 15 - 20 for babies and 30 - 60 for toddles and older children.
Quiet time isn't a punishment, it should be part of your child's routine. How do you make quiet time exciting? Keep special toys for quiet time. Don't allow your children to play with them unless they are in quiet time. Babies like wooden blocks, soft books, stackable objects, chunky beads and safe odds and ends from your kitchen. Toddlers do well with puzzles, books, sewing cards, magna-doodles, or any toy that can be contained and played with quietly. You may also allow books on CD or music. But, be careful not to use this as their sole entertainment for every quiet time. The goal is to help your child focus on one or two toys/several books and be able to have self control to sit quietly. You may have a box of items and allow your child to pick what he/she wants to play with for the day, or you could assign a toy for each day of the week. The important thing to remember is don't use everyday toys they play with all the time.
My older children are required to read. Find books they love, on subjects that interest them. My oldest started reading his grandfathers Hardy Boys books last year. He can't get enough of them.
Remember, start small. Have your children gather their books and toys together when they are finished, and then praise them for their great job!
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