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Behaviour/development

Keeping two entertained

4 replies

Rats · 02/02/2006 14:18

Does anyone have any great ideas for activities that can include a slow-learning 15m boy and an advanced 2.5yr old (more like 3.5)... Everything I try descends into whingeing from one or the other and I feel like I don't give my boy enough attention (scared his development will suffer) because my daughter demands activities that he can't possibly join in... Any advice greatly appreciated.

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mszebra · 02/02/2006 14:26

No ideas, only commiserations!
My 4yo only gets 1-to-1 attention when 19m old is asleep.
Sometimes we can do role-play with plastic/soft animals, or do a bit of duplo building "with" the toddler.
We have played board games (where you rolla die) by throwing the die on the ground for my toddler to fetch & return; we'd complete our move & move onto the next player very quickly while toddler was playing Rover & bringing the die back.

Maybe Playdough & painting?

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Rats · 02/02/2006 14:29

Thanks for that. Unfortunately my son is at the phase where he just tries to grab anything that daughter is holding - and then eat it. So painting is a no-go. It's a real toughie, and I'm beginning to chastise myself that my neglect of his is causing his slow learning. 15 months and not a word... eek

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majorstress · 02/02/2006 14:38

Mostly older one has to have her fun when young one asleep, even now at 3 and 5. My 2 were well entertained at your stage by going to a mother-toddler club - I had to try several to find one that didn't clash with nap time, had both baby toys in a soft area and more advanced activities like sticking at tables, and no groups of unoccupied toddlers running wild who might kill the small one-but when I found one finally, this allowed me to circulate between the two kids while they were both under my eye and having fun. This is my best memory of having children.

Sometimes the other kids or parents would engage one child and I also could sometimes chat together with the other kids at the table, admiring their creations etc while their mums dealt with baby bro or even slurped some tea.

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Rats · 02/02/2006 14:42

Thanks so much. Unfortunately my two have their nap-time at the same time... could it get worse! I don't think there's a great deal of toddler group choice where I live but I'll investigate. Good idea.
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