After nursery activity

[MammaBe]

Hi, wondered if people woyldn't mind sharing their routines and activities they do with their toddler? I'm struggling with trying to give DD stimulating activities. She is in nursery 5 mornings a week, she hasn't settled on the longer days so I dropped her back to the mornings; 9.15 to 11.40, which is really short. I'm worried that she's just not getting the right start. It's been v high stress, lockdown baby, home stress, finance stress, work stress, health stress, fanily stress etc etc but I tried to do what was possible. I struggle with having her entertained while I cook and I have relied on the tv for this, max 2 hours a day. But going to zero tv now, I've had enougj of tv for her. We get outdoors daily, library craft class, storytime, playground, soft play. DD tends to olay on her own apparently at nursery but I don't understand that becuase she is very sociable and fruendly otherwise eg cousins, random kids outdoors. I don't know if she is bored at the nursery; they said they weren't worried about her development. Anyway would be great to hear some ideas of what I can offer her to stimulate/entertain!

Can you sign up to receive suggestions from people like the Woodland Trust or any other interest she might have for inspiration?

Start for Life and Motherly have many ideas too

How old is she? They often play on their own as young children.

You are doing fine. Read, dance, sing and play together.
Don't overthink.

Too much overkill on activities for preschoolers these days. 2 hours is a long time to someone if that age and I bet it's plenty of stimulation for her. Going to the park/playing at home in addition would be enough.

My DD is in nursery for 5 mornings until 12.30pm. She eats lunch there and then we go to the park or farm nearby for a run around before her nap. After her nap we sometimes have a class (swimming, ballet and football) or go to the library or soft play, or sometimes I travel into town during her nap so she can visit a museum or gallery there. I find she sleeps better if she's had an active time in the afternoons and we often take her dinner out with us in a thermos flask so we can spend longer outdoors instead of rushing home to eat.

I try to batch cook in the evenings so I'm not trying to cook and look after her at the same time, or cook things in the slow cooker during her nursery time and keep it warm until dinner.

It's normal and good for dcs to play independently. Mine isn't 3 yet and I think she still does parallel play mostly.

Sounds like you're already doing loads with her.

For our 2 year old, at weekends, we basically treat her like a dog (!): i.e. ideally we exercise her twice a day with a run round (playground, park etc.) Other than that it's mainly just toys at home and let her follow along with what we are doing. Bit of music/dancing and of course a bit of telly. Weekdays she's at nursery.

Sounds like you are being quite hard on yourself and are probably already be doing enough. 2 hours of being with her nursery-mates will be stimulation, and you're doing other stuff too. Any reason you think she's bored/not entertained enough?

Developmentally it's fine for them to play on their own as toddlers.

I think you're doing fine/great 💙

Thnk you so much for all your commemts. DD is 3. @reallytimetodeclutter treat her like a dog comment made me laugh out! But that is a good analogy, out early, run around, really helps. I'll try and incorporate something like that. I suppose I felt like I'm not doing enough becuase we get tona point where she just wants tv & I realise she's just bored with the activities! Iadmired anyone that batch cooks, I just have nkt been able to do it! Honestly thank you all, makes me feel a bit relaxed. I'm thinking of signing up for a wkend sports activity for her

Regarding batch cooking I rarely have time to batch cook so what I do is make huge potions of whatever I'm cooking that day. So Monday I made a huge pasta bake which was dinner monday and today meaning today is essentially just a heat up microwave day. It doesn't take that much longer to cut up some extra chicken and veg but saves me a whole other day of cooking.

Did similar with cottage pie last week which I still have a couple of portions in the freezer.

Also find some quick easy dinners. One of my kids favourite is cod and pasta. Its a frozn cod breast in the air fryer for 15 minutes, cook some pasta in a pot with some Carrots and brocolli and chuck over some pasta sauce from a jar. 15 minutes to cook and super easy.

Also second a slow cooker pop it in while she's out and then it will be ready to go.

In terms of entertainment it sou ds fine. At that age a park and a bit of a run around is all they need