What do you do with your early waking (5.30-6am) 3-4 year olds?

[arfishymeau]

Well? What do you do with your 3 year old at 5.30am? I try not to reward early waking with tv, but it's just too early to even contemplate anything else. So tv goes on after DD is dressed and scrubbed at about 6am and I shower and get ready while the tv keeps her out of mischief.

I don't really want the tv on so much but it's hard work to keep her occupied/get me ready/sort out lunches etc for the 2.5 hours before I go to work without resorting to the tv - what is everybody else doing?

Sorry, I don't count 5.30 as early my son is autistic and is usually up at around 4.30, regardless of his bedtime. If i don't get to him quickly he either climbs onto his brother in the top bunk bed or jumps in the cot with his baby sister. He usually helps me get breakfast ready and ds1's packed lunch etc. I do let him watch tv if i am really tired i snooze on the sofa holding him next to me.

We've taught dd that if she wakes up early she plays in her room until either I or dh come in to get her.
She has all her books and a few toys in there so theres plenty to occupy her. When we have gone in though shes normally sat in bed with her head in a book.

send them back to bed - with strict instructions to stay there until normal get up time.

Also use a clock so that they can see when it is "get up time".