Jenny On the Spot

I am on a mission. Joel has been having a hard time focusing on independent projects at preschool. I want to try give him “tools” to help him choose a project and focus for a time. I think I have caused this problem, in part, because I have allowed him to watch more TV that usual lately. This is no excuse, but it has been so busy TV has made things easier for the moment. It’s the long run that tends to sneak up behind me!

So… it is time for me to invest more energy into time with my kiddos than time other tasks (uh-oh, I might just have to say “no” to some people!) I thumbed through some magazines and spent some time thinking of ideas to use. I need ideas that don’t require much “mom resource” and some that will. I need things that will build a sense of self-confidence, so tasks that don’t need much direction from Mom. I need ideas that will help the kids develop a sense of others - giving and thinking about things other people appreciate. I’d like to not to have to spend a bunch of money too. The following is the list of ideas I thought of or found that may interest my kids:

*Use cardboard box and draw a road for matchbox cars.
*Make cards for friends/family/missionaries. This will help kids think of others.
*Have a tea party.
*Clean room, make it a game by seeing how much can be done in the length of one song (my husband’s idea!)
*Bake/cook - pudding, popscicles, icing on graham crackers. Anything that let’s the child accomplish most of task on own.
*Make ribbons out of paper, or whatever. Award a friend or parent for something special that was noticed!
*Workshheet. There are so many online preschool sites. Joel actually loves to do these while I cook dinner sometimes.
*Read or look at a book.
*Do a puzzle.
*Call a friend or family member.
*Draw. Usborne Books has some great books that show kids how to draw simple animals, etc…
*Cut and glue foam sheets to make all sorts of stuff!
*Pick up pine cones, trash, outside toys…
*Board games. My son’s favorite is Cariboo. He prefers to play with someone, but it’s a game that a child can play on his own as well — educational too!
*Do exercises!
*Paint rocks, we have lots in our yard. Since the weather is getting nice, this is something where the mess can stay outside!
*Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles!
*Paint butcher paper and make a special table cloth for that evening’s dinner.
*Make a card or gift to take to someone at the retirement home.
*Glue, glitter, rice, sand - yikes!

The following are ideas I found in different Martha Steward Kids’ magazines:

*Paint rocks, we have lots in our yard. Since the weather is getting nice, this is something where the mess can stay outside! (MSK Summer ‘02, p.101)
*Button in a cup game (MSK Winter ‘04, p.21)
*Make placemats with outlines of utensils and plates to teach child how to set a table (MSK Winter ‘04, p.21)
*Clothespin animals (MSK Winter ‘04, p.21)
*Sunprints (MSK Summer ‘02, p.23)
*Paper airplanes (MSK Summer ‘02, p.51)
*Make instruments (MSK Summer \’02, p.125)
*Melt crayons (MSK Fall “02 p.28)
*Message board (MSK FAll ‘02 p. 40)

Since we are so close to summer (no preschool) I think I will be thankful to have some of these ideas to reference.