I thrive off of structure but kids sometimes throw a kink in that plan. My ideal day would be to plan an activity for every half hour. Toggling between alone play and together time. BUT reality says....
Wake, dress
Breakfast
table time activity (play doh, coloring, art)
Short video
Large motor activity (walk outdoors, play in basement)
Prep Lunch
Eat lunch
Read books
Nap Blanket time (sit on blanket on floor and play with a toy or look at books - no getting off the blanket)(you will need to train him to do this)
Dancing/music
time Table time while you prep dinner
Eat dinner
Tickle time with dad or outing
Bath
Read
Bed.
I don't like to put times on it other than eating and sleep times. Commiting to a time for each just frustrates me and the kids.
If you are having a hard time with it plan one structured activity for the morning and one for afternoon. Between meals and naps it will give you some freedom to think and breath until you get a more regular schedule.
I do have a wonderful list of activites that can be done with mom and without mom for appropriate age levels. This list has really helped me especially with the younger ones.
I also have an activity book from Meijer. The brand is called School Zone. Look for the PRESCHOOL one and tear a page out each day for him to work on. Or simply print coloring sheets from preschool printable websites. That way you can print things that interst him at that time. You have no idea how much free stuff is online for preschoolers.
Activities for Babies (0-12 Months)
Alone
Pop Up Toys
Mobiles
Swing
Johnny Jump Up
Baby Mirror
Soft Blocks
Toys That Can Be ChewedBooks (Cloth)
Crib Gyms
Infant Seat (To See Things from Different Perspectives)
Bouncy Chair
Rattles or other toys that make sounds
Mom And Baby
Feeding
Rocking
Play Time On Blanket (Mom Helps Baby Develop Skills)
Singing/Eye Contact/Rhymes
Read
Bath Time
Walking
Activities for Toddlers (18 Months - 2 Years) Alone
Playtime in Crib/Playpen
Play Center (Theme)
Blanket Time
Magnetic Numbers (at fridge or magnetic cook sheet on a blanket on the floor)
Letters on Refrigerator
Dress Up
Shape Sorting toys
Play doh
Sit Time with Books
High Chair Toys
Paint with Water
Large piece Puzzles
Throw cards (from a deck of card or flash cards) into a laundry basket or a hat
Toy bulldozer in tin of dry rice or noodles (at table or highchair)
Nesting/Stacking ToysListening Tapes
With Mom
Cooking Time (Real Or Play)
Stamping/Stickers
Rice/Corn Meal
PlayThrowing Bean Bags in Container
Reading
Prayer Time [at meals and bedtime]
Outdoor Play
Walk
Baby Pool
Paint with Water On Patio
Sand Box
Bubbles
Outdoor Toys
Activities For Preschoolers (2 Years - 5 Years)
Alone
Color / bingo dabbers
Playdoh
Toys at Table
Stamping Finger Paint or Paint on paper with water
Peg Boards
Sit Time/Blanket Time (practice self-control by sitting and playing on blanket for an extended period)
Listening Tapes
Magnet Numbers/Letters On Refrigerator
Water Play at Sink
Books
Computer [limited]
Lego’s
Sticker Books
Puzzles
Chalkboard
Picture Time
Stencils
Room Time
Video time [limited 30 min. per day]
Dress Up
Learning to use a pencil - print letters
Stringing Beads
Lace Cards (use old greeting cards glued together and punch holes around the edges to lace yarn through)
Corn Meal/Rice Play
People/Animal Figures
With Mom
Cut With Safety Scissors
Cooking
Reading
Prayer Time
Finger-paint
Games
Crafts
Character Quality Explanation/Stories
Chores (Training)
Watering Plants
Plucking grapes from stems (throwing squishy ones away)
Picking up toys on Patio
Sweeping
Putting Silverware Away From Dishwasher
Cleaning Fronts of Appliances
Window Washing
Set Table
Folding Laundry
Dusting
Cleaning Mirrors
Outdoors [*with direct supervision for sure]
Swim
*Chalk
Sand Box
Walking
Shaving Cream on Picnic Table
Gardening
*Water Hose
*Bubbles
Riding/Outdoor Toys
Paint with Water
For a more extensive list, see What Every Child Should Know Along the Way By Gail Martin.
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