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Preschoolers have short attention spans, making it difficult on parents when taking trips to the grocery store or waiting in long lines, at appointments, or for food at a restaurant. The digital world in which we live makes it easier than ever to hand a child a device to keep them engaged. Many parents, however, have concerns about the amount of screen time their child consumes and are looking for ways to engage their preschoolers when away from home.
“Simon Says,” “I Spy,” or “Rock, Paper, Scissors” are well-known waiting games, and they are still great options. If you are looking for something new to try with your preschooler, however, give one of these a try the next time you are needing to occupy your preschooler away from home.
Bag of Tricks
One of the best strategies for waiting is to have a bag of safe, age-appropriate toys or activities. You should only allow the things contained in the bag to be used during waiting times, so it feels thrilling and special. There is no need to spend a lot of money on bag items: pipe cleaners, a deck of cards, toys that come as prizes with other purchases, crayons and paper, bubbles, play dough, or anything you think your child will enjoy. Fidget toys have become very popular in recent years, and they are usually compact, making them a perfect addition to the bag.
Hidden Letters
As your toddler or preschooler begins to recognize letters, have them look for the letters in their environment. For the simplest version of the game, have them find the letters of their name. For older children needing an extra challenge, have them find the beginning sounds of printed words in their surroundings.
Fingerplays
Fingerplays are a great way to engage children. It keeps their wiggly bodies and busy hands out of trouble! Many common nursery rhymes have corresponding hand motions. If you need some inspiration, the book The Eentsy, Weentsy Spider: Fingerplays and Action Rhymes by Joanna Cole has been around for a long time. This book is a valuable resource as it contains about 40 fingerplays and rhymes to help keep preschoolers occupied.
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Want to learn more about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Oakbrook located in Norcross, Georgia? Our mission is to provide secure, nurturing, and educational environments for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. For more information, give us a call or stop by for a tour! We’d love to get to know you and your family.