Play Time - Sick Day

My son has a cold, again. Or maybe I should say still. Very shortly after going into daycare, he started coming home with minor things; scrapes, runny noses, little bumps here and there. No biggie, he's a kid and those things are going to happen. As soon as the chill hit the air though? Wham! Perma-cold. A never ending loop of dripping slime, hacking cough, and periodic misery. My doctor checked him out and basically said that it's going to be like this for the first year of daycare while his immune system grows with him. So long as his fever doesn't spike dramatically, or he doesn't experience anything abnormal, we pretty much just have to roll with it. This causes a few problems; I'm missing work again (which causes me a little anxiety and guilt), and we're bored!  Here are some of our fun coping mechanisms for a recovery day at home.

If ever there was a good time to play with your food, it's today. If your kids are old enough (or just plain patient enough) to bake with you, this is a great way to spend some quality time. Try some smile cookies, some healthy blueberry muffins, or fresh rolls! My mother used to make what we lovingly referred to as "bread shaped animals" and we loved them. The smell was amazing. Younger kids can still have fun in the kitchen. What we did this morning was pick some colourful fruit for breakfast. We made an artful arrangement, then dug in together, with yoghurt for deliciously messy dipping. A good dose of vitamins and a nice meal in one.

When eating gets a little too "creative" or your little one is really congested, why not have an under sea adventure? A nice, warm bath is a fantastic multitasker; you have a great time, while opening up your airways, and you come out clean! Big win there. If your little one is in to bath toys, you can make up a whole story with sound effects and funny voices! For babies, take your time to clean each tiny toe, allowing them to take in the comfort of your touch. Singing about rubber duckies and boats adds to the fun!

While my son usually loves independent play, when he's really sick and needy I need to have a repertoire of "cuddle" tasks - things he can largely do on my lap. We like to sit and play blocks, making towers, changing them around, and knocking them over. This can occupy him for a long time, and he loves to sort through looking for the specific colours I ask for, or shapes that will best fit. Sitting at his train table is also a big hit. He'll move the train along the track much more calmly when he's feeling unwell, rather than redesigning the whole village. 

The ultimate cuddle task is reading, of course, and I will read book after book of his favourite characters. We have lots of modern board books, which are great for him to hold and handle, and are perfect for short attention spans. When he wants to really snuggle in, we have a 1980's collection that includes lots of the old school. I'm talking Disney (he likes puppies, so Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmatians get a lot of attention) , Sesame Street (with characters like Prairie Dawn and Guy Smilie!) and lots of nature books. I actually enjoy them more than he does some time for the pure nostalgia of it. 

I know it's not great to let your kids spend too much time in front of the television, but for a sick day, I don't think it will hurt to have a little media in your mix. With really educational programming available to us on demand from services like Netflix and YouTube, you can select and show only exactly what you want. I record a few programs on the PVR and when it's over, it over. The next show doesn't start, the screen stops entirely. My son will say "all done" and it's on to the next thing. Not only does it serve as a short, relaxing treat for the child, you can stop playing entertainer for a brief moment. Just long enough to take your child's temperature, get some food or medication, or just to enjoy that time together.

Play Time: Learning and Wonder

Everything seems to be amazing to my son right now. He’s a very curious explorer and examines every toy, rock, and person that comes in to view with puzzlement and joy. It’s like he’s always unlocking new information, and it’s so much fun! Lately I've been trying to encourage this wonder with fun outdoor activities. It’s interactive and cheap (if not entirely free)! Here are some fun summer ideas you can try with your intrepid little one!

Bubbles - Blowing, popping, chasing, and counting!

If your kid hasn't yet seen bubbles, get your camera ready! Whether they are thrilled and excited, or maybe a little scared at first, the picture opportunity is guaranteed to be priceless. My son loves them, and tries so hard to chase and catch them! You can always make your own with some dish soap, water, and a straw for blowing if the pre-mixed stuff is out of season. Right now, they seem to be available for around $1 everywhere. Try your local Walmart or dollar store for something as simple as a tube, or as elaborate as sets multiple shape producing handles. Keep them in your diaper bag for impromptu picnic fun or as a distraction waiting in line for the swings!

Sand - Sifting, sorting, packing, and piling!

Whether you're at the beach, or in your own backyard, sand is seemingly unlimited plaything! It has a lot of features of water, but might make the bath shy baby a little more comfortable. The different textures of wet and dry make for a variety of learning opportunities. Try hiding objects, then sifting or digging them out. Mound castles and play with toys in a different environment. If you have limited access to sand, or are concerned about safety (those pesky cats), why not try an indoor bin of a grainy material like cornmeal or barley! Pour it back in a bag for later, or put the lid back if you have a dedicated bin!

 
Rocks - Collecting, examining, stacking, and banging! 

Rocks have an appeal for kids of all kinds of temperaments. If your child is a more calm and quiet type, collecting a group on a nice walk and talking about sizes and colours can be fun. Look for fossils and make towers as high as you can until they fall down! If sitting still is the last thing on your baby’s agenda, make it fast and funny. Race to get as many as you can, pile small pebbles in a bucket to shake, and parade around your findings! If you find some interesting shapes, older kids might like to clean and paint their rocks as a decoration for their room, or a present for grandma! 

Water – Splashing, sliding, pouring, and dancing!

Many cities now have wonderful splash pad additions to some local parks. They look like mini-water parks, and offer so many interactive water features for those hot summer days. They can make new friends while running around and cooling off. The best part? These locations are usually free! If your town doesn't have one, or they happen to be closed, make a fun water park of your own! There are water tables at the perfect height for toddlers, often which come with fun toys. You can purchase small pools for kids that can even fit on an apartment balcony. Rainy day? Who says you can’t have a bath just for fun? Throw in some toys, plastic storage containers, or whatever you have handy. Make bubble beards and tell stories about the depths of the bathtub sea!

One of the very best parts of being a mom is the chance to use your imagination in ways you haven’t done since your own childhood. Take your usual environment and put an interesting twist on it using only your surroundings. Find a big stick and be pirates, be dinosaurs, be fairy princesses! You will create a fun filled day for your little one and fantastic memories for both of you! Look through your child’s eyes and make the ordinary extraordinary!

Play Time: Art with a Baby?

I love arts and crafts. They were always my favourite activities when I was younger (play dough, painting, paper crafts, you name it) and I continue to do crafts as an adult. So, I was impatient to start sharing this love with my daughter. Until recently, I took it for granted that babies can't make art, right? They're so little, they don't have the fine motor skills, they don't understand the concept of creation, etc. I didn't want to accept it, though, so I did some research and brainstormed some ideas for introducing art earlier than I had originally planned. Babies can be creative, you just have to make some small adjustments and treat it like a sensory experience as well as an artistic one. Here are some ways for you to get creative with a baby 6-18 months:

Sensory Collage

Babies love novelty and, lucky for us as caregivers, most things are still new to them! This activity is a great way to introduce your child to new textures, colours, and sensations. It is a great work-in-process art piece to re-visit on rainy days or whenever you're looking for something to do.

You'll Need:

* Contact paper 

(I've used clear and used it on a window, but you can use one that is white and put it low on any wall in your home.)

* Art supplies of different textures. Like foam, felt, feathers, fun fur, cloth, burlap, etc.

(These items can be inexpensive to pick up. The Dollar Store is a good place to start. I also went to the clearance section of Micheal's and got large sheets of textured scrapbook paper and pieces of felt all for under .80 cents a sheet.)

Cut the textured sheets into smaller squares and put them all into a bowl. Tape the contact paper to the window or wall, at a height your child can reach, with the tacky side facing out. Sit down with your child and the bowl and start to place the pieces into your child's hand and onto the "canvas." Discuss the look and feel of each piece as your child holds it. Is it scratchy? Soft? Rough? Pink? Don't forget to mention the sticky feeling of the contact paper. After you place a few pieces up, allow your child to add (or remove) as s/he likes. This is his or her art to create and creative activities with babies are more about the process than the end result.

Remember, you'll have to sit with your child as s/he does this activity as babies are going to try to put things into their mouths. Plus, you want to discuss the experience. We have left our art up on the window and we go back to it a couple of times a week since spring is so wet! You can add new items to the bowl as you come across them.

No Mess Painting

Painting in the traditional sense is obviously not suited for babies. They can't hold paint brushes in their little hands, and finger painting clashes with the inevitability of them putting theirs hands in their mouths. Babies can make little masterpieces, however, if you get creative. By creating a barrier between the paint and the baby, you allow him or her to feel the paint, move it around, experience the colours, and notice the action/reaction - all without any mess.

You'll Need:

* Ziploc™ bag 

(Doesn't need to be name brand, but you'll want a seal you can trust and a bag that can withstand a baby.)

* Paint

(Any brand/colours. I used Crayola Washable Kids Paint.)

* Paper 

(Card stock is preferable, because it's stronger.)

Put a few large globs of paint onto a sheet of card stock and then carefully (so as not to smudge them before baby gets at it) place it into the bag. Limit yourself to 2-3 colours per picture, lest you get a big brown blob-by mess every time. This activity is best done with baby on his or her belly, so they can move freely and easily. You'll have to place the little hands onto the bag at first, but they'll probably catch on pretty quickly as the paint feels really cool beneath fingers. The art is done when baby loses interest. Remember to take it out of the bag to dry.

It bears repeating that these activities are for doing with your baby. The bag creates a barrier between the messy paint and the baby, but you should obviously never leave a child alone with a bag and not to mention possible tears to the bag (read: paint spills!) from sharp little nails and teeth.

Edible Finger Paints

If you want to take it up a notch, and you're not afraid of a little mess, try edible finger paints. Baby gets an even more tactile painting experience, but there still isn't any worry about fingers in mouths. This is for a baby who has already started to eat solids. Hey, you might actually want to encourage baby to lick his or her fingers since they are healthy veggies and it took some effort to make!

You'll Need:

* Colourful food purées 

(Only foods that your baby has already tried. If you want a broader colour palate, wait until baby is older. )

* Rice cereal 

(Any brand. Again - use what your baby already eats.)

* Paper

(Card stock is preferable, because it's stronger.)

Make two or three vegetable or fruit purées (or use your favourite pre-packaged brand) and mix with rice cereal. You'll want a smooth texture with no bumps (like paint). Choose a surface where your child can get messy - this could mean outside, or on easily mopped tile, or as my friend prepared, on an old pair of sheets. Tape the paper down so that baby doesn't send it flying once the paint comes out.  Then, hand baby the "paint" and encourage exploration. My baby didn't need prodding - she immediately dumped both containers out and smushed them around - but other babies may need more encouragement. This is a finished product that you'll want to photograph for posterity, but not post on the fridge because it'll go bad.

Play Time: Favourite Tickles

We're big fans of reading here at WIYDB?, that's no secret. Whether it's a quiet bedtime story or a raucous afternoon story time complete with funny voices and call and response, reading is important to include into every day, where you can. But, there is more to pre-literacy than books. Songs, rhymes, bounces, tickles, and play all work together with books to prepare your child for reading and communicating throughout his or her life and, really, who doesn't like to play? We're introducing this new "Play Time" feature to the blog to give you tips, tricks, and hacks for the ultimate (but not expensive) play experience with your growing little one.

Why tickles? Simple tickle rhymes are a great way to bond with your baby using language and fun. The use of rhyming words builds phonological awareness while the movements help to connect words to actions and associate words to fun and love. It's great to add rhymes, songs, and tickles to a story time - to keep your child's attention and build different skills - but you don't have to set aside special time in your day to incorporate a tickle. Try a back tickle when you've sat your child up to button the back of her shirt, or do a tickle while you wait for the bottle to warm up (much needed distraction).

Below are some of my favourite tickles, illustrated and annotated so you can do them at home with your baby or toddler. Take a minute to try one out this afternoon!

Slice, Slice:

*If your baby can't sit up on his own yet, make sure you offer proper support as you do these tickle rhymes. Or, put him down on his stomach and alter the actions a little bit.

Criss-Cross Apple Sauce:


* Take cues from your baby. If she doesn't seem to be enjoying the tickle rhyme, don't force it. She may be fussy or gassy and just not feeling it right now. Try again later - after a nap for example - when she's in a better mood. If she still doesn't like it, just move on to another kind of play, like a bounce or a lifting song.

Slowly, Slowly:

*When possible, face your baby towards you while you play. It's a great bonding experience, and you can see that adorable happy, laughing face! Allow a toddler to do the rhyme on you for added fun.

'Round and 'Round the Garden: