Appointment Needed!

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grab a handful of rubberbands and a few clips, and don't forget your comb (NOT a brush, that is a weapon) and go sit in front of your child for some private hairdressing time! this is not just for girls you know, i just spent 15 minutes of computer time getting my hair worked over by haven and caleb! after your child works on you, consider teaching some skills that come in handy here, for example: combing from the bottom of the hair to the top, a basic braid or even a ponytail. your child can then spend some time practicing on a doll or even a sibling ( bribery might be necessary here!) to master some of these new skills! best of all your child is in charge, and will love all the close time spent with you!

Bring out the puppets

There are not too many activities that my kids get excited about doing while I sit back an watch. Puppet shows are a huge exception to this general rule. My kids love to drag out our puppet box and perform medieval tales, puppy tricks and pirate attacks. 

Bringing puppets to the lap is so easy! Finger puppets are adorable and mesmerizing. I keep a stash in my church bag. I bought mine at Ikea on the cheap and right now the collection is ocean critters.

I'm so jealous if your live by an Ikea and can go pick a set of these cuties up for a whopping $5.99!!

Or you can make your own puppet.
I love this barn glove pupper from Make and Takes. Find directions here.

Whether you sing songs, tell favorite stories or make up your own tale, puppets are super fun!

Butter Games and More!

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Looking for a new lap rhyme to bounce your little one to:

This one is from More Games to Play with Toddlers by Jackie Silberg (Gryphon House 1996) who’s written a small library’s worth of books on playing with little ones.

Sit your child on your lap facing you and say the following rhyme as you bounce him up and down on your knees, holding his waist:

I went to town
To get some butter
And when I got there
I fell in the gutter

(separate your legs and hold your child while you drop him to the ground)

If you happen to have older kids who don't necessarily want to sit on your lap i found an awesome website with lots of quiet games check here, there are familiar activities plus ones you have probably never played before! Let's play everyone!

Lap Games: Action Rhymes and Fingerplays

When Afton was a little bitty, my Mom sent me this book of songs and rhymes with body and finger actions. We have found our favorites, giggled over silly songs and had lots more fun than I ever would have thought could be had!

Using motions, helps our household learn songs, scriptures and rules. When it's my turn to teach preschool, finger plays help the kiddies get those wiggles out without running around.

Check out these great sites and add some new finger plays to your regimen:

Early Childhood Links
Preschool Rainbow
The Best Kids Book Site

Here are some finger play books that are worth a check out at the library (and are available used for excellent prices at Amazon):

Eentsy Weentsy Spider: Fingerplays and Action Rhymes

Miss Mary Mack to brush up on your playground rhymes

Hand Rhymes new rhymes!!

Now I'm going to spend my snowy May Day teaching Afton her first hand clap and watching Abel giggle at Five Little Monkeys.