Why do people make lists? Well, for myself, I make them because of the whole 'out of sight, out of mind' thing. If I don't see it, I don't do it. If I don't write down apple juice on my grocery list, I forget to buy apple juice at the grocery store. Plain and simple. My husband doesn't understand this concept. He is one of a small group on audible learners in this world (there are 3...audible, visual and kinesthetic - aka. 'hands-on'). Everyone is a mix of learning styles, but everyone has one way they learn best. I am mostly visual, but also very kinesthetic. My husband is audible. So, for those visual learners, we like to make lists so we don't forget things. We are also big on label makers (don't you love those?). In my Home Management Binder, I have a section for 'Lists'. This is where I keep the following lists:
-camping list
-grocery list
-Target/Walmart list
-cleaning schedule
-dinner lists
-farmer's market list
-hurricane supply list
-Christmas/birthday wish lists
-vacation packing list
-list of things to do before I die
ETC.
Now, some of these lists are very long and I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to make a post with these lists. I guess the post(s) will just have to be long. =) If anyone knows an easier way to do this, please let me know. I do want to share my lists, but this could get tricky!!
We'll start with an easy one. This is a list I keep in our babysitter folder. It's a list of 'Alternative TV Activites'. I'm not a fan of coming home and asking my daughter, "So, what did you do with so-and-so while Mommy and Daddy were gone?" Responce: "We watched 3 movies!" Ug.
Hence, our list of 'Alternative TV Activities':
1. play outside
2. playdough
3. board games
4. coloring/crafts
5. make a puppet show
6. baking
7. play restaraunt
8. play grocery store
9. dress up
10. blow bubbles (outside)
11. hide and seek
12. puzzles
13. turn up music loud and dance
14. read books
15. scavenger hunt
16. draw with sidewalk chalk on the back porch
17. play baseball/soccer/basketball
18. have a tea party with dollies/stuffed animals
Kelli's Ideas:
19. go for a walk
20. go for a drive
21. make us stories to tell
Sheila's Idea:
22. taping your kids with a video camera, playing it back and laughing. =)
*Keep in mind that this list is for toddlers and preschoolers. I'm going to have to get a little more creative as my kids get older with this list (I don't think Lincoln will settle for having a tea party at the age of 8!).
I do want to continue this list. I have a book called The Busy Book for Toddlers and leave this out for sitters as well. I've found that it helps when I get everything ready for a SPECIFIC activity and have it ready for them to do. It does take more work on my end, but knowing that my kids aren't glued to a tv set for hours while we're on a date puts my mind at ease.
One thing that I really cherrished when I was teaching middle school was the Life Skills (aka: Home Economics) class that I taught. I encouraged the kids who were entertaining the thought of babysitting to take CPR classes and put together a 'busy bag' for the kids they might babysit for. The 'busy bag' could contain coloring books/crayons, books and other toys that are new and exciting to the little ones they were watching. Pretty soon, the kiddos will look forward to Miss 'So-and So' arriving and will ask, "What's in your bag today?" I remember doing this for little ones that I babysat for and they loved my bag. It was a good icebreaker for the parents' departure too! The kids were occupied tearing through the bag and didn't even notice Mom and Dad leaving.
Here's the interactive portion...let me know what fun things you enjoy doing with your children instead of watching tv and we'll add it to the master list.
2 comments:
Bring on the lists! I would sit and read each and every line. I love them and live by them. It is because I'm so visual, like you said. Love the vs. TV list. We also go for walks and drives, make up stories to tell, and lots of what you already have. I hope you're staying warm.
One thing we loved to do was getting out the video camera and tape them doing something funny. You always mean to do this, but then we often forget, and don't get around to it, and then a year goes by and you've got no video.
So often on rainy days we'd get out the video, and tape them reading a board book to themselves, or singing a little song. It's priceless now!
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