Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school Desperately need advice for my niece

My niece's daughter(2.8) is very bright and goes, goes, goes from sun up to sun down (no nap time any more ). She also has an 8 month old. I would really appreciate advice on any activities, done at home, you have found that keep your youngsters independently engaged so mum can have a bit of a breather.

TIA

oh man I wish I knew LOL. My DD 3.2 goes goes goes the sam way, and quite napping around 2.3. I couldn't do it with another child. Not much keeps her occupied by herself although she is getting better at it, but mainly because she has insessent questions she needs answered. Now that she can write and spell I ask her to write them down for mama and I will answer them later. And reading has now become a fairly idependent activity. Legos can be around that age to, the larger ones, and puzzles I found were too. Good luck to her.

Hi matmum - I too wish I had advice. My dd, now 4, is only just starting to be able to entertain herself. I think really until now - as amazedmom suggested, dd always needed someone to answer questions/do the things she couldn't physically do herself etc. Now she only needs my undivided attention for 2/3s of the day It's been a long process and I have had to force her to spend time on her own, even for 20 minutes - often she would just sit there and do nothing until I was available again (one of the few times she would just sit!) She just doesn't stop. Even when I read to her she is wriggling, jiggling and jumping - but she's listening and can recite everything you've said. The only time she slows down is to read to herself before lights out - she wont read to herself during the day though (unless she's strapped down in the car...)

I do second the puzzles - that was something she would spend some time doing at that age, especially the block ones that form a different picture on each side. They took a bit of time as she had to find the right sides before she could put them together.

I think it's just how these kids are (though hope someone else can give you a different answer!). Amazedmom - I don't know that I'd could have done it with a second either!

Hi,

In my opinion, a mom has to learn how to say no and set boundaries. I speak from experience and I know it can be much harder with children like this because they crave the interaction and information an adult can provide, but at some point, the mom needs to show the child that she is a person with needs and boundaries and that lesson will be good for everyone. I have two that are very similar so know how challenging it can be. Oh, mine also challenge authority and talking incessantly--fortunately they are just so cute that it makes it a little easier. I have found that I just had to set boundaries and take time to breathe otherwise I was burning out. I am home full time with them and their dad was traveling a lot so it was survival to learn to pull back a little bit. It took time. One thing she can do is start an activity with the child, then walk away for a minute, then return, and as time goes on walk away for longer and longer periods. My DD who just turned four loves coloring, playdough, drawing, books, and most of all makebelieve play, there are also appropriate computer games for this age. I also find it easier doing things out of the house sometimes: parks, storytime, classes, etc. Good luck!

Check this out:
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/03/quiet-time-bins.html
Basically they are just boxes the kids get only during quiet time so it makes them more special. Sounds like it could be useful.

I love those boxes BigBadWool - great idea.

Matmum - I didn't say it in my message, but definitely agree with TwinkleToes that setting up an activity is an important part of the process. Even if, as per my dd, they wont play with it while you're not doing it with them at the start, eventually they will run with it.

i keep my son cycling or playing with many games and toys. this keeps him busy as i am a WAHM so i need time to work too other than the household jobs.

Thank you all so much for the advice and suggestions, I shall pass them on.