As technology enables remote working and more parents to work from home, it can be quite a challenge to juggle work with parenting. Ensuring that your toddler or older children are stimulated and entertained can be a daunting task when you have work to do. Here are a few ideas to help you keep your kids entertained while you work from home.
Selecting the right kinds of toys
While working from home, it is essential that your kids are able to play in a way that is both fun and educational. Toddlers benefit from construction play or building toys like Lego, wooden blocks, or Magformers magnetic toy sets. These toys improve hand-eye coordination, motor skills, spatial skills and can even be incorporated into imaginative play. They often hold children’s attention the longest and allow parents to get the most work done.
Screen time
Don’t be so hard on yourself about limited and monitored screen time. There are many educational shows and apps that can hold your children’s attention for extended periods of time without being detrimental.
Change of scenery
Switch up where you work in the day to give your child a change of scenery. On sunny days, take your laptop outside with you and allow your children to run around and explore the outdoors. This will also be beneficial for you as you will get some much-needed fresh air and your daily dose of Vitamin-D.
Pre-prepare healthy snacks and meals
Pre-preparing healthy snacks, meals and having a refillable water bottle for the day will ensure that you always have something ready for your child to eat and drink. Most kids get hungry when they play, so prepare snacks and let them munch away happily as they entertain themselves.
Naptime
Depending on the age of your child, incorporating naptime into your daily routine is incredibly helpful. It allows you to take a couple of hours and take the time to be fully focused and productive.
Ask for help
Where possible, hire a babysitter or, if you have supportive parents, ask them for help for at least a couple of days a week so that you can work uninterrupted.
Time management
Create a to-do list for your work. Figure out what you need to get done in a day and set aside time for breaks to fully engage with your child. This can include reading books, taking bubble baths, playing hide-and-seek, playing tag, gardening, exploring outside together, building block towers, or arts and crafts.
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