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Toddlers and 10 minutes: what you can do?

You may not have much time, but a simple game can bring a toddler’s day alive. Start playing yourself, drawing, painting, building, and then they’ll do it too.

They are easy to please

Young children love doing anything with you, whether it is reading a story, chatting, or watching their favourite TV show with them. Mostly they just want your time and attention. Make space for them and give your relationship a boost.

Tip - smart praise

If they show you something they have done, give them loads of praise and pick up on the specific things they've done well - e.g.  I like that big green squiggle, rather than a really general comment like "you're the best artist in the world!". They are not asking you whether it’s good, because, in the child’s eye, everything they do is good - it’s the best they can do.

If you jump up too quickly and say, “That’s a wonderful picture of a car,” when actually it’s a ship, you’re going to knock his confidence. He’s going to think he’s no good at drawing ships.

Toddler proof your home

Ten ideas for ten minutes with toddlers

• Sweeping: Let them help you do your chores. If you’re sweeping, give them a little brush. If you’re shaving, let them soap your face. It will bring you closer and make them feel they are helping mum and dad.
• Hide ‘n’ seek: Obviously, don’t find them too quickly! Even if there are only a few good hiding places, they’ll try them again and again. Finding is hug time, naturally.
• Posting: Pretend to post your toddler. Wrap them in pretend paper, stick pretend sticky tape on, write the address (tickly), stamp and post. You can post to grandparents, giving you a chance to discuss them.
• Chalk boards: Get a mini one, a few pieces of chalk and a dust. You can play with them for hours.
• Scribble and draw: They're learning how to manage a pen. So let her try different types of felt pens and crayons.
• Treasure baskets: Fill a basket, bucket or saucepan with household items such as spoons, sit your child between your legs and they’ll play happily for ages. It could be the start of a great musical career.
• Cups and stones: Literally a few plastic cups and some stones. One day a stone will be money, another food, another wall-building material. From six months to five years. Great to fuel the imagination.
• Washing up: Give them a few pots and pans to wash up. They’ll get wet. Your kitchen will get messy. But it’s a fun way to tidy up together.
• Water cups: Pouring water from one plastic cup into another will delight your toddler – and helps them develop hand-eye coordination.
• Paper mosaics: Cut up bits of paper, preferably coloured, into inch squares. Then let your child stick them together into patterns. Good for your child’s creative development.

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