10 mos activities

Laurian - posted on 01/07/2010

Something that we have for our daughter besides playtime is a learning system called Your baby can read by Dr R Titzer, Each video is about 20min long and our daugther absolutley loves it. It has words and songs and it's a daily thing or twice daily thing depending on the attention span of your child. This is pretty much the only TV our daughter is allowed to watch and its super educational and is proven to improved the vocabulary and reading skills of your children. It is a little on the pricey side but after the research we decided it was worth the investment for our children, and once you've bought it you can use it for all of your kids. But self play is very important for independance, and as another mother said just listen for the signs and sounds that your baby is tired of playing with themselves. Mummy and Daddy time also especially reading and singing and playing together and just going for a walk. Hope this helps.

Dawn - posted on 01/07/2010

Quoting Jamia:

I have been wondering the same thing. We started going to Little Gym and storytime at the library ( both once a week) when he was about six months. Now in a typical week we go to storytime. We joined a mom's group so we sometimes meet up at the children's museum or a private indoor playground. I try to limit our activities to 2-3 times a week-the free library storytime is the one constant. In february I plan to join a Spanish speaking mommy and me class. That breaks in the summer so I plan to do baby and me swimming class. Then in the fall, I plan for us to join a music class. But classes/library storytime are only 30-45 minutes. We spend the majority of our time at home playing on the floor.

The ideas you have are great! It seems like each week gets a little better to do stuff with them.....I will def. be trying swim classes this summer since he will be older! Another idea of everyone now that our little ones will be turning 1 soon (!!); many cities and towns have a hands on museum geared towards toddlers and preschoolers.  I have been dying to go to mine since I moved here 9 years ago!!!!

Jamia - posted on 01/06/2010

I have been wondering the same thing. We started going to Little Gym and storytime at the library ( both once a week) when he was about six months. Now in a typical week we go to storytime. We joined a mom's group so we sometimes meet up at the children's museum or a private indoor playground. I try to limit our activities to 2-3 times a week-the free library storytime is the one constant. In february I plan to join a Spanish speaking mommy and me class. That breaks in the summer so I plan to do baby and me swimming class. Then in the fall, I plan for us to join a music class. But classes/library storytime are only 30-45 minutes. We spend the majority of our time at home playing on the floor.

Allison - posted on 01/06/2010

once my little girl figured out how the crawl she started to play by her self... my mom said i was the same way i was always a happy baby playing by myself... if your baby is happy i think it is ok.. it also teaches them to be able to be alone with out mommy or daddy by their side...

Christine - posted on 01/05/2010

Check your local library for storytime and they are free. Barnes and noble and Borders bookstore has some storytime also. Just an idea to get you out the house.

Valerie - posted on 01/04/2010

Mommy time is super important however baby takes the focus for the first couple of years for sure! I'm lucky in that my daughter takes a two hour nap per day and that's when I get my stuff done. When she's awake I try to sit on the floor with her and play with her with her toys. I will show her how each one works. She does have a short attention span and when she entertains herself it's a blessing. I think both are equally important. Your baby will let you know when he/she wants to entertain themself or when they want your interaction. Try and pick up on these cues and cater to them! They're only babies once and it FLYS BY!

Ashley - posted on 01/04/2010

I put my baby in the playpen with lots of toys till she gets tired of it and starts wanting to get out and fussing, then shes trapped in a room with a baby gate also she dont mind that much because its room to crawl and once again has lots of toys, I have a walker type deal that she moves around, also Got a learning tool for Christmas to use with her- number 1-5, music, reads the story when you push buttons, Sings at you when you put it to the singing level, and has the star, triangle, square you can teach them. Interesting and I read that to her and shes got 8 elmo little story books I read to her every once in a while reading is good for there vocabulary and learning skills Ive noticed and she does pay attention to me most of the time. shes got a doll that she got for Christmas that Claps when you move her hands together, also it Covers its eyes and plays peekaboo its kind of a toy you gotta help her with though, and touches it toes and says the toe song, Ears Mouth Kisses and giggles when you rub its tummy it says thats my tummy mama lol its just cute, lots of things you can still do with your baby when they are young, they understand more than you think.

Melissa - posted on 12/14/2009

I let my daughter play by herself as long as she wants if she is happy. Most of the time, I'm on the floor with her though stacking blocks, playing with toys, etc. with her. I give her as much interaction as possible. Other than that we go to the park (when weather permits...We live in New England, so most of the time it's way too cold), we also go to Gymboree classes 2 times a week, and storytime at our children's museum. My daughter is really held during the day. She'd rather be hanging out on the floor cruising around.

Rebecca - posted on 12/14/2009

It sounds like you already know the answer to your question! :-) Trust your instincts, mama. If he's happy playing by himself, that's great! Use that time to get housework done, check your email, whatever you need to do. But when he wants your attention, do your best to be engaged and play games with him -- stack blocks, play patty-cake, dance, whatever you both like. And hold him! You can't spoil a baby by showing him love and affection.

M. Rose - posted on 12/14/2009

definitely that about doing what i want when i want :( hadn't thought of a door gate!

Dawn - posted on 12/14/2009

I was having the same problem for months (still battling sometimes) and think I finally have got things going well!!!! As far as activities, I looked into Gymboree gym classes but they want $60 / month; not in this economy for me.....the malls near me have inside playgrounds and if I go at the right time (haven't figured out when that is though!) there are less 3-4 year olds running around and we can find a playmate! I am also going to try an infant/toddler storytime at the library soon; if it goes well, I can take him there 1-2 times a week. I try to take him to an outside playground once a week just to swing and see all the older kids run around. And I also get us outside once a day just to kick the ball around and get fresh air, and make sure we have several playtimes during the day, where we play with toys, read books, sing songs and be silly. Other than that, I can not be there every second for him so yes, I leave him alone; meaning in a safe area where I can check on him often.... I have made my sons room the designated play area, although we have toys and little areas in the living and dining room for him to explore. I have put down matting in his room and and have set areas for certain toys like his ball chute and standup piano......most of the time he chooses to stand at the door gate and yell for me, but if I don't respond to him, he will go off and play. I have read in a few books that the attention span of a 10 month old is very short, so they really only last about 1 minute on a toy...I feel lucky then because sometimes his ball chute will occupy him for 10 minutes! I try to rotate the toys to give him variety and also try to keep him in a certain area for no longer than a half hour at a time so we dont' have a meltdown! I have found the adjustment from, being-able-to-do-what-I-want-when-I-want, to be the biggest challenge in motherhood so far, but when I try and take everyrthig in stride and only do what I can, the day works out a lot better for me. So after this book of a response; just hang in there, don't be afraid to let him have alone time, remember that you are a great Mommy, and enjoy his naptime!!!!