The 'lockdown' (aka circuit breaker )officially begins today. A key regulation of the circuit breaker is school closure - now with a 10-month old at home 24/7, I am wondering if the circuit breaker will break the virus or will it break me first?
Anyway, since the news last Friday Ash and I have to implement the emergency leave plan that we had in our pockets - taking alternate week off. This allows at least one of us to care for our bubs at any one time and (hopefully) doesn't cause too much disruption to our work schedule.
Although I am glad and thankful for the opportunity to bond with my bubs for a full month, I am sure most working parents feel the same anxiousness about managing your lil' one and having work running in the background at the same time. Especially if your lil' one is like mine - at the age where he is hitting various milestones (standing, walking, eating) and yet can't play independently. You basically got to pay 100% attention to him every single second lest he falls or injures himself.
So in my head, I have questions:
"What am I gonna do?" " What are the kinds of activities that are suitable for a 10-month old?" "How can I create meaningful play?" "Are there any activities that will keep him interested for at least 20 mins so that I can take a breather?"
If you have similar questions, I hope the following activities can give you some ideas for spending time with you lil' one (recommended for 9 - 18 month). These activities are great to help your child with gross and fine motor skills. In addition, these activities can be created simply by using everyday household items! A great way to do our part for the environment while keeping the lil' one entertained.
Credits to Joash's awesome and dedicated Infant Care Teacher:
1. Velcro Board and Balls
Joash loves this the most. He derives satisfaction from pulling out the balls from the velcro strips. He hasn't taken an interest in sticking the balls back onto the strips yet (but is beginning to do so).
- Velcro Strips
- Balls
- Cardboard
- Masking Tape
- Double sided tape
2. Magnetic Board Play
I received a couple of magnetic white boards that were given away as free gifts. They are rather thin, therefore I've decided to just put it up in Joash's play pen. It is a similar motion as (1) where he will simply spend time peeling magnets off the magnetic board. However, it is of a different shape and texture and therefore it feels different to him
- Magnetic board
- Magnets (do use light ones)
- Sticky tape to mount it
3. Contact Paper and Rims
This is an interesting one. Similar to (1) and (2) it also involves peeling things off. As I am using contact paper, I can essentially put up any shapes I like. That piques his interest.
- Cardboard (as base)
- Contact paper
- Any toys that have flat surfaces
- Sticky tape to mount it
4. Sensory Play with Hair Gel
From 8/9 months, babies developed 'pincer' grips. You'll notice that they will try to pick things up with the thumb and index finger. The hair gel and small items inside the zip lock bag creates a sensory experience for them to poke and press with their thumbs and fingers. This is really easy to do (and I play with them myself too).
- Zip Lock Bag
- Hair gel
- Any small items
5. Sensory Shakers
Another easy to create activity that will keep them occupied for awhile (15 mins? haha).
Simply use any empty transparent plastic bottles and fill them up with materials of your choice. I chose items that will create different sounds with varying volumes for Joash to explore.
- Plastic Bottles
- Any materials that can fit into the bottle and create some sound.
We are in Day #2 of circuit breaker mode and I think these activities do help to make play fun and meaningful (so far). I hope my boy enjoys this unexpected bonding period too <3.
I am definitely looking for more ideas!
Do you have ideas to share? I would love to hear them!