3-year-olds - Feeling left out

[momto4boys]

Hi Ladies
I'm sure someone out there has experienced (or is) this....what do you do? I'm hsing 2 ds and have a 3yo and 10 month old. I would love to do more w/ my 3yo, but by the time we get school in, I nurse a baby and regular everyday activities, he gets left out. He's not the type to just sit and play while we're having school either. He's my "swing from the chandelier" child or "bouncing off the ceiling" child. After evaluating the last month of hsing I've decided that I need something that he and I can do together.

I bought the 2-3yo package from MFW and we do that some...what I'm wondering is if the 3-5 yo package w/ book would be better since it actually has a teacher's manuel to tell me what to do....anything that doesn't require me to think right now is greatly appreciated.

Is he too young? Have any of you tried or done something different? We have playdoh, wooden train set, blocks, a kitchen set, animals, books....Lauri toys........so I don't want to add just a new toy thinking THAT will occupy him for a while. Help!!!

TIA
Tiffani

[kellybell]

I understand. I'm teaching MFW1 to my nearly-6 yo (he did K last year) and CTG to my 8 and 10 yos. My 3 yo constantly is vying for attention (usually in not so nice ways). I won't suggest more toys, you've got those. Here's what's helped (some!) in our family:

1. Set aside date times with the little one. My three bigger kids go to 3 hours of classes on Wednesday so the 3 yo and I do special things. This week, it was the zoo. I'd rather clean and pay bills then, but she needs the attention then.

2. Look for old workbooks that are colorful so that the three year old can sit and "do school" with the older ones. We've got an old math workbook that didn't click with one of my older kids and now my younger one sits there and circles and doodles the drawings in the book. The book is way above her level, of course, but she feels important "getting out her math" when the others get out theirs.

3. Make extra copies of the ECC or CTG (whatever) pages for the 3 yo. My little one likes coloring in ECC flags or CTG history pages.

4. Give the 3 yo school supplies. All my bigger kids have their own colored pencils and real pencils and a glue stick in a special zipper pouch. So does my 3 yo.

5. Give the 3 yo chores along with the rest. At least, get the 3 yo a kiddie broom and dustpan or a dusting glove (we use the throw away Pledge brand ones).

6. If it helps, assign the bigger kids time slots to read to or play with the younger one. That will give you time with just one of the older ones for concentrating on tough math or spelling, etc. Or, use the time to nurse baby, etc. Sometimes attention from a sibling does the trick.

I'm going to be following this thread because we are definitely not "there" when it comes to an occupied preschooler.

HTH (and I would love other ideas too...)

[Nancy]

Although my preschooler is just about to turn 4, I started her early observing the kids when they played their learning computer games. She caught on quickly with some strict instruction of what the rules are for the privilage of using the computer. I purchased a few toddler/preschool type games for her, but mostly we take advantage of our library. Most libraries should have quite a selection of learning games for all ages to borrow for free. I usually get about 3 choices for her (Jumpstart, Blues Clues, Reader rabbit, etc...). She thinks this is part of her school work and sits at the computer for up to a half hour to 45 min./ day. It's amazing at what she absorbs from some of these activities. Although I try not to rely on the computer to "babysit" her for too long, this has been a lifesaver when I need to work with the two older ones without distraction. Also, she has her own set of library "book basket time" books and LOTS of giant floor puzzles. We also make copies for her of some of the worksheets the older ones are doing. In fact, she informed me last night at dinner that we forgot to make the flag today! So I include her when I can, but sometimes the name of the game is just do whatever works for the moment. Once my dd figured out how to use her child-safe scissors, all I had to do was give her some scrap paper to cut and cut and cut some more. Big mess of scraps, but lots of quiet time:) HTH

[momto4boys]

Thanks Ladies!!!

Such great advice from all of you. I really appreciate your time. I don't know why I didn't think about getting him involved while we were doing things (i.e. flag, art etc...) probably b/c I wanted something to occupy him so I could school the others.....but that's not what it's all about.

My older two boys are 9 and 7. The 7 yo gets distracted easily, so I've just wanted my 3yo out of the picture. What a conviction!!!

It truely is a wonderful journey that we're on and I wouldn't change anything. Someone on another post had pics of her 3yo son "doing" school w/ playdoh, puzzles etc. and it REALLY ministered to me. I'll have to look it back up to see who that was.

Thanks again for helping me to press on!!

Tiffani