What are you doing to engage LOs?

littleredfish · January 2013

Sometimes when I try to play with DD I feel I don't really know what to do with her so it doesn't last very long. I sing songs, try to teach her some new things (recently she's learned "clap clap" and claps her hands), shake some of her toys for her, maybe use a puppet, but then that's about it. I don't know what to really DO with her and I don't know if that's normal or if I should be doing more.

What are you guys doing to play with your LOs and how long/often during the day? I do want her to learn to play independantly (since she's going through a very DEpendant stage) but I want to be able to play with her more too.

littleredfish · January 2013

michyme123:

When he isn't playing independently he loves the following:

-being read to

-hand games, such as patty cake

-"walking". I hold his hands and he walks around the house. Usually he parks himself in front of the hallway mirror and we play there. He loves mirrors!

-playing on the bed. Just be goofy! I lie on my back and put him on my legs to make him "fly", tickle him, raspberries on his belly...

-loves when I take round toys and make them spin like a top. He loves watching it spin Just a few ideas

ETA- fixed layout because of mobile bump

How long does all of that generally last? I feel like I can stretch it to 20-30mins sometimes but then she's back on the floor playing alone. Is that normal, or should we be doing more?

tjkdlhb · January 2013

There's nothing wrong with intervals of play. Just do it several times a day if you worry you're not doing enough

lucylove619 · January 2013

We alternate between independent play and me playing with her. I will leave her with some toys for 15-20 minutes and when she starts to get bored I will jump in and play with her for a bit. She loves to take things out of baskets, knock over towers, climb all over me like a jungle gym. I always try to do things like point out colors, numbers and shapes, and I pick out a 'skill' to work on like clapping, waving, giving kisses....you know, things that will be very useful later in life

After about 15-20 minutes of that she is ready for something new.

cltk12 · January 2013

lucylove619:
We alternate between independent play and me playing with her. I will leave her with some toys for 15-20 minutes and when she starts to get bored I will jump in and play with her for a bit. She loves to take things out of baskets, knock over towers, climb all over me like a jungle gym. I always try to do things like point out colors, numbers and shapes, and I pick out a 'skill' to work on like clapping, waving, giving kisses....you know, things that will be very useful later in life After about 15-20 minutes of that she is ready for something new.

This is what we do too. Intervals of about 15 mins. Play by himself, I play with him, play by himself, daddy play with him and we do the same things for play as quoted.

littleredfish · January 2013

Phew; just wanted to make sure we were with the norm. It's hard to judge since she's so needy for me and only me lately she's got me broken down to wondering if I AM neglecting her lol.

jroby9 · January 2013

Gosh I feel the same way! MIL did get LO some "learning toys" for christmas so we do talk about colors and animals, but I'm pretty sure he just thinks I'm crazy. But it makes me feel better I also put him in his highchair a lot and sit him in the kitchen while I'm cooking or doing whatever. Some puffs and a sippy cup of water keep him occupied and I talk to him about what I'm doing. He doesn't spend much time in the kitchen so being in there is pretty exciting for him. Like others said, I also read books and play patty-cake or peek a boo. Then I watch the clock till hubby comes home to take over

I downloaded the baby center app to my phone which gives some good ideas for interactive games.

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