While it’s tempting to leave the kids in front of the TV, especially when you are trying to prepare dinner, it’s important not to get into the habit. Research shows that watching too much TV can actually restrict your child’s imaginative and cognitive abilities. Here are some of our mums top tips to help keep the kids entertained and the TV turned off:
The power of pretend play
Try getting your child involved in a make believe game. You could pretend that you’re at your child’s favourite restaurant. Dress your child up in an apron and have him set the table and serve his stuffed animals.
Homemade place mats
Get your child to make his very own placemat. Give them card paper, scissors, glue, glitter, makers and various types of uncooked pasta to decorate the borders.
Make up stories
Get your children to make up a story using items found in the kitchen as props. Perhaps, a head of broccoli could be a magical enchanted talking tree? You can give them the idea where to begin.
Hire a chef’s assistant
As a mum, you have a wealth of willing workers at your fingertips, so why not make use of it? Kids will love helping you in the kitchen and you will be helping them learn some very valuable lessons. Ask your child to toss the salad, take the leaves off the corn, set the table or add the salad dressing to the salad.
Bake a cake
Get your child to help you bake and decorate a cake, you can ask her to whisk the eggs or stir the cake batter. Their favourite part will definitely be adding sprinkles and other colourful decorations.
Bake a pizza
Buy or make a pizza dough crust ad get your child to smear a bowl of tomato sauce on the crust. Then let him decorate it however he sees fit with cheese, ham, peppers, onions, sweetcorn or anything else he likes.
Bubbles, bubbles everywhere
It’s a fact kids love bubbles! Set up a basin of water with a small amount of washing-up liquid and get your child to try and make bubbles with drinking straws and rubber bands. This can get a little messy though, so be warned.
