When I was a child, rainy days could really dampen playtime for my friends and I because we aren’t allowed to go outside. Playing indoors is boring. But since kids today enjoy a lot of gadgets at home, they probably won’t notice anything different.

However, it’s not a good idea to let children be playing with video games all the time. Sometimes you have to also initiate other activities. On rainy days, it can be challenging but here are some ideas to make playing indoors fun, and without the use of any portable technology.

1. Baking

Parents don’t usually allow kids to be in the kitchen because they may hurt themselves. But with an adult’s help, you can spend the day baking cookie doughs or going for the more ambitious like baking pasta or fish meals. Kids enjoy measuring and doing something with their hands, such as kneading. And I’m sure they will love it more if they see the fruits of their labor — and realize that it tastes really good.

2. Arts and Crafts

Don’t do the usual coloring, cutting and pasting as children do these a lot in school and may now feel like a chore, instead of a fun thing to do. Be creative. This is playtime, so have fun with your ideas. I’m thinking shaving creams mixed with tubed watercolors can be fun. They don’t have to create masterpieces. The idea is to have something that will keep them busy and entertained.

3. Have A Game Of Cards

This one always works with my kids and their game of choice is Go Fish! We make it interesting by placing bets. And we use pebbles for our bets. The more pebbles earned at the end of the game, and the winner gets a prize from Mom or Dad.

My eight year old niece has expressed interest for learning to play the guitar. No one in her immediate family or extended family is musically inclined and this was something that her parents were quite hesitant to follow through, believing that it might just be phase. The child may outgrow the desire and expenses for buying a guitar and taking lessons will all go to waste.

However, my niece was persistent. All through last year, she took lessons and fortunately, has truly learned to love the art of guitar playing.

Today, she performs actively in a small crowd. In school, during family gatherings, she obliges everyone with her music. I see my niece growing from a shy little child to a confident young lady who really loves what she is doing. Even when no one in her family can play with her she is getting so much support from their encouragement and from constantly asking to listen to her music.

The guitar playing did wonders for her, that it also became a good influence in the way she does her school work. She is more inspired I guess, and her mother recently told me that she has gotten straight A’s.

She has also become more confident among peers. It seems that finding what she’s capable of doing and nurturing this, has boosted her self-esteem.

The other day, I found her teaching some of her friends the basic of guitars and I was really so proud of the way she carried herself and became the “teacher” this time. All these happened, because she chose to pursue what she really loved doing!

Image by OneInstant via Flickr

While many new parents have been there before, be it with their own children or a friends (or relative’s child) parenting classes really can still make a huge difference.

» Continue Reading

Although children ages 6-8 are more emotionally invested in their friendships, they’re not totally secure in them yet. Kids often think that relationships will end if they have a squabble with a friend or if the friend starts playing with someone else. They can become so dependent on one special friend that they have trouble joining in group activities when she isn’t around. First or second grade is also the time when kids may start forming cliques and excluding those who seem different.

While it’s not crucial that your child have a best friend in the early grades, it is important that he begin to form a few ongoing relationships. Friends help teach kids the norms of behavior and lay the groundwork for satisfying relationships later on. Even though your child is in increasing control of his social life, you can continue to play a valuable role. Here’s how:

• Foster your child’s friendships: Listen when your child talks about the kids she likes, and help find opportunities for them to spend time together. Suggest activities that are fun for both children.
• Gently expand his social circle: Encourage your child to get together with friends from a variety of places besides school,  such as day care, soccer or religion classes. This will help him feel comfortable with different kids and help him limit cliquish behavior.
• Be an occasional coach: Before a playdate, help your child think of a game or snack she and her friend might enjoy, If you hear her say or do something mean, try to help her understand the impact of her words or actions. Discuss some tactics she could use to solve the problem, and what might happen under each scenario.

Great recommended reads from around our network?

Regaining control

Bad words in public

His icky behavior