The Structured Play

Noah is crazy! He is everywhere all at once. So I have begun to research and read books on toddler training. Most sources suggest structuring playtime for toddlers. We decided to read Toddlerwise since Babywise worked so well with Noah and sleeping trough the night. They say not to let them have free reign over the house and their toys (opps because this is what happens most afternoons). The goal I guess is to teach them to entertain themselves and have curiosity but within certain limits. It suggests structuring their day into 15 to 30 minute blocks, using toys, books, art, blanket time, outside play, alone time, active play, time alone with mommy, time with siblings, special time with Daddy.

Really?? Nowhere in this book does it mention the working mom (or at least so far) Noah and I get on average (sometimes we have errands to run etc.) three hours days together. With an hour of that being dinner, bath, and bed. It doesn't mention how to deal with exhaustion on both our parts after long days at school.

So at first I was discouraged. I heaped on a fresh load of guilt (this is the prime age for learning and I'm too tired to teach him. ) but then I decided to try to structure at least an hour a day with some new kind of educational activity (but then he got the stomach bug but I'll start back this weekend). So far we have had music/blanket time (this book tried to tell me that at 15 months Noah should be able to sit on a blanket by himself with one toy for 15 minutes! I had to sit with him and even that was hard.) and we made play dough together and played. (But I didn't have any food coloring or cream of tartar which I though I could replace with baking powder but...)

Here is some pictures and video of our play and learn time :)

Don't worry, it's edible!