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How to Stop Over-Programming Your Toddler
In the fast pace of today’s
lifestyle, many families are having difficulty finding
time to eat meals together or even wake up and spend
a Saturday morning with each other. Parents are working,
children are in pre-school and extra curricular activities
are scheduled almost daily...
Gymnastics on Monday and Wednesday,
soccer on Tuesday, dance on Thursday and ballet on Saturday.
Before you know what has happened you have an “over-programmed”
toddler.
The activities are fun and pre-school
allows for friendships to develop, but too much slows
emotional development in young children. Some of the
signs to watch for in young children are:
- An unwillingness to participate in
previously fun activities.
- Sluggish and grumpy behaviour when
waking up.
- Temper tantrums, and “little
white lies” being told in school and at home.
Sometimes it is hard for a parent to
recognize the warning signs. It can be even harder for
a parent to make changes in the family plan.
If your toddler is showing some or all
of the signs of being over-programmed, the first thing
you need to do is admit that a change needs to take
place.
Once you have decided to make a change
you need to assess which activities to keep and which
ones to let go. This is often a hard step because children
are usually reluctant to give up an activity. A simple
way to start is to take a look at which is the favored
activity and which will allow for family time.
Next you will need to make changes in
family time. Here are some helpful hints:
Be sure to schedule dinner time and
plan meals that everyone can sit down to eat…and
let the children help do the planning. Young children
enjoy setting the table and this is a wonderful opportunity
for them to practice their counting skills.
Plan a family fun night. Pick out a
game that everyone can play and set it up on the kitchen
table. Make a box of brownies and top it with ice cream.
Eating a treat and playing a game will bring everyone
to the fun.
Plan a weekend picnic. Find a local
park or lake and plan a picnic. Allow the children to
help pack and choose what food to take. Have the children
gather together blankets and supplies. When you arrive
lay out the blankets set out the food and sit down for
a fun afternoon.
Plan a swim night. Locate your local
YMCA or other public pool and find out when family night
is. They will often have activities for families. Children
always enjoy swimming and the atmosphere is usually
light and enjoyable.
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