Schedules: What do you do to your 15 month old busy?

[darlawoods]

Hello!

We are searching for answers to keep our almost 15 month old daughter busy during the day.  I feel I have exhausted ideas.  I stay at home with her, and want to make the time fun yet educational.  We do story time twice a week and playgroup at least once a week.

Any ideas would be appreciated :)

Also, what toys does your 15 month old LOVE?

Thanks Everyone

Darla

[tzs]

i'm pretty bad at it and get bored too but basically i just go about my day and kind of include her in it. she helps unload the dishwasher and put clothes away. the other stuff she just kinda hangs out and i narrate. honestly, i don;t want the day to be too much about her. she spent a few months in half day daycare where all they do is child-centered activity (obviously...it's their job) and i feel like she lost some of her ability to self-entertain. or at least it was very obvious the first few days back at home. 

for stuff i do with her, the best times comes from when we go with what she's interested in....just being kid of child-led and seeing where it goes. for example, she's been super obsessed with dogs and sometimes other animals so if she's really into sheep for the moment we'll google some youtube videos of sheep or something. and the other day we went to the humane society to see the cats and dogs. it was way better than the zoo because the animals are really up close and really, what does a 16 month old care about an elephant? for her, she could have spent 3 hours staring and shrieking at the cats...plus, it's free. then we went and got hot chocolate.

just the other day i got her a big rubbermaid and filled it with dried beans and some scoops and small pails (this was an idea from another thread) and she loves it. she sat with it for 45 minutes in super concentration mode the first day. yeah, it's a little messy but i don't mind just sweeping the beans up later and throwing some away if i have to. 

i've been trying to be better about art time and just bringing out markers or playdoh or something.  i just got some fingerpaint which i think she'll love but i have to get brave about it.

also, over here i can take a bath and double it up as waterplay for her. it's nice. i get to relax in the tub and she stands at the edge and plays with the water and some cups. it's really cute to see her enjoy it so much AND get to lie down at the same time.

[ElliesMomma]

having one child is hard work for the SAHM.

Edited by ElliesMomma - 5/28/11 at 11:17pm

[chel]

i agree with others.  just going about my day and that of big sis keeps my toddler happy

she plays with pots while i cook. i let her rumage through the groceries while i put up the delicates.

im hoping to add some playgroups and park time