bposhphoto@me.com So, you are nursing your baby and here comes toddler busting through the door. Baby was almost asleep, but now wide awake thanks to the bouncing toddler asking for another snack. Running out of ideas? Here are some things and links to help!
*I do gain a small commission for shopping directly through some of my links. Thank you!
TIP 1: BUSY BAGS
Create a “busy bag” filled with quiet toys, coloring books, and small activities that the toddler can enjoy independently while mom is nursing. You can make them yourself, or buy them premade. There used to be a lady that made some on facebook.
Here are some other premade options:
TIP 2: INTERACTIVE STORY TIME
Interactive Books for Toddlers:
“Press Here” by Hervé Tullet:
This interactive book encourages toddlers to press, shake, and tilt the book to participate in the magical changes on each page.
“Where’s Spot?” by Eric Hill:
Toddlers can lift the flaps to find Spot the dog in this delightful and interactive book that promotes early learning.
“Pat the Bunny” by Dorothy Kunhardt:
A touch-and-feel classic that engages toddlers with different textures and interactive elements on each page.
“Dear Zoo” by Rod Campbell:
Toddlers can lift the flaps to discover various animals as they are sent by the zoo in this interactive and engaging book.
Audiobooks for Toddlers:
“The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson (Audiobook):
An engaging audiobook with captivating narration and sound effects, introducing toddlers to the story of the clever mouse and the Gruffalo.
“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown (Audiobook):
A soothing audiobook version of the classic bedtime story, perfect for calming toddlers before sleep.
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney (Audiobook):
A heartwarming audiobook that captures the love between parent and child, featuring gentle narration and a sweet story.
“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle (Audiobook):
A rhythmic and engaging audiobook with lively narration that introduces toddlers to colors and animals.
“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats (Audiobook):
A delightful audiobook adaptation of the classic story about a young boy’s adventures in the snow.
Podcasts
- “Story Pirates“:
- This podcast features creative and hilarious stories that are written by kids and performed by actors. It encourages imagination and storytelling.
- “Wow in the World“:
- A podcast by NPR that explores interesting and exciting topics in science and technology in a fun and engaging way suitable for young listeners.
- “The Big Life Kids Podcast“:
- Geared towards inspiring and empowering young children, this podcast covers themes of growth mindset, resilience, and positive thinking.
- “Little Stories for Tiny People“:
- Short and whimsical stories that capture the attention of young listeners. The tales are perfect for bedtime or any quiet time.
- “Circle Round”:
- This podcast adapts folktales from around the world into engaging and entertaining stories with valuable moral lessons.
- “Kids Listen“:
- A network of podcasts covering a variety of topics for kids, including storytelling, science, history, and more.
- “Ear Snacks”:
- A musical podcast that explores a range of topics with catchy tunes, offering a mix of education and entertainment for young listeners.
- “The Story Home Children’s Audio Stories”:
- Classic and original stories told with enthusiasm and charm, engaging young listeners with imaginative tales.
TIP 3: EDUCATIONAL APPS
“Endless Alphabet”:
An interactive app that introduces toddlers to letters and vocabulary through playful animations and engaging activities.
“ABCmouse Early Learning Academy“:
A comprehensive educational app that covers a wide range of subjects, including letters, numbers, shapes, and more, in a fun and interactive way.
“Peekaboo Barn”:
An app that teaches animal names and sounds through an adorable peekaboo game, enhancing toddlers’ vocabulary.
“Toca Life World”:
A creative play app that allows toddlers to explore different environments, characters, and activities, fostering imagination and storytelling.
“Khan Academy Kids”:
An app offering a variety of educational activities covering math, reading, language, and social-emotional development in an engaging format.
“Dr. Panda Town”:
A series of educational apps that encourage imaginative play and exploration, featuring various scenarios like a grocery store, airport, and more.
“Puzzingo Kids Puzzles”:
A puzzle app designed for toddlers with interactive and educational puzzles that promote cognitive skills and creativity.
“Busy Shapes & Colors”:
An app focusing on shapes and colors, offering interactive games to help toddlers learn and recognize basic geometric shapes.
“Fish School – 123 ABC for Kids”:
An app that introduces toddlers to numbers, letters, shapes, and colors through underwater-themed games and activities.
Hope this list helps! Let me know, if you’d like to see more tips!
