Indoor Activities That Are Fun For A 16-Month-Old Child

Children have boundless energy and curiosity that must be channelled into constructive activities. When children are running around all day, it can be hard to get them to sit still long enough to do their schoolwork. Fortunately, there are ways to make mornings more stress-free for you and your kids. In this blog post, we'll explore some steps you can take to ensure a stress-free morning. Pick out their outfit the night before. Creating a positive mood first thing in the morning is a great approach to kick off a productive day. Here are five tips for a stress-free morning with kids:  1. Get organized and set some ground rules. Please make sure everyone knows what's expected of them before they get out of bed, and stick to those boundaries. This will help keep things calm and orderly.  2. Establish a morning routine. Set specific times for each child to get up, eat breakfast, brush their teeth, etc. This way, they know what to expect and won't be surprised when things happen outside their routine.  3. Put away toys and other materials that could be disruptive during the morning hours. Put all electronics and books away, so there's less clutter and less potential for distractions.  4. Have some quiet time together as a family in the morning before everyone starts getting ready for the day ahead. This can be used for prayer or just taking a few minutes to relax before starting the day.  5. Let them have fun too! Playing games or doing something special together before school can help ease any anxiety or excitement that may come with starting the day." Have Them Get Dressed First, Before Doing Anything Else There's always a good time to get children dressed, but mornings can be particularly challenging. With everyone rushing to get ready, it can be difficult for children to feel organized and prepared for the day. Here are seven steps to help make the morning more stress-free for all involved: 1. Have everyone get dressed first and then have their breakfast. This will allow them to feel more in charge of their mornings and reduce the likelihood of surprises. 2. Establish specific morning routines for everyone in the family. This will help children know what to expect and decrease the number of surprises when they wake up. 3. Allow time for meaningful conversations before getting started with the day. This will help build relationships and create memories that will last a lifetime. 4. Help children learn how to handle frustration and boredom by providing opportunities to try new activities or experiences throughout the day. This will keep things exciting and prevent them from growing bored with routine tasks. 5. Be patient with kids - they may not always understand what's required of them in the morning, but they'll eventually catch on. And remember, you're always young enough to start learning new skills! 6. Reward good behaviour during mornings - this will encourage kids to follow through with their plans and make waking up easier for everyone involved! Make Sure All Gadgets are Put Away Making sure all gadgets are put away at the end of the day can help create a more stress-free morning with kids. By taking these simple steps, you can ensure they're not running around and adding to your stress level. 1. Set a one-hour timer and have your kids sit down and organize all their toys. As a bonus, it will make their mornings less chaotic and offer them a feeling of success. 2. Have them put away the toys by colour and by type (plastic vs wooden). This way, they'll quickly identify what belongs to them and what doesn't. 3. If there's an electronic toy that needs batteries replaced, have your children bring it to you so you can do it before bedtime. This will help avoid power struggles in the morning when trying to get those pesky devices turned off! 4. Give children storage containers or baskets to place their toys after they're put away. This will cut down on search time during the morning and keep things more organized overall. Practice Stretching Together or Doing a Small Exercise When it comes to getting kids out of the house in the morning, one way to ease their anxiety is by setting some ground rules. One such direction is that they need to be able to stretch together before they leave. This will help them get used to the idea of testing and can even lead to them enjoying a morning stretching routine! Also, exercising before breakfast is always a good idea, as this sets the tone for the day. Examples include doing quick squats or Twist and Shouting with your child. Play Music Having a stress-free morning with kids can be a lot easier than you think! Start by setting the tone for the day by setting limits on screen time and homework. Explain to your youngster why these restrictions are necessary if they are old enough to comprehend them. If they are younger, try using simple phrases like "We need some time to ourselves today" or "We need some quiet time to work". Once you have set the limits, it's essential to follow through. If your child is asking for something they cannot have right then and there, be firm but fair. For example, if they ask to play video games after school, say no but offer alternative activities like going outside or doing their chores. Finally, make sure you are stressed-free! It can easily spill over onto our children when things get hectic at home. Make sure you take time each day to relax and rejuvenate. This will help you be more patient with your children and set an excellent example for them. Make a Morning Checklist It would help if you wrote down your daily to-dos as soon as you left the bed. By doing so, you will be better able to concentrate and avoid distractions. Here are some steps to creating a stress-free morning: 1. Have a plan. Before getting out of bed, list what needs to be done that day. This will help keep you organized and from becoming overwhelmed by everything waiting for you. 2. Set boundaries. Try to do only a little at a time in the morning. Instead, focus on one or two tasks and complete them. 3. Take breaks. If something feels too complex or tedious, take a break until you're ready to try again. This will help prevent burnout and increase your efficiency later in the day. 4. Stay positive! Starting the day with a positive mindset can be challenging, but it's essential to have a successful morning overall. Remind yourself why it's worth it, and celebrate small victories along the way.

As parents, we naturally want the best for our children. We hope kids prosper into healthy, fulfilled adults who are prepared for the future. But what do we do to help them develop these skills? One activity that has been shown to help with child development is play. The play has been shown to increase emotional intelligence, creativity, problem-solving abilities, social skills, and more. So why not incorporate more space into your family life? Read on for more suggestions on how to do this. Sorting colourful objects with different shapes and sizes Child development experts recommend various activities to help develop fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills. Exercises focusing on sorting coloured objects with different shapes and sizes can benefit children. Sorting tasks help children develop their cognitive skills as they learn to identify similarities and differences between items. Additionally, sorting jobs may help children develop their social skills as they learn to interact with others and share their belongings. To help ensure that your child enjoys sorting coloured objects, consider including a few fun challenges along the way. For example, have them try to sort the items into categories using only their eyes or noses. Alternatively, have them race one another to complete the task first. By incorporating a little humour and challenge into the activity, you can make it more enjoyable for your child. Finding and hiding items When it comes to child development, many things can be done to help ensure that your toddler is growing and developing optimally. Some activities that may be helpful include: playing with your toddler, reading to them, singing with them, playing outside, and spending time with family and friends. It is essential to find out what works best for your child and to continue doing activities that make them happy. Identifying sounds or pictures Many activities have been found to help with child development. These include reading to your child, playing games together, going for walks, and doing art projects. Reading to your child can help them learn how to read and be fun. Games are a great way to keep your children entertained and learning simultaneously. Going for walks can help improve their muscles and get them exercise. Art projects can teach children about different subjects, such as math or geography. Arts and crafts activities Arts and crafts activities can help with child development. They can encourage creativity, provide exercise, and promote socialization. Additionally, arts and crafts can help children learn basic skills such as problem-solving, patience, and dexterity. Discover an art or craft project that the whole family can get into from the many available. Some popular arts and crafts activities include painting, sculpting, quilting, pottery play, woodworking, and sewing. Make sure to select an age-appropriate move for your child; some activities may be too difficult for younger children or too easy for older ones. Some families also enjoy combining different types of arts and crafts activities; for example, painting a mural while quilting a girly dress at the same time. If your child is new to art or crafting projects, start with more explicit materials such as markers or crayons. As he becomes more proficient at the activity, you can move on to more challenging materials like paint or clay. In addition to traditional arts and crafts supplies like paints or clays, you can also use glitter or beads to add extra fun and excitement to your projects. Singalongs Singalongs are a great way to encourage your children's development and to help them learn new songs. Here are some ways to ensure that family singalongs are pleasant for everyone:  1. Choose familiar songs that your children know well. This will reduce the amount of effort required from them and make the singing experience more pleasurable for them.  2. Make sure that all family members participate in the singalong, as this will help promote social interaction amongst the family members.  3. Set a timer and have everyone start singing immediately after the timer goes off. This will ensure everyone finishes their part on time without rushing or bickering!

Cars are among the toys that kids love the most. If you've seen them play with their cars, you know how interesting it is to watch them drive around the house. Your children might even draw and paint on them. Want to know how to make it easy for your child to draw a car? Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to draw cars. How to Draw a Car: What You'll Need ●    A4 sheet of plain sketching paper●    A pencil●    An eraser●    A scale●    Colors (crayons, watercolors, or sketch pens) Car Drawing for Kids: 10 Easy Steps Step 1: Draw a line across the page and two circles above it. Using a scale to draw a horizontal line on the bottom half of the A4-size drawing paper. Then, as shown in the picture, draw two circles over the line. These circles will get you where you want to go. Step 2: Inside the wheels, draw smaller circles. Now, draw another circle inside the wheels of the car. We call this part of the wheel the barrel. Step 3: Inside the Wheels, draw a third set of circles. In the middle of each wheel, draw a small circle. Your drawing looks like a pair of scary eyes, but trust me, it's your car. We're just trying to make things easy for you. By the way, these little circles are the center caps. Step 4: Draw lines from the smallest circle to the next one. Now, draw five lines of the same length on each wheel, going from the innermost circle to the second circle. The spokes of the wheels are these lines. You can use your scale to draw these lines or do it by hand. Step 5: Join two horizontal lines to the wheels. Now, draw two horizontal lines between the wheels. Here, you can also use your scale. The car is built on these lines. Before we move on, does the drawing look like a pair of glasses on a pair of eyes to you as well? Step 6: On each side of the wheels, draw two rectangles. Now, draw two rectangles that go away from each other on either side of the wheels. Step 7: Sketch the car's body. ●    We'll break this part of the drawing down into three steps to make it easy:●    First, start above the rectangle on the left side of the paper and draw a curved line that ends just above the close of the wheel on the right side. Your car's hood will be the front part of this curve.●    Then, to connect the back of the car, draw a second curved line from the right end of the rectangle to where the initial line stops. This part of your car is the trunk.●    Now, draw a half-circle on top, starting where the first two curves meet and going to the end of the initial wheel. Voila! You just drew the car's windshield and roof. Step 8: Draw the car's door and headlight. Now, let's add a door and a headlight to the car. For this step, you need to draw two lines in the middle of the car that are slightly curved. For the handle, add a small rectangle near the second line. This is the last part of your car door. It's even easier to draw the car's headlight! Draw a circle on the car's hood (the curve on the extreme left of your drawing paper). Step 9: Create Windows Using Two Quadrants Now, start making the windows of your car by drawing two squares, one big and one small. You can use your scale to straighten the lines, but you don't have to. Just make them appear like windows on a car. Step 10: Put on some paint! Wow! Your car is looking good. Now all you have to do is get your favorite paint colors and paint that car! With this easy, step-by-step guide for how to draw a car for kids, you can give them something new to do. Do you become a cool parent if you draw another car with your child by following these easy steps? Tell your child to go crazy with the colors, get creative with the spokes, or start over with the whole car. Tell them that the sky's the limit to their skills.

Kids love to play, but it's important to know that play isn't just for fun. Children need time to play to grow and develop. Children learn about themselves and how to interact with others by playing. They learn to take turns, be part of a team, work together, and share or hide important information. Play is complex, has different stages, and can be put into different groups, just like everything else that has to do with human evolution. In this article, we'll talk about eleven important kinds of play for kids' growth. What is a play? Play is any activity you do to get pleasure from it. Children need to play because it helps them learn about themselves, get along with others, and solve problems. It helps them calm down and get to know other kids their age. People also think it helps them learn important motor skills such as balancing and helps them focus better. Why is play so important for your kids' development? In his book Playful Parenting, Lawrence Cohen explains that play serves three main purposes: ●    Play is an important part of learning because it lets kids try to be like adults and learn new skills.●    Play allows a child to get close to and care about his friends and parents.●    Playing helps him deal with his feelings. Because of this, it is very important to keep your child busy every day. Play is an important part of the school day, particularly for younger kids, because it helps them stay alert. What Types of Play Are Important for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers? Whether it's just rolling a ball around or putting on a costume to play a role, the play keeps a child's mind busy and helps them develop their creativity and imagination. Here is a list of 11 activities that help kids grow and learn. Unused Play When a child is playing by himself, he does things like wave his hands and kick his legs in the air. Even though these might look like random moves, they are a way to play. Usually, babies and young children play like this. Benefits: ●    Explores movement and learns about the excitement naturally.●    Lays the groundwork for future play activities Examples: ●    Moving hands and feet at random●    Being busy with what seems to be nothing Parallel Play Parallel play is when kids one or two years old play next to each other but don't talk much and appear to be doing their things without involving anyone else. During parallel play, kids may watch each other play and adjust their games based on what they see, but they won't try to change their peers' games. Benefits: ●    Learns how to get along with kids his age●    knows about ownership●    Learned how to act. Examples: ●    Using each other's toys●    Putting on costumes and playing roles●    Using the same box to build individual sand castles Association Play Associative play is when kids start paying more attention to other kids and less to their toys. Even though it looks like the kids are playing together, there are no set rules, structure, organization, or common goal. This kind of play is common among kids three to four years old. Benefits: ●    More kids hanging out with other kids●    Learns how to obtain ahead with other people●    Language development learns to share●    Learned how to perform together and solve issues. Examples: ●    The same kids are using the same toys.●    Exchanging toys●    talking, or getting in touch with each other Solitary Play Usually, kids who are two or three years old play by themselves. During solo play, kids are busy holding toys, lifting, and looking at things. They aren't interested in the other kids around them. Children who are shy or haven't learned how to play with others or with their bodies need time to play alone. Benefits: ●    Learns to be on their own●    He makes up his mind.●    Gives you the confidence to talk to other people.●    Boosts creativity and imagination●    Learns new things on his own. ●    Learned to slow down and think. Examples: ●    Acting out a made-up event●    Toys that shake●    Drawing, sketching, or writing Drama/Fantasy Play During dramatic play, kids often tell stories about places and people or put themselves in a certain role, which they then act out. This kind of play gets kids to try out different languages and show how they feel. Benefits: ●    Makes people more interested in things outside of themselves. Encourages imagination and creativity.●    Improves problem-solving skills Improves language skills●    teaches people to care about others. Examples: ●    Role-playing●    Talking to dolls●    Caring for and loving stuffed animals Onlooker Play Onlooker play is when a child doesn't participate in a game but watches other children play with great interest. Onlooker play is most common in toddlers. It is a way for kids to learn by watching. Benefits: ●    Learn from what it sees.●    Listens and learns to improve language skills. Example: ●    Taking a strong interest in other children's play but not engaging in it. Competitive Play Children who play competitive games learn to play with clear rules and ways to win and lose. Football, Ludo, Snakes and Ladders are all competitive games. Benefits: ●    Teaches how to play by the rules●    Teaches himself to wait his turn●    Learns how to work with others Examples: ●    Tabletop games●    Outdoor activities like table tennis, badminton, and racing Cooperative Play As kids get older, their social skills improve, and they learn to work together, talk to each other, and play together. Children play cooperatively when they work together to reach a goal. Benefits: ●    Learns to share and get along with his friends.●    Learns how to talk to people●    Learned the value of working as a team, improved at expressing themselves, and gained confidence. Examples: ●    Making sandcastles with each other Symbolic Play Symbolic play is when kids use things to act out what they want to do. Symbolic play can happen when you sing, play music, draw, or color. Benefits: ●    Self-expression●    tries out new ideas●    tries things out and learns how to feel Examples: ●    Drawing●    Singing●    Using musical instruments to make music Physical Play Play that involves some physical activity is called "physical play." Benefits: ●    Encourages people to be active●    Enhances both gross and fine motor skills. Examples: ●    Bicycle riding●    How to throw a ball●    The game of hide and seek.

It's no secret that kids love shiny things. They all seem drawn to things that flash and shine, from cars to video games. This is why it's so essential for brands to target children regarding marketing. After all, their parents are usually the ones footing the bill. But how do you do that without coming across as cheesy or intrusive? Check out these tips for crafting kid-friendly marketing campaigns. You won't regret it! Creative pursuits Many kids love creating things with their hands, whether painting, jewellery or even sculpting. Some kids may be drawn to creative pursuits because they see creativity as a way to express themselves and connect with others. While there are many different creative pursuits out there for children to enjoy, here are five of the most popular:  1. Art This might be the most popular creative pursuit for kids. Whether they're budding artists or just starting, art is an excellent way for them to learn about colours, shapes and composition. There are many different types of art to explore, from traditional paintings and sculptures to photography and video art. If your child is interested in pursuing an artistic career one day, encouraging them in their endeavours is critical! 2. Music Music can be incredibly therapeutic for children, providing them with an outlet for all their emotions. Music can create a sense of community among kids who share common interests, whether playing instruments or singing along with songs. Playing music together can also help foster close relationships between siblings or friends. If your child loves music but has yet to gain formal training or experience playing an instrument, plenty of lessons will cater to their skill level. 3. Cooking Cooking can be fun and educational at the same time! Learning how to prepare food from scratch can give children a deep understanding of the ingredients they use and Dance parties Regarding kids' favourite things, there's no debate that they love to dance! Whether shaking their booty to the latest pop tune or limbering up for their next recital, parties and dances are always a hit. Here are some fun ways to celebrate with your kiddos and keep them entertained all night! Cuddles Kids love to be hugged and cuddled. It's a natural way for them to feel comforted and loved. There are many different ways to hug kids, and the best way to find out what your child enjoys is to ask! Here are some ideas for hugging kids: 1. Give your kid a big hug from behind - this will make them feel secure and loved. 2. Hug them from the side - this will give you more access to their head and neck, which can be exceptionally comforting for kids who suffer from anxiety or depression. 3. Give them a high-five instead of a traditional hug - this will get their adrenaline flowing and make them happy! 4. Put your hands around their waist - this will provide extra stability while hugging your kid, making it perfect for toddlers who might be unsteady on their feet. Best friends Kids love spending time with their best friends more than anything else. Whether playing together or talking, these kids know nothing is as good as friendship. Here are some of the best things kids love to do with their besties: -Share secrets-Make movies and play pretend-Go on adventures-Sing together-Shop together-Play tag Structure The findings of research conducted by Common Sense Media indicate that playing is the most popular activity among children. Nearly three-quarters of kids (72%) say that playing is one of their favourite things about being a kid. In addition, almost half of all parents (47%) say that their children spend most of their time playing together. Regarding what kids love most, there's no denying that they love to play! However, there are plenty of other things that they enjoy, too, like exploring new places or learning new things. Consider these ideas if you need help with Christmas presents for your kids. Photos and stories Kids love to have fun and explore their surroundings. They love to see things others don't, and they love to be creative. Here are some photos of kids enjoying the activities they enjoy the most. Cooking Interestingly, what kids love most is only sometimes what we think they will. In fact, according to a recent study, cooking ranked as the number one hobby for children aged 8-14 years old! In addition, almost half of all boys aged 8-14 say they would like to be a chef when they grow up, while only a quarter of girls say the same. So why are cooking and baking so popular with kids? These activities inspire creativity and give kids control over their surroundings. Plus, there's something about making something from scratch that feels satisfying! There is no shortage of entertaining recipes to use in a family culinary endeavour. Here are five easy family recipes to get you started: 1. Spaghetti Carbonara Casserole: This creamy casserole is perfect for busy weeknights! It won't take long to whip up, and you can double the recipe if necessary. 2. Pizza Party Quiche: This is perfect for a fun pizza party! It's light and fluffy and will disappear quickly at any party. 3. Pepperoni Pizza Sliders: When time is of the essence, or you want something simple, these slider pizzas are the way to go. Pizza dough may be baked in a hot oven until it's crisp.

Children learn about shapes and colors in school before learning the alphabet's numbers or letters. Shapes are important to teach because they help kids compare things, figure out what's the same and different, and put things in order visually. In the first few years of school, learning about shapes is a good way to get ready to learn letters and numbers. It helps a child tell the difference between letters and numbers. Understanding shapes also helps with math, especially geometry, and figuring out what makes sense. Looking for ideas on how to teach toddlers about shapes?  You and your child will have a lot of fun with shape activities at home if you follow these tips. Treasure these early lessons you're teaching your little one. Have you ever thought about why preschoolers need to learn about shapes? At an early age, children are taught the four basic shapes: circle, square, rectangle, and triangle.  This helps them get ready for more complicated lessons in the future. These different shapes also help them get better at reading and writing. Also, they lay the groundwork for math lessons and figure out what makes sense. Here are some good shape-friendly hacks and things to do to help the cause. Use Shape Puzzles Puzzles are one of the best ways to teach something. You can find simple puzzles that involve shapes both online and in stores. They are smart ways to help toddlers learn about basic shapes. Most of the time, these puzzles are big and brightly colored, making it easy for little kids to hold them and figure out each shape. Use shapes to draw on paper: Children love to write with anything they can get their hands on pens, pencils, crayons, etc. If your child likes to draw, you can use that to teach her about shapes. Hold her hand and have her draw a line, which is the simplest shape. Explain what a line is to your child. For example, it links two points. Hold her hands and have her draw various shapes like a square, triangle, and circle over time once she starts drawing lines. Make shapes with toothpicks: Children like doing things that let them be creative and use their skills. On a piece of paper, draw the shape of a triangle, square, rectangle, etc. Give your child some toothpicks as well as a tube of glue. Ask him to glue the shape's outline and put the toothpicks on it. Stick shapes onto paper: On a piece of paper, draw different geometric shapes. Now, draw an additional group of the same shapes on a separate piece of paper. Give the second sheet, some crayons, and scissors to your child. Ask her to color a shape first, and you can help her cut it out. Then, tell her to put it where it is on the first sheet. Use cookie-cutter shapes: Give your child a package of kinetic sand. Ask him to disperse it on a large tray and use his palms to make the surface even. Now give him different-shaped cookie cutters. Ask him to take one cookie cutter at a time, say out loud what shape it is, and then press it into the sand. Your child could also spread some sand out on a tray and then use his fingers to make shapes in the sand. Hopscotch: Draw different shapes and cut them out on large sheets of chart paper. Now, use glue tape to stick these shapes to the floor. Say the name of a shape out loud and tell your child to run to that shape and stand on it. To start making the game more fun, you can say the names quickly, one after the other. You can also make the shapes on the ground of your house with chalk instead of chart paper. Build shapes with tangrams: A tangram is a Chinese puzzle of seven geometric shapes: one square, five triangles, and one parallelogram. You can put these pieces together to make different shapes. Your child can make different shapes by putting the pieces together. Get books: Children love to look through a book's pages and see what it's about. So, get your child some slit-and-slot books, books with pictures of different shapes, and worksheets. Go for a walk: Every day, you should take your child for a walk. And as you walk together, show him different things and ask what shapes they remind him of. Shapes help in school, but they also help with things like reorganizing the house, making designs, thinking about space, etc. So, go ahead and teach your child about shapes right away. Building a strong foundation when your child is young will help him or her learn faster and better.  

It's no secret that raising kids can be a challenging task. Getting them all geared up for school or work can be challenging between homework, extracurricular activities, and social lives. And when it comes to getting your children to buckle down and study, you may have just hit a wall. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to motivate your kids without resorting to bribery or threats. This article will discuss several time-tested techniques that have been shown to reduce anxiety and encourage your youngster to study. Armed with this information, you can raise a successful student without breaking the bank. Set up a routine Parents often struggle to motivate their children to get ready for school. One popular strategy is to set up a routine. This involves setting specific times for getting dressed, brushing teeth, and leaving the house. This allows the child a sense of predictability which can help them get organized and motivated. Plan ahead Developing a practical approach to encouraging one's children to get ready for school is one of the most challenging tasks parents confront. There are a few different approaches that work well for other families.  Planning Ahead One approach is to have a plan in place before school starts. This can help your child understand what they need to do and make it easier for them to stay on track. For example, create a daily or weekly schedule and list all the assignments that need to be completed. Ensure your child has all the necessary tools, such as books, flashcards, calculators, and transportation information. If possible, have them set up their desk and storage area in their room, so everything is at their fingertips when they wake up in the morning.  Reward System Another option is to use a reward system. This can be done either individually or as part of a group setting. For example, give your child a point whenever they complete an assignment or homework task. Once they reach a certain number of issues, they can go out with friends or take advantage of other fun activities planned for the day. Setting realistic goals and ensuring rewards are given frequently enough so your child stays motivated but not too often that it becomes addictive!  Parental Involvement Finally, parental involvement can be essential when trying to motivate children. As parents, we know how important it is for our kids.The dreaded alarm clockThere's no doubting the power of an alarm clock to rouse a sleepy sleeper, but for some parents, it can be their worst enemy. Alarm clocks have significantly decreased student performance in classes and workplace productivity. To motivate your kids to get ready for school or work, try some of these techniques:  1) Set realistic expectations. If you want them up by 7 am, set the alarm to wake them up at 6 am. This way, they know what is expected of them and will be more likely to get out of bed on time.  2) Use a gradual alarm clock. Many adults don't wake up fully until the very early hours of the morning, so try waking your child gradually with a gradual alarm instead of an abrupt one. For example, the alarm goes off every 20 minutes instead of all at once. This will give them time to adjust and get used to the sound before it wakes them up completely.  3) Alter the environment around the alarm clock. If your daughter hates getting her picture taken before she goes off to school, try setting her alarm next to her mirror, so she has something else to focus on as she gets ready for school. Changing the environment around the alarm clock can help children associate getting ready with positive feelings rather than feeling rushed or stressed out. Keep breakfast simple Many parents struggle to get their kids out of bed on time in the morning. It can be hard to motivate them when so many other things are vying for their attention. Here are some tips to help get your children up and moving: • Set a good example – If you are not getting out of bed on time, your children will likely not follow suit. Make sure you are getting up and dressed promptly. • Hold them accountable – If you set a good example, but they do not see results, hold them responsible by selecting a specific goal for themselves. This can be anything from getting up at 6 am daily to making breakfast before school. • Avoid nagging – If nagging does not work, try another strategy, such as rewarding them with praise or privileges when they meet their goal. This will help to keep them motivated and encourage them to keep trying. The clothes dilemma There's no getting around it: getting your kids ready for school each day can be a hassle. But with some creativity, you can make the process easier - and even FUN! Here are some tips for motivating your kids to get dressed each morning: 1. Set a positive example.If you're not dressing appropriately for the weather, your kids will likely mimic your behaviour. Please ensure you're comfortable in whatever you wear so your children see you as someone they can emulate. 2. Start small.If your child is resistant to getting dressed, ask them to wear a shirt and pants. This will help them understand that getting dressed is something they need to do independently. 3. Reward good behaviour with treats or privileges.Many parents find it helpful to offer snacks or extra time on the computer as incentives for getting their children dressed in the morning. This way, they know that behaving responsibly will result in something positive happening instead of dealing with punishment later on! 4. Be consistent but flexible.While setting boundaries and maintaining rules is essential, be flexible about enforcing them daily. If your child breaks one rule but follows another one without protest, let them off the hook - but make sure they know there will be consequences if they break the rules again in the future! Ban the TV and computer Kids today are hooked on technology. For some, it is the only thing that keeps them entertained. Unfortunately, this dependency can severely affect their school and future success. To prepare your kids for school and life, you must try to break their reliance on technology. Here are a few tips:  1. Ban the TV and computer from your child's bedroom at night. If they can't get enough entertainment during the daytime, let them watch educational programming during the evening hours. This will help them develop better habits and learn better skills while avoiding destructive TV-watching habits. 2. Encourage your child to spend time outside instead of inside playing video games or using their computer screens all day long. Get them involved in sports, creative activities such as painting or sculpting, or simply spending time with family and friends. These activities will give your children a sense of achievement, motivating them to work hard in school. 3. Create rules regarding what type of technology your child is allowed to use while at home. For example, it will enable them to use laptops but not smartphones or tablets because these devices can be used for more than just playing games or looking online. Make sure you enforce these rules so that your child learns how to navigate healthy digital boundaries without having stress brought on by restricting access to certain technologies Create a reward system. Reward systems are a great way to motivate kids when it comes to getting ready for school or doing chores. Developing a system of incentives may be done in various ways; choose one that best suits your family's needs. Additional prizes may be tried over time to discover which ones your children like the most. Some common ideas for rewards include: 1. Money - Kids love getting money as a reward, which can be used in many ways. You could give them a set amount of cash every day or week or let them choose their rewards. 2. Prizes - Most kids love prizes, so this can be a great way to motivate them. You could offer a prize for each chore done or for completing a homework assignment. This can be especially fun if you have some related hobbies your child is interested in, like playing video games or going shopping. 3. Acts of Service - Another popular option with kids is allowing them to do something special for you as a reward. This could range from making lunch for the family one day to take the dog for a walk. It's essential to ensure these acts of service are meaningful to your child and that they feel like they're helping out rather than just getting something they want in return.  

If you were an only child, you probably remember trying to play toys and games by yourself or via your parents until you got friends. This change from being independent to interacting with others is necessary for a child's development. Toddlers learn how to get along with others and interact properly by playing with others at the same time. What is a parallel play? Parallel play is when your child comes out of himself and gets ready to play with other children or people. Be it going from playing with toys by yourself to sharing them with someone else and playing together, or just going to the garden to play with other kids. A child plays make-believe in his or her early years. As he ages, parallel play becomes a big part of his life. Parallel play is an important part of a child's development. It's the first time a child steps out of his comfort zone and tries to have another person near him while he plays and tries to make a connection with that person. How old should a child be before they start playing with their friends? Age is not a general factor in parallel play because every kid plays and interacts with other people at his own pace and in his way. When your baby is between one and a half and two years old, he might notice other kids playing alone but react to it. Sometimes, he'll try to get their attention by throwing the ball back to them. As he gets older, around 3 or 4 years old, he becomes more interested and starts to understand what it means to play with friends. Parallel Play and Its Benefits for Child Development Parallel play is an important part of kids' growth and development in the following ways. The Rise of Communication Not every bit of growth and change has to be done on purpose. Some of it can happen without anyone doing anything. Your child could learn a lot by observing how other kids act, talk and think in a group or at a park. If someone calls out for a ball, he will quickly look in their direction and try to find it. This is also how many children learn new words and ways to speak a language. Improvement of Movement Skills When a child plays alone, he or she only thinks about the toys, and everything is pretty much under control. When your child starts to play with another child in a parallel way, he or she will know how the other child will react and will start to play in the same way. This way of learning is at its best when learning a new sport or game. You can pick up new skills by watching how others do things. Your child will get to know the person he is playing catch-catch with and may even try to learn something new. Freedom of Expression All emotions, feelings, and wants can be fully expressed through different kinds of parallel play. From jumping for joy when something goes well to dealing with an injury when their child falls to getting into a fight when he does something wrong, your child learns about and expresses the full range of emotions through interactions with other people and the environment. This also helps parents understand how their child acts in everyday life. Getting a sense of your limits Your child won't act toward other people as he does toward you. He is now in a place where he doesn't know what he can and can't do. Even though it might be fun for him to playfully pull your hair, it is not fun for him to do the same to someone on the ground. Handling somebody who takes his ball and throws a fit because they want to play with it teaches your child what he should and shouldn't do. Developing the Feelings of Friendship and Kindness Most kids grow up to be very protective of the things they own. It takes them a while to figure out that things are not scarce and that sharing what they have with someone can make them both very happy. This is when you'll be able to tell if your child is usually friendly and makes friends easily or if he is usually shy and takes his time getting to know people before deciding who to talk to. The biggest sign is that he shares his toys with other kids. How to get kids to play together in parallel? Try the following things to get kids to play together. But don't force a child to do something he isn't ready for. Let him take his time getting to know people; he'll get there eventually. ●    Let the kids play next to one another rather than with each other first. Let each person play with his or her toys. This is parallel play in the most literal sense of the word. It gives your child a chance to slowly step out of his or her comfort zone and then return to it.●    Ensure there are enough toys for the kids. If your kid only has a car and the other kid has a whole set of toys, your kid will feel left out and want to play with the other kid's toys. Try setting up simpler activities like coloring books and clay molds, where it will be hard to compare the amount or quality of play.●    Again, kids don't have to be playing all the time. Even if they watch their favorite cartoon together, your child will feel closer to the other child. The same can happen when you dance to a favorite song or watch a game together.●    Kids sometimes argue or fight with each other. It makes sense. If there isn't a fight, your child might not want to be around anyone and go into his room or another one. For the parallel play to work, the kids must be in the same room, even if they're not talking to each other. They will talk to each other and break the ice sooner or later.●    If kids are playing together, show them how to trade their toys and see what happens. You could also talk about both toys with involvement and try to find a way to connect them. For example, if one child has a monster toy while the other has a duck, you could ask, "What would happen if the monster decided to chase the duck?" Then, you could try making monsters and duck sounds to see how the kids react.●    Make sure the parallel plays take place in a homey place where there aren't too many people or kids running around. This could add to their stress and make them less likely to talk to each other. While at the same time, don't let the play go on for too long. Your child might not be very interested in it at first. So a shorter period could make him feel less stressed and better ready to do it the next day. Kids gradually learn and start to do things like play with other kids. For kids with autism or other special needs, this may be an even bigger problem. Supporting them as a parent and being a part of the team can help them try new things without fear because they know you'll always have their back. Use different examples of parallel play to make it easy for both kids, and soon their child will have his first friend.