Polls and Tips for Baby and Toddler Years

winter!

Peeling and placing stickers. Sticker books are great for this.

Sorting small objects, like cereal, beads, buttons, etc.

Placing letters on a letter board. I discovered this one by accident, but I love how it keeps my 4-year-old sitting quietly for long stretches of time while he tries to get the plastic letters to stay in my felt letter board.

Dot art with Q-tips. I like to reinforce letter and number recognition with this activity, too, by outlining a letter or number for him to paint by "dotting" the inside with a q-tip dipped in washable paint.

Swimming lessons

Special behind-the-scene museum/zoo/aquarium adventures or animal encounters. (E.g., shark feeding, penguin painting, etc.)

museum membership

Zoo membership

I discovered that a heavyweight hairband looped around both door handles was just as effective (if not more!) at keeping my cabinet doors shut than those cabinet latches made specifically for baby proofing. Plus, they were way easier (and less annoying) for me to take on and off, making it more likely that I'd always keep it on. This only works on certain handles, though, like pull bars and knobs.

Sturdy stair guards at the top and bottom of the staircase are a must once baby starts moving around!

If you have thick runner-type rugs for hallways or entryways, they can also serves as great padding for edges on shorter bookshelves, tables and fireplaces. Just put the rug on top like a tablecloth, and let it hang over the edges. Certain rugs work especially well for this, like those faux-fur ones that are super soft and fluffy.

Corner guards have been pretty essential with all of my kids, especially once they begin moving around on their own. Unfortunately, I haven't found any that will stick super well (though some are better than others!), and have always had to reinforce with duct tape. Not pretty, but effective!

Amazing Grace

Swing Low Sweet Chariot

True Colors

You are so beautiful - Joe Cocker

I have loved seeing neighbors out walking (at a safe distance!) so much more than I ever have before.

I am learning more about my kids since we are talking more daily.

More quality time together. There is no rush because there is no where to go.

Given that school, activities, playdates, etc., are currently closed, it's been nice to slow everything down and not feel the added weight behind watching your kids "grow up too fast." It's almost as if we're freezing their ages for a brief moment.