The Distractor

When the DVD player is not enough to keep the kiddies occupied (or guilt has gotten the best of you), in our ongoing series, DAME's resident teacher gives you some tips on keeping the attention needers busy

By Sarah Doll
Published: Dec 01, 2007

Who better to give advice on entertaining the wee ones than an urban preschool teacher who’s dealt with 30 at a time? After more than five years teaching in the City of Chicago district, Sarah Reitman-Doll is now Associate Director of Lake Shore Schools in Andersonville, Chicago.

Here, she offers some easy lessons and quick tips to teach your children well (and bonus: keep them from throwing tantrums)!

Drawing Together
For this art activity, you’ll need crayons or markers and some large paper. Both parent and child draw pictures together. Take turns talking about your pictures and then ask the child to name the colors that he or she used. Afterwards take a “COLOR WALK” with your child. Ask him or her to point to all things (choose a color).

Counting Groceries
Have your child help put the groceries away. At the same time, give him/her practice with counting. Example: how many carrots did we buy how many boxes of cereal?

Shapes
Parents: ask your preschooler to copy simple shapes on a large sheet of paper. You draw a shape first then have your child try to copy it. Later go outside and see if your child can spot “real-life” things that are the shapes you discussed.

RECIPES FOR FUN
Inexpensive fun recipes that parents and their children can mix up together. Lots of learning takes place as young children help prepare these easy-to-follow recipes for art materials. Measuring, pouring, and mixing ingredients provide preschoolers with math experiences and when children observe changes in texture and so forth, science skills are developed. Creative art experiences begin when children (and their parents) actually use the materials that they have created from everyday household ingredients.

No Cook Play-dough
2 cups boiling water
3 cups flour
½ cup salt
2 tbsp. cooking oil
3 tsp. alum
Food coloring
Prep Time: In a large bowl, mix together ingredients listed above. After mixing, knead well. Add food coloring as desired. Store in an airtight container or heavy plastic bag for up to six months.

Good Distractor websites for Ages 3-7

Some may require membership for a nominal fee but most are free and most you can print downloadable activities.

Learningpage.com
Enchantedlearning.com
Abcteach.com
Alfy.com

Sarah Reitman-Doll holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. Her favorite subject in school was social studies.

Browse All Features >

DAME Magazine Question of the day

Yes | No

See Results

The Distractor

When the DVD player is not enough to keep the kiddies occupied (or guilt has gotten the best of you), in our ongoing series, DAME's resident teacher gives you some tips on keeping the attention needers busy

ARTICLE TOOLS

Leave a Comment:

DAME Magazine Question of the day