Child Play Goals

I am trying hard to keep my active boy ... well active. He gets so stir crazy and after a lot of thinking about activities I came up with a list I posted on the fridge to remind me of goals we have throughout the day. It motivated me do something Connor would enjoy that would keep him busy and active. I rarely did everything on the list, but we got very good at having our night time routine down. Having something I get to check off and something to remind Connor all we did that day was very helpful. He loved telling Daddy.


This is what our list consisted of:

• Workout: Connor loved working out with me in the morning, it was a good motivation for me and a good example for him. I hope I can keep up.  
• Games: Connor has a matching game, hungry hippos, candy land and a storytelling game with picture cards; he also likes to play Yahtzee -a revised version,we try to play a couple games and work on waiting your turn, sharing, and being a good winner/loser. 
• Imaginative play: I try to promote Connors imagination every chance I get. Whether it is using things around the house or things he wish he had (a dog), or playing with pillows and forts, it is so easy to inspire him. I love seeing this aspect of his play take shape. 
• Books: I try to read before/after nap and before bed. I also like letting him see me read as well. I sure hear him ask for stories more when I have been reading lately. 
• Music/ singing time: This is by far the hardest for Connor because he struggles in this area, and hates it. So in hopes that more at home would promote him to like it more outside home as well we try to do some everyday. Sometimes it is the kids station from Pandora Radio. Sometimes it is singing primary songs. Sometimes it is kids rhymes/songs: itsy bitsy spider, is his favorite. Sometimes it is dancing to my favorite music. 
• Playtime (-Cars-Blocks): This is a time where he plays with sister or Mom or Dad, usually it includes crashing cars, or building towers to knock down.
• Art: Whether it is by himself with sister or Mom I make attempts at an art session once a day. 
• Coloring/drawing/painting/playdoh
• Craft: I try to do a craft once a week. I find some online or think of easy ones on the spot or sometimes its just a big scissors and tape and glue and construction paper mess. 

• Quiet room playtime: Not usually is this quiet but usually we have the TV on in the background most of the day because I like the noise. And getting the minutes in between where they watch and are satisfied, before they are bored or fighting. But during quiet time the TV is always off and Connor plays in his room, I leave the door open and help him find toys to play with. As Bella gets older this time gets easier but for now it is hard. And probably a consequence of too much TV, but he has a hard time playing on his own and thinking of things to do. But without anything else to do he sure learns quick. 
• Outdoor play/walk: By far Connor's favorite thing to do is be outside. He asks to go outside all the time. And having nice weather makes it hard to think up reasons not to, other then me being lazy. So I try very hard to go on a walk or play outside or go to the park almost everyday in the week. 
• Nighttime Routine:
• Bath: Both kids love baths and usually stay in their playing for 30 minutes or more. They splash and make a mess but they love it and as Bella gets older it is easier to leave them in their together alone, as long as I the door is open and I am close and listening intently. I go in lots to remind them to play nice, not splash big, and to check on them too.  
• Story: Usually its a book, but I am trying to push my creativity a little more and make up stories to tell them at night. I am horrible tho.  
• Prayer
• Listen to scripture stories: I love the LDS apps on my phone and as we lay in Connor's bed all together (Connor, Bella, and I), sleep comes much easier for him when he is listening to something. So I let him control my app and scroll through the bible or book of mormon stories and pick and hold the phone as they tell the story and show pictures. It is a great opportunity for me to talk to him about Jesus and answer his little questions or just ask little questions or make comments, like "Yes that is good guy", "oh that man is mean", "Jesus loves us so much, right?"

As I continue to watch Connor learn and grow I have to push less and watch him take control and apply himself more as he plays and learns. Bella follows in his footsteps and usually is a part of what we are doing as well, her brother's best buddy.