[desirae]

I think stimulation to a young child, toddler, and infant are essential to their future intelligence, because their minds are sucking up information like sponges.

I don't feel my children are being stimulated enough. During the day we all watch many hours of T.V. I do try to go on walks everyday, but that don't get their blood flowing, just mine.

I don't take my children outside much here because I live in an complex and get very anxious when I'm bombarded with the neighborhood kids and neighbors.

I feel bad that I don't stimulate my children like I should. I read to them a lot, but not everyday. When they do watch T.V they watch Noggin which is educational cartoon for preschoolers, but still that don't justify my laziness and anxiety.

I feel awful about it, my 2 year old son has become a T.V junkie. What are some (mostly) inside activities together that could get them stimulated and get their blood flowing? I'm willing to go outside too.

[Peanuts]

how about play doh - you can even make home made playdoh, finger paints, legos, blocks, build a course for driving toy trucks/cars, coloring, drawing, hide & seek. 2 years old is kind of young to play board games but you might try candy land. Be careful with legos, maybe get the bigger ones that are not a choking hazzard.

My kids loved playing with shaving cream in the bath tub. And it is easily cleaned up. Don't get the kind with menthol .. try and get just plan shaving cream.

Sand is fun - don't know if you have access to an outdoor sand box. Indoor sand might be messy. kids love sand & some water to make shapes - especially if you have toy trucks or bull dozers to move the sand with.

Bubbles - you blow the bubbles and the kids jump and try and catch & pop them.

There are usually great craft ideas in the HighLites magazine - if you don't have a subscription you can usually find these mags in the library. I remember one craft that created puppets out of small paper lunch bags. You decorated them to look like a dog, or a cat, or any animal.

You could start out planning to do one event a day and before you know it .. the kids are being creative and coming up with their own ideas.

Hope this helps give you some ideas for indoor activities for you and your kids.

[desirae]

Thanks Peanut for being caring....seems like your the only one.

[Gemstone]

I am guardian to my neice and nephew currently, but they are older than your children I think.

Are they old enough for finger painting? Thats always fun.

play dough is great too!

I do a lot of beading, but that is more of an older kid thing. When they get older it helps a lot with fine motor skills.

Another thing may be to get them one of those little indoor trampolines. That way they can exercise inside. They make some cool indoor slides and things for young kids too.

When my neice was young she loved the fisher price kitchen things. She would make plastic food for everyone.

Maybe do some cooking with them too. Making cookies, etc. is always fun.

Sorry I'm not much help. I only have experience with older children. I don't have any of my own.

[bebop]

I have no clue anymore with the kiddos. sounds like you aren't doing too bad though

[h0kie]

Questions. Ask lots of questions. Model proper language for them and ask them thinking questions. Even if they can't speak yet, talk to them. I can't stress the importance of reading enough. I have memories of my mom reading to me as a child as well as some of the books she used to love. Studies show (from what I remember from school) that children that are read to at home tend to do better in school.

I have tons of websites for activities for little kids. Kids at a young age learn the most through play. Playing with other kids, individual play, group play activities, and activities where they can use their imagination.

Make a deal with yourself to turn of the television and "do" something with your kids.

You care, that's the most important thing. Let me know if I can be of more help. I applaud you for trying to change habits you don't like.

[mrb020377]

we would set a timer and for "x" amount of time we could watch tv, then whent he buzz went off we would get up and do something else... i would play a game with the kids.... called how fast can we pick uip the toys..........we would run around the room trying to pick up and put the toys away as fast as possible!!!!!! we would also play things like simon says...... my kids loved blocks and things they would build and count.

kids love to be read to.'.. when it is nap time, try laying down and reading a story with them....