After looking at some of the websites others have linked to, I've noticed that alot of you have table toy time in your daily schedule. What kinds of things do you offer at this time?

I currently have 15 months to 4 years enrolled and everything I have tried has been an epic failure in the under 2 bracket. Is there anything for the younger kids to do at the table? I mainly offer table toys while I am fixing lunch, but it seems without direct constant supervision they just end up beign thrown, mouthed or dumped on the floor.

So, if you have any tried and true table activities, I would love some direction!

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I have the same trouble with my under 2's. I've tried puzzles, books, crayons and paper, and a few other things. They always end up on the floor within moments, and then they sit there whining.

I was thinking about buying a few of those magnetic drawing boards, but they'd probably still throw them after a few minutes, so it seems pointless to spend the $.

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Honestly, I wouldn't suggest doing it for any child under the age of 3.
Expecting them to sit at the table and work on an activity for 5, 10, even 15 minutes is not developmentally appropriate for them. They might spend 1 minute on the activity then move on. If you are there to encourage, assist, and play their tabletop play time might last 3 minutes tops.

I highly suggest tabletop play for the older children (3+). You could set up some activities for them on the tables, and provide sensory bins for the younger children on the floor.

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I googled. Check out this website re: attention spans.

http://www.parentingpress.com/media/phase-excerpt2.html

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The closest thing to table time for my under 2'ers is clearing off the train table and letting them play with soft, rubber cars on it. They sure do love that (for about 30 seconds or so)!

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My under 2's like barrel of monkeys, felt boards with animal pieces, puzzles with two-six pieces, sensory bottles, coloring with one marker and color wonder paper and cloth busy books. They really can't play for more than a couple of minutes before needing a new activity though. When they do table play with the older kids it's more for practice than anything else.

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My main purpose for doing it was to keep them safe and prevent trashing the playroom and pounding of the other kids while I prepare lunch.

It may not be developmentally appropriate, although I do know children capable of it at much earlier ages. I guess it depends on the kids....

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Most of my under 2 crowd basically wanders from activity to activity all day. They don't have much staying power with anything in particular (especially those that are held and entertained a lot at home). I dont worry about trying to include them. We do activities for the older kids, they can join in or they can continue to be bored and eventually they figure out a solution to that too. One of my 18 month olds is just starting to color and have a little bit of staying power in group activities, the other 18 month old still wanders most of the day. She likes to carry stuff around but I don't allow her to dump and make messes, and ALL the kids are required to help during clean up time.

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If a provider really needs that time to focus on lunch and cant leave the youngers to be trusted to not make messes and such, put them in a pack n play with a few toys or create a baby zone for times like this. There is nothing wrong with them chilling out in there for a few minutes. Its much safer than having them do something dangerous while you are distracted with multi tasking

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I realize that developmentally they aren't at the point of being able to focus at the same level that the older kids are. In our set up, they pretty much have to sit at the table while doing meal prep, so I was hoping that maybe someone had found an acitivty that held their interest longer then what I have.
If anyone has ideas on how to keep them engaged while they have to be at the table and I can't give direct attention, my ears are open.

--If the tone of my post comes across as snotty(it sounds that way as I read it) that is not my intention. Just wanting to clarify that I realize it isnt the best DAP concept, but it is what we need to do!--

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The pack-n-play days and baby zone days are behind us. Neither would hold my 20 month old twins unless they has sleep sacks on!
I also have one that just turned two, a 3 yo, and a 4 yo.

One of the things in life we have to learn is to wait sometimes. I try not to draw it out, and I talk or sing with them, or show them what I'm doing.

I used to do the toy thing, but hardly ever now. They actually do just fine waiting that few minutes. It seems like if they have the toy and toss it, they fuss over it. If they don't have it to begin with, they're just fine.

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I was chiming in with you because I have the same challenges! You want to make it more "fun" for them to wait for lunch, but alas....

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Here, table toys are for the mainly 3 and older crew. They are not always required to sit at the table, either. I have trays and rugs that they can put on the floor and use the materials there. It kind of keeps them contained in their own little space.

As far as occupying the little ones during lunch prep, they tend to sit at my feet begging for food like little birdies so I give them pots and pans and wood spoons to bang around with. That seems to keep them busy for a while.

Then the older kids are put to work. I give them recipe cards, cups and forks to count, whatever keeps them busy and part of what I'm doing. They help with the food prep, setting the table, etc. Even the 15 month old can "wipe" the table down. (I go behind him of course, and do it the right way.)

Mine are good at waiting too. I don't think that's a bad thing.

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You might try shaving cream on occasion. Put a smock on them (or large adult t-shirt if you do not have smocks), and let them play with the shaving cream on the table. You can quickly clean it up right before you set their plates down.

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Wouldn't canned whipped cream be safer in case they tried eating it at that age though? It comes in different colors/flavors, too! Mmm.

Of course, they would only taste the shaving cream once and realize it tastes nasty. Hopefully the wouldn't find it appealing, that is lol...

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bumping this post up... mine are all under two and I would love to have activities that they will not be bored with in two seconds flat- not just for lunch but all day.

For me- I put them in their high chairs and I start with cleaning them up for lunch, then I give them a small part of lunch while i fix the rest, or milk. Usually in the bread grain group or veg group. I find having lunch mostly prepped helps.

Tons of info out there for Toddlers 3 and up-- but when it comes to the two and under group, not much. I would like to do a simple craft for Easter with my kids, but it's not there with them right now. Coloring is a two sec I am done adventure and eating the crayons.

Would love ideas, helps more to this topic---- thank you and op your not alone

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I often do board books and alphabet letters that sing-fridge magnets. I take them off and let them use those.

I wouldn't do shaving cream before a meal, but def have done it as sensory table activity.

Good luck and hope for many responses to this

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I have 3 that are under 2. I found that they like to push things on the floor. Their favorite are trains and cars that make noise. They really can spend a long time just playing with those things. I feel safer if the littles are on the ground playing then sitting in a chair. I can't put them in a highchair because then they all scream for food. I don't do playpens unless its for nap time so they play on the floor.

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My under 2s play with the fridge magnets in the kitchen with me while I make lunch. or if it is one of those days and they are into everything. I will put them in their high chairs and give them an activity.

For instance

A foam board with the pegs to put in the holes.
Little magna doodles
Give them a play dish and a spoon and tell them to stir it up

We sing songs, recite nursery rhymes, say the days of the week, etc with the ones in the high chairs and the 3-5 year olds in the play room while I make meals.

Sometimes they will just throw everything off the tray but they learn pretty quickly that I dont pick up stuff thrown off the tray.

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