Regulations here say "sight or sound". Currently, most of my kids are trained to play well so they may stay in the playroom and play (right off the kitchen) 1 1/2 year old is usually wanting in the high chair by the time I am pulling lunch together, so usually she get a vegie while I pull together.

I would not leave children downstairs while I was upstairs. So I would bring them up to the table. I place table activities on cookie sheets that they could do. So lacing beads. Counting bears, sorting items, sandpaper letters etc. That way I can give each child something individualized. A child working on cutting might have paper and scissors. Young one might have a ziplock bag with paint inside tapes down to squish or pom poms and a cup. You get the idea.

Also if they are at the table- I can sing songs with them while I finish up lunch. They will sit for a time period with just that.

Sometimes if they are very anxious for lunch they get a lovely vegie "appetizer" first.

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