I'm babysitting a 4 year old, sweet, well behaved little boy, but he's following me around because he's bored, and I really need to sit down for 5 minutes and pay some bills... which requires actual thought and undivided attention.
T.V's on, coloring books are out... aaaand he's sitting right next to me playing with my calculator. I just need 5 minutes ;)
I tried telling him that and he's not getting it. He already ate all the snacks his mom packed, LOL! Sweet kid, but needs to chill out for a few ;) Boys really are a different breed!! I feel like such an idiot, I've got 3 kids and have always watched kids... just need a little help with this little guy :)
Give him a pad of post-its and tell him to look around the house and put them on anything that starts with the letter B. So he will have to think and walk elsewhere. - the basket, the bottle, the book, etc. Or pick a different letter: C - chair, couch, child, computer, calculator, crayons, etc. Then when you're done he can show you all the items he found.
Got anything that needs digging? My 4yo would happily dig in the dirt all day, followed by a three hour bath.
Give him a spare calculator? LOL
What about a stack of books? Can he fins O. of every letter in the alphabet?
Safety scissors and some newspaper?
Treasure box of old junk jewelry to look through?
Pots, pans and a wooden spoon drum set?
Scissors and a magazine. Tell him to cut out all of the pictures that have a ______ in them.
Since you have other kids what about Playdoh? My kids love sitting at the same table I'm working at and make creations. I'm there to see them before they get squashed.
If you ran out of Playdoh here's a make at home recipe:http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Playdough-Pla...
Also, you could let him play with pasta noodles and string them on a string, Legos, MoonSand, or you could let him make his own Crazy Mixed Up Cereal - give him some dry cereal, raisins, marshmallows and let him create a mix he can sit and eat as a morning snack.
Best wishes! That's why we send our kids to PRESCHOOL! LOL
Is this the first time you've watched him? Maybe he's a little unsettled? I know when I'm on my computer my 4yo wants to be in my lap, just can't stand the fact that I'd be paying attention to something other than him. I agree with Denise suggesting letting him play with an extra calculator. Or you can tell him if he is going to sit with you while you work then he has to be working as well and have him practice writing his abc's. He will get bored of you and move on eventually.
Sounds like he is not used to playing by himself. Or maybe he is not settled down yet, and needs to get to know you better (may be true if you just started babysitting him recently).
Why don't you turn off the TV (as it is may be a distraction that keeps him from concentrating on playing), and then start a game with him (like building with legos or playing with cars), play for 5 minutes, and then tell him to continue playing and you will be back in 5 minutes. I think he will gradually get used to playing by himself in your environment.
I am thinking he may just need more attention from you until he gets used to this babysitting arrangement. It may be a good idea to get him to "help" you. My son loves doing that. When you are paying bills, just give him a few pieces of paper and a calculator so he "helps" you.
Oh - you can also ask his parents what he likes to do and how he plays at home. That might give you some ideas.
My almost 4 year old is really into puzzles. I gave him a 24 piece puzzle. The first couple times, I went through it with him. Now he does it everyday by himself without even looking at the puzzle. He is so excited he can do it by himself. It takes him a pretty good amount of time. My other son (almost 5) did not like to color or anything sitting down at the table but give him trains and cars and action figures and he could play make believe for hours. He also l liked building stuff like with legos and lincoln logs.
my little boy loves his leapfrog leapster 2. He sits for quite a while :)
cars. trucks, trains.
My son will play quietly and independantly for long periods of time with a box of cars, trucks and trains. He builds roads and makes traffic jams and imagines a little construction site. It's good clean, independant, quiet play that encourages imaginative play. Ditto the dirt and bath if you are going to keep him for a while. I know this is going to piss some people off - but if you really need a minute to yourself - how about 1 episode of Scooby Doo!
warning - nothing messy with a boy that age. You will regret it!
Suppose he doesn't want to do anything but be in your presence and watch you work. Pay your bills for 5 mins and after you're done interract with him.
legos, lincoln logs, playdough, stickers (my little guys loves putting them all over paper), preschool computer games, give him paper and tell him to write you a grocery list, give him minimarshmallows and toothpicks and show him how to build, set up a tent (that facinates mine for at least 1/2 an hour).
