6YO help!

[LittleLegsCM]

OK ladies, this probably seems like such a simple thing but I need to find out what types of things you would do with a 6 year old after school???

I have 1 6yo boy who I collect from school every other week. I've tried getting him to do different things but he always declines, then keeps telling me he's bored. I've suggested painting or colouring, designing and building something, reading, we even attempted an 'out of space' project where we went to the library to 'research' and then build a space box for planets to hang & stuff but he wasn't interested at all. I ask him what he wants to do and the answer is always the same- play on the Xbox!

Now I do allow him to go on and play kinectimals or such like now & then (1 or 2 evenings maximum the week I have him) but I'm not happy him being on it every evening he is here and would like to get him into something non-IT based!! lol.

I've tried to find out the types of things he does at home but so far I've had no luck!

[singingcactus]

Kids here, including my own 6 year old, like paper aeroplanes, action figures - esp those linked to the games they play or programmes they watch, cos then they can re-enact the scenes,- I collect all boxes, and packaging that comes to the house and they large model make with them, or build towers and then annihilate them, they like hide and seek with toys, they like messy paly, they like to play with the baby toys....I do let them go on it from 4.30 on though each day. That way they only get 30 minutes to an hour.

(sry if my typing is off, have hurt my finger)

[Bridey]

I would hide the X Box before he arrives and tell him you don't have it anymore! He is manipulating you. He may sulk for a little while but tough. You'd be amazed how interested he will become in the other stuff once its gone

I have only school age mindees (currently watching them play a game of donkey, feeling a little redundant!). There is no access to game consoles here, they all do enough of that at home. You sound a fab minder and I am sure you will eventually engage him in your lovely activities.

[LittleLegsCM]

Thanks girls.

Its so difficult because he is rather stubborn (we wont go into the issues we've had over meals and the fact the list of foods he doesn't like is massively bigger than the list of food he does like!) so trying to get him interested in anything different is so hard.

I tried asking his mum for suggestions on after school activities he likes without actually mentioning the fact that he keeps telling me he's bored (just made it look like I was after ideas) and was met with "because he does so many after school activities (football, karate, swimming) he just has 'chill out time' when he isnt at a club". obviously thats fine by me but as he keeps telling me he's bored & rejecting my suggestions I don't think he's happy with 'chill out time'

oh the joys! lol x

[Bridey]

Thanks girls.

Its so difficult because he is rather stubborn (we wont go into the issues we've had over meals and the fact the list of foods he doesn't like is massively bigger than the list of food he does like!) so trying to get him interested in anything different is so hard.

I tried asking his mum for suggestions on after school activities he likes without actually mentioning the fact that he keeps telling me he's bored (just made it look like I was after ideas) and was met with "because he does so many after school activities (football, karate, swimming) he just has 'chill out time' when he isnt at a club". obviously thats fine by me but as he keeps telling me he's bored & rejecting my suggestions I don't think he's happy with 'chill out time'

oh the joys! lol x

I would read 'chill out time' as meaning he sits in front of a game console while the parents do something else! some children don't actually know how to play, bless them. Just persevere.

I would stop offering him so much choice - either with play or food. You need to take control back with "this is what we are doing/eating today" Go by the parent's list of what he does and doesn't eat at home and if he rejects your suggestion of what to play with then I would tell him to go and find something he'd like to do instead then. If this involves sulking on the sofa while everyone else is having fun then so be it! He will come round.

[loocyloo]

I would read 'chill out time' as meaning he sits in front of a game console while the parents do something else! some children don't actually know how to play, bless them. Just persevere.

I would stop offering him so much choice - either with play or food. You need to take control back with "this is what we are doing/eating today" Go by the parent's list of what he does and doesn't eat at home and if he rejects your suggestion of what to play with then I would tell him to go and find something he'd like to do instead then. If this involves sulking on the sofa while everyone else is having fun then so be it! He will come round.

that made me laugh and that is exactly how i would treat this child - join in or find something to do yourself

[Bridey]

My profile pic doesn't read "no nonsense" for nothing!

[Mrs M]

I have two children in reception and one six year old (yr 1) in my care. With the reception children still being within the EYFS, I do formal planning for them. The six year old told me that the activities I set up are 'easy'. I got fed up with him belittling what I was doing with the younger ones so I had a word with his mum. She said he's struggling at school with his writing so has now 'insisted' that he takes part in the activities I arrange for the EYFS children! It's worked really well. He no longer complains, he's not bored and he's writing his own journal up saying what he's done whilst in my care. So why not go with your planning for the younger ones and adapt it a little for him. I'd speak with his parents. Ask him to keep a journal at your house. I allow a bit of telly time to wind down, garden play for exercise of course and we have an activity. Good luck x

[EmmaBugsy]

I've have some reluctant after schoolers but I managed to get them interested by letting them go through activity books and craft catelogues so that I could get an idea of what they wanted, I also give them a set day which they choose an activity to do with the rest of the kiddies, it seems to work as they like being incharge for the session, dont know whether its worth trying with your 6yo?

Emma x