1yr old - things to do

**kitty** · 15-07-2008, 07:50 PM

I have a 1yr old little girl twice a week, who loves playing with my 23mth old, Zara. Zara is just getting into painting and drawing, so am wondering what I can get E to do whilst Zara's busy making a mess? It seems to long ago that my three were that age, I can't remember if they did any messy stuff. I have my first inspection looming too, so want to start getting in a routine of messy play every day.
Thanks
Kitty

**sue m** · 15-07-2008, 08:11 PM

I was looking for a question like yours Kitty! I've got a little boy 2 and a half and his sister just 1 year old. They just want to play, the baby wanders about and plays with the toys I have out that day and wants to walk all the time so I'm bent double holding her hand while she happily walks about for ages. The little boy did the shape sorter and then a couple of puzzles, took him a few minutes and he had the hang of them so they went back in the box and then he plays with the cars and the big duplo bricks and then we went outside and had messy play in the water. It just seems a shame to stop them doing whatever THEY want to do when they are happy.

I take photos every day and choose different ones to put in their folders but I just feel so sure when I do have an inspection, I'm not doing anything planned or prepared like I'm supposed to. It's day by day in my house and I know I have to get myself sorted out. L didn't want to colour in the other day and he flits quickly from one thing to another. Anyone else have this 'problem'? I get in a panic that I'm going to get a low grade and be told I must get organized better.

**mjw** · 15-07-2008, 08:28 PM

You should not be planning for that age. Just note what they are interested in and try to develop their play using these interests just as you are already doing. Use your photos to show how the child is progressing.
Mary

**Spangles** · 15-07-2008, 08:32 PM

I worry about this too.

My mindee is ten months and either she plays with different things on her own or I will play with her. We got to toddlers, the playhouse, park, walks, play in garden and I point things out to her and talk about them, I've got her pointing at trees and cats now! We do babysigning - well, I do it and she understands it but doesn't do it herself yet. I also sometimes get out the treasure basket.

I think she might like splashing in water in I get a shallow tray for her as she likes shaking her drink all over the place! Ha ha!

That's about all we do really and it worries me that Ofsted won't be happy with that.

**sue m** · 15-07-2008, 08:52 PM

Thanks both for relying, I feel a bit better now. This is only the 5th day they have been with me but both are really settled and happy. We seem to have 'clicked'. They are lovely children.

Sue

**tomthumb** · 17-07-2008, 12:38 PM

this is the age group I have as well as my dd is 10 months and mindee is 15 months.
I was worried at first but not anymore. I do a theme every month and I put nice display. If we are doing fruits, for example, I get her to do some collages of fruits, paint pictures of fruits, did some fruit printing (ideas coming from this site!!)...so it should keep ofsted happy that I am planning.
They also love messy play with jelly, spaghetti, cornflour...
For painting, you can get some big paint pads in tesco which are brilliant for that age group as they are not messy.
Also, check in the birth to three thread, Angel put lots of ideas there for the little ones and I am constantly checking it out and trying things.

Good luck

Elodie XX

**Chell** · 17-07-2008, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Spangles

We do babysigning - well, I do it and she understands it but doesn't do it herself yet. I also sometimes get out the treasure basket.

You could incoporate baby signing into a little story/song session. Child's Play have a lovely range of books for popular rhymes such as Miss Polly had a Dolly, Baa baa black sheep, etc. These books also feature images of disabled/multicultural child.

**kitty** · 17-07-2008, 09:37 PM

Thanks everyone, I'll take a look at the birth to three treads and pop into Tesco's tomorrow for some paint pads, I'm also going to try the aquadraw tomorrow, probably with big brushes or bowl of water for hands. We already to lots of singing and signing to nursery rhymes etc. which E loves and Z dances around too

. I will have a look at child's play as well , it sounds great. Oh and I'll buy some Jelly tomorrow for sensory stuff, so even if she eats it, it doesn't matter, thanks again all
Kitty
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