Blanket Time

You may notice in the post about pipe cleaners that Reese is sitting on a blanket and there is a white timer next to her. Reese is doing Blanket Time.

My child is extremely active and will not sit still. But I felt it was important for her to begin learning how to sit and focus her energy and attention on one activity, instead of running from toy to toy. So at about a year old, we began blanket time.

On this particular day, she wanted to use my yoga mat instead of her blanket

 At first I always used the same blanket so that she knows what is going to happen when I get it out. I started with just one activity at a time, but usually something new so it would hold her attention. I would tell her "Ok, it's time for blanket time!" I spread out the blanket and put her on it and explain to her "we are going to play with this toy until the bell rings." I started just setting the timer for 2-3 minutes. I would stay and play with her to keep her engaged. When she would try to get up and leave, I would tell her "no- we are going to stay and play with this toy until the bell rings."

Eventually, she has learned. I can now do 4 activities, each for 5 minutes. We set the timer between each one and when it goes off, she has the choice to either keep playing for a few extra minutes or to help clean up for the next activity. My goal is for her eventually to be able to sit and do blanket time on her own, but for right now I'm still there interacting with her. But it's been so good for her to be able to focus on one thing, even if it's not her very favorite activity.

This is also where I try to do the more educational things like talking about letters and colors.

A couple of notes- if your child has not heard the timer before, it may startle them. Let them hear is go off a couple of times. Let them hold it and make it go off them self so they can get used to it.

Our earliest version- Reese in the laundry basket with some toys

Is your child a little too young for blanket time? Well before Reese was ready, we would do Pack and Play time. This one is a lot easier- I would set up her pack and play in her room and select a few toys and books to go in it (preferably ones that she has not been playing with recently so she will be more interested.) I would tell her "it's pack and play time!" and set her in there. I would set the timer and tell her "ok, have fun until the timer goes off."

And I would leave the room. It is important for your baby to not be able to see you- you are trying to teach them to sit and focus on their own and to be able to entertain them self without you. Reese cried a lot the first couple times. But as I was consistent with it, she learned what to expect and would do quite well. We started with just a couple minutes, but worked up to 20 minutes where she could sit in her pack and play and be quite happy and content.

Reese playing in her Pack and Play while we helped with a service project. We were able to help because she knew how to play by herself and keep herself entertained (at least for a little while.)

Anyway- just some ideas and a little explanation about how I did things. The concepts from this came from Babywise and Toddlerwise- my favorite series of parenting books (for this stage of life anyway.) Hope it helped! Leave a comment if you have any ideas, thoughts or questions. Thanks!