SAHM: Spending Time with Your Four Year Old

As a stay-at-home mom, it can sometimes become difficult to figure out exactly what you can do with your four year old on a day-to-day basis. Should you do the same as yesterday? Why does she/he want to constantly climb all over you? Do they need more of my attention? Less? Maybe you just need some new playtime ideas. Here are a few ideas on spending time with your four year old that may help.

Building Blocks -- The pile of building blocks may be sitting in the corner of your child's room, untouched for quite some time. Or it could be a daily plaything that your child can't seem to do without. Either way, building blocks are definitely a fundamental part of childhood. Help your child's imagination soar as high as those skyscrapers she likes to build by building right along with her.

Coloring -- You enjoyed coloring when you were little, so why not jump down in the floor and take a page right along side of your child. Show them how creative with colors you can be. It's fun once you get started.

Finger Painting -- Yes, you too can get messy with finger paints. It washes off with a little soap and water, so what are you worried about? Kids tend to think it very humorous when their mom can get down on their level and get messy right along with them.

Stringing Beads -- This activity for spending time with your four year old is also one for skill developing. This activity is only suggested for the four year olds who no longer put things in their mouths, and only with adult supervision. Use the big beads designed for small fingers. String a necklace or bracelet and give them to each other. Have a variety of colors and bead styles available.

Nature Walk -- One fantastic way to spend time with your four year old is to take them on a nature walk. You could do this around your house or take them to the closest park to explore. Discuss the plant-life, insects, sunshine, rain, clouds, or just anything nature-related. Kids this age are amazed by the world around them, and we parents can take full advantage of that amazement by teaching them more about nature.

Storytime -- One of the easiest, most relaxing ways to spend time with your four year old is to simply read a book together. Let your child choose their favorite book, or take them to the library to pick out a book that could become a new favorite. Then it's time to curl up somewhere comfortable and read. Discuss the pictures, point out words they already recognize, do a letter search throughout the book. Just have fun with it!

Dance -- Lastly, we come to dancing. Have you ever seen how happy your four year old is when music is playing? They can really get into the beat at this age. They may be too bashful to dance in front of you, but if you're up there dancing with them I bet he/she will really get into it. Make it an everyday/week activity for the two of you. Dancing is one great workout, even if you don't know what you're doing.

No one ever said being a stay-at-home mom would be easy. Most SAHMs will tell you flat out that it feels like they work more now than they ever did when they worked outside the home. You have to be creative and experimental when it comes to playtime with your kiddos. What one child finds utterly intriguing may repulse another child. Only you will know what your child will enjoy. Have fun with it and show them the world around them!

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