We’ve gone through a few bath toys in our home. As my daughters get older, I buy new toys. In an effort to cut back on costs, I’ve started looking for other ways to entertain my toddler in the bath. In doing so, I’ve also discovered some great ways to teach her as well.
For some cheap and educational play during bath time, let your toddler play with some kitchen items. Things like funnels, measuring cups, ladles, and containers. While your child is filling them up with water and dumping them out, you can teach opposites like “full” and “empty”. You can also use a container and a ball and have your toddler try to toss the ball into the container. This is a great way to teach hand-eye coordination.
When you’ve emptied a plastic bottle such a soda bottle, poke holes in the bottom. My daughter has a toy car with holes in the bottle and she loves watching the water comes out. This give you the same effect without the extra expsense.
Another thing I’ve reused is a baby shampoo or baby soap bottle. My daughter loves to fill up the bottle, and pour the contents into something else. Also, if you use the bottle that you squeeze (versus the pump), fill up the bottle and put the top on. Your toddler will love squirting the water out on other toys. My daughter also likes to squirt mommy at times.
One last thing I do involves no cost at all. Sometimes, I’ll call out a body part and ask my daughter if she can point to hers. When I’m washing her, I also describe what I’m washing, being sure to point out right and left. When she’s surrounded by toys, they are a distraction. But I can squeeze this is sometimes.
I hope these inexpesive ideas can help make bath time fun and entertaining.
I love my daughter’s crib. I know she’s safe in there and won’t roll out at night onto the floor. But, she is now making attempts to climb out of that crib. Oh dear, I think it’s time to convert it into a toddler bed. Now, when I made the purchase of the crib, I made sure that it converted into a toddler bed. HOWEVER, I want to slap myself silly for not also making sure it came with side rails. Not a big thing since I can purchase them, I just wish I’d made sure of it.
So, how do you know when it’s time to make the switch. Like me, a lot of parents consider it when their toddler attempts to climb out. Others wait and get a screen canopy to cover the top so they can’t. This is good if your baby is still small. But, my 1 year old (almost 2) towers over some 3 year olds, so I think it’s time to make the switch in this case.
If you didn’t buy a crib that converts, you may find yourself staring a good collection of toddler beds with no idea where to start. From wood to plastic, traditional to Dora (yes, Dora!), there is a large variety to choose from. Safety is top priority, of course, but next is style. Try to fit the style of your toddler, if you can. If she’s into Dora, or the Disney Princesses, or even Diego, there are numerous choices for your. If you choose to go more traditional, they have that too.
Here are few ideas to choose from.
http://www.ourtoddlers.com/toddlerbeds.html
I haven’t made the switch yet, but I spoke to friends, neighbors, and mothers in my online group and asked for advice. I wanted to know how to make the switch. Here are some of the tips I received.
Get your toddler excited about getting a big girl or big boy bed. Let her help pick out her new linen and get some new pillows.
In order to keep her in the new bed, you must be consistent. Let her know that she should not to climb of out bed at night. Leave the door open, but use a gate to keep her in her room. Be sure she still has some of the comforts of her crib. (My daughter has a lullaby player on hers so we’re going to keep it.) If she does get out a lot, stay calm and put her back in bed. If you let her get up and stay up, she will continue to do so.
Sounds like great advice to me. Remember though, you know what is best for your toddler. So when it comes to transitioning to the new toddler bed, find what works best for you and be consistent.
