"Stimulate your kids mind! Brain development, and quite possibly your child's entire future rests upon what you do in the first three years of life!" Being a parent can be slightly stressful for those who haven't noticed. Not are you not only trying to figure out the whole parenting thing on the fly; you are constantly reminded that everything you do...or don't do...can permanently screw up your kid for the rest of their lives.
Keeping in mind the importance of the first several years, I've tried to keep Andrew as stimulated and occupied as possible. It was one of the driving forces behind our visits to Discovery Gateway and walks at the park. The problem is that keeping a toddler's brain stimulated is sometimes difficult. As a one car family it is not always possible to drive to children's museums during the day. As it's currently winter and often cold it's not always possible to go outside to the park.
That leaves us with indoor activities. Andrew and I have a lot of fun playing with blocks, building towers out of legos, rolling playdough, and "Vroom vrooming" matchbox cars and trucks. There are times though that I sometimes feel like I'm not doing enough to fully expand his mind; to introduce him to new and exciting things every day.
So it was with some gladness that I read the following from
You Are Your Child's First Teacher. The author discusses why she believes that people sometimes struggle with staying home and entertaining their children. One of her main points was that the modern household doesn't cater to the best environment for child development.
She believes that the focus of a home instead of being focused on entertaining the child with toys and activities should instead be focused on the "work" of homemaking. With modern conveniences, and time-saving devices such as dishwashers, laundry machines, and prepackaged food the the author believes that what our children see us doing actually isn't providing what children need. The need is to see us doing work that involves movement. Activities that they can observe, then imitate in their play.
This idea actually resonated fairly strongly with me. It also conforms fairly closely to the activities that Andrew tends to be drawn to.
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| Making the bed |
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| Wiping off counters |
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| Doing laundry |
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| Washing the dishes |
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| Cooking |
In fact, Andrew has our morning routine down so pat that when I try to skip something he makes me do it. Every morning we have to eat breakfast, wash the dishes, sweep/mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the living room, and make the bed. When Andrew is sick; he is not interested in silly putty or any other toys; he wants to cook and vacuum...sometimes six to seven times a day.
After thinking about these experiences with Andrew I can get behind the idea that "work play" is a perfectly viable way to provide the needed brain stimulation. Thinking about how to best maximize this has changed some of the way I do my housework. I have tried to involve Andrew before; but now I'm consciously trying to discover other ways to involve him.
Oh and Andrew; I have some bad news for you. Current science shows that brain development continues well into the early twenties. So my little boy, remember when you are older that when I give you housework or chores...I'm doing it for your brain!
