Kindergartener during sibling academic classes (out of house)

[Guest Prof. Plum]

Despite my well-meaning plan to only enroll in classes that both boys will enjoy, I have signed my 2nd grader up for three classes that are too advanced for his little brother.  Does anyone have any good ideas for educational activities to do in a quiet corner or cafe while big brother is busy?  I'm not the most game-loving mother you know, but I can work on that.  

 

We'll be doing some early math, handwriting, and reading this year, but he'll probably complete all of that during regular schooling time.  So far, I can envision reading a ton, playing UNO, and hoping for other little siblings to be around.  Anything else come to mind?

 

 

[Junie]

I have a similar situation that I have to entertain dd5 while her sisters are in music class (about 2 hours a week).  We use this as our intensive one-on-one schooling time.  (It's the only time all week that we don't get interrupted!)  She loves it.

 

If you don't mind things with pieces:

puzzles

Rush Hour Jr.

memory matching game

 

 

btw:  I don't like games, either.   :leaving:

[desertflower]

For dd 5, she plays minecraft in creative mode and we do rightstart math games. Speaking of which, RS card game kit is half off and I believe it's just today in case you are interested.

[kalusignan]

I will be in a similar situation this year. I'm planning on doing the majority of our one on one time during this block. Some kids really love file folder games like these:

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887242693/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000F8MGS6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1MX3FXZDTRCZKA6TEMAW

 

Also playing on the playground while it's still nice outside. :)

[reign]

My dd5 played a lot of the professor noggin card games and spot it. We have an iPad with the reading rainbow app that she could listen to books with. We brought a travel guess who and that always went over well with all ages.

[PeterPan]

You might see if there's a park or playground nearby.

[historically accurate]

I'm a few years out from this age group, but my youngers spent time waiting for oldest in their day.

 

We've done:

 

• apps on iPad or phone (DragonBox, solitaire chess, chess, Spanish, etc)
• cute workbooks from Dollar Tree
• read alouds
• Let's Fold from Kumon (we did the rest of the series in preschool, but Let's Fold was the hard one for all of my children, so it usually got completed in K)
• Games, such as Bananagrams, Rush Hour, Go Fish, Memory
• Draw Write Now
• crayons and paper -- sometimes I'd play Hangman, tic tac toe, etc
• file folder games/activity bags

[TriciaT]

My kids got a new card game that they LOVE called "Sleeping Queens". I think that company makes other card games as well. Maybe a set of story dice or eboo Tell Me a Story cards.

 

 

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[Rachel]

Despite my well-meaning plan to only enroll in classes that both boys will enjoy, I have signed my 2nd grader up for three classes that are too advanced for his little brother. Does anyone have any good ideas for educational activities to do in a quiet corner or cafe while big brother is busy? I'm not the most game-loving mother you know, but I can work on that.

 

We'll be doing some early math, handwriting, and reading this year, but he'll probably complete all of that during regular schooling time. So far, I can envision reading a ton, playing UNO, and hoping for other little siblings to be around. Anything else come to mind?

Last year I had a 2 and 4 year old to entertain while my eldest was in choir. I had them pack a small backpack with a few toys (cars, dolls, etc). I would bring library books, coloring books, and crayons. Some days they would run around in the lobby but most of the time they enjoyed the extra reading time or playing with their toys.

 

If it's three days a week, you could also allow your little one to have extra play time at home and save the schoolwork for during classtime. My kids do a much better job of entertaining themselves at home than they do outside the home. That may also be a good time to do a read aloud that might be a little young for your older child.

[Coco_Clark]

I would move regular school time into that time period. :)

 

There's also always crafts. Rainbow loom, braiding, knots, origami, and embroidery can all be stored in a small bag and done on the go.