6 Tips to Keep Your Toddler Busy in Public
As we all know it may be challenging to occupy Toddler public activities. Toddlers can get bored quickly and cranky when they are forced to sit idle in a waiting room or a line. Both of you and your child will feel the stress and annoyance that comes with this situation including throwing temper tantrums, being fussy, and so on.
A small thing to remember:
Set clear expectations before leaving home to prepare your toddler for the outing
In this blog we are going to discuss those 6 tips to keep your toddler busy in public. After reading this you will get to know that how you can keep your toddler busy in public and can make him or her happy in crowded places such as malls, parks or even when you are waiting for someone or something. These 6 tips to keep your toddler busy in public are:
Shape and Colour Sorting Toys
The first tip is to keep your toddler busy in public by having some travel toys for toddlers like shape sorting toys or colour sorting toys. You should engage your children to search for certain shapes or colours while being out, and thus organize a search.
A small thing to remember:
Keep some toys with you when you go out with your child
Toddler cognitive toys helps them in enhancing their cognitive development and attention span, which are two important areas of focus in ABA techniques. Helping your baby to identify shapes or colours will also support their language skills and understanding of concepts. When using ‘travel toys for toddlers’ during your adventures you know that there is something you have for backup.
Interactive Picture Books
The second tip is to have some Interactive picture books like textured books for kids, books with flaps for toddlers, or sound books for toddlers. The types of books that can keep a toddler busy in public are those that have textures, flaps that can be lifted up, or sound making buttons.
A small thing to remember:
Carry interactive picture books with flaps or textures with you
Choose books that will engage your child and make him or her participate in the story. Such an activity can be useful for your toddler’s functional communication and Toddler communication activities as it will make him or her engage with the story and learn new words and terms. Additionally, you can opt for toddler games outdoors such as I spy.
Mini Role Playing Sessions
The third tip to keep your toddler busy in public is to turn everything including the toys that you have around you into objects that you can use for role play.
A small thing to remember:
Keep an eye while your child play
For instance, you can use a toy car to make a pretend race course or a small toy kitchen to act out serving food. Role-playing enhances the social, communication, and problem solving skills. This is a great way to include naturalistic play, which is at the core of Natural Environment Training (NET).
Games to Enhance Self Discipline
Games like "Red Light, Green Light and Simon Says" not only offer enjoyment but also help develop self-discipline and the ability to follow instructions which are two crucial qualities in ABA programs.
A small thing to remember:
Engage your toddler with games to teach patience
Games, like these assist children in establishing a basis, in handling behaviour by guiding them on how to respond in different situations.
Explain what you see
You should describe the things to your child what’s happening around you, you can make the outing meaningful. For example, ‘That dog is jumping high! ‘or ‘Look at that big red bus!
A small thing to remember:
Explain everything to your child whatever the child asks
This can help your toddler’s language development and at the same time enhance the child’s listening and attention skills which are two important aspects of ABA to foster good communication and participation.
Busy your child in drawing
Drawing is also another way of keeping your child busy especially if you are in a queue or when you are waiting for something or someone.
A small thing to remember:
Keep a small notepad and crayons handy to let your toddler unleash their creativity
Ensure that you carry some pens and a notepad for your child when you are in public places to enable him or her to draw whatever comes to his or her mind. Drawing is not only a way of keeping the child engaged but also helps the child to develop creativity.
Public outings don’t need to be a headache. Try "parenting hacks in public" like setting clear expectations before leaving home and arm yourself with "easy toddler-friendly tips" that can be applied anywhere.
A small thing to remember:
Toddlers change every day. He might not get excited with a plan that worked at Target one week ago. It is imperative that you are flexible and willing to alter your plans when they do
Why Choose PBS for Your Child’s Development?
PBS offers a number of ABA techniques such as Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Pivotal Response Training (PRT), and Natural Environment Training (NET) to ensure your child is having fun while acquiring necessary social and communication skills. PBS offers best ways to help cure the child with developmental delays. Our specialized programs, including early childhood services and school consultation, provide personalized support to meet the unique needs of each child. Whether it's improving functional communication or enhancing positive peer interaction, we are here to support your child’s growth and learning every step of the way. All our programs including school consultation and early childhood services provide individualized care to meet the specific needs of every child. We are here to help your child’s learning and growth whether in the shape of enhancing functional communication or positive peer interaction. If you would like more information on how ABA can improve your child's development and increase their enjoyment of public events, then get in touch. By working together, we will boost your child's general development and help make outings less stressful. Allow us to assist you in transforming routine trips into enjoyable and growth promoting experiences. Examine our offerings now to see how ABA can benefit your child's development. Together, we can help create stress free outings with your child while supporting their overall development.
FAQs: 6 Tips to Keep Your Toddler Busy in Public
1. What are some activities to keep toddlers entertained in public?
Activities like interactive picture books, shape-sorting toys, role-playing games, drawing, and games like "Simon Says" are excellent for keeping toddlers busy. These activities not only engage their attention but also aid in their development, such as improving communication, creativity, and social skills.
2. How do I handle a cranky toddler in public?
Stay calm and use distractions like toys, snacks, or games. Engage them by describing their surroundings or involving them in simple tasks like finding shapes or colors around them. It's also helpful to set expectations before going out to prepare them for what to expect.
3. What toys are best for toddlers when traveling or in public?
Compact and lightweight toys such as shape-sorting toys, magnetic drawing boards, busy boards, or small sensory toys are great options. These toys keep toddlers engaged and are easy to carry.
4. How can I improve my toddler’s behavior in public places?
Use consistent routines, reward good behavior with praise, and practice games like "Red Light, Green Light" at home to teach self-discipline. ABA techniques like Natural Environment Training (NET) can help your toddler learn appropriate public behaviors in a structured way.
5. What should I carry in my toddler's bag for public outings?
Essentials include snacks, water, a change of clothes, small toys, a notepad with crayons or pens, wipes, and an interactive book. These items can help you address both physical and entertainment needs during outings.
6. How can I prevent toddler meltdowns in public?
Prevent meltdowns by ensuring your toddler is well-fed and rested before going out. Bring familiar items like a favorite toy or comfort item, set realistic time limits for outings, and engage them with activities such as interactive books or simple games. Communicate with them about what to expect and involve them in small decisions, like choosing a snack or pointing out things they see.
Conclusion: 6 Tips to Keep Your Toddler Busy in Public
It is not always easy to occupy your toddler especially when in public places but it is essential to note that every moment is a lesson. When you are in a public place, you can try the following strategies to keep your toddler engaged while at the same time helping him build important skills including communication, socialization, self-regulation, and behaviour management which are all areas that can be targeted the using principles of ABA. If you are interested in finding out how you can support your toddler’s development even more, our ABA services provide you with individual strategies that can be adapted to your child and will help him or her not only in the family but also in the community. To find out more, get in touch with us!