If you only have 1 dck...

[newtodaycare22]

how do you keep them amused? Usually I have 2-4 but lately, because of new work schedules, I've had 1 kid alone from about 7am-10am. He is 3 and I love him but I feel like its way harder to have 1 kid than 2! I have to 'play' with him and it's exhausting:: I don't want to do all of the arts/academics that I have planned for the others, because then I'm doing it twice and/or he gets bored during that time. I've been playing some games with him and now I put on PBS for a half hour. I'm generally not a TV person though. We're off to the library @ 10 when the other girl gets here...thank goodness! Any ideas or can anyone relate? Thanks!

[Lilbutterflie]

Here's a couple of ideas:
-playing outside
-going for a walk
-coloring
-computer websites (I looove starfall.com, my 3 yr old dcg loves it too)

[juliebug]

we play games, computer time, go fun places where she can play with others. but i have only 1 all day until my new child starts, hopefully soon.

[MarinaVanessa]

I have a similar situation, my 3yo DCG gets here at 6am and the next DCK gets here at 9:30-10am. Usually I just give her crayons and coloring books, the wipe-off boards and non-toxic dry erase markers. She tends to really like the markers so I also give her worksheets and put them into plastic sheet protectors so that she can do them and wipe them and start again. Chalk and a chalk board are also another thing she likes to do. Maybe she just likes to draw and doodle but offering her a variety of options of pretty much the same thing helps a lot.

Sometimes I get the play-dough out and give her cookie cutters or safety scissors (so she can practice using scissors on the playdough) or I take the opportunity that she's the only one here to make new playdough.

[AmandasFCC]

When I only have one, I go to playgroups and stuff with them, or some kind of field trip that I don't do when I have more (because of lack of space in my car ).