Quick Diversions for Kids While Working at Home

Your deadline is fast approaching but your 3-foot-tall “coworker” does not want to leave you alone.

Here are ideas for quick 20-minute diversions to help you finish your assignment before focusing your full attention on your child.

* Foam stickers. Stop by the nearest chain craft store (Michaels, Jo-Ann) and pick up a bucket of foam stickers. Hand your child a small stack of printer paper and let him or her create. This craft project can be done on the floor next to your home desk.

The foam stickers are easier to peel than some sheet stickers, so even toddlers can stay busy. And with designs ranging from animals and flowers to shapes and letters, this assignment can be tailored depending on the child’s age (“Find the letters that spell your name” or “Make a pattern of shapes and colors,” you can suggest to the child.)

* A story reader. Do not have time to read a book just yet? A portable storybook reader will let your child listen along to their favorite storybook (most of them come with headphone jacks) while you finish your work. Created for the youngest children are audio books, and feature popular Disney, Nickelodeon and other character tales.

The story readers cost about $25; a three-pack of books is about $20. Check out eBay for used bundles of books.

* A kids’ work station. If room permits, set up a child-sized desk in the corner of your home office. Top it with a play phone and play laptop (VTech makes a “learning laptop” with a working mouse for ages 4 and up). Convince your child it is time to get down to business.

* Online printables. In about a minute, you can surf and find printable coloring pages of your child’s favorite characters. The web sites of Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids feature easy-to-navigate printable sections.

Invite them to sit next to you at your desk while you search and print. Then, they can feel like they are helping you finish your work.

* Set a timer. Sometimes children just need to know that you will be done with your work eventually. Consider using a portable kitchen timer that your child can use to watch the countdown to when you will be finished.

Posted:Monday, March 23, 2009