Weeks of freezing weather and early sunsets can send some of us into a state of Cabin Fever. That feeling of being cooped up indoors, lack of exercise and a little too much togetherness can challenge the best parent’s patience. Over the years many parents have reported that their children behave best when they’ve had a day filled with fun activities, proper amounts of rest and regular meals and snacks. Young children don’t do bored very well. Their super active brains and bodies crave activity and exploration. There are many things parents can do to avoid the feeling of cabin fever. Providing your child with interesting and age appropriate activities will most likely result in a happy and cooperative little one. The following is a list of no cost or low cost activities that will help to combat this season’s cabin fever.

• Unless the wind chill is below freezing, bundle up those kids and get them outside. Balls, tricycles and sidewalk chalk still work in cold weather.
• Make an obstacle course indoors from pillows, large empty boxes, couch cushions, chairs, tables, etc. Discuss important concepts such as on, under, over, through, above below, behind, around, in and out.
   

• Make an indoor igloo by covering a table with a white bed sheet or large blanket. Enjoy a simple, no mess lunch or snack inside the indoor igloo. Discuss igloos with your child. Maybe allow them to nap inside their igloo.

• With Valentine’s Day approaching, make a list of all the people your child loves and ask them to tell you one thing that they love about that person. Display the list and let your child’s loved ones know what they said.

• Go to the library and pick out books with a winter theme. You could start with books about igloos, polar bears, snow and animals that hibernate.

• Google “Cabin Fever Parenting” and find thousands of fun ideas.

• Make the most of your togetherness; before you know it they’ll be teenagers like my sons and you’ll only have memories of time spent making igloos indoors and out!

Belinda Masters, Coordinator
Parents As Teachers

Parent & Child Activities

Let the Games Begin!
for 3 to 5 year olds
(pre-kindergarten)

Saturday, Feb. 7
9:30 to 11:00 AM

Paxton Keeley Elementary School
201 Park DeVille Drive

Explore math and literacy games, listening games, board games and gross motor games with your child.  You'll go home with lots of fun ways to expand learning opportunities.

SNOW DATE: Sat., Feb. 21
SNOW DATE LOCATION:
Smithton Middle School
3600 W Worley Street

Hearing & Vision
Screenings

for ages 6 months to 5 years
PAT office, 555 Vandiver.

Wednesday, February 4          
9:30 to 11:30 am

Thursday, March 5
4:30 to 6:30 pm
(No screenings scheduled in January)

No appointment is necessary.
Please sign in upon arrival.

Parents & Infants
to 12 months

10:30 - 11:30 am
Columbia Public Library
Friends Room

Monday, February 2
Safety Proofing and Choosing Safe Child Care

Monday, March 2
Setting Limits

Snuggle up with a Book!

Literacy activities for little ones

Saturday Feb. 28, 2009
9:30 to 11:00 am
Smithton Middle School
3600 W Worley Street
Cafetorium & Room 99

This event is designed for infants (babies up to 12 months) and 2 year olds (children 25 to 36 months).

SNOW DATE: Saturday, March 7