WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE'S NOTHING TO DO

by Boston Children's Hospital & Elizabeth Gregg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 15, 1967

Nothing to do"" has nothing to do with being bedridden and little to do with being at loose ends; rather this is a guide to the activities suitable to children at each stage of their development from infancy through five years. Mothers needn't run to the store or acquire the expertise of nursery school teachers since playthings and pastimes around the house are more satisfying: newborn babies are busy looking, touching and listening (but they may not like bathing--wrap them in a receiving blanket before dipping them in the water); between three and six months they begin to grasp and squeeze--and chew (objects should be too big to swallow); at six or seven months they're throwing things out of the carriage (tie toys on so they can be retrieved); toddlers and crawlers don't remember what's dangerous (""toddler-proof"" your house); at two and three years smearing vaseline over a cookie sheet is purposeful fun; so is tearing newspapers or an old sheet at four and five. So it goes, with a wide range of suggestions for all situations (including a ""fall guy"" doll to absorb frustrations) and an appendix citing books and records by age, checking off activities for moments when mother or child is out of sorts. If you remember that the title (and authorship) doesn't represent the contents, you'll find this a useful application of psychological and physiological insight to experience.

Pub Date: Feb. 15, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION