Preschoolers are able to do many things for themselves. However, they may require assistance with bedtime, eating, and toileting. Some ideas for entertaining preschoolers during quiet and active play are listed below.

Quiet Play

• Easy board games such as Candyland,Chutes and Ladders
• Imaginative games such as playing school, store or spaceships
• Listening to stories that you make up or read. DO NOT TELL SCARY STORIES WHEN YOU ARE BABYSITTING. Young children may become extremely frightened and have nightmares or trouble going to bed.

Active Play

• Taking a walk to find "treasures" such as pine cones, pretty rocks or other things
• Tag or hide-and-seek
• Riding toys - be careful to supervise

Playing with Play Dough
Keeping children busy indoors on rainy days can be a challenge for babysitters. Playing with play dough is always a favorite activity and it's even educational! Children enjoy pushing, rolling, squeezing, molding, and pounding gooey play dough. Here are some play dough tips:

• Allow the child to just play with it without necessarily making anything.
• Children enjoy making "play food" out of play dough, but be sure they really don't eat it!
• Hard plastic toys, such as action figures and dinosaurs, are fun to hide in the play dough or to press to make an imprint. Be sure the toys are at least as big as the child's fist.

The Summer Sitter’s Club is an effort being led by the Americorps VISTA Volunteers serving with the Westcott Community Center Arts & Education Project located at 113 Lexington Avenue, Syracuse, NY.  For more information, please contact Jenifer Kolanage at 315-218-0218.