We don’t want to be too dramatic, but sometimes sensory books can be a lifesaver!
Im a New Zealand Mum of 3 and i created Pretty Childish busy books while looking for a way to keep my little ones entertained while also stimulating their minds and helping them develop skills. But as it turns out, there are so many more scenarios than I could have ever dreamed up when these quiet books come in handy!
On that note, here are five times where sensory quiet books will save the day.
Helping friends and family interact
We all know how valuable it is to speak to our children – it teaches them language and communication skills – but sometimes it's hard for relatives or friends to communicate with your children. Sometimes children can be shy around new faces or someone they do not see everyday, so to help break down the barrier and start bonding try sharing and playing with busy book activities is perfect.
Simply point to different objects in the book and describe what you see. Start with colours, shapes and objects, then move on to descriptive words and short sentences. From here things will naturally build.
Calming a Hyper Child
An over-stimulated little kid responds well to calming, grounding activities like quiet books. They are filled with sensory objects that direct your child’s energy and attention onto interpreting the information. If you’ve got an excited toddler on your hands, pull out the sensory book and watch them come back down to earth.
You’re Stuck Waiting
Whether it’s in the car, the doctor’s surgery or the supermarket, nobody likes waiting and this is certainly true of toddlers. Having a quiet book in your handbag is like a secret weapon to keep a little one happily occupied while you’ve got no choice but to wait.
Going on Holiday
If you’re family holiday packing list doesn’t have quiet books on it, you’ll want to add it right away. Busy books are great at keeping kids quiet on the plane, entertained at the beach, and content at the hotel between activities. A holiday really feels like a holiday when you’ve got sensory books on hand.
You Need a Cup of Coffee or Tea
We’ve all had those days – the house is a mess, dinner is not made, emails keep coming through and the kids are running around wanting constant attention. The best thing to do is get the kids sorted with a reliable activity that will keep them busy for a good fifteen minutes while you can regroup. Quiet books have kept more than a few parents sane during those ‘need a cuppa!’ moments.
We’d love to hear when your Pretty Childish quiet book saved the day for you!