Working with little ones at home

She Means Business

Working with Little Ones at Home

By Dr Sarah Mundy

If you are anything like me, you’ll be thinking that your multitasking skills were pushed to the limit before Covid came along! Working from home whilst looking after a pre-schooler isn’t easy so here are my tips on how to maximise your work time whilst still meeting your little one’s needs.

Have a Fixed Workspace

Establishing a fixed workspace close to your children helps them understand when you are working and enables you to closely supervise them. Explain why you are not able to be with them all the time - it is not because you don’t want to be but because you have other things you must do.

Routines

Toddlers can only amuse themselves for short periods and some will need more attention than others. So establish when you will/won’t be working and have clear plans/tasks for your child during work times. You may need to start an activity with them before you can start work.

Connect with Others

Share the load! If you have extended family, schedule some regular video calls with grandparents for story time or catch ups with your children. Bear in mind, some toddlers really enjoy this whilst others become quickly distracted.

Screen Time

Sometimes we need screens. They can be used really positively in moderation to entertain and educate children.

Get Outside

Get some fresh air in your break times. Use this as an opportunity for some high energy play with children. This can

Can Toddlers Play Alone?

Yes! Toddlers aren’t the best risk assessors and they need us near them. But we needn’t attend to their every movement minute by minute.

Toddlerhood is a time for exploring the world with curiosity.

Young children can do this on their own (at least some of the time) as long as they feel safe.

So, a calm environment, with guidance around what they can do is key. Have options for activities available, some of which you will need to set up with/for your child, but remember they may also happily skip off to something they are interested in.

Be flexible and led by them.

Young children differ in how long they can play alone – the length of time depends on their age and interest in the activity.

Check in with them periodically. If they are engrossed, don’t interrupt; if they are distracted or stressed, try to redirect them or provide comfort and remember their physical needs (tiredness/hunger/toileting). Praise them for playing nicely and remind them that you are still there. reset both of your emotional thermostats!

Let your Children Entertain Themselves (sometimes).

You are not letting them down! Think of independent play positively – it helps children learn how to manage emotions, deal with being bored and develop independence. They’ll soon let you know if they are not coping with being alone.

Adjust your Work Schedules.

Perhaps some work in the early morning or late evening when your little ones are asleep? This gives you distraction-free time and takes the pressure off the rest of your day. Try to ensure meetings and phone calls are scheduled during nap times as much as possible.

Let others know your situation

Let your colleagues know that you have a little one at home so they are more understanding if you are distracted.

Dr Sarah Mundy is Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Author of Parenting Through Stories. More info at

www.parentingthroughstories.com

Independent Play

Children need us around, but we don’t always need to direct the play. If a child has a secure attachment, they will treat you as a safe base from which to explore, returning to you before embarking on another adventure!

Activities to encourage independent play are:

Traditional toys with a clear function eg train tracks.

Role play activities. Ask your toddler to make you some tea or clean the house, using a play kitchen or hoover, if you have them.

Multiple-use objects eg pots, pans and cardboard boxes allow their creativity to run wild!

Familiar music (nothing too hectic – neither of you need overstimulating!) can help children feel calm and engaged.

Outside time. Not only is the outdoors a sensory rich space to spark curiosity and help with development, you may be surprised how a quick work call can be made whilst your little one is stomping in puddles!