so you can make that phone call or finish the morning's email. Then join in!

5. Get the Rice Out- Fill a shallow pan with rice. Give your kiddo one teaspoon and a clear jar , cup or bottle (non-breakable).  Scoop by scoop, he or she will fill the bottle over and over. Just remind them the rice stays in the tray or it goes away.

4. Inside Snow- Fill a shallow tray with snow. Give a few utensils and you've bought yourself ten minutes. :)

3. Water Play- Put two large towels on the kitchen floor. Get a shallow pan or wide bucket. Have your child play floater or sinker with different objects. Spoons, measuring cups and all that make for a great time.  Just watch for splashing- when it starts to get rowdy, time to dump the water :).

2.  Transfer Cereal- Put one bowl with cereal next to an empty bowl.  (Full on left, scoop to the right- prewriting skill). One tablespoon is enough to entertain your child. Scoop, pour. Scoop, pour. Demonstrate once or twice and then hand it over.

1.  Water Pour- Put one small cup next to a small pitcher.  Make sure the amount of water is less than the cup can hold (so it doesn't overflow).  Demonstrate pouring the water from the pitcher to the cup, placing the cup down, picking it up and pouring it back into the pitcher. Then, allow your little one to fill & refill the cup.

Good Luck!