Parents often find themselves in situations where they are waiting with their children. The following suggestions can make this wait fun and you may have great interaction with your child. This document is produced by the International Network for Children and Families and the 350 instructors of the “Redirecting Children’s Behavior” course. It is included in Positive Approaches for Challenging Behaviors developed and compiled by Mack/Vitto 2008.
Nine Ways to Make Waiting Fun
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Ask your child to make up a silly, outrageous story about why the waitress is taking so long to deliver the meal, or what caused the traffic jam.
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Hold up an ordinary item such as a pencil or spoon. Have the child suggest unusual uses for the object.
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Take turns singing as many songs as you know that have a color in the song. Example: Rudolf the RED Nose Reindeer, the Yellow Rose of Texas, Blue Suede Shoes, etc.
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Ask your child to close their eyes and describe what you are wearing
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Ask your child to list 10 things found in a dentist office, car repair shop, or bakery.
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Thumb wrestle with your child.
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Hum a song and have your child guess the title.
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Give your child the name of a character in a book. They have to identify the book title.
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Tell your child three unrelated items such as, a dirty sock, watermelon and a swing set. Ask them to tell you a story incorporating those items.
