Don't worry about your little one being bored at home in comparison to at daycare. Kids need to learn to entertain themselves through imagination and invention.

I think putting pressure on kids to learn more and better than everyone else at such a young age could be quite damaging.

When my little girl was 10 mths she was really happy 'reading' the newspaper or 'baking cakes' (mixing imaginary dough with a plastic bowl and wooden spoon). She was also relatively immobile so I could sit her up on the bench while I was cooking so she could watch. It also gave me some inspiration for our monologue - I'd tell her the ingredients I was using and how I was preparing them etc. She loved it that she was in on the action and got to play with things (a spoon, carrot, bowl, spatula etc) like Mummy was using.

Have fun

Puddy

I have a 10 mth old and feel the same at times but sometimes just have so much to do around the house. When he is looking for some mummy time sometimes i put him on my back he is on eye level then and we chat about what mummy is doing. He loves the runs down to the washing machine and then back up again... some ironing and then up stairs to hang the clothes then chat about everything im doing. He has a 2 year old brother so they play together sometimes.

We read books, sing songs make music his favourite is an old coke bottle sellotaped at the lid with grains of rice fantastic noise! oh painting we do hand prints and i keep these of all the children then my 2 yr old can join also my 5yr old when he is home from school!

home made play dough great for sensory play too and you can do different bright colours.

walks to the park only 5 mins he likes to go on the swing and again as i carry everything is on eye level and he can hear me chatting so talk about what he can see... he loves it when we bump into the local dog walkers gets so excited as does my toddler.

You are all much better moms than I am

I come from the camp of let them explore and learn on their own. I am not a play along type mom. Although, to be honest, I can't remember what it was like when my first was 10 months old (she is now nearing 8). Once you have more than 1 kid, they entertain each other and the little ones learn SO much from the older ones-not always the best things, but they certainly learn a lot.

I do think that now that my kids are getting older I am more willing to play with them - board games, or more active things like kicking or throwing a ball around.

If your child isn't crying and seems content exploring on his own, be happy about that. I do remember thinking I couldn't do anything when my first was so little (take a shower for example, couldn't leave them alone for fear of crying or hurting themselves or what not). That quickly goes away once you have more than 1

Keep in mind that at a day care centre, there is rarely the time for one-on-one to the extent that you can offer at home. Your little one is developing his gross motor skills whilst crawling, and his fine motor skills are also developing well through being able to pick things up and examine them. You can also easiily teach your little one colour concepts, numbers etc - just remember to talk to him throughout the day - your natural, regular language input will give him what he needs. Read to him every day, take him out for "excursions" and you can't go wrong. :-)

Also they don't really need to be learning all those sort of things at that age. I taught a child who came into school at 5 having "learnt" ? nothing but spent all his pre-school years at home with Mum.

He was keen responsive and intelligent and by Christmas had caught up with and exceeded the attainment levels of many of his peers who had been in nursery settings.

Ok some top tips when you need time and you have no money. My daughter loved sitting in her pram watching the washing machine go round.

Fill plastic bottles and balloons if they are a bit older) with rice and let them play with them.

She loved stacking plastic cups, nozzles anything really

She loved sticking stickers. I remember the really hot summer of 2007. It was so so hot we had to spend most of the day indoors. i tried sitting outside at 5pm and it was too hot. I remember lying on the bed with her sticking stickers on my legs and arms-it was weirdly so relaxing as i was so knackered.

Sandpits, water-have a bath in the day with them if your stuck for things to do.

Go for a walk

Hi Nina,

When my daughter was young I too was worried about making her environment rich for learning so I understand what you mean.

We did use language thoughtfully and a lot, with care in annunciation. We used lots of things 'not for children under 1 yr' when she was one ..same throughout her life. We ignored most labels and focused on our child and what we saw and what we are parents wanted and believed in. She is now quite advanced in language, reading, writing at age 5.

My advice to you is, if you want your son to learn colors and numbers then show them to him. He will learn them. Children are sponges and will learn what you show them. It really is that simple. If you need ideas of what to do:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6364299_ide...year-olds.html

As I mentioned before our main tool was language. We explored the world WITH our child and talked about everything in lots of detail.

Children adore time with their mums/dads. Every interaction is learning. Most likely giving your child a lot without realizing it. The first couple years your child is absorbing everything around him. In fact one theory states the first 7 years are the 'moldable' years and then the core is finished (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_Series). When you are talking to your child, explaining life to him, you are doing something very important (even if it doesn't seem like it to you). There is so much to learn from the narration of life.

Children learn without paying attention also...they might be chewing on a delicious block while you are trying to show them the color blue, but don't be fooled or discouraged. They are listening and before you know it he will pick up that object and say blue.

My daughter was fascinated with flash cards. We would spread them around her and talk about each one. She would of course chew on some and bend them to pieces, but by 1 year old she could name 150 animals.

Just spending time exploring the world (whatever interests your child) together is all you need to do. Yes you might get bored (and that is why the breaks suggested above are great) but you can teach your child about anything they touch/chew on. This is a cube, this part is flat, this part is straight. Let's count the sides. Demonstrate how to drop it, toss it in the air, try to roll it, hide it, find it. It is all language and development.

Lastly, I am quite sure your son will get A LOT more attention and learning at home than in a daycare, even a good daycare. Being a mom is tough work! Don't feel like you are lazy because you are not engaging him all the time, it is not possible. Some of the most priceless moments for a child are just being held close and having the comfort of knowing mum is near.

Enjoy and don't forget to take a break!