What Do I Do with a 6 Year Old While Three Other Children Take Naps??

Hello K.,
I work in a daycare, and I know how it is, since school has let out, we have about 20 school- aged children from the ages 5 up to 10. What they do during nap time is either watch tv or color and that seems to keep them occupied. Or if she has some type of a game-boy or something of the sort, that will do fine too. But she has to know the number one rule and that is to keep quite :). I hope this advice does some good.

Quiet time / read a book / draw a picture - just because they don't sleep doesn't mean they don't need time to settle and recharge their batteries.

Wow - I feel your pain - I took on extra kids when we were stationed overseas and my little ones were still at home. You have a great opportunity for a lil helper now. Don't stress, use this to your advantage! While the younger ones were napping, I would enlist the help of the older one and get my laundry folded, clean/dust, get the dishes done, etc. We became "partners" and I ended up having the best time (and cleaner house)! Once we had the work done, we'd have a treat before the other kids woke up. Drop by the local Dollar Store and pick up a few books, coloring books, crayons, etc that are just for her - in case there isn't enough housework to keep y'all busy ;) Store them up and away from the other kids and bring them out for "quiet" time. Hope this helps and good luck!

Hi K.,
I am sure you have a number of responses by now and figured out the problem. I have a 5 yr old who needs child care for just one day. I dont want to put her in a day care for that one day but also cannot trust any one at home alone with her. If it is not too much please may I use your child care at hoe services for her for that day? we live on kemp road. she is 5 yr old. Kindly let me know yoru answer asap. Cause i need help desperately for monday when my daughter and my husband are visiting me for a week. We are trying to relocate as a family here. my husband has his interview that day for his job and i am starting work from monday. please let me knwo if you can help. the 6 yr old might like the new company.

I too watch children in my home. I have a one year old daughter and watch 3 kids (2yr girl, 3 yr girl, 7 yr boy).
When the girls are napping in the summer the boy would do crafts that he could only do when the girls were sleeping (choking hazards, etc. prevented the girls from participating.) I would also let him play in the back yard checking up on him of course. He also enjoyed visiting with me while I did my daily tasks, let her help with the safe ones if she offers. I don't know how independent the 6yr old you are watching is or isn't but try to have something set up at the kitchen table, coloring, play dough... something that keeps her hands busy and her mind engaged. Hope this helps.

I have a six year old and a two year old and if my older one doesnt want to nap or doesnt sleep very long i keep him busy with quiet activities. i let him color, paint, do playdoh, read a book with me, and every once in a while let him pick a movie for us to watch together while my little one is sleeping. just explain to the six year old that if she is not going to sleep she needs to be doing quiet activities.

Hi. I have a 6 month old, a 3 year old and an almost 5 year old. While my baby naps, my older kids usually draw or watch a show on PBS. Some times we make a snack like cookies or something that they can help mix up. If you have coloring books and crayons, that keeps them entertained for a long time.