Play Based vs. Planned Curriculum

[Butter Biskets]

I know I have been posting a lot lately, but I can't help it. Please forgive me.

How many of you are strictly play based vs having a preschool like curriculum? And how do YOU define play based? I am feeling really inferior in what I offer because for the most all I do is the traditional "go play" route and I feel like maybe the parents are expecting more than I am offering. I have babies and preschoolers and I find it difficult to offer a structured curriculum with the varying ages and needs. I originally thought that I would do more structured learning during nap times, but with the developmental levels of the preschoolers, I am finding it hard, plus I really need to keep them quiet in order for the little ones to sleep (naps are a high priority for the parents) and you know how loud kids can get even when they think they are being quiet.

So I guess I needs ideas, either of how to implement more learning activities or how to spin the "play based learning" so that it sounds more professional.

Thanks.

[nannyde]

Depends on what they are paying for. If they are paying a play toys rate then go with that.

[Annalee]

I know I have been posting a lot lately, but I can't help it. Please forgive me.

How many of you are strictly play based vs having a preschool like curriculum? And how do YOU define play based? I am feeling really inferior in what I offer because for the most all I do is the traditional "go play" route and I feel like maybe the parents are expecting more than I am offering. I have babies and preschoolers and I find it difficult to offer a structured curriculum with the varying ages and needs. I originally thought that I would do more structured learning during nap times, but with the developmental levels of the preschoolers, I am finding it hard, plus I really need to keep them quiet in order for the little ones to sleep (naps are a high priority for the parents) and you know how loud kids can get even when they think they are being quiet.

So I guess I needs ideas, either of how to implement more learning activities or how to spin the "play based learning" so that it sounds more professional.

Thanks.

My curriculum is play-based but I have themes for the month. Like, for Sept. one of the themes is apples so I set up an apple market with recipe books (literacy), cash register (math), fruits/vegetables can be used for science, phones (language), interaction takes place for social-emotional, labeling these items is beneficial as well but the children basically create their own learning experiences while I just facilitate it. ....each play center is filled with what kids need to prepare for the next level. My actual group-preschool time is small...i.e. calendar, weather, plans for the day...my story time sometimes has everyone join in, sometimes a few, sometimes one....my infants sleep on one side of the room with a fan running so the noise doesn't bother them...Don't feel inferior by all this info, I didn't always know this nor did I know how to implement it in my program....I have been here 22 years and have a great mentor along with being a part of many child care organizations and early childhood peers......just breath and start putting together how you want to do this....there are multiple ways to enhance children's learning...find what works best for you and the children in your care.... Good luck!

[SignMeUp]

I do preschool curriculum two days each week and the others are play days.
We have a sign hung by the cubbies so that kids recognize which day is which.

I find that two days of the more structured learning is plenty for my group, and they are SO happy to "go play" the other days.

I began the formal curriculum as an experiment, but the parents and kids love it, so I continued. I have come to like the balanced approach of doing both. I am generally totally full on my preschool days (I do all part time care) so that tells me that it's desired. And I like having a slightly smaller group on "play days" because I can often get a few things done, as well as spend extra time one-to-one with each of the kids. It's also when I have new families visit, and days that I recommend to parents of new infants.

I am happy on "play days" when I can observe their play skills, supplement their interests with a few extra items, and pull out books that support their interests OR to give them "seeds" for new play ideas. I consider "play days" to be MY strength - good old-fashioned family child care It develops strong social skills, creativity, self-awareness, and allows each child to learn at their own level.

And, if you ask any one of my kids, ever, what their favorite part of preschool is, they will tell it that it's "learning centers" which is basically FREE PLAY ::

Not sure if any of that is helpful to you, but it's what I do

[Annalee]

I do preschool curriculum two days each week and the others are play days.
We have a sign hung by the cubbies so that kids recognize which day is which.

I find that two days of the more structured learning is plenty for my group, and they are SO happy to "go play" the other days.

I began the formal curriculum as an experiment, but the parents and kids love it, so I continued. I have come to like the balanced approach of doing both. I am generally totally full on my preschool days (I do all part time care) so that tells me that it's desired. And I like having a slightly smaller group on "play days" because I can often get a few things done, as well as spend extra time one-to-one with each of the kids. It's also when I have new families visit, and days that I recommend to parents of new infants.

I am happy on "play days" when I can observe their play skills, supplement their interests with a few extra items, and pull out books that support their interests OR to give them "seeds" for new play ideas. I consider "play days" to be MY strength - good old-fashioned family child care It develops strong social skills, creativity, self-awareness, and allows each child to learn at their own level.

And, if you ask any one of my kids, ever, what their favorite part of preschool is, they will tell it that it's "learning centers" which is basically FREE PLAY ::

Not sure if any of that is helpful to you, but it's what I do

I agree with the "learning centers" play because children are allowed to make their own choices which makes learning fun......happyface

[Butter Biskets]

Depends on what they are paying for. If they are paying a play toys rate then go with that.

I don't know quite what a "play toys rate" is. I am in Canada and parents pay a flat monthly rate, not by the week. I charge what other dayhome providers in the area charge, which works out to be $200/child/week. During interviews, I have never said that I was going to do a curriculum or themes, just that I provide a safe, caring place for your child while you are at work. No one has ever asked either. The parents haven't said anything, it is just how I am feeling. My husband thinks I am over thinking again, but every time I come on here, it reminds me of what else I am not doing, kwim? And to add to that, when I tell my husband some of the ideas I get on here, he puts them down because that involves spending more money on toys/supplies (ie. the apple theme example) and making more work for myself. You all seem like true professionals and I feel like a glorified babysitter.

[SignMeUp]

I agree with the "learning centers" play because children are allowed to make their own choices which makes learning fun......happyface

Yes, I believe they are also seeking out what they need:
Social skills - interpersonal relationships, teamwork, cooperation.

(I also write my curriculum, based on their interests. They don't quite realize that they have an active say in it though. They just think that I read their minds I am good with that :

[Annalee]

Yes, I believe they are also seeking out what they need:
Social skills - interpersonal relationships, teamwork, cooperation.

(I also write my curriculum, based on their interests. They don't quite realize that they have an active say in it though. They just think that I read their minds I am good with that :

I don't know quite what a "play toys rate" is. I am in Canada and parents pay a flat monthly rate, not by the week. I charge what other dayhome providers in the area charge, which works out to be $200/child/week. During interviews, I have never said that I was going to do a curriculum or themes, just that I provide a safe, caring place for your child while you are at work. No one has ever asked either. The parents haven't said anything, it is just how I am feeling. My husband thinks I am over thinking again, but every time I come on here, it reminds me of what else I am not doing, kwim? And to add to that, when I tell my husband some of the ideas I get on here, he puts them down because that involves spending more money on toys/supplies (ie. the apple theme example) and making more work for myself. You all seem like true professionals and I feel like a glorified babysitter.

I get it on the money-thing....many things can be found at dollar mart....we did circus once and I found popcorn bowls at dollar mart, saved corndog boxes from home, etc...I made a puppet theatre out of pvc pipe from pinterest and had my aunt make 2 sets of curtains so I can change it into an apple market, store, circus for selling tickets...etc...point being many things can be turned into something else and and still keep children's interest....like I said earlier, I am just passing forward some info that was shared with me years ago! Doing things like this inexpensively does wonders for MY self-esteem.

[Butter Biskets]

I do preschool curriculum two days each week and the others are play days.
We have a sign hung by the cubbies so that kids recognize which day is which.

I find that two days of the more structured learning is plenty for my group, and they are SO happy to "go play" the other days.

I began the formal curriculum as an experiment, but the parents and kids love it, so I continued. I have come to like the balanced approach of doing both. I am generally totally full on my preschool days (I do all part time care) so that tells me that it's desired. And I like having a slightly smaller group on "play days" because I can often get a few things done, as well as spend extra time one-to-one with each of the kids. It's also when I have new families visit, and days that I recommend to parents of new infants.

I am happy on "play days" when I can observe their play skills, supplement their interests with a few extra items, and pull out books that support their interests OR to give them "seeds" for new play ideas. I consider "play days" to be MY strength - good old-fashioned family child care It develops strong social skills, creativity, self-awareness, and allows each child to learn at their own level.

And, if you ask any one of my kids, ever, what their favorite part of preschool is, they will tell it that it's "learning centers" which is basically FREE PLAY ::

Not sure if any of that is helpful to you, but it's what I do

I like the idea of the 2 days a week structured, makes it less over-whelming. I also like the part about developing social skills, creativity, self -awareness,etc. I am going to steal that.

[Butter Biskets]

I get it on the money-thing....many things can be found at dollar mart....we did circus once and I found popcorn bowls at dollar mart, saved corndog boxes from home, etc...I made a puppet theatre out of pvc pipe from pinterest and had my aunt make 2 sets of curtains so I can change it into an apple market, store, circus for selling tickets...etc...point being many things can be turned into something else and and still keep children's interest....like I said earlier, I am just passing forward some info that was shared with me years ago! Doing things like this inexpensively does wonders for MY self-esteem.

Great ideas!! I like the idea of re-purposing items. I will have to find that on Pinterest and convince hubby to make it for me.

[nannyde]

I don't know quite what a "play toys rate" is. I am in Canada and parents pay a flat mexercise, ly rate, not by the week. I charge what other dayhome providers in the area charge, which works out to be $200/child/week. During interviews, I have never said that I was going to do a curriculum or themes, just that I provide a safe, caring place for your child while you are at work. No one has ever asked either. The parents haven't said anything, it is just how I am feeling. My husband thinks I am over thinking again, but every time I come on here, it reminds me of what else I am not doing, kwim? And to add to that, when I tell my husband some of the ideas I get on here, he puts them down because that involves spending more money on toys/supplies (ie. the apple theme example) and making more work for myself. You all seem like true professionals and I feel like a glorified babysitter.

Being a babysitter is a great job. I've been one for 20 years. I do CARE. Good food, deep restorative sleep, good exercise, great toys, excellent supervision, and well behaved friends.

No pressure to do anything else.

[SignMeUp]

I like the idea of the 2 days a week structured, makes it less over-whelming. I also like the part about developing social skills, creativity, self -awareness,etc. I am going to steal that.

No stealing! :: It's yours! :: I'm sure others will give you little tidbits of phrases that work for what you do too. I know, I found it hard to "justify" what I do on play days too, but at the same time I could see the tremendous value in them! So, as you start to borrow words from everyone, you will find the ones that fit you the best

[Leigh]

Being a babysitter is a great job. I've been one for 20 years. I do CARE. Good food, deep restorative sleep, good exercise, great toys, excellent supervision, and well behaved friends.

No pressure to do anything else.

And that is just what kids need!

[AmyKidsCo]

My "curriculum" is child-led, play-based learning. By that I mean that I have the environment set up in learning centers and they can choose where & when to play.

I do monthly themes, mainly based around the seasons, and plan at least one "activity" each day, but by "activity" I mean I put something out, step back, and watch the fun. In Reggio inspired programs it's called a "provocation" and Denita Dinger of Play Counts calls it a "plop."

I also change materials in the learning centers according to the children's interest, but I wouldn't call it "Project" learning... maybe more "Emergent."

Don't worry - we all started where you are now and evolved our own style as we went along.

Provocations: http://iaminspiredbyreggio.blogspot....ovocation.html

Plops: http://playcountsdenitadinger.blogsp...pping-101.html (Sorry it's so hard to read - she changed her blog theme but apparently not all the changes worked.)

Project: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/ar...ased-preschool

Emergent" http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/...lum-works.html

[Unregistered]

I am play based with a curriculum. Is that an oxymoron? I have a total child care dedicated space with play based centers. Blocks/construction/vehicles, kitchen, book corner, easel (I set out markers), puzzles and manipulatives, science area (very simple - like a few sea shells and magnifying glasses) general toys, sensory table, crayons/ markers/coloring books, & play doh.

I have a long, low table the kids eat at modeled after an Ikea table my husband built. It's pushed up to the wall. I've found that the puzzles, play doh, a manipulative game, markers/paper, and science area works well here. It still seats six and there is plenty space to eat.

I do circle time each day. It is about 5-7 minutes long. I do LOTS of flannel board stories. Books on CD are well loved too. We also do Weekly Reader. Kids love those. It's only $5.00 a year per child.

I offer creative art about two times per week. Very simple and open ended. A few times a year more crafty type. My favorite over the years has been kool-aid painting. Cut out a shape-say if the theme is spring it would be a flower shape and then sprinkle on dry unsweetened kool-aid. Kids paint it with water. It changes color, it smells great, they are fascinated, they love it!

I love to cook with kids too.

I've been setting up outdoor fun spaces with ideas from the Happy Hooligan blog. Things like the soap factory, flower soup kitchen, etc. it's just set on two kids picnic tables. They are only set up a day or two.