Sitting On Knees/Feet

[mema]

My rule is no laying to play. I have a couple that will sit on their knees/feet instead. That was fine, until recently. Now if they aren't on their bottoms, they sway back and forth and try to knock into people/things.
Anyone else have this problem? Any way to curb it? Today I have been on them telling them on their bottoms, but the minute I turn around they are up on their knees swaying, rocking again.

[bice99]

I hear ya! Put the swayers in a different spot if you can? Carpet squares? It's a constant battle here with one 2 1/2 year old. But she's getting a lot better now.

[kendallina]

Why can't you allow them to lay down to play?

[Lucy]

I hear ya. I always tell them "feet in front of you". You're right. After almost 18 years of this, I'm finally () realizing that if they're not on their bottoms, they bounce around and sway, like you said, and the little ones sometimes get off balance and topple over. As ridiculous of a "rule" as it sounds, it's a valid one. Too many little spats over "he knocked my toys over!" and things like that. As for the laying down, I don't like that either, because someone walking past them will invariably trip over their legs. Or they suddenly bend at the knee, and the feet come up in the air just as someone was trying to step over their legs. Things like that. Like I said, sounds picky, but it's just the things you pick up after years and years of doing this. And trust me, I'm one who hates having little picky "rules" (do I dare use the phrase "rules of play" like someone else does ), but this is one that I have noticed myself doing a lot lately. "Sit down on your bottom with your feet in front of you". My latest mantra.

[daycare]

Why can't you allow them to lay down to play?

I don't allow it either unless I can control the environment. usually when they lay on their tummys to play, they start kicking their legs and feet. Almost 99.9 % of the time someone gets a kick to the head.

When we do pretend play, I allow for the kids to do whatever they want, but I am there to make sure no one walks into their kicking feet or swinging arms.

During free play, I don't play referee, so I don't allow for it.

I have never had issues with the other style of sitting, sorry no advice on that one

[Country Kids]

I'm the same way. No laying down and everyone on their bottoms or criss cross applesause. I have one though that can't do that and always sits with their legs tucked behind them with their bottom in between the legs. I don't really like that but this one really seems to only be able to sit that way.

[Lucy]

I've also had a situation where two of them were sitting with legs folded under them... feet under their bottoms, and they both "popped up" at the same time and conked their heads together.

[mema]

I hear ya! Put the swayers in a different spot if you can? Carpet squares? It's a constant battle here with one 2 1/2 year old. But she's getting a lot better now.

I wish it was the 3 year old doing it, but it's the 5 1/2 year olds. I am beginning to think they are doing it purposely because the only time they are doing it is when they are near someone else.

Why can't you allow them to lay down to play?

I don't allow it because they trip people or kick things over. I have one that then wouldn't play, she would just lay allllllll day (she's my great napper)

[nannyde]

And trust me, I'm one who hates having little picky "rules" (do I dare use the phrase "rules of play" like someone else does )

I don't have the feet forward rule. I've never had any issues with kids on knees or feet bumping into each other, toppling over, or knocking each others stuff over so I've never even thought of having that rule.

Learn sompin new every day.

Here are my "rules of play"

https://www.daycare.com/nannyde/there-is-no-correct-way-to-play-with-any-toy.htm#comment-382