Mbr Signed Out...Feeling Guilty pls help

[Unregistered]

Hello, I signed out just in case

So here is my guilt trip, I have a total of 3 DCF with a total of 4 DCK ages 10mos,18mos,1yr,3 1/2. And two of my own 5yr/9mos.

So I feel as if I'm not giving/doing all I should/can for my two older kids (1dck/my own) the babies take up so much time an attention. I try to do more hands own crafts/coloring activities but those babies just crawl/walk write on over and make a mess of everything.

By all means I do the basics (abc/123/colors/shapes etc) w/flashcards. We sing/dance/read stories and play several games through out our day.

Am'I doing something wrong...should the older kids have more educational activities?

Thanks!

[DCBlessings27]

Educational Activities

Since I'm new to this forum, I don't know if I'll be against the majority but...

I think you're doing just fine. I taught high school before having my daughter and starting my daycare. In my daycare, I only do what you do--crafts/abcs/dance/sing. Other daycares in my area have center times and preschool themes. My kids don't care to sit at a table/desk etc doing themes nor do I feel that I need to do them. The small ones (under 5) do NOT need to be sat at a desk for periods of time. I know that I was burnt out by school by the time I reached high school and finished college (I graduated after only 3 years because I pushed myself hard.) Kids need a chance to be KIDS as they are developing--not tiny little students. I do put a large emphasis on the use of imagination in my daycare. When I taught, the kids were all learning according to the tests instead of getting chances to be creative.

I have helped with learning to write letters and with learning how to cut. I even had one family who asked me to start with beginning math for their 3 yo who already knew her letters. She didn't quite grasp the concept at 3. One child who I helped teach to write is now in Pre-K. He was very advanced before starting pre-k and is now starting to read. His parents just told me that his teachers think he needs to be in an advanced program but they don't start testing for that until 2nd grade. My daughter is almost 3, and she had uppercase letter recognition down just after she turned 2. I have done all of these things for my child and dc children without sitting them at desks/tables.

I am not saying that preschool themes are bad, but they are not for me.

[cheerfuldom]

The reality is that with that many young ones, they will take up the majority of your day. However, there is nothing wrong with the older ones have a lot of free play, outdoor time and such. You don't have to fill up every second with curriculum. If you haven't done this already, I would make a safe space that is just for the big kids to do their activities. Either section off a space for them, put them at a table that the little kids cant reach or section off a baby zone for the babies.

[MNMum]

I often feel the same. Currently I have 6 mos, 16 mos, 19 mos, 2, 3.5, 3.5 and my Kindergartner. The guilt gets heavy at times. But truth be told, these kids are happy here. I may feel like I am going crazy at times. We don't do a ton of projects, I can't keep art supplies out all the time. I try switching up the environment so the toddlers have their own space, the older kids have their own. But they are constantly invading in on each others. The kids are well fed, safe, and clean. They play outside everyday (unless it's below 20 degrees).

If nothing else, I read a couple books to the kids everyday. We do a quick calendar time 2 days/week on average. We count to 20 together, count down from 10, say our abc's and sing a song. Some days we get more done than others. Sometimes we do these things at the lunch table if I haven't otherwise had time.

The kids are learning how to behave, how to share, how to be nice. That will go a long way in kindergarten.

I'm one person, not a miracle-maker.

[Unregistered]

Since I'm new to this forum, I don't know if I'll be against the majority but...

I think you're doing just fine. I taught high school before having my daughter and starting my daycare. In my daycare, I only do what you do--crafts/abcs/dance/sing. Other daycares in my area have center times and preschool themes. My kids don't care to sit at a table/desk etc doing themes nor do I feel that I need to do them. The small ones (under 5) do NOT need to be sat at a desk for periods of time. I know that I was burnt out by school by the time I reached high school and finished college (I graduated after only 3 years because I pushed myself hard.) Kids need a chance to be KIDS as they are developing--not tiny little students. I do put a large emphasis on the use of imagination in my daycare. When I taught, the kids were all learning according to the tests instead of getting chances to be creative.

I have helped with learning to write letters and with learning how to cut. I even had one family who asked me to start with beginning math for their 3 yo who already knew her letters. She didn't quite grasp the concept at 3. One child who I helped teach to write is now in Pre-K. He was very advanced before starting pre-k and is now starting to read. His parents just told me that his teachers think he needs to be in an advanced program but they don't start testing for that until 2nd grade. My daughter is almost 3, and she had uppercase letter recognition down just after she turned 2. I have done all of these things for my child and dc children without sitting them at desks/tables.

I am not saying that preschool themes are bad, but they are not for me.

Thank you, hearing this from a teacher makes me feel good about whats going on in my dc. My kids are well taken care of, and I'm learning that they all have very different needs and learn at a different pace! I guess I'm so worried about what my DCP's think. But truth be told two of my families work so hard...I don't think they notice what their kid(s) is or it's leaning.

[Unregistered]

Yes, I'm working on providing the older kids with their own space, just brought some new baby gates "the summer time 3ft one's" I think I will placed one in the entrance of the daycare room and not let the babies in until after naps...big kids will be outside at this time any way.

I think it will keep things fresh for the babies as-well...thanks so much!