I Don't Know What To Do!!:(

[williams2008]

Hello everyone! I have 6 dcks enrolled. I have a 3 year old, two 2 year old and three 1 year old. Anyway last year I had older dcks, but I lost a few due to them going to kindergarten. Our circle time used to consist of the alphabets,counting, learning our days of the week, the months of the year, tracing our names and lots of other things.

None of the dcks can really talk, but the 3 year old, and during circle time they are constantly getting up, so the only thing I'm doing is redirecting the entire time. so you can say our circle time has went flop!! The only thing they are interested in is playing with toys and putting them in their mouth. If we colors or use markers, they eat the crayons and put the markers in their mouth, if we paint they are trying to eat the paint. I don't know what my day to day program should consist of, can someone please give me some ideas????

[laundrymom]

Take a deep breath, OFFER circle time. Don't REQUIRE it. Ages and stages of dev are different. Let them be individuals. Structure your curric to the olders and adapt for the youngers if they're interested. Don't stress.

[Willow]

Having 5 kids under the age of two is likely your problem. That is A LOT.

Do you have help?

[williams2008]

Thank you, because I have really been stressing myself out about this matter. I don't want the parents to think that all they do is play while they are here, but that is all they like to do.

[littlemissmuffet]

I have 5 kids and all of them but one are under 2 years (the other one just turned 3). They all sit nicely for circle time and story time - most of them have learned their shapes, colors, letters, etc through this. They all participate in crafts. It's just a matter of consistancy and continuing to impliment these activites into your daily routine. They should get the hang of it eventually. I have always had these activites in my program, and have always had kids mostly 2 and under. It is very do-able.

[Country Kids]

Thank you, because I have really been stressing myself out about this matter. I don't want the parents to think that all they do is play while they are here, but that is all they like to do.

Thats what 1 & 2 year olds do!

[williams2008]

No I don't have any help, and yes you are right that is the problem! It has gotten to the point now where it seems that I am only a babysitter and babysitting is not what I want to do at all.

[melskids]

They don't need to be sitting down and still in order for you to teach them. Children that age learn better through movement and full body experiences. If they won't "sit" for circle, then make it a movement circle time. Sing and dance, use their bodies to make shapes and letters on the floor, add movements to your stories, jump, hop, or skip to letters/colors/shapes written on paper, etc. keep 'em moving, they'll learn...and sleep better!!!!

[sunlight]

I can truly relate to what your going through! Most of the kids in my group are the youngest is 1 year and the oldest is turning 3. What I found that works for me is working with them one on one. I tried circle time but like you said they just get up and walk away. I use a monthly curriculum and will work with one child at a time and do a couple of papers in that unit. It doesn't look like much when they get done, but they did it themselves and the parents can tell. The oldest has learned how to color on her own and can now trace shapes and letters. It does take time. After I get done with one kid I have another join me. Some days all I get to work with are 2 kids other days maybe some more. But by the end of the week we have all completed our unit of study.

[cheerfuldom]

I personally dont expect any of my under 2s to participate in anything....as long as they are not being disruptive, thats fine with me. I offer the activities and if they dont participate, thats fine. I have had some that could handle it, some that could not. With that many young ones, your day will certainly consist of a lot of "baby care". I wouldnt worry about lots of play time.

[MarinaVanessa]

Continue to do circle time but without the circle. Can you just let them play while you go over the shapes, letters etc? If the letter you're working on is P and one of the kids is playing with the pig point it out. "Look, the letter of the week is P. That makes this sound [sound]. Suzie is playing with a Pig. P P P pig.!" and so on.

[LK5kids]

Thats what 1 & 2 year olds do!

I agree with Country Kids!
When I worked with 2's I made circle time short and sweet. Flannel board story or activity they could participate in, a very short story (book form) and maybe a song. It has to be fun and engaging and SHORT! Work with the 3 yr. old extra after your 2's are done and maybe add a little one-on-one instruction during other times.

It can be done if it interests the kids and is age appropriate. I've had under 2's sit in circle time (18 mo.) but it's not a guarantee they will. I'd say under 2 you can't expect them to really sit. I know it can be frustrating....you just have to gear your circle time to a younger audience.

[LK5kids]

No I don't have any help, and yes you are right that is the problem! It has gotten to the point now where it seems that I am only a babysitter and babysitting is not what I want to do at all.

I've been there and I feel your pain! It's tough to drop down. When I did my first stint in fcc I went out two afternoons a week and taught pre-k because I love to teach too. It was allowed at that time in the state I lived in.

Grade school teachers almost always have a harder time going to a lower grade than moving up.


Keep your chin up. These kids are getting older each and every day and there will come a time when they will be ready for more.

You could also research toddler activities online and come up with some really great learning activities for these little ones. I went to a workshop a few years ago where the presenter worked with toddlers...WOW did she do some fantastic things with those little kids. I'll see if I can find the hand-out. PM me your name and address if you'd like me to send it to you.

[williams2008]

They don't need to be sitting down and still in order for you to teach them. Children that age learn better through movement and full body experiences. If they won't "sit" for circle, then make it a movement circle time. Sing and dance, use their bodies to make shapes and letters on the floor, add movements to your stories, jump, hop, or skip to letters/colors/shapes written on paper, etc. keep 'em moving, they'll learn...and sleep better!!!!

One thing that they do enjoy is when we are singing songs that involves movement. I have never had them to make shapes and letters with their bodies, and that is something I'm gonna incorporate! Thanks for the ideas!!

[countrymom]

don't worry about it. I would incorporate more play with these kids (thats the age group I have too) and sure they listen but do they really need to know shapes and colors and such. Nope! My kids play, but we practise sharing ! and they have just discovered that we sit at a table and color, and not each other or anything that doesn't look like a book.