How to Get DCK To Play

[littleblossoms]

I have five kids, 26 months old, 21 months, 18 months, 2- 15 months.
I
Toys: ball tent, ride ons inside, toddler slide, tunnel that rotate.
Kitchen always out
Cars
Legos out for structure activity
Stroller and dolls
Books rotate


Other lots of battery toys that is rotate
Need help how to get these kida to play. They just sit there and stare or cry.

What do store your toys in? Do the kids go and take them? Do you have the toys on open shef or buckets?

I do not have much little people toys maybe is that what I am missing. How do you keep your little pople things together without the kids not loosing the pieces.

Any advice will be good.

[Heidi]

So...none of the kids play?

Usually, they get energy and ideas from one another. If there is no strong leader in the group, you'll have to teach them to play. Maybe they all sit infront of the tv at home or someone entertains them?

Do you have the tv on? Turn it off...

I play music "kids songs" or other appropriate up-tempo music during free play. My toys are typically in baskets on an open, low shelf. I also rotate. Currently, I have some discovery bottles the kids made (old soda bottles filled with glitter, oil, & water), some clear plastic blocks with objects in them, wooden stacking robots, a wood puzzle-box, about 10 small cars, and about 20 high -quality block people (made of a soft plastic).

In another shelf, I have 2 puzzles, a shape sorter, a latches board, and on top (for my older dck's) a dress-up wooden teddy bear set and about 20 animal-memory cards (I took 20 out of the set for them to use, because the whole set would be a huge mess and overwhelm them).

I also have a kitchen set, with 2 bowls, 2 cups, 2 plates, 2 pairs of sparklyish shoes, about 6 hats, and a mirror nearby. Oh, and some Ikea vegetables in a basket, a pot, some empty spice containers, and a spoon.

Underneath the table by the front door, there are 26 magnetic alphabet letters and 2 magnetic writing boards. There is also a book rack near the cozy area filled with books.

I have tons more toys put away, and rotate them through every few weeks. I don't necessarily change everything at once, just add a few and take out a few. I do not have a single electronic toy.

More later...sorry...guest is here

[cheerfuldom]

I dont do any battery operated toys.

I also dont do any noisemaking toys or "push a button and something happens"

I provide everything else but keep it very simple and then let the kids figure it out. If they want to sit and cry instead of do something, thats their choice. eventually they do give up and do something instead of crying.

[littleblossoms]

how to get DCK to play

So...none of the kids play?

Usually, they get energy and ideas from one another. If there is no strong leader in the group, you'll have to teach them to play. Maybe they all sit infront of the tv at home or someone entertains them?

Do you have the tv on? Turn it off...

I play music "kids songs" or other appropriate up-tempo music during free play. My toys are typically in baskets on an open, low shelf. I also rotate. Currently, I have some discovery bottles the kids made (old soda bottles filled with glitter, oil, & water), some clear plastic blocks with objects in them, wooden stacking robots, a wood puzzle-box, about 10 small cars, and about 20 high -quality block people (made of a soft plastic).

In another shelf, I have 2 puzzles, a shape sorter, a latches board, and on top (for my older dck's) a dress-up wooden teddy bear set and about 20 animal-memory cards (I took 20 out of the set for them to use, because the whole set would be a huge mess and overwhelm them).

I also have a kitchen set, with 2 bowls, 2 cups, 2 plates, 2 pairs of sparklyish shoes, about 6 hats, and a mirror nearby. Oh, and some Ikea vegetables in a basket, a pot, some empty spice containers, and a spoon.

Underneath the table by the front door, there are 26 magnetic alphabet letters and 2 magnetic writing boards. There is also a book rack near the cozy area filled with books.

I have tons more toys put away, and rotate them through every few weeks. I don't necessarily change everything at once, just add a few and take out a few. I do not have a single electronic toy.

More later...sorry...guest is here

I have no TV. Yes i do believe these kids are entertain by adults or watch TV all day

When i put the music on only the two year old danceand is very active. I had her since she was 8 months.

If i buid blocks they sit and watch me. One of the19 month old said that her child build those same blocks high and all around her. But she do not even put four together here.

[Heidi]

Ok...company is gone and Judge Judy is over.

When you say play, what are your expectations? I think many of us here have noticed that alot of children have trouble with free-play nowadays, but usually it's one in a group, not a whole group.

Usually, there is a lot of exploring before 2 years of age, and then the play becomes more purposeful. I would expect the youngest in your group to spend a lot of time picking up objects, dropping them, and then moving on.

The older ones, I would think, would fill and dump, drive a car around, carry a doll and feed it, stuff it into a stroller and push it, stack a few blocks, squish some playdough or scribble, climb on things (hopefully appropriate things), try on a hat or some shoes, admire themselves.

Your room, after a couple hours of play, should pretty much look like a tornado (or 5) hit it.

What is your daily schedule like? How much do you lead activities? I lead very little. I introduce new materials, and a few times a week, make sure they get access to art materials (they are always just out of reach, so they can ask or point for them, but generally don't). I also read aloud most days (at the end of lunch), we take a walk (except right now bc it's been bitter cold), and play outside (more freeplay).

[littleblossoms]

How to get DCK to play

No these kids will not take a toy and play.

No my place do not look like a tornado.

If I gave them toys they will play with it. So lets say I gave cars they will sit and hold it. I can show them to drive it on the floor nothing they are lazy kids.

At this age they should able to dump the toys, hold and walk around the room but no they won't do that neither.

I had my last set of kids that was the same age with these kids and they will play, run and jump. I could have gaven kids boxes and they will jump inside or put toys in and empty it back.

Take them in the back yard and they stare will not move.

One boy especially 21 months he will stand one spot and stare at me.