Arrival Activities

[DaycareMom]

I have heard of people having an activity when the children arrive so they can get right into the day and separate from parent(s) easily.

I have tried coloring, puzzles and blocks so far ....

What are some of the activities you have tried and what has worked best?

[Luna]

It looks like you have already tried the one that works best for me - blocks. We have a lot of different kinds of blocks and all of the kids are anxious to get their coats off and start building.
My next suggestion would be play dough or cars, thinking about what my group would enjoy.

[CedarCreek]

Eating. I try to get them to hop right on over to the table. Food seems to be their best motivator ::

[Country Kids]

Arrival Activities:

Lego's
Magnets
Sensory tub
Puzzles
Manipulatives
Play dough
Cars/Carpet that has roads
Floor Mat that has Bible stories on it and stuffed Characters to play with
Books
Egg Cartons-put pom poms in, little colored ****s,etc
Chalkboard
Popsicle stick building
Lacing beads
Sewing cards
Spelling tiles/shows a word and they find the matching letters

[melskids]

I usually put out something they don't see on a regular basis so it is intriguing to them.

Just put some things aside and save them for morning only, and be sure to rotate a lot so they don't see it again for a while. I have a dozen or so activities that I keep in my stash.

I usually pull that same card when licensing shows up.

[Meyou]

I have a basket of fun toys for the morning only. It comes out from 7:30 until the last child arrives around 8:35. I change what's in it every few weeks.

[Blackcat31]

I usually put out something they don't see on a regular basis so it is intriguing to them.

I usually pull that same card when licensing shows up.

I have a basket of fun toys for the morning only. It comes out from 7:30 until the last child arrives around 8:35. I change what's in it every few weeks.

Same here.

[Leanna]

My guys and gals have a four choices when they come in: books, puzzles, an art activity (something very simple like markers, dotters, crayon rocks,etc.) or table toys. Every once in a while I will switch it up and put out a game or play dough as a fifth choice. I have the choices on a chart (with pictures) so they can choose what they want when they come in. My group knows the routine so well-they know that until breakfast they have to choose one of these activities.

I used to have the kids do their job as soon as they arrived and that worked well too. My group always seems to be big on helping and being "big" so the jobs were a hit. They couldn't wait to say good-bye to mom or dad so they could feed the fish/water the plants/set the table/dust with a feather duster/ etc.

Oh and the food thing totally works too . The only reason I don't do it is because we have a staggered drop-off and I like for us all to eat together.

[wahmof3]

I usually put out something they don't see on a regular basis so it is intriguing to them.

Just put some things aside and save them for morning only, and be sure to rotate a lot so they don't see it again for a while. I have a dozen or so activities that I keep in my stash.

I usually pull that same card when licensing shows up.