12-18 Months, Need Some Ideas And Suggestions!

[Liz90]

I recently moved and accepted a position
In a 12-18 month class at a Christian daycare. Right now I am just shadowing the current teacher but will be taking over her position next month when she moves and leaves the center.

My past experience has been with 4-5 year olds and school age kids so going to 12-18 months is a bit different. Right now there is zero structure and most of the day is spent with the kids playing with any toy they can get their hands on. I want to create a schedule and incorporate more learning and lessening the free play time (not completely, just not ALL day) but I don't know where to set my expectations, what I should expect of them as a group at this age. I would really love any input from those more experienced than I am. Any activities you do, what ones they enjoy the most, realistically how long should I be able to expect them to remain engaged on a specific activity, etc. I want to also incorporate weekly themes and colors and/or shapes, but again, I'm not sure. I'm sorry for all the questions, but I greatly appreciate your time and assistance!

[Unregistered]

Most of the structure I find in this age group is in the meal times, outdoor time slot, diaper changing times and nap times. The rest tends to be more free play, but you can certainly create a learning classroom environment, and use that free play for learning opportunities.

Popular activities for that age group here:

different types of blocks
dolls, play kitchen
puppets
felt board
magnet board
sensory bottles
musical instruments
listening to music and dancing
board books
stacking/nesting cups

Depending on the group and interest/attention span, I'll do short learning segments throughout the day, keeping them around 10 minutes in length.

This link has a free curriculum for two yearolds that maybe you could adapt:

http://www.abcjesuslovesme.com/

[jamiem]

I am currently caring for a 14 month old and a 20 month old so I have some experience but am still relatively new to daycare. We have breakfast, lunch, and nap at the same time daily but in between eating and sleeping we mostly have free play. I follow the kids' lead and play with what they are interested in. Their attention spans are still quite short at this point and while we do some simple activities they aren't able to really follow directions or play games yet. We spend a lot of time reading books. Some other regular activities are wood puzzles, flashcards, blocks, singing songs. Probably the activity that they spend the most time with is the sensory table-we have used colored rice, oats, moon sand, and water. Good luck in your new position!

[jenn]

I have 3 in that age group right now. Our schedule is very flexible, but we have set meal/snack times and set nap times. I do very short, like 5 minute, "group times" with them. We might read a story, do a puzzle together, sing some songs, very basic. Activities they enjoy...
*Play cooking, they bring me foods to eat
*baby dolls
*dancing, singing, musical instruments
*pushing around the doll stroller and grocery cart
*this week I have clean empty wipe boxes that they put things in and then pull back out (strips of material, large craft pom poms,...)

[daycare]

If I had this age group I would follow a schedule of meals, naps and toileting.... the rest of the day, I would sit on the floor and read read read read and those that were interested in reading could sit on me or around me and listen to the stories.

I would also probably help them put blocks into sorting objects, but I would just mostly read all day and let them play at their own free will....

I would probably also focus on giving them space that would allow for them to walk, stand and what not since some of them are going to either just starting or learning to walk..

I love songs and music, perhaps a 10 minute music time in the morning might be good?

[Lyss]

I recently moved and accepted a position
In a 12-18 month class at a Christian daycare. Right now I am just shadowing the current teacher but will be taking over her position next month when she moves and leaves the center.

My past experience has been with 4-5 year olds and school age kids so going to 12-18 months is a bit different. Right now there is zero structure and most of the day is spent with the kids playing with any toy they can get their hands on. I want to create a schedule and incorporate more learning and lessening the free play time (not completely, just not ALL day) but I don't know where to set my expectations, what I should expect of them as a group at this age. I would really love any input from those more experienced than I am. Any activities you do, what ones they enjoy the most, realistically how long should I be able to expect them to remain engaged on a specific activity, etc. I want to also incorporate weekly themes and colors and/or shapes, but again, I'm not sure. I'm sorry for all the questions, but I greatly appreciate your time and assistance!

The 12-18mo age is much different than the older kids as I'm sure you know, most center classrooms with this age are all play based. You can throw in art and sensory activities but if lasts 2 minutes don't be discouraged, its common to be all over the place at this age. It may look disorganized because its not structured like the older kids but play is an important learning tool at this age.

Like the other posters my group that's this age doesn't have a set schedule, other than meal/diaper/nap time, the rest I just play by ear. We read, sing songs, dance, do art/sensory but really its all play based. When we are doing an activity, say reading, most come and go during that time.

At this age my group love sensory play, kitchen play, plastic animals, cars, blocks, tunnels...

[Lavender]

My kids are 9-17 months right now. I have recently taken over the classroom and implemented a very flexible schedule quite successfully so far. We still have some who are on 3 hour feeding schedules and bottles plus a couple take morning naps so it is all dependent on the day and the kids. Everyday I am scheduling either an outdoor time or a large motor activity. Each day I also schedule an art activity or sensory activity. We read daily in the half hour prior to lunch. I read them several books and then they look through the books building their pre-reading skills. You'd be surprised how much these kids really can do. For example, my babies paint. I bought washable tempera and brought in outgrown shirts from my kids and they go to town. For sensory just make sure it is edible and safe. It can be done in a sensory bin or table or just in the highchairs.

[cheerfuldom]

the only learning activities I would incorporate would be play or sensory based. I wouldnt expect most kids this age to have a long attention span or be interested in group play. I would focus on the daily routine of the day (naps, diaper changes, feedings) and focus on the remaining portions to be calm and cry free, hopefully including some outdoor time! That alone will fill up the day and keep you busy. I just dont want your expectations to get too high regarding group activities. I dont require any of my toddlers to participate. As long as what they are choosing is not disruptive, I am all about the free play. I also wouldnt expect the kids to make much of anything as far as "products" from their learning experience. I know some parents are very focused on worksheets, coloring sheets, crafts and such. My youngest daughter didnt even walk till 17 months so I would never expect or want her to be pushed to "produce" something to take home.

Talk to the director about what their expectations are for you in the class

How many kids do you have of this age? Do you have assistance in the room? Is it the same kids every day? that will change what you can do with this group as well

[Liz90]

Thank you for all the replies and ideas! I greatly appreciate it. I am going to post a new thread with what I've come up with and would love all of your input!