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Choice time was the goal all along, but with the age of the kids I have it has really turned into free play and my house is a wreck during this time. Right now I have a 13 mo old dcb, 14mo dcb and my 2.5 year old dd. On in a couple weeks I'm starting another 2.5 year old and I'd like to transition into choice time so things are a bit more organized. But I cannot figure out how to get these boys to cooperate. Right now they're all over the place: cars+trucks, pulling out the balls, onto the toddle puzzles, ball toys, the busy box, back to cars and trucks. If I try to clean up behind them they show interest in what I've just cleaned up. I like the idea of letting them be involved as possible but I'm starting to think I need a play pen type thing. Not a pack'n'play but a gated type thing. And how should I go about transitioning my dd into choices too. Any ideas?
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Limit the things that are out and available. If the kids want to be involved, ask them to choose 3 or 4 things that should be out at the same time.
Those things then should be the ONLY options for playing and everything else is off limits. I rotate the choices so they have plenty of things to play with.
I also use Rubbermaid totes to keep the toys in so I can pack them away or stack them out of reach so they aren't accessible for the kids.
I'd also have a rule that they must pick up one thing before choosing another to play with.
If you just leave everything out and accessible the kids are going to tear through everything and leave your house in ruins.
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I agree with some limiting, but what is going on is totally developmentally appropriate. Kids under 2 1'/2 or so just aren't going to play with one thing, clean it up, and move on. Even our Montessori schools don't expect that in their toddler program. Once they are in the "classroom", they are at least 2 1/2, and have older children modeling it for them.
Just give them a few of each type of toy (fine motor, manips, dramatic play, etc), displayed in an inviting way, ideally, if you keep the other thing out of reach but within sight, they could then ask (or you could offer) for something else.
So, they are playing cars, and everyone is interested, so you bring down the bin with more cars. When a few kids want to move on, they could help you clean up, and as they move to duplos, you could add more. Something like that.
Or, if they are in clear bins, you can "trade" bins with them. "Oh, you want the cars? Well, I see you are done with the Little People. How about if we trade?" Then, have them put the cars back in the bucket, and exchange buckets.Comment
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Good ideas ladies. I have a lot of the blocks and small manipulatives in clear bins where they can still see them, but what I have accessible is a toy organizer with bins but no tops that hold some of the smaller cars, fabric blocks, Mr potato head stuff, one bin with small balls, and then finger puppets; then on the floor are our big cars and trucks, push/riding cars, and then a little tikes farm set. Also a book shelf with hammer and peg toys and a couple shape shorting. Now that I type it out it is a lot within reach :
: these are all in the same area-ish as recommended with the curriculum I use, the book nook/quiet are is on the other side of the activity tables and so is the housekeeping area. So in the car/block area, it just gets destroyed. I dont expect the little ones to be able to do one thing and then move on but I want to incorporate that with the older girls (2.5) at least to some degree to get them used to it. Would you recommend separating the little ones in a gate type play area and give them select toys so the girls can get used to that type of play? Or would you continue to let them be involved as much as they want.
I'm worried they will discourage the girls from doing what they're capable, since the boys are not. Also there are a lot of times we aren't able to do certain activities without the boys stepping in and making a mess. For example play dough is a problem, since the boys are too young. I encourage them to play with the tools but not the dough since they eat it. I feel like dd (despite me being right there deflecting) is constantly bombarded by the boys trying to take her tools and play dough, or 'cleaning' up the things she brings out; its almost like she doesn't get to have the experience she is capable of having since she's just kind of fighting for her space.
I always thought having them as involved as possible would be the best experience but it may be taking away from the olders experience. Same thing with our open ended art area. The older kids LOVE it, but I can't have it out any more because its in reach of the little ones and they just throw the stuff on the floor as soon as I'm doing something else.Comment
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I'm not sure exactly what choice time means. Cause I'm older I guess
During free play children choose their toys so how would choice time differ?
I agree with Heidi if it means having them put one thing away before they get out another. I wouldn't expect that to happen with the ages you have.
LaurelComment
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This is the kind of thing I was considering. Maybe only pull it out during choice time to allow the girls some constructive play time on their own while the boys are kept busy with a few different developmentally appropriate items in there with them? Does any one else do that?Comment
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I'm having the same problem.....ugh IDk what to do!Comment
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If you have the space, I would definitely consider gating off a portion for the big kids. Cleaning up after themselves is a way they can show you they're ready for that area.Good ideas ladies. I have a lot of the blocks and small manipulatives in clear bins where they can still see them, but what I have accessible is a toy organizer with bins but no tops that hold some of the smaller cars, fabric blocks, Mr potato head stuff, one bin with small balls, and then finger puppets; then on the floor are our big cars and trucks, push/riding cars, and then a little tikes farm set. Also a book shelf with hammer and peg toys and a couple shape shorting. Now that I type it out it is a lot within reach :: these are all in the same area-ish as recommended with the curriculum I use, the book nook/quiet are is on the other side of the activity tables and so is the housekeeping area. So in the car/block area, it just gets destroyed. I dont expect the little ones to be able to do one thing and then move on but I want to incorporate that with the older girls (2.5) at least to some degree to get them used to it. Would you recommend separating the little ones in a gate type play area and give them select toys so the girls can get used to that type of play? Or would you continue to let them be involved as much as they want.
I'm worried they will discourage the girls from doing what they're capable, since the boys are not. Also there are a lot of times we aren't able to do certain activities without the boys stepping in and making a mess. For example play dough is a problem, since the boys are too young. I encourage them to play with the tools but not the dough since they eat it. I feel like dd (despite me being right there deflecting) is constantly bombarded by the boys trying to take her tools and play dough, or 'cleaning' up the things she brings out; its almost like she doesn't get to have the experience she is capable of having since she's just kind of fighting for her space.
I always thought having them as involved as possible would be the best experience but it may be taking away from the olders experience. Same thing with our open ended art area. The older kids LOVE it, but I can't have it out any more because its in reach of the little ones and they just throw the stuff on the floor as soon as I'm doing something else.Comment
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I think this is a great idea! BUT I have them and they are a PITA to take down and put up. You'll need 2 kits with 8 panels to have some room. I bought the grey ones at walmart online for $55. I wanted the color ones but I didn't want to take away from the toys and then be too much. kwim?
You might be able to get some on craigslist.Comment
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I had a young group all winter....infant, 2.25 dcg, 2.25 dcg, 14 mo dcb, 16 mo dcg.
I had a bin of dishes but had to have like 8 pieces in there, maybe one or two cars, 3 puzzles out, and the rest self-contained toys with NO pieces like: bead maze, pop up toys, 2 grocery carts ( their favorite), kitchen area, rocking toys to sit/rock on, & dolls.
They loved these little wooden blocks with pictures on them, but I literally could only put out 6 of them.
Now everyone is old enough to handle much fuller bins of stuff.
I thought the idea of everything in a bin and the kids checking bins out is a great idea! I always wonder what you do if kids are working on a big project...say with lots of blocks and one or more are done but the other child still wants to play. The last one then picks up the entire pile? I can see kids limiting their play and stopping when they are still engaged because they do not want to get stuck with the entire pile of toys, or doesn't that happen?Comment
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I decided to go with the 8 panel colored one. I can't afford 2 right now, and don't have a ton of space free any way. I'll see how it goes, I might get another 6 panels on top of it if they need more space. It'll just be the 2 in there and only for short times in the day. We spend most of our time outside.Comment
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This is something I will be putting up and bringing down every day, and unfortunately I don't really have a corner I can use it in. Will kind of just be in the middle of my living room. (dc room is connected to my living room and is open to it. Kind of like the bottom of an L) We will see when it gets here. I'll do what ever I have to for less mess and more freedom for the bigger ones.Comment
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