Help With Transition Activities...

[Leanna]

So no matter how hard I try there always seems to be a 3-5 span of time in between when the kids sit down at the table and when I am able to put plates down. I need some quick, easy, mess-free ideas of what to do because they go APE #$&*! Singing is not an option...for some reason it works while we are waiting to get dressed to go outside but not at meals. Looking at books is also not an option because that is what they do when they are finished eating. Any ideas?

[butterfly]

we do singing but... coloring? puzzles?

[Blackcat31]

So no matter how hard I try there always seems to be a 3-5 span of time in between when the kids sit down at the table and when I am able to put plates down. I need some quick, easy, mess-free ideas of what to do because they go APE #$&*! Singing is not an option...for some reason it works while we are waiting to get dressed to go outside but not at meals. Looking at books is also not an option because that is what they do when they are finished eating. Any ideas?

How old are the kids and how many of them?

[melilley]

I was going to say singing... How old are the kids?

What about playing a game like finding body parts or something. Sometimes when my kids are waiting for food and are going crazy, I raise my voice and say "hands in the air". They all look at me and usually smile then put their hands in the air then we point out body parts. My dck's are all 2.5 and under and even my 13 and 14 mo. old's kind of do it, or at least look at everyone else.

Or I spy.

I usually let them play right up until we eat though. I only have up to six kids so it's easier for me to do it that way.

[Leanna]

6 total.
Baby DCG is 7 mos.
DCG 22 mos.
DCB 2 OR DCB 4 (depending on what day it is)
DCG 2
DCB 3
DCG 4

[blandino]

We have a "cozy corner" with a foam couch and a bucket of books. If I need a place for my kiddos to go, I will te them to all wait in the cozy corner and read. I also will sometimes tell them each to go pick one toy off the shelf and bring it to the cozy corner and play with it while they wait.

We have two child size tables and I am also thinking of using those at transition times. Having each child fond a stool and sit.

[butterfly]

A couple other things I've done...

I give them a muffin tin and some objects. Foam stickers, large beads, pom poms, plastic leaves, or something else... often times it's things that fit our theme that we are working on. I let them sort them. They can decide how they want to do it. They can use color, size, etc. That seems to keep them busy for a few minutes.

Usually I just plate their food while they are cleaning up their toys. Then they all go potty and wash hands while it's cooling. We sit, say our prayers and eat.

Maybe some file folder games?

[littleblossoms]

Alphabet magnets on a cookie sheet is a great activity. If your table is in the kitchen while doing lunches give them.
Coloring