Need Some Ideas!

[bzzzybee]

I need some ideas of how to encourage/help facilitate one of my daycare boys to play. He is here five days a week along with his two year old brother, a one year old girl, an 11 month old girl and pretty soon a 3 year old girl will be full time as well. On Fridays another 4 year old boy is here and sometimes he doesn't even want to play with him. When he comes in in the morning lately he has been getting his blanket and laying down. After a few minutes I have him put the blanket away and tell him he needs to get up and play. This morning he got out a box of superhero toys and did nothing more than pull out a few of them and stare at them. When he plays he usually tries to involve me in some form such as watching him do this or that or wanting me to be a part of it. And I get that at times I should be interacting through play but I have the younger ones to also take care of, plus I am due with my first child in two weeks (and when I have the baby I cannot give dcb all of my attention) and I want him to be able to figure out that he can entertain himself for a bit and not rely on me. So, anyone have any ideas of how I can help him entertain himself??

Sorry that was such a long post!

[JoseyJo]

I need some ideas of how to encourage/help facilitate one of my daycare boys to play. He is here five days a week along with his two year old brother, a one year old girl, an 11 month old girl and pretty soon a 3 year old girl will be full time as well. On Fridays another 4 year old boy is here and sometimes he doesn't even want to play with him. When he comes in in the morning lately he has been getting his blanket and laying down. After a few minutes I have him put the blanket away and tell him he needs to get up and play. This morning he got out a box of superhero toys and did nothing more than pull out a few of them and stare at them. When he plays he usually tries to involve me in some form such as watching him do this or that or wanting me to be a part of it. And I get that at times I should be interacting through play but I have the younger ones to also take care of, plus I am due with my first child in two weeks (and when I have the baby I cannot give dcb all of my attention) and I want him to be able to figure out that he can entertain himself for a bit and not rely on me. So, anyone have any ideas of how I can help him entertain himself??

Sorry that was such a long post!

IMO children learn how to play best from other children around the same age. I bet once the 3 yo girl starts, if she's a good play-er, then he will learn from her.

I personally would let him lay down if he wanted. He will eventually get tired of that and find something more entertaining. When he asks you to entertain him just say "go play toys", and smile big

[daycarediva]

He doesn't know how to entertain himself because he has never had to do it before. I offer encouragement and give suggestions "Can your superhero fly?" "who is he saving?" and say "Sounds fun!" "Looks like so much fun!" "Why don't you see if M wants to play, too?" but I do not/will not involve myself in pretend play 100% of the time.

I buddy bad play-ers with good ones to help them along, too.

I see more and more of this with more screen time. They have ZERO imagination and interest unless it has flashing lights and is touch screen.