Do You Think It Is Good-

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

to always be interacting with the kids you watch? The new regs thread made me think about this.
I do not think it is healthy for the kids to always be interacting with them. I purposefully leave them in the playroom to play. I am in the kitchen within earshot. I believe they truly learn to play with each other when adults leave them to do so.
I know parents have "entertainment" going when their kids are around. I do talk on the phone during childcare hours. I am online throughout the day. My children are always supervised and played with everyday for a period of the day. (generally I am the alligator chasing the monkeys outside)
A home is a different environment than a center. And for me I don't get a lunch or a break. So if I choose to watch a movie on netflix with one ear bud in during nap, homeschool my son, clean up the kitchen - what should it matter if my children are safe?

[thetoddlerwhisper]

i dont think its healthy to always be on top of them. its the ages when they learn to play and work with others. and also the age when they learn important life skills. i try to give them time to play and sometimes ill join them or step in when there is an issue

[Blackcat31]

No. I do not play with the kids.

I am available to assist them when and if they should require adult intervention.

I do not believe my role is to facilitate anything. I provide an environment that is supportive of their developmental needs and interests and that is all.

On occasion, I will and have got down on the floor and participated in an activity or project but for the most part I am simply available.

I don't lead, direct or tell them to do anything other than clean up and come to lunch.

The kids entertain themselves, decide what they are going to do and to what extent. I provide materials and the supervision.

[countrymom]

to always be interacting with the kids you watch? The new regs thread made me think about this.
I do not think it is healthy for the kids to always be interacting with them. I purposefully leave them in the playroom to play. I am in the kitchen within earshot. I believe they truly learn to play with each other when adults leave them to do so.
I know parents have "entertainment" going when their kids are around. I do talk on the phone during childcare hours. I am online throughout the day. My children are always supervised and played with everyday for a period of the day. (generally I am the alligator chasing the monkeys outside)
A home is a different environment than a center. And for me I don't get a lunch or a break. So if I choose to watch a movie on netflix with one ear bud in during nap, homeschool my son, clean up the kitchen - what should it matter if my children are safe?

are you that boxelder beetle in my house watching me, because I could have written the exact same post !

[countrymom]

I also find that because I don't sit and hover over them, they play better, their imaginations are huge but they are the best problem solvers in the world. Sometimes I hide around the corner and listen and I love how they include each other and make sure no one is hurt and that everything is fair--way better than some adults thats for sure!

[daycarediva]

I do not play with them. I am there and available. I do my best to stay in direct line of sight but other than that, free play is just that, free play.

I entertain/interact enough with circle, story, centers and meals. They need down time, too!

[Leigh]

Free play is the most important part of a child's life. I interfere with that very little. If invited, I may get on the floor and play for a bit, but I would never invite myself. If kids are "bored", I will provide play ideas or take out art supplies. I am not aware of the regs you reference, but if they suggest that a provider play WITH children, I am 100% against that as a regular activity. Kids imaginations develop best without adults trying to direct their play and stifle their imaginations.

[coolconfidentme]

Since we are a talking about free play, what is everyone's response when a child constantly shows you or tells you what they are doing?

[Heidi]

Ditto Mrs. Steinel and BC.

This is also something I saw at the Waldorf School Kindergarten I spent the morning at. While there are times when the teachers interact directly with the children; serving meals, telling a story, etc, they are otherwise very hands off. They purposely find work to do that keeps them nearby, but NOT engaging the children.

So, they sort of "fill their buckets" with warm interactions at meals and during short teacher-led stories, songs, etc, and then they step back. They only intervene when there is danger. It was really peaceful, although those kiddos were super-busy!

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

My worry, concern is that we are going to be so over regulated that we will not be able to "be available" but interacting constantly!

[Soccermom]

Since we are a talking about free play, what is everyone's response when a child constantly shows you or tells you what they are doing?

OMG! I have two of these and it drives me nuts! I seriously wonder what causes kids to do that..

[Scout]

to always be interacting with the kids you watch? The new regs thread made me think about this.
I do not think it is healthy for the kids to always be interacting with them. I purposefully leave them in the playroom to play. I am in the kitchen within earshot. I believe they truly learn to play with each other when adults leave them to do so.
I know parents have "entertainment" going when their kids are around. I do talk on the phone during childcare hours. I am online throughout the day. My children are always supervised and played with everyday for a period of the day. (generally I am the alligator chasing the monkeys outside)
A home is a different environment than a center. And for me I don't get a lunch or a break. So if I choose to watch a movie on netflix with one ear bud in during nap, homeschool my son, clean up the kitchen - what should it matter if my children are safe?

I completely agree with you. I will do laundry when they are in the playroom, which is also in earshot. I have only played tag with them outside with the squirt guns last summer. I also have no break from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm so I do what I like during nap too, usually sleep a bit in a recliner in the living room with the kids asleep! I never would not hear them move as I am a light sleeper. They learn to solve problems by adults not always intervening.

[Blackcat31]

OMG! I have two of these and it drives me nuts! I seriously wonder what causes kids to do that..

Usually they are looking for some form of affirmation or recognition. Children who are OVERLY praised and OVERLY interacted with are usually this type of child. They lack the ability to play without someone constantly telling them "Good job" or "yah, you are doing great!" etc etc.....

Since we are a talking about free play, what is everyone's response when a child constantly shows you or tells you what they are doing?

My standard reply is usually "Timmy, why don't you discuss this with your friends. I am sure they would love to talk to you about how/why you did (whatever activity etc)."

If they are really bad about it, I will outright tell them to stop and that I don't want to continually discuss what they are doing or how they are doing when I would much rather they play while I supervised verses interacting.

[DaycareMom]

Since we are a talking about free play, what is everyone's response when a child constantly shows you or tells you what they are doing?

Would LOVE to hear what other people do! 4 out of 5 of my kids do this constantly!!

I usually say, "Wow cool buddy! Go play!"

[Luna]

Since we are a talking about free play, what is everyone's response when a child constantly shows you or tells you what they are doing?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately and I haven't yet found a good solution. I only have one who DOESN'T ask for constant feedback. I couldn't put my finger on what is so draining about my current group, then I realized DH and I were able to have a conversation while my last-pickup dcb played. There is no way that would happen with any of the other dcks.

Right now (quiet time) I have a DCG laying on a cot with a book, a quiet activity, and cartoons on. She has her back to the tv, book and activity are on the floor, and she is staring at me. If she catches my eye she smiles and asks me something.