Do You Think It Is Good-

[ashleyh]

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.

This!

[melilley]

I think free play is the most valuable time for children. I love watching and/or listening to the kids interact with each other!

I do play with my dck's, but minimally and it's mostly when we are outdoors (I love to do physical activities with them). I mostly do what I have to do, but occasionally I will build or read or do whatever with them.

I don't think that a lot of these people who are writing/enforcing these regs ever have worked in a fcc environment or even a center environment. Some may have some type of education, but not any real world experience. I wish the state would get our input in some way.
This is why I'm on the fence about our Stars program. I have 3 stars and they keep pushing me to get 4 and I'm not so sure I want to move forward because of some of the stuff they require you to do.

[originalkat]

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.

Yes.
When I play with the children I have found that they see me as a playmate instead of a teacher or authority figure. In addition, when I watch every move they make, and do not give them the space they need to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and use their imagination I find I tend to micro manage them and they rely on me to solve problems for them and entertain them.

[Blackcat31]

Yes.
When I play with the children I have found that they see me as a playmate instead of a teacher or authority figure. In addition, when I watch every move they make, and do not give them the space they need to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and use their imagination I find I tend to micro manage them and they rely on me to solve problems for them and entertain them.

This.... I learned a while back that my most annoying habit when it came to my method of playing with the kids was constantly micro-managing.

The BIGGEST lesson learned was what I viewed or considered as fair isn't the same as what the kids view and/or consider fair.

Fair does NOT mean equal.

By staying OUT of their play and especially their conflicts, children can learn skills that are necessary for surviving in the "real world".

[Childminder]

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.

Yeppers

[Childminder]

The children that come into care a little bit older and have helicopter parents are the ones that can not do any thing without a step by step "attaboy".

There is a difference between Praise and Encouragement. When my children were little we were taught to praise everything they did and they became the "entitled" generation and are now trying to raise their kids the same way. They are incapable of doing anything w/o an adult saying how great they are.

[KidGrind]

I play with the kids & interact with them at times. Of course it’s not the whole or even most of the day or they have this place looking like a hurricane passed through it. Plus who’s going to keep their tummies full?!

Did I mention how much I enjoy nap time?

[Soccermom]

So what do you do all do while the DCKS play? I try to appear busy and have even installed a baby gate in the hallway before my laundry room so I can go fold clothes without being bothered by "What are you doing" and followed while trying to get some things done.

I tidy the play area and prepare crafts or activities but I run out of things to do...LOL Help!

Also how much time do you all dedicate to structured activities, crafts and learning per day?

[Sunchimes]

I use to get out of the way and allow them to do their thing. It's different now, and I find myself in the thick of things all the time. I have a child with SPD. I do extensive therapy with him-he is hyposensitive and if left alone, he just wanders aimlessly. I spend tons of the day in the floor teaching him to play-usually hand over hand. Naturally, if I'm in the floor, the others want to get involved with me. Since I only have 3 kids, it isn't too much of an issue. The oldest one will get bored and wander off on her own, but the 2 youngest spend almost all of their time playing with me. (The youngest also has issues and I do a lot of therapy with him too-2 birds with 1 stone.) I know it isn't ideal, but I work with what I have.

[melilley]

So what do you do all do while the DCKS play? I try to appear busy and have even installed a baby gate in the hallway before my laundry room so I can go fold clothes without being bothered by "What are you doing" and followed while trying to get some things done.

I tidy the play area and prepare crafts or activities but I run out of things to do...LOL Help!

Also how much time do you all dedicate to structured activities, crafts and learning per day?

I do 15-30 minutes of circle time a day, depending on how long the kids are interested. I do arts and crafts a few times a week and depending on how interested the kids are in the activity is how long we do it for. Other than that, I'm cooking, cleaning, watching them interact with each other, intervening when I have to (mostly due to a child being mean to another) etc... My kids are all 2 and under (except for one) so that seems best for us.

[Atroya]

I am so happy to read all of your replies. I have a "no play" policy too, but have wondered if it is the right thing to do. I have a newer dcb who is in 4yr old preschool. He is one of those that just sits and stares if someone is not interacting with him. I just suggest every once in awhile that he find something to play with..if he doesn't, I just leave him be. His mom one day at drop off said to him(for my benefit) "Why don't you ask Lori to play with you today." WOW! If I did not really need the money, I would have told her to find another daycare. I just ignored her, and when he asked me to play later on, I told him I do not play, I have too many other things to do. I have heard through the grapevine that he is also having a hard time adjusting to the preschool environment. Does a lot of crying, has trouble interacting with other kids at school.

I have 2 dc boys that need the constant praise. The one mentioned above, and a 7 yr old. The 7 yr old talks incessantly, drives me nuts in the summertime. He is also an "informer", telling me what everyone else is doing. I have tried telling him I don't need to know everything that goes on with him or others...but he keeps doing it..so I have taken to ignoring him, or just going "uh huh" without even looking.

[thetoddlerwhisper]

So what do you do all do while the DCKS play? I try to appear busy and have even installed a baby gate in the hallway before my laundry room so I can go fold clothes without being bothered by "What are you doing" and followed while trying to get some things done.

I tidy the play area and prepare crafts or activities but I run out of things to do...LOL Help!

Also how much time do you all dedicate to structured activities, crafts and learning per day?

lately ive been working on christmas stuff or cleaning

[jenboo]

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 usually say "ok' "cool" or "wow". When they don't stop, I tell them that i need to_____ (fill in the blank) so i can't watch/talk right now but their friends might want to can watch/talk.

occasionally when they really wont stop I tell them to go play.

[Blackcat31]

So what do you do all do while the DCKS play? I try to appear busy and have even installed a baby gate in the hallway before my laundry room so I can go fold clothes without being bothered by "What are you doing" and followed while trying to get some things done.

I tidy the play area and prepare crafts or activities but I run out of things to do...LOL Help!

Also how much time do you all dedicate to structured activities, crafts and learning per day?

I am usually taking photos, making notes or simply observing the kids.

The information I gather when observing is how I know what activities and materials I will need to get, put out of find in order to support and encourage their thinking, playing and learning.

I also do paperwork for the food program, DHS and families using state assistance.

I also use the time the kids are playing one activity to set up for the next activity.

I spend time on the forum in the mornings (my DCK's have outside activities) and/or during nap time after (and sometimes during) my lunch.

[Lil'DinoEggs]

It depends on the ages and behavior. Six months ago I had 3-4 yos. They did not need me unless it was to show them how to play a new game. Also, I know it is a good age to have them figure it out when it comes to social behavior. I may have gave them the tools, but they needed to use them.

Now I have 0-2 yos. I am on top of them for many reasons. They simply do not know how to play. Several are hitters and pushers so I am teaching them the tools. I am getting results so hopefully I will see changes in a month or so. Also, several of them of special needs such as Autism and Speech Delays. If I left them, they would isolate themselves and the other kids wouldn't bother them because they are so quiet. It is so important they get in there and socialize.