Ever Have a Group That Can't Handle Free Play?

[Rockgirl]

I believe in free play, and that kids need lots of it. However, with my current group, chaos ensues most of the time when they have too much freedom. They've really thrown me for a loop.....I've been doing daycare for over 20 years and have never had a group like this. They end up running, yelling, screaming--basically just acting like maniacs. I've had to majorly structure our mornings, then allow a limited amount of free play afterwards. It's working, but is taking lots of planning.

Has anyone else had to completely restructure their program because of crazy-acting kids?

[daycare]

I believe in free play, and that kids need lots of it. However, with my current group, chaos ensues most of the time when they have too much freedom. They've really thrown me for a loop.....I've been doing daycare for over 20 years and have never had a group like this. They end up running, yelling, screaming--basically just acting like maniacs. I've had to majorly structure our mornings, then allow a limited amount of free play afterwards. It's working, but is taking lots of planning.

Has anyone else had to completely restructure their program because of crazy-acting kids?

yes I did. I found that it took me setting firmer rules and having them better understand the expectations and boundaries that they were finally able to get it.

Kids these days are not even the same kids 3 years ago.

[Annalee]

I believe in free play, and that kids need lots of it. However, with my current group, chaos ensues most of the time when they have too much freedom. They've really thrown me for a loop.....I've been doing daycare for over 20 years and have never had a group like this. They end up running, yelling, screaming--basically just acting like maniacs. I've had to majorly structure our mornings, then allow a limited amount of free play afterwards. It's working, but is taking lots of planning.

Has anyone else had to completely restructure their program because of crazy-acting kids?

Yes, I have and you are right, it is the later generations as I have been in child care over 20 years, too....sounds like you have a good plan! I put numbers in my play centers as well. Never more than 4 in a certain area....some play centers only allow 2 and each child knows they have to wait if the play center is full. I explain to the older kids that this is for ages 2 and up, but it is amazing how those younger catch on quickly!

[Play Care]

I believe in free play, and that kids need lots of it. However, with my current group, chaos ensues most of the time when they have too much freedom. They've really thrown me for a loop.....I've been doing daycare for over 20 years and have never had a group like this. They end up running, yelling, screaming--basically just acting like maniacs. I've had to majorly structure our mornings, then allow a limited amount of free play afterwards. It's working, but is taking lots of planning.

Has anyone else had to completely restructure their program because of crazy-acting kids?

I need to do this! I only have three kids this week and it's been awful!

[Rockgirl]

I was just at a point where something had to give! I wasn't enjoying my job or the kids anymore. Now despite the extra work, I'm having fun. I've actually lost track of time playing Zingo with them, and lunch was late. Oh, well!

[daycare]

I was just at a point where something had to give! I wasn't enjoying my job or the kids anymore. Now despite the extra work, I'm having fun. I've actually lost track of time playing Zingo with them, and lunch was late. Oh, well!

we love zingo.....

I had to do the same with my group too. I had to pull them in, take control and reset the rules. I had to let them know I MEAN BUSINESS. we have a lot of fun each morning playing games singing songs and dances that talk about following the rules, listening to our friends and teachers.

I am happy that you have figured out how to get your happiness back.....

[melilley]

My group is like this now, but it depends on who is here. Mine are all 2.5 and under (except for one 3 yo.) and I couldn't even go into the kitchen to cut potatoes at lunch today. Every time I turn my back today, they go crazy. I'm trying to teach them to not run in my house and it seems like they just smile at me, turn and run. Urgghhhh.

[Naptime yet?]

I also have 2 year olds & my 4 yr old dd is the worse of the lot, she gets them riled up...come on, Spring!

[Great Beginnings]

It's been terible. These kids spend more time in timout then they do free play. I can't even leave to go make lunch without them running and then I hear crying and screaming because someone ran into them and then the hitting starts! It's really made me hate my job. I've tried circle time and all that but the fight to get them to sit still and listen just makes my day drag on. It's a no win situation it seems some days

[My3cents]

It's been terible. These kids spend more time in timout then they do free play. I can't even leave to go make lunch without them running and then I hear crying and screaming because someone ran into them and then the hitting starts! It's really made me hate my job. I've tried circle time and all that but the fight to get them to sit still and listen just makes my day drag on. It's a no win situation it seems some days

Try separation. Down activities. Coloring, reading, table activities. Pull the ring leader.

I do time away, or time out, or think time- Whatever you choose to call it. Break time

Change things around

Make the running path no longer an option. Move furniture around so they don't have the space to run.

Get them outside whenever possible to get out the energy. When you can't do inside dance, movement

a few things to help you out-

[My3cents]

It's been terible. These kids spend more time in timout then they do free play. I can't even leave to go make lunch without them running and then I hear crying and screaming because someone ran into them and then the hitting starts! It's really made me hate my job. I've tried circle time and all that but the fight to get them to sit still and listen just makes my day drag on. It's a no win situation it seems some days

make it a habit routine for them to do pick up while your making lunch. Then sit down at table for coloring or simple something to do to keep the hands busy while your getting it together. Some people use TV at lunch. I don't. We hardly watch any TV other then at nap time when I put music on from the TV- A basket of books, something that is easy to pick up when needed. Then enlist them to do that when almost ready to serve lunch.

[Rockgirl]

Lunch prep time is still a bit of a struggle here, but it's getting better. I do what I can during breakfast: cutting fruits/veggies, assembling sandwiches, etc. Then I'm not away as long making lunch. Plus if I've had them super busy all morning, I can let them have a short period of free play, and they do much better. I think they appreciate that freedom more and make better choices.

[spud912]

I have a difficult group too. I have 2 that seriously have to be watched like a hawk because they will leave their activity and take toys away from others ..... LITERALLY every minute. I always end up putting them on other sides of the room with their own activity I had to pick up for them and constant reminders to stay (otherwise they're magnetized to the big kids to take their stuff).

Then I have one who will take out literally every toy in the playroom and never cleans as she goes. I don't even know if she plays with the items she takes out or if she just takes it out and chucks it onto the floor. I have to remind her 1 million times to clean up her activity before moving onto something else.

Then I have one who yells at everyone else at the top of his lungs (usually MINE!!! even though nobody was even trying to get his stuff). Either that or he's ramming the other kids with his head.

Then I have my daughters who fight with each other nonstop.


My "free play" time usually involves me dividing and conquering....with set toys for each child. It's not much of a "free play" but at least it saves my sanity .

[Great Beginnings]

Try separation. Down activities. Coloring, reading, table activities. Pull the ring leader.

I do time away, or time out, or think time- Whatever you choose to call it. Break time

Change things around

Make the running path no longer an option. Move furniture around so they don't have the space to run.

Get them outside whenever possible to get out the energy. When you can't do inside dance, movement

a few things to help you out-

Unfortunately I'm in NY and there haven't been many days over 20 here so outside has been very limited. With reading and coloring activities how long do you make them do those for? I can get maybe 10 minutes from them and they are trying to get up or doing something nasty to the kid next to them because they get bored ! Puzzles will last maybe 20 minutes. I just can't get them to do anything for any length of time.

[Great Beginnings]

make it a habit routine for them to do pick up while your making lunch. Then sit down at table for coloring or simple something to do to keep the hands busy while your getting it together. Some people use TV at lunch. I don't. We hardly watch any TV other then at nap time when I put music on from the TV- A basket of books, something that is easy to pick up when needed. Then enlist them to do that when almost ready to serve lunch.

That's how I used to do it. With this current group of kids though the second I left the room they started throwing toys from one end to the next and fooling around. It took over half an hour to pick up because I had to stop making lunch to correct behaviors. Now I just make them sit at the table and wait patiently for it to be done. I have all boys except one girl so I think that is my problem right now. I think if I had more girls the boys wouldn't be so wild and feed off each other.