Im going insane!

[jenboo]

4 DCBs between 20 months and 2.5 years...
They are all in the "MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!" stage.
They are constantly grabbing toys from others' hands.
They constantly argue! One child will say "my mom" then another will say "no! my mom!!!!!" and they will go back and forth.

Just a few weeks ago it was so calm and everyone was getting along great! Then BAM! craziness!

So this is what I do:
When they say mine! I tell them "No, its mrs. Jen's and I am letting you play with it." After the second time, I take that toy away from them and they are done with it for a while.

When they grab from someones hand, I tell them that we do not take from our friends. DCB was playing with that and redirect them.

When they are chasing someone screaming and crying MINE!!!!!!!! Then they are removed from the group until they calm down.

I know this is going to take a lot of time and patience for them to get past this but im going crazy! Our days are not very fun anymore

Thanks for letting me vent. Suggestions are welcome.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Sounds like you're doing the right things. Yep, "that toy is going bye bye" is usually effective for that age.

[SignMeUp]

Here's what I do sometimes:
Ooops! Actually, that toy belongs to me, but I share with everyone
<observe the shocked faces for a minute>
Now. First it will be T's turn, and L will be NEXT
<let T play for a few minutes, reminding anyone who needs reminding that it is T's turn>
Okay. Now it is L's turn and R will be NEXT L, Ask T for a turn
<help L through the process: Use T's name. Ask for turn. Say please>
<help T relinquish. Say you're welcome>

Lather, rinse repeat ::::::

It's time intensive, but I find that after we've done it (it's almost like playing a game and that is how I approach it) a few times, kids will follow the pattern for a while. Until they don't. But then you can do it again ::

[melilley]

I feel ya!!!!

My mom, My dad, My grandpa, My grandma, My toy, My shoes, My food, My chair, My crayon, My color, My My My MY.....I hear this almost daily!

[jenboo]

I took the cars out of the daycare room today since they cause the most problems.
it has helped a lot! I plan on taking them away for a while since they are all fixated on them.

Im also very much looking forward to my week vacation in a couple weeks happyface

[preschoolteacher]

I also have 4 in the same age range!!

There has been lots of "mine" and grabbing and screaming!

They are starting to get better...

[AmyKidsCo]

Oh yes! I've got 3 in that age range, plus 4 and 5 yr old granddaughters who don't act much better. :roll eyes:

It sounds like you're doing all the right things, just keep it up and they'll catch on eventually.

One thing I do in addition is give them the words they need: "T, I know you want that toy, but C had it first. You need to wait until he is done. Ask him 'Can I have a turn when you're done?' (He usually doesn't ask, but I model it anyway) C, T wants that toy when you're done with it. Can you please give it to him when you're done? (C doesn't usually answer so I do for him.) T, C will give you the toy when he's done with it." It takes a lot of time and coaching, but they do get it! A year ago I had all 3-4s who had been with me at least 2 years and they were negotiating all of this without me.