What's your child-care philosophy?

[Cat Herder]

"Teach me to do good, not just be good."

AKA: Let's grow up to be a contributing member of society.

Oh, TV... yeah. Well, it is art. I support the arts. I am a graphic learner. So, I use specific shows during drop-off and pick-up times to reinforce what concept we are working on. Right now our coming and going viewing of the week is "Kids work out!!" "Kids Yoga" and "Shake your giggles out". It is P.E. Awareness week. :: Yay for Roku.

** Also, for some of my clients, it may be the only way they see anything outside of our community. I was 30 before I got the courage to leave the State. From my life experience, rural farming/ranching/factory working communities don't offer much in the way of cultural opportunity. We have a Moonshine museum and a lot of historic battleground "parks" (grills, RV hook-ups and concrete picnic tables), I don't think that would help my kiddos at this stage of their development. **

[BrooklynM]

The only screen time we do here is Preschool Prep series which is just flash cards on the screen. I don't tell the kids they have to watch it, I just pop it in while I'm making snacks and meals. Most of the time they are playing instead of watching it, but some of them really want to learn and will watch it. Other than that, we will occasionally do a movie on a Friday. Maybe once a month if that.

I think sleep is underrated. I tell the kids that sleep is how they grow and get smart. When they wake up from their naps sometimes they will ask me- do I look bigger? LOL. It's super cute.

As far as food goes, I do as much "whole" foods as possible and one of my rules for myself is to make sure that the plate looks colorful. Theres always a minimum of at least 3 colors for any snack or meal.

[CraftyMom]

My advertising statement is "We have lots of fun while learning and making friends"

My personal philosophy is echoed in a song "Let them little, because they're only that way for a while"

I don't force learning, it just happens

We have a lot of free play. We do a group activity once a day, it might be art or a group game, etc. We paly outside A LOT. We take weekly field trips. We get messy. Most importantly we have fun!

Our art half the time is cookie cutter crafts and the other half of the time is just do what you want...cut, glue, color, create. I like both. I like them to use their imaginations, but I also feel that cookie cutter crafts are good for following directions, it's like putting together a puzzle.