20 Month Old With Blanket

[blueskiesbutterflies]

What are everyones rules with a 20 month old dragging a blanket around with them and chewing on it? I feel that the blanket has germs because other kids are touching it and it is being dragged over toys and getting spit on them.

If you were to take the blanket for safe keeping how would you handle an ALL DAY screaming, kicking, rolling around on the floor kind of fit over the blanket being put up?

The child is very defiant at this time because he was sick all last week with a virus and stayed with grandma. At home, screaming works but at daycare screaming does not get you what you want....I feel mean because I know it is security for him but then again, I have the others kids to looks out for and him chewing on it just seems very nasty to me...advise?

[NoellesMama]

In my classroom (2-3 yr olds) you may have your blanket for 5 mins at arrival, then it goes back in your cubby until nap. I have only had a few "blanket kids" ( I was one myself ) but that system seems to work. I let them put the blanket away. If they get it between arrival & nap I give them a reminder to put it in their cubby.

[Pepperth]

I have two children in my daycare who are very attached to their blankets and they bring them from home each day. I have a dresser that I put them when they arrive/wake up from nap (out of sight, out of mind), and they haven't really asked for them since. If I can tell they really need a snuggle, they are allowed to for a few minutes in a designated sit down area, where there is nothing to do. Usually within a couple minutes, they drop the blanket in favor of going to play.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I had mom bring me a blanket to keep here for naps, then I do not allow any in the door with them in the morning. I always remind them that I have their blanket for nap. Same with loveys- I will keep one for naptime.

[Second Home]

All blankets are for napping only , they go into the cubby when the dck arrive are taken out for nap and put back to go home .

[Blackcat31]

This is a tough one because I understand some kids' attachments to their blankets for safety and security but I also understand how it can cause issues within the context of group care.

So with that being said, I've been lucky enough that the kids I have had that are attached to their blankets have been easy to transition smoothly into not having their blanket during the day while here.

Last year I started requiring that NO BLANKETS be brought back and forth from home due to the possibility of lice and/or bed bugs and if a child HAS to have a blanket here, they must bring one and leave it. If it goes home, it cant come back.

With the new safe sleep stuff for infants it seems an over attachment to blankets is becoming much less common so that is good.

What I do however, with kids who are attached is tell them they can have their blanket but only in ONE spot. If they want to sit and cuddle their blanket all day, they are welcome but if they want to come play and join the rest of the kids, the blanket goes into their cubby and stays put the remainder of the day.

If they don't want to let it go, they sit.

Sooner or later the pull to go play usually gets them and their blanket is forgotten.....

[Kimskiddos]

This is a tough one because I understand some kids' attachments to their blankets for safety and security but I also understand how it can cause issues within the context of group care.

So with that being said, I've been lucky enough that the kids I have had that are attached to their blankets have been easy to transition smoothly into not having their blanket during the day while here.

Last year I started requiring that NO BLANKETS be brought back and forth from home due to the possibility of lice and/or bed bugs and if a child HAS to have a blanket here, they must bring one and leave it. If it goes home, it cant come back.

With the new safe sleep stuff for infants it seems an over attachment to blankets is becoming much less common so that is good.

What I do however, with kids who are attached is tell them they can have their blanket but only in ONE spot. If they want to sit and cuddle their blanket all day, they are welcome but if they want to come play and join the rest of the kids, the blanket goes into their cubby and stays put the remainder of the day.

If they don't want to let it go, they sit.

Sooner or later the pull to go play usually gets them and their blanket is forgotten.....

This is how I deal with blanket attachments also. Haven't really had any problems with blankies in a long time.

[Meeko]

No blankies from home at all.

I got sick of filthy, smelly blankets coming back and forth to daycare. I got sick of parents actually getting upset and offended when I would wash them!

The problem of bed bugs and other nasties has become more common in recent years and so I now provide all blankets. The child gets to choose one from my huge pile. It then becomes "theirs" as long as they are with us.

I wash them at least weekly. I like knowing the kids are sleeping with fresh, clean blankets. Blankets only come out of cubbies at nap time. Nobody is allowed to drag one around. That's a tripping hazard to the other children (and adults).

[daycarediva]

This is a tough one because I understand some kids' attachments to their blankets for safety and security but I also understand how it can cause issues within the context of group care.

So with that being said, I've been lucky enough that the kids I have had that are attached to their blankets have been easy to transition smoothly into not having their blanket during the day while here.

Last year I started requiring that NO BLANKETS be brought back and forth from home due to the possibility of lice and/or bed bugs and if a child HAS to have a blanket here, they must bring one and leave it. If it goes home, it cant come back.

With the new safe sleep stuff for infants it seems an over attachment to blankets is becoming much less common so that is good.

What I do however, with kids who are attached is tell them they can have their blanket but only in ONE spot. If they want to sit and cuddle their blanket all day, they are welcome but if they want to come play and join the rest of the kids, the blanket goes into their cubby and stays put the remainder of the day.

If they don't want to let it go, they sit.

Sooner or later the pull to go play usually gets them and their blanket is forgotten.....

This is how I handle it as well. The blanket stays in their cubby unless they are sitting in the library area. Otherwise, it goes back in the cubby.

I have a 3yo who is a blankie holder/thumb ****er. Her Mom cut her lovey in half and hemmed the ends for her to have it here. If I let her have it, she ****s it and her thumb and the corner gets SOAKED with saliva. Then she drags it around the room and leaves a slime trail (like a snail). I wish I was exaggerating--- but I'm not! It's so bad it's actually reshaping the roof of her mouth and teeth. SHE is the reason I have the lovey in HERE or CUBBY ONLY rule.

[nannyde]

I don't allow comfort items in my daycare. They are escalators. The children fixate on them and they paralyze play.

My environment is calm, fun, warm, organized, child centric. There is no need for external comfort. The environment is comforting completely.

[laundrymom]

This is me. I've seen some of their CARS. I don't want to know what their carpet looks like.

No blankies from home at all.

I got sick of filthy, smelly blankets coming back and forth to daycare. I got sick of parents actually getting upset and offended when I would wash them!

The problem of bed bugs and other nasties has become more common in recent years and so I now provide all blankets. The child gets to choose one from my huge pile. It then becomes "theirs" as long as they are with us.

I wash them at least weekly. I like knowing the kids are sleeping with fresh, clean blankets. Blankets only come out of cubbies at nap time. Nobody is allowed to drag one around. That's a tripping hazard to the other children (and adults).

[Meeko]

I've seen blankets that smelled strongly of urine.

I've seen blankets that looked like somebody had cleaned the garage floor with it.

I've seen blankets that were more holes than fabric.

I've seen blankets that were "crispy" with dried snot and saliva.

I often wondered.....if the parents are willing to bring things like that out in public....what must their homes be like....UGH!!!!!

That's why I provide all blankets!

[hope]

Could this child have a sensory issue? A girl in my DD's kindergarten class last year kept a ribbon in her pocket. She had sensory issues and for some reason this helped. Maybe you can try switching to a small piece of ribbon (safe length) that the child could rub through their fingers.

[Unregistered]

Yes, they stay in their cubby.

[Controlled Chaos]

Blankets go in the closet with their cots. I used to do the quiet spot thing, but when a toddler stumbled onto someone's blanket and the blanket owner went berserk I was done. I think out of sight of mind is best. I think I will steal nans phrasing when explaining to parents

I once had a child come in with his lovey, moms nursing bra ::