Do You Play?

[Unregistered]

I feel like this was touched upon awhile ago but I can't find the thread and I don't remember 100% if it was here. But do you play with the children? Build blocks, play Barbies, play cards, color etc? Or do you do more observing and watching while in the room doing something else?
Are we paid to take care of the children keep them safe clean fed and happy. Or all of those plus entertaining them?

[racemom]

Both! I think it's important to model appropriate play, but it is also important for them to entertain themselves. Sometimes I actively engage with them, and other times I only watch them. It mixes up the day for all of us. My main group is 1 and under, but I do this with all ages.

[kendallina]

I don't entertain children. I do plan activities and do the activities with the kids (they play playdough and I can't help but play it too!). But, during free play, I don't play with them. I may sit near them (sometimes doing paperwork or planning lessons) and I will take a bite from the pizza they hand me, but I don't really PLAY with them. I observe, I help problem solve or will redirect if things are going south, but I don't full-on play with them.

[Gemma]

I feel like this was touched upon awhile ago but I can't find the thread and I don't remember 100% if it was here. But do you play with the children? Build blocks, play Barbies, play cards, color etc? Or do you do more observing and watching while in the room doing something else?
Are we paid to take care of the children keep them safe clean fed and happy. Or all of those plus entertaining them?

Yes, I play some "one on one" with each kid and also things like restaurant/store, puzzles, coloring etc with the whole group.
It would be so boring to just walk around and watch, instead my day goes by so fast!... and no one gets in any trouble!

[Stephnrich]

I do both. I think it's a good idea to bond with the children through play, but also to observe while letting them play either alone or with other children.

[CraftyMom]

Mostly no. Here and there yes. I will guide them and make suggestions, but I don't sit and play. I sing songs and such during circle time and we have group games sometimes, such as parachute games.

I have this one dcb that does not know how to play without an adult. I've had plenty of kids that don't know how to play, but my current group is great. This one boy will play but needs an adult to play with him. Only child, surrounded by lots of adult family and extended family that dote on him.

He will often ask me "but if you don't play then who will play with us?" I tell him "look around the room, there are 5 friends to play with"

[Michael]

Here is the threads from last year. https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72233

[laundrymom]

I do. Not always, but I do play every single day. Also, every child gets one on one w me daily. I hold them on my lap, talk about their day. Ask what they think or feel or dream. I talk with them and give them hugs and cuddles. Every child. Every day. Not rushed. Not shared, but one on one love from an adult who is important in their life.
I can't remember where, but I saw a study once that showed how much physical and emotional love a child typically gets each week. I can't remember how much it was but it horrified me. So I purposely spend time with each of them to offset the statistic. I do the same w my own kids.

[Second Home]

I do both .

[Shell]

Mostly no. Here and there yes. I will guide them and make suggestions, but I don't sit and play. I sing songs and such during circle time and we have group games sometimes, such as parachute games.

I have this one dcb that does not know how to play without an adult. I've had plenty of kids that don't know how to play, but my current group is great. This one boy will play but needs an adult to play with him. Only child, surrounded by lots of adult family and extended family that dote on him.

He will often ask me "but if you don't play then who will play with us?" I tell him "look around the room, there are 5 friends to play with"

[AmyLeigh]

Only child, surrounded by lots of adult family and extended family that dote on him

This is my entire group! They play alone great, or want my exclusive attention. I've been working on them playing together.
Don't get me wrong, I love being with them, talking, asking open ended questions, reading, snuggling, etc., but they can play with their friends.

[Crazy8]

I will often get them "started" on playing something. Because if I tell them to "go play" they look at me like I have 3 heads. They are in a great room full of toys but they have no clue how to play. So I will sometimes get down on the floor and take something out and get them started with it. Within a few minutes they are all engrossed in the activity and I can retreat, LOL! My group are all 3 and under too so I do feel they need more direction.

[jgcp]

I do. Not always, but I do play every single day. Also, every child gets one on one w me daily. I hold them on my lap, talk about their day. Ask what they think or feel or dream. I talk with them and give them hugs and cuddles. Every child. Every day. Not rushed. Not shared, but one on one love from an adult who is important in their life.
I can't remember where, but I saw a study once that showed how much physical and emotional love a child typically gets each week. I can't remember how much it was but it horrified me. So I purposely spend time with each of them to offset the statistic. I do the same w my own kids.

I like the idea of sitting with each one everyday to just to give them some one on one love! Great idea. My kids play great without me getting in the middle of it haha in fact they get a little crazy when i get down on the floor with them and try to?? I have been trying to have some one on one with my ds because of his behavior lately and it has helped sooo much. But i bet all the kids would do much better everyday with this!!

[AuntTami]

I do. Not always, but I do play every single day. Also, every child gets one on one w me daily. I hold them on my lap, talk about their day. Ask what they think or feel or dream. I talk with them and give them hugs and cuddles. Every child. Every day. Not rushed. Not shared, but one on one love from an adult who is important in their life.
I can't remember where, but I saw a study once that showed how much physical and emotional love a child typically gets each week. I can't remember how much it was but it horrified me. So I purposely spend time with each of them to offset the statistic. I do the same w my own kids.

I do this too, mostly for my own selfish desire to snuggle haha. But no one ever complains. I usually spend 10-15 minutes with each kid right after they wake up from nap time. It gives them time to be snuggled and wake up and that's when they're the cuddliest. I know personally i need time to wake up fully before I can be expected to function!


I play; sometimes. We build stuff, we do out crafts and activities together. We dance and sing and read. But when it comes time for free play, that's on them unless I have someone who can't play alone. I always play along with their games. I have a pink Lei on my head right now as we speak!

[Blackcat31]

I don't entertain children. I do plan activities and do the activities with the kids (they play playdough and I can't help but play it too!). But, during free play, I don't play with them. I may sit near them (sometimes doing paperwork or planning lessons) and I will take a bite from the pizza they hand me, but I don't really PLAY with them. I observe, I help problem solve or will redirect if things are going south, but I don't full-on play with them.

This ^^

I do sit by them sometimes but only because I am observing/documenting but most the time, I don't get involved in any play that my daycare kids do.