Magical Blankets

[Controlled Chaos]

I just wanted to thank you all for the idea of the one child per blanket training. I had never needed it before. But recently when I have been making lunch they have been getting physical, throwing toys, being generally insane. So, I put a bunch of manipulative toys, blocks and animals in giant zip lock bags along with a blanket. When we head upstairs I give each child a bag (ages 15m-5yo) and they put their own blanket out, dump their toy on their blanket, bring me the bag and then "go play toys"! I set my phone to go off every 10m, they switch to a new blanket rinse and repeat. It took 4 days of training...magical! Making lunch is so peaceful now! I had a 15m old drop in today (comes 3-5 times a month) and she always screams while I make lunch. She is super easy the rest of the day - but screams non stop while I cook. Well, today was the first time she didn't! She stayed on her blanket with the other.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!happyface

[Indianadaycare]

That's awesome! It's great having other input, isn't it?

[spud912]

I just wanted to thank you all for the idea of the one child per blanket training. I had never needed it before. But recently when I have been making lunch they have been getting physical, throwing toys, being generally insane. So, I put a bunch of manipulative toys, blocks and animals in giant zip lock bags along with a blanket. When we head upstairs I give each child a bag (ages 15m-5yo) and they put their own blanket out, dump their toy on their blanket, bring me the bag and then "go play toys"! I set my phone to go off every 10m, they switch to a new blanket rinse and repeat. It took 4 days of training...magical! Making lunch is so peaceful now! I had a 15m old drop in today (comes 3-5 times a month) and she always screams while I make lunch. She is super easy the rest of the day - but screams non stop while I cook. Well, today was the first time she didn't! She stayed on her blanket with the other.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!happyface

That sounds awesome! How did you get a 15 month old to stay on her blanket though ??

[Josiegirl]

Well that's a cool idea! Glad it's worked out so well for you!

[AuntTami]

That sounds awesome! How did you get a 15 month old to stay on her blanket though ??

Maybe it was a special blanket with straps LOL! I kid I kid.

I need to try this for my group. Lunch is THE MOST chaotic time of the day.

[Controlled Chaos]

I did have to put her back on her blanket a few times

Whenever I heard the blankets suggested before I thought it sounded like over kill and unnecesary but it has become a perfect lunch time solution

[Blackcat31]

I did have to put her back on her blanket a few times

Whenever I heard the blankets suggested before I thought it sounded like over kill and unnecesary but it has become a perfect lunch time solution

We use hula hoops. Works the same though....

It's a great way to teach kids about personal space and boundaries.

[mamamanda]

I do this every time my kids get too rowdy. Works like a charm.