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How do you handle crayons in a mixed age group? My older ones LOVE to draw/color/sticker throughout the day, but my toddlers keep eating the crayons, attempting to write on the walls, and eating stickers. Of course I'm watching them so I've been able to catch things before it gets too out of hand, but I'm curious how other providers do this. I thought about setting up a taller card table that the babies can't reach, but I'm still going to have issues with my older ones dropping the crayons/stickers on the floor. There are always a bunch left under the crayon table. Just curious what others do. My rooms are small so I don't really have room for a play yard to give them a separate space. Ds sometimes does things in his own room, but I can't trust my older dcks in there.
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Manda-
Can you see both rooms from one spot?
I really think separating your rooms into younger and older may be helpful. Or, work room and playroom, to be more precise. Bigger room for playroom, smaller room for work room. Work room is only for kids who can show you they are responsible enough to be responsible for it. -
We have art supplies always available but it can be a pita! I remind the big kids (2 and up )that it's only for big kids and little man can choke or get sick. If they drop something I point it out and they scramble to pick it up before the baby can get it. Anyone who can't keep glue, crayons, whatever on the table, or quickly grab dropped items when reminded, is "done" with art until next time. They honestly love helping to keep "little kids" safe, and will often help or encourage the littles. Oh, and I only keep 1 under 2 at a time and they do art projects at the kitchen table.Comment
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Mixed age for me does mean arts and craft supplies are not always available. Part of group care in my world. So, I use my kitchen table or they may paint in my outside space.
Crayons go something like this... dck "I want to color" me "May I please color" dck "may I please color" me either "yes, you may after you pick up xyz that you had out" or "no, not right now. Maybe in a bit"
I have drawers of crayons I pull out and place on the table
I want to paint is answered the same way. Generally at some point during the day they are coloring or painting or doing stickers, etc. Some days though, no, I just don't feel like it. But then they will get a sensory bin or something. Yes, sensory bins are limited to my supervision. Currently, I have 3 under 2 so to everything there is a season....Comment
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Today the older kids (2 and up) were painting and the 1 year old was in his high chair playing with plastic cookie cutters. He was just happy to be at the table with the big kids. Or could you have a "crayon corner" for the older child who just wants to color on his own? I had an easel set up for a while. Only one kid could use it at a time, and I set it up so it was harder for the little ones to access while the older ones were using it.Comment
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I think you need to start with teaching your bigs to be responsible with their things. If they can't keep track of their supplies, then they aren't big enough to play with them, imho.
I have an 18mo, and I let the kids play Legos at the table. If one falls, they ALL stop and go grab it. One even scans the area for the 'baby' to make sure she isn't near. I supervise, of course.
I also have little trays that they play on. I dry erase a name onto it, and it can be put up/saved, etc. It prevents most crayons/markers/legos rolling off the table, too. Which is a HUGE help to them. Since it's "their" tray, they love to make sure all of "their" things stay on the tray, too.Comment
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I can see both rooms from one spot, but so many of my kids struggle greatly. I like the idea of making them earn the "work room." I've been trying to make my living room into a "work room" like you've explained to me before, but the playroom is down to a toybox and the kitchen set as it is since they throw all out tantrums at clean up time. Not all of them, but most. Maybe I should just put the toybox in my living room and make it the "play room" for the time being. All baby friendly toys. Individual activities and art table could be set up in the work room and they would have to earn the right to use the room. That might be the incentive they need actually to help the older ones be more responsible. Thanks! You've got me thinking.
I actually did hang up a sticker chart yesterday and labeled it the Big Helpers Chart. No fancy rewards or treats. Just whoever I notice doing a good job at clean up gets a sticker by their name and then I tell that person thank you without making a big to do about it. So far ds is the only one who has gotten a sticker, but everyone was talking about how they want to pick up toys like him to get a sticker too after clean up today. Hoping that helps.Comment
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You're right. We have a lot of work to do with responsibility. Half of my kiddos come from homes where mom and dad do everything for them. HUGE wake up call here.:
I think you need to start with teaching your bigs to be responsible with their things. If they can't keep track of their supplies, then they aren't big enough to play with them, imho.
I have an 18mo, and I let the kids play Legos at the table. If one falls, they ALL stop and go grab it. One even scans the area for the 'baby' to make sure she isn't near. I supervise, of course.
I also have little trays that they play on. I dry erase a name onto it, and it can be put up/saved, etc. It prevents most crayons/markers/legos rolling off the table, too. Which is a HUGE help to them. Since it's "their" tray, they love to make sure all of "their" things stay on the tray, too.
: I love the tray idea!
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Thank you all for your suggestions!Comment
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