Philosophy on Activities

[Blackcat31]

Oh and the easiest way to not have too many kids in one area is to limit the number of kids allowed in each center/area.

I set out 3-4 choices every day (I use picture cards so the kids know what centers are open and available that day) and I only allow 2-4 kids to play in each group.

The kids choose an activity and once all the "spots" in a certain activity are gone they have to choose an alternate activity and play there until a space open in the other activity.

I sometimes set the timer so that no one can change activities until the timer has gone off. I do this to teach the kids to be responsible in their choice and so that they aren't just making a game of moving back and forth from one center to another just because....kwim?

[Ariana]

"I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." ~ Albert Einstein

I provide the activities and materials. I set up the environment so that the kids can do their job....which is to play.

I do not instruct, play or involve myself regularly.
I am merely here to supervise, assist and intercede when necessary.

Another favorite:

"The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiments" ~ Maria Montessori

If the environment is set up correctly, you as the provider will need to do very little.

All of this! Interaction should be about quality not quantity. I measure success by how little the kids need me throughout the day. I set up materials that they can access and with some help for new kids they start to learn that I trust them and their abilities. I change up the toys every two weeks and put some away where they cannot access them just to bring variety into the program and play.

I have two large shelves with baskets that they can pull out. On top of this shelf .i have art supplies that they can access. I have a train table that either has table top toys or a dollhouse or a train set, or a rocket ship etc. The train table is my main focus. There is a lego table where they can play with whatever they want and lego and there is another table for art or whatever else they may want to set up. In a seperate area I have the kitchen, a tent and puzzles.