How Much Do You PLAY with Your DCK's?

[daycarediva]

Because I don't.

Dck's ask, but I decline. "No thank you. Why don't you ask (peer)?"

I read and interact with them. I encourage them to try new things. I observe and walk between groups during play. I sit with them at meals and talk. I do group games/activities with them. I sing and dance with them.

But to sit on the floor and 'play'? Nope. I don't think it's my job. I think they should be entertaining themselves and playing with peers- learning social skills.

Not to mention, when I sit to play with one child, I am ignoring 5+ others, or they all want to play something else with me right then, etc.

I played with my own children- but not all the time. Two of my older dck's play with their parents all the time. I may be the odd one out but I find that weird. They're also the two who struggle being at daycare the most- and cannot play independently and are constantly 'bored'.

[Miss A]

Nope, I don't play with my DCK either. I do sit on the floor with babies and interact with them, we sing songs and read books, work on their fine and gross motor skills, I encourage them to roll and crawl by enticing them with toys, and I help them walk with assistance, but I don't "play" with them.

Same for toddlers and older children. I provide toys and other fun things, and I will encourage play if I see something starting to fizzle out, but other than that it is up to them to interact with their peers, use their imagination, and not depend on me for their thoughts and ideas.

That being said, we do group activities such as open ended art projects, hands on science and cooking projects, work on writing and journaling at the table in a large group, and read books and sing songs together.

[AmyKidsCo]

Ditto. I may participate a bit if asked, for instance if a child brings me a cup of "coffee" I'll pretend to drink it, but I won't join in unless they ask. And sometimes when I'm asked I'll politely decline.

[spedmommy4]

I do, throughout the day. I use play to model expectations, how to handle a difficult situation with a peer, how TO play, (for kids with delays) and to build rapport with the kids.

I don't interrupt free play in progress or intrude on a child's solo play uninvited. In general, I think participating in play offers a unique opportunity to teach/model in a way that's fun.

[Mike]

I love getting down on the floor and playing with kids, but wouldn't do it all the time because they do need to learn to play and interact with their peers and learn how to have fun playing alone as well.

[Unregistered]

I do not play with my dck but I do play with my own kids outside daycare hours and on weekends. My evenings and weekends are primarily spent playing dollhouse and monster trucks because I LOVE playing with my own kids.

[jenboo]

All my dcks are under 2. I sit and interact but don't play. I don't play with my own child either.
Very very rarely, I'll stack a few blocks.

[Nurse Jackie]

I play with my daycare kids. We play monster trucks, restaurant, we sing loud and off key, dance and act silly, I play ball with them outside, run around and chase them in the grass area (to burn calories), I crawl on the floor with the babies. When I'm worn out I sit back and observe them playing with each other.

[childcaremom]

Because I don't.

Dck's ask, but I decline. "No thank you. Why don't you ask (peer)?"

I read and interact with them. I encourage them to try new things. I observe and walk between groups during play. I sit with them at meals and talk. I do group games/activities with them. I sing and dance with them.

But to sit on the floor and 'play'? Nope. I don't think it's my job. I think they should be entertaining themselves and playing with peers- learning social skills.

Not to mention, when I sit to play with one child, I am ignoring 5+ others, or they all want to play something else with me right then, etc.

I played with my own children- but not all the time. Two of my older dck's play with their parents all the time. I may be the odd one out but I find that weird. They're also the two who struggle being at daycare the most- and cannot play independently and are constantly 'bored'.

This is me, as well.

We do a LOT of free play so most of our day is spent not being led or directed by me. I want the dcks to know how to play, to use their imagination and creativity, to get into that deep and engaged play. That is my goal. I don't think I can lead them there. They have to find it on their own. This is something that I am pretty passionate about. lovethis

I do the group activities but playtime I view my 'job' to stand back. I am close enough to be aware of what is going on but not so close as to interfere with their play, kwim? If someone is struggling, I may prompt but I don't view myself as a playmate. I do occasionally get down to their level and join in but it is rare and I find if I do it too much that they get dependent on it. Hence I like to stand back.

And can I just say that one of my favourite parts of doing daycare (maybe THE favourite) is watching kids play. I love to see what games they come up with. The way they resolve conflict. Their method of reasoning through issues. I love this! lovethis Kids are so capable of figuring things out. It doesn't make sense to me sometimes (and doesn't have to) but I love to see how they can just get it done. (yes, passionate about this, too lovethis)

I am still connected with the children in my care. We still have time for meaningful interactions. We just find these moments in times other than play.

And I don't play very often with my own children, either.

[Josiegirl]

I play with my daycare kids. We play monster trucks, restaurant, we sing loud and off key, dance and act silly, I play ball with them outside, run around and chase them in the grass area (to burn calories), I crawl on the floor with the babies. When I'm worn out I sit back and observe them playing with each other.

This is me too. If I didn't interact with them, I'd get bored. Plus it keeps me clued in better on how their play is going, what they're learning. I guess I pay more attention when I'm actually involved. But when I do play, they take the lead unless it's going somewhere it shouldn't.

[Unregistered]

I do just like you do. I may sit with a child who is having some trouble playing. I am known to sit in the kitchen area and have them serve me at times. That's about it.

[adnilwis]

I played with my own children- but not all the time. Two of my older dck's play with their parents all the time. I may be the odd one out but I find that weird. They're also the two who struggle being at daycare the most- and cannot play independently and are constantly 'bored'.

I will at times play with my dcks but mainly because if I don't the 4 yo and my son end up fighting and pretending they are in a video game shooting bad guys. But i very rarely get down and play with toys with them. But your point about parents playing with their kids is spot on. I have a dcg who always seems bored. She can (but rarely does) play on her own but chooses to just watch what everyone else is doing and doesn't join in. She will play but it lasts maybe a minute than she's off in lala land or laying on the floor acting like there is nothing to do. They have full access to everything I have out.

[DaveA]

Really depends on the day and how/ what the DCKs are doing. Some day it's almost none others I'm in the thick of things all day.

[Play Care]

Really depends on the day and how/ what the DCKs are doing. Some day it's almost none others I'm in the thick of things all day.

This. I'm not a "get on the floor" type. But I find a lot of kids need adults to model play...

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Not much.

We have teamwork time where we all work together to build things with Legos or Magnatiles for about 20 minutes at the end of the day to help my kids who struggle with interacting appropriately with their peers. This allows me to heavily monitor their interactions (I don't shadow them the entire day so while they're monitored I'm not always RIGHT next to them if that makes sense...) and assist the ones who struggle with using appropriate interactions and to assist the ones who are frustrated by the ones who struggle with using appropriate interactions. I'd say that's pretty much it.