Do You Have A Structured Daycare

[Melissa67]

do you guess teach the kids their abc,123,colors,shapes,or do you just let them learn through play, I've been doing this for 20 yrs. at first I was all about teaching the kids all that,but now I just want them to play,be kids,have fun. I guess I'm getting older

[Blackcat31]

do you guess teach the kids their abc,123,colors,shapes,or do you just let them learn through play, I've been doing this for 20 yrs. at first I was all about teaching the kids all that,but now I just want them to play,be kids,have fun. I guess I'm getting older

There is nothing a child under the age of Kindy needs to know that they can't learn through play.

Here, we play.

All day, every day.

[Play Care]

I do a combination of play/structure but more because *I* get bored with all day play

[Unregistered]

I do both depending on the child. My program is play based so during the course of the various activities children are exposed to the concepts (abc, numbers, etc). If a child shows more interest and wants to do more with these concepts then I work with them one on one or in small groups. My purpose is to have a child enjoy learning not having to learn because they are forced to which is soon enough once they start kindergarten, some even in preschool.

[daycare]

our QRIS requires early reading, letter names/sounds, numbers and writing.

Age 4 and up...

But we do it through playing, painting, drawling and so on.

Did I mention I really don't like QRIS....

[Leigh]

There is nothing a child under the age of Kindy needs to know that they can't learn through play.

Here, we play.

All day, every day.

[Melissa67]

I don't like it either,I quit the training, waiting til the make it manditory, then I'm done

[daycare]

I don't like it either,I quit the training, waiting til the make it manditory, then I'm done

you are a smart person....

[Blackcat31]

I participate in QRIS.

We have requirements for kindergarten readiness (when participating in QRIS) but we still don't do any type of structured learning.

It can ALL be done through play.

[JackandJill]

Here we play all day. The only things structured are meal times and rest.

This morning a parent commented on how much dck is counting at home... I have never once "sat and taught" kids to count. It's all through games, songs and playing lovethis

[daycare]

I participate in QRIS.

We have requirements for kindergarten readiness (when participating in QRIS) but we still don't do any type of structured learning.

It can ALL be done through play.

I wish we did.....BC let me tell you...

Our curriculum that we have to use is well.....lets just say it's a lot for a child to learn and it's a lot for a teacher to teach.

I do love teaching the kids, but it just seems over the top for me.

I miss the days already of just playing, dancing, singing and having an old fashion fun day.

The kids are always having fun, laughing and enjoying what we plan, I just hate all the planning....

[kendallina]

I have a routine that I follow with the kids everyday. And two separate 'group' times-- one for open ended art and one for circle time- songs, finger plays, games, stories. We learn through play here, I have all 3-5 year olds. I love doing activities with the kids.

[racemom]

Depends on the group I have. If I have a difficult group/older group I am more structured. Actually, I let the kids decide through actions what they need, I currently have a younger group, 2 year olds, so we do mostly play. We do a small calender time, which consists of yesterday was, today is, tommorow will be. Sing today is song and check the weather. Later we do a small circles time, one short story and let them choose 3 songs. About 10 minutes total. Otherwise our day is filled with free play, dancing, and art supplies and puzzles available if the are interested.

If I have a more difficult group, I decide what, when and who we play with. Very much scheduled, everyone knows when to expect each thing, and I will decide what blocks are available during block time, we will play with a timer set, and I will pick partners. My last group was actually a group who had behavior problems in other rooms, ranged in age from 2-4 and everything was teacher led/chose/and timed. When my room was changed and became a 2 year old room, it changed my whole day and actually I struggled with being bored because there is not so much planning and preventing problems.

[Unregistered]

I have a routine that I follow with the kids everyday. And two separate 'group' times-- one for open ended art and one for circle time- songs, finger plays, games, stories. We learn through play here, I have all 3-5 year olds. I love doing activities with the kids.

This is me too ( except only 3-5's)! I'd be bored without the structure and the kids love our short circle time. I love storytelling and use lots of props.

[Josiegirl]

So glad to read a lot of you rely on mostly playing. It makes me feel better about what I'm doing. We do most of our talking during meal times, such as talking about kindness. We sing songs that teach counting, days of the week, etc. While reading stories we talk about some of the letters that their names start with. We talk about the stories...what do you think will happen? What would you do? We turn every little thing into a teaching moment but don't overdo it to the extent they get sick of it. Last year we did some fun things with worms and caterpillars/butterflies and it was real. They remembered more from doing those very interactive activities than through a book or any other way. It was amazing fun and hands-on.

There will be enough organized learning in all these kids' futures, why start it so young when they still are curious and want/need to explore everything??

So yeh, only structure here revolves around meals, quiet time and outdoor time.