Simple Solutions To Age Old Childcare Problems....

[dEHmom]

What about getting a trolly system? Like for the dogs chains, but hooking up a tether ball to this, and having it just low enough for them to reach it, but not actually grab it?

DON'T FLAME ME I am not sure of your licensing regs whether this is allowed, but If it's kept put away when you are not there, I don't see it being an issue personally. Just a suggestion.

I tied a milk jug to a tree for my dogs to get. High enough that they could only just reach it without grabbing it and destroying it. It worked out a lot of their energy.

[jen]

Jen,

Well, the dog ties were a big 'ole FAIL. :::: It was way more fun to try to dig them up or spiral them out. Did give me an idea for some quiet afternoon play-time with gears, though...


Keep other creative ideas coming.....

Oh well! It was worth a shot! I have a big field behind my house, behind the field is a highway...well, the coutry version of a Hwy! Two lanes with a speed limit of 40! I can't leave the fence to get the ball and half the time it's gone before I can get out there to retrieve it! ::

[WImom]

That has me thinking. I wonder if hula hoops would work for circle time? I just saw hula hoops at the $1 store the other day.


Not sure who is was but thanks for the tennis ball, liquid chalk idea. My kids would love that.

[Cat Herder]

What about getting a trolly system? Like for the dogs chains, but hooking up a tether ball to this, and having it just low enough for them to reach it, but not actually grab it?

DON'T FLAME ME I am not sure of your licensing regs whether this is allowed, but If it's kept put away when you are not there, I don't see it being an issue personally. Just a suggestion.

I tied a milk jug to a tree for my dogs to get. High enough that they could only just reach it without grabbing it and destroying it. It worked out a lot of their energy.

I am sorry if I ever came off as flaming you.. If I did I don't remember the topic, it may have been about something that hit too close to home? Please never hesitate to send me a PM and just ask what I meant... ok?? I am "literal" alot and that gives way for misunderstanding of my intent. I am very aware of it and will never be offended if you ask

I love the idea and it would work great later. I am also imagining using it to hang paper and let them "paint" with water squirter's this summer.

These little guys just turned two and are currently into kicking and throwing, so they must be on the ground....:confused:

[dEHmom]

I am sorry if I ever came off as flaming you.. If I did I don't remember the topic, it may have been about something that hit too close to home? Please never hesitate to send me a PM and just ask what I meant... ok?? I am "literal" alot and that gives way for misunderstanding of my intent. I am very aware of it and will never be offended if you ask

I love the idea and it would work great later. I am also imagining using it to hang paper and let them "paint" with water squirter's this summer.

These little guys just turned two and are currently into kicking and throwing, so they must be on the ground....:confused:

hahahaha NO NO NO I didn't mean you!!!!!! but thank you for being such a sweetheart

I just was referring more to a certain someone who's been posting the last few days or even anyone else who might find this "inappropriate" or "dangerous" but I can't imagine it being any more dangerous than a swingset to set up a trolley and hang a big ball from it. I just didn't know if this was something in the regs stating you cannot have it.


you could maybe install it lower to the ground, by the sounds of it you are surrounded by a fence? so the ball in low enough they can kick or throw it over the line, but not low enough that it's a choking hazard, and keep the line the ball is attached to short enough it's also not a hazard.

[daycare]

This is confinement and is not appropriate or legal. How about redirecting them into individual art activities?

I hope that R&R stands for something other resource and referral because if it does you should hide yourself forever for providing this response.......

[dEHmom]

I honestly beginning to think it's a 15 yo who is just trying to "fit in" providing answers that sound good.

[Cat Herder]

Yep, a "picket" fenced in playground within another chain-link fence....and yes, they are just THAT good....:::: (I should mention ones Daddy played College ball )

I do know I cannot have anything tied on both ends for a fall hazard. That is why I thought the spiral tie out would work.... Yeah, not so much.

I guess it really is just one of those age old issues we will all deal with..::

I am going to go with the smaller, more lightweight, beach balls in hopes they wont be able to "get enough spin" on the ball to get it over.....

Wish me luck

[SilverSabre25]

I honestly beginning to think it's a 15 yo who is just trying to "fit in" providing answers that sound good.

In many of the cases, she's been "technically" right about the developmental aspect...but her answers seem to have a certain rigidity that IME comes from a lack of real-world exposure to the sorts of situations we encounter in our day to day experiences. They sound too much like textbook answers, not life experience answers (or even, textbook combined with life experience).

[SilverSabre25]

Cat...maybe it's time to put the balls away for awhile? When they ask, explain that if they can't keep the balls inside the fence then they aren't going to get to have the balls for awhile. Then in a week or so, try again, reminding them first that if the balls go outside the fence, they will be taken away again.

[Cat Herder]

In many of the cases, she's been "technically" right about the developmental aspect...but her answers seem to have a certain rigidity that IME comes from a lack of real-world exposure to the sorts of situations we encounter in our day to day experiences. They sound too much like textbook answers, not life experience answers (or even, textbook combined with life experience).

I have been thinking about it since I left to clean up (I am now closed for the day). I think she may simply be telling us what the rules/regs State about it since that is what her job description says she is to do. :confused:

She could also be a literal "facts" person like me, naturally?

I know when I am on duty at my other job my "Official" responses sound tense, hard, blunt and often unintentionally hurtful....

I am really hoping for more ideas of what we CAN do instead of what we CAN'T DO... I am so hoping she sticks around, she has access to resources I don't and that would be so helpful. YKWIM?...

[Symphony]

My goodness, watching balls float down the river does sound like fun! That would be a big challenge to get them to keep them inside the fence.

Off the top of my head...

maybe on nice days the kids could use water guns or hoses to push the balls around

depending on your ages, you could make some natural (out of sticks/leaves) boats that would be appropritate to release down the river

maybe creating water games that keep their focus inside the yard, we like to fill shallow wading pools or rubbermaids with a little water and bobber or rubber ducks and give the kids fish nets to catch them



I also agree with the consequence that if balls cannot be played with without going over the fence, then the balls need to go away for awhile. I would give one more chance, with a special, very clear talk before you go outside.

I also fail to see how hula hoops are confinement. My regs state confinement is placing a child in a device that restricts movement for an extended length of time or in inappropriate ways. IE strapping a child in a high chair or swing for punishment, longer than DAP, or to isolate the child. The hula hoops are an appropriate solution because they allow the child to remain with the group, gives all children a break from one another, and gives them a tangible boundary for themselves and one another.

[SilverSabre25]

I also fail to see how hula hoops are confinement. My regs state confinement is placing a child in a device that restricts movement for an extended length of time or in inappropriate ways. IE strapping a child in a high chair or swing for punishment, longer than DAP, or to isolate the child. The hula hoops are an appropriate solution because they allow the child to remain with the group, gives all children a break from one another, and gives them a tangible boundary for themselves and one another.

Well said; I don't know what my state's regs say since I don't have to follow them, but I actually think the hula hoops are a fantastic idea and I'm considering implementing it! I know that my DD in particular would appreciate having a tangible boundary like that which no one else could cross. I've been considering masking tape squares on the floor (a bit a la whoever it (Catherder?) who has those 3 ft x 3 ft "rooms" in her daycare space)--but Hula hoops might be simpler!

Sometimes, kids just need a good long break from each other to break the cycle of bickering...just like married couples, room mates, co-workers, and other groups of people who are with each other many hours each week in close quarters.

Oh, and I LOVE these ideas:

maybe on nice days the kids could use water guns or hoses to push the balls around

depending on your ages, you could make some natural (out of sticks/leaves) boats that would be appropritate to release down the river

maybe creating water games that keep their focus inside the yard, we like to fill shallow wading pools or rubbermaids with a little water and bobber or rubber ducks and give the kids fish nets to catch them

[Cat Herder]

(a bit a la whoever it (Catherder?) who has those 3 ft x 3 ft "rooms" in her daycare space)--but Hula hoops might be simpler!
:

6ft X 6ft Trying to get me in trouble??::::

Here the regs say 35 sq ft per child, so I give them that, individually, plus a 500 sq ft group play area.

Oh, and two outdoor playgrounds....

[Michael]

Low this thread title.