Curriculum? A Few Home Daycare Questions

[Unregistered]

Sorry, long one, but felt I neede to post, parents please read. Thanks.

I found this site awhile ago & love reading the posts, but have not really posted much. I am a daycare provider of 29 years & all of my parents love what I am doing. I don't do structured as they do get the educational learning in preschools or kindergarten. Yes, they do make parents think they need all that before they start school, which puts a lot of pressure on the kids to know everything before school. BUT it is life fundamentals these kids need to know before they start school. They need to know how to play nicely and get along with the other kids,how to behave & not have tantrums, how to be polite to people, have manners, which no one seems to want to teach their children anymore, how to tie their shoes, put on a coat & especially get the LOVE & Attention that they deserve at this age & know that what they do matters & can be proud of the things they do. They also need to have play so that they can use their imagination & have fun just playing. I do teach colors, numbers and that sort of thing, but I do it in a fun way that makes it fun for them to learn and they learn better that way. Kids need to be kids as long as they can, they grow up so fast and so much is expected of them these days. They have 13 years of schooling to go through,so why not let them have the first 5 years of their life be filled with just being a kid. I know I am rambling here, but I just believe children need the fundamentals of life first to help them cope with life when they do get to school & know how to act & get along with others. Social skills are so important and the learning will come in those 13 yrs of school. I just hate when I see a child being rude or misbehaving these days & parents do nothing about it. We are the people that take care of your children while you are out working, we give them love and care, but it is not our job to teach them everything, that is YOUR job as parents, and so many parents these days are just, not all of you, but some are so into yourselves and want us to bring up your child so you don't have to do the work! It is alot of work to raise a child and you have to give them your full attention, not just when it is convenient for you. A nine month old is really just finding out they are alive and taking everything in, they don't need structure at that age, they need love and a caring daycare provider that gives them attention and PLAYS with them. Wouldn't you much rather have your daughter well cared for, feed when is hungry and diaper changed when needed and felt loved, rather than being taught the abc's! I would and that is what I do. I love the little ones and they feel that they matter.

[Unregistered]

Thank you!!!

I found this site awhile ago & love reading the posts, but have not really posted much. I am a daycare provider of 29 years & all of my parents love what I am doing. I don't do structured as they do get the educational learning in preschools or kindergarten. Yes, they do make parents think they need all that before they start school, which puts a lot of pressure on the kids to know everything before school. BUT it is life fundamentals these kids need to know before they start school. They need to know how to play nicely and get along with the other kids,how to behave & not have tantrums, how to be polite to people, have manners, which no one seems to want to teach their children anymore, how to tie their shoes, put on a coat & especially get the LOVE & Attention that they deserve at this age & know that what they do matters & can be proud of the things they do. They also need to have play so that they can use their imagination & have fun just playing. I do teach colors, numbers and that sort of thing, but I do it in a fun way that makes it fun for them to learn and they learn better that way. Kids need to be kids as long as they can, they grow up so fast and so much is expected of them these days. They have 13 years of schooling to go through,so why not let them have the first 5 years of their life be filled with just being a kid. I know I am rambling here, but I just believe children need the fundamentals of life first to help them cope with life when they do get to school & know how to act & get along with others. Social skills are so important and the learning will come in those 13 yrs of school. I just hate when I see a child being rude or misbehaving these days & parents do nothing about it. We are the people that take care of your children while you are out working, we give them love and care, but it is not our job to teach them everything, that is YOUR job as parents, and so many parents these days are just, not all of you, but some are so into yourselves and want us to bring up your child so you don't have to do the work! It is alot of work to raise a child and you have to give them your full attention, not just when it is convenient for you. A nine month old is really just finding out they are alive and taking everything in, they don't need structure at that age, they need love and a caring daycare provider that gives them attention and PLAYS with them. Wouldn't you much rather have your daughter well cared for, feed when is hungry and diaper changed when needed and felt loved, rather than being taught the abc's! I would and that is what I do. I love the little ones and they feel that they matter.

Nicely said! I couldn't agree more!

[Dahlia]

I think the word curriculum encompasses a wide variety of possibilities, and isn't necessarily restricted to a formal out-of-the-box kind of thing, at least in the minds of parents like me, who don't necessarily have all the lingo down yet.

When I ask about a "curriculum" for my 19-month-old, I want to know what you're going to be doing all day and that these things are developmentally appropriate and are going to be good for my child. If you're going to be reading stories, singing songs, counting, talking about colors, going on walks, or whatever, then say that -- that counts! Open-ended play and age-appropriate toys count too, as do sharing, getting along with others, and various social skills. It's an opportunity to show off your experience and tell me why your setup is happy and healthy for my little one and how learning is going to fit seamlessly into that environment, just like it would if I were at home with her myself, counting her toes, singing her the ABCs, and pointing out the green trees and the red apples. I'm not looking for SAT-prep or anything, but I do want to be convinced that you're good with kids, that you know what is good for kids, and that you're not just turning them loose to fend for themselves until feeding time.

Yes, a formal, age-appropriate, well-researched "curriculum" adds legitimacy, and I admit one place I visited did have me totally convinced my kiddo would be learning Calculus before she was potty trained and love every minute of it, but if a caregiver comes across as engaged and interested in whatever it is they do and like they're making some effort to incorporate appropriate learning activities, it really goes a long way, I think. "I just let them play" isn't giving yourself enough credit, IMO, if you're doing those things (which it sounds like you all are, which is great to hear).

[Crystal]

I think the word curriculum encompasses a wide variety of possibilities, and isn't necessarily restricted to a formal out-of-the-box kind of thing, at least in the minds of parents like me, who don't necessarily have all the lingo down yet.

When I ask about a "curriculum" for my 19-month-old, I want to know what you're going to be doing all day and that these things are developmentally appropriate and are going to be good for my child. If you're going to be reading stories, singing songs, counting, talking about colors, going on walks, or whatever, then say that -- that counts! Open-ended play and age-appropriate toys count too, as do sharing, getting along with others, and various social skills. It's an opportunity to show off your experience and tell me why your setup is happy and healthy for my little one and how learning is going to fit seamlessly into that environment, just like it would if I were at home with her myself, counting her toes, singing her the ABCs, and pointing out the green trees and the red apples. I'm not looking for SAT-prep or anything, but I do want to be convinced that you're good with kids, that you know what is good for kids, and that you're not just turning them loose to fend for themselves until feeding time.

Yes, a formal, age-appropriate, well-researched "curriculum" adds legitimacy, and I admit one place I visited did have me totally convinced my kiddo would be learning Calculus before she was potty trained and love every minute of it, but if a caregiver comes across as engaged and interested in whatever it is they do and like they're making some effort to incorporate appropriate learning activities, it really goes a long way, I think. "I just let them play" isn't giving yourself enough credit, IMO, if you're doing those things (which it sounds like you all are, which is great to hear).

I like you

[harperluu]

OP: I think you are on the right track. Trust your instinct. As a home child care provider, I wouldn't want my children watching any TV during the day under the age of 5. There are lots of things to do with the children while making lunch that does not involve the television. Playdoh is my favorite because they will play endlessly with it and hands and table are washed before meals anyway. I might take out a big floor puzzle for preschools and bean bags and buckets for toddlers.

Most home child care providers are always thinking, as they plan for their day. I know a floor puzzle for the 3-5's is a great way for them to practice cooperative play, while the toddlers are working on gross motor skills tossing those bean bags over and over. No formal curriculum. Just me standing at the counter, stirring spaghetti sauce offering encouragement and guidance.

The children in my care typically like each other. They look forward to the daycare friends they will see each day. They learn life skills and how to treat each other fairly and kindly. They have the benefit of being in a multiage group where others are modeling talking and walking and eating and sharing. There's always someone in the group that has just passed the milestone their currently striving for.

The little ones have more of my attention because the older ones no longer need as much. They've learned to be a little bit more independent, picking up their toys and putting on their own shoes. Proudly announcing, I cleaned it all by myself Kathy. Look it's so clean!

And then someone spills their milk and there are tears and messes. Here they learn compassion for each other and no big deal I spill my milk too sometimes. These are the things children can learn in a home setting. It's a lot like home. Less institutional. More cozy. We don't need a formal curriculum because the kids show me what they need and I have enough education and training to provide it.

But without TV. I watch plenty of that myself after my own kids go to bed!

[MommyMuffin]

I just wanted to say when I was a parent bring my child to a home daycare I LOVED the daily notes. Even if there wasnt much on it or it was somewhat the same each day.

When I pulled in the driveway at home I would open the note and see what she ate, I would also see who or what she played with and I would smile. It made me feel a little closer to her since she was too young to tell me how her day was.

So now in my daycare I provide notes because they were special to me. Love em!!