Toddler Schedule

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Childcare Chatboard

Toddler Schedule

by Anne

Jan 16, 2010

Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free play is so important and agree with everything you all are saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. when I asked what a typical toddler schedule was I meant like what time do you have snack, am circle, project, music, lunch, nap, pm snack, pm circle, (free play all in between)and when all that is done, there is 1 1/2 hours left before class is over - do you let them free play for that long or do you do something structured for some of that time like table top toys or a gross motor activity. Where I am at, they do not like to see the children "getting out of control" with free play because the parents come in and see this and have gotten mad because they don't feel that their child is learning anything. (stupid huh?) But having said that, the center wants free play, but they also want structure. They want to see more group activities. Thank you for all your responses, I am searching for the right teaching environme...See More

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Schari Ewwww - I cringe when people say video. Sorry, don't mean to be rude. But these kiddos get MORE than enough tv at home (and unfortunately often in their cars) I would encourage anybody in child care to consider not using tv at all.

Lol - just say NO to TV!

An important part of our work is communicating to the parents what the chi...See MoreEwwww - I cringe when people say video. Sorry, don't mean to be rude. But these kiddos get MORE than enough tv at home (and unfortunately often in their cars) I would encourage anybody in child care to consider not using tv at all.

Lol - just say NO to TV!

An important part of our work is communicating to the parents what the children are learning in their free play so that when parents see it in action, they can begin to recognize the value in it. One way I do this is with a private parent website, newsletters, and documentation panels.

Some different ways I end our days: Reading to the group; game playing (different children involved in different board/card games with each other; and my all time favorite - outdoor play. This gives the children some good gross motor activity (perhaps before going home to watch tv-darn) and it also gives me an opportunity to chat with parents if needed.

BTW, a parent picked up the other day and the child said: "Can we play outside at home?" Parent: "We are going home to play with the Wii." Ohhhhh. Made me sad.

On 1/16/10, LP wrote: > I've seen some teachers just have table tops, no blocks, no > kitchen for the last hour, so that's it's easy to pick up when > the parents come. Sometimes they could be watching a video in the > last hour, but not every day. > > On 1/16/10, Brett wrote: >> Maybe it's just a matter of semantics: Try referring to it as >> "structured free-play" and see if parents and the center approve. >> >> :-) >> >> Brett >> >> On 1/16/10, Anne wrote: >>> Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free >>> play is so important and agree with everything you all are >>> saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. >>> when I asked what a typical toddler schedule was I meant >>> like what time do you have snack, am circle, project, >>> music, lunch, nap, pm snack, pm circle, (free play all in >>> between)and when all that is done, there is 1 1/2 hours >>> left before class is over - do you let them free play for >>> that long or do you do something structured for some of >>> that time like table top toys or a gross motor activity. >>> Where I am at, they do not like to see the >>> children "getting out of control" with free play because >>> the parents come in and see this and have gotten mad >>> because they don't feel that their child is learning >>> anything. (stupid huh?) But having said that, the center >>> wants free play, but they also want structure. They want >>> to see more group activities. Thank you for all your >>> responses, I am searching for the right teaching >>> environment for myself for when I get my degree (soon) and >>> look for a permament job. Your input is so helpful!

Jan 16, 2010

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montmo On 1/16/10, Schari wrote: > Ewwww - I cringe when people say video. Sorry, don't mean to be > rude. But these kiddos get MORE than enough tv at home (and > unfortunately often in their cars) I would encourage anybody in > child care to consider not using tv at all.

Oh, thank you Schari for this statement. I wish all teachers wo...See More

Jan 17, 2010

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my thoughts responses in-line.....

On 1/16/10, Anne wrote: > Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free > play is so important and agree with everything you all are > saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. > when I asked what a typical toddler schedule was I meant > like what time do you have snack, am ci...See Moreresponses in-line.....

On 1/16/10, Anne wrote: > Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free > play is so important and agree with everything you all are > saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. > when I asked what a typical toddler schedule was I meant > like what time do you have snack, am circle, project, > music, lunch, nap, pm snack, pm circle, (free play all in > between)and when all that is done, there is 1 1/2 hours > left before class is over - do you let them free play for > that long or do you do something structured for some of > that time like table top toys or a gross motor activity.

Our schedule is as follows, with the caveat that the actual times are determined by the children, their concentration, their interest, etc. each day. Basically, the routine is the same each day, but the actual times may be lengthened or shortened as needed....

8:30 to 9:30 - Outdoor play 9:30 to 10:00 - circle and snacks ***Circle time is singing, dancing, introduction of something new, etc. 10:00 to 11:30 - Worktime...(what you refer to as free play). Teachers overview classroom, help children, monitor the art activities and assist, etc. Spontaneous story times, group singing, etc. may happen during this time, as well. 11:30 to 12:00 - Outdoor play 12:00 to 12:45 - Lunch 12:45 to 2:45 - nap / rest time 2:45 to 3:30 - Outdoor play / worktime...depends on what children are interested in.

> Where I am at, they do not like to see the > children "getting out of control" with free play because > the parents come in and see this and have gotten mad > because they don't feel that their child is learning > anything. (stupid huh?) But having said that, the center > wants free play, but they also want structure.

I think this is an area where education and information is needed....for the parents, and for the admin. maybe as well! Unless the classroom is truly chaotic and out of control, what are the parents seeing? Are they seeing puzzles being used, blocks and manipulatives, small motor activities, art? I teach toddlers within the Montessori philosophy, and I know many things we do are different, but I would look at the program and activity from the perspective of the parents when they arrive....what are they truly seeing and are the children really getting 'out of control' at that time of the day. It could be that this time of the day is when the activity and energy level is quite high.

>They want to see more group activities. Thank you for all your responses, I am searching for the right teaching > environment for myself for when I get my degree (soon) and > look for a permament job. Your input is so helpful!

This is also where some more education for the adults may be needed. Toddlers rarely move about or function in "group" activities. I've heard other teachers describe enforcing group activities with toddlers to be "similar to the idea of herding cats". It isn't going to happen naturally! Yes, you may get lucky a time or two, but for the most part, toddlers do not move about in groups! They tend more towards wandering in and out of activities...especially the really young ones.

Jan 18, 2010

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Anne On 1/18/10, my thoughts wrote: > responses in-line..... > > On 1/16/10, Anne wrote: >> Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free >> play is so important and agree with everything you all are >> saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. >> when I asked what a typical toddler schedule was...See MoreOn 1/18/10, my thoughts wrote: > responses in-line..... > > On 1/16/10, Anne wrote: >> Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free >> play is so important and agree with everything you all are >> saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. >> when I asked what a typical toddler schedule was I meant >> like what time do you have snack, am circle, project, >> music, lunch, nap, pm snack, pm circle, (free play all in >> between)and when all that is done, there is 1 1/2 hours >> left before class is over - do you let them free play for >> that long or do you do something structured for some of >> that time like table top toys or a gross motor activity. > > Our schedule is as follows, with the caveat that the actual > times are determined by the children, their concentration, > their interest, etc. each day. Basically, the routine is the > same each day, but the actual times may be lengthened or > shortened as needed.... > > 8:30 to 9:30 - Outdoor play > 9:30 to 10:00 - circle and snacks > ***Circle time is singing, dancing, introduction of something > new, etc. > 10:00 to 11:30 - Worktime...(what you refer to as free play). > Teachers overview classroom, help children, monitor the art > activities and assist, etc. Spontaneous story times, group > singing, etc. may happen during this time, as well. > 11:30 to 12:00 - Outdoor play > 12:00 to 12:45 - Lunch > 12:45 to 2:45 - nap / rest time > 2:45 to 3:30 - Outdoor play / worktime...depends on what > children are interested in. > >> Where I am at, they do not like to see the >> children "getting out of control" with free play because >> the parents come in and see this and have gotten mad >> because they don't feel that their child is learning >> anything. (stupid huh?) But having said that, the center >> wants free play, but they also want structure. > > I think this is an area where education and information is > needed....for the parents, and for the admin. maybe as well! > Unless the classroom is truly chaotic and out of control, what > are the parents seeing? Are they seeing puzzles being used, > blocks and manipulatives, small motor activities, art? I teach > toddlers within the Montessori philosophy, and I know many > things we do are different, but I would look at the program and > activity from the perspective of the parents when they > arrive....what are they truly seeing and are the children > really getting 'out of control' at that time of the day. It > could be that this time of the day is when the activity and > energy level is quite high. > >>They want to see more group activities. Thank you for all > your responses, I am searching for the right teaching >> environment for myself for when I get my degree (soon) and >> look for a permament job. Your input is so helpful! > > This is also where some more education for the adults may be > needed. Toddlers rarely move about or function in "group" > activities. I've heard other teachers describe enforcing > group activities with toddlers to be "similar to the idea of > herding cats". It isn't going to happen naturally! Yes, you > may get lucky a time or two, but for the most part, toddlers do > not move about in groups! They tend more towards wandering in > and out of activities...especially the really young ones. > > > >

Jan 23, 2010

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Anne On 1/23/10, Anne wrote: > On 1/18/10, my thoughts wrote: >> responses in-line..... >> >> On 1/16/10, Anne wrote: >>> Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free >>> play is so important and agree with everything you all are >>> saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. >...See MoreOn 1/23/10, Anne wrote: > On 1/18/10, my thoughts wrote: >> responses in-line..... >> >> On 1/16/10, Anne wrote: >>> Wow, what great responses! I absolutely agree that free >>> play is so important and agree with everything you all are >>> saying. I am not a teacher yet, just observing right now. >>> when I asked what a typical toddler schedule was I meant >>> like what time do you have snack, am circle, project, >>> music, lunch, nap, pm snack, pm circle, (free play all in >>> between)and when all that is done, there is 1 1/2 hours >>> left before class is over - do you let them free play for >>> that long or do you do something structured for some of >>> that time like table top toys or a gross motor activity. >> >> Our schedule is as follows, with the caveat that the actual >> times are determined by the children, their concentration, >> their interest, etc. each day. Basically, the routine is the >> same each day, but the actual times may be lengthened or >> shortened as needed.... >> >> 8:30 to 9:30 - Outdoor play >> 9:30 to 10:00 - circle and snacks >> ***Circle time is singing, dancing, introduction of something >> new, etc. >> 10:00 to 11:30 - Worktime...(what you refer to as free play). >> Teachers overview classroom, help children, monitor the art >> activities and assist, etc. Spontaneous story times, group >> singing, etc. may happen during this time, as well. >> 11:30 to 12:00 - Outdoor play >> 12:00 to 12:45 - Lunch >> 12:45 to 2:45 - nap / rest time >> 2:45 to 3:30 - Outdoor play / worktime...depends on what >> children are interested in. >> >>> Where I am at, they do not like to see the >>> children "getting out of control" with free play because >>> the parents come in and see this and have gotten mad >>> because they don't feel that their child is learning >>> anything. (stupid huh?) But having said that, the center >>> wants free play, but they also want structure. >> >> I think this is an area where education and information is >> needed....for the parents, and for the admin. maybe as well! >> Unless the classroom is truly chaotic and out of control, what >> are the parents seeing? Are they seeing puzzles being used, >> blocks and manipulatives, small motor activities, art? I teach >> toddlers within the Montessori philosophy, and I know many >> things we do are different, but I would look at the program and >> activity from the perspective of the parents when they >> arrive....what are they truly seeing and are the children >> really getting 'out of control' at that time of the day. It >> could be that this time of the day is when the activity and >> energy level is quite high. >> >>>They want to see more group activities. Thank you for all >> your responses, I am searching for the right teaching >>> environment for myself for when I get my degree (soon) and >>> look for a permament job. Your input is so helpful! >> >> This is also where some more education for the adults may be >> needed. Toddlers rarely move about or function in "group" >> activities. I've heard other teachers describe enforcing >> group activities with toddlers to be "similar to the idea of >> herding cats". It isn't going to happen naturally! Yes, you >> may get lucky a time or two, but for the most part, toddlers do >> not move about in groups! They tend more towards wandering in >> and out of activities...especially the really young ones. >> >> >> >> Thank you very much. I started my training so I have been given some responsibility other than observing (which I still have to do). The teacher leaves at 3:30 and I have been doing table top activities with the children for the last hour. We've done puzzles, playdoh, peg boards and coloring so far. It is a much calmer environment for the parents to come into when picking up their kids. Prior to this the kids would just would "free play" and it was crazy (and messy). I still don't like the fact that the kids don't get a morning snack (I'm working on that).

Jan 23, 2010

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