Sometimes, we just have to wing it.

I started a new child care job as the opening teacher. It was 6:30 AM on my very first day.

I remember being told to wipe down tables with dirty bleach water from the night before and to take care of a non-verbal child with cerebral palsy along with several other preschoolers.

I found an old Donavan record to play and there were Duplos available. The kids were nice but when I stepped into the hall to ask look for another teacher to ask a question, a group of unsupervised 4 year-olds came up to me and the tallest one said, F*%$ ing ugly teacher", and they ran off laughing. I went back into my classroom.

When the 7 year old in the wheelchair began to slip down to the floor suddenly, I put my arms under his armpits and tried to get him back into his chair but he seemed to resist.

"Uh, lady," a 3- year old kid with a really stuffed up nose tapped me on the back and said to me. "I tink he jus wans to pay on da floor".

Oh, "can he?"

"Uh huh."

I stopped trying to put him back up in the chair and he easily slid down to the floor and started playing with Duplos.

The 3 year old gave me more help than the "adult" did. I had asked her how to care for him before she left the room and she just said. "You don't have to do anything with him, he's easy."

Yep, sometimes we just have to wing it.

Once I volunteered on a Saturday to care for a group of children while their new community playground was being built by their parents as volunteer s. I didn't know anything about the children until I got there. It was a hard day even for a seasoned care provider.

When I got to the site, I was quickly given a list of 12 children ages 5-8 and the children were handed over to me for maybe 4-6 hours. It felt like 36. There wasn't a good spot for the kids to hang out indoors or out. Several game areas were set up on the rolling hills of suburbia but the kids in my group weren't all that interested. There were only a few books to read and some chairs indoors. I don't remember any art being available.

That's when I remembered the "Favorites" game. No materials or equipment necessary and only 2 rules. It really saved the day. This works best with elementary aged kids.

one

Playing Favorites

rules

1) Stay seated

2) raise your hand to answer

Ok, everybody find a comfy spot to sit and listen.

1st Favorite:

"Ice Cream"

then the teacher calls on everyone who raises their hand and listens carefully to their answers. Kids can answer more than once as long as they raise their hands again . Continue with, Book, Dessert, TV Show, Teacher, Game to play inside, Game to play outside, vegetable, pie, toy, etc.......

hint: the kids give more thoughtful answers when they notice the adult are really listening.

two

Bumper Balls

This is a classic, all you need is some space and a few balls. The more the better.

Here's the activity. Bumper Balls.

three

Obstacle course

Set up a course anywhere, taking in account the kids developmental levels and abilities. Use arrows, post it notes or numbers to plot out the direction of the course. You can have the kids move when the music is on and freeze when it stops, or use the timer on your phone to track their times only trying to beat their own.

four

The Sneezing Song

The Sneezing Song by Jim Gill is a way to get everyone's attention and focus. it works like magic, just try it. Adults and 2 years old alike can all relate to the anticipation factor involved. Many of Jim's songs are truly contagious like the title says.

five

Play Dough

The best homemade playdough recipe ever is at the end of the linked article on How To Have A Good Day With a Challenging Child. Play dough can do wonders and make everyone feel so much better. It must be the sensory factor.

There you have some of my favorite spur of the moment activities for mixed age groups. You never know when you'll need them. Have fun!

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, parent, grandparent, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  She studied early childhood education at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in

2010. She's presented at national and state early childhood conferences. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.