Early Childhood Activities/Jump Right In!

Having taught a variety of ages and mixed-age groups, I thought I'd like to send you some of the best and most practical ideas I've used. I hope they help you as much as they helped me over the years.

So jump right in!

0-2

I discovered this handy infant/toddler note about 1/2 way through my career and have used it ever since. It sums up the day nicely and opens the door to positive communication. It works for center care, family childcare or occasional babysitting. Feel free to adapt it to your needs.

You can click on the link to make a copy.

• Name the child and circle the day.

• Circle the time for diaper changes. Add the time increments after the hour. Use the line below to note BM, Wet, Loose Stool, or Dry.

• Circle the meal times and add time increments. Use the 2 lines below to list foods.

• Circle the time when a nap begins and add the time increments. Draw a line from the circle straight down to the line below. Circle the wake-up time and draw a horizontal line between them.

• Circle the happy face and/or words adding details below. Add appropriate comments.
  

3's

Once a child turns 3, most of us no longer need to document meals and toilet activities.

3-year-olds, however, come with their own unique trials and tribulations.

Behavior issues can emerge at 3 in children who seem to pass by the terrible twos with barely a tantrum. I often note that parents who do a great job of side-stepping 2-year-old drama, get to experience it in full force at age 3.

The developmental reason is that our children need to rebel against us a bit to grow and it will inevitably happen at various times throughout their development.

Here's a practical tip for 3's that a student in a child development class I was teaching shared. It works like a charm for most 3-year-olds and I've used it successfully countless times.

When a young child is being disruptive to others, it could include striking out or throwing things. We need to find a way to stop this unsafe behavior but time-outs aren't always the best solutions.

Here's an alternative:

Tell the child they need to be your "buddy" for a while, until they can calm themselves down and stop hitting, pushing or whatever they were doing. Hold their hand or let them hold onto you if it helps them to comply.

The teacher who told the story used a soft plastic spiral keychain that she kept on her belt. She gave the child the option of holding onto it instead of her holding on to them.

Then, as she moved around the room to help others, the child went with her until they could calm down and go off on their own safely.

Why does this work?

• The child doesn't feel alone like on a time-out

• The teacher was in good-natured control

• The child got to be involved in the positive acts of the teacher

• The other children were able to get attention too.

This method demonstrates a philosophy I like to live by.

Let's help each other rather than punish each other in life. It only makes sense.

4-6

Here's a fun activity for children ages 4-6 that helps them understand the power of working together rather than against each other..

This is a book that you will love to cuddle up and read. It has a "choice of endings" that keeps kids engaged until the end.

Milo and The Magical Stones is about a community of mice who learn that greed and hoarding are not effective ways to stay warm and cozy during the long winter months. It also supplies a solution. To share and give back to our environment so we can live in harmony and happiness. Or else!

Milo is written by Markus Pfister, the author of The Rainbow Fish, a book about sharing.

Here's an activity that will make this story come to life.

(If you want more info on the color brown in childcare, click on the rocks below.)

Here's the Milo activity

1. Read the book!
   

2. Go on a rock-finding walk.
   

3. Clean your rocks with soap water and old toothbrushes and let them dry (or you can use craft rocks).
   

4. Use paint, oil pastels, or markers to color your rocks. Use clear glue and biodegradable glitter to add some sparkle.
   

5. Cover your finished rock with a few coats of clear glue letting them dry between coats for a great shine. Here are the complete instructions for the project using oil pastels. This is a project that can easily be adapted to a mixed-age group.

How would you like to have more good-natured control of the young children you care for?

This free ebook will give you all the best words and phrases vetted by real-life childcare providers who know how to say things in a developmentally appropriate way.

You'll never know how well these words can work unless you try them. Click here or on the book cover below and get your free copy right away so you can start using those 22 key phrases now.

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, SELF-care facilitator, 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 ed 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 state and nationwide conferences. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.