One of the great things about being a child care provider is that you have the opportunity to interact with children in a variety of age groups. Child care providers sometimes take care of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children all in one space. However, it can be complicated to manage activities with children of varying age groups without leaving some of the children out of the activities.
Many of our OwnADaycare on Facebook members are looking for suggestions for activities that can be implemented with a variety of age groups. For example, a daycare owner asks: How can I do crafts with the preschoolers when I have a lot of littler ones? We asked our Facebook members about how they handle crafts with multiple age groups. Daycare owners responded to provide their suggestions. Here are some of the best responses. Thanks to all who respond and shared their expertise!
I do crafts projects every day. My 5 and 4 year olds do it by direction and I have an example already made. My 3 and 2 year olds are helped by me and the 1 year old is a free for all. I give materials and they do whatever sitting next to me and the 2-3 year olds. We are all together at a large dining room table. The infant is in a bouncy seat, high chair, or floor playing in the room with us best projects are open ended crafts where kids create whatever they want. Less direction, easier in groups, and more creative for them.
I put the little ones in high chairs and give them paint or crayons and let them do their thing while I help the preschoolers. If they are infants, then put them in jumpers or playpen.
I have a wide age range. I have never had any problems. The youngest get simplified things to do, the others I help as needed. As they get older they like to help the younger ones. For real messy stuff they would be shirtless with a paint apron on. Messy to clean up but worth them learning and having fun.
If you offer open ended materials on shelves that are open for all children. All the children will amazed you with what they can do.
I include everyone. Little are in highchairs doing something similar to the older ones. Even babies are in there with us so they are a part of the group. It really helped the little ones learn and want to just in earlier. There are lots of safe homemade paint recipes, so if little hands get it in their mouths it’s fine.
Prepare supplies in advance so the kids don’t have to wait. Keep it simple, it is the process not the product that is important. Painting is great fun for all ages. With the preschool, they can all paint at the same time. With the little ones, it’s one at a time. I buy paint shirts at Michaels, easy to wash in the machine.
I do crafts with all my kids together. I modify them to work with the developmental levels of the children.
I have 4 2 year olds and 2 18 month old and the 2 18 month olds sit in highchairs and do the same projects as the 2 year olds just more control over what they are doing.
We include our 1 – 2 year olds, we put them in high chairs and let them join us or give them something to do like color, puzzles, little figurines, etc. Here in Northern California we aren’t supposed to use jumpers or bouncers. It’s a great way to teach them early to participate.
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