|
By
Catherine M. Pruissen
Knowing
what your child will be doing all day at the daycare
centre or home is important for a number of reasons.
First, it helps you select the type of care that will
best suit your child's temperament and abilities;
and second, it gives you peace of mind knowing your
child will be developing a strong mind, body and spirit,
rather than simply loafing around all day.
A
good program, or list of activities the children will
be involved in on a daily basis should include:
- active
play that allows the children freedom to move about,
to exercise
- quiet
activities such as story time, working on puzzles,
viewing a quality television program and looking
at books that give children a break from the hustle
and bustle of life in the daycare
- outdoor
play that gives children the fresh air and sunshine
they need for their health, while at the same time
helping them develop their large muscles
- and
indoor play, like music, arts and crafts or cooking.
These
activities should be combined with the list below
in order for a child to grow in all areas of his or
her development.
Child
Initiated Activities
Free
play, where a child is allowed to play with whatever
and whomever he or she chooses, is an example of a
child-initiated activity. Others might include allowing
a child to choose between a few activities set up
in the playroom, or simply letting the children pick
what they would like to do on certain occasions. This
encourages independence and fosters decision-making.
Caregiver
Initiated Activities
Certain
activities must be planned and carried out by the
caregiver. These might include more difficult art
activities, music, field trips, meal preparation,
etc.
Group
Activities
It
is important for children to learn to get along with
other children. Large group activities are the perfect
setting for social development as they allow children
to interact with their peers, to share stories, ideas,
happy and sad thoughts.
Small
Group or Individual Activities
To
build solid, trusting relationships children need
individual attention or time in small group settings.
They also need time to play by themselves. Self-concept
is an important part of a child's overall development.
Nap
and/or Rest Time
Young
children need a time period each day of around 1-2
hours so they can nap or rest. Children who are not
nappers should be allowed to play quietly after they
have rested for at least 1/2 hour.
A
well thought out program gives children the security
of daily routine - something by which they can set
their internal clock. In fact, some children cannot
function unless everything is done at the same time,
in precisely the same way every day. Centre or home
programs should be posted on a weekly or monthly basis
to give parents an opportunity to see what their child
will be doing on any given day, or to give the provider/centre
additional ideas or feedback, for future scheduling.
If
a parent has their child in a home where there is
no program, he or she should spend time visiting the
home to see if the children are learning through play
or if they are aimlessly drifting about. If the latter
is the case, a parent must discuss the situation with
the caregiver and perhaps help her to set up a program.
A child will learn little in a home where he or she
is left to his or her own devises day in and day out.
By the same token a program that allows little time
for child-initiated activities or free play may be
too stressful.
|
