Remove Free Play for Awhile? Good Idea or Not?

[WImom]

Has anyone done this? I'm thinking of putting covers on all my bins of toys including items in the kitchen center and have them play with me only as a group for a few weeks. Right now I have two 4 year olds, Two 3y olds (One almost 4y) and a 27m old. The 27 month old is constantly taking things from the other kids and the other kids seem to be arguing a lot. I'm hating Free Play right now.

I was thinking of having it be my choice who plays with what or putting just two kids together at a time or they all play with me. Slowly bringing back free play.

Anyone do this before? How did it work and how did you go about doing it?

[daycare]

Has anyone done this? I'm thinking of putting covers on all my bins of toys and including items in the kitchen center and have them play with me only as a group for a few weeks. Right now I have two 4 year olds, Two 3y olds (One almost 4y) and a 27m old. The 27 month old is constantly taking things from the other kids and the other kids seem to be arguing a lot. I'm hating Free Play right now.

I was thinking of having it be my choice who plays with what or putting just two kids together at a time or they all play with me. Slowly bringing back free play.

Anyone do this before? How did it work and how did you go about doing it?

Also having a schedule all morning at home and coming to you at the same time and him being picked up at the same time. That has really helped a 3y old here. He wasn't as severe as yours though.

I allow 2 kids at a time in each play area.....so

2 in dramatic play ----dress up, kitchen, house, store

2 in the block area

and so on...

I defined the space for them and allow them to play together as long as they are playing well. If they can't play well together, they have to clean up immediately and go separately to new areas. Often I will redirect them to new areas.

I do have all of my tubs covered. I have the stations opened at times and closed at times. so for example if all of the kids are having a hard time playing in the dramatic play area, it gets clened up and closed down for the time frame. We may try to open it up again later that day. But it closes for that free play period...

[NeedaVaca]

When my kiddo's start getting to be "too much" during free play I use stations as well. Train table, kitchen, blocks, etc. I tell them what station they are on, when timer goes off they clean up and switch stations. Works well for me

[Laurel]

Has anyone done this? I'm thinking of putting covers on all my bins of toys including items in the kitchen center and have them play with me only as a group for a few weeks. Right now I have two 4 year olds, Two 3y olds (One almost 4y) and a 27m old. The 27 month old is constantly taking things from the other kids and the other kids seem to be arguing a lot. I'm hating Free Play right now.

I was thinking of having it be my choice who plays with what or putting just two kids together at a time or they all play with me. Slowly bringing back free play.

Anyone do this before? How did it work and how did you go about doing it?

I don't know. I'd have to think about it. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try. It seems like the older ones would be able to understand the concept and let them know it is because they always seem to be fighting. I'm not sure it would work in the long run.

It is an interesting concept. If you do it could you let us know if it works and post an update? I'd be interested.

Or maybe you could make free play time shorter and put a group project in the middle of two short free play sessions?

Not sure. Just thinking out loud.

Laurel

[thetoddlerwhisper]

ive done it before with all 2s. state guidelines here say we cant but sometimes ya gotta do what you can to teach them and its not like they dont have plenty already

[Heidi]

Has anyone done this? I'm thinking of putting covers on all my bins of toys and including items in the kitchen center and have them play with me only as a group for a few weeks. Right now I have two 4 year olds, Two 3y olds (One almost 4y) and a 27m old. The 27 month old is constantly taking things from the other kids and the other kids seem to be arguing a lot. I'm hating Free Play right now.

I was thinking of having it be my choice who plays with what or putting just two kids together at a time or they all play with me. Slowly bringing back free play.

Anyone do this before? How did it work and how did you go about doing it?

Also having a schedule all morning at home and coming to you at the same time and him being picked up at the same time. That has really helped a 3y old here. He wasn't as severe as yours though.

I am going to say no, you should not get rid of freeplay, and you should not close your bins. Arguing, while annoying to you, is a way for the kids to work through things.

Maybe you could break up free play into shorter "bursts", though for a while. 20 minutes, then a clean up and a short circle time, then another round of the same. Make sure there is a place to save projects (lego towers, etc) for the next session.

Instead of intervening or directing their arguments, just sit back and observe. Unless it gets physical, let them argue. Then, at your pow-wow after "centers", talk about what you noticed. "I noticed that Susan and Mary were playing with the baby dolls, and taking care of them really well". I noticed that Steve and Jason where playing trucks, and there was some arguing about who got the red truck. Can we think of some ideas about how we can work that out next time?" 4 year olds are usually pretty good at coming up with ideas. If not, you can suggest some, and then put it back in their court..."do you think that would work?"

I really think by giving them short practice sessions, and reviewing afterwards what you saw, you'll have more success teaching them what they should do. If you just manage everything every minute, they'll learn nothing.

Here is a great website for social/emotional development. There are tons of printables on here, too, for you to use with your kids.

http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/

[preschoolteacher]

I wouldn't do it, personally. Right now, I'm working really hard to teach my group of daycare kids (including my son) to have long stretches of free play without my involvement. The kids in my group are between the ages of 15 months and 25 months, and so far, they are able to do free play for 45 minutes on good days and 20 minutes on not-so-good days without crying, whining, or needing my involvement.

For me, teaching them to do free play on their own gives me much needed time to make lunch or clean up while they play. Luckily I can supervise everything from the kitchen. And for the kids, they are learning how to deal with social situations and solve problems, and I think it's really educational for them.

I am right there watching them, but I try really hard not to interfere during these times. All of the toys are on open shelves so they can get to things themselves. If they have a problem (puzzle piece won't fit, for example)--I don't step in. I wait and see what they do. They are figuring things out for themselves.

I honestly don't mind arguing. It can be annoying, but I try not to let it get to me. I watch to make sure no one is going to hurt anyone, but if they are squabbling over a toy, I let them work it out on their own. It can be really surprising how they can come to a solution on their own, even at this young of an age.

So I wouldn't take free time away because I think it would cause you more work. They are just going to rely on you even more to solve all their problems, referee all of their arguments, and so on.

[melilley]

I personally wouldn't get rid of free play, but maybe limit and/or rotate toys instead.

I agree with Heidi, maybe limit free time. All but one of my dck's are 2 and under (I have 4, plus my own 15 mo. ds) and we have shorter "bursts" of free play. For instance we eat, have free play for about 1/2 hour or 45 min. then have a short circle time, clean up, have snack, then art time, then outside or inside free play then lunch etc..

It seems to work pretty well, not on all days, but most.

[melilley]

I am going to say no, you should not get rid of freeplay, and you should not close your bins. Arguing, while annoying to you, is a way for the kids to work through things.

Maybe you could break up free play into shorter "bursts", though for a while. 20 minutes, then a clean up and a short circle time, then another round of the same. Make sure there is a place to save projects (lego towers, etc) for the next session.

Instead of intervening or directing their arguments, just sit back and observe. Unless it gets physical, let them argue. Then, at your pow-wow after "centers", talk about what you noticed. "I noticed that Susan and Mary were playing with the baby dolls, and taking care of them really well". I noticed that Steve and Jason where playing trucks, and there was some arguing about who got the red truck. Can we think of some ideas about how we can work that out next time?" 4 year olds are usually pretty good at coming up with ideas. If not, you can suggest some, and then put it back in their court..."do you think that would work?"

I really think by giving them short practice sessions, and reviewing afterwards what you saw, you'll have more success teaching them what they should do. If you just manage everything every minute, they'll learn nothing.

Here is a great website for social/emotional development. There are tons of printables on here, too, for you to use with your kids.

http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/

[daycare]

wanted to let you know that I cover my bins because I have a HUGE mixed aged group and the littles would just go and dump....

when they are in their free play centers, I let them open a few of them they want to use. this also helps control massive messes...

Instead of intervening or directing their arguments, just sit back and observe. Unless it gets physical, let them argue. Then, at your pow-wow after "centers", talk about what you noticed...

I also do not always intervene on everything, but I don't let too much time pass before I go and talk to them about it. I let them try their best to work it out and if they can't, then I come and help.

I have one that just can't do free play, so the child will often blow through all of the centers in minutes and always end up in the library reading..............

[WImom]

Thanks for the suggestions....Right now free play is from 7:30-8:30 (That one is usually okay since not everyone is here the whole time). We then have circle time and then 9:10-9:30ish free play, then art, then free play again for 30 minutes or so and I attempt to do some small groups at the table with me during this time, outside, lunch, nap. Then after nap 3:30-4:10. 4:10 until pick up is games or puzzles time with me until 4:30, my closing time.

It is mostly the 27m old and my two 4 year olds - One is super bossy and needs everything her way and the other is very stubborn and makes a lot of bad choices daily (I've written about his behavior many times). The 27m is the one I've also written about that wrecks everything here and mouths everything. If I only had the other kids not listed I could have free play all day and be fine minus the occasional squabble.

I don't have centers right now because of the 27m old. I need to see EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE he is because he likes to mouth and break things, peel of stickers, etc. I have moved everything against the walls and that does seem to be giving them more space to spread out.

I do have a way to split them up by "Table Toy/Reading Area" and "Play Area" the way my room is set up. Maybe dividing them into two groups during one or two free plays would help for awhile.

I do observe them and if it seems like they are not going to resolve it on their own I will intervene by them helping me think of a solution with a few ideas from me. My two 4y olds are so stubborn it rarely works with them and I end up removing the item or separating them. They just seem to get on each other's nerves. I really wish I'd get more kids since before I lost 5 to school this fall they had others their age to play with so it wasn't as bad.

[cheerfuldom]

whatever you do, i would increase outdoor time. that seems to help when my group is getting crazy. a long walk or other labor intensive outdoor play is always good. raking leaves or anything to really get them working.

[Neekie]

[QUOTE=Heidi;403738]I am going to say no, you should not get rid of freeplay, and you should not close your bins. Arguing, while annoying to you, is a way for the kids to work through things.

Maybe you could break up free play into shorter "bursts", though for a while. 20 minutes, then a clean up and a short circle time, then another round of the same. Make sure there is a place to save projects (lego towers, etc) for the next session.

Instead of intervening or directing their arguments, just sit back and observe. Unless it gets physical, let them argue. Then, at your pow-wow after "centers", talk about what you noticed. "I noticed that Susan and Mary were playing with the baby dolls, and taking care of them really well". I noticed that Steve and Jason where playing trucks, and there was some arguing about who got the red truck. Can we think of some ideas about how we can work that out next time?" 4 year olds are usually pretty good at coming up with ideas. If not, you can suggest some, and then put it back in their court..."do you think that would work?"

I really think by giving them short practice sessions, and reviewing afterwards what you saw, you'll have more success teaching them what they should do. If you just manage everything every minute, they'll learn nothing.

Here is a great website for social/emotional development. There are tons of printables on here, too, for you to use with your kids.

http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/[/

Yes, this! And then I send my three & four year olds to the peace table (works best with two children, but I think it could work with three or four). They have to sit around the table and define what they were fighting about and come up with ideas of how to solve it. They must talk one at a time, they can not argue, they must use good manners and listen, and they can not leave the table. I will hint at some suggestions if they get stuck. Seems to work everytime. They are proud of the ideas they have come up with and they are eager to try them. I don't say anything about their ideas unless they are destructive or unfair. I let them try them out. It they work, then GREAT! If they don't , then the whole group goes back to the drawing the board. They were a little shy and awkward at this at first, but once they had done it a few times, they would come to me and ask if they could have a conference around the peace table.

[Heidi]

whatever you do, i would increase outdoor time. that seems to help when my group is getting crazy. a long walk or other labor intensive outdoor play is always good. raking leaves or anything to really get them working.

although it's been a very cold October here so far. Every day is either cold, cloudy, windy, or all three. Feels more like late November. blech!

[WImom]

although it's been a very cold October here so far. Every day is either cold, cloudy, windy, or all three. Feels more like late November. blech!

I hear ya on that one!! I think it's going to be a BAD winter here.