Kids Plates & Cups - Each Own Color
Do you have problems with kids drinking out of each others cups or not know who's cup is who's? It used to drive me crazy. I couldn't remember who's drink was who's. For the last few years I have used this practice: Each child has their own color. Mind you, I am only licensed for 6 so this works for me. I buy microwavable and dishwasher safe plates, utensils and cups and each child has their own color. Johnny always has green, Suzie always has orange, etc. This kids love it. I know who's is whos and it gives them a sense of ownership which they really don't have with anything else in daycare. It is also a great way to incorporate learning about colors.
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Welcome to the forum :Sunny:
Your status has been upgraded soyou can post freely now :) |
Welcome to the Daycare.com Forum! Your IP says your 10 miles from where I live. Hey neighbor.
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Thank you Michael!
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That is a great method. What plates and cups do you use? I was thinking of going back to that method but havent been able to find cups and plates with enough colors. I to am licensed for 6. The only cups Ive been able to find are those take and toss ones but the kids can get the lids off to easily!
Debbie |
I use the sets from Ikea. I only have 5 regular kids, and I can get a 6th as a sub. I love each one having their own and the kids love it too. I use the silverware also, although it does need to be replaced every so often it's cheap (haven't had to replace the cups, plates, or bowls, just the silverware).
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Originally Posted by Rachel: |
I do this. But, I have more than 6 so one of mine (at the OPPOSITE end of the table, since they have assigned seats) gets the same color. :) Works very well!
For breakfast foods & all drinks, I use the Ikea items. For lunch, I use separated plates (all in the same color). |
Whew! That seems like a lot of work to separate and remember who has what color, but if it works for you...then awesome! :)
I use only paper products, plates, cups and bowls. I have the same silverware for all ages (it is smaller) but everyone gets the same. ....and I use no sippy cups at all. Everyone uses a regular unlidded cup at my house. |
I use the same method as you bzmommy. I'm also a small FCC so 6 colors works for me too. I also get the plates, bowls, cups and utencils from Ikea. They're dirt cheap and come in 6 colors. Keeping track of who has what color isn't hard for me since each color matches the child's cubby color. I have several sets of everything to last me all day and then at the end of the day I wash everything in one dishwasher load.
PS If you are Michaels neighbor then so am I ... sort of. I'm in Ventura ;) |
I live in Coarsegold about 20 miles from the southern entrance of Yosemite. Michael, are you in the foothills too?
I lived in Ventura from 88-93 - small world |
oops, I did not log in before I just posted. Michael, it was bzmommy that replied saying that I live in Coarsegold.
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Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Originally Posted by Rachel: Originally Posted by LCLC: For meals and snacks, I don't set the table or prepare the place settings. The kids take turns being the table setters and they all serve themselves. We also do not have any type of assigned seating. The children are free to sit where they choose as our meal times are part of our daily socialization curriculum and learning. |
I use the Ikea color system too. It works GREAT for us. The kids feel special that they have a certain color and their name tags by their coat hooks are the same color as well as their tags on their cubbies. We also have a helper chart where each child gets to help with a certain "chore" like watering the kids garden, being assistant chef to me, or getting to pick out the book for story time. The kids go to the picture job chart and they know what job is theirs because of the color that is placed next to it. It works great. I'm thinking about investing in colored blankets for nap time too...
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I have each family bring a sippy cup at the beginning of the 'school' year. Every August I request a new cup. They carefully choose it and it's their cup for daycare. It gets put in the dishwasher, and washed out before every meal/snack. With 8 hands reaching up, regular cups spill often and I would spend about 1/2 hour a day cleaning up spilled milk, juice, water, etc. Cups stay in the kitchen!!
I haven't had duplicates yet (surprisingly!) and they all know which cup is theirs (and which cups are their friends). Typically by 15 months they know who's cup is who's. :D For plates, I have different colors (some duplicates). I do this for allergy reasons, The yellow plates are peanut free, dishwashers can only do so much. I found these great plates at our local Jewel years ago, and I love them... but can't find them anymore. They have everything sectioned off, and a dipping spot at the top. http:///Users/kellykirchwehm/Picture...0/IMG_8000.JPG |
The cups used to be our problem because I couldn't keep them separated with colors - I have 4 kids of my own and then I'm licensed to have up to 14.
I have 6 oz glasses; on each cup I placed wide produce rubber bands (blank side out) and using a ball point pen to label their names on each. Not only did they keep them straight, but the rubber band served as a grip. We have so much less spillage now!!! :) |
Originally Posted by themoorethemerrier: |
This is an Idea I grew up on but have forgotten about!! Im so glad you posted this!
Also I just wanted to give a shout out... I just moved back to my home state (Back to the South) From Southern CA! How neat that there are so many of you here from CA. It sure is beautiful there! |
I love to pretend to "forget" which cup belongs to which child, or "accidently" give someone the wrong cup. The kids get a kick out of being smarter than me! :)
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Heidi, where did you get enough different colored plates/cups? I got some at WM, but there were only four colors.....
And, of course, we live nowhere near an IKEA and can't order the plates or silverware. :P |
I use Walmart plastic sectional plates. Over the past couple of years I have been able to get all different colors. The only ones that are the same are green, but one is a bright green and the other a dark so the kids can tell them apart. I use Ikea silverware and each child has a matching color cup, but I love the rubberband idea! When a child enrolls I automaticly give them a "color". It teaches them matching, and colors. It also gives them a since of ownership as well. Also each child sits in the same spot each day at the table. Just like they have their own playpens. They walk to the table and stand at it and I put them in their booster seat. I am licensed for 12 but only keep 6 so it works out well for me!!:)
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It will be better if you will write their names or paste their photos on their cups, so that they will hold only those one which will have their photos. Or you can arrange according to their favorite colors also.
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I use sharpie markers to write names on things. It will wash off eventually or if you want it to just scrub. It's also a good way for the children to start recognising their own names.
With the kids I've dealt with all the Princesses would have wanted the pink and it would be a disaster. Be thankful you have easy going kids that love their colors!happyface |
My dckids all have their own cups that they use every day. We travel a lot so when we're out and about they can pick their own cups out of the box I pack in the stroller to hold them whenever they need a drink. The same goes for in the house and all summer I keep their cups full of water so they can go to the dining room table for a drink when they are thirsty.
I use the colourful Ikea plates and bowls because I learn over time which kid eats what and I can load up their plates accordingly when I'm serving the food. I started this system so I don't end up with as much food in the garbage. |
I love this idea and would love to use this method, but as of now all the kids bring their own cup from home. I made labels and put their name on them to help me out.
For plates I use the 3 section plates I had bought from Walmart. I would love to use the IKEA system, but the nearest store from me is like 5 hours away:( |
Williams, that stinks. I love Ikea :-)
Their new stuff is even better. The plates are bigger and they have a rim around them. They have purple now too :-) |
Originally Posted by Rachel: |
Thanks ladies! I looked on Ikea and love the products you were talking about! Too bad they won't ship those items! :(
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Munchkin offers sets in 5 different colors. VERY inexpensive and cute too!
Here are the links to each set. bowls http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Pack-...7334030&sr=1-4 plates http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Pack-...7334106&sr=1-6 cups http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-40300...7334135&sr=1-6 |
Originally Posted by Blackcat31: |
Each child here has a specific bib colour and plate, bowl and cup to match. I got mine from the supermarket as part of a picnic set last year. I had to buy 2 sets to get all the colours covered but it was still inexpensive.
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Originally Posted by melilley: |
I use the IKEA dishes too, but not the silverware. I have 4 sets so even when I have to double up colors there's enough for 2 meals. The kids definitely tell me when I space out and give someone the wrong color, and they have no problem remembering who gets what when they set the table. We switch colors and seats every year or so, so no-one gets too attached to a specific color or spot.
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Originally Posted by bzmommy: |
Originally Posted by Rachel: |
you could also use vinyl to actually put their names on the cups and plates. The vinyl they use for outside will go through the dishwasher no problem.
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