Originally Posted by childcaremom:
When I reopened I had a group of older ones who were like this. I dropped all my planning and bare minimum structure. All free play. Little to no direction from me. It took a couple of painful weeks and then they got it. Then I slowly started adding activities back in. When they started to get too dependent on adult led stuff, back to free play.
Give them the gift of boredom.
ETA: I have a 3 yo who is like this right now. I spend Monday letting him readjust to playing independently. Usually by Tuesday we are good to go back to our routine of circle, art, etc. He had a month long stretch where he could not play no matter what. Lay around. Complained. Etc. Turns out, he had been spending a ton of time on the ipad at home. Worst inventions ever.
Give them the gift of boredom! That's what I say.