I'm looking for some developmentally appropriate and realistic expectations for one to one and a half year olds in group care.

Long story short I'm having issues with my assistants. I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on what my group can/can't do but now I'm starting to doubt. My one assistant tends to get very frustrated with the kids for things I feel they are learning to do/not do, but don't expect them to fully understand yet. I hope that makes sense.

For example, I don't expect them to sit for circle. We do a quick circle with a few books and songs and I encourage everyone to join us but if they get up and run off, that's fine. I expect them to sit at the table for lunch/snack, but I don't expect them to sit still as statues facing forward and eat without making a mess. I expect them to dump toys. And then walk away and come back and do it again. This drives my assistant batty. She can't stand when they do it and freaks out over it, no matter how many times I say it's fine.

Any thoughts/suggestions? What do you expect your one year olds to do/not do?

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