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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Rough And Tumble Play In Family Childcare Mixed Age Groups
grateday 08:22 PM 01-01-2015
Even with rules I don't see how this could work in my house because of mixed age groups. Is there some way to address this with parents without making it look like I am upset. I had issues with it and I know its natural but it is not safe in a mixed childcare setting in a small house. It is also not safe because they never follow the rules and wait until I can supervise them.

The boys need it, I can see that but one 7 year old is the size of a ten year old and you have toddlers walking around. I don't think a 5 year old and a 7 year old are always aware of there body and where it is when they tumble around .......

This is my first experience with it and I need a way to address it ,, would a newsletter with a professional article and my perspective address this with parents?

Also if anyone has a policy on this to share. I wanted to rip my hair out this last incident because other children were not being cared for the way I wanted to because this went on and these two were not respecting the rules.

How do I address it so that it says something about being sent home in a professional way?
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Angelsj 03:28 AM 01-02-2015
Send them outside if your regs allow for it. Even if it is very cold, they can go out for a bit and get that energy out. They don't need to be wrestling around in the house with little ones.
Otherwise, just explain to the parents the same way you did to us. For the protection of ALL the kids, this type of play is not allowed. Then follow through like you would if they were doing any other unacceptable behavior.
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Blackcat31 07:19 AM 01-02-2015
Originally Posted by Angelsj:
Send them outside if your regs allow for it. Even if it is very cold, they can go out for a bit and get that energy out. They don't need to be wrestling around in the house with little ones.
Otherwise, just explain to the parents the same way you did to us. For the protection of ALL the kids, this type of play is not allowed. Then follow through like you would if they were doing any other unacceptable behavior.
Yes! My kids burn off LOTS of energy WITHOUT having to physically touch anyone else.

The rough housing is not necessary and can be "natural" at home where the family can manage it.

I would never allow rough housing between older kids while there were toddlers (or any younger kids) in the same room.

As for parents, I would simply tell them that the kids need to learn to find alternate ways to expend their energy because they certainly won't be allowed to wrestle (outside of being on a team) when in school.

Also, I always explain to parents that what happens at home is 100% different than what can be allowed at daycare because of the mixed age group, the number of kids present and the liability issues.
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nannyde 07:48 AM 01-02-2015
We don't have to host every single developmentally appropriate kid activity. No rough housing in daycare. Let them do that at home.
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Controlled Chaos 08:59 AM 01-02-2015
Originally Posted by nannyde:
We don't have to host every single developmentally appropriate kid activity. No rough housing in daycare. Let them do that at home.
Great line. Because I agree little ones puppy wrestling is a normal way for children learn boundaries but it is not a safe or acceptable daycare activity.

Ways we get out extra energy out inside
- Jump while counting to 100
- Sing songs with motions
- throw bean bags into a basket
- have a snow ball "fight" (coffee filters - great for 2 1/2 - 5 year old)

all activities have a "only touch the air" rule. This rule applies outside as well. If someone touches someone else they get 1 verbal warning, then they are separated from the group with a table activity of my choosing. I have 2 very physical 3 year olds so we have been doing a lot of separating and earning back the privilege of playing with friends.
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Controlled Chaos 09:40 AM 01-02-2015
Originally Posted by Controlled Chaos:
Great line. Because I agree little ones puppy wrestling is a normal way for children learn boundaries but it is not a safe or acceptable daycare activity.

Ways we get out extra energy out inside
- Jump while counting to 100
- Sing songs with motions
- throw bean bags into a basket
- have a snow ball "fight" (coffee filters - great for 2 1/2 - 5 year old)

all activities have a "only touch the air" rule. This rule applies outside as well. If someone touches someone else they get 1 verbal warning, then they are separated from the group with a table activity of my choosing. I have 2 very physical 3 year olds so we have been doing a lot of separating and earning back the privilege of playing with friends.
Also if they have lots of trouble outside, we just stop - go for a walk around the block (double stroller always at the ready) and then come back and try again.
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daycarediva 09:26 AM 01-02-2015
Originally Posted by nannyde:
We don't have to host every single developmentally appropriate kid activity. No rough housing in daycare. Let them do that at home.
Yup.

Send them outside.

I am ALL for it, AT HOME. I also do not allow power play/gun play/superhero play at all because it becomes just an excuse to fight
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Tags:mixed ages, rough play
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