How can I make walks and trips easier?? I have mixed ages in my group right now. I want to practice with them so it's not something new. I'd like to take more walks and trips to area parks..

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

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As recommended by Nanny D, I picked up these-I ordered them off from amazon. The babies are in a stroller, toddlers wear these and older kids can walk on their own after having learned the rules while using the tot-a-longs Th
They've been perfect for my group. The kids actually LIKE to wear them! They are stretchy so allow plenty of freedom of movement, yet they can't go too far. My kids know that only adults are to open/close the wrist straps and have never tried to take them off by themselves. I love them!
http://www.toysrus.com/buy/outdoor-p...ng-105-3762916

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I use a similar product called a Tag-A-Long. These are flexible plastic handles that attach to the stroller. I put the two babies in the stroller & the four others each have a Tag-A-Long handle to hold in their respective color. They like finding "their" color and hold on nicely on our walks. I bought mine on Amazon but I think Target carries them as well.

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I think in addition to the logistics of where the kids are where you walk it's important to have consistent instructions for the walk. For example, my kids that are allowed to walk without holding onto the stroller or our walking rope must stop at the intersection of the sidewalks (we call this the safety square) and wait until the group is all together. Also, I say the same thing every time we come to a place where we need to stop and look. I say "Red Light stop our feet". When we have looked all directions (I stopped just teaching look both ways because there are often cars that are making turns and not watching for kids crossing the street so we look all directions before going) then I say "Green Light go". I also remind children that we stop at alley ways to look for cars. They are also taught that white lights on the back of cars mean the car is backing up and we need to make sure the driver sees us. I'm sure there are more but basically I am consistent in my instructions with the plan that by the time they start kindergarten we can watch them cross the street and walk to the school across the street by themselves once I am sure they know the routine of getting to the school and to their room.

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I have one of those ropes with loops. When I have 2-year-olds, it's impractical to use because they walk so much slower than the 3 to 5-year-old children. I pair them in two by two and we walk. Slower children are my buddies. If you can't walk nicely with your buddy, you get to hold your own hand (either in the front or the back) and walk next to me.

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I have a walkadile. it is not cheap, but is has to be the best thing that I have ever bought daycare wise.

it only holds six kids, but I have a second walk rope that I attach to the front of it and older kids can walk on it.

My stress has gone down with the walodile so much its not even funny.

here is a link to one....http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/...&Brand=&Price=

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I use the plastic links that they sell with baby toys. I attach several together and then attach an end to the stroller or wagon. The kid holds the link on the end. This way, they aren't tripping over the wheels by walking too close but they are still holding something

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Love this!

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I also have mixed ages. We walk on the sidewalk or if I have the quad stroller on the street. Please keep in mind we live in a very small area, people drive very slow and there are rules in place for street walking. My bigs (5 and up) walk ahead of us two by two. My littles (4 and under) walk along side of the stroller holding on to it. This works well for us. All the kids know to stop at any intersection and hold hands. We also say "look right, look left, look right again no cars cross."

When we make trips to Wal-Mart the little sit in the carts and the bigs hold onto the cart. When we enter the toy area the bigs let go and can roam the aisle we are in but, can not leave the aisle. If they do they get to hold on to the cart the rest of our trip.

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