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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>I Need A Refresher On Appropriate 1 And 2 Year Old Behavior
sahm2three 12:29 PM 10-25-2011
I have a house full of little littles. Here is the list of ages of kids I have:
4 yo, 3 yo, 2-2 yo's, 3-1 yo's, 11 mo, 2-5 mo, plus I have my own 5 yo and a newborn starting in December. I have a full time assistant. I am getting frustrated with the 2 yo's. I am constantly telling them the same thing over and over and over. When I try to correct them, I have them repeat what I told them, hoping it will sink in. Stuff like, No throwing toys, No hitting our friends, etc. I know that repetition is key, but i keep thinking that one day it will sink in. Then the 1 yo's. They are super duper smart. They try to hide things if they are not supposed to have things, watch me as they are doing something because they aren't supposed to do it. One of my 1 yo's has me so frustrated. I have my big upstairs living area seperated into two areas, one for the babies and one for the big kids.
The babys are allowed to crawl back and forth, but the bigger kids know to stay in the bigger area. The 1 yo's go back and forth too. The baby area is closed off by an ottoman. The babies can't crawl over it, but the 1 yo I am talking about can. And he does about 500 times a day. I am constantly putting him back in the area. I could buy another gate, but it just isn't a good time to purchase another (money wise). So the ottoman is going to have to do for now. Just don't know how to get it thru his head, or if it is possible to do so. He is 20 months old. Very smart, and knows he isn't supposed to climb over, because as soon as we walk towards him or say something, he scrambles back over. Ugh. Ideas? I am guessing I just need to adjust my expectations. I went from having mostly preschool aged kids to now mostly toddlers.
4 yo, 3 yo, 2-2 yo's, 3-1 yo's, 11 mo, 2-5 mo, plus I have my own 5 yo and a newborn starting in December. I have a full time assistant. I am getting frustrated with the 2 yo's. I am constantly telling them the same thing over and over and over. When I try to correct them, I have them repeat what I told them, hoping it will sink in. Stuff like, No throwing toys, No hitting our friends, etc. I know that repetition is key, but i keep thinking that one day it will sink in. Then the 1 yo's. They are super duper smart. They try to hide things if they are not supposed to have things, watch me as they are doing something because they aren't supposed to do it. One of my 1 yo's has me so frustrated. I have my big upstairs living area seperated into two areas, one for the babies and one for the big kids.
The babys are allowed to crawl back and forth, but the bigger kids know to stay in the bigger area. The 1 yo's go back and forth too. The baby area is closed off by an ottoman. The babies can't crawl over it, but the 1 yo I am talking about can. And he does about 500 times a day. I am constantly putting him back in the area. I could buy another gate, but it just isn't a good time to purchase another (money wise). So the ottoman is going to have to do for now. Just don't know how to get it thru his head, or if it is possible to do so. He is 20 months old. Very smart, and knows he isn't supposed to climb over, because as soon as we walk towards him or say something, he scrambles back over. Ugh. Ideas? I am guessing I just need to adjust my expectations. I went from having mostly preschool aged kids to now mostly toddlers.
cheerfuldom 12:44 PM 10-25-2011
so whats that....12 kids total? wow, that seems like way too many young ones even for 2 people. the only thing I can suggest is to divide and conquer. definitely separate a baby area completely. besides that, i think your expectations are probably too high compared the number of littles versus the amount of supervision two people can actually provide. I would imagine the rowdy behavior is happening when your back is turned or when you are busy changing a diaper and such. they figure out real quick how much they can get away with. I am thinking the best you can do at this point is assembly line style of diapering/feeding/napping and only the bare minimum of actually teaching social skills. I am curious, where are you and what are you licensed for?
Heidi 12:51 PM 10-25-2011
I have to be honest-12 little ones with two adults sounds like complete and utter chaos! I would rather have 1/2 that group by myself than the whole group with 2 people. Around here, you'd make the same money either way, so it wouldn't pay to have an assistant for me. Doubling the group would only double the trouble, and I'd net the same in the end.
That said, if you want to keep things the way you have them, I think you need to invest in that gate. I would go ahead and get a "super gate" system, because you can break it up into pieces when you need it, or use against two walls and create a fairly large corner. In the summer, you can also use it outside as a large playpen for the youngest ones. It's nice to be able to clear and area outside and know there are no sticks, acorns, or other choking hazards.
That said, if you want to keep things the way you have them, I think you need to invest in that gate. I would go ahead and get a "super gate" system, because you can break it up into pieces when you need it, or use against two walls and create a fairly large corner. In the summer, you can also use it outside as a large playpen for the youngest ones. It's nice to be able to clear and area outside and know there are no sticks, acorns, or other choking hazards.
Blackcat31 01:45 PM 10-25-2011
Wow! That is 7 kids under age 2! What are your state capacity limits? Honestly in my state that would be crazy and we're pretty lax as it is. When we have two adults (both over age 18) we can still only have 4 kids under age 2 and at most only 3 of those 4 can be under 12 months.
I think you are going to experience some pretty normal behaviors for toddlers but most of it will stem from the environment being so crazy with so many littles in the under 2 category.
I often have 12 on my own with no helper or assistant but of those 12 only 2 are under 2 years of age.
I think you are going to experience some pretty normal behaviors for toddlers but most of it will stem from the environment being so crazy with so many littles in the under 2 category.
I often have 12 on my own with no helper or assistant but of those 12 only 2 are under 2 years of age.
sahm2three 08:24 PM 10-25-2011
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Wow! That is 7 kids under age 2! What are your state capacity limits? Honestly in my state that would be crazy and we're pretty lax as it is. When we have two adults (both over age 18) we can still only have 4 kids under age 2 and at most only 3 of those 4 can be under 12 months.
I think you are going to experience some pretty normal behaviors for toddlers but most of it will stem from the environment being so crazy with so many littles in the under 2 category.
I often have 12 on my own with no helper or assistant but of those 12 only 2 are under 2 years of age.
They aren't all here all the time, and with my full time assistant, I could have 8 under the age of 2 full time.Wow! That is 7 kids under age 2! What are your state capacity limits? Honestly in my state that would be crazy and we're pretty lax as it is. When we have two adults (both over age 18) we can still only have 4 kids under age 2 and at most only 3 of those 4 can be under 12 months.
I think you are going to experience some pretty normal behaviors for toddlers but most of it will stem from the environment being so crazy with so many littles in the under 2 category.
I often have 12 on my own with no helper or assistant but of those 12 only 2 are under 2 years of age.
daycare 08:48 PM 10-25-2011
I agree the the enviornment sounds a little crazy and they are feeding off of it.
Try telling them what you want them to do instead of always telling them No or don't do this or that.
Show them how you want them to behave.
Gentle hands, nice words, soft voices and etc.
I promise they will respond better.
As fo the 1yr olds, I had a climber and I put up another gate. It was 5 bucks or a headache.
Strt looking on CL now for one.
Try telling them what you want them to do instead of always telling them No or don't do this or that.
Show them how you want them to behave.
Gentle hands, nice words, soft voices and etc.
I promise they will respond better.
As fo the 1yr olds, I had a climber and I put up another gate. It was 5 bucks or a headache.
Strt looking on CL now for one.
Blackcat31 10:51 AM 10-26-2011
Originally Posted by sahm2three:
They aren't all here all the time, and with my full time assistant, I could have 8 under the age of 2 full time.
Oops, sorry, I misunderstood. Now it makes much more sense! They aren't all here all the time, and with my full time assistant, I could have 8 under the age of 2 full time.
I feel for you right now because I also went from having an older group of kids to having a really young group of kids and now there are days where I feel I am doing nothing but putting stuff back where it came from, righting furniture, picking up messes and putting things out of reach. My books were being destroyed and my daily routine was flying out the window!! It got bad before it got better.
What I did do to make it better was to eliminate almost half of the toys and materials I had out. I allow the kids to simply pick up everything at one time and put it in one giant container rather than expect toddlers to put things back correctly all organized and neat like they were when I had mostly 3-5 year olds. Now instead of a whole row/shelf of books out, I have 5 books (one for each of my "busy" kids). Instead of a box of hot wheel cars, I have 3-4 big chunky trucks and cars. Instead of ALL my arts and craft materials out, I have paper and crayons.
Simplifying the environment makes a huge difference. I also rotate the toys and number of toys allowed out at one time. Keeps their behaviors in check and allows them to have more control over their play spaces. Simplify. It really does work.
Unregistered 12:51 PM 10-25-2011
Originally Posted by sahm2three:
I have a house full of little littles. Here is the list of ages of kids I have:
4 yo, 3 yo, 2-2 yo's, 3-1 yo's, 11 mo, 2-5 mo, plus I have my own 5 yo and a newborn starting in December. I have a full time assistant. I am getting frustrated with the 2 yo's. I am constantly telling them the same thing over and over and over. When I try to correct them, I have them repeat what I told them, hoping it will sink in. Stuff like, No throwing toys, No hitting our friends, etc. I know that repetition is key, but i keep thinking that one day it will sink in. Then the 1 yo's. They are super duper smart. They try to hide things if they are not supposed to have things, watch me as they are doing something because they aren't supposed to do it. One of my 1 yo's has me so frustrated. I have my big upstairs living area seperated into two areas, one for the babies and one for the big kids. The babys are allowed to crawl back and forth, but the bigger kids know to stay in the bigger area. The 1 yo's go back and forth too. The baby area is closed off by an ottoman. The babies can't crawl over it, but the 1 yo I am talking about can. And he does about 500 times a day. I am constantly putting him back in the area. I could buy another gate, but it just isn't a good time to purchase another (money wise). So the ottoman is going to have to do for now. Just don't know how to get it thru his head, or if it is possible to do so. He is 20 months old. Very smart, and knows he isn't supposed to climb over, because as soon as we walk towards him or say something, he scrambles back over. Ugh. Ideas? I am guessing I just need to adjust my expectations. I went from having mostly preschool aged kids to now mostly toddlers.
The first mistake people make are that 1 and 2 years old dont know better and are to young for punishment this is BULL. From the time the kids turn 1 and do things they arent suppose to they go straight to the naughty mat EVERYTIME they learn very quickly this is why they dont hit me, throw toys, get into things they arent suppose too, etc.. At home thou its a different story because the parents see them as babies still and it does the child no good. Get tough put them in time out everytime they do something naughty they will get the point and you will see a change.I have a house full of little littles. Here is the list of ages of kids I have:
4 yo, 3 yo, 2-2 yo's, 3-1 yo's, 11 mo, 2-5 mo, plus I have my own 5 yo and a newborn starting in December. I have a full time assistant. I am getting frustrated with the 2 yo's. I am constantly telling them the same thing over and over and over. When I try to correct them, I have them repeat what I told them, hoping it will sink in. Stuff like, No throwing toys, No hitting our friends, etc. I know that repetition is key, but i keep thinking that one day it will sink in. Then the 1 yo's. They are super duper smart. They try to hide things if they are not supposed to have things, watch me as they are doing something because they aren't supposed to do it. One of my 1 yo's has me so frustrated. I have my big upstairs living area seperated into two areas, one for the babies and one for the big kids. The babys are allowed to crawl back and forth, but the bigger kids know to stay in the bigger area. The 1 yo's go back and forth too. The baby area is closed off by an ottoman. The babies can't crawl over it, but the 1 yo I am talking about can. And he does about 500 times a day. I am constantly putting him back in the area. I could buy another gate, but it just isn't a good time to purchase another (money wise). So the ottoman is going to have to do for now. Just don't know how to get it thru his head, or if it is possible to do so. He is 20 months old. Very smart, and knows he isn't supposed to climb over, because as soon as we walk towards him or say something, he scrambles back over. Ugh. Ideas? I am guessing I just need to adjust my expectations. I went from having mostly preschool aged kids to now mostly toddlers.