Coaching toddlers

  THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE ME TO MANAGE A GROUP OF TODDLERS 1. The group as a whole is the priority at all times. That means I try not to focus too hard or too long on anything else.  When I clean or put the shoes on one child for example, I keep an eye on the group.  I position myself in a way that I see everyone.   And if one child gets bored or disruptive, I drop whatever i'm doing and discreetly direct him/her to a safe and acceptable activity.  If I cannot drop what I'm doing, for example if I'm changing a diaper, I sing an action song or direct verbally.  The tone and the words have to be positive and enthusiastic as opposed to negative. I try to not turn my back on the children.  If I ever do, for example to open the shed in the playground,  I count them first and acknowledge that they are safe and behaved, if not I take care of that first.  Then I am quick at opening the shed or whatever else and then I count them again and see ...

BEACH ART FOR TODDLERS This is a two weeks art project. Inspired by the book Sea, Sand, Me!  by Patricia Hubbell and Lisa Campbell Earnst. Supplies :  - Light blue construction or copy paper - Dark blue tissue paper  -  White tissue or copy paper - White glue diluted on about 1/1 ratio - Sand First step :  First step, which is a great fine motor activity, is tearing the dark blue tissue and white copy paper into strips.  I demonstrated the technique as a group then provided large strips of paper.  I didn't expect any strips coming out of this activity.  I just wanted my students practiced their fine motor skills when I was making them.  At my surprise, one of the oldest got  the the pointer and thumb pinch on an opposite motion perfectly.  All the "strips" went in a bag for the next step. Step 2 : This year  my class is very young so that step was made one student at a time.  I diluted white glue with the same amount of wa...