Keeping a child from getting bored

Keeping a child from getting bored

by: Jacqueline Harbinson - 24-11-05 00:26

I am a Childminder with one particular child that I have a problem with aged 3 - he attends playgroup for 2.5 hours each morning and comes to me for the afternoon until 6 pm. The problem is from about 3.00 onwards I cannot get him to play. He spends most of his time just running or jumping about. I am following the High/Scope approach asking him what he wants to do but he doesn't respond - I think he thinks I should tell him what to do! It is more difficult now as days are closing in - very active outdoor child. He is very disruptive of older child aged 4.5 who basically loves to sit and draw or doodle and watches a bit of tv then loves to curl up for story reading session. Please anyone out there with suggestions I would love to hear from you. I have tons of material all laid out as taught through High/Scope - small world, construction etc etc but nothing interests him at all. I end up having to sit him on the couch just to stop destruction or injury.

by: shay

Hi Jacqueline,
I am a retired nursery nurse, and read your message with interest. I am sure you are a wonderful Childminder, and I want you to know that is happens quite a bit in many nurseries. First of all you mentioned that his child attends a playgroup for 2.5 hours before coming to you. I imagine that his playgroup is helping him to socialise with other other children. I suggest you first find out what kind of activities this child is involved in at playgroup. Perhaps you can ask his parent, or ask permission to find out from his playgroup. This child sounds like a very young 3 and needs some guidance in being introduced to the HIgh/Scope curriculum. Nothing is wrong with helping him make choices. For example, giving him a choice to finger paint, or build in the construction area. Perhaps introducing this child to more fine and gross motor activities, along with having an older child work and play with him. As I said before, investigate with his parent on what he is doing for 2.5 hours before he arrives at your programme, and then work around that. Feel free to contact me again, and I would be happy to help you further. Good luck, and you do sound like a good teacher.

Keeping a child from getting bored - 24-11-05 15:59

by: antonysimpson.com

Hiya Jacqueline!!

Playgroup may probably not be structured like you do meaning he wont have come across the High/Scope approach before.

I would suggest what the last reply did, introducing it gently by giving him a choice of two activities at a time.

You could also try starting with some 'quiet down' activities. These are activities which encourage a child to slow down a little. For example, reading a book.

If you would like to wear him out a little bit first you could try singing and dancing, then once he's had a short rest because he has used all that energy in singing and dancing he may be more calm and then willing to take part in a more focused activity such as play dough.

If you are going to use both of the above strategies I would suggest first doing the singing and dancing and then doing the quieter activities.

Do remember that children can be physically exercised indoors (but cant be allowed to run wild) in loads of different ways - which I know you already knew.

Finding out about the playgroup would in my opinion be best from mum but is a good idea so that you are not repeating what has already been done.

Hope that helps,


Antony.
www.antonysimpson.com
antony.a@antonysimpson.com

Keeping a child from getting bored - 24-11-05 23:23

by: Jacqueline Harbinson

Thank you for your replies. I would agree that this child is a young 3.5 - born on 1 July so he will be very young going to school next September. To me going by my NVQ 3 Observations I feel he is more like 6 months behind - I notice this particularly as the playgroup in question has also 4 year olds (born in August) and you can immediately see the difference in developmental terms. The Playgroup although not High/Scope registered does follow the principles of High Scope giving children choice in what they play with and "going with the flow" ie watching and helping when asked. Behaviour wise I am having problems too - huffing and sulking are common problems when not getting own way. Also as result of asking him to do something which he does not want to results in what I term third party talk - he asks my own daughter for things say juice or biscuit rather than ask me.

As to checking with mum what he does - her response as I have done it on many occasions is wrap him up, open the door and let him go! I feel there is a lack of parental involvement in his play at home - he comes to me within 1 hour of waking up in the morning (to take him to playgroup) then returns to mum and within 1 hour is put to bed again whether he is sleepy or not. You mentioned reading - this child does not like anyone apart from mum reading to him- he will do everything in his power to stop you from reading including pulling every book out of the bookcase and away from my reach. Anyway I will investigate your suggestion to allow him some physical release through dancing or whatever. Thank you once again.

Keeping a child from getting bored - 24-11-05 23:43

by: antonysimpson.com

Hiya Jacqueline,

With regards to him being young for his age - I don't normally find this an issue. I think you may have hit the nail on the head when you state about parental involvement. Have you asked mum what he's like for that hour at home? And what she does with him?

Behaviour wise I would advise your daughter (depending on her age?) to simply check with you before giving anything or allowing anything. Or alternatively telling your daughter to redirect him to ask you.

Huffing and sulking are attention seeking behaviour, and all you can really do (and it does work if everyone - including your daughter and his mum do it) is ignore the huffing and sulking. To back this up if he does something positive to go "over the top" with praise and give him loads of attention. Over the top means by praising positively at the time, but also telling others how proud you are that he did such a thing and reminding him throughout the day: "oh I was so proud of you when you ate all of your snack." (or something along the similar lines).

With reading have you tried introducing puppets? To tell the story. He could have some and so could you? Alternatively have you ever seen those big books? Get one of them about a boy wanting a pet and writing to the zoo to send him animals. Cant remember the name of the book - but think you might know which one I mean?

The reason for the big book is to draw attention as little books are often easy to push to one side and he wont see big books very often. Then go through and read the book and use to the animal noises at the top of your voice (encouraging him to as well). It is then a more of a participation on his part rather than just sit there listening (which in all fairness is hard for some children to do!!).

I also had a good think about ways of releasing energy indoors - and you can buy tunnels (which can be easily folded down), ball pools and that sort of thing to help with that!!

Finally with regards to the parental involvement issue. Try to find the underlying reason for this. Is it time? Lack of parenting skills? Only you will know via your relationship with mum. Which ever reason is identified try building a solution.

For example if it was time, try encouraging mum to stay and play for ten minuets in the evening. Or if mum comes in when your doing an activity encourage mum with your support to take it over.

I hope once again this helps, I found your post very interesting. Hee hee made me have a good think about practice and some of the issues we sometimes face.


Antony.
www.antonysimpson.com
antony.a@antonysimpson.com

Keeping a child from getting bored - 26-11-05 19:13

by: antonysimpson.com

Hiya Jacqueline!

I got your email and wrote a long reply and sent it. And I got a mail back saying my email couldn't be delivered.

You know my email: antony.a@antonysimpson.com send me a email from another email address if you have another one other than the tesco one!!

Hugs,

Antony.
antony.a@antonysimpson.com
www.antonysimpson.com

Keeping a child from getting bored - 06-01-06 10:58

by: Faye M

i am well aware of children who refuse to play. the best method is to let do what they would like for maybe an hour, then turn around and say youve had yur time now its mine. do this every 2-3 hours and because he will have 2-3 sessions of his time he will respect what you give him to do.