RE: ORGANISING ANS STAFFING FREE FLOW ACCESS
by: kimme - 06-03-10 22:40
Relax.....yes the warmer weather is already encouraging us.
Try to see this as part of the session rather than just a means to an ends and enjoy the 1:1 time. I work in a mainstream school nursery class so the children are all approaching 4. Some of them are still a long way off being independant but it's brilliant seeing how quickly they pick things up when you encourage it day in day out. We have 39 of them, so it certainly keeps us busy.
We also don't have the cloakroom next to the back door - would be great if it was but it's not an option for us.
I find it loads easier if there is one person assigned to be there for the necessary time. Rotate it if it's set to become a permanent fixture. It makes both the staff and childen more relaxed. The staff can focus on the important activity at hand without feeling guilty that they should be "doing something more important". The children know that they will get their turn and don't get so panicky. It's also great to encourage them (not sure what age groups you work with) to help each other - it's amazing what team work can do sometimes. Just think of all those vital skills they are learning and maybe put them up on the wall for staff, parents, students.
A trick I picked up when I worked with special needs children, is that if you help a child by putting their hoods on their heads (right way round obviously) then you encourage them to independantly put each arm through. Still not easy but they don't end up with the wrong arm in the wrong hole - very frustrating!
How about dividing them into smaller group(s) so that while 1 group is having a story/activity one group is using the cloakroom (don't forget this is an activity in itself). Also don't forget to give them time and let them do what they can independantly. They might not be able to do the zip up but if you only join the ends together they can start pulling it up at a very young age. It might take a while but they should enjoy this time.
Another tip which may or may not work in your nursery; we have a box full of hats, scarves and gloves. On a cold day we have it beside the door but on a not so cold day we leave it ouside. Always handy for those who don't have or forget them. The children love rumaging through the wide selection and trying on, swapping, practising - great fun to join in with (have a mirror available too). it really seems to motivate them without the pressure of seeing it at as a chore. My one year old son has become expert at putting on gloves - correct fingers and all (because he wants to be like his big brother). This takes all the dread out of gloves for me, I know it's possible just give them time.