Dirty
Days at Day Care
WHEN
YOUR CHILD COMES HOME MESSY.....
Red paint in the hair? Blue paint on the jeans? Sand in the shoes?
Peanut butter on
the favorite shirt? White socks that look brown? Sleeves a little bit damp?
YOUR
CHILD probably...
worked
with a friend
solved
a problem
created
a masterpiece
negotiated
a difference
learned
a new skill
had
a great time
developed
new language skills
YOUR
CHILD probably didn't...
feel
lonely
become
bored
do
repetitive tasks that are too babyish
do
worksheet tasks that are too easy
do
sit down work that is discouraging
YOU
probably...
Paid
good money for those clothes
Will
have trouble getting the red paint out
Are
concerned that the caregiver isn't paying enough attention to your child
THE
CAREGIVER probably...
Was
aware of your child's needs and interests
Spent
time planning a challenging activity for the children
Encouraged
the children to try new things
Put
smocks on the children
Was
worried that you might be concerned
*Try
to remember your favorite activity when you were four years old.
Was
it outdoor play with water, mud, dress up clothes, with friends?
Young
children really learn when they are actively involved in play, not when someone
is talking to them. There is a difference between "messy" and
"lack of care". The caregiver made sure your child was fed, warm, took
a nap, washed hands after toileting and before eating, and also planned messy
fun things to do because that's how young children learn!
Send your child in
clothes that can get dirty! Keep extra old clothes at the play site for times
when the child gets wet or really messy. If you need to take the child out,
bring the dress up clothes and allow time to change. Keep calm. Remember in a
few years, teenagers will use your shampoo, mirrors, and most of your towels to
be clean. But young children need time to be kids. If you have concerns, talk to
your child's caregiver about active play.
“There's Nothing In Your
Bag Today?"
Today I did my math and science,
I toasted bread.
I halved and quartered.
I counted, measured, used my eyes,
and ears and head.
I added and subtracted on the way,
I used a magnet, blocks and memory tray.
I learned about a rainbow and how to weigh.
So please don't say, anything in your bag today?
You see I'm sharing as I play.
I learned to listen and
speak clearly when I talk,
to wait my turn, and when inside to walk.
To put my thoughts into a phrase,
to guide a crayon through a maze.
To find my name and write it down,
to do it with a smile and not a frown.
To put my pasting brush away,
So please don't say, what, nothing in your bag today?
I've learned about a snail and a worm,
remembering how to take my turn.
Helped a friend when he was stuck,
learned that water runs off a duck.
I looked at words from left to right,
agreed to differ, not to fight.
So please don't say, did you only play today?