{"id":403,"date":"2018-09-21T16:07:44","date_gmt":"2018-09-21T16:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/?p=403"},"modified":"2020-01-12T00:47:17","modified_gmt":"2020-01-12T00:47:17","slug":"note-to-self-play-with-the-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://theempoweredprovider.com/note-to-self-play-with-the-kids/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Way to Connect With Each Child"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
There are so many ways to connect with each child in your program, yet most of us skim over this important detail and try go straight to teaching and influencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I promise you will have greater reach and will make a greater impact if you invest in connecting with kids first before you do anything else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
PLAY DOESN’T COME NATURALLY TO MOST ADULTS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A child could make a list a mile long if you asked them what they wanted to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But you see…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adults can be lame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myself included at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”<\/p>George Bernard Shaw<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
I think that’s pretty darn accurate, George.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have heard several times in my life, “You’re so good<\/em> with kids.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it’s a compliment indeed… playing with kids isn’t something that comes naturally to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m an adult, remember?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some things that come natural to me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drinking coffee<\/li>
Watching The Food Network<\/li>
Taking a hot bath<\/li>
Reading a good book<\/li>
Strolling along the beach<\/li>
Polishing off a few servings of chips and guac <\/li>
Going to bed by 9pm on a Saturday night.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Remind Yourself to Play With The Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Confession: I wasn’t always good at remembering to play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m here to tell you from experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put just a drop of energy into play each day and you will see some major return on how the kids see you and respond to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Providers can get so busy during the day, we start to mimic a top, spinning throughout the play space, taking care of everyone’s immediate needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s time to see “PLAY” AND “CONNECTION” as an immediate need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was so forgetful, I would stick this a note on a cabinet where I would see it often: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Does a Child Care Provider Have Time to Play?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Child care providers have so much to accomplish during the day that often times we feel like there is no time or energy left for playing with the kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often times, as a family child care provider, your energy bank is running on fumes after taking care of the “must do list”:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Change diapers for 4 kids<\/li>
Clean up corn off the floor (so. much. corn)<\/li>
Make a homemade batch of play dough<\/li>
Clean up pee in bathroom<\/li>
Serve lunch<\/li>
Rub backs at nap time<\/li>
Coach two kids through a good old Thomas the Train argument<\/li>
Hold sweet baby and feed him a bottle<\/li>
Make sure lil Petunia doesn’t bite her friends<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I believe creating a meaningful relationship<\/strong> with each child in your program is the NUMBER ONE<\/strong> thing you can do to ensure them success as a human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
To do this, we must meet the child on their <\/em>turf, follow their<\/em> lead and show interest in their<\/em> favorite things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spending time each day, on the floor, in order to connect with each child. You will be amazed at how it…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
changes how the kids interact with you<\/em><\/li>
changes how the kids think of you<\/em><\/li>
decreases behavioral issues<\/li>
leaves you with more joy<\/li>
changes the overall vibe of the crew<\/li>
tells the kids, “You are important. I have time for you.”<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Do what you have to do to find margin in your day for down-on-the-floor play with kids. It matters so much.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There are so many ways to connect with each child in your program, yet most of us skim over this important detail and try go straight to teaching and influencing. I promise you will have greater reach and will make a greater impact if you invest in connecting with kids first before you do anything<\/p>\n
![\"connect](\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/postit-scrabble-to-do-400x381.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"toddler](\"https://theempoweredprovider.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pexels-photo-1174589-800x502.jpeg\")
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