Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Lunch Time with PreK 4

    Posted 10-18-2019 12:38 PM
    Hello! Any ideas how to handle lunch time, restroom time, and what to do while others are finishing up lunch and rest room?? It can get chaotic. I've tried letting students get a book, which works sometimes, I've tried letting students draw or finish a religion coloring paper which works sometimes. However, they need supervision for the books no matter how many lessons we have on book use. If I make an activity too fun and engaging then students suddenly don't want to eat any more because they don't want to miss out on the fun activity. If the activity is too "boring" or not as engaging, they aren't interested in it long enough to let everyone finish their lunch and restroom break. I have 20 four year olds and there is one aide with me. A few years ago, I'd let them do floor puzzles but I had less students. There just isn't room to have them this year. Any suggestions or ideas?

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    Laure D
    PreK teacher
    Maryland
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  • 2.  RE: Lunch Time with PreK 4

    Posted 10-19-2019 01:54 AM
    Hi Laure, I work with 5 year olds and they are fifteen in the class.
    We eat lunch outside the class room in the lunch area where we have benches and tables.
    But, anytime it rains, we eat lunch in the classroom.
    And this is what I do, I bring out 5 types of toys like Legos, puzzles, etc and the children can make their choices. Some will even decide to read books.
    I hope this advice helps.






  • 3.  RE: Lunch Time with PreK 4

    Posted 10-19-2019 03:07 AM
    Hi Laure, awhile back a Pre k teacher said she gave her kids sewing cards when they were done using the bathroom. She could watch both groups & they were learning new skills. Hand & eye coordination, learning the shape & feel of what they sewed ( can’t do that with a iPad). Learning to focus and stay with it. I don’t know if it would work after lunch. Good luck

    Marianne Dougherty
    Nanny

    Sent from my iPad




  • 4.  RE: Lunch Time with PreK 4

    Posted 10-19-2019 09:12 AM
    We give the children sewing cards to string as they wait for their classmates to finish up in the bathroom.  We have several sets of them that we switch out every few weeks for variety. It has worked well for us.

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    Susan Ricci
    Director/Lead Teacher
    Vale UMC Preschool
    Oakton VA
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  • 5.  RE: Lunch Time with PreK 4

    Posted 10-19-2019 03:48 PM
    Good afternoon, For four year olds I would try and do file folder games in the place of books. You can find out what each child's interest are, for example Tom May like frogs then Tom could have frogs and lily pads as his file folder game and it can only be played at those transition times. Laminate and put Velcro on the pieces for durability. They all can sit on the floor or at the table with the assistant while the others are going to the rest room. You would have to make 20 but they would be engaged long enough to make the transitions. The key is that this would only be for transitions not center play. Pinterest has many ideas for file folders. Hope this helps blessings.

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    Valawaugn McCain
    Director
    Clinton NC
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