Hello, HELLO! is my first post, as I am new to the NAEYC. (ALthough I have been in this field for 7 years now.) I am hoping that one of you might be able to help with a constant struggle we are dealing with in my classroom.
I work in a toddler classroom (children range in age from 12 months-28 months.) There are two areas of our classroom that have to be gated off for safety reasons. (both block access to an exterior door.) The gates are the most popular thing in the classroom to "play with" (and by play I mean destroy!) I know that this is probably because we have told them over and over that they may not touch the gate. The trouble is they shake them so aggressively that we are going through at least one gate a month.
Do any of you struggle with the same problem? What solutions have you found? I would like to help the children learn to stay away from the gates for their safety, but also think a studier gate might be the answer. We have tried lots of different brands and types, but each one has its own set of flaws.
Additionaly one of the areas that we need gated off is much wider than a normal entry. (I would say it is at least 12 feet wide. Meaning we have to find a much larger gate, usually one meant for pets.
Thanks in advance for any advice, or well wishes you can send my way.
------------------------------
Portland Lloyd
Nursery Director
Springfield Public Schools
Springfield MO
------------------------------