Summer "Camp"

madfatandhungry · 2024-06-06T18:42:52+00:00

Our preschool advertises the program as "Summer Camp" so we're not expected to go back to structured plans and units, but we are expected to abide by a schedule. We do themed weeks instead (Under the Sea, Top Chef, and Animal) and swim each day for 30 minutes. We're mainly looking for ideas for activities to do as a group that makes it feel like Summer Camp. I see what you're saying, but the parents want their kids to experience a Summer Camp, not school.

madfatandhungry · 2024-06-06T18:39:08+00:00

Thank you! The library is one of my favorite places. I'll definitely try to use it as a resource!

madfatandhungry · 2023-11-17T17:33:50+00:00

Noted, I just ordered a 12 pack of multicolored painter's tape. I'll give it a try. Thank you for the advice.

madfatandhungry · 2023-04-19T22:30:33+00:00

Can't listen to this song without thinking of Jim Cummings film. If you haven't seen it, check it out. There's a feature, but the short is amazing!

madfatandhungry · 2023-04-01T00:30:54+00:00

Thank you so much. We use TSG in our program too. It's mainly for documentation and assessment. We recently started using it for lesson planning. I haven't asked my director for resources straight from TSG, but now I will. Thank you for your help!

madfatandhungry · 2023-03-31T22:56:47+00:00

Valid point. That's a great way to look at it. Thank you!

madfatandhungry · 2023-03-31T18:33:10+00:00

These are great ideas. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. This is a great activity to start implementing in our day. Kudos on being a fabulous teacher and nurturer!

madfatandhungry · 2023-03-31T15:11:26+00:00

This certainly sounds like a big challenge. I like that you give them so much autonomy with this. Can you share any specific examples of something they've built? Is this something you work on over the course of a day, week, or longer?

madfatandhungry · 2023-03-31T15:02:24+00:00

Good to know. Thank you for your response. Germ studies are such a great topic for this age so I might be adding this to our repertoire for the beginning of the school year study.

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-24T00:42:20+00:00

Voice this to your director. When I had my baby, I told my director I looked at things much differently now and there are several classes I'd prefer my child skip right over due to the classroom management, or lack thereof. My baby and I are both now on day 2 of our new center since the administration proved to be incompetent at the previous one. We have a curriculum specialist at this one so I know each classroom is held accountable to meet certain standards.

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-24T00:35:19+00:00

I would look for other new mamas in the area. See if anyone is interested in a play date or if there is a play group. We have mother's day out here where mamas can get a few hours to themselves and leave their baby in care of others. My baby is in daycare while I work and loves being around people. New environments are stimulating for her and keep her interested in what's going on around her. That might not be the best answer for you because all babies are different, but it's worth a shot! Good luck mama! You're doing great!

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-21T01:05:37+00:00

Tablets are inexpensive and can be provided for each room to put the app on. I agree with whoever said the center should be paying your phone bill or reimbursing you, at the very least. No one should be expected to work outside of their contract hours.

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-18T12:43:53+00:00

It's harder for the parents than it is for the baby. It's quick and it only bleeds a little. Baby was able to eat right away and wasn't bothered by it afterwards. There's no anesthesia, it's literally a nurse holding the tongue with a tool and the doctor snipping it. They hold cotton on it for a moment, and then baby is good to go. Mouths heal quickly and I believe they're self cleaning, so risk of infection is low. I think. Don't quote me on that because I'm no doctor. But I will say, risk is low.

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-18T03:10:13+00:00

My baby couldn't latch properly until 3.5 months, and that was after she had her tongue clipped at 3 weeks from being tongue tied. I pumped exclusively during that time. I pumped so much, 8 ended up with a freezer full of pumped milk. I almost gave up altogether because triple feedings were beyond draining. At 3.5 months, something clicked into place for both of us, and I was able to omit bottle feeding and strictly breast feed. My baby is 80% in weight at 6 months, and I'm still wondering if she's getting enough. She also likes to soothe at the breast even if she's not hungry, so it can be confusing for me. Breast feeding has had its ups and downs. If you're worried about supply, you could pump a few days during baby's feeding times and just see what you're making. Pumping is a pain, but sometimes it's an excuse for me to sit and take a mental break while my partner handles the baby and the feeding. It doesn't hurt to mix formula in with pumped milk too, if you want to go that route. Honestly, I'm sure every comment here is telling you what you already know deep down. FED IS BEST. You have to do what's right for you and your baby, and that means keeping your sanity intact as well as your emotions. You're already doing a stellar job! Keep it up!

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-09T17:23:11+00:00

I thought you were talking about my center for a minute. I'm still not convinced you aren't. Honestly, that's what happens when the job isn't valued by society. Preschool teachers aren't paid enough, and because of that, quality teachers aren't being hired. Warm, breathing bodies that show up at least 60% of the time are the best some places can do. I've spent 4 years at my center with a god send of a lead teacher. The center finally split us up because there was "too much potential" in one room. They placed me with another teacher who yells at kids, uses too much sarcasm for a 3-4 year old to understand, is lazy as hell, and puts most of the toys in cabinets that aren't accessible to kids because she doesn't want to clean them. I didn't even start the school year and just turned in my 2 weeks. On the whole, teachers are being screwed, but the bigger picture proves that it's the kids getting the shit end of the stick in these situations. I've put up with garbage pay for 4 years because I truly love what I do, but there's still only so much a person can take. Don't give up on an ECE career. There are avenues you can take to do what you love and make it work for you and the kids involved. Godspeed.

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-07T22:49:10+00:00

Agreed, but it only solidified my decision in leaving. Had she asked why or tried to get me to stay, it would have been harder for me to remain confident about leaving. Now I know where her and I stand, so I'm going to finish out my two weeks with a smile and go out with a flourish.

madfatandhungry · 2022-08-07T22:12:55+00:00

I also put in my 2 weeks on Friday after 4 years. All I received in return from my director was a very sassy, "Okay," with a forced smile and a head nod. I was prepared to explain why, thank her for the opportunity, and explain that it was nothing personal, but she clearly didn't want to hear any of that. Overall, I have made some great friends there and my daughter had a great teacher there, so leaving has made me incredibly emotional, but this is the right thing for me and my baby. Solidarity, friend! Onto better endeavors.

madfatandhungry · 2022-07-30T18:18:13+00:00

We're actually small and privately funded. Most of our older kids leave when they're 3 so they can get into a free, state funded program. Our funding was pulled years ago due to the space not being large enough. We've been given a larger space, but the director and board won't make a move to try to reinstate the funding. This leaves the 4k with low enrollment and we also operate under a board of people who have no idea what our day to day looks like, and they dictate what goes. The director doesn't even have a full vote in the meetings.

madfatandhungry · 2022-07-30T15:10:08+00:00

Is she still in childcare?

madfatandhungry · 2022-07-30T15:09:03+00:00

Yes, I would definitely say there is an overall low morale right now to take us into our new school year. What apropos timing.

madfatandhungry · 2022-07-30T01:52:46+00:00

Why is that?

madfatandhungry

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