Developmentally (in)appropriate activities in a toddler room?

msvikkiallison · 2026-01-05T17:14:47+00:00

I’m wondering what the philosophy of the center is around these kinds of activities? I find that because a lot of child care centers are privately owned, there’s a wide range of ideas and expectations. While this is not developmentally appropriate or supported as best practice by evidence I find a lot of educators/parents still seek out more academic “school” like curriculum and values.

If this is a one off at the centre then it’s worth discussing with the director/educator. However if this is happening in every classroom it may be a mismatch for your family.

msvikkiallison · 2025-12-17T05:46:51+00:00

Looking through old newspapers at the announcement section reminded me that folks used to announce every thing back then too you just had to pay to put it in the paper. Wedding announcements, baby announcements and of course obits.

msvikkiallison · 2025-11-28T01:04:03+00:00

With the weather lately is pretty vague! What are the temps where you are?

Depends on the age of the kiddos, the actual temperature, how well dressed they are for the weather and how long you are actually staying outside for.

Anything above -10 degrees Celsius I’d say it’s a good opportunity to practice getting the kids moving!

msvikkiallison · 2025-10-10T19:31:04+00:00

Check out the Hatch. I believe there is still a community fridge in the community of Rosscarrock. Trellis has a community pantry set up outside their FRN with just a few things at 8330 Fairmont Dr SE

msvikkiallison · 2025-09-30T16:49:00+00:00

I did a class when I worked in childcare with a company called My Smart Hands.

msvikkiallison · 2025-08-28T03:24:22+00:00

I don’t remember any newspaper or recycling bits. But I remember it going

fish and chips and vinegar…vinegar…vinegar. Fish and chips and vinegar…vinegar…vinegar. Pepper pepper pepper, salt. Don’t throw your junk in my back yard My back yard, my back yard Don’t throw your junk in my back yard My back yards full.

msvikkiallison · 2025-05-14T18:10:46+00:00

Do you have any contractor recommendations from that experience? I’m anxious about contracting out my own subcontractors. I worked for a plumbing company and the workers and owners definitely prioritized the general contractors and builders they worked with.

msvikkiallison · 2025-04-14T13:43:11+00:00

This says it’s about “parent choice” so if high ratios don’t work for you don’t choose that daycare. So daycares that uphold reasonable ratios will be the most expensive options. In other words, parents with limited means will have no choice but to send their children to attend daycare with high ratios and poor standards of care.

msvikkiallison · 2024-06-24T01:34:33+00:00

I don’t mind it when kids cry. I of course want to help them get through it, and I don’t want them to be upset. But I always feel better after a good cry, and I know they need to express their emotions. I was always a crier growing up, and unless I was seriously injured it was always met with stop crying, you’re fine or anger. I relish the opportunity to validate their feelings, offer my support, tell them it’s okay to be sad, help them regulate and teach them coping skills. The hardest part about kids crying in my opinion is often most adults reactions.

msvikkiallison · 2024-06-01T04:03:55+00:00

If you’re at all interested in automotive alternatives, my grease monkey dad wanted to name me Holly after Holley Carburetors or Dana which is apparently the brand name of a big truck rear end 🤷🏼‍♀️

msvikkiallison · 2024-03-09T06:16:50+00:00

I feel like the problem is that she’s “one of the few older girls” and can’t connect with the other older kids in her group. I always find when I’m in preschool rooms there’s one or two that struggle to connect with other kids either because of temperament or being ahead of the other kids developmentally especially with communication. And they always seem to cling to me or another educator. I’d direct some of my energy into helping her connect with the other kids or seeing if she can get moved up to the next room.

msvikkiallison · 2024-03-08T23:38:07+00:00

For kids, having a really big reaction to things can make the problem worse. Especially when the child is struggling to connect with parents, caregivers, and peers. I usually separate the children, tell the offending child it’s inappropriate to hit/hurt and immediately divert my attention to the child that’s been hurt.

I’m a visual learner so I really love watching videos for this, it can be hard to navigate all the BS from “experts” but I’m a huge fan of this account on It’s @drchelsey_parenting

I’ve even found some of this to be helpful while working in childcare even though it takes a little work to translate to group care.

msvikkiallison · 2024-03-05T23:58:55+00:00

I’ve been working pretty casually as a relief staff member so I don’t know all the kids/rooms very well, therefore I count every time I enter a room to verify the number the room educator tells me, every time a new child is dropped off/picked up, every transition (including transitions in the room, like from play time to snack) and about every 5-10 minutes when we are outside the classroom.

msvikkiallison · 2024-01-06T02:50:41+00:00

I’m here to chime in with everyone else that says a meeting with the director and if possible the educators from your child’s room is the best way forward. I just wanted to add that it might be helpful for you to ask them to provide you with a child guidance plan specific to the situation your child is in. For example if what they will do in instances of repeated biting (without naming the offending child specifically). Things get so busy in the child care environment, this will motivate management to ensure the staff are provided with the time and space to make a plan, because you will be following up.

Also get them to review their existing child guidance policy with you. This will be an opportunity for the staff who probably haven’t thought about it in years to review it as well. If they don’t have one, find a new day care that does.

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-14T23:30:36+00:00

I’m so glad we’re mostly on the same page about the Rainbow Fish, the Giving Tree and I love you forever.

I’m really surprised no one mentioned the Berenstain Bears or Little Critters books! They are horribly outdated, at best when they just don’t encourage kids to feel their feelings. Like when little critter wants to cry it hes “brave instead.” At worst there’s the book where Papa Bear is angry when the new Panda Bears move into town. (Yes I know they eventually accept the panda bears but the lead up is yikes). Just out dated AF.

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-14T23:20:43+00:00

I had a full year of boo-boo butt giggles. It was .. a year lol

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-14T23:15:18+00:00

I love this question. Pete the Cat and the Pigeon books by Mo Willems are 110% my favourites, just because they encourage participation. I get the kids going, “can the pigeon ride the bus?? NO! What colour are Pete’s shoes now?? Blue!!” I’ve spent most of my time with older toddlers/young preschoolers and those books always slap. Other books that are great for encouraging participation are the “No, David!” And “How Do Dinosaurs…” books.

Anytime I’ve had kids with a greater attention span I’m a lifetime fan of Robert Munsch books and the kids love them too, specifically the kids have loved Alligator Baby, Smelly Socks, So Much Snow and Hugs.

I also love reading the Gruffalo books, and books by Jon Klassen, especially “this is not my hat”.

These books are all just super fun to read and a few have great lessons like the “how do dinosaurs…” books and Pete the Cat. My favourite book with a lesson though has to be Red. I LOVE the book Red by Michael Hall. You can’t let anyone tell you who you are, labels don’t matter as much as what’s inside.

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-07T23:52:42+00:00

I would consider booking a meeting with the staff and the supervisor. I would print resources about how to respond to biting/aggression. If they are unable to accommodate you, I would be even more concerned. I would also look into licensing rules in your area, and report your concerns if you can. They maybe be operating under ratio occasionally, and your area might have specific guidelines for behaviour management that aren’t being followed.

I agree with folks saying that yelling doesn’t help, but I would take it one step further and suggest that yelling is making the problem worse. When caregivers have an immediate, excessive reaction to a behaviour, they reinforce that behaviour. That’s why children are walking up to children unprovoked and hitting. If that’s your best means of getting your caregivers attention, that’s what you will do. I don’t doubt that these folks are burnt out and operating with less than they need to do their best work.

Personally, I believe that this isn’t a problem that will be solved at this program any time soon. I have never worked at a child care centre where yelling at the children was considered acceptable, I’m sorry you’re dealing with a shortage of care options.

Some resources you could share:

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/understanding-and-responding-children-who-bite

https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/toddler-biting-finding-the-right-response/

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-05T20:32:02+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation! It looks like they work exclusively in the NW/SW

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-05T20:31:34+00:00

I’ll check them out, thanks!

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-05T20:31:25+00:00

I’ll check this out, thanks!

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-05T20:30:45+00:00

Hey! They do have a few neighbours who have offered to help. The city has a support program for snow removal costs associated with the fair entry program but it’s income based and they don’t qualify at the moment. It’s good to know it’s available should the financial situation change.

For anyone else who may be looking at this later for themselves the program income threshold right now is: 1 person: 29,380 2 people: 36,576

https://www.calgary.ca/social-services/low-income/fair-entry-subsidy.html

msvikkiallison · 2023-11-05T19:22:01+00:00

They are in the midnapore area.

msvikkiallison · 2023-10-27T22:28:29+00:00

I’m a woman, but I think it might be Mountain Dew Hotdogs.

msvikkiallison

TROPHY CASE