Nursery Rhyme/physical Play

[Guest terrydoo73]

Yesterday was a horrendous day for us weather wise so we decided to clear some space, put on a CD and do some physical nursery rhymes. The majority of children really loved this idea and got into all the music except 1. This seems to happen a lot with this child. He wanders around the room and starts to finger the other toys available.

 

The advice we received from our Early Years Specialist was just ignore him as he has chosen not to join in but ...

 

We don't have the room for him to wander about as he endangers other children trying to get space to do the exercises and he could cause an accident.

 

He just loves the attention this action gains as he constantly looks at us before he moves about and fingers toys - it is almost like he is challenging us to do something about him.

 

We go through the whole process of telling children to listen to the adults and do as asked - if one decides not to listen to us and prefers to do his own thing then where are we?

 

We have another child who comes on 3 other days when this child is not present and he does the same openly saying he doesn't want to do this physical activity. He has now persuaded another child who used to be quite enthusiastic to do likewise and the result is they sit out on the side and we eventually have to stop doing the exercises.

 

What would you advise we should do in these circumstances - is it right that we should let them do their own thing or should they be asked to join in with the rest?

[zigzag]

We have been in this situation over the years, and are never quite sure how to handle it for all the reasons you just said. I think you have to judge the child and the situation, I know one of our children was doing this and we ignored him and proceded to have great fun with the rest of the group and he soon came and joined in. It does frustrate me when they copy like sheep!! Rightly or wrongly I would then expect them all to come and join back in with the activity and I would be quite stern in this situation. We always carry on with the activity because its not fair on the other children who are joining in and having fun if you stop it because of a few children. Have to say we have got a very enthusiastic group at the moment, but who knows what September will bring!!!

[Guest terrydoo73]

Thank goodness I am not alone! Yes we would tend to ignore but these particular children are getting up my nose! We never quite get to the place where the other children are so enjoying themselves that the ones not involved want to get in on the act! Wonder if there are any tricks we could use. We have similar problems when we do group activities which are real focus times on specific issues like using scissors or sense exploration etc

[Fredbear]

Hi have you asked him why he doesn't want to join you. Although it may appear he is going against your wishes, he may be really uncomfortable in such play at this moment in time. I certainly wouldn't be making him do it. Could he play an instrument and tap along with that. Is it possible for him to choose the first song, actions etc. If he really doesn't want to then I would have a small box of toys for him to play with whilst you do this activity, placed somewhere safe.

[Rafa]

 

 

Hi inclined to agree with Fredbear, this child may not be ready for this type of play quite yet, by giving him a small carpet space to play and a 'rule' of staying in that space it will prevent accidents and eventually he may feel able to join you, when there is no pressure to do so. : )

l

Generally for others who usually join in happily but are persuaded not to by another child we just cheerily say 'oh yes Jack your great at this!! Tom hasnt learnt to join in yet, lets show him how you do it!! '. Usually works.

 

The days of insisting all join in are not really meeting the Eyfs recommendations....Unique Child and all that!! Can be challenging to keep everyone happy its true!! and somedays as you say, down right hardwork ! : (

 

[Sox]

I think the best thing to do if he is looking for attention is to ignore his behaviour and as fredbear has already said put him somewhere with a small box of toys!

 

Could you let him choose some action songs, or instead find some new songs! I got one recently about going on a dinosaur hunt or the dino pokey! And now everyone joins in!!!

 

Edited June 24, 2012 by Sox

[Guest terrydoo73]

But this is the point I am making - he doesn't stay in the one place! He just loves wandering around fingering everything. We have tried the method of ignoring him just letting him play with toys and he never stays in the one place to the point that it is an issue regarding health and safety - he gets in the other children's way. We don't have the room for him to sit in a corner and play with some toys - our area is limited and we have even tried letting him sit at a table with something but he doesn't settle. I really think it is attention seeking thing as he is constantly watching us to get a reaction. We are based in NI so don't use the same guidelines as such to the English system but our Early Years Specialist has advised we let children do their own thing but when it is endangering others in their joining in group activities surely there is an issue of safety? The Early Years Specialist also pointed out to us that we were supposed to do group activities and cover such aspects as teaching nursery rhymes because it is meeting the needs of the children and providing a challenge to extend their vocabulary, counting, physical capabilities etc. So what do we do to be correct?

[Guest]

Sox, could you please let me know what the dino songs are?, children where I am at the moment would love them - thanks

[Rea]

Maybe you need to be firm and give him the choice of joining in or sitting in one place. Then whatever happens afterwards you can remind him that he chose to do it and maybe next time he might like to chose differently.

Could one member of staff stay with him, get him helping with a job ready for the next activity maybe?

I used to hate joining in, I vividly remember my 6th birthday party when everyone sang happy birthday I hid under the table, I hated the attention and when my mom sang in church when I was 4 I hit her!

[Sox]

Sox, could you please let me know what the dino songs are?, children where I am at the moment would love them - thanks

 

Sam i hope your children enjoy these songs as much as mine have!!!!

 

 

 

But this is the point I am making - he doesn't stay in the one place! He just loves wandering around fingering everything. We have tried the method of ignoring him just letting him play with toys and he never stays in the one place to the point that it is an issue regarding health and safety - he gets in the other children's way. We don't have the room for him to sit in a corner and play with some toys - our area is limited and we have even tried letting him sit at a table with something but he doesn't settle. I really think it is attention seeking thing as he is constantly watching us to get a reaction. We are based in NI so don't use the same guidelines as such to the English system but our Early Years Specialist has advised we let children do their own thing but when it is endangering others in their joining in group activities surely there is an issue of safety? The Early Years Specialist also pointed out to us that we were supposed to do group activities and cover such aspects as teaching nursery rhymes because it is meeting the needs of the children and providing a challenge to extend their vocabulary, counting, physical capabilities etc. So what do we do to be correct?

 

Terrydoo although your specialist is there to offer guidance on how to improve your service, you sometimes have to make judgement calls on what is in the best interest of your children!! I don't think if i was three stuck inside on a wet day i would want to do nursery rhymes either!!! Sometimes when you sit back back and listen and watch your children will lead you!!! However, this is just my opinion!!!!

dinosaur songs pre-school.docx

[Guest]

Thanks for sharing the dino songs Sox :1b

[lashes2508]

yes thanks -cant wait to use them :1b

[Guest]

Thank you for sharing the songs, have printed them out..... poor children will have to listen to me attempting to sing them now