21. Planned Activities

Question 1

Planned Activities

Answer 1

~ each group or class must have a written plan of scheduled activities that is followed by the caregivers and posted in a visible location accessible to the families
~ the Department recommends child care programs share information about activities with families on a daily basis
~ the written plan must be developmentally appropriate and meet the needs of children in care
~ the program must make reasonable accommodations to the environment, planned activities, and schedule for children in care

Question 2

The plan must include:

Answer 2

• A variety of activities that promote development in the areas of emotional, social, intellectual, and physical growth
• Activities that range from structured to unstructured
• Opportunities for children to choose their own activities from the daily schedule
• Active and quiet activities
• Opportunities to build emotionally secure relationships with caregivers
• Outdoor play at least twice per day, weather permitting, and alternative activities in case of bad weather
• Meals, snacks, and naptimes, if appropriate for the ages of the children and the times they are in care
• An appropriate daily schedule providing flexibility and transition periods, which help children move smoothly from one activity to the next
• Scheduled time for academic support or homework assistance for school-age children

Question 3

Developmentally appropriate means being:

Answer 3

• Age appropriate – based on the child’s chronological age
• Individually appropriate – based on the child’s actual level of development, which may be delayed, on target, or advanced in one or all areas
• Socially and culturally appropriate – based on the child’s home, community, and school beliefs and practices

Question 4

Prohibitions and Rules

Answer 4

~ the rules prohibit the use of electronic media for children under two years old
~ for older children, it may only be used for educational purposes or physical activity and for no more than 2 hours per day
~ computer use should be limited to no more than 15 minutes unless it is being used for academic purposes
~ children birth to one year old must be provided adequate time and space to engage in activities that promote physical development, such as tummy time, crawling, and sitting
~ infant swings may be used for no more than 30 minutes at a time and no more than twice a day
~ infants must be provided outdoor time each day, weather permitting
~ child care programs must implement practices that promote consistency and continuity of care, especially with infants and toddlers
~ routines are important to make children feel safe and secure