EEK! Yes, I really do need your help!
As I mentioned, this year I am the only pre-school classroom in our program that has students all day. In order for my para and myself to both have our lunches, we have a quiet time.
I ordered these fabulous cots over the summer with some grant money.
VERY long story short, I still don't have my cots. It's November people. NOVEMBER!
(Please note, they are not missing due to a Lakeshore issue, they are missing due to a district issue!)
I scored some small fleece blankets from Michael's back in August for .50 cents a piece and decided they would be our quiet time "boundaries". Each student has one on the floor that outlines their space. They also have an additional pillow and blanket from home.
I have 2 students who occasionally sleep. The rest of them, not so much. I suppose that because I don't know otherwise, I am almost convinced my students would all sleep (or rest better) if they had actual cots.
I do however give each student a "quiet time basket"
(insert picture of baskets that I do not have, here)
I am seriously running out of ideas for what to put in these baskets. This is where I need your help! If you have any great ideas that have worked in your classroom, or anything you've seen used in your child's daycare, I'd love to know!
Some things to keep in mind:
- Must be a relatively quiet activity
- Should not be messy (i.e. playdough that can stick to blankets, etc)
- Can be played with independently
Right now, I change the items in the basket every Friday. So students have the same items for 4 days. If you have a different system to suggest, I'd welcome that too!
Please share this post with ANYONE who you think can offer some great ideas!
Thanks in advance for all of the wonderful suggestions I know you great bloggers are going to have!