tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932547411625830913.post4675254835540296377..comments2023-05-01T06:50:33.420-07:00Comments on bakers and astronauts: Rest Timealliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213589791060503501noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932547411625830913.post-85442451017334049232009-11-19T21:12:09.693-08:002009-11-19T21:12:09.693-08:00I loved your post and warmth and thoughtfulness in...I loved your post and warmth and thoughtfulness in it. The fact that you think about so many ways to grow and optimize the kids' hours with you speaks volumes about the wonderful person you are. I am so happy to know you.Swapna Raghu Sanandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10167474469892964199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932547411625830913.post-31395159613977183472009-11-17T17:18:36.298-08:002009-11-17T17:18:36.298-08:00I'm in Australia, and at a preschool with 3-5 ...I'm in Australia, and at a preschool with 3-5 year olds from 9am - 3 pm and we don't have a formalised rest time because of the challenges you are talking about - although if our kids attended for longer days we would probably include it for the younger ones.<br /><br />We offer quieter activities in the afternoon, and make sure we have plenty of quiet spaces and "nests" for the kids to lie around on, make cubbies, read and snuggle if they need to recharge and this works well - although I know some of the younger 3's fall asleep in the car on the way home!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932547411625830913.post-76022366257193750512009-11-06T06:28:42.953-08:002009-11-06T06:28:42.953-08:00We would have a story read by the teacher as a ser...We would have a story read by the teacher as a serial for the first 10-15 minutes (try the original Wizard of Oz where Dorothy had silver, not red slippers!), this gave the sleepers time to fall asleep. Then we had treasure bags - little cloth bags, each with a little activity inside, little puzzles or small construction sets or bead threading, etc.<br /><br />Good luck in finding a solution, I believe it is important for children to take time out and rest, even if they don't sleep. We don't do enough of it as adults!Christie - Childhood 101https://www.blogger.com/profile/03273633554293833746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932547411625830913.post-67985988008423608322009-11-05T16:20:39.011-08:002009-11-05T16:20:39.011-08:00Our school is a half day program so I don't ne...Our school is a half day program so I don't need to worry about rest time, but I think your point is well taken. The need for rest is obviously an individual thing. My own daughter would have napped well into her 1st grade year if that had been possible, whereas I have parents of 2-year-olds telling me their kids are already done with napping.<br /><br />I do think, however, that all it's useful for all people -- adults or children -- to take time to be alone with their thoughts. Or to even turn their brains off for a bit. <br /><br />I'm wondering if some sort of guided meditation could work in a classroom setting. I've tried it at our school in small doses (say 5-10 minutes) and most of the kids close their eyes and participate. The ones who don't have so far simply sat watching their friends without making a disturbance, which makes me think they're participating in their own way.Teacher Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14606781724784785338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932547411625830913.post-83821907601879198432009-11-05T13:51:17.721-08:002009-11-05T13:51:17.721-08:00At my school in your age group. The children liste...At my school in your age group. The children listen to a story tape, while the lead teacher takes a short break. When she gets back from break she reads a book to the children. I am not sure what book it is but it is a chapter book. If they lay on their mats quietly for 45 minutes they get to get bin toys and work on their mats quietly.LaQuethahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06867331449617409630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932547411625830913.post-20937609383861173602009-11-05T07:06:32.340-08:002009-11-05T07:06:32.340-08:00I do not have rest time anymore, as I had two half...I do not have rest time anymore, as I had two half day sessions, but when I did something that worked for me was to have everyone rest quietly for 1/2 hour, until the sleepers were asleep, then I put a selection of quiet activities on a table and the non sleepers could come up one at a time very quietly and select something. Sometimes I had them watch a video in a corner of the room, and if it was nice my aide or I would take them outside while the other one stayed in with the sleepers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com