When is snack/lunch time?

Our am snack is at 9:00 or 9:30, lunch at noon, and pm snack about 3:00.

Here's a question, I posted in another thread about my daughter scratching another child during free play when a toy was grabbed out of her hand. To other ppl use free play time to get meals ready or do most of you do this in advance? My kids are all between 18 mo and 2.5 years, I feel like if I am not right to them every second there is always a chance someone is going to pinch, grab, push, another one.

The kids play while I do my things like make lunch. At the same time if my group is in this stage then I would bring them into the kitchen and set them up at the table to do an activity where they could be monitored. While they are having morning snack I do some prep for lunch.

When you are with them you might want to use a sterner voice when this kind of behaviour happens to reinforce that it is not allowed. If you watch the group you may find who the instigator seems to be and that child could be either taken with you or the kids removed when an issue does arise - lets them know you have eyes in the back of your head,lol. Also I will sometimes remove certain toys while I make lunch so they are limited to only a few so clean up when food is ready is quicker but also removes the most commonly fought over toys.

My gang learns very early on I don't tolerate their crap so by 2.5 if there was an issue they know they would be sitting on the kitchen floor sulking till lunch was ready so rarely challenge it. Even by 18 months they know my raised voice means don't do it again. Having said that there are just some kids and some groups of kids that don't get along for some reason. You might even have to do some actual training where during freeplay you step in before issues happen to teach them what to do such as it is ok to put your hands out to protect your personal space - prevents getting bit. It is ok to play alone and the others have to sit by quietly and wait their turn or find something else to do in the meantime, those kinds of things. As language comes the kids will start to use the words they have heard you using in similar situations such as sit down, it is my turn now.

Thanks for your reply. Today I gave everyone playdoh on their highchair tables while I made lunch. I think I will keep this up for times when I can't step in as quickly.

Yarnlover - my crew has to earn the right to be out of 'sight' ... so if they have not built that trust of consistent gentle behaviour and conflict resolution than they are in the kitchen with me while I prepare meals and snacks.... if you have issues with hands on behaviour and need support to remember that than you are my SHADOW at all waking times in the program ... if my hands are busy changing a diaper you are holding the wipes or clean diaper for me so I know you are 'occupied', if I have to go pee - you come with me and read a book, if I am feeding the babe you are beside me reading a book and so forth .... you earn the right to be 'free' during those times through needing my help less and less during other times of the day ;)

Thanks for the reply Reggio (and sorry for thread jacking). I can actually see the kids just fine from the kitchen, but being even a few steps away means someone could get hair pulled etc. before I can be quick enough to stop it. Not to say this happens often anyways, i am just afraid of it happening again. Nobody likes to see a mark,( scratch, bump, bruise etc...) no matter how small, on their child.