Quote Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys View Post
When I do things in a group setting but need to do a bit of one on one things, I give them all paper and crayons to use while I'm helping the one with the paint (or whatever it is we are doing) and than they take turns doing this one on one thing with me.

I have done things at the table and call them by name to take turns. Ya the other ones run up and want to see but that is okay. They can either sit at a chair and watch xxx glue their art or they can come and go but they can't touch xxx's art. They all learn...some cry because it's not their turn but I feel it's part of life and something they need to learn so I just deal with it lol.

And sometimes I have lucked out and had a group where they could all paint or glue or pudding play or whatever all at the same time and only need minimal help from me. They all hate to be the first one to get cleaned up though and that's sometimes our only real problem!

This isn't directed at you or anyone in particular and it definitely changes with each group dynamic but.........I find kids are better at doing things than a lot of adults give them credit for. I do a lot of art and activities with my group but I am super organized(all supplies are near me) and enforce the rules. Yes of course we have had our fair share of mishaps and mistakes (and glitter in every corner for months....damn you glitter!!lol) but for the most part...it works beautifully! I start young with them so they grow up knowing my expectations. I adapt to their ages as much as possible but I constantly have parents say "my child did that??" in awe and disbelief. I have even taken video of them doing it as proof because I have had parents think I did it!! LOL
I can't help but giggle reading this. I cannot just give them all crayons while I focus on someone else...even for a minute. They seriously all eat the crayons still. They colours some...but the darn crayons keep going in the mouth...and they like, chew them up...and swallow. lol. They are just way to young. If I had even one partially older child to show them how to do it properly I'm sure it would make a huge difference but they all just eat.

I completely agree that kids, even at 12months can do a whole lot more than us adults typically expect. I am reminded of this daily with my group BUT...we are so, so, so far away from major art projects due to them ALL being under 19months. I know they would learn quick with me there telling them what is expected but when I turn to tell little 'jimmy' to stop eating his crayon, 'johnny' starts eating the paper and 'jenny' starts eating the stickers...and we are just not there yet :-)

Soon...soon.