Module 9: Program Planning and Development

Module 9 Discussion Forum: Evaluate Your Program

3/6/2015

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194 Comments

Miranda Jones

4/27/2015 06:08:07 am

My program has a lot of play materials. We have blocks and clay, and art supplies that encourage free play. Some of the girls will take the art supplies and make books and cards at recess. All of these materials plus more are easy for the kids to get out and play with and they make it easy for them to use without direction.

Ann Zop

4/27/2015 06:10:37 am

Yes, we have lots of play materials for the children and they have a lot of free play time and can do what they think is best with the materials. I would like to find a better way to organize them in my classroom, though.

Drew

5/12/2015 10:59:38 am

My center does a good job of have a wide verity of play materials. We also make sure to rotate the toys monthly or more often if we see the children are no longer enjoying an activity.

antionette griffin

9/25/2015 01:32:42 pm

That's a great thing when your center becomes that positive zone for any ages of kids to come and be themselves.

Brett Turner

6/11/2015 04:47:33 am

We have so many play materials in our program. We wouldn't put out unsafe material for the children to play with. We monitor the children when they borrow childproof scissors and we make sure they put them back.

Kaitlyn

6/12/2015 11:49:31 am

Yes we have lots of play material for children and they have lots of free time to play and everything is organized very well

Jessica Enebo

6/13/2015 04:18:40 am

Our center does have a wide variety of play materials available. Free play is encouraged by giving them lots of opportunity to play with their choice of games and activities. We make sure all of the materials are safe for their age.

cindy

6/14/2015 05:03:41 am

We have many different play materials. Everything is organized and stored away and locked up when children are not playing with them. There are draws and cabinets and rooms to store different objects.

Ruth W.

6/21/2015 11:59:42 am

Our center has a number of play materials ranging from board games, coloring supplies, to basketballs, tennis balls and a tether ball. We encourage the child to choose from options after snack time for an activity and the last hour of the day is always free play to allow them to play however they would like. We has have tons of reading material for quiet time.

Mallery Luke

7/6/2015 02:02:27 pm

My program has an excellent variety of materials that are available to children. We have a reading area, sensory table, arts and crafts table, legos, Kinects, barbies, home center, and much more! Many centers encourage free play and require children to be creative and use their imaginations. All centers are accessible and safe.

Kathryn Mills

7/7/2015 09:32:31 am

Lots of free play and lots of activities for the kiddos!

Jeremy

7/19/2015 01:27:38 pm

We have an excellent assortment of play materials for our children and they comment all the time about how much they love it,

Shawna

7/21/2015 11:49:02 am

Yes we have many opportunities for free play. Our center is set up with stations. The kids are free to roam around and experience, books, blocks, coloring stations, legos and a board game station.

yvonne

7/26/2015 06:45:29 am

yes we have different areas in the classroom that encourage free play, they are accessible we have sentence strips that say what the material is, they are child safe.

Delia Farrell

7/29/2015 05:51:45 am

In our program we have a free time that allows kids to go to different areas around the room to different stations to play. We have building toys for those who love to build and create, we have a dress up station where kids can use there imagination, a place to color or draw for those who want to create their on masterpiece, and we have a puzzle and book area for the kids who like to think.Everything is easy and accessible for the children and we are watching and making sure that everyone is playing nicely and safe.

teraza

7/29/2015 12:10:48 pm

we have lots of play materials for the children and they have a lot of free play time and can do what they think is best with the materials. I would like to find a better way to organize them in my classroom, though.

Taylor thames

8/2/2015 01:07:34 pm

Our center has more than enough activities for the kids, they are alwYs getting a new device or game out and want to engage deeply in the activity. New ones each day.

Victoria A Weaver

8/3/2015 03:37:20 am

We have TONS of play material, for a variety of ages. Everything is fairly new and safe. We have lots of different activity times including: Free time, Recess, Teacher-led activities, Reading time, etc.

karlee

8/3/2015 01:57:53 pm

my center does a good job of providing variety, my kids are always safe with the free play stuff and they love it.

Saida C.

8/10/2015 07:12:36 am

All the play materials we have are safe and fun for all ages. The children have a scheduled time where they are allowed to play with everything we have, everything is accessible to them. We have everything from puzzles and board games for those who like to challenge themselves, to legos and play doh for those builders, and books to read as well as to color so they have an opportunity to express themselves.

Juliana Davis-Marxer

8/13/2015 05:50:46 am

My center does a great job of having a wide variety of activities for our children to choose from. During the summer we do field trips four times a week to different places each time. This gives the children a lot of different learning experiences. While on-site we have a variety of stations that children can choose from. We do staff led art projects, quiet games, group games, science experiments. We have areas for free play alone or with groups. We have areas for quiet time, reading time and homework time. We also spend a lot of time outside on the playground playing individually and as a group.

Elise

8/22/2015 07:01:25 am

There are a wide variety of toys that promote learning at my center. There are several puzzles, toys that involve building, board games and many more. The children are encouraged to be creative and several of them create scenarios when they play. They also spend a good amount of time outside while at the center.

Alicia Dickson

8/26/2015 04:09:20 am

I think we can add some more toys that encourage creativity, imagination, or science. I would like to get rid of the screens and have computers with only educational games available. Also I would not let them bring their personal tablets, or gaming. Maybe puppet, and music/instrument area.

Elena

8/27/2015 03:26:26 pm

I believe our program has a good amount of things to play with. We have board and card games for different ages, blocks, legos, dress up, and books. We always have free/choice time both inside and outside and organized activities with the kids. All materials are kid appropriate and safe. They always have to wear helmets if on wheels and are always supervised in case something does happen.

Mandy Taylor

8/31/2015 10:15:52 am

Our program has lots of free play. It's always safe. We have crafts art , blocks of corse. We also dress up. We even have hot wheel cars. In the after
noons we have a activity planned.

keira moore link

9/2/2015 01:17:39 pm

I believe the center I work for has a wide variety of activities for the children but i believe we could use some new ones to change it up a bit, all our toys are safe and we encourage all the children to have a good time and to interact with one and other while we teachers take time to interact with the children as well.

maricella link

9/7/2015 09:29:12 pm

our school provides a variety of materials for our students age appropriate .There's board games ,blocks ,music and art .

Brooke P.

9/8/2015 11:53:02 am

At my center, we have a very open environment for the children. All toys are accesible and we have stations to open up their senses. Art center, science center, homework station, board games, computers for homework time, then, of course, a quite reading center.

Zachary Scott

9/14/2015 12:53:25 pm

The center I work at has plenty of games, activities and creative materials. Almost everything is available to be used without any impedance, the few items that are are easy to ask for and quick to be given. The games and activities here definitely encourage free as all of the attendees use them everyday and have plenty of fun. And everything is very safe, and when something is deemed unsafe (play equipment, old toy, etc) it is either gotten rid of or modified to be safe (play equipment mainly).

Leah L'Rae Wonders

9/15/2015 09:37:34 pm

Our program has an excellent array of activities from board games to arts and crafts, puzzles, creative materials; we have a large variety of items that I remember from childhood and some that I completely forgot about! The items are easily within reach and stored so they are easily accessible and organized. We put out a variety in the morning for the kids to enjoy and encourage them to use their imagination with some or make up their own rules, etc. Everything is age appropriate and safe and anything not is either gotten rid of or is modified/fixed but usually there is nothing that isn't appropriate.

Michael Eng

9/21/2015 02:59:02 pm

Our program does a great job balancing between organize activity and free play. We try to provide a fun, safe environment for all play. We don't have a plethora of materials but we do have what we need.

Elizabeth T Mason

9/23/2015 07:13:38 pm

our program balances free play and organized play. provide fun safe play toys and environment. and the toys are available and there are plenty for everyone to play with.

Olivia Margoshes

9/27/2015 09:55:14 am

My program is in an elementary school, so the materials the children have available to them are all educational in some way. Some are geared toward specific age groups, but children can interact with them on levels they are familiar and comfortable with. During program hours the children have no screen time.

Emily

9/28/2015 11:12:27 am

We have a wide variety of playthings available for the students, from decks of cards to basketballs. All items are in good working condition (safe), and almost all of them encourage free play offer a creative/cognitive and kinesthetic outlet for the kids.

Robert Lee

9/28/2015 06:19:56 pm

Our materials are very accessibly and encourage free play. Our materials are safe. We have different carts for different age ranges.

Dillon Kramer

10/1/2015 07:21:31 pm

Yes we have lots of toys that promote free play we just keep on them not to make weapons of any sort when playing. But ll the toysa are safe.

Andre Graham

10/2/2015 10:59:21 am

At my youth center we have a vast array of board games, cards, toys as well as technology to satisfy playing needs. We also have a very large gym as well as a game center to encourage free play. All games we have are safe and age appropriate.

Katie Cook

10/6/2015 03:19:27 pm

We have a table for board games and a table for art. All the materials are on a easy access cart. We have a mate for reading with books in a basket. We have three rugs for building toys. the materials are in an open cabinets.

claudia Martinez

10/10/2015 06:41:14 am

Yes, we do have some material for free play that encourages free play. The children enjoy it and are safe. We don't have a lot of space for storing materials so it is not as organized as i would like it to be. However, We are working on changing that.

Sherry

10/14/2015 11:55:45 am

At the center we have indoor/outdoor play, board games, dress up clothes, yoga videos. The areas are safe and encourage play. Things are easy to reach for most kids.

Robyn

10/24/2015 08:14:17 pm

Our Program covers all of these, free choice, out door time, lots of different toys, art, games, etc. A safe environment, lots of help. A lot of positive guidence.

Maria Loredo

10/25/2015 09:16:37 pm

In our program we have free choice, building area, indoor/ outdoor play, dramatic play, science area, art area and quiet area. So yeah we cover everything.

Meghan

10/27/2015 10:55:40 am

Do they encourage free play? They do- a lot of them are building or open ended.
Are they easily accessible? On shelves at child height in organized bins
Do the materials give children opportunities for play? There are drama materials for them to invent and play out scenarios with each other
Are they safe? Yes-child approved and always monitored while playing

Amanda

10/29/2015 09:07:40 pm

My site center provides lots of free choices for children to play. We have a color carpet with a storage rack of toys they can play with. The toys range from Legos, blocks, animals, connects, and etc. We also provide a home area where children can go pretend play and dress up. There's an art table with lots of art supplies that allows children to explore their imaginations and creativity. We always encourage children to be productive and/or work on their school work.

Rachel Berry

11/1/2015 05:06:31 pm

My center could use better play materials. Not just more but more suited for the children's age. I teach children ages 5-7 and most of the toys are designed for younger ages. Granted these play items are safe and give the children free range to choose what to do and how to use it.

maranda morton

11/2/2015 03:34:34 pm

In my facility we have all kinds of things including puzsles, art activities, and bingo. We all come to o e table for meals. And of course its safe

Benjamin

11/17/2015 08:23:33 pm

Our center has a wide variety of toy materials available, including blocks (both wooden and adhesive plastic), drawing supplies, puzzles, books, whiteboards, and access to our art supplies, as well as play materials brought by the students such as Pokemon cards. Each of them is easily accessible, leads to a wide variety of play, and is safe to use.

Amanda Phillips

11/19/2015 01:16:50 pm

Where I work we have scheduled activities but also scheduled free time. The toys are easily accessible and at their eye level. There are materials offering a variety of ways to play. Any small toys have child proof lids on them and play dough and paints are put up and away.

Samantha

11/21/2015 10:34:24 pm

Yes, our program has several rooms with designated areas for quiet time, creative activities, dress-up/imaginative games, board games, a gym, and playground. The areas are developmentally appropriate for each age group and materials are always supervised when used.

Deana

11/27/2015 10:40:08 pm

Yes, our school has a wide variety of good condition, age appropriate toys, puzzles, books, play figures, play kitchen station, and a few stuffed animals too. Outside we have swings, climbing structure, and rope swing.

Lorena Martinez Soto

11/28/2015 07:30:08 pm

My center has plenty of play material and age appropriate toys, we have blocks, and Lego clay, cars, dress up clothes ,puzzles, books, kitchen station and much more. As well as two play grounds and balls to play.

Dylan

11/29/2015 08:04:49 pm

Yes we have a wide variety of games at our cite. they are appropriate and they provide a lot of free choices. I think they are all great games.

Kayla

11/30/2015 01:32:34 pm

We have several games and activities that are related to several different branches of education and fun brain games.

McKenzie Conner

12/2/2015 11:34:44 am

Our center offers a great variety of materials for free play, building materials, crafts and art, games, dress up, books etc. We strive to introduce safe, clean, fun activities for the kids.

Kiara McCallum

12/6/2015 03:43:56 pm

At our program, we have multiple different options of games and activities that the children can choose from. They are all easy access and promote fun play and great education!

Breaunah Jacobs

12/6/2015 07:05:26 pm

Our program definitely supports and encourages free play with safe and fun equipment for children. Children have access to almost all supplies and they are all educational and interesting the children. There are many options for children who have different interests.

Dassah Ortiz

12/8/2015 09:31:25 pm

Our program has alot of different choices. We encourage free play and they have access to many different supplies and equipment to play with.

Patricia

12/8/2015 09:58:00 pm

We purchase materials that inspire our children's imagination, creativity, and independents to explore.

Rachel Davenport

12/12/2015 03:50:31 pm

I think our program has a good balance of materials that help the kids be creative, have fun, and use their minds to solve problems.

Audrey Heeren

12/14/2015 09:24:54 am

I am currently sorting through our games and art and science supplies. Many need to be replaced. It is Christmas time, so lots of things are on sale. Yay!

Estefania link

12/18/2015 02:25:19 am

Stacy

12/22/2015 01:54:35 pm

Yes our program offers a large verity of equipment and toys that encourage children to explore, use their imagination, and play.

Amber Fitzgerald

12/28/2015 04:47:58 pm

My center has a pretty good variety of activities for our kids to do. We have a reading/quiet center, we have a game center, we have an arts and crafts center, we also have a pretty bit toy center. We also have gym for free play and group games as well as an outdoor play area.

Desiree Price

12/28/2015 06:30:56 pm

Yes, we have a variety of art supplies, indoor sports equipment, books, puzzles, and various other toys (such as LEGOS, people and animals, etc.). Free play is offered for at least an hour a day, as well as a reading area, dramatic play area, science and nature areas, and multiple outdoor times (that last about an hour each).

Gisella Santiago-Gronka

12/29/2015 01:18:11 pm

Our facility does a great job in having a wide range of activities and materials for the children to choose. Our centers go through a monthly rotation so that the children’s imaginations have something new to explore. We also do field trips to different places like the Hands On Museum, State Parks, YMCA, etc. We, the staff, also lead projects, games, and science experiments. We make time for quiet time where the children can read, do homework, take a nap or play alone or in a group. We also have outdoor play equipment which the children use either individually or as a group.

Rebecca Pedersen

12/29/2015 08:07:51 pm

Our school has a wide variety of many toys that are available for play. Most of our toys on the toy shelf are board games, puzzles, Legos, and many other things children enjoy. The few electronic games we do have are all educational and apply to what we're learning in school. Children that are full day have plenty of opportunity to free play along with our work time that allows practical life and art to be done with unlimited creativity.

Katrina

12/30/2015 07:57:10 pm

In our program we have a variety of activities available for students, encouraging free play and teamwork play. My co-teacher and I arrange activities for the students at least once a week in order to direct the students.

Cecilia

12/31/2015 04:56:42 pm

We have many play materials and types of materials. we have an enormous variety of manipulative toys that we rotate out quarterly. We also have a lot of dressup and fake food etc. for imaginative play. We have many activities that can be set up and set out, but also the children are encourage in free play.

Laura

1/1/2016 07:58:59 pm

We have creative indoor and outdoor resources for the children at our school which are available daily. These include outdoor climbing structures, blocks, balls, sand play areas, swings, slides and indoor building blocks, magnetic tiles, board games, legal and daily open art activities, storytelling and book reading.

James Over

1/2/2016 03:16:26 pm

I work at a day camp, with tons of non-gendered toys and activities, play sets, and safety is the main concern. My program was built to be easily accessible and not exclusive.

Andrea

1/3/2016 10:18:22 pm

yes the materials available encourage free play in the classroom.they are accessible and easy to reach for the children.it gives the children a wide option of free play either alone or partnering up with someone else.they provide safe play in most activities some to just watch out for depending on childs mood but overall its accommodated to be safe.

Lindsay Lyon

1/4/2016 08:53:37 pm

I work in a Montessori program, so many of our play materials consist of "works" that develop the children's mental and physical capabilities including fine motor and cognitive skills. The works do encourage creative play. They are constantly swapped out depending on the study of the month, so there is always something new for stimulation. The works are safe and age appropriate.

shelby kesterke

1/7/2016 02:18:07 pm

Yes, the play materials that are available encourage free play. They are easily accessible, they are stored in their own designated area, and are used daily. The materials do give children opportunities for play, whether that is outside, or inside playing with puzzles, cards, coloring, etc. The materials are safe, and are explained how they are used if they are using the materials for the first time.

Justyna Galaz

1/15/2016 01:12:27 pm

Yes! We completely encourage free play! All morning we have free play and we only watch 30 minutes of TV time. The kids know the toys are completely accessible.

david

1/20/2016 01:43:17 pm

We have great play materials and theyre all very accesible to the kids.

rebecca arnold

1/20/2016 01:54:32 pm

our room is ste up in four different sections of free play time.we have lots of play material such as playground balls tether balls we have books computers games board games

anitha

1/20/2016 11:23:02 pm

We have a lot of playmaterials in our program.Everything is organized and sentence strips that say what the material is.We are watching and make sure that everyone is playing nicely with those materials and safe.

micaela carroll

1/21/2016 04:42:15 pm

Yes to all. Free play is a huge part and we follow early achievers so our class is set up and organized due to EA. We have enough for everyone according to early achievers.

jennifer massengale

1/24/2016 02:20:42 pm

we have lots of materials for learning,playing and physical exercise that are easily accessible

Sybil

1/26/2016 01:10:35 pm

My site offers a wide variety of tools and toys and materials for creative and free play. Art supplies, science opportunities, costumes, board games, outside activities, etc.

Annika

1/28/2016 12:37:20 pm

Evaluate your program and the play materials that are available to your students. Do they encourage free play? Are they easily accessible? Do the materials give children opportunities for play? Are they safe? Discuss.

We have lots of opportunity for free play, and we have a few times with organized play. Once we can take care of the behavioral problems of the group I would like to implement more group and structured play time. Toys are accessible but we like the kids to ask first. We do have times where we bring all the toys out too. The materials we have encourage play. We have legos, lincoln logs, figurines, craft and art supplies, drawing supplies, and books. All of our materials and our program is safe.

James

1/29/2016 07:52:46 am

We have a lot of play materials and it all encourages free play. They are easily accessible and safe and it give the members the opportunity for play. We have board games that covers the range of ages we take care of. We have a lot of arts and crafts for the kids to be creative.

Gabriel A

1/29/2016 12:38:20 pm

Our program has a large ammount of materials for the kids to use. There is a ball bag with large variety of playtoys for outside time, Board games, Arts & crafts, a science bin, musical instremunts, & educational games & worksheets.

Carly

1/31/2016 05:03:14 pm

My program has a great supply of play materials that allow for both free and organized play. We have a ball bag for outdoor play and legos, puzzles, cards, boardgames and art supplies for inside play. Toys are accessible, we often set up different stations so children can choose between different types of games and activities.

cynthia smith

1/31/2016 05:09:14 pm

In our center, we have a reading corner, dress-up area, play food area, board games and puzzles, arts and craft items for creativity, legos and other educational games. Other outdoors items include hoola hoops and jump ropes, and cars and jungle gym stuff for climbing and slidding. In the gym there are balls of various types and jump ropes and other items for them to create their own games.

Molly B

1/31/2016 09:21:05 pm

yes, yes, yes, yes. my program does a wonderful job of providing materials that help my student express their creativity.

Alissa Wallace

2/8/2016 01:30:46 pm

Yes. Our center provides a wide variety of activities for our children. We have endless books for all of our program's age groups, we provide a theater center, an art center, a building center, and a board game center. We provide a wide variety of different learning materials that would meet the interests of all students. We keep our activities in an easy accessible, safe environment for the kids to encourage their independence and free play.

Holly

2/8/2016 09:21:12 pm

Children have access to a whole range of toys, including trucks and cars, dress up, kitchen, blocks, colored tiles, games, dolls, and so forth. The toys are within reach of the children so they are able to get them and put them away without difficulty. They meet safety regulations.

Sarah Still

2/13/2016 12:27:33 pm

The materials we provide at the YMCA is very accessible, encourage and give opportunities for play and are safe when children use them properly.

Michael Chapman

2/15/2016 09:44:41 pm

Yes our program encourages free play and the toys are easily accessible because they are in bins on shelves at different play stations and yes the material does give the children opportunity to play. And lastly they are safe for the children to use.

Kay

2/16/2016 01:08:15 pm

We put out many bins everyday to rotate items, but each day we make sure we have some sort of coloring, some board games, some floor toys, some art supplies, and some fine motor building toys. We also have many out door options for the children to choose from as well. Everything is safe for their use, and I've never heard a child say they were board!

Brandi

2/18/2016 03:45:29 pm

We have everything the kids need to play with and use out in the open. They have access to the things that encourage them to use their minds and their motor skills.

Andrea Myers

2/19/2016 02:02:11 pm

My center provides a great deal of toys, art supplies, games and a variety of things that encourages the kids free play and whatever they are geared toward

Rachel

2/19/2016 03:37:52 pm

We have everything the kids can play at the YMCA.

Katharina Gees

2/24/2016 11:24:39 am

At the center for 5-6 year olds we have sufficient (if not more than sufficient) amounts of equipment for play. At our 4th/5th grader center we could use some more equipment. I don't think that we have many games. On nice days we are able to go outside and play on a playground, but on days we spend the time indoors we could use more play equipment.

Kammi

2/28/2016 11:21:22 am

My center does an excellent job in this sense. We have several 'centers' that are open and accessible to children at all times. Math, science, art, reading, etc. We have open concept shelving with tons of materials to spark imagination and learning

Marc

2/28/2016 10:17:41 pm

Our program have numerous play items like blocks and Legos. All are easily accessible on carts.

Nohelani Quigtar

2/28/2016 11:54:54 pm

Our program does an excellent job in providing free play that is safe and accessible to our children. Children can take things from carts whether is arts and crafts, toys, games, etc...

Henry Moen

2/29/2016 12:53:59 am

My program has an excellent amount of materials that encourages free play. We have a bunch of art materials, we have a bunch of toys for all different ages, and all our staff encourages kids away from screen media to work on entertaining themselves in other ways

Morgan

2/29/2016 11:51:27 am

our center does a great job of offering a wide variety of different game and play options. we have free play, art, electronic, and board games and puzzles. along with building corners and book corners. we rotate the options every couple of weeks to ensure the children never get too bored with any one thing. we also limit time on the computer.

Andrew

3/7/2016 12:51:12 pm

We do fine with safety and accessibility. Both indoor and outdoor, all of our play time includes at least a few options. I do my best to involve the kids in game - made up ones on the playground, where they can learn through developing and refining rules - and board games when we play indoors. We discourage passive and purely consumptive activities and promote, as much as possible, creative and stimulating ones.

Mariah

3/8/2016 11:23:30 pm

Our club encourages free play. We have a cart and back room full of free play activities and a playground. It is all safe.

Nicole Littleton

3/13/2016 05:18:40 am

Yes, the toys encourage safe free play and are easily accessible in shelves that are a child's height. We have many different types of toys including blocks, crayons, books, toy cars, dolls, etc. The more dangerous art supplies, such as scissors, are kept in a teacher drawer that is not accessible to students.

Sara McColloch

3/14/2016 11:10:42 am

At my program, we have a lot of games for the children. We have age appropriate games and we separate our learning games from our free time games. We provide coloring utensils and hands on activities.

Tabitha

3/16/2016 12:52:38 pm

We offer a sports program, the equipment we have are regulation size and all kids have access to them.

Katie

3/18/2016 03:09:25 pm

My program does encourage free play. We also have games and toys that are easily accessible to the children. We also do organized group games and arts/ craft times.

Audrey MEZIL

3/19/2016 02:26:19 pm

In our school we have a lot of Montessori material and educative material. Every month, we changed all the pratical life material.
Before using it, the kids has a little lesson on it and after, each morning, they have a time to play, "work" freely.
We are very carreful about it and verify each morning that each material is complete, and ready to use.

I think we should have more puzzles and more board game.

Brianna Kanyid

3/19/2016 07:35:53 pm

We have specific free play toys! We bring them out during our free time hours and children are free to rotate between the stations! They are all safe and disinfected regularly. We share a room in the school so not all the toys can be left out. We bring them out daily though for the kids to use. The kids love the toys and I think they encourage play :)

Nathan Johnson

3/21/2016 12:37:21 pm

my site always provides places and materials for the children to have fun and have plenty of free time, we always have fun!

Melissa

3/21/2016 08:15:59 pm

My site does a good job of this for its students. All of the toys and crafts are easily accessible to youth. They are all low to the ground on shelves so they are close to their height and organized neatly to be easily found.

Brittany Nielsen

3/22/2016 11:44:08 pm

In the program where I volunteered there was a large array of different materials to keep the children active and encourage them to socialize. The equipment ranged from jump ropes and hula hoops to board games and legos all of which were readily accessible to the children.

Jaclyn Tabone

3/24/2016 06:14:20 pm

My center has a variety of materials for children to play with and encourages free play and active play.

Mischelle Johnson

3/28/2016 11:32:24 am

Since my center is an art school, everyday we have new activities in the arts. We also provide individual play in creative forms of expression, as well comfortable reading corner. We make a point to give them outdoor play everyday, as well as make sure the kids understand the routines and times for free play and learning play.

Aimee

3/29/2016 02:05:07 pm

We have many options inside and outside for the kids. Most of the children prefer to play with legos but we also have drawing/coloring, perler beads, board games, books, and dolls. We do a science experiment every week. Outside we have hula hoops, tennis balls, basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls. we strive to keep the kids safe

Linda Mae Kristofik

3/29/2016 09:31:42 pm

Our Head Start program has a wide variety of activities for the kids. There are ones that are always there - reading area, building toys and puzzles. But other areas like Science, tactile exploring (dirt, water, foam) change in a regular basis. The kitchen area recently added a bakery component to it where the children can interact by making, buying and selling goods. The teacher also has other targeted activities with each student - like seed planting - to watch the progress of the growth.

Natalie Rapp

4/4/2016 05:12:06 pm

In the school I have volunteered at there were many activities that allowed free play for the students. There were reading corners with a wide range of books, legos, play kitchen and store sets, puzzles, dolls and action figures etc. All of our toys and games were appropriate and geared toward their specific age range.

Stephanie L

4/5/2016 01:26:43 pm

Our program offers a variety of activities such as ball games, puzzles, board games, and craft supplies. Children are given choices of activities as well as involved in structured group play. Classes are taught on Positive Action and Substance Abuse Prevention twice a week. Children are encouraged to participate in physical exercise both indoors and out depending on the weather. All of the activities are safe and supervised. Guest teachers are brought in to teach Crafts, STEM, and Boy/Girl Scout curriculum once a week.

RAFFAELA GENZALE

4/6/2016 11:39:13 pm

We have a wide variety of play and activities both for indoor and outdoor. The children are extremely creative at using natural resources to create a game or scenario, using leave and wood to build fairy tale houses. Both the girls and boys love to play dress up inside when it rains.

Katrina Tarpy

4/14/2016 12:08:27 pm

My last classroom provided the space I needed for a Role-play area that changed with the Topic taught i.e. a hospital, restaurant, jungle etc. I set up 'Exploration Stations' which allowed free investigation throughout the day when they have completed required tasks. Sensory table, designed by the children, with a wide range of materials. They choose new materials twice a week.

Space is a consideration in my current center, requiring both me and the children to be more creativity and innovative.

Nayelika link

4/14/2016 04:31:14 pm

My center does a good job of have a wide verity of play materials. We also make sure to rotate the toys monthly or more often if we see the children are no longer enjoying an activity.

gabrielle

4/26/2016 03:33:10 pm

We try to get new things in so that the kids stay interested and we can keep them engaged. All toys are safe and easily accessible and the kids love them! We have a good variety of centers and they are always playing.

Dexter Allenlee Registe

4/26/2016 04:32:21 pm

Yes free play is encouraged at our site. Also materials for children to play with is always available to them.

Drew

5/3/2016 02:33:20 pm

We do a great job of offering a wide variety of play equipment and materials that are easily accessible and easy to use without direction. We also rotate our equipment so that our kids don't get bored of using the same materials. Above all, everything we have ensures fun in a safe way.

Kari

5/6/2016 01:48:29 pm

We offer a large supply of open ended large and small group play both Large (Gross) and fine motor. Some examples include board games, card games, puzzles, Legos, beading, crafts and cars. These are safe and accessible for free choice centers. There is also a mix of teacher direction for some.

Emily DuBois

5/6/2016 01:58:17 pm

My center has plenty of variety and allows the kids to do lots! We have 3 different cases full of bins for toys, one is for building, one is for role play, and one is for the girls toys. We have a reading nook and we have a ginormous art bin for the children to create all day. We also have a board game section so the kids can work together and play as well.

Kristina

5/10/2016 11:22:58 am

Our program has variety of equipment for our Youth.

Daniel Allen

5/11/2016 04:57:33 pm

We have a plethora of building cubes, Legos, blocks, paper, markers, beads, puzzles, board games, toys and books.

Myell Mergaert

5/21/2016 08:32:09 pm

Our program has a wide selection of activities. They allow for all types of learners to engage in different ways. They are all easy to access, and encourage free play with others and self.

Christopher Williams

5/31/2016 08:33:24 pm

Our program has pleanty of toys, arts supllies of all kinds, skateboards, bikes, bats, balls of all kinds and plenty of free time. The staff constantly play with the kids.

Katheryn Leyde

6/3/2016 09:52:16 am

My program has a variety of toys that encourage free play. We have STEM toys that encourage children to build and create. We also have balls and jump ropes that can be used indoor and outdoor. I am always involved in an activity with a child or group of children.

Maddi

6/7/2016 05:08:38 pm

The program does a great job of having a wide variety of activities for students to play with-- from free time, arts and crafts, organized games, athletic equipment such as balls and jump ropes etc., students have many options for play, all being hands on and encouraging social interactions.

Christina Huskey

6/10/2016 03:34:16 pm

in the place that I worked at it would make sure that children are able to have free time to get along and do what they are wanting to do. any of the free time toys are very expressible that way the children are able to get it when they want to. when the children play free play they come up with their own activities. most of the time it is one children in charge and other children fallowing along with what is going on.

Leticia Gutierrez

6/13/2016 10:58:28 pm

our program balances free play and organized play. provide fun safe play toys and environment. and the toys are available and there are plenty for everyone to play with.

Sashia Ramirez-Trujillo

6/15/2016 01:00:25 am

Where I work we schedule activities but also we scheduled free time. Our program offers a variety of activities such as puzzles,ball games, board games, etc.. There are materials offering a variety of ways to play. Also, The toys are easily accessible.

Katie

6/16/2016 01:14:20 am

Yes, our materials are easily accessible, and encourage free play. They are safe and their is a variety of materials and games for the students to use.

manroop buttar

6/18/2016 12:01:28 pm

the center has a variety of toys and we have ample time for free play and outside play

Mia Naficy

6/23/2016 05:55:45 am

My program has a wide array of materials ranging from an extensive art shelf, to board games, puzzles, books, blocks, legos, figurines of animals and people, play food, magnifying glasses and various rocks and shells, dollhouses, x-ray pictures and many other educational materials, all of which encourage free play and exploration. Each day we have a staff-led enrichment activity followed by ample free choice time for children to make their own decisions and play on their own.

Manolita

6/25/2016 06:07:47 pm

Yes, there is an activity room where all students assemble and before time, early arrivals have the freedom to choose materials like books (different genres, level reading, fiction and non-fiction), dress-up and cooking areas, blocks, puzzles, board game, drawing/painting and other crafts, play dough, etc. Likewise each classroom has shelves from practical life, sensorial, and cultural shelves that are available as choices during free choice time. The materials are safe - (age range is indicated) - and sanitized weekly.

Kimme

7/5/2016 01:19:55 pm

My program has a wide array of materials, toys and games. we encourage free play. a great example of this is our creation station area, where kids can come and create anything they want with random materials that we find and place in the creation station. They are safe materials and they are easily accessible.

Olivia Castillo

7/5/2016 10:33:39 pm

The play materials at my program are great. There are different fun activities every day as well as many stations that the children can go to. All of the activities are unique and encourage a lot of creativity.

Emily Enright

7/12/2016 11:56:18 pm

I think free-play is encouraged, and incorporated in the lesson plan. All activities are easily accessible, and the kids are encouraged to participate in free play and organized play. There is also very limited screen time, and it's mostly used as a reward, like if everyone behaved well all week,the kids get to have popcorn and a movie on Friday.

Jeremy Tagliaferre

7/17/2016 04:50:08 pm

Yes! Our playground is well stocked with toys like shovels, trucks and racks for playing in the sand box as well as oodles and oodles of balls for everyone to play with. Indoors, we have puzzles, legos, blocks, and board games. We also have a space for the kids to bring their own table top games like Pokemon. There is paper to draw and paint on too.

Rarely do kids come up and tell me that they are bored, so it seems like they have plenty of things to do and play with. Free play is closely monitored so encourage safe social and cooperative learning while playing.

venise

7/20/2016 05:45:21 am

Here at the YMCA we do follow all of these guidelines and all of the activities and equipment meets the needs of our children.

Judith Regalado

7/28/2016 01:08:58 pm

We do have a variety of play material for the children and they do have quite a bit free time to play with they does and do things that catch their interest with the materials that the program provides.

Carly Froneberger

7/31/2016 10:06:41 pm

The activities at my program do encourage free play, they are easy to get to, and it does give them safe opportunities to play. We have games, art projects, coloring sheets, legos, and etc.

Edith Stillwell

8/1/2016 09:02:19 am

Yes, my center and my classroom offer a large variety of play material for the children in my care. I also do a lot of "free center time" a few times a day, outside play, water play (summer), board games, dancing, Zoomba, coloring, art, free art, legos, etc.

Anne Pyle

8/24/2016 08:15:46 pm

Yes, the program I work at has a wide variety of options for play. We have all the required centers including science, arts & crafts, dramatic play, games table (with a wide variety of board games/cards), snack table, quiet center, and a "cool down" center for students who need a place to go calm down at. The program I work at is at an elementary school so there is playground equipment, a field, and sports materials available. We also have projects planned to work on with the kids. I would say a majority of the time spent at the program is free play.

Heidi Roberts

8/25/2016 11:07:16 am

we do have adaquate materials

Heidi Roberts

8/25/2016 11:18:19 am

We do have playground equipment, toys that are age app. , books, bikes, writing materials, music centers, dramatic play area

Heidi Roberts

8/25/2016 11:15:17 am

Yes, we have materials that support free play as well as teacher choice, we do not have computers though

Margaret

8/30/2016 09:29:17 am

In our afterschool program we have accessible and safe equipment and games and plenty of time to engage in free play with staff organized games and activities as other options so that the kids can pick how they play each day.

Miesha

8/30/2016 11:42:15 am

My program has many materials such as gym equipment like balls and jump ropes, materials for arts and crafts and books, there is also outdoor equipment like a jungle gym and swings. all of these things are available and safe for the children.

Alexander

8/30/2016 02:46:29 pm

We have many play materials and games in our program. We only provide age appropriate play equipment for each of the rooms. We monitor the children when they borrow childproof scissors and we make sure they put them back, counting them at the end of each session.

Angela Brun

8/31/2016 02:40:46 pm

Yes to all of the above. My center is fantastic at providing appropriate play and reading materials and allowing the children to access them at given times. When they are allowed to play there are restrictions for safety reasons, but always encourage to have fun.

Katarina Allen

9/4/2016 07:10:21 pm

Yes we have LOTS of play materials for the kids including a reading area, game area, building area, dramatic play/kitchen area, art area and lots of free space for the kids to play. We are in a multipurpose room so we have lots of room for the kids to spread out if wanted. None of our toys are dangerous if played with correctly.

Kate Taylor

9/5/2016 11:30:59 am

Yes to all of those! Here at the YMCA we have a very stable program in place that encourages a safe, fun, free-play environment for the children. We have many activities to choose from that the children seem to enjoy and that will keep them happy and creative for long periods of time.

Konstantin Yatsuk

9/10/2016 02:01:25 pm

Often we have a lot of materials that are readily available at certain times of the day. We also have times when children can organize their own games, and times when the instructors organize the games for the children. And there is also time for free play each day.

Mani Hooyman

9/11/2016 11:26:38 pm

Yes. Our classroom is organized in a way where there are sections through out the class that provides a quiet space, dramatic play, building, art tables, games table, all of it. And we also have two playground and a covered area and grassy field for the kids to play outside when its recess.

Alissa Gutierrez

9/14/2016 11:57:00 am

Do they encourage free play? Yes, we have quite a bit of time for free play and many different games and amenities to chose from.
Are they easily accessible? Yes, everything except the "heavy things" (blocks, outdoor toy bucket, waterside) all need to be assisted by adults.
Do the materials give children opportunities for play? Are they safe? Yes the materials given are opportunities you used their imagination, social, brain, and sometimes active and physical games. Yes they are safe.

Chloe

9/24/2016 02:55:47 pm

Yes, we do. At the start of our program, we have quiet time, so that kids with homework can work on that. If a child doesn't have homework, they use this time to read, draw, do dot-to-dot, or journal. They are allowed to use electronics for homework, but video games and similar things are restricted to Fridays (for certain amount of time) only. (Not including Kindle or E-readers. Those are fine all days of the week.)
For free time, the kids can chose to do quiet activities, to do craft, or to run around. We have plenty of books, craft materials (yarn, origami paper, as well as the official craft of the week), balls (indoor and outdoor), and sport equipment. Usually, the kids organize their own games to play, but once in a while, the instructors will organize and start a new game or challenge for the kids.

McCanna

9/24/2016 03:46:07 pm

My program does an amazing job of have stations around the room for different types of play. We have free play, outside play, and quite play(reading, homework, puzzles, drawing, etc.). All materials are accessible for the children to get to. We do ask them to ask for help when hey want to paint or work with beads (only so they dont spill all over before they get to the table)

Sarah

9/26/2016 10:43:27 am

The play materials that are available to my students encourage free pay, are very accessible, and are safe. There are many options for the children to choose from, and there are a variety of options for different age groups. We have play materials ranging from artistic activities, to critical thinking games, to games and activities that require fine motor skills, both for younger and older children.

Britt

9/29/2016 08:28:09 pm

All materials are readily available for children. From educational games, board games, cards and puzzles to worksheets and coloring. All materials are kept on carts and safe for all children

Yarely

9/30/2016 07:19:13 pm

At my program we have it where the portable is divided. On one side we have quiet choices for example books, puzzles, board games. The other side is the loud side which contains toys like Legos, blocks, k'nects. A lot of the kids really enjoy those because they get to build lots of things with them.

Krystal Hwang

10/2/2016 02:22:28 am

Our program has staffs monitoring what they use and where they are at all times.
We don't put out unsafe materials for school age children's in our program. But if its like scissors, gluing, and either craft materials like yarns our children's are made sure they are watched and make sure the kid also follow the rules so they will be more safe about using things like scissors.

Krystal Hwang

10/2/2016 02:22:37 am

Kate Sheldon

10/3/2016 11:57:00 am

Our facility has a wide variety of safe, easily accessible options for free play.

Lexi

10/4/2016 12:33:27 pm

Our facility has a variety of free play options especially when children first arrive at the site. This gives them an opportunity to calmly transition while choosing a safe activity. Different activities are on the table and staff can pull out more if needed or asked.

kylee

10/10/2016 08:58:11 pm

Yes we have lots of play material for children and they have lots of free time to play and everything is organized very well.

Kristopher McLendon

10/11/2016 01:19:38 pm

We provide several safe activities for our kids to use as they arrive at our site.

Kiana Wastradowski

10/16/2016 11:48:21 pm

Our materials are safe, there are no hazards for cutting, or poisonous objects. They are also encouraging free play by providing a "universality" about them and with children's imaginations it allows them to use the objects for pretend play.They are also easily accessible because the children are always able to get the toys when they want them.

Alicia

10/17/2016 02:45:11 pm

We have a cart full of board games, puzzles, and legos. We also have a book cart, and a crafts cart. These all encourage free play for our children. I do believe they are easy access as well. They are the perfect height so that even our youngest kids could reach everything on the carts. We also have a bag of dodgeballs and another bag with jump ropes, balls, and cones. We usually take these bags into the gym with us when it is free time. We put them on the floor where everyone is able to get ahold them. We give time for organized play and free play almost everyday. Staff will usually do two activites with the kids, and about 30 minutes before clean up we allow a time for free play. The kids are in a very safe environment. Staff are always in the room supervising.

diana

10/17/2016 08:48:53 pm

yes all games have been approved for us to use.

Lacie

10/21/2016 10:52:51 am

We have a wide variety of activities and toys for our kids at our site! from science experiments to dramatic play puppets and costumes.

Aliyah Martin

10/26/2016 06:21:29 pm

Providing a variety of materials is going to keep your children engaged, excited, and interested. I believe that our facility has a great variety of activities, crafts, games ( educational) and etc.

Jocelyn Ramirez

10/27/2016 08:04:55 pm

I believe that my program has a good amount of everything. We have free play, and we have the materials necessary for free play and able to take up a lot of time, and enough for them to switch around from station to station. They are very accesible for everyone in the program, and they are safe and they are able to explore. We also have art, cooking, and STEAM clubs for the kids to choose from and do different projects for them to take home and tell their parents what they learned.

nicole wilson

11/3/2016 08:02:15 pm

we have many different centers set up in our area and they get plenty of free time. we also limit the amount of time on electronics to 15 min

Amber

11/16/2016 11:42:21 am

We have a variety of centers including art, dramatic play, building materials, science, music, board games, etc. The children are very creative and are always coming up with something new.

sarah garcia

11/20/2016 02:15:38 pm

My site is an elementary school, so the materials available to the children are all educational in some way. We have different areas; science, math and construction, arts, crafts, and library. During program hours the children have no screen time. It is also in a gym, so we do allow more active indoor games. We have all areas supervised and sanitize, and anything deemed unsafe is removed.

Laura Murillo

11/29/2016 11:43:58 pm

My program I believe is an excellent example of free play. We believe that playing is the best way to learn. We follow and emergent curriculum which means we plan according to what the students are interested in at the time. The materials are accessible to the students and always age appropriate. So that ensures they are safe.

Jennifer Hargrove

12/2/2016 11:01:41 am

Our center has a lot of play material and a great variety of activities. They get a good amount of free time, and they only get a certain amount of computer time, limited to specific educational sites. We switch our activities every quarter.

Esperanza Lira

12/3/2016 02:23:35 pm

Our program does a good job or providing a variety of free play. We begin the day with free play. There are board games, puzzles, card games, building games like Legos Jenga and we also bring out books. We have a range of games for different age ranges and they are all safe. Games like Legos are played on carpet and kept on there to avoid others stepping on them.

Juan Flores

12/4/2016 06:01:06 pm

We have enough toys in our room to give the children a choice.

Marisol Diaz

12/9/2016 01:49:38 pm

our materials do encourage free play because there are a variety and for all ages. they are easy access located in a cabinet where all school age kids can reach. these toys allow kids to use there minds to express themselves because there are stuff from art to math to science and stuff like such. and lastly, they are safe.

Marisol Diaz

12/9/2016 01:50:24 pm

there are a variety and for all ages. they are easy access located in a cabinet where all school age kids can reach. these toys allow kids to use there minds to express themselves because there are stuff from art to math to science and stuff like such. and lastly, they are safe.

Karla Palomino

12/20/2016 12:05:18 pm

At my program we have very many different options and a variety of play materials. Most in which are free play and available to them at all times. They are definitely safe and encourage kids to play.

Nakayla

12/30/2016 09:11:31 pm

Our program has a wide selection of activities. They allow for all types of learners to engage in different ways. They are all easy to access, and encourage free play with others and self.

Jessica pattison

1/6/2017 07:26:02 pm

Our site has alot of materials and different interest areas for all the children.they are all able to have free play and engage in activities of there choice.

Thomas

1/15/2017 12:15:16 pm

Our program gives our children plenty of opportunity for free play, that is fun, safe and educational. We usually have to roll-away carts full of activities that the children are allowed to pick from during those designated times. For children looking for more structure, we set up a group activity or game in our gym.

Nishat Iqbal

1/16/2017 03:30:32 pm

We have huge variety of toys. We give our kids plenty of choices to choose. We change our science center equipment often and art supplies as well.

Barbara Edrington

1/16/2017 03:30:37 pm

We have all of the above at our program!

Rachel Simmons

1/23/2017 11:41:35 am

Our childcare site is extremely well organized and different interest areas are spread out around the room to allow the children a variety of options when they are able to have free time.

Leslie

2/1/2017 11:30:38 pm

Our learning center provides different toys and materials for free play, separated by bins or baskets. We have weekly and monthly themes. We switch props and materials every so often or when we see children are not interested in playing with certain items. We talk about the items that we bring out and ask what the children could do with them. Everything is within their reach and eye level. Twice a month we also make homemade sensory tools (I.e. Sensory bottles with glitter and oil or scented or colorful play dough).

Kaile

2/9/2017 08:58:56 pm

I encourage free play however my coworker does not I love to sully toys and arts for them