Welcome to this year’s A to Z Challenge! This year I’m talking Child Care. I’ll be blogging topics related to my many years in the family home daycare profession. I hope you can find a tidbit of information that is useful in caring for children whether you’re a parent, grand or another important person in a child’s life. And to end each post, I’ll share a bit of my creative side/relaxation time. Taking time for yourself is good for your health–both yours and your family’s 😉

When you’re driving by the big childcare centers and you see all the same equipment they have at a local park, it may impress you. Guess what?! I’m happy for them that they #1 have the budget and #2 have the extra help to monitor the children on all these things. But I don’t. Instead we live within our means buying bikes and equipment from yard sales, look for clearance items, accept donations from families whose children have outgrown toys, and leave the rest of the yard for room to RuN. Falls happen, but not from the top of monkey bars I’m happy to say.

So what else might you do when you lack those big ticket items in a back yard? Let me tell ya……

Games. Remember London Bridge, Simon Says, Ring Around a Rosie, etc? We also play one called “What Time Is It Mr. Alligator?” This is an All-Time Favorite! It requires counting aloud and taking the directed number of steps toward the ‘alligator’ who eventually yells out LUNCH TIME when he/she thinks others are close enough to be tagged once the running commences. So then the tagged person is the next Mr. Alligator and it starts all over. Photos give you an idea of the comraderie that develops in the holding of hands, anticipation and the laughter. I find much gratification in withnessing these moments.

Ball Play. You can grab a baseball T or other raised thingamajig (bucket or box turned upside-down), put a larger playground ball on the T, and let them line up to take turns trying to knock the ball off the T with another bouncy ball. Bats deserve their place, but with very young infants and toddlers roaming about, you sometimes need to change it up a bit. This fits the bill. This is basically a hit-the- can game but with softer objects. Dodgeball with this wide-range age group is a bit too much. Ok, a Lot too much. No one wants the babies to get hurt. Including the 3 – 5 year olds. Their thoughtfulness and consideration is quite a sight to see. Warms my heart.

Sidewalks. One more idea, use a long sidewalk or driveway if you’re able, as a road to Walmart, an ocean to swim in or hot lava if you step on the cracks. The minds of children are so open and can take them anywhere with a little creativity. Just Take It Outside!

Progress continues on the Fat Cat project. I progressed from Row 9 to Row 17. Some other randomness accompanies the crochet.

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Hope you’ll take time to check out other A to Z blogs in the month on April. Click here to find the list. Click here for the Official A to Z blog. Have a great day and stay safe!!