Dealing with age disparity between children

[Julz76]

Your Assignment Module Number and Heading: CHCIC301E - Interact Effectively With Children
Your Assignment Type: Standard Question
Currently Working in Childcare? No
Your knowledge: Beginner

Your Question?
When you are dealing with a wide range of age disparity between children, what actions should you take to ensure that the children are safe and happy?

What is your answer so far or What have you done so far as an attempt to solve this question?
So far I haven't answered anything.
I have googled but nothing is sounding relevant.
I have reread all my sections and I can't see anything on having children of different ages.
All I can think of is the normal health and safety procedures and the child to staff ratio.

Description and Message:
I am struggling to answer this question. Does anyone have an idea of what the questions means.
All I can think of is the health and safety procedures i.e.:the big kids small toys around smaller kids and the staff to child ratio.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Lorina]

I think this question means if you're looking after a group of children who are different ages, what would you do to make sure the children are safe and happy...

You mentioned about the toys, that's a good start. You'll need to make sure that there are appropriate activities available for the different ages of children. You can also include reading stories, art n craft activities, group games,etc. if I was looking after different ages I would also divide the group up at different times of the day to work on age appropriate activities...

Hope this gives you some ideas,

Cheers ,
L.A

[cathiek]

HI Julz
IN addition to LAs response, I would also add, ensure that items like scissors are made available to older chn but kept out of reach from the younger children. Also things like ensuring the older chn do not leave items on the floor where littlies might pick them up. As younger children often like doing the same as the older kids you could differentiate the activities (Ie" have an activity where older children are required to add more/do more but have a more basic version for the littlies. Allowing different time inside and outside with appropriate supervision for diff ages would be good too.
Cheers
CAthiek

[Julz76]

Thanks for the help L.A and Cathiek it has helped heaps.

[Irelandcc]

It's a short question so I replied with this;
Ensure all materials are only accessible for the age group they were designed for. Ensure educator to children ratios are in accordance with centre policies and allow for different groups of children. Create age appropriate activities which can be adapted to fit a number of age groups. If applicable put children into two separate age groups.

[Lorina]

It's a short question so I replied with this;
Ensure all materials are only accessible for the age group they were designed for. Ensure educator to children ratios are in accordance with centre policies and allow for different groups of children. Create age appropriate activities which can be adapted to fit a number of age groups. If applicable put children into two separate age groups.

Good Response!

,
L.A