how can i incorporate activities into a theme for a 6/7 month old.

**pandaeyes** · 09-01-2013, 11:41 PM

Hi I new to childminding I began last week with a 6 month old boy. I already have a 2 year old daughter. For these first couple of weeks as he is so young, he isn't in a routine and it was sprung upon me we have just been getting used to each other and helping him settle in. Anyway I have a couple of questions, I have so many ideas of things to do with my daughter and older toddlers/children but I don't really know what to do with the baby apart from rattles, songs, treasure basket, books, walks. Any suggestions? Also how can I plan activities that suit both the baby and a 2 yo? And last one, when I'm doing my planning for a theme how can I plan activities for a baby? E.g. I was gonna do Chinese new year and have ideas for toddlers but nothing for a baby? Do you just look after a baby like you would your own or must you plan specific activities as he's so young? Sorry that was so long. Thanks in advance.

**FussyElmo** · 10-01-2013, 06:49 AM

I wouldnt dream of planning for one so young - everything for this lo has to be for his benefit and CNY isnt. He will get absolutely nothing out of it.

His progress to me is sitting up, reaching for toys, crawling, walking eyc.

I would think treasure baskets, storytimes (which you could incoropate your theme into if you really want), any sensory play, music and nursery rhymnes.

**pandaeyes** · 10-01-2013, 08:03 AM

Thanks for the reply. What you said was initially what I thought but my Childminding coordinator told me I was wrong and must plan activities around a theme and plan multicultural activities or ofsted will strike me off! I have since been worried about this but I should've stuck to my guns! After all I have experience of babies and had my own yet she hasn't worked with or had children.

**sarah707** · 10-01-2013, 08:05 AM

Themes are excellent for older children who need some structure in their days and love learning about new things - you can introduce them to world events, special celebrations, festivals etc and take their learning in lots of different directions.

Here is some of my themed planning for the older children - mostly over 3s - which I used a little while ago -

Our January group planning

As FussyElmo says, little ones need us to provide them with individual planning which leads directly from their interests and learning styles

**FussyElmo** · 10-01-2013, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by pandaeyes

Thanks for the reply. What you said was initially what I thought but my Childminding coordinator told me I was wrong and must plan activities around a theme and plan multicultural activities or ofsted will strike me off! I have since been worried about this but I should've stuck to my guns! After all I have experience of babies and had my own yet she hasn't worked with or had children.

Just always remember that you coordinator is there to give advice and then you can choose to ignore it

**pandaeyes** · 10-01-2013, 08:42 AM

Thanks for your help

it just knocked my confidence a bit I'll carry on what I have been doing then I knew I was right

. After all I do love this job!

**bunyip** · 10-01-2013, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by FussyElmo

Just always remember that you coordinator is there to give advice and then you can choose to ignore it

.... just remember your coordinator may be an ex-CM who lost her last client when she tried to do an astrophysics theme for a 6 month old.

I would challenge her to produce evidence that any CM has been "struck off" for the reasons she stated.

Btw, Ofsted want us to reflect the child's own culture and community first before we look at the wider world. I think they're getting sick of the approach where we all have a 'token' black doll, plus Diwali and Chinese New Year.

**tori4** · 10-01-2013, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by pandaeyes

Hi I new to childminding I began last week with a 6 month old boy. I already have a 2 year old daughter. For these first couple of weeks as he is so young, he isn't in a routine and it was sprung upon me we have just been getting used to each other and helping him settle in. Anyway I have a couple of questions, I have so many ideas of things to do with my daughter and older toddlers/children but I don't really know what to do with the baby apart from rattles, songs, treasure basket, books, walks. Any suggestions? Also how can I plan activities that suit both the baby and a 2 yo? And last one, when I'm doing my planning for a theme how can I plan activities for a baby? E.g. I was gonna do Chinese new year and have ideas for toddlers but nothing for a baby? Do you just look after a baby like you would your own or must you plan specific activities as he's so young? Sorry that was so long. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I have found some gr8 ideas from pin interest ESP for my younger children the older children always enjoy them too. Some very simple sensory ideas and what i call natural play ideas babies like posting so provide shoe box with hole n different textures 'balls' scrunched up foil sml blown up balloon (pls RA) and a odd ball pool ball - lots on edible finger paint recipes etc it all goes in the mouth anyway.

****** is also very gd with activity in each area n age group

Enjoy xT

**VeggieSausage** · 10-01-2013, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by tori4

Hi, I have found some gr8 ideas from pin interest ESP for my younger children the older children always enjoy them too. Some very simple sensory ideas and what i call natural play ideas babies like posting so provide shoe box with hole n different textures 'balls' scrunched up foil sml blown up balloon (pls RA) and a odd ball pool ball - lots on edible finger paint recipes etc it all goes in the mouth anyway.

****** is also very gd with activity in each area n age group

Enjoy xT

I like Pinterest - here is a link to my Sensory ideas for children page

Art and sensory play for children.