Avoid craft activities that children complete by following a set of steps, however simple they may be. Young children cannot cut straight or glue a picture on the right spot. Eventually, the provider finishes the project for everyone, and the children experience a feeling of failure as they could not complete the project. Focus instead on doing something that is more individualistic as children can interpret it according to their skills and interests. For instance, try providing a paper sack to decorate with an assortment of crayons, stickers, markers, fabric scraps, and magazine pictures instead of making a Halloween puppet.
Children love to help, and family day care provides many opportunities.
Washing dishes is real-life water play. Setting the table or putting away silverware is valuable sorting experience. Dusting furniture, vacuuming, going to the store, and washing cars are activities that children can do for real, as well as pretend. Preschoolers often love to help feed the baby and with guidance may become quite accomplished at this task. Young children are not very steady or coordinated in their movements, but training and patience can help.