Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 591-1-1-.03 - Activities
(1) The Center
shall provide a daily planned program of varied and developmentally appropriate
activities that promote the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, language
and literacy development of each child. Center Staff shall use a variety of
teaching methods to accommodate the needs of the children's different learning
styles.
(2) Current lesson plans
shall be kept on site and reflect appropriate instruction practices and
activities to support children's development. The Center shall have sufficient
and varied play and learning equipment and materials to support the above
program of activities in all developmental areas.
(3) Opportunities for each child to make
choices in a variety of activities shall be offered.
(4) A Child with Special Needs shall be
integrated into the activities provided by the Center unless contraindicated
medically or by written parental agreement.
(5) A variety of activities shall be planned
for each group that include, but are not limited to:
(a) Indoor and outdoor play;
(b) A balance of quiet and active
periods;
(c) A balance of
supervised free choice and caregiver-directed activities;
(d) Individual, small group and large group
activities;
(e) Large muscle
activities, such as but not limited to, running, riding, climbing, balancing,
jumping, throwing, or digging;
(f)
Small muscle activities, such as but not limited to, building with blocks or
construction toys, use of puzzles, shapes, nesting or stacking toys, pegs,
lacing, sorting beads, or clay;
(g)
Language experiences, such as but not limited to, listening, talking, rhymes,
fingerplays, stories, use of film strips, recordings or flannel
boards;
(h) Arts and crafts, such
as but not limited to, painting, coloring, cutting, or pasting;
(i) Dramatic play, such as but not limited
to, play in a home center, with dolls, puppets, or dress up;
(j) Rhythm and music, such as but not limited
to, listening, singing, dancing, or making music; and
(k) Nature and science experiences, such as
but not limited to, measuring, pouring, activities related to the "world around
us" such as nature walks, plants, leaves or weather or experiences in using the
five senses through sensory play.
(6) Activities for Children Under Three.
Children less than three (3) years of age shall not spend more than one-half
(1/2) hour of time consecutively in confining equipment, such as swings,
highchairs, jumpseats, carriers or walkers. Children shall use such equipment
only when they are awake. Such children shall be allowed time to play on the
floor daily. Infants shall have supervised tummy time on the floor daily when
they are awake.
(7) Outdoor
Activities. Outdoor activities shall be provided daily, weather permitting, in
accordance with the following:
(a) Centers
operating five (5) hours or more per day shall provide each child who is not an
infant at least one and one-half (11/2) hours of outdoor activity per day and
infants shall spend at least one (1) hour daily outdoors.
(b) Centers operating less than five (5)
hours per day shall provide a brief outdoor period for the children
daily.
(c) A child may be excused
from outdoor activities for a limited period of time if there is documentation
that outdoor activity is medically contraindicated or there is an occasional
written request by the parent that the child be excused from outdoor activities
for a very limited amount of time because of special circumstances.
(8) Individual Attention.
Personnel shall provide individual attention to each child. Examples include,
but are not limited to: responding promptly to the child's distress signals and
need for comfort; playing with and talking to the children; and providing and
assisting the child with personal care in a manner appropriate to the child's
age level, i.e., providing the child privacy in dressing, diapering and
toileting functions as the developmental age of the child dictates.
(9) Staff shall not engage in, or allow
children or other adults to engage in, activities that could be detrimental to
a child's health or well-being, such as but not limited to, horse play, rough
play, wrestling, and picking up a child in a manner that could cause
injury.
(10) Routines for Children.
Personnel shall provide routines for toileting, eating, resting, napping
(depending upon the age of the children), intervals between activities and
doing school homework, if any. Staff shall assist and encourage each child to
become independent in the development of self-help skills, such as washing
hands and face, dressing, eating and toileting.
(11) Children shall be allowed to go to the
toilet and get a drink of water as they feel the need.
(12) Supervised nap or rest periods during
the day shall be provided for children under five (5) years of age. Children
who do not sleep during nap or rest periods shall not be required to remain
lying down for more than one (1) hour. Quiet activities for School-age Children
and other children who are not asleep shall be provided.
(13) Schedules. A daily schedule for each
group shall be developed to reflect routines and activities. Schedules shall be
flexible but routinely followed to provide structure. The schedule must be
posted in each group's room or area and made available to Parent(s) upon
request.
(14) Media Activities. The
use of entertainment media, such as television, videotaped programs or movies
and video or computer games shall be limited to: no more than two (2) hours
daily per child or group and shall be provided only at times when alternative
activities are available for children who choose not to participate.
Entertainment media shall be age appropriate in accordance with the
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and the Motion Picture Association
of America (MPAA).
(15) Evening
Activities. During evening and night-time care, activities shall be provided
based on children's ages, hours of care and length of time in care. Quiet
activities and experiences shall be available immediately prior to
bedtime.
Notes
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No prior version found.