Space To Be Alone

Children need some cozy corners to slow down and relax in. The intent of spaces to be alone is to provide relief from constant social pressure of groups of children. Children need to know that they can get away and be by themselves when they need to. It is your responsibility to provide children with a space to be alone. You can do this by clearly defining a cozy corner or room in your home with large pillows and/or a stuffed chair. The space should be inviting to the child and should serve it purpose (being alone and quiet). Some quiet areas can be made to accommodate 2 children. This is appropriate if the children are playing quietly together. When arguing or rough housing occurs, one or both children should be removed from the cozy corner. The following is a list of do’s and don’ts when providing a space to be alone.

Things To Do When Providing a Space To Be Alone

• In this comfortable place, provide quiet activities for the children to do such as: looking at books, drawing with crayons/magnetic scribble board, or listening to quiet music or stories on tape.
• Separate quiet areas from noisy areas. Ex: Blocks and Dramatic Play should be on the other side of the room instead of beside the cozy corner.
• Clearly define each cozy corner using shelves, tables, or tape so children have a physical indication of boundaries. This also allows for privacy. Keep space out of sight from other children to avoid interruptions.
• Allow for traffic flow in you home, so children are not bumping into infants playing quietly on a blanket or interrupting each other’s quiet playtime.
• Offer a balance in you schedule for time to play alone, protected from others, and time to play with others.
• Place infants/toddlers in a playpen with a popular toy for short periods of time. No longer than 30 minutes!
• Remove infant/toddler from alone space within 30 minutes or sooner if child seems unhappy or bored.
• Interact with babies/toddlers at least once every 10 minutes, preferably more than once every 10 minutes.
• Smile at or talk to infant/toddler playing in alone space.
• Bring new toys to infants/toddler that are playing alone. If two toddlers are playing together in a protected area, bring them two new toys to avoid conflict.
• Plan individual activities for children to do in play alone spaces on a daily basis.
• Use play alone time with children to do activities that involve your individual time and attention. Ex: Play a special game, do a funny finger play, read a book, or talk about a mobile.
• Infants/toddlers need time to play by themselves outside of a playpen as well.
• Allow children to create their own space to be alone as well. Ex: In play equipment or behind furniture.
• Establish a no interruption rule for your cozy corner.
• Use play alone space to avoid problems or help concentration on an activity.
• Make a special, quiet place for older children to play their games, store special materials, or to do homework.

Things Not To Do When Providing a Space To Be Alone

• Never leave children alone without any interaction for longer than 30 minutes.
• Never leave child awake in crib or play pen, isolated in room alone.
• Keeping infants/toddlers in a crib while awake is an inappropriate use of alone space, even if toys are provided.
• Never use a space to be alone as a space for time out.
• Do not allow children to play rough or loudly in the cozy corner.
• Try not to isolate the cozy corner so much that it obstructs your view of the children.
• Do not allow other children to interrupt children that are utilizing their space to be alone.

Sources

Cryer, Debbie; Harms, Thelma; Ray, Adele Richardson, The Active Learning Series. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1996

Dodge, Diane T.; Cloker, Laura J., The Creative Curriculum for Early Childhood. Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2001.

Dodge, Diane T.; Cloker, Laura J., The Creative Curriculum for Family Child Care. Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2001.

Harms, Thelma; Clifford, Richard M., Family Day Care Rating Scale. Teachers College Press, 1989.

Technical Assistance for the Coordinator

Objective: Providing a Space To Be Alone within Family Child Care.

Set: Ask the provider the following questions:
Is it important for children to have some time to be alone? Why?
Are you planning quiet activities for children to do on a daily basis?
Do you have a soft corner of your house where children like to go to be alone?
Does “quiet time” mean “time out” to you and the children in your care?

Materials:

Information Packet on A Space To Be Alone.
Large Pillows/Bean Bag
Poster Board and Markers

Lesson:

• Read and review information on A Space To Be Alone with your provider.
• Help the provider create a space in their home for a cozy corner.
• Assist the provider in gathering materials around the house that can be placed in their cozy corner.
• Help set up a comfortable and quiet environment where children can go to if they want to be alone.
• Have the provider design a poster that labels the area. Tell them to place or hang it in the cozy corner.
• If needed, answer questions for more information on Spaces To Be Alone.

Closure: Ask the provider the following questions and assist with answers:
Is it important for children to have some time to be alone? Why?
Are you planning quiet activities for children to do on a daily basis?
Do you have a soft corner of your house where children like to go to be alone?
Does “quiet time” mean “time out” to you and the children in your care?