6 Keys to Help a Child To Become a Good Reader

Since Read Across America takes place on March 2nd.  I wanted to share  6 Keys to Help a Child To Become a Good Reader from the National Education Association website.  This article gives you tips on helping to facilitate your child to become a good reader.

Click here to read the article

Summer Camp at Goddard

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year to start to make plans for your child’s summer camps. Make sure you register early so you can reserve you child’s spot in our exciting and fun summer camp here at Goddard.

Beyond summer camp: Goddard’s summer program blends fun, adventure and learning for your child's best summer yet.

The Goddard School®summer program offers a safe and nurturing program.  Each school develops a unique learning experience for the children in their neighborhood.  Teachers provide a stimulating experience for children - full of
age-appropriate activities and oodles of fun based on the Goddard Developmental Guidelines.

The Goddard School® summer calendar includes special visitors and cultural events throughout the summer.  Visitors provide exciting learning opportunities in a safe environment, and include community helpers; performances by storytellers, musicians, and magicians; as well as outreach programs through local museums

Arts & Crafts is a learning element that provides children the opportunity to stretch their creativity and work with their hands to make special summer memories.

Music & Movement may be one of the most exciting features of Goddard’s summer program. Everyone is having fun, and they’re learning rhythm and tempo.

Cooking incorporates a creative ingredient into the learning process.  Children make Bug Sandwiches for a Friendship Picnic, and in the process they learn to measure, make decisions, and work together.

Literature & Language may be the most compatible school year component. Children explore poetry, prose, creative writing, and storytelling

Science & Nature is a natural component of the summer program.  From nature walks to experiments,observations, and investigations, children expand their cognitive skills.

Computers & Technology are part of each child’s everyday schedule.  Goddard’s summer program promotes dexterity and familiarity with this universal tool in a safe environment.

Sports & Games is a vital aspect of Goddard’s commitment to children’s fitness and nutrition. Children participate in Scavenger Hunts, Sprinkler Fun, and Obstacle Courses.

Drama stretches imaginations, plays with role models, and expands each learning opportunity

Click here to see Goddard's Summer Program

Fostering Developmental Milestones in Your Child

Do you ever wonder about your child’s development or what you should see at certain ages?  Check out this article from Education.com that talks about Fostering Developmental Milestones and how you can help to make the developmental stages positive for your child?  Click to read the full article.

The Importance of Locomotor Skills

Locomotor skills include walking, running, skipping, hopping, galloping, leaping, jumping and sliding and they are the foundation of human movement. From basic human development we understand that generally, children are ready to practice walking at around 12 months, they can start running/hopping/jumping at 24 months and galloping/sliding/skipping at 36 months. As the building blocks of coordination, it’s very important the you practice locomotor skills with your child.

Play is a great way to practice these critical skills. Here are a few tips on what to look for and how to reinforce the proper development of locomotor skill:

• Walking: look for smooth, straight steps with arms swinging gently in opposition of feet.
• Galloping: one foot leading and the other foot following behind.
• Jumping: feet should be close together, pushing off with both feet and landing on toes. This is a good time to try jumping rope.
• Hopping: with one foot on the ground, push with the toes. Landing should be fairly quiet.
• Side-sliding: move sideways with one foot leading (a sideways gallop).
• Leaping: go over an object leading with one foot and land on two feet.
• Skipping: march with knees high; each time the knee is in the air, hop on the other foot - step/hop, step/hop, step/hop

Locomotor skills can be mastered by most children with some simple guidance. In some cases the skills are leaned by following the lead of older siblings. But a little direction from you can be a big help.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development, please contact your pediatrician.

Healthy Snack Ideas for Preschoolers

Throughout the day you may hear multiple times “I’m hungry”.  When you hear those words, you want to give your little one a healthy snack that they will actually eat.  Here are a few ideas for healthy fun snacks. 


Fruit Skewer: Cut a variety of fruit into bite-sized pieces and add them to a skewer or fancy toothpick. 


Dips: Select some vegetables that your child likes and a few that you want them to try. Dips can enhance the taste of bland vegetables. Try ranch, honey mustard or thousand island. 


 Stuffed Celery: Fill the inside of celery stalks or cucumber slices with peanut butter or flavored cream cheese. Use two different veggies together for a mixed veggie treat. 


 Cheese: String cheese or cheese cubes and cheese slices are always an easy snack. Cheese quesadillas made with beans and fresh vegetable salsa can put a twist on s cheesy meal. 


 Yogurt: Make yogurt pops or smoothies with yogurt and fresh berries. Add granola, fresh berries & yogurt.


 Hummus: This is a tasty, healthy snack that is growing in popularity with kids. Serve hummus with vegetables, salt free crackers, pretzels or even pita bread. 


Use this time to experiment with different choices with your child it will be a great bonding experience and you you can get some healthy snacks into their diet. If you child has food allergies be careful and consult your doctor before trying new foods.

14 Ways to Show Love for Your Child This Valentine's Day and Every Day (Part 2)

 Last week we talked about the first 7 ways to show your child love on Valentine’s Day and everyday from an article from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here are 7 more ways. Happy Valentine’s Day.

1. Getting a pet can make children, especially those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, feel better by stimulating physical activity, enhancing their overall attitude, and offering constant companionship. This is a great way to show your love for your child and help them develop a love for animals.
2. Show your love through healthy cooking, together. One of the best ways to familiarize your child with good food choices is to encourage them to cook with you. Let them get involved in the entire process, from planning the menus to shopping for ingredients to the actual food preparation and its serving. It is wonderful when families eat together as much as possible. Good food, good conversations.
3. As your child grows up, he or she will spend most of her time developing and refining a variety of skills and abilities in all areas of their life. You should help them as much as possible by encouraging them and providing the equipment and instruction they need. Start reading to your child beginning at six months and put limits on TV watching, particularly for young children and preschoolers.
4.  Show your love through good health. Your child's health depends significantly on the care and guidance you offer during their early years. By taking your child to the doctor regularly for preventive health care visits, keeping them safe from accidents, providing a nutritious diet, and encouraging exercise throughout childhood, you help protect and strengthen their body.
5. Help your child foster positive relationships with friends, siblings and members of the community.
6. One of your most important gifts as a parent is to help your child develop self-esteem. Your child needs your steady support and encouragement to discover their strengths. They need you to believe in them as they learn to believe in themselves. Loving them, spending time with them, listening to them and praising their accomplishments are all part of this process. 
7.  Don't forget to say, "I love you" to children of all ages!

Source: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/14-Ways-to-Show-Love-for-Your-Child-This-Valentine%27s-Day.aspx

Contact Paper Heart

This is a cute Valentine craft and makes a great window decoration.


 What You Need

• Clear contact paper 
• Small pieces of paper, confetti, or tissue paper 

 Directions 

•  Cut 2 identically sized pieces of contact paper 
•  Place 1 piece of contact paper sticky side up in front of your toddler 
•  Allow toddler to stick paper, confetti, or tissue paper on to the contact paper 
•  When your child is finished, place the second piece of contact paper onto the first
•  Draw a heart shape onto the contact paper and cut it out 
•  Hang or tape your heart to a window

14 Ways to Show Love for Your Child This Valentine's Day and Every Day

Valentine’s Day  is right around the corner and why not use this time to give your children a little extra love.  The great thing about these tips is they don’t just apply to Valentine's Day but you can use them all year round.

1. Use plenty of positive words with your child.  
2. Be available to listen to your child when he/she want to talk with you even if it’s an inconvenient time. 
3. Make an extra effort to set a good example at home and in public. Use words like "I'm sorry," "please," and "thank you." 
4. When your child is angry, argumentative or in a bad mood, give him a hug, cuddle, pat, secret sign or other gesture of affection he favors and then talk with him about it when he’s feeling better. 
5. Parents should institute both rewards and restrictions many years before adolescence to help prevent trouble during the teenage years. Allowing children of any age to constantly break important rules without being disciplined only encourages more rule violations. 
6. Make plans to spend time alone with your young child or teen doing something he or she enjoys. Send a Valentine’s Day card to your older child or teen. Make Valentine’s Day cards together with your preschool or younger school age child. 
7. Mark family game nights on your calendar so the entire family can be together. Put a different family member's name under each date, and have that person choose which game will be played that evening. 

Stay tuned next week for 7 more ways to show love for your child this Valentine's Day and every day. 

Source: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/14-Ways-to-Show-Love-for-Your-Child-This-Valentine%27s-Day.aspx

Staying Healthy During Cold & Flu Season

It’s cold and flu season. Runny noses, coughs, aches, late sleepless nights, crying, it’s all part of cold and flu season. You might not be able to avoid the cold or the flu, but here are a few tips to help you survive the season and maybe avoid a bug or two.

Establish a Germ Fighting Routine

Use the Vampire Cough – Teach your children to cough and sneeze into the crook of their arm. It’s easier to prevent the spread of germs if they are not contaminating their hands when they cough into them.

Wash Your Hands– You heard it from your mom and now you’re hearing it in public service announcements on TV, wash your hands. This is the best weapon in your germ fighting arsenal. You should teach children when to wash their hands:
• After using the bathroom
• Before they eat
• After play dates
• When they return to the house after being out

And how they wash their hands makes a difference. Teach the steps below for a proper hand washing:
• Always use warm water and soap
• Sing "Happy Birthday" twice – to make sure your washing for 15 to 20 seconds
• Use hand sanitizing gel if water isn’t available
• When using gel, scrub your hands for about 20 seconds

Lead by Example – Show your kids good habits by following the germ fighting routine above on your own. This way they are much more likely to pick up good habits instead of germs.