Teaching Preschoolers about Time

Younger children can have difficulty understanding the concept of time. When children ask when they are going to the zoo and you say Friday, they might not completely comprehend that they have to wait 4 days until the trip to the zoo. Here are some tips on helping your preschooler understand time. Click here to read the article.

Toddler Teeth

Toddlers usually feel one of two ways about brushing their teeth. They are either excited to be a big girl or boy, or they are uncooperative. It’s important to help your young one develop good oral hygiene. Here are some tips on handling common teeth brushing problems.

Take advantage of your child’s curiosity

If your child wants to brush their own teeth, let them. However, you should supervise the process up until your child is school-aged.

Let Your Child Express Their Independence

Let them have fun picking out the toothpaste and the brush they want. This is just another way to get them interested.

Be Creative

There have been a lot of tooth brush innovations since we were kids. A toothbrush can now speak to your child and play music. They are also shaped as your child’s favorite cartoon or movie character. All of these innovations were developed so children can have fun while brushing.  

If you have a real dental question you should always contact your friendly pediatric dentist.

9 Ways to Maximize Family Time

Today, we are so busy with our schedules that it’s hard to find time to spend together with our family. We found 9 great ideas on how to maximize quality family time. Click here to read the article.

Travel With Kids

With the unofficial start of summer starting this later this week, many families are planning summer trips. Your family may choose a long trip or a day trip. As parents we all dread the question "Are we there yet?" You can make traveling with your little ones enjoyable and stress-free by following these simple tips:

1. Travel at night or get a very early morning start to your trip and let the kids sleep.

2. When traveling during the day, plan several short stops. Find kid-friendly places to stop such as parks with playgrounds and historic locations. Let the kids take a short break to work off their energy.

3. 1,000 bottles of root beer on the wall or B-I-N-G-O can really help to pass the time, and create some happy or sad memories depending on how good of a singer you are.

4. Bring a goodie-bag. Toys, games, bubbles, coloring books can all help pass the time during a long trip. Bring footballs, frisbees or soccer balls, to help get the energy out during short stops.

5. Have your children write a journal to document your trip. They can also practice the lost art of letter writing to friends they miss at home.

6. Of course, if you need to, you can always fall back on the hand-held games, tablet, CD, and portable DVD players with earphones.

Let each child pack their own activities in a backpack that way you can make sure they will like what they brought and it will keep their things organized and accessible

10 Ways to Improve Reading Skills

It’s important that parents find creative ways to encourage and improve their child’s reading skills. This article, 10 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Reading Skills, offers some great suggestions and clues on what to look for when reading with your kids. Click here to read the article

Things to Look For in a Preschool Play Environment

Last week we discussed the importance of play to a child’s development. We also discussed the progression of how children develop important skills through play. Here are some things you should look for in a preschool setting that fosters learning through play.

* Do children seem engaged and happy?

* Do the children have choices for types of play?

* Is there an organizational system such as shelving, labeled containers, or cubbies?

* Are areas clearly distinguished for different interests like dressing up, art, etc.?

* Is there an outdoor play space, with barriers on all sides, kid-safe landscaping, and a soft surface under the play structure?

* Are toys clean, in good shape, and set up for play? They should be inviting to kids, but too many toys can be overwhelming?

Visit us today to see how we foster learning through our great indoor and outdoor play spaces, and bring a friend.

10 Ways to Improve Reading Skills

It’s important that parents find creative ways to encourage and improve their child’s reading skills. This article offers some great suggestions and clues on what to look for when reading with your kids. Click here to read the article.

The Importance of Play at Preschool

Preschool prepares your child for elementary school, but how does play time help your child learn. Here are several reasons why play is an important aspect of the preschool curriculum.

Before age 2, children tend to play by themselves with little interaction with others. But after age 2, preschool age, children’s play becomes more of a learning activity filled with interaction.

Soon after starting preschool, kids begin to seek out other children with similar interests and they begin to interact with them. And as language skills continue to develop you begin to see elements of cooperative play.

Between 4 and 5 years of age, the level of play becomes even more elaborate. Children make creative play scenes, they take turns, and they begin to work together toward mutual goals.

For younger children 2 to 4 years old, you can encourage play at home by setting up a space for your child and a friend and helping them find the words to express their questions or needs. As children get older play becomes natural and they need less help to socialize.

Ask about play when choosing a preschool

When you tour potential preschools for your child ask for their philosophy about play. Preschoolers need opportunities to play, prepared spaces for them to explore and responsive teachers to support their learning. Such a setting prepares children not only to become students who will work with others cooperatively and approach learning with excitement.