Nap Time Tips

Naps are an important part of your child’s life. It’s like a physical and emotional reset switch. When children nap it calms them down and gives their bodies a chance to rest and relax. But, what if your child fights you every time you try to get them to take a nap? Here are some tips for establishing a good nap time routine.

Routines help children understand what to expect in today’s fast paced life. Young children often lack the coping skills to be able to adapt, on the fly, to a changing schedule. Here is an example of a typical morning routine:

• Wake Up
• Breakfast
• Playtime
• Activity (crafts, reading books, ect.)
• Morning Snack
• Outdoor Play
• Lunch
• Playtime

Read a story or play soothing music to signal that it’s time to calm down for nap time

Avoid interaction with your child while they are trying to fall asleep for example cuddling in bed with them. If they start crying, you can check on them, but you don’t speak to them or stay in the room. Hopefully with a consistent routine your little one will fall asleep on his/her own.  

Art and Young Children

At Goddard we often make art the focus of activities and creativity in the classroom. Art can be a great way to introduce and facilitate learning in children. Art offers opportunity for teaching beyond just the art itself. In a trip to the museum or time spent paging through a calendar or an old art history book, you can begin to reinforce the following concepts.

Shapes – it’s fun for you and your child to point out different shapes that can be found hidden in the masterpieces of the great painters.


Colors – shades of colors abound in oil paintings and water colors. Point out and name each color to reinforce the lessons being taught to your preschooler.

Counting – if your child is learning to count, painting and other works of art make for a fun counting activity that will keep your child’s interest.


Observation – play a game of I spy with my little eye with your child using pictures of great masterpieces.

It’s easy to access some of the most cherished artistic masterpieces. You just need to check your local library or bookstore for children’s books on the subject of art. Calendars often feature works by the great masters, so you may already have examples of fine art hanging right in your kitchen.

Of course, the best place to find art is at your local museum, a gallery, or a place with lots of outdoor sculptures. Plan to just stroll through the rooms, letting your child decide which rooms to spend more time in. Pause often to talk about what you see. If possible, try to find a museum that specializes in tours for children. Sometimes they may have exhibits that are especially geared towards the little ones.

Sock Pumpkin Craft

What You Need

• Orange paint
• Green paint
• Black construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Paint brushes (medium size)
• A tube sock or athletic sock
• Stuffing for the sock (crumpled paper will work)
• Rubber bands or green yarn/string

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Take your crumpled up paper and stuff the foot section on the sock and tie it off where the foot and tube part meet with a rubber band or green yarn. 
2. Paint the entire foot of the sock (the area below the tied off area) orange and allow it to dry before continuing.
3. While waiting for the paint to dry, cut shapes for a jack-o-lantern face using the black construction paper.
4. Paint top of sock (the remaining white part of the sock) green, this will be the pumpkins stem. Allow it to dry and trim it to the desired stem length. 
5. Take the black paper face pieces and glue them onto the sock to create your sock jack-o-lantern.
6. Use different size socks to create pumpkin families or your very own pumpkin patch. 
   
   

Reading Consistently to Your Kids

Good reading habits are a big factor in your child’s academic success. It’s very important to start off on the right foot by reading consistently with your kids each week, even during the summer. Here are some tips you can use to encourage your child to be a good reader.

1. Build time for reading into your daily routine
Reading with your child is a good way to let them know that you think reading is important. It can also help parents judge the reading level of a child. If you are reading to your children on a regular basis you will be the first to recognize their areas for improvement.


2. Make reading fun
Kids are much more likely to enjoy reading when they perceive it as fun. Here are some tips to keep reading fun.

·        Pick books that they will enjoy

·        Try using props to help tell the story. This works very well with young children.

·        Switch up the surroundings. Try reading all around the house and when that gets boring, try reading at the library or in the park.

·        Make reading interactive. Ask questions or introduce your experiences and knowledge into the story.

4. Read by example
Let your child see you reading on a regular basis. Tell them what you are reading. Show them that reading is important, interesting and enjoyable. Buy books or let them use your eReader. Support their reading habit as much as possible. Money spent now on books will be paid back later in academic success.


Have fun reading!

Surviving Errands with the Kids in Tow

Between work, kids and school it’s hard to get errands done and even harder when your kids are whining, crying, and throwing temper tantrums in the process. Here are a few tips to take the some of the stress out when running errands.

 • Explain the game plan – tell the kids exactly where you’re going on your errands and how long it should take.

• Set the rules – tell them what is, and is not, acceptable behavior and that you’re shopping for others not for them. This will help to alleviate the “mommy or daddy can I get” questions.

 • Tell them what’s expected - no running, inside voice, stay with the parents. • Review car etiquette – no yelling in the car, buckle your seat belt, no throwing anything in the car.

 • Keep your kids busy – play I spy when you are going through the store. Let them help push the cart. Have them help you find items you are looking for like a scavenger hunt. Sing some songs if your car ride is longer than expected or, you are stuck in traffic.

 • Give time off for good behavior – reward your children with a play date or something they like to do if they are good during errands. Just make sure you are not bribing them but rewarding them to reinforce proper behavior.

With these tips you might get done all of your errands and actually get some time for yourself.

Helping Children Adapt To A New Sibling

When a new member of the family is introduced to their sibling it is an exciting time. But it can also be a difficult time for the new brother or sister. Here are some tips that might help make the transition a little easier.

The older the sibling, the more difficult it can be for them to adapt.

· Child under 18 months of age may have fewer issues adapting to a new sibling. They might not understand or recognize the change that is about to occur

· Children between 18 month to 3 years of age may have a more difficult time. They can recognize and comprehend that change is going to occur but they might have a more difficult time talking about what they are feeling.

· Older children will have an easier time because they can discuss the impact of a new sibling with others which can ultimately help them adapt.

Setting the stage for this change is important. Here are a few tactics you can use to prepare siblings

· Read books to your child about the introduction of a new sibling

· Involve siblings in the preparation activities including shopping, decorating and preparing the new room

· Let your child make a special gift to give to their new sibling

· Attend a sibling prep class at a local hospital. They learn about topics such as what to expect on the big day and how to be careful around new babies

· Once the baby is here make the sibling a little helper

You might experience regression with your child. Some signs of regression include: being more demanding, more bathroom accidents and trouble sleeping. Keep your cool when your child demonstrates these behaviors because in most cases this is temporary and it will pass after a few months.

Source: www.preschooleducation.com/

www.babycenter.com

Family Activities that Won’t Break the Bank

With today’s economic environment, parents are looking for ways to entertain the kids that won’t break the bank.  In a world that’s very hectic, it’s good to slow down with simple, low cost activities. Here are a few ideas:

A national treasure – your local park

You remember parks, right? They are the big open spaces we often fly by in the car on the way to the movies or the mall. Parks offer an almost unlimited amount of play and learn opportunities for your children. From hiking to biking to simply walking through the woods, being out on a wooded path is simply majestic. It’s a great way to remind yourself and your kids that there is a great big world out there to see and explore, full of wonder.

Backyard and neighborhood play

We are all busy and we often forget about our neighbors. If your neighbor has kids around the same age as yours, make an effort to connect with them. Set up activities that all the kids can do together. Try a neighborhood treasure hunt. Pick a theme for your kids to spot during your hunt, for instance who can find the most trucks in your neighborhood or how many pumpkins are in you town. 

Another national treasure – your local library

Have you been to your local library lately? They aren’t the stuffy, quite, boring places you remember. They have adapted to the times.  They have become the center of learning and social activity in the community (particularly for younger children). They offer family game nights, Lego clubs, family movies and more.  If you haven’t made a weekly trip to your library a regular part of your family’s activities calendar, you should.

Check your local family blogs and community calendars

So many activities go on in your community that you are unaware of. Search the web once a week for parades, fairs, swap meets, craft and car shows. Soon you’ll have a list of favorite sites and blogs to go to for information on a regular basis and you’ll never be bored again.