Starting at a New School

Moving your child to a new school can be a traumatic process for both parent and child. Here are a few tips for a smoother transition whether you’re starting fresh or moving to a new provider.

Talk to Your Child
Introduce the idea of of a new school weeks or even a month ahead of time. Talk to child about how they will learn and meet new friends in school. Also, discuss the activities they will participate in and crafts that they can bring home and show you they made. This will help allow your child to get comfortable with the idea of the school.

You might also want to try explaining their schedule on the first day. Starting with how they will be dropped off and how (mommy, daddy, caregiver) will drop them off in the morning, followed by playtime, circle time, lunch and other elements of their day. Also explain how (mommy, daddy, and caregiver) will return to pick them up at the end of the day. If a child can visualize their day, it may help to alleviate the fear of the unknown.

Start Gradually

Like any other change that your child will experience starting gradually is a good idea. Begin the process with a few visits to your new provider. Introduce your child to the staff and let them get acquainted with their new surroundings. Since your child will now recognize their new school facility and staff this may help to make the first day easier.

Begin to prepare your child at least a week before you start leaving her in childcare. See if you can take her for short visits a few times before she starts her schedule. Talk to your child about the activities she will be doing, and where in the schedule, for example after nap or lunch, you will pick her up. Allow extra time for dropping your child off for the first few weeks in case she has trouble saying good-bye. Even if your child is upset, it is important that she knows you are leaving instead of you slipping out while she is distracted. Develop and practice a routine for getting ready to go so neither you nor your child are anxious and stressed in the morning.

The Goddard  School understands the importance of your child’s first learning experience. Stop in and see the difference Goddard can make.

Too Sick For School

Parents struggle sometimes to decide when it’s best to keep the kids home from school. Sometimes a child's symptoms make the decision a no-brainer. Other times, not so much. To help take the confusion out of your decision, here are a few examples of when to keep your child home.

•  Colds - colds are part of winter and the decision to keep your child home is not as clear. But, the symptoms are accompanied by a fever or wheezing, it’s best to keep them home and call the pediatrician. 

•  Fever - as a rule of thumb, children should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. 

• Diarrhea or Vomiting - 24 hours is also the rule of thumb for a child to return to school after an episode of vomiting or diarrhea. 

•  Sore Throat - generally, if a child has a sore throat combined with fever, headache or abdominal pain, they should be kept home and see a doctor. 

•  Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) - if your child’s eye is stuck shut, bright red, and/or oozing yellow or green discharge, these are my symptoms of pinkeye (conjunctivitis) they should be kept home and see a doctor before returning to school. 

 Why 24 Hours? 
 Waiting 24 hours before sending your child back to school reduces the risk of a virus spreading and allows parent’s to make sure your child isn’t dehydrated. Remember these are just guidelines and you know your child best. It’s always best to error on the side of caution and consult your Pediatrician regarding any of the common illnesses above if you have any questions, or concerns about your child’s symptoms, treatments or care.

Winter Photos

If you haven’t noticed, we are lacking some snow this winter and while it makes adults happy, kids do miss it.  Here is the perfect wintry, snowy craft that will encourage your child’s creativity without the need for cold or a shovel.

Transform an old photograph into a lovely winter scene, with a few strokes of the paint brush.  Children can make their scene a tranquil snowy morning or a blizzard at night.  The choice is up to them.

What You Will Need:

• Old photo that you don’t want anymore
• White tempera paint
• Thin paint brush
• Newspaper to protect your work surface

Steps:

1. Cover your work area with newspaper
2. Have your child paint snow on the photograph using the paint brush and white  paint. There are lots of different ways they can paint snow. They can add lots of small dots so it looks like it's snowing, or create large splotches piled up high to make snowdrifts.
3. Set aside the photo to dry.

Should You Worry About Bedwetting

Bedwetting, or Enuresis, is a common problem. The definition of bedwetting is the involuntary passage of urine during sleep. The frequency of wetting that is necessary to be considered a problem varies. The American Psychiatric Association defines enuresis as wetting two or more times per week for at least three consecutive months in children over the age of five.

Nocturnal enuresis affects approximately 5 million children in the United States. In most cases, bedwetting runs in families and often the child will become dry without intervention around the same age that the parent became dry as a child.

The following timetable shows the normal development of bladder control:

• Ages birth-18 months: The child is unaware of bladder filling or emptying.
• Ages 18-24 months: The child has a conscious sensation of bladder emptying.
• Ages 2-3: Most children develop the ability to voluntarily stop urination and develop appropriate toileting skills.
• Ages 3-5:  Most children have achieved urinary control and are dry both day and night.

What can you do to help your child stay dry at night?
Be supportive. Remember your child is not wetting the bed on purpose.  They are embarrassed by the situation and discussing can help put them at ease.Remind children that bedwetting is no one’s fault. Let them know that their are many children that have the same problem.

Make a few changes  

• Try to eliminate drinks a few hours before bedtime
• Make sure they us the potty right before getting into bed for the night
• Wake your child during the night and walk them the bathroom

Visit the Doctor 
Make an appointment with your Pediatrician. They can help you decide on plan and if any treatment is needed. 

In most cases, children grow out of bedwetting over time. 

Source: NAFC www.narc.org

Family Medicine Cabinet

If being prepared is one of your goals for the New Year, than you should review what’s in you’re medicine cabinet. Now that winter is here you may have to treat a middle-of-the-night fever or upset tummy. In order to save you from the midnight run to a local pharmacy, here are a few items that are essential for the medicine cabinet.

 • Thermometer
 • Liquid ibuprofen and acetaminophen for pain and fever.
 • A hot water bottle/heat pack and an ice pack/cold pack help soothe tummy aches,reduce swelling, and
   cool feverish children.
 •  Cool mist vaporizer for cough and congestion.
 • Hydrocortisone 1% and calamine lotion for rashes and itching.
 • Antiseptics and antibiotic ointments help stop infection in cuts and scrapes.
 • Adhesive bandages for scrapes and cuts.
 • Tweezers for splinters and ticks and alcohol to clean the tweezers.

 Please remember this is just a guideline and you should discuss the appropriate items and dosage with you pediatrician, who knows your child’s healthy history and can advise you on dosage.

New Year's Resolutions for Kids

Here are some great New Year’s resolution ideas for kids:

Young Children

• I pledge to clean up my room once a week.
• I will be kind to animals.
• I will wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before I eat.

Older Kids

• I will eat healthier (reduce sodas and junk food).
• I will try to stay active by exercising or playing a sport.
• I will wear appropriate safety equipment when playing sports or activities.
• I will always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car.
• When driving a car I will never text.
• I will use social media responsibly.
• I will not tease or bully others.
• I will volunteer in the community to help others.
• I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.

You can find other New Year’s resolutions by searching on the web. Use New Year’s resolutions as an opportunity to reinforce good habits, healthy living and safety with your children.

New Year’s Eve Fun With the Kids

Plan a New Year’s bash with your kids that is fun and educational. Kids can feel left out of New Year’s celebrations because they can’t stay up until midnight. But with a little planning your kids can have a New Year’s bash that they will remember for years to come.

It’s Always Midnight Somewhere – Plan your party by the world clock and ring in the New Year when the clock strikes 12 somewhere else. This is also a great way to teach geography and world cultures. Another option is ring in the New Year at noon.


Imitate the Ball Drop – Buy a pinata so you can imitate the Times Square ball drop. At midnight, let the kids crack it open to get the candy. Or, try a balloon drop. Put a bunch of balloons in a large trash bag and then release them at your faux midnight.


Toast – Use plastic, fancy glasses with sparkling cider


Think Up Resolutions-  Help your child stick to their resolutions by writing them down or making posters to remind them.


Make Noisemakers - Fill toilet paper roll with rice or dry beans. Cover both ends with paper and decorates the tube. Shake it as the ball drops to welcome the New Year.

Happy New Year!