Sending Your Child to Preschool: Pros and Cons

December 28, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

One of the decisions that many parents find daunting is if they need to send their children to preschool. While it is definitely a tough choice, sending a child to preschool offers a plethora of benefits. Find out if going the preschool route is the best decision. Read the following preschool pros and cons to help you make the right choice.

PROS

Preschool offers a learning environment away from home

It is true that the foundation of learning begins at home. The familiar environment at home provides children with plenty of opportunities for exploration. On the other hand, what preschool offers is a formal learning environment that is difficult to emulate at home. Preschools have a structured curriculum which allows children to learn skills that help set them on the path for future success. Also, there are plenty of other things that young kids can learn from preschool they can’t at home.

It provides a place to practice social skills

Making friends and interacting with other children are some of the most important parts of a child’s social development. Preschool provides children with more opportunities to do it. In a preschool setting, young kids can socialize better. They are given activities that let them play, interact and work together with other kids their age. In a typical home, children only get to socialize when play dates are organized or when they have neighbors to play with. In the safe and friendly environment of a preschool setting, children learn how to resolve their own conflicts. It is also in a preschool that children can develop life long friendships.

It provides more opportunities for exploration

While home-based learning helps build the foundation for a child’s growth and development, the opportunities it provides are limited. Preschool provides the same exploration opportunities and more! In preschool, children have access to advanced learning options. The curriculum is designed in a way where children have the chance to read, write and learn while having fun. They are given activities that teach them the fundamentals of counting, the alphabet, creating art, and a lot more!

It helps children form relationships with adults they can trust

Young children usually cling to their parents because they feel like they are the only adults they can trust. And because they are so used to being with you, even relatives and other family members may feel foreign to them. By sending your child to preschool, it will be easier for them to develop relationships with other adults. They will gradually feel that it’s okay to not have you around as they begin to trust other adults.

It provides exposure to new experiences

Preschool provides children with learning experiences outside the four corners of the classroom. They get exposed to new experiences as they go on field trips and visit fire stations, police stations and other significant community events. Most of these experiences are something they don’t have access to at home.

CONS

Preschool is expensive

Most preschools don’t come cheap. While there are some that offer scholarships, most have a set tuition rate which parents pay before their children can be enrolled. It’s not just the tuition. There are other fees outside the tuition costs. There’s the security deposits, registration fees, field trip costs, school supplies and more.

It may increase children’s exposure to illnesses

Like any other school setting, preschool may increase the risk of children getting sick. Being with other kids may increase your child’s likelihood to get sick, if they do not have a strong immune system.

Sending your little one to preschool may entail a few disadvantages. However, they are nothing compared to the wonderful benefits of preschool. Make sure you are choosing the right preschool for your child and enroll them in Young Scholars Academy. Please feel free to give us a call for more information.

Celebrating National Family Stories Month this November

December 5, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

With Thanksgiving around the corner, many of us will be gathering with our families. This will be an excellent time to share stories, and listen to grandparents talk about family history. Because wonderful and interesting stories get passed around during this time of the year, November is called the National Family Stories Month.

It is exciting to have this celebration, but the National Family Stories Month is not just about collecting and sharing family stories. It’s also about preserving family traditions. Be sure to enjoy and make the most of the National Family Stories Month with these brilliant ideas!

Share stories about your childhood

One of the most interesting stories everybody loves listening to is the story of your childhood. Share your fondest memories of when you were your kids’ age. What were the funniest things you did? What was the most memorable? Reminiscing on your childhood is a fun way to bring laughter to the group. Make it more exciting by flipping through old photo albums and showing photos of when you were younger.

Talk about your family traditions

Family traditions are important because they strengthen family bonds. Share with the younger members of the family the traditions you’ve kept. Explain why you have maintained them. Even if they are as simple as saying a prayer before a Thanksgiving meal, putting up a Christmas tree or hanging stockings on Christmas Eve, these traditions are always meaningful.

Document memories

It’s always fun to relive the good old days, especially when the memories were documented. Continue to add entries and include your children’s. Keep their baby photos and take note of important milestones. They would love to hear funny stories of when they were little. These keepsakes are something that your child will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Ask grandma and grandpa to share the story of how they met

Another exciting story the family would love is the story of how grandma and grandpa met. Times were different so many years ago and it would be interesting to find out your grandparents’ love story. During their time, communication wasn’t easy. There were no mobile phones or internet and it’s romantic to learn about courtship from back then.

Listen to some good, old music

There will always be those songs that bring feelings of nostalgia when played. Play the songs that bring back good memories, or ones that you danced to back in the day! Does your family have a favorite song to sing or dance to? Find a record or a CD of that music and put it on! Tell the younger members how it all started and share this tradition with them.

Play a movie the entire family has always loved watching

Did your family have a favorite TV show or childhood movie when you were growing up? Why don’t you watch it together? No matter how old it is, nothing’s more fun than everyone gathered around while watching a family favorite!

Start a new tradition with your kids

Aside from the existing family traditions, it’s also a good idea to start a new tradition with your kids. You can bake a favorite cookie recipe or learn a new game. Any activity will do as long as it creates new wonderful memories together.

Family stories are some of the best things that bind us for years and years. Continue to celebrate them while you create new family memories together! Use this guide and make use of these ideas to make your National Family Stories Month more fun and meaningful!

8 Tips to Help your Children Calm Down

November 27, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

Just like adults, children get mad. When they do, their reactions and words can be ugly and mean. They tend to get overwhelmed by their feelings and lose their self control. A child’s inability to manage anger and regulate emotions can have lasting effects. It can also significantly impact their lives as adults. For this reason, parents should make it a point to help their children process their emotions and teach them how to calm themselves down. It may not be easy, especially for children with low self-regulation. However, you can make use of the following tips to help your children calm down and ease their aggression.

Go outside for a walk

One of the best ways to help your children calm down is by going outside to take a breather. Take them out for a walk and let them breathe in fresh air. Go to the park and bring your pet with you. It’s also a good idea to do some exercise together like running or jogging. It will help them loosen up and feel better. In fact, at least 10 minutes of exercise offers more benefits than meditation.

parent taking a walk with child — Take your child for a walk to help them calm down

Take deep breaths

Taking a deep breath when you are upset is an effective way to calm down. This strategy works for both children and adults alike. Shallow breathing can keep us anxious and agitated. When you try to take deep, slow breaths, you will notice how your body physiologically calms down. This action leads to a calmer mental state. This applies to children as well. Practice taking deeper breaths together. Also, talk to them about how breathing can help them calm down.

Listen to relaxing music

Listening to a soothing and relaxing song can also help an upset person. Make a playlist of some calm and happy songs on your phone. Better yet, encourage your child to make their own playlist.

Count from 1 to 100

Literally counting to 100 can help anyone take a moment to pause before responding with words they might regret. Teach your children this strategy when they are angry. While adults prefer to do this in their head, it would be better to encourage children to do the counting out loud. Have them recite the numbers until the end.

Discuss together what they’re feeling

As soon as your child has calmed down, talk him through what they are feeling. Discuss it with them and ask them what bothers them. Ask why they feel bad and what made them upset. Like adults, children have a variety of feelings. It would significantly help if they learn how to label these emotions at a young age. Let them recognize when they’re happy, angry, or upset. To help them, ask them questions like “Were you angry?” or “Did you feel scared?”

Teach them empathy

We can’t expect children to be mindful of how their behavior affects others. It is something we must teach them. If they did something wrong, it is the role of parents to make them understand how their actions impact other people. If they said something bad or hurt another child, ask them how they would feel if they were in that child’s shoes. Be sure to ask calmly. You don’t want to make them feel judged or accused.

Give them a warm hug

Getting a warm hug may not be appealing to your child but it can go a long way. Hold them still and give them a tight and loving hug. It will help them calm down and feel better.

Go to a chill spot

Does your child have a favorite spot in the house where they feel happy and relaxed? Do they have a favorite couch or chair by the patio? Bring them to that spot in the house whenever they feel upset. This pleasant spot could help alleviate a stressful moment. You could also use this designated place for discussing their feelings and issues so they will feel comfortable talking and opening up.

Easing a child’s aggression when they’re upset and angry may be tough, but these tips can help you manage their behavior and help them calm down.

Looking for the best preschool in Colorado Springs for your little one? Please feel free to visit Young Scholars Academy.

Pumpkin Patch Deals In Colorado Springs

October 15, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

toddler care — DIY Halloween Fun for the Family

Autumn has arrived and with it comes cool breezes, football, and a favorite fall activity…visiting the pumpkin patch. It can be hard to decide where to go, which place has the best hours/activities to suit your family’s needs. Every person wants to get the best bang for their buck below is a list of pumpkin patches located in and near Colorado Springs.

For those who have visited Green Thumbkin Pumpkin Patch before, they have permanently closed their location as a pumpkin patch in town.

Long Neck Pumpkin Farm is located at 7595 California Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80923 (719) 551-0525. They have many activities to suit families of all ages. They have hay rides, hay bale slides, bean bag toss, corn boxes, tractor swings, farm animals, duck races, and more. These activities are included with the $10 admission fee. Children two years of age and younger are free. Pumpkins are an additional $5. During the month of October Long Neck Pumpkin Farm is open from 10am-5pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. http://www.longneckpumpkinfarm.com/

Miners’ Pumpkin Patch is located at 225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921 (719) 488-0880. They offer apple cider press, hay rides, gem panning, corn hold, tether ball and more. They charge $10 for admission with a pumpkin included in admission price. Additional pumpkins are $5 each. Children three and under are free (without a pumpkin). Miners’ Pumpkin Patch Hours of operation for the month of October are Saturdays 9am-4pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm. https://www.minerspumpkinpatch.com

The Colorado Pumpkin Patch is located at 18065 Saddle Wood Rd, Monument, CO 80123 (719) 799-6780. Activities include but are not limited to, large outdoor games, jumping pad, farm animal petting area, straw slides, tractor hayrides, maze, and corn box. Admission for children is $12 and $10 for adults. Children three and under are free. Pumpkins Range from $2.50-$12 depending on size. They are open 9am-1pm Monday through Thursday and 9am-5pm Wednesday through Sunday. http://coloradopumpkinpatch.net

Wishing Star Farm is located at 24024 Highway 94, Ellicot/Calhan Colorado, 80908 (719) 244-7252. They have a sling shot, a variety of life sized games (like Jenna), pedal cars, hay wagon rides, a maze, straw pyramid, tire swings, a jumping pillow, and more. Admission rates are $10 per person for anyone two years of age and older. They offer pony rides for an additional $4. Pumpkins of any size cost $4 each. Wishing Star Farm is open Monday through Wednesday from 9am-2pm and Thursday through Sunday from 9am-5pm. http://wishingstarfarm.com

Diana’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze is located at 1649 Poplar Ave, Cañon City, CO 81212 (719) 821-9133. This farm offers a corn maze that can even be entered after dark using a flashlight, hay rides, fire pit with marshmallow roasting after dark, and more. Admission is $13 per person and includes a pumpkin. Children five and under are free with out a pumpkin. The last weekend (October 26th-28th) Diana’s Pumpkin Patch Corn Maze is offering a $2 discount for military with an ID and a $2 discount per person in a family of four or more paid admissions. Their hours of operation are Friday and Saturday 10am-9pm (they stop accepting admission at 8pm) and Sunday 10am-6pm (they stop accepting admission at 5pm). http://dianaspumpkinpatch.com

While there are more pumpkin patches around Colorado, the patches listed above are located a little closer to Colorado Springs. Many of these farms and pumpkin patches offer a discounted rate for large groups of 15 or more so it is worth calling the patch you are interested in to set up large group visits. Many also offer a concession stand of some sort. Most offer weekdays by appointment. Pumpkin patches are usually held on uneven ground with dirt, rocks, and hay. This may be something to consider when bringing strollers and/or wheelchairs. It is best to wear something you can get dirty and closed toe shoes. Please dress and plan accordingly. Enjoy your visit to the pumpkin patch this season!

-Ms. Blair
Wellness Coordinator
Lead Early Preschool Teacher

8 Tips to Help Your Child Adjust to Preschool

August 31, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy 3 Comments

It’s time for your little one to attend to preschool and you have no idea how to prepare for it. You may have heard from other parents that the transition for the first few weeks will be hard and stressful for both you and your child. Separation anxiety in children is a common thing and it’s nothing to be afraid of. There are ways to help children adjust to preschool and to make the transition easier for both of you.

Starting school is a big milestone for both kids and parents. Preschool offers a lot of benefits but it can be a bit difficult for children to leave the familiar safety of home. Some parents may also worry about whether their children are ready for school or not. Here are 8 tips to help you and your child adjust to preschool.

Have a Positive Attitude

Going to school for the first time is a big change in a family’s life. Remember to always stay positive. Children can pick up on your feelings, whether it’s positive or negative. So if you are having a hard time, your child will feel that way, too. Try to have the mindset to be perky and excited. Pay attention to the way you talk about them going to school. If you sound nervous, your child will tune in to your feelings and not the words you’ve spoken. Portray a sense of calmness and confidence. Preschool is a wonderful thing to happen to kids. Let them grow, learn, and develop new memories with teachers and schoolmates.

Talk to your child about school

Introduce the idea of school to your child long before they’re ready for school. Introduce them other children who go to school. Show them the school bus and tell them stories about how much fun it is to ride in one. Tell them what they can do in school and how they can make lots of new friends and playmates there. Describe the playground and the new toys they can play with and so on. Talk about school as a positive place for them to go to. Don’t create a negative impression about school, otherwise, your child may not look at school in a positive manner.

A consistent routine is key

Having a consistent routine can create a sense of normalcy for every child. Make a consistent morning ritual and make sure that they have enough sleep the night before. Have breakfast together, pack lunch, help them prep for school, and leave home happily. At school, you can say hello to their teacher together before saying goodbye to each other.

Slowly and gradually phase out separation anxiety

Separation anxiety in children is common especially between the ages 1 to 3. Children tend to cling to their parents and cry out whenever they don’t see them near. When your child is already going to preschool, try to phase out separation. Most preschools allow the parents to stay with their children for the first few hours. Encourage your child to enjoy the new environment they are in. Children can become comfortable in 2-3 days time. Every child reacts differently, so depending on how they respond, you can gradually decrease the time you spend with your child. Leave them for half an hour, then an hour and so on. Make sure to pick your child up on time. This instills confidence in them that you are there whenever they may need you. If you can already see that your child is enjoying school without your company, try not to linger too long and go on to your other tasks.

child at a preschool — a child learning how to read

Help ease your child’s fears

At a young age, children are still not capable of expressing their feelings in words. Try to be gentle and understanding. If going to school scares your child and they refuse to go, talk to them and make them understand how important school is. Talk instead of trying to force them.

Recall the second tip. Spend time having conversations with your child about school. Gradually introduce your child to the possible activities they will get to do in school. You can also let them play early with crayons and paper, this will make them comfortable when they see these things at school. To ease your child’s fear of unknown territory, visit the preschool classroom a few times before school starts. Meet with the teachers and ask about common school activities and routines to prepare your child for what is ahead.

Let your child explore the new classroom and let them interact with other children. This will help them become familiar with this new environment. The more composed and calm you are with sending your child to preschool, the more confident your child will be going to school.

Saying goodbye helps

When leaving your child at school, do not sneak out. Don’t leave without saying a proper goodbye. You don’t want your child to feel abandoned when you sneak out, right? Avoiding a tearful farewell by not saying goodbye may be an idea you’d entertain but it will just impose a negative feeling to your child. Always include a loving goodbye and make it quick. If you are going to make a promise to return, be sure to be on time.

Stay connected

Always make time to bond with your child. Every day after school, have a special time to ask them about their day. Listen to what they have to say and interact.

Involve the teacher

Children need to feel connected to adults that they think will keep them safe. When they are in school, the immediate adult they have in their environment is the teacher. Help your child bond with the teacher. Experienced teachers can help children ease the transition from home to school. They can assign a special job to the child so that they can feel more connected, like they have a role to play each day. Teachers have a lot of effective strategies in their arsenal for helping young kids adjust in school. Your child will learn to trust their teacher when you show that you trust them, too.

When it’s time for your child to go to school, make sure to prepare early. Let them get a good night’s sleep so that they will have the energy to do fun activities in school. Preparing early will help your child adjust to preschool quickly. Follow the tips mentioned above for an easy transition of this big change. If you are looking for a good preschool for your child, check out this daycare in Colorado Springs.