Raising kids isn’t easy…especially in a society that often seems so self-absorbed. (selfies, anyone?)

So how can parents help kids see beyond their own immediate interests and concerns?

By involving their children in opportunities to volunteer their time and energies towards helping others.

While volunteering benefits those on the receiving end – both the individuals and organizations served – it’s hard to quantify how much volunteering benefits the “giver” just as much…if not more.

When you give your child opportunities to help others through volunteering you’re also helping them learn:

Empathy

When looking for opportunities to volunteer, the closer your child can be to the end result (e.g. handing the sandwich to a homeless person not just making the sandwich) the more concrete their understanding will be of what they’re doing.

Which also leads to more engagement in the volunteering process.

Confidence

Children gain confidence when they see their own contributions make a difference in someone else’s life. Their success then encourages them to look for other ways they can contribute to their communities, building leadership skills they will take with them throughout their lives.

Cooperation

Social situations are the best way for children to learn social skills, and volunteering is no exception.

When a diverse range of individuals meet through volunteering, they have a common goal in mind, however different people will often approach the same task in a different way, which can potentially lead to conflict.

Children who witness – and participate in – the process of deliberation among the volunteers learn how important collaboration with others is to achieve the desired end result…helping individuals in need.

Compassion

As children take part in volunteering efforts they learn more about the world around them. As they observe and compare their own lives with that of others they develop compassion for others.

Application of knowledge and skills

In school, children rarely get the opportunity to see how the topics they’re learning can be applied in the real world. However, when volunteering, they learn how organizing tasks and understanding basic concepts (e.g. counting change) play a vital role in a successful venture.

Volunteering can also help kids visualize what they might want to do one day. For example, a child who volunteers at the local hospital or nursing home might be inspired to become a physician or nurse.

Making connections with their family and others

Busy families often have such frazzled schedules with work, school and extra-curricular activities, it often leaves both parents and kids feeling disconnected. When parents and their children are working together as volunteers for their community they have a chance to have fun and to grow closer as a family.

Responsibility

Ever notice how your kids will jump at the chance to help out their friends’ parents when they’re visiting them, but you have to nag to get them to do the same thing at home?

You’re not the only one!

You can put this tendency to good use…when someone is counting on your kid to be there as a volunteer, they’re much more engaged and desirous of doing what they’ve said they would do, which reinforces all the “responsibility” talk they’ve been getting from you!

Possibilities

If you’d like to get your family involved in volunteering efforts, but aren’t sure where to begin, here’s some ideas to get you started.:

Reach out to local hospitals, churches or charities to see if they have any needs

Contact a volunteer clearinghouse, (e.g. VolunteerMatch) which matches volunteers with organizations in need of volunteers.

Check with the bulletin board at the local library to look for any advertisements. You could also put up an ad yourself, notifying your openness to volunteering opportunities.

Check with the park service or whomever is in charge of cleaning up parks in the area…they’d love to have your help and it’s something even the smallest child can take part in.

Handy with tools? If you have older kids you could volunteer for housing repair and renovation projects (e.g. Habitat for Humanity) for low-income residents. 

A community food bank or soup kitchen, nursing home or food delivery service to the elderly are good choices too – they don’t take a lot of time out of your week, but they’re very fulfilling ways to volunteer your time and energy…and lots of fun for the kids too!

Finally, remember to be flexible. Not all hours or locations will fit your schedule. If one volunteer opportunity doesn’t suit your needs, keep looking…you’ll be glad you did!

Choosing the right preschool is the first step towards making sure that your child is prepared for grade school. Contrary to what you might have heard, this process is not difficult at all.

The key to choosing a preschool is knowing what you want your child to gain out of their preschool experience. This will help you figure out what to look for regarding the program and the curriculum offered by the preschool.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right preschool for your child!

Know and understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses

Figure out what our child’s strengths and weaknesses are. This will help you identify if a particular preschool that can help address your child’s weaknesses and build their strengths. Ask about the school’s programs and curriculum for reference.

Go back to the basics

Think about the basics first. How will preschool affect your daily life. Do you need the preschool to be near your home or your office? Is it important for the preschool to have childcare services offered on both morning and afternoon? Do you want the program to include a lot of extra-curricular activities? Answering these questions can help you narrow down your choices according to your desired location and setting.

Do your research

Make a list of prospective preschools by doing your research. Reach out to your friends, family, or neighbors for recommendations. Seek their advice based on the important factors you have identified. Personal references can come in handy in situations like this, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Search the internet to find information about the preschools in your area. Visit the school’s website and check their programs and curriculum. Remember to read the reviews so that you’ll be warned of any red flags or complaints.

Visit the centers

After your research, you should have your list down to about 2 or 3 preschools. Start scheduling your site visits. It will be better if you bring your child on the tour so they can also get a general feel of the school. Have your questions ready before you do your visit.  What are the schedules, curriculum and the programs that the school offers? Ask yourself if it is a place where your child can get an amazing learning experience. Do you think your child will feel welcome in the school? Do the other children look happy and comfortable in the setting? Is the environment clean and safe for your child?

Along with these questions, try to notice how the children and teachers are interacting with each other. Are the teachers able to establish genuine connection with their students? Are they able to hold the attention of the kids? How is the interaction between the teachers and other parents? Asking questions and being observant about the setting during your visit can help you make a final decision.

Ask your child for their opinion

Before choosing a preschool for your child, ask your child their opinion about it. It is important that you consider your child’s choice, too. Ask them which preschool they think would make them the happiest.

It is also essential that you select the setting where your child will be comfortable while learning. Preschool should be a place where they will not only be taught the fundamentals of academics; but it should be a place where they will grow their love for learning.

It may be easier to choose a preschool for your child when following these tips. Looking for a preschool that will nurture your child’s holistic growth? Please consider our Colorado Springs preschool.

Summer time is an amazing time of year. Even if you aren’t drawn to the heat, it is a wonderful time to create memories and bond with your child and/or children. The kids are out of school, the weather is (usually) sunny and warm and it opens up so much more opportunities!

Do you remember campfires, camping, fishing, and hiking with your family? Do you remember going to the pool, backyard tent camping, tubing, and theme parks? These experiences happen during summer and now it’s time to create memories with your minis. Even if you’re not overly athletic or outdoorsy here are some fun memories you can try out for yourself.

It can be as simple as going outside in the backyard to play pirates or ninjas. You can go on a bug hunt or create “rock stew” concoctions with dirt and grass and never leave your house. In my house we travel but we also create a lot of memories right in our own backyard.

Americans have had it ingrained into ourselves that we always have to be busy. We’re obsessed with the idea of having the perfect summer yet we may be missing the little moments. I know that one of my best summer memories is of a popsicle in one hand and crafts all sprawled out on the table.

I want my children to look back and remember at least some of the small things that we did together. Doing these things will give them a good grounding and make them more appreciative when times are more exciting. If you’re constantly going, going then the exciting times could end up being bland.

I want them to have happy memories of our summers together and have them be full of adventure and connections. I want them to see that even their mom and dad are willing to learn and try new things. I want them to interact with their community, with the outside world, as well as with themselves and our family. To an extent, isn’t this what we all want with our children?

The idea of entertaining your child during the summer months may seem daunting. To be in charge of entertaining someone under 5 really is a full-time job! No matter what activity you choose, children are going to remember your presence. They may not remember exactly what you did that Tuesday in June, but they will remember that you were there. They’re only little once!

~Ms. Aleyana S.
Wellness Coordinator
Lead School Age Teacher

Most parents often find themselves asking their kids just one single question as soon as they get home from school – “How was school?” It’s only natural for parents to want to find out everything that’s happening in their children’s lives. But asking this question may not be the best way to do it. In fact, many of the kids who are asked, end up becoming defensive or intimidated.

Do you see yourself in a similar situation? Do you want some tips on how to talk to kids so they open up? Read on to find some helpful suggestions that may help.

Timing is Everything

When your child gets home from school, they’re usually tired and just want to wind down and relax. So right after school usually isn’t the best time to ask about their day. They won’t want to think of an answer and would most likely respond with “fine” or “nothing”. Use a more relaxed approach when connecting with your child. Be considerate and aware of how they’re feeling. Instead of bugging them with questions about school, give them a warm welcome and tell them you’ve got some snacks ready? Be with them and let them enjoy their food silently if they wish. You don’t have to do or say anything.  

Ask alternative questions

Aside from the usual “how was school today” question, there are several other questions you can ask to learn about your child’s day at school. Ask open ended and more interesting questions that will direct the conversation.  Ask questions like “what’s the most exciting thing that happened in school today?” or “did anything happen on the playground today that made you laugh?” Understand that not all kids are comfortable talking and opening up. But when you maintain your presence around them and they feel relaxed and not threatened, they will learn to open up without you having to ask.

Share something about your day

Another excellent way to stimulate a conversation about school is by sharing something that happened during your day. Tell them about some interesting or fun experiences you had at work, or if you went out on lunch with a friend, or saw something amusing on your way home. Doing this is an excellent way to encourage a natural conversation to flow.

Use their take-home papers to kick start the conversation

When children bring their masterpieces home, like art projects and school papers, take advantage of these items to initiate a conversation. Ask open ended questions about their work and make sure to pay attention. Show interest as they tell you about it and give them affirmation. This will not only give them the confidence they need to open up to you, it will also boost their self-esteem and inspire them to continue doing good at school.

Know their school schedule

Knowing the events and the schedule of your kids at school can help you formulate the right questions to ask. Find out when they do their PE, library day, science class and so on. So for example, you can ask them about the book their librarian shared with them at school. You can ask them if they have chosen a favorite book and what it is about. Affirm their choice and inspire them to do more reading.

Breakfast is a good time to talk about school

Having the family gathered around the table is a great way to share joys, happy and even bad experiences. Mornings can be an excellent time because your kids have had time to rest and are likely to be in a good mood. While evenings or dinner time is also a good time to discuss the school day, it might not be a perfect time for asking questions if your kids are tired from school.

 It may be a real challenge to encourage your children to open up and share information about school. But with the help of these tips, you’ll find that it’s actually doable. Looking for a school that focuses on a child’s holistic development? Please consider our Colorado Springs preschool.

Going on a family vacation is one thing that your kids are certain to be excited about. And if you want to go where you can enjoy the best scenery on an affordable budget, Colorado Springs should be on top of your list. One thing that Colorado Springs is known for is the United States Air Force Academy. Preschoolers may not appreciate the tour in the academy, but, they will love dining at the Airplane Restaurant – a restaurant housed in a plane that was previously used by the US military. There are plenty of places you will love in Colorado Springs.  To find out more of the cool places to visit, here is a list for you.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

America’s only mountain zoo, is found in Colorado Springs. This is not just an ordinary zoo. This facility is designed in a way that allows guest to get close to the animals. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to more than 800 species. It not only offers fun and enjoyment for kids, it’s also a great learning experience. Children and adults learn about animals through interactive demonstrations and educational presentations. You may also get the chance to hand-feed the world’s largest giraffe, and that’s definitely an awesome experience for children of all ages!

May Natural History Museum

Also known as the “bug museum”, May Natural History Museum houses a wide collection of insects and related creatures. It is here that you can find rare artifacts that are only seen in the most uncommon and exotic places from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. If your preschooler is fascinated with insects, they will find this place amazing, interesting and informative.

Dinosaur Resource Center

Young children have always been fascinated by dinosaurs. So, why not bring them to the Dinosaur Resource Center in Colorado Springs? You and your children can go back in time as you take a look at the jaw-dropping skeletons and fossils of raptors, T-rexes, marine life and giant reptiles. This may also be the perfect time for kids to discover their penchant for paleontology as they witness a working fossil preparation laboratory. The museum also features a guided tour where the trained staff educates you about the fossil skeletons displayed.

Bear Creek & Fountain Creek Nature Centers

If you want your preschooler to run and play around, this is where you should go. Bear Creek & Fountain Creek Nature Centers feature walking and hiking trails, a playground, a pavilion, dog park, a tennis court and a lot more. This is the perfect site to explore nature and enjoy the great outdoors. It also offers an excellent learning opportunity for kids because they get to observe wildlife and participate in the educational programs.

Battlefield Colorado

The first and only outdoor laser tag adventure park in Colorado Springs. If your kids are into video games and they want the excitement and action in real life, this is the place to be. Battlefield provides a perfect way to bond and enjoy nature as a family. If you can form a group of 10 people, there are play sessions that will suit the size of your team. Battlefield Colorado doesn’t just give you an opportunity to have fun, it’s also an excellent way to sharpen hand-eye coordination while enjoying a friendly competition against the other members of your family.

Fun 4 Kidz Playground

Children have always loved playtime. They can get plenty of that in Fun 4 Kidz Playground. Fun 4 Kidz is an exciting indoor playspace where your kids can spend their time playing and meeting other kids. There are tunnels, slides and lots of toys for them to enjoy. The activities are perfect for all kids while they interact with other children.

 

These are just a few of the many cool places to visit in Colorado Springs with your kids. Take time to check out each one of them for a fun-filled, educational and memorable vacation. If you are looking for a preschool that values your children’s education and playtime learning, consider our Colorado Springs preschool.