I see more growth in a few weeks by making the children in my classroom do things for themselves than anyone would see making these kiddos watch what we are doing for them. For you to fully grasp this you need a huge helping of patience. Yes it’s going to take more time, so make more time for it to happen.

Depending on the age of your child allow for appropriate lengths of time for them to simply struggle. I know that can sound so mean, but just do it. When they ask you to zip their coat say, “You try first” or “I bet you can do it better”. Let them try, let their little brows furrow, let them get a little mad. Often that is just the push they needed to do the task. That frustration immediately flips to total elation! This is something you definitely do not want to miss. That moment when they say “I did it!”

Now I am not talking about independence without limits. Children need limits and choices (all of which you are willing to accept). We are not giving them free reign to do as they please. You are not letting them decide if they are going to have spaghetti or candy for dinner. Instead, you are offering to let them help with the dinner process, serve their own plate, pour their own drink, and eat by themselves. Support them in their efforts. If they make a mess, give them the tools to clean it up and try again.

All kiddos of a certain age (some born this way) all want their independence. They want to pick out their clothes, and help clean, fix, and make things around the house. They want their voice to be heard, just in the same way that we do as adults. Things that we may find boring, is a huge step for a child. Taking the time to let your child do the little things will make your days go smoother and have children that are self-confident and full of pride for their accomplishments.

Letting them do the little things now, is preparing them for the bigger things later. If you always do everything for your child how can you expect them to grow into young adults who are going to make decisions about their future? Let’s put it this way, do you want a child who sets the world on fire and goes down in history doing something great, or a couch potato who relies on you to cook them dinner and do their laundry because they simply never had to learn for themselves? Give them that initial push to start making decision and making things happen. Give them self confidence that they can build on for the rest of their lives. And it all starts with putting that shoe on all by themselves.

-Ms. Brooke
Early Literacy Coordinator
Curriculum Coordinator
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Math is such an important subject to work on and explore with your little one. Even at a young age you can begin sneaking in math lessons with your little one. The key is to make this time fun and not such a chore. Your child won’t even know they are actually learning!

Here are 4 super easy ways to get started:

1. Count everything! Even when your child is a few months old you can begin counting with them. Even when you are changing your child’s diaper you can have a learning experience by counting out loud. Count out loud to your child by counting their toes and little fingers. As they begin to get older find their favorite items and toys and count them out loud with your child. Make it a fun game! Any opportunity to have them repeating numbers is a beneficial.

2. Identify colors whenever possible. At home it is very easy to work on colors, while simply getting dressed you could talk about each clothing items color. Simply ask your child, “What color is your shirt, pants, shoes”. Just asking simple questions of colors around the house is an easy way to get that time in. I like to play color games at the grocery store. We like to play I Spy color game while shopping. My children really enjoy playing and it keeps them busy and distracted while learning and having fun.

3. Sorting is another easy math topic to do at home. Sorting items and toys by shape and color is a great way to build this skill. If you have two hula-hoops lying around you can utilize them in a sorting activity. Put the hula-hoops down on the floor and use them as a tool to sort objects. One circle could have red items only in it and the other have blue. Have your kids sort and even race while doing the challenge to make it harder.

4. Making patterns is another easy topic to work on with your child at home. Again, finding objects in your home is an easy way to practice making patterns. Have your child make simple color patterns while playing with Legos, art supplies, or even their food at dinnertime! Having your child make patterns while eating dinner – have them line up their peas and carrots in a pattern on their plate while eating! Silliness and fun to get them learning!

I would like to also suggest taking these activities outdoors. Outside is a wonderful place to do all of these math activities as well. So many objects in nature are awesome to use for hands on items to practice counting, colors, sorting, and making patterns. The most important thing to remember while being intentional practicing math skills at home is to be sure that it is fun! Remember the key is that your child and you are having fun exploring while learning.

-Ms. Whitney
Curriculum Coordinator
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

I get it. The feeling of your eyes sunken in, the bags starting to form, your body aches and all you really want is some good (uninterrupted) sleep.

Whether you’re at home all day, every day with the kids, or a working parent coming home to your family, “running on E” happens to the best of us. I definitely know this feeling and I’ve learned some tricks along the way to help get through the days (and nights) when I feel like I have nothing left to give.

So what can you let go of when your energy level doesn’t match the demands of your to-do list? For me, the answer is nothing. I wouldn’t say I “let go” of anything, but rather, I use my time and energy wisely. Of course, my least favorite chores always get pushed to the bottom of that list, like laundry and vacuuming, but the truth is that those things still need to get done; the question is now “when can I get this done?”.

The biggest thing I do to help myself is take a deep breath and think to myself “what can I do in this very moment to accomplish ___?”. Honestly, sometimes the answer is nothing and it was just my worries about my never-ending to-do list that kept me feeling overwhelmed. If that’s the case, then I take that as a mini grounding session and try to relax or spend time with my son either reading, laughing, coloring, or fighting whatever bad guy comes our way.

However, sometimes when I think about what absolutely needs to be done right away there are certain things that pop in my head. The greatest tool I give myself is a calendar with a list of important dates, bills, and events. This calendar helps me prioritize the big things so I can work quickly and efficiently to try and get to that rest time faster. For me, that visual reference helps me manage my time so I can visually see where I can plug in my list through the day, week, or month.

I’ve also learned that trying to do “too much” is usually what gets me in trouble. If I try and get EVERYTHING done all in one night, or in one day, I usually end up feeling even more overwhelmed and defeated than when I started. Tackling one thing at a time is the key to getting things done, like setting a specific day aside each week for cleaning certain rooms (i.e. bathrooms on Tuesday, kitchen on Thursday, etc.). Just take a look at your list or calendar, and physically mark off what gets done. That immediate sense of accomplishment can help keep you going, no matter how small.

But when it boils down to it- there is nothing more important than my son and this exact moment in time we get to share together. He doesn’t care if I have dishes in the sink from last nights’ dinner. He isn’t complaining about carpet that needs to be vacuumed or the fact that we may have had pizza twice this week. All he he sees is a warm, fun house that is a space for him to fully express himself. He sees a mom who laughs at his jokes and listens to his stories, while we work on laundry together. My son deserves a mom who is human; one who gets tired and just tries her best to provide the best for him.

-Ms. Caitlin
Wellness Coordinator

Have you ever had the question whether having toys is equal to having an activity or outing? Which one do you think is going to leave a more lasting impact on your kids?

Toys can play an important part in growing up and learning. Puzzles help with fine motor skills and shapes. Books teach literacy. Playing with toys can help children develop friendship and start conversations.

While toys can be a helpful tool, they can also become the easy answer at the end of a long, hard day. Sometimes it can be easier to give them a toy than to sit and converse with your children. They can also be misleading on how educational they really are.

Northern Arizona University states that the use of electronic toys do not promote language. Books and blocks yet have shown to do so. Ready made toys can also stifle a growing imagination.

Try giving your child a bunch of odds and ends and challenge them to make something. You will surprise yourself with how much fun they will have, and you will have a great chance to talk about what they are doing and see how your child thinks.

Having actual experiences with your child is very important. It is more real for the child and builds a connection between parent and child. Seeing and touching a real horse is more valued to a child than seeing a horse in a picture. Seeing the real thing allows them to comprehend their actual size, smell and feel. They can connect on a more personal level to a living thing. Spending time with the horse and their parents will make a forever memory. That memory would last and be valued more than the plastic toy horse that they lost or broke years before.

The art of socializing and conversation becomes a difficult thing to learn when people isolate themselves. This can happen when things and toys are thought to be more important experiences. Nothing encourages a growing child to be creative and to think more than strong relationships with their parents. Interactions is where they learn to problem solve, understand empathy and grow intellectually.

Toys can be useful and fun but shouldn’t be used as the final answer. Toys should be besides to, but not instead of, you.

~Ms. Dotty
NAEYC Coordinator
(National Association for the Education of Young Children)