Family Tips Archives - Page 26 of 38 -

Nap Time Survival Checklist

August 7, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

Going from several nap times a day to maybe one per day can be a rough transition for the sanity of both parents and kids!

Nap time is a necessity for young children!

As parents, we get in the habit of having our child take 2-3 naps a day. Then one day you realize your little one is no longer in need of that much nap time per day. But this transition toward fewer naps is hard on their bodies. We know that kids actually do need this time to rest!

Here are some things parents can do to help during this transition:

1. Make sure your child is going to bed at a decent time. Putting a child to bed at 11 pm at night is not going to help the one-nap-a-day situation. Your child’s body needs a certain number of hours of sleep per day. Take in account when your family must wake up and count backward. Here is a link to see the recommended number of hours your child needs based on their age.

2. Create a cool, dark, and quiet designated nap time area. Your child is not going to catch Zzzzs in a mess of a room, where the light is shining through the windows.

a. Make your child’s nap space free of distractions. If your child is napping in their own room, get the toys out of there! I feel that having most toys out of children’s rooms is a great solution to ensure happy dreams. Leave the books though! Books can be a great tool in helping with children relax and transition to sleepy mode. Include one story in their nap routine, it can be helpful to buffer between wake and sleep mode.

b. Get some of the light blocking curtains to make their room darker. There is even window tinting treatments you can put on your windows to help block light. Using one or both will help keep their room darker.

c. Get a fan if your child’s room gets too toasty mid-day. This can also double as white noise which can be soothing.

3. Pick out some calming music if you think that could be helpful for your little one. I like to use a sound machine that has different noises. There are many out there you can purchase to fit your child’s specific needs. You could even set up an iPod with a sleep playlist with relaxing tunes.

4. IMPORTANT! Set up a nap time routine.
• Nap time should occur around the same time every day. Children will get used to the schedule, which will help regulate both bedtime and nap time schedules.
• Get the room nap ready: windows closed, fan on, and music ready.
• Read one story while the child is in bed. This allows their body and mind to become relaxed and calm.
• Say your good nights, and offer plenty of hugs and kisses. Sometimes a song and rubbing their head/back is what they need to get relaxed and in that sleepy mode.

5. Next, shut the door and go take a nap yourself! (Ha ha!) Get caught up on a book, do things around the house, take a shower. Take the time for yourself.

Sometimes there are kiddos who refuse to nap; if you feel your child still needs to nap then be firm with that. If they get up, put them back to bed. Talk to them about meeting their bodies needs, and recharging for the day. If they still refuse every day, put in place a rest time. They still need to be in their room; quiet, resting, and recharging.

This little checklist can help in the survival of the nap time preschool years. Be sure to keep the routine of nap time the best that you can each day. Let your child know of their daily schedule. It will help prepare them for when nap time comes.

-Ms. Whitney
Curriculum Instruction Coordinator

5 Ways to Empower your Kids

July 29, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

Empower your kids! There is a difference between giving your children empowerment, and giving them THE power, as I will explain.

Example: constantly telling your child that they are perfect is going to give them a sense of entitlement; telling your child each day how they can be successful is called empowerment.

Take a few minutes out of each day to remind your child just how amazing they are, and what they can do. “John you did an amazing job picking out your clothes today and getting ready so fast!” They are going to find new confidence in their lives by giving them these simple tools for their daily lives.

• Let your child make decisions even if you know it is not going to end positively- let them fail and take reasonable risks; they will learn from it!
• Help them learn patience- help them to realize that not EVERYTHING has immediate gratification (plant a garden)
• Don’t bail them out every time- let them make decisions to deal with the consequence whether they be positive or negative outcomes
• Lead by example- show respect, show that you care for yourself and others equally and passionately, have gratitude about your life, and be self-sufficient

Next time you are at the park encourage them to climb that ladder or jump from that new distance. It’s going to be scary as hell for you as their guardian, but so cool as their life mentor!

Empower your Kids by Unplugging!

In the technologically filled world that we live in, remind your children that the best things in life take time. Make sure to take time to unplug each day to connect with the natural world. Lie in the backyard at night, and start reading a long book together. Read one chapter per night to build some anticipation about what is going to happen next.

There are so many safe ways to let children fail and benefit from it. If they are doing something that they love, but you usually help them or do it for them, take the back seat next time. Offer encouragement and that is all. Let them dress themselves, or bake the pie, or paint their nails, or give the dog a bath. They will learn from their mistakes and do better next time. By fixing their own mistakes they will feel so much pride from doing it all on their own; which in turn will fill you with pride.

Lead by Example

The last tip of leading by example will transform your child’s outlook on life. You are their first and number one teacher. Take a step back and realize just how many things they do the same way that you do. Is it the positive version of you that is being reflected? If not, do something about it. Your children are still growing and changing each day. It is not too late to give them some empowering footsteps to follow in.

Feeling overwhelmed yet? Don’t. You’re going to screw up, and you’re going to do it in front of your little ones. The way you react to it is what they’re going to remember. So be you, and they will learn to be them. One day, they will thank you when they are in your shoes and raising some of their own minions.

Thanks for the read!

Ms. Brooke
Literacy Leader
Curriculum Instruction Coordinator
Rockin’ Pre-K Teacher

5 Things to Avoid When Potty Training

July 25, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

So as parents there is always the unsolicited advice of how to do things. Which foods are best, the best diapers to use, the best parks. It can all be so overwhelming!

Patience and understanding go a long way!

This is very true when it comes to Potty Training as well. From when a child should be potty trained to how one should go about it, there are just so many “ways” you can or cannot approach this development milestone. Social emotionally potty training a child can be a very hard thing for a child to comprehend and establish.

From one mom to another, and with my background in Early Childhood Education I have compiled just 5 things you should avoid, good luck!

1. Do not make it a battle.
If you both are in tears by the time you get your little one to sit on the potty, it is not the right time. It shouldn’t be a game of bribing and fighting. If a child is truly ready to be potty trained they will sit and try freely and with enthusiasm. When be forced to sit on the potty the child becomes even more scared of the act and thus the whole process will take longer.

2. Do not reprimand children for having an accident or shame for not using the potty.
As stated above potty training is more about the social emotional aspect. It should never be about embarrassing the child or making them guilty for having an accident. Along with anything children try to master there will be digression and progression till full on mastery, patience can and will be your best friend throughout this process. (Note: Pediatricians claim to not worry that your child is not potty trained until age 4!)

3. Do not start potty training in a transition or in times of stress.
If you are moving into or out of a house, have any major changes in schedule or the household we strongly encourage you to wait on potty training. Children are some of the best feelers in the world and they understand when something in their routine is off. Instead wait till a positive routine can be
established, studies show that parents are much more successful at this time as well.

4. Do not limit yourself to one method!
Just like when we teach our curriculum, we always have different learning methods for our different learners. This is something to be considered when you are implementing potty training methods! A good rule of thumb is try a practice for 2 weeks, if it doesn’t work that’s when you can transition to something else! What worked for the first child might not work for the second child. Allow yourself trial and error. Remember to keep positive!

5. Do not compare your methods or progress with someone else’s.
It is said that comparison is the thief of joy, don’t take away your child’s small victories because another child in their class is at another level. Every child is different! There are many cases when a child can become potty trained in 3 days and others in 3 months. It is a good thing to try and learn new methods from other moms and dads, but always take into consideration your own child and keep in mind that you are their biggest advocates!

I guess you could say that “Mommin’ Aint Easy” and potty training most definitely is not for the faint of heart! Steal your kids capes from dress up, put them on and tackle potty training like a pro!

Thanks for the read,
Michaela R.
Young Scholars Academy, Child Success Advocate, Early Childhood Educator

Parent Guilt. Yes it’s real.

July 9, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

Maternity leave has taught me a few lessons this time around that I didn’t learn the first time around. The most powerful of those lessons is NO ONE has this parent thing figured out to perfection. Second- EVERYONE has an opinion on what you are doing and if they believe it is right or wrong. The best place to go if you want unsolicited advice or to feel judged is the playground or community park. (We all judge so we might as well as get that out of the way.)

Let me start this off with a positive. We are all trying our best and just hope to get our kids through this crazy thing called life. Our kids don’t need the breast over the bottle. It really doesn’t matter if we choose co-sleeping or separate room arrangements. Our children will survive if they don’t have organic everything.

All our children need in this crazy adventure that us parents have chosen to go on, is guidance and love. Yes, we need to make sure they have the essentials of life but when it comes to everything else love and guidance is all they want and truly need from us.

Guilt is a powerful thing that will consume your happiness and make you question everything in a matter of moments. (okay at least it does to me) As a parent I am constantly questioning- am I doing it right? Am I damaging this poor kid(s) by the choices I am making? I don’t usually openly say that I am concerned or questioning my choices. I truly believe in faking it till you make it. Especially in this parenting adventure.

I sit at the park letting my tiny little adventurer run up the slide, jump off the top tier of the platform and am embracing the energy that is my spazzy child. I take the parent approach of free range and reasonable risk. I live by the notion of if he doesn’t fall or fail how will he know to get back up or try again.

I don’t even realize the mom group that has formed at the picnic area next to me till I start hearing the whispers and the “don’t climb the slide that is not how we use it.” This is where I stop and cringe and try to not be that crazy mom or teacher going off the deep end about why it is okay for them to climb the slide or take a little risk. (This is where my judging comes in) We all parent different and we all have different notions on what is acceptable and what is not.

I can’t even pretend to be an exclusion of the parent shaming, judging every move another parent makes. I do and I even judge myself as I am doing it. There is no perfect parenting style or way. If there was we would all own the book and have saints of children and no tantrums or behavior issues. However, that book has not come out yet. It most likely won’t anytime soon. Not only because there is no perfect way but because each child is different in their own amazing way. So, there can’t be one way parenting.

So how do I deal with being the parent guilted from the choices I make? I pick my emotional battles. I realize that no matter what I love the tiny humans I brought into this world. I conclude that if I guide them to kindness and love them it will all be okay. I choose to let it go and try to be more understanding as I am standing at the park being the black sheep that didn’t pack the organic snacks or bring the sunscreen. I choose their happiness and my emotional sanity.

I also promise to work on my own judgmental ways and remind myself that we are all on this journey together and have various solutions to making it through this parenting thing. And for a giggle, watch and enjoy!

Don’t sizzle out on Summer Reading!

July 6, 2017 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

With summer pushing half way over it’s time to renew that drive to keep reading! Like many goals, it’s easy to become tired of our goal and feel like quitting. We don’t feel like it’s getting us anywhere or we are just bored with the same old routine. Now is the time to change things up a little to keep from getting tired of our goal to read every day.

Maybe now would be an appropriate time to read aloud to someone instead of reading alone to ourselves. If you’ve been spending time reading aloud to your children, maybe it’s time to add reading a book for yourself. Change things up completely or just add something new to your routine.

Look for a new author that you’ve never read before or pick up a book from your favorite author that you haven’t read in a while. Try an old classic or maybe even the latest trend in books. Even apps such as Audible are a great tool for busy parents!

Most of my life, I’ve read the same four authors or so. I really enjoyed their books and would switch between them. In high school, however, I was “forced” to read outside my box and I really thought each time that I would hate the book because it wasn’t by one of my favorite authors.

I was surprised each time because I found that I liked the classics. “Where the Red Fern Grows”, “The Scarlet Letter”, and “To Kill a Mockingbird” were all books that I thought I would hate, but ended up loving!

Every now and again a series of books come along and everyone wants to read them. I’m not one to follow the crowd and many don’t appeal to me but once I tried a popular series and loved it. My son wanted to read the Hunger Games series and I wanted to know what he was reading. The series seemed to be interesting and so I read it along with my son. We both ended up loving it and because we read it about at the same time we had something to talk about together. If you have teenagers or remember being a teenager then you know, having something to talk about with your teenage child can be remarkable.

Trying something new renews your goal to read every day and it may give you something to share with someone you love. It’s hard sometimes to keep up with long term goals; short term goals are generally more rewarding, or at least they feel like they are.

In truth, though, following through with a long-term goal can be even more rewarding. It gives you more of a sense of accomplishment then short-term goals do. Maintaining a long-term goal, such as reading every day, helps you feel good. It helps you to realize you are doing something good for yourself and others if you are reading aloud to someone.

In June, I challenged you all to read every day this summer and to encourage your children to do the same. June is over, and July will go just as fast! Before you know it we all will be back into the school routine with our children and may feel that there is less time.

Take this time to stay in the routine of reading every day and you will find that it is easier to continue come this fall. Do not let boredom with your routine get you down, change it up. Keep it interesting and keep reading.

Ms. Cheryl
Literacy Leader, Early Childhood Educator
Young Scholars Academy