Young Scholars Academy

Where Children Develop a Love of Learning

 5815 Tutt Center Point - Colorado Springs, CO 80922
 (719) 522-9099
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Children & “Whole” Fitness

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Group Of Young Children Running Towards Camera In Park

There are many aspects to a child’s overall fitness. A child’s ability to be physically fit is the one we as adults relate to the word fitness. There are other parts of it though. Children need to be socially, emotionally, and academically fit also. When a child is positively fit, they can perform physical activities, learn new skills, build relationships, and communicate with others. Children think of being fit as a fun and enjoyable experience. It is not however commonplace or as easy to achieve as you may think. Everyday issues have a tendency to get in the way. After a long day at school and work families are tired and stressed. That’s when we turn on the television or hook ourselves up to a tablet and check out. While it is understandable it is a habit that we should try to break.

Did you know that children love to do yoga! It is an easy way to stretch and relieve some stress at the end of the day. Having the opportunity to jog around the backyard and do something physical after sitting in school all day gives them a chance to focus and get a release to all their built-up energy. Physical activity helps them to increase their coordination, balance, strength, and their own knowledge of what they can do. Some quick activities to do outside: hopscotch, a round of catch, running races, sidewalk chalk. Just a quick five-minute activity can really make a difference for evening routines.

Being mentally fit is not something most people think about when it comes to children. They are constantly drawn to watching television or playing on the tablet. It can be a good distraction but shouldn’t become a habit It can be very disruptive to communication skills, focus and building relationships. Making time to engage them in conversation and having them participate in daily activities help to ensure they are mentally fit. Ask about their day and tell them about yours. The act of simple conversation will keep their mind alert. It teaches empathy and gives them insight to what others think about. Let them help make dinner. When they participate in making food, they are more likely to want to eat it. It teaches them healthy eating habits. Most importantly it gives them a chance to build a greater relationship with you.
When I think of a child that is fit, I think about the whole child. Think of it as a pie chart. A section for the mind, a section for the body, a section for the heart. The more these areas get filled the healthier the child.

Ms. Dotty
Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
NAEYC Coordinator

Catching Our Breath

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It’s the middle of March, the sun is out past 4 o’clock and you’re most likely rushing to go pick up the kids from preschool. You check your Facebook at the red light and can’t help but see articles about COVID-19 popping up here and there. Another couple seconds of scrolling and you slowly forget about that headline and continue on with your busy night. Your brain is focusing on dinner, hockey practice, getting the kids bathed. You may have even considered washing your hair but then laugh at that cute thought and continue to drive.

Boom. A global pandemic is now suddenly at your front door and you’re unemployed, a home school teacher, and chef on top of all your other duties you had before you had to be with your family for 24 hours straight. You’re worried for the health and safety of your children even more than you already were.

Can we share with you how the shut down looked like for us?

We had a staff meeting in the middle of March like we do quarterly. We did our housekeeping as usual and the topic of COVID-19 was brought up. We all really weren’t too concerned with it. We told our team, “Keep up with your hand washing, sanitize everything and just keep doing what you know how to do.” Little did we know just days after our world would turn upside down.

Our phone was flooded with concerned parents. Emails came pouring in with parents seeking answers we didn’t have. There is no “How To Handle A Pandemic” pamphlet for business owners, though we bet someone is working on one now. Then as more fear set in, we started getting notices for our babies. We get it, but it hurt so bad. No job means no money for preschool tuition and you all didn’t have a choice.

Babies that we’ve had since they were babies were leaving us. It wasn’t supposed to “end” like that. We’re all suppose to cry together at graduation wondering how the past 5 years flew by so fast! The kids were suppose to happily leave with their tassels in hand, eager to head off to Kindergarten. It’s never easy to say goodbye, but usually we’re able to say goodbye…

Slowly but surely, our classrooms became quieter and quieter. When the Stay At Home Order was issued, the decision to temporarily close was made. So many tears were shed when our administration broke the news to the entire team. If you’ve had the opportunity to know our team for more than 5 minutes, you’d know that we’re a family. How could we handle being away from each other? We’ve never done such a thing before. We’re a bunch of aunts to each other kids, therapists when life calls for it, and each other’s biggest cheerleaders. So not only do we not get to see our kids, we don’t get to see each other either. This was not how we had planned our year.

The next four weeks our team would brainstorm ways to connect with each other and our families. Many teachers were doing video lessons, bedtime stories and recording videos saying hi for their classrooms. We didn’t see many other businesses, let alone preschools doing this, so again another moment when we were so proud of our team.

Then finally, we were able to open, and regardless of the crazy world that was still outside of us, we were all so thankful to just be around our kids and each other again. The first couple weeks were chaos as expected. Our kids didn’t understand why mommy couldn’t walk them to class anymore and a lot of tears were shed.

It’s almost August now and our little preschool is adjusting well to the “new normal.” Our kids have become accustomed to the new drop off and pick ups, and the team is working extremely hard to communicate with their families since really we all have zero face to face interactions with them. We’ve been voted “Best of the Springs” 6 years in a row now, but we feel like it’s in times like these that “The Best” really show up. It would be easy to just keep the tiny humans alive and use a sanitizer bottle here and there. That’s just not who we are. Our curriculum now is even more aimed at building up our kids’ brains and social emotional health. Young Scholars Academy is meant to be a safe place for children, a place where a kid can know what it’s like to be a kid. That’s our job.

In a sense we like to think of ourselves as a little snow globe for the kids where they can be protected from the chaos of the outside world. The kids are looking to us for the answers. We still don’t have them, but were doing our absolute best.

So this is us catching our breath. The days are long and it’s exhausting.

Our hands are cracked from excessive hand washing.

We’re dying in our face masks as we chase the kids on the playground.

You know what though?

We’re so thankful to be able to do a pandemic with all of you.

Stay safe and healthy, thanks for reading.

The Young Scholars Academy Family

Summer Safety Tips for Kids

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Summer is the time when your kids are up and about and wanting to take part in the activities going on around them. Kids love this time of year because it marks the end of the school term and the beginning of long, fun summer days. With hot days ahead, kids love to spend most of their time outside doing water sports, riding bikes, going to family gatherings, camping, or going to the beach.

While this time of year is one of the most memorable and enjoyable times, the best way to ensure your kids get the most satisfying experience this summer is to follow the summer safety tips for kids checklist below. 

Preventing Heat Exhaustion

When your kids are playing and interacting with their friends, they may be unaware of how dehydrated and exhausted they are. The increased temperature during summer months makes heat exhaustion more of a concern.

Your kids can become thirsty and fatigued when they do not drink enough water to hydrate their bodies. Furthermore, vomiting, dizziness and the possibility of fainting can occur if your kids do not consume enough water throughout the day.

This summer safety tip for your kids is of utmost importance because it is not always apparent that your kids need to hydrate when they are having fun. Soda and other sugary drinks can sometimes make the problem worse by forcing the body to divert water, energy, and other resources to processing such drinks.

Just remember kids are more prone to become dehydrated than adults and are even more at risk as the temperature rises. Make it a fun game where every 20-30 minutes your kids are taking a sip of water and misting themselves with water to cool down. 

Sunscreen is a Must

While the excitement of relaxing under the hot summer sun can get the best of us, remember to apply sunscreen when you will be outdoors. This should be a habit throughout the summer, even on cloudy days.

Ensure that a generous amount of sunscreen is applied at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. This can help protect kids from overexposure to the sun that causes painful sunburns and skin damage. Avoid staying in direct sunshine for long periods throughout the day. Seek out shaded areas and stay within these areas as much as possible.

Dress your kids in appropriate, breathable outdoor clothing, hats, sunglasses and comfortable shoes. If adequate shade is not available, apply enough sunscreen. Especially to parts of the body that will be exposed.

If nothing else on this list is implemented, this recommendation should be strongly considered. Applying sunscreen is one of the most important takeaways from this summer safety tip for kids’ checklist.

Why deal with the aftermath of treating sunburn when you can simply talk to your kids about the importance of sunscreen? A daily application can protect their skin from UV rays that can seriously hurt them.

Protecting your Kids Against Bug Bites

During this time of year, the warm weather attracts bugs to come out to feast and play. Therefore, this summer safety tip for kids will be helpful in preventing your kids from bug bites and limiting the annoyance of itching all day.

To prevent bug bites, apply a substantial amount of child-friendly insect repellent before your kids go exploring the outdoors.

While taking the proper precautions to prevent your kids from bug bites, keep in mind that they are prone to getting bug bites and treating these bites can also be a great option. 

Here are three ways to treat bug bites: 

  1.     If your child happens to get a bite, apply ice to the area right away to prevent itching and swelling.
  2.     Apply calamine lotion to further reduce itching at the site of bug bites. 
  3.     Avoid scratching. Explain to your child that scratching will break the skin, which will make the bug bite worse. Cutting your kids’ fingernails will help in combating this issue.

Watch your Kids Closely 

Take the time to ensure you have an eye on your kids. Whether it is at the beach, playing in the driveway, or simply playing in the backyard.

Kids have a tendency to wander off and get caught up doing their own thing. They do not grasp the concept of staying in sight where a parent can see and speak to them if danger is near. 

Safeguard the environment they are playing in by checking that is free from hazards and is kid-friendly.

Ensure your kids are supervised at all times while in any body of water. It is critical that you have plenty of safety measures in place for your kids during this time. 

Be Safe and Make the Best of This Summer!!

This summer is going to be a blast, these summer safety tips for kids can make your summer one that is relaxing and enjoyable for your kids. Remember to keep them hydrated, slather on the sunscreen, use child-friendly insect repellent, and watch them at all times.

You will be more prepared and knowledgeable about the right safety measures in making this summer one to remember.   

These summer safety tips for kids’ checklists are here for you to use and implement this summer. This checklist is a guide to remind and inform parents about a few of the many ways to protect and safeguard kids during the summer months.

Young Scholars Academy is here to inform you that you can put into action things to prevent an unsafe summer. To learn more about Young Scholars Academy and what the center has to offer, call us or visit our website at youngscholarsacademy.com   

 

Identifying bullying and teaching skills to deter those aggressive behaviors

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The definition of bullying according to the webster dictionary is “prone to or characterized by overbearing mistreatment and domination of others.” Now those are some harsh words especially when we are thinking of young children 5 and under and even as young as toddlers. So, we must ask ourselves does bullying take place in ECE or is it not till children enter Elementary school and onward that bullying exist?

Bullying behaviors emerge in early childhood and EC educators play an essential role in determining whether bullying escalates, or whether it is stopped. Anybody who interacts with young children can take steps to teach them the skills they need to avoid bullying. Did you know that 95% of pathways are developed by the age of five? So the key to curbing bullying lies in educating and teaching young children how to regulate and proper ways to express emotions. But it is not only a job that ECE teachers can take on all by themselves. Parents play a key role in shaping young minds as well and are essential partners in identifying bullying and teaching skills to deter those aggressive behaviors.

As an early education educator, it is important for me to be able to identify bullying. If I do not know what to look for how can I help the aggressor or victim? Just as it is important for me as a teacher to see the signs and it is also essential for parents to notice signs of if their child is bullying or being bullied. We must come together to help children move forward and regulate themselves and their feelings healthy and respectfully. Below I have listed a few books that can help you bringing up the discussion of bullying and how to guide your child through.

  1. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
  2. That Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems
    (Mo Willems books are a great resource for tons of social emotional skills)
  3. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
  4. The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy
  5. Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully By Audrey Penn

The biggest tool we have as parents and educators is communication and listening to our children.

Ms. Michaela

Lead Preschool Teacher
Social Emotional Coordinator

The Nutrition Battle

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I don’t think anything in parenthood is as greatly debated as much as nutrition.

Breastmilk, formula, purees, table food, how much, how often, the list goes on and on. It all usually starts with some old school advice from well-meaning relatives. Feed the baby more, put cereal in the bottle, give them solids so they sleep longer, babies need bland foods because their taste buds aren’t like ours. It’s nearly impossible to navigate all the information. It’s important to follow the advice of your pediatrician, but I have some quick tips that may help. Don’t worry, we’ll talk about the older kiddos too!

In the early days, breastmilk and/or formula are all a baby needs. Infants fed at the breast will generally take in between 24-30 ounces in a 24 hour period by the time they are a month old and until right around 6 months when solids are introduced. The amount of breastmilk needed won’t increase, because breastmilk changes to meet the baby’s needs. Formula fed babies are similar, but the amounts increase as baby grows. Something I have been working to introduce here at the center is paced feeding. In short, it’s the practice of slowing down the bottle feeding so baby has more time to feel full, rather than gulping the entire thing down.

Introducing solids is where things get tricky. Some recommendations say 4 months is the time to introduce while some say 6 months. A handy list of physical milestones to watch for can help determine if your baby is ready. Sitting unassisted, loss of tongue thrust reflex and the development of a pincer grasp are some great signs to look for.

But wait, WHAT do I feed my baby? Great question! You have several options. My personal favorite is baby led weaning. Baby eats what you eat and it’s a fun, messy experience for the whole family. There are some great resources out there to get started. (I even have a book you can borrow, feel free to stop by my classroom!) Another option is starting with baby cereals and purees. (Tiny side note, we have the ability to puree fresh fruits and veggies when we have them with our school meals!) Whatever you choose, it’s important to follow your baby’s cues. Start slow and see where it takes you. And be sure to take LOTS of pictures.

After a year when breastmilk and formula have tapered out, and even if breastfeeding continues, your kiddo will be eating primarily solid foods. Current guidelines recommend that a child between the ages of 12 months and 36 months needs between 1000 and 1400 calories a day, depending on size, age and activity level. (They’re all pretty active though, amiright?) From a year to 2 years, they need 3 servings of whole grains, 1 serving (1 cup) of fruit and 1 serving of vegetables, 2 servings of protein (1 egg or 1 ounce of cooked meat), and 2 servings of milk. Yogurt, cheese, breastmilk and non-dairy milks meet that recommendation. This increases only slightly from the age of 2-3. 5 servings of whole grains, 1.5 of fruit, 1.5 of vegetables, 2-4 of protein and 2 of milk. From 4 to 5 years of age it goes to 6 servings of grains, 5 fruits & vegetables, 2 protein and 3 milk. In reality though, knowing how much they eat is typically less important that what they’re eating. A variety of healthy foods from each groups is a great way to ensure they get what they need.

Now, what about those busy nights when you forgot to turn on the crockpot, or you had an insane day and just need to grab something quick? No worries! Seriously, a meal from McDonald’s here and a couple of Chic-Fil-A nights there aren’t going to mess your child up for life. Organic? It’s nice for certain foods, but not something you necessarily need to spend all your time stressing about. Those crumbs in the back seat of your car or the snacks your child finds somewhere weeks later? No problem. Take it from me. I breastfed both of my boys for 2 and a half years each, and to my great surprise, my oldest did not die when he found a chocolate donut in his Batmobile about a week after I remember seeing it, and he ate it right in front of me. My brother-in-law was formula fed and he was the cleanest, least disgusting eater ever as a child. I was formula fed and I am completely in love with fruits and veggies as an adult! Feed your child in the way you choose that works best for you and your family. You have the information, be free to do with it what you’d like!

Ms. Amy
Infant Nursery Supervisor
Parent Connection Coordinator