It’s often thought of as tacky, but is it really?

Re-gifting is the practice of individuals giving unused gifts that they received from others.

Declared a national holiday by money management website Regiftable.com, National Re-gifting day is celebrated each year on the third Thursday in December.

The date was chosen because it’s when companies are most likely to hold their office holiday parties giving individuals the chance to offload unwanted or unused gifts.

Re-gifting as a teaching tool

At first glance you might not believe that regifting offers any benefit…other than perhaps cleaning out your closets, but this common practice gives parents and child care educators the perfect opportunity to teach kids how to share.

Thoughtful giving

Gift giving is a way to show someone that you care. Help children to understand that giving someone a gift is not a way to “show off”, so there’s no need to spend more than your budget allows.

In fact, in classroom situations, teachers set a limit on the amount each student can spend to avoid the chance of any hurt feelings.

To help children connect with the purpose of gift giving, ask each child about the last present they received. Who gave it to them? How did it make them feel?

Discuss what the other person must have been thinking when they gave it to them and ask what they think this person might like to receive from them.

Gracious receiving

The other side of giving is, of course, receiving.

Remind each child that the intent behind gift giving is many times more important than the actual gift itself and to show their appreciation.

After all, it really is the thought that counts.

Earth friendly

Re-gifting something that someone else would use and enjoy is also good for the planet.

Include the idea of regifting when discussing the topic of recycling with your class. It provides a concrete example that’s easy for children to understand.

Helping others

Have your class take part in community gift giving efforts such as Toys for Tots.

Take the opportunity to discuss just how much of an impact they can make in the lives of other kids, just like them, who may not have as great of a Christmas as they will.

Re-giving do’s and don’ts

Etiquette is important if you choose to regift. Following are some commonly accepted “rules” when regifting:

• You must be transparent about the gift – don’t pass it off as a newly purchased item.
• The item should be unopened, in its original packaging.
• Don’t re-gift handmade items.
• Don’t unload something unless you know the recipient will have a good use for it.
• Remove the gift tag first!
• Don’t re-gift something your child received from someone special…instead, have them use it when the gift giver is around to show their appreciation (e.g. the bunny suit in The Christmas Story!)
• Avoid re-gifting within the same social circle.
• Don’t re-gift something unless you know exactly who gave it to you.

As a parent, you want your child to excel and be set up for lifelong success. Early childhood education gives your child the tools they need to excel throughout their lifetime of education. You may feel ambivalent about enrolling your child into an early education program. Parental decisions are never easy, but the profound benefits of early childhood education make the decision easier.

Benefits of Early Childhood Education

Teaches Socialization

Socialization is the most obvious benefit of early childhood education. When a child attends preschool, they learn how to socialize, cooperate, share, and form friendships. They learn to communicate with other adults outside of their family. If your child learns to socialize at a young age, it will be easier for them to develop a healthy self-esteem.

Nurtures All Aspects of a Child’s Development

Early childhood education nurtures a child’s emotional, social, physical, and mental development. Teachers of early childhood education are trained to nurture each of these areas by focusing activities on them. Interaction with other children also nurtures these areas.

Sparks Motivation for Lifelong Learning

At the preschool age, a child is the most inquisitive. Preschool activities are intended to be fun and hands-on. When a child realizes that learning is fun, they will have a positive attitude about learning throughout their lifetime. They will also keep the motivation to learn.

Helps a Child Develop Respect

Early childhood education helps prevent disrespect because it teaches and promotes respect. In preschool, a child learns the value of respecting authority figures and peers. Respect is taught in preschool by enforcing manners. This includes, “Please” and “Thank you”, as well as not talking when the teacher is giving directions, and speaking to their peers in a respectful tone.

Teaches Effective Teamwork

Teamwork is a skill your child will need to have in school, recreation, and the workplace. Preschool sets the foundation to make a child an employable adult by practicing teamwork daily.

Teaches Concentration and Patience

When a child is at home, they can move from one activity to another. When they need a snack or a drink at home, they get it right away. In preschool, a child must focus on a project or an activity for the time set and allowed by the teacher. They need to wait to express their hunger, thirst, or restroom needs. This will prepare them for elementary school because they have to stay focused on their classwork and be patient.

Exposes a Child to a Variety of Different Types of People

When a child is limited to the company of family/friends, they are most likely exposed to the same type of people. When a child enters preschool, they see an array of different religions, ethnicities, and cultures. This helps teach a child the concept of tolerance early on in life.

Preschool Achievement Gap

The children who are not receiving the same quality preschool education as other children are not reaping the developmental and educational benefits. This causes an achievement gap later on between the children who attended preschool and the children who did not. The children who did not attend preschool are behind in their learning and development when they start elementary school.

Unfortunately, issues including low-income, poverty, and a lack of quality preschool program availability in certain areas play a significant role in the existence of the preschool achievement gap.

You can help close the preschool gap by taking advantage of enrolling your child into an early childhood education program. This will ensure your child is not behind when they get to kindergarten and first grade. There is trustworthy preschool in Jackson, Michigan.

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education is important because of the numerous short-term and long-term benefits. It introduces topics which will be taught in kindergarten and elementary school, including art, math, and language. This will give your child a strong educational foundation. Early childhood education is a complement to all the valuable skills and nurturing a child receives at home. Preschool takes what they learn at home a step further by teaching your child to apply those skills and values when working with other adults and children. Both a positive home environment and a quality preschool work together to make a child well-rounded.

Long Term Benefits of Early Childhood Education

Higher Earnings

The HighScope Perry Preschool Study remarkably showed that adults, who were enrolled in a quality early education program as young child, earned approximately $2,000 dollars more a month. This totals up to $24,000 more a year than adults who were not enrolled in a quality early education program as a child.

More Desirable to Employers

Preschool teaches skills such as teamwork, respect, cooperation, patience, and moral development. Adults who attended preschool as young children are more desirable to employers because they have had the qualities an employer is seeking from the time they were young children.

Less Likely to Commit Crimes

When a child is taught morals early on in life, they are more likely to keep them throughout life. Studies show children who attended preschool were less likely to externalize criminal behaviors such as lying, stealing, and aggression.

More Academically Motivated

According to IQ tests, children who attended a quality preschool program tended to have higher IQ scores than the children who did not. In addition, these children were more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and be more motivated about academics in general.

Longer Marriages

Adults who attended preschool as children are more likely to have longer, more successful marriages. This may be because they earn more money, are less likely to commit crimes, and are better at teamwork and communication.

Preschool vs. No Preschool Statistics

The statistics prove early childhood education has lifelong benefits on children.
• Children who did not attend preschool are 25 percent more likely to drop out of high school
• Children who did not attend preschool are 40 percent more likely to become a parent in their teenage years
• Children who did not attend preschool are 60 percent more likely to not pursue higher education
• Children who did not attend preschool are 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime

Though early education comes at a price, the price is not as high as the outcomes for the children who did not attend preschool. The numbers do not lie. They are proof that early childhood education has a significant impact on a child’s life.

Conclusion

Early childhood education is critical for a child. You do not want your child to be a part of the preschool gap, and left behind when they get to elementary school. You do not want your child’s adulthood to be negatively impacted because of not making a simple early decision to enroll them in a quality preschool. The short and long-term benefits, and the effect it has on a child’s outcome, prove that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by enrolling your child into an early childhood education program.

What does my child need to know for Kindergarten?

Every parent, especially with their first child, wonders what the answer to this question is when their baby begins closing in on the magic age of five. The problem is that there really isn’t a right answer. The best thing parents can do is make sure they are preparing their child for Kindergarten. If you are not sure how to do that, then getting some help would be a great idea. Whether you teach your child at home or send your child to a trustworthy preschool in Colorado Springs, consider signing them up for summer school before entering Kindergarten. Here are 13 reasons why:

When School Starts…

They’ll Be Focused Instead Of Distracted From Being Upset

Most children are upset, frightened, or anxious the first few days of school. Having experience with a summer course can make a child less likely to display those emotions and more likely to remain calm and focused.

They Will Be Comfortable In The Social Setting

This gives children a chance to participate in a socially engaging environment. They will become comfortable in such a setting before Kindergarten even begins.

They will develop an interest in books

Reading can be a fun adventure for children. It introduces them to a whole new world. Kindergarten teachers have amazing reading tips that can develop a child’s interest in reading. Reading will get children ready for school. The reading tips they learn at Kindergarten will come in handy, as it will be a daily activity at school.

They Will Be Familiar With The Structure Of A School Day

School is usually the first time children experience a routine schedule of their own from day to day. It can take a little while for kids to make adjustments and adapt to an every day schedule. A summer session will not only introduces the routine to children, but will allow them to make those adjustments before entering Kindergarten.

The Routine Will Prepare Their Body And Mind For The School Day

Until they reach school age, children usually wake up whenever they want, and very few of them are likely to take a nap at the same time. A summer course will assist in giving the child a more definitive sleep schedule.

They Will Be Introduced to The Student/Teacher Relationship

For most kids, other than their parents, a teacher is the first person of authority they meet.

Fine Tune Their Academics

Counting, the alphabet, and more will be taught to prepare the kids for Kindergarten. This is a nice head-start for the child as well as the teacher.

They Will Build Friendships With Peers

For many children, school is the first time they are able to interact with other kids in their own age. This can lead to some awkward times as children with siblings will try to establish a ‘pecking order’. Others may try to be more reserved if they are an only child. Why not let them work out the awkwardness during the summer? It will allow the kids more comfort when they enter Kindergarten.

Learn Respect And To Be Courteous To Their Peers

Of course, this and the previous one on our list go hand in hand. Learning respect and being courteous to others is still noteworthy. Both are characteristics the children will apply to everyone they meet, not just other kids of the same age.

Sharing And Taking Turns

Patience is embedded in sharing and taking turns, and patience is a virtue. Better to learn and develop patience as early as possible, right?

They Learn What Is Expected Of Them And What They Should Expect

This one speaks for itself.

They Start Absorbing Information And Listening

Getting into the habit of listening and focusing on everything being said is another great characteristic. The sooner a child develops this skill, the better.

It Fills The Summer With Activity

Give your child’s summer enrichment by filling it with activities. Guess what? A summer school session will do exactly that.

It Creates Opportunities For Parents To Provide Positive Reinforcement

The last on the list may be the best. A summer program like Kindergarten prep will also create things for parents to talk about with their child. It gives parents a chance to provide positive reinforcement to the child for their effort and successes over the summer.

Stressing about Kindergarten can take the fun out of an enjoyable experience. Whether or not you’re sure how to prepare your child for Kindergarten, consider enrolling your child in a summer school enrichment program. The benefits are tremendous and everyone comes out winning in the end, especially the children.

Summer offers children a well-received break from structured learning. A Summer Camp provides children with the opportunity to build their character, confidence, and other interpersonal skills while indulging in fun and entertaining activities.

Camp doesn’t just apply to school-aged children! The benefits of summer camp for preschoolers include school preparedness and independence. Children adapt quickly to their camp communities and flourish under the positive pressure of group activities, free play, and community events.

In a safe environment, free from parental interference, children make their own decisions and fulfill their duties as a member of a working group. While traditional schools reward growth in reading, writing, and arithmetic, soft skills, such as social etiquette, communication, and cooperation often fall by the wayside.

At camp, daily challenges and group activities can help stimulate personal growth by pushing children to new boundaries. From first-day introductions to end-of-summer farewells, children get countless real-life opportunities to practice their interpersonal skills.

Summer camp is a safe, supervised environment filled with freedom and opportunity. For parents who have their own camp memories, it is an investment that goes without question. For children looking to flex their wings, it is the opportunity of a lifetime that only comes around once a year!

Benefits of Summer Camp for Youth

1. Friendship: One of the key components of summer camp is friendship. As part of a camp community, children are encouraged to work together and rely on the support of others.
2. Confidence: Children take part in many character building activities that promote positive self-esteem and self-worth.
3. Leadership: Children are encouraged to participate in group activities that reward valuable leadership skills.
4. Independence: While camp counselors provide ample supervision and guidance, children are encouraged to make positive decisions on their own.
5. Fresh Air: At home, the lure of video games and air conditioning can sometimes be overwhelming, but at summer camp there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep children active outside.
6. Discovery: Children walk away from camp with a variety of new skills. Some skills may even become a lifelong interest.
7. Freedom: While there are many preplanned activities at camp, some of the children’s time is filled with free play. Children cherish the opportunity to build upon their newfound friendships.
8. Nature: Many camps provide a gateway to the natural world. Hiking, canoeing, and water play are just a few of the enjoyable outdoor activities your child may take part in at camp.
9. Talent: At camp, individuality is celebrated. Oftentimes, a variety of activities will offer children multiple opportunities to discover and nurture their individual talents.
10. Belonging: Children often yearn to be accepted and cherished by their peers. At camp, they will discover that many tasks require a team effort.
11. Tradition: From camp songs to secret codes, summer camps often develop their own culture and traditions to match. For this reason, children often desire to return to the same camp year after year.
12. Education: Educators stress the importance of bridging the gap between school years. Summer camp, while incredibly fun, offers activities that encourage creative thinking, problem solving, and even encourage skills such as reading and math. Early childhood educators stress importance of summer camp in school preparedness.

 

Benefits of Summer Camp Statistics

According to Psychology Today, a survey given to 300 summer camp directors revealed that summer camp makes children more resilient to life’s stress.

There are many social and emotional benefits that can be attributed to a positive summer camp experience. Without parental interference, children discover their own voice and how to independently navigate social situations. Moreover, campers often assume greater responsibilities than they would at home.

A recent study by the University of New Hampshire confirmed that outdoor education helped children develop positive qualities and capabilities. With today’s children spending more time than ever on screens, embarking on an outdoor adventure can be a pivotal opportunity. According to the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, children between the ages of two and five spend an average of 2.2 hours on screens every day!

While it is difficult to measure a child’s emotional growth, the nation’s continued demand for summer camp speaks for itself. With over 14 billion people enrolled in summer camp programs each year, there is something wonderful to be said about this seasonal tradition.

Contact us at Young Scholars Academy for more information on our exploratory summer camp program. Young Scholars Academy is an award winning Colorado Springs preschool which also offers a specialized camp experience for 4-year-olds. Give them a call today to hear more about the benefits of summer camp for preschoolers!