Events & Updates - Young Scholars Academy

Creating Memories with Your Child

April 9, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

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

How to Celebrate National Nutrition Month at Home and School

March 29, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

“Invest in Yourself – Buy Nutrition” was the theme for the first National Nutrition Month. It was created in 1973 by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The ADA is known now as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It actually started as a week long to begin with, but has expanded to a full month to reach more people.

This month of awareness is meant to help everyone focus on the many benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, of which nutrition plays a key part.

There are a lot of ways to celebrate National Nutrition Month both at home and at school. Looking for the best way to help the information be effective and stick? Make it fun!

Here are a few ideas to help you get started.:

Create a theme for each week which focuses on a particular aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

For example:

Week One – MyPlate – what it is and how it can help you eat healthy food
Week Two – Why choose whole grains?
Week Three – How to read nutrition labels
Week Four – Get moving every day!

Supermarket scavenger hunt

Take a class field trip to the local supermarket (or parents, take your kids shopping with you) and make a game out of finding healthy food choices.

Using an “I spy” type of game, give the kids clues about the food you’re talking about.

For example, you could say, “I spy something orange, it grows in the ground and is a bunny’s favorite food”.
Or, “I see something that’s bright red, grows on a tree and is delicious in a pie.”
Another way to have fun learning about nutrition? Have the older kids come up with their own clues that they can then share with the younger ones!

Make your own plate

fruits and nuts — Find creative ways to make a healthy diet

Using MyPlate as a reference, give each child three paper plates. Cut out images of food from magazines, or use some grocery ads. Ask them to put together three healthy meals (e.g. breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Once they’ve completed their meals, discuss the reasons why they chose the foods they did. When applicable, ask them what would have been a better option. Discuss portion size too!

Combine efforts where possible. Get the entire school or family involved in supporting your efforts. One way is to coordinate what you teach in the classroom – or at home – with the school nutrition staff.

In the cafeteria, focus on a healthy food choice each day. Hang up posters showing a particular food item. Include the nutritional benefits, and show suggestions on how to serve the food.

At home, use a new food each week – or several times per week – in your family meals to expand your child’s palate. This helps open up discussions about why some foods are healthier choices than others.

Note: The school’s website, social media, newsletters and morning announcements provide wonderful opportunities to share information and reminders about what makes a healthy food choice.

Volunteers

Think about people in your network who can add to the conversation about nutrition. Know a local chef? Ask them to come in and discuss how they prepare foods for their clients. A physician or a personal trainer can discuss the impact of eating foods that give you energy.

Other ideas

Partner with the local library to provide nutritional education opportunities through story time events, coloring contests and/or activity sheets for kids.

Get kids involved in a food donation campaign to your local food pantry or shelter.

Put together a lesson plan discussing the science behind baking. Discuss what ingredients are needed, why they’re needed and what happens when they’re used.

Classroom and/or school vegetable projects. Have kids choose their favorite vegetable, and plant the seed in a small container. Have them take it home with them at the end of the school year so that they can plant it somewhere at home (assuming the season is right for planting!)

As you can see there are a lot of ways you can drive home the importance of a healthy lifestyle, while making it fun and memorable.

Get Your Kids Talking About School with These 6 Tips

March 23, 2018 by Admin Leave a Comment

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.

Healthy Eating, Your Kids and National Snack Food Month

February 28, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

February is National Snack Food Month. This is the perfect opportunity to show your kids how healthy snacks are the best snacks for their growing minds and bodies!

Let’s face it, kids aren’t always enthusiastic about healthy eating.

But both parents and educators know the more interested and involved a kid is with what they’re trying to do, the more enthusiastic and engaged they’ll be.

This makes for easy teaching and better retention – a win-win for kids and the ones teaching them!

And it is possible to get them interested in trying new foods – if you make “fun” the name of the game!

Here’s how:

They’re watching you

Like it or not, your kids are always watching what you do.

If they see Mom and Dad choose – and enjoy – healthy foods and beverages, they may be more open to trying something new.

Focus on the food’s benefits

Talk about the benefits of the food on your child’s plate, not the fact that it’s “healthy”. The idea that something is “healthy” is a distant concept for a child, especially young children. Tell them something like “the cheese will give you strong muscles” or “make you powerful”, or whatever phrase you think will appeal to your child.

If they have a favorite superhero or sports figure, try to find a way to tie their attributes (e.g. strength, speed, etc.) to the benefit of eating the food.

Eye appeal

Think color, crunch, and healthy fats.

Make the food as appealing to the eye as possible:

combine different colors
use different cuts (e.g. round disks vs thin strips)
try different flavors (mozzarella, cheddar)
cut and/or arrange into fun shapes

Make it a game

Take the kids grocery shopping. Ask them to help find vegetables and fruits in every color of the rainbow.

Once you’re home, have them help you prepare the foods for quick snacking options throughout the week. Bagging their own portions helps them feel more involved.

Let them decide

To get kids more excited about eating healthy foods give them several healthy choices for at least one of their meals.

For example, if it’s lunch time, let them choose among options such as pitas, wraps or English muffins made with whole grains. Offer lean ham, turkey or chicken and low fat cheese slices for the filling.

Let them help

Research has shown that kids who spend time in the kitchen will choose a wider variety of foods and tend towards decisions which are healthier.

Give your kids age appropriate tasks in the kitchen to expose them to all of the aspects of their food preparation. When possible, let them put together their own meals as they’re much more likely to eat their own creations!

Keep trying

Research has shown that it takes as many as 15 tries before a kid will try a new food. So if they turn their nose up at a new food, keep introducing it and eventually they will give it a try. Even if they don’t like it the first time they try it, over time their taste buds develop and change. They may grow to like it.

Snack ideas

There are thousands of great, healthy snack ideas for kids. Here are just a few:

“Ants on a log” (celery filled with peanut butter and raisins)
Fresh or canned fruit (canned in 100% juice) served with low fat yogurt
Low-fat cheese sticks or cubes
Whole grain crackers or rice cakes topped with peanut butter or thin cheese slices
Popcorn (air-popped)
Quesadillas (whole wheat tortilla stuffed with low-fat melted cheese)
Baked tortilla chips
Whole wheat pita bread with hummus
Fresh fruit
Applesauce
Homemade trail mix (portioned)

Set the rules

Give them beverage choices such as water, low-fat milk or 100% fruit juice (portioned) to keep them hydrated. Require they ask before they grab a snack.

To promote mindful eating, insist that snacks be eaten at the table or in the kitchen, not in front of the TV or computer.

Getting kids interested in eating healthy foods isn’t always easy, but it is always worth the effort!

Cool Places to Visit in Colorado Springs with your Preschooler

February 27, 2018 by Young Scholars Academy Leave a Comment

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.