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.

Emergent literacy has been taking place since birth and continues through early childhood. Books, magazines, newspapers, even crayons are their first experiences to literacy. Want to make a larger impact on your child’s success through all of their schooling, and a life-long love for reading and writing? Here are some helpful tips!

1. Always have writing materials available to your children! Crayons, paper, pencils, markers, etc. are always great to even place in a little make up bag. Then ask them to tell you about their drawing while you write down what they are saying; like writing a little book together. Again, this could all take place in five minutes (you know your child).

2. Always make time to read aloud to your child every day. It could just be one book during bath time or bedtime. If they have a favorite book, then read it over and over again until even they become sick of it. That repetition will make them feel very awesome when they memorize the words and they think that they are reading. The key at this point is to help them realize that reading is fun! And those brain connections they are making by memorizing that story!

3. Depending on the age of your child practice words and sounds. For those just learning to talk repeat those sounds with them (dada, mama, doggy, etc.). For older children constantly point things out to them when you are driving or in stores. They will start to put things together in their brains and realize that the sign said “STOP”. Doing things like this regularly will introduce them to new vocabulary. Make sure that you are also giving them time to respond and ask questions- that you are giving answers to.

4. When you are not reading their favorite book try to mix things up. Have books with words you can easily point to and they can follow along with. Have rhyming and alliteration books (Dr. Seuss is a good reference) at hand so that the story is exciting to them! Picture books mean you guys can make up the words yourselves and have fun with it! More exposure to different types of print and stories makes it easier for your child to find what they really enjoy reading about.

5. All interactions will make your child smarter! Talk to them about anything, even before they know how to talk. Their brain is making so many connections, and you want communication to be one of them. That is their first step into reading and writing. Talk to them about what you are doing together (changing diapers, eating, bathing). Play music and sing together (no matter how it may sound). Play games and teach your children how to do things.

Conscious efforts to make time for reading, drawing, and talking will put your child ahead of the game. Tying in these tips will ensure success later. It’s so much easier and more fun to teach these things at an early age, so take advantage now! When children are older and don’t have these skills it’s possible for them to fall behind. Let’s all strive for a future full of high intelligence and readers!

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

Oh the two ‘C’ words that I dread the most: cleaning and cooking. They are the two things in my house which take up a lot of time, drive me bonkers, and leave me feeling stressed when they don’t get done.

Over the years I have tried many things to get these two items done each day that just haven’t seemed to work. It’s hard to find the time and balance to get all the cleaning and cooking done in a day.

I want to share what is working for me ‘right now’ that has seemed to cut back on my anxiety for these chores. At the end of the day this has even made them easier to complete.

Cleaning– Seriously, the thing that is always on that silly list. Clean, clean, clean. I feel so guilty cleaning when my kids are awake. I feel like I should spend all that evening time after work devoted to them. For a while I was trying to just clean when they napped, or even worse when they were in bed. So I would be spending my free nights cleaning: yuck!

I have found a balance that works, for now. I have a cleaning list that goes day by day. So Mondays are cleaning the kitchen, Tuesdays the bedrooms, Wednesdays the playroom. Etc. I also make sure to do one load of laundry everyday.

Sometimes the laundry doesn’t make it out of the dryer, but hey that’s okay. I feel like breaking the cleaning schedule down day by day has helped so much. I also try and do this cleaning as soon as I get home from work.

I have my older kiddo do her homework while I clean and my younger child does his “homework” with her at the table. For him, I have him color, stamp, or do puzzles while I am busy. Sometimes it works better if he follows me around and helps, just depends on the day. If it is a no-homework day, I have both kids help me clean. They can either clean their playroom together or work with me in the room I’m trying to get done.

Let your children help clean! You know those baseboards that are super low to the ground? Those are perfect for children to reach and wipe down with a wet rag. Make it a fun game, turn on music and have ‘cleaning dance parties’, let them be apart of keeping their house nice and gain some of that responsibility.

Cooking– Oh! I know my list is full of the list that has the list of what to get for dinner. (Hahaha!) Some nights are not as busy and there is time to fully cook a meal and have it on the table by 5:30. On those nights, take the time and let your child help you!

Even the young kiddos can hold a spoon and stir, teach them about cooking and learning about different foods. Invest in this time to help them develop a love of cooking. Cooking with your children is such a wonderful time for conversation and connection!

Those other crazy nights when the schedule is full and it can feel like a marathon trying to keep everyone happy? I advise you to invest in a crockpot! The crockpot is a game changer. You get your ingredients and toss them in before work and dinner is done when you get home! So easy and simple.

There are a ton of recipes online for crockpot meals; a quick Google search will hit you the jackpot! But, if you are like me, I hate cooking ‘new’ things and I like a tried and true recipe that someone has recommended.

A fun and easy way to get those recipes is to have your co-workers, mom group, church people, etc. do a recipe swap. Have each person in your group print off enough copies of their favorite crockpot recipe for everyone and exchange! You make 20 copies of your favorite crockpot recipe and then you get 20 new recipes back! So easy and it’s a little fun to see what everyone brings!

Bottom line, don’t stress about the cleaning and cooking! Find ways to make it easier on you and your family. Find what works for YOU! Get the entire family involved in these chores so that you are working together, laughing, spending time with one another!

-Ms. Whitney
Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Curriculum Coordinator