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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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Let Your Babies Play

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When the pandemic first started and distance learning became the new reality for millions of children, I noticed an alarming and saddening trend. Many parents equated distance learning with homeschooling and worried about younger children who may have been missing time in preschool and early childcare centers. I saw parents searching for curriculum ideas for 2-year-olds and asking what their infants and toddlers need to be doing by certain ages. The answer is simply just to let them play.

It’s been proven that by letting children play, they learn and build cognitive, motor, sensory and social skills. They learn more by exploring the world around them using their 5 senses, moving around on their own, discovering how to use their body works, and manipulating objects in their environment than they do by being “taught” a complicated curriculum that tries to get them to do things they aren’t necessarily ready for.

The coolest thing about our curriculum here is that the activities are play based. The children are given the tools and get to explore how they work, fit together, react, etc. All of this helps introduce and strengthen skills they’ll need later on such as reading, writing, communication, and social interaction. So how do you teach an infant, a toddler, and a preschooler? You play with them. You read to them. You give them love and affection. You do all the things that are proven brain builders and set them up for success in the least complicated way. If you’re struggling with ideas, we have resources! Check out your child’s daily lesson plan at YSA. 

Follow The Wonder Weeks for information about what’s happening in your baby’s brain and how you can support them through it. Lookup Vroom, an amazing app that has you covered with activities, bedtime routines, tips, and more up to the age of 5! Don’t sweat if they aren’t doing advanced math or writing novels. Education isn’t a race or a competition. Relax and let your children build the positive brain foundations that will set them up for success down the road.

 

Ms. Amy

Infant Nursery Supervisor

Parent Connection Coordinator 

Moving On Their Own

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Moving on to words on their own. They will be responsible for their own belongings. A teacher running a kindergarten class on their own has so much responsibility such as curriculum, assessments, instructions, preparation, and many other tasks that they cannot keep track of Bobby’s shoes, or Mary’s hair bow. They cannot solve every issue of which blue crayon belongs to whom or redo worksheets because a child can’t find their homework. This is why it is so important to teach your children how to blow their noses, wipe themselves after using the bathroom, and put their stuff away.

Academic progress is important and at Young Scholars the teachers are very aware of that but they are also knowledgeable in the fact that learning math, science, and literacy can be difficult if they become overwhelmed with tasks of self-care. To best prepare your child for grade school it is best to think about the whole child. Introduce the alphabet, numbers, writing, and science but forget to teach about emotions, responsibility, and respect for themselves and others. The teachers here at Young Scholars are the best resource you can have to bolster your child and give them a head start for grade school life.

Ms. Dotty

Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

NAEYC Coordinator

8 Helpful Ways to Survive the Terrible Twos and Threes

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Anyone who has ever had a toddler knows that the terrible twos and threes can be, well, awful. From temper tantrums to defiance, plenty of challenges come with raising a young child. This is often the phase where children assert their independence, and they can be quite uncooperative. Does this sound familiar?

If you’re currently in the throes of the terrible twos or threes, don’t despair. There are things you can do to make it through this challenging phase. Here are eight helpful ways to survive the terrible twos and threes:

Be prepared for tantrums

Tantrums are a natural part of childhood. They’re a way for kids to express their frustration, anger, or disappointment when they can’t have their way. Though tantrums can be challenging for parents, there are some things you can do to help prevent them from happening or at least make them less intense. One of the best ways to deal with a toddler tantrum is to be prepared for it. This means having a game plan in place so that you know how to respond when your child starts throwing a fit. Try to stay calm and avoid reacting in an angry or frustrated way. This can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that tantrums are a normal part of childhood development.
healhty parent-child relationship

Set limits and be consistent

It’s important to set limits with your child and to be consistent with those limits. This can help prevent tantrums from happening in the first place. If you know they are likely to have a tantrum when they don’t get their way, try to avoid situations where this is likely to happen. For example, if your child tantrums every time you leave them at daycare, try to make drop-offs as short and painless as possible. It’s also important to be consistent with your discipline. If you tell your child they need to stay in time-out for five minutes, make sure they do stay in time-out for five minutes. Consistency will help your child know what to expect, making it easier for them to behave as you want them to.

Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage good behavior in children of all ages. When your child does something you want them to do, make sure to praise them or give them a hug. This will let them know that they’re doing something right and are more likely to continue that behavior. You can also use positive reinforcement in the form of rewards.

For example, if your child stays in time-out without trying to leave, you could give them a small treat when they’re finished. Just be careful not to overdo it with the rewards, or your child may start expecting a reward every time they behave.

Ignore minor misbehavior

There’s no need to discipline your child for every little thing they do wrong. This can be counterproductive. If you discipline your child for every little thing, they may start to feel like they’re always in trouble, which can lead to behavioral problems. Instead, focus on the significant misbehavior, and try to ignore the minor stuff. This doesn’t mean you should let your child get away with everything, but picking your battles is important.

Give them choices

Giving your child choices is a great way to avoid tantrums and power struggles. When you give them a choice, they feel like they have some control over the situation, which can help prevent them from feeling frustrated. For example, if you’re leaving them with a babysitter, you could ask them if they want to pick out their outfit or choose a book to bring along.

Stay calm

One of the best things you can do when your child misbehaves is to stay calm. This can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that children often misbehave when they’re feeling upset or overwhelmed. If you react in an angry or frustrated way, it will only make the situation worse. Instead, try to stay calm and collected. This will show your child that they don’t need to act out to get your attention.

Don’t give in

If you give in to your child’s tantrums, they will only continue to have them. This is because they’ve learned that tantrums are an effective way to get what they want. So, even if difficult, it’s essential to stand your ground and not give in. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should be inflexible. If your child is upset about something, it’s okay to try to reason with them or offer a compromise.

Distract them

If your child starts to have a tantrum, try to distract them with something else. For example, if they’re throwing a fit because they don’t want to leave the park, try to interest them in something else, like an ice cream cone or a new toy. This diversion may not work every time, but it’s worth a try.

Dealing with terrible twos and threes can be tough, but it’s important to remember that it’s only a phase. If you can make it through this time, things will get easier. Just hang in there and be sure to use these helpful tips!

Here at Young Scholars Academy, we aim to create an engaging learning environment, filled with meaningful fun activities that create such big memories, your kids will happily remember throughout the years! We pride ourselves in the quality of our establishment and maintain an environment that is clean, safe and loving for all. Our classrooms provide every child a place where they can explore, discover and enjoy learning through kinesthetic experiences. Visit us to learn more!

 

Going Back To School

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Welcome back to school everyone! And especially welcome to our new friends! The preschool years are the most important years. The majority of your child’s brain development happens during the first 5 years. Preschool is often overlooked just because it is not required. It does not make it less important though. Children that have had a head start of being in a classroom setting, learning to be around peers their own age, and dipping their toes into academics are going to be so successful in their future education.

Many parents are sweating the start of kindergarten because they worry that their child is not ready. The best thing you can ever do for your child is to surround them with books. If you have been regularly reading to them and with them their whole life, they are already worlds ahead of those that did not have that privilege. The next best thing you can do is get them into a preschool setting even if it’s not in your family’s plan to have them in childcare all of those five years. While they are with us, they will learn how to control their emotions and realize that children around them also have their own set of feelings. Going into a big kindergarten classroom can be daunting for a child that has never spent much time with other children or has only been around their siblings.

Another advantage to this is that your child will have already gained some friend-making skills along with learning how to navigate peers. If your child is in a well-structured preschool setting, they will breeze through knowing expectations. They will already know that they cannot play outside all day, but that there is a designated time. They will know that they have to do “work” and not just build with Legos ALL day long. Their brain will know that the day is broken into chunks and transitions. This is one of the hardest things to grasp as a young child anyway. They find what they like, and they want to do it until they decide that they are done. We still give them those freedoms during the day, but we have to build a schedule around it as well. It’s all about balance, and children that have experienced this for long enough will not struggle with transitioning quite as much or even at all.

Preschool is a special experience to have because it is smaller place to let your child first spread their wings with so many willing hands there to help them. We focus on the whole child. We care for their mental and physical well-being as well as their education. We believe that once the basic needs and emotions are taken care of then education will fall into place. I hope that if you have been contemplating preschool that you found this helpful.

 

Ms. Brooke

Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Literacy Teacher

8 Fun Learning Activities to Do at Home with your Toddler

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Parents often face the challenge of finding ways to keep their toddler entertained and engaged while at home. The good news is getting them engaged in some fun learning activities would be a perfect way to do this! These activities will help your toddler to develop important skills such as problem-solving, fine motor, and cognitive skills. Additionally, doing these activities with your little one will promote bonding and attachment. According to experts, the early years are crucial for brain development, so it is essential to engage in activities that will stimulate your child’s brain. 

From doing simple crafts, to singing and dancing along to fun songs, to playing some cognitive games – there are plenty of fun learning activities that you can do at home with your toddler! 

Do simple crafts 

Crafting is a great way to encourage your toddler’s creativity and fine motor skills development. It also provides an excellent opportunity for you to bond with your child.

healhty parent-child relationship

There are a number of simple crafts that you can do with your toddler. One option is to make homemade playdough. This is a great activity for younger toddlers, as it helps to develop their hand-eye coordination. For older toddlers, you can try making a collage or painting together. These activities will not only help to improve your child’s artistic skills, but they will also allow you to create lasting memories together.

Get moving with some fun songs and dances

Songs and dances are a great way to get your toddler moving while also promoting learning. There are a number of fun songs and dances that you can do with your little one. One of them is “Hokey Pokey.” This song is great for helping your child develop their gross motor skills. Additionally, it promotes cognitive development as your child has to follow the instructions in the song. Another fun option is the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” This song helps promote fine motor skills development as your child has to make the spider crawl up the water spout.

Play cognitive games

Cognitive games are a great way to promote your child’s thinking and problem-solving skills. One fun game to play with your toddler is the “I Spy” game. This game requires your child to use their observational skills to find objects that you are looking for. Another fun option is the memory game. This game helps develop your child’s memory and concentration skills as they have to remember where certain objects are located.

Read some stories together

Reading stories together is a great way to promote your child’s language development. It is also a perfect opportunity for you to bond with your child. When reading stories with your toddler, it is crucial to make them interactive. Ask them questions about the story and encourage them to point out pictures they see. You can also try acting out the story together. This will help bring the story to life for your child and encourage them to use their imagination.

Play pretend games

Pretend games are a great way to encourage your child’s imagination and creativity. When playing pretend games with your toddler, it is important to let them take the lead. Encourage them to use their imagination and come up with new ideas. You can also try joining in on their fun by pretending to be another character in their game. This will help to further stimulate their imagination.

Do simple puzzles together

Puzzles are a great way to promote your child’s problem-solving skills. They are also a perfect opportunity for you to bond with your child. Start with simple puzzles that have large pieces. As your child becomes more proficient at solving puzzles, you can gradually move on to puzzles with smaller pieces.

Play matching games

Matching games can help promote a child’s cognitive development. They are also a lot of fun to play! There are several different matching games that you can play with your toddler. One option is to match pictures of animals with their corresponding names. Another fun option is to match colors with objects. For example, you can match a yellow color with a banana or a blue color with a balloon.

Use flashcards to teach new words

Flashcards are a great tool for teaching new words to your child. They are also a perfect way to bond with your child. When using flashcards with your toddler, it is important to make it fun and interactive. Try using different voices or funny faces when showing the flashcards to your child. You can also try playing games with the flashcards. For example, you can play a memory game where your child has to remember where certain cards are located.

These are just a few fun learning activities you can do at home with your toddler. By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you can help to promote your child’s cognitive development and create lasting memories together.

Here at Young Scholars Academy, we aim to create an engaging learning environment, filled with meaningful fun activities that create such big memories, your kids will happily remember throughout the years! We pride ourselves in the quality of our establishment and maintain an environment that is clean, safe and loving for all. Our classrooms provide every child a place where they can explore, discover and enjoy learning through kinesthetic experiences.