Ideas to Prepare your Child for Kindergarten

If your first child hasn't attended school yet, you may be wondering how to get them ready for this big step. Many parents have helped prepare their preschoolers for kindergarten through some of the tips shared below. 

Read to Them

Reading out loud is one of the top early learning strategies that will prepare your youngster for the classroom. Start the tradition when your son or daughter is still an infant. Bedtime stories are a wonderful way to cuddle each evening and get ready for sleep. 

Create Learning Opportunities

Visit nearby museums and attractions as often as possible. If there is a zoo or aquarium in your area, it is an ideal way for them to learn about animals. While you are driving in the car, talk to them about what buildings you are passing and what happens in each place. Help them start to identity different colors of cars and what various road signs mean. Go on family adventures to national parks and other areas where they can learn about nature. 

Help Them Develop Friendships

Organize a small playgroup with other young ones in your neighborhood. Change the location of where you meet to create some variety. You can rotate between your homes or meet at different parks. Playing with friends can help young ones learn to share toys and take turns. These are important social skills that often help preschoolers adapt to the classroom. Young children should be closely supervised by a trusted adult at all times. 

Keep Them Healthy

Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits can build your child's immune system. Getting adequate rest and exercise can also benefit their health. Look for opportunities to teach about healthy food and activity choices. 

Kindergarten can be such a positive step forward in your preschooler's life. Look ahead and include one or two of these ideas into your schedule this week. The school teachers will thank you!

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3 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School

Childrens' academic performance has to do with a lot more than what goes on in the classroom Monday through Friday. In order to set your son or daughter up for success in school, it is important to provide plenty of support at home. Read on for a few helpful ways to do so.

Be Available for Homework Help

After school, do your best to take an interest in whatever assignment your child is working on, whether it's reading a book or section of a textbook, completing a problem set or writing an essay. If it has been too long since you studied any particular topic in school yourself and you're rusty, there are plenty of free educational resources New York NY available online to lend a hand.

Encourage Reading

Being an avid reader comes with a host of benefits for children and adults alike. Make sure to have plenty of books available in the home that are appropriate for your child's age group. Since kids tend to imitate their parents' behavior, making a habit of reading will increase the likelihood of your son or daughter picking up a book on a regular basis. Instead of watching TV after dinner, why not read together as a family?

Cultivate a Relationship with Your Child's Teacher

Teachers and parents are partners in educating children. Make sure that you attend parent-teacher conferences, and don't hesitate to get in touch with your son or daughter's teacher if you have any concerns about how things are going in the classroom. It should be easy enough to get answers via email or set up a time to talk on the phone.

Kids tend to be happiest when they are engaged with the material they are learning in school. If you sense that your son or daughter may be struggling, don't hesitate to enlist help from his or her teacher, an outside tutor or another resource.

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2 Must-Do's Before Your Baby Arrives

If you're expecting a baby, you probably have a list a mile long of things you need to purchase, things that need to be done at work or at home, or even an endless stream of worries keeping you up at night. While all of that is normal, it can also take its toll. And because your overall health is so important during this exciting time, making sure you prioritize now will ensure a smoother transition upon baby's arrival. Read on for two must-do's to add to your list. 

1. Have a Plan for Childcare

Childcare is one of the most important things you'll need to figure out, and it can also be one of the most stressful. Since stress isn't good for either one of you, placing this at the top of your priority list will serve you well. That way when the time comes for you to go back to work, you'll already have a reliable plan in place. 

Since it might take a while to find a provider, setting up tours ahead of time for a daycare center Batavia OH will help you narrow down your options based on your personal preferences and provider availability. 

2. Purchase and Install the Car Seat

While getting the baby's car seat squared away early might not seem like something that should be done way in advance, rest assured it is. By planning ahead, you'll give yourself plenty of time to research different options, purchase it and have it professionally installed into your vehicle. 

Since your baby's safety is paramount, don't hesitate to devote a good amount of time to choosing a car seat. Having it professionally installed is also a great idea, particularly if you're a first-time parent. The peace of mind you'll receive will be more than worth it. 

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Three Surprising Questions to Ask When Choosing a Daycare Center

Finding the right childcare options for your family may seem like a daunting task. While location, budget and atmosphere play a significant role in choosing the right daycare tampa fl for your child, there are some other questions you might not have thought to ask. Here are three things to address when weighing your options for childcare.

Find Out if Snacks and Meals are Provided

It may seem like a minor thing, but providing food for your kids can be a huge help to parents. Many facilities offer snack and lunch options for children enrolled in their program. Be sure to ask about what's included and what costs extra. It may be an important part of your budget and can also help save precious time in the mornings.

Inquire About Educational or Enrichment Programming

Even at a very young age, children are eager and ready to learn. Find out what types of programs your top choices offer to help you make a more informed decision. Ask if they plan any lessons or activities around math, science or reading, even if they are play-centered. Don't just ask about academics; inquire about enrichment activities as well. Music, art and even foreign language are some of the most common special activities that you could expect to see at some daycare centers.

Ask to See an Example of a Daily Schedule for Each Age Level

What matters most is that your child is in a safe place and well cared for. But you should be wary of a facility that does not have a set structure to their day. Children thrive best in a routine setting, so ask to see what the daily schedule looks like for each age level at the center. Not only will it help you know what to expect for this year, but you can also see what the future would hold if you stay long-term.

Don't skip the details when choosing a daycare center for your child. Asking the right questions can help you make the best choice for your family.

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The Benefits of Private Schools

Choosing the school your children will attend is a big decision. What are the teachers and administrators like? What is the curriculum? What kind of extracurriculars do they offer? These are all questions to consider, so keep an open mind and possibly look into private schools as an option. Here are some of the benefits of a private school education Tampa Florida.

Smaller Class Sizes

Private schools generally have fewer attendees than other schools. This prevents students from getting lost in the crowd. If a child has trouble socializing with their classmates or speaking up in class, a smaller class size might be less intimidating for them. Teachers can also spend more time individually with each student. They would take note of any child struggling and be sure to encourage them to participate during class discussion.

Personalized Education

Every child deserves the same amount of attention and care, but sometimes it takes the right kind of attention and care. Private schools will not let any student fall through the cracks. Teachers and administrators are more than willing to take more time outside of the classroom for those students who need extra guidance and one-on-one teaching to grasp the material. With the help and support from their teachers and family and the student's commitment to learning, a failing grade can become a stellar score by the end of the term.

Religious Values

Some private schools incorporate religion. Whether that means teachings of Christianity, Buddism, Hinduism, or others, some families prefer this type of curriculum. These institutions normally provide opportunities to volunteer and assist the less fortunate so that students really come to understand what it means to serve. If those are values you also believe in, then a religious based private school may be the ideal place for your student.

Private schools exist to give options to parents and students. Personalized attention and curriculum, as well as a structured environment, are just a few of the many benefits that come with private school education.

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Why Montessori Education Works

There are a lot of great schools out there. Ask anyone what makes a great school, and you will likely get multiple answers. The reality is that the system and the teacher often are the determining factor in deciding this, which is why Montessori education has become so popular across America in recent years. Parents have become frustrated with schools that seem to be focused on the teacher and administration. Montessori schools, such as that found with sammamish private schools , are based on an entirely different model. These schools are rightfully centered on the child, and the results have been tremendous. 

Early Childhood Education

For years, many experts believed that young children should just play and that formal education should not start until much later. That is flawed thinking, as children begin learning almost from day one. Remember back to you when you new born followed everything you did with their eyes. They were soaking everything in. Young children are like sponges. They can retain information, and have fun while doing it. Montessori education takes advantage of this by providing a child centered classroom that is focused on fun, educational activities. The children learn without even realizing that they are. 

Leave Formal Education Out of It

There will be plenty of time later for formal education, filled with lectures and reports to do. Early childhood education should revolve around the child. Each individual student in the school is encouraged to learn at his or her own pace. The teacher works with each student to maximize and build upon their own unique gifts and talents. Children are free to express themselves during playtime and other organized activities. This is unlike a traditional classroom where children are expected to sit in neat rows and listen intently while their teacher talks. The teacher in a Montessori school is more like a guide, moving the children towards where they want to go at their own pace. 

As you consider what to do for your child's education in these early years, consider a Montessori school. You and your child will likely be very pleased with the results. 

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