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Why Daycare Learning Activities are Important to Your Child’s Development

Daycare Learning Activities
Why Daycare Learning Activities is Important to Your Child’s Development

 

Quality daycare learning activities set a lifelong foundation for well-being and success.

We often hear or see in the media that children are not getting enough physical activity these days. Some spend most of their time playing computer games and watching YouTube videos instead of enjoying the beautiful weather outside. But what does being “physically active” mean for infants, toddlers and preschoolers? 

 

 

 

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Daycare learning activities nurture children’s development.

For young children, physical activity does not mean lifting weights in the gym and running for 15 minutes on the treadmill. It is about active play and having the opportunity to move and explore their environment. A child’s physical activity will vary depending on their age and development. For instance, infants can move around through supervised, floor-based play during the day. Tummy time can also help them strengthen their muscles needed to crawl and walk. While toddlers still need supervision they are able to walk or even run as you chase them around your home.

Aside from physical activities, it is also essential to develop children’s cognitive and social skills. Quality daycare learning activities powerfully support that development. If you are a parent who is about to enter the workforce and wants their child to learn and grow while you are away, it is time to consider enrolling your little one in a daycare center – and there is no need to feel guilty about it. Daycare does not only give parents the time they need to provide for the family; it also allows children to hone their creative juices and social skills. That is why parents and early childhood educators must choose the right activities, so that young children can develop to their full potential. 

5 Simple Kids’ Activities to Try at Home  

You can only let your child run through the grass and sprinklers so many times before they get bored. During early childhood, kids are willing to try new activities. If you’re looking for new exercise for your child to enjoy, let them explore the world around with these hands-on activities designed to engage and excite your little learner. 

Painting with Bubbles

Your kids will have a blast combining colors, blowing bubbles and making imaginative prints with this bubble painting activity. To begin, you will need small plastic containers, non-toxic tempera paint in different colors, liquid dish soap, water, plastic straws and a piece of paper. Mix your paint with a little water, stir in a squirt of dish soap, then put the straw into the mixture and blow to create lots of bubbles. Gently press the paper over the bubbles and watch how it will leave swirly patterns and splatters on the paper. 

Doing this activity will not only bring out the creative side of your child; they also get to explore the properties of bubbles and build oral motor strength through controlled blowing.  

 

Sink or Float Experiment

The sink or float experiment is a play-based learning activity that will encourage kids to observe and predict whether the object floats or sinks. Start by grabbing several objects with varying weights and materials as well as a large container to fill with water. Let your child drop the objects one at a time and guess if they will float or sink. This experiment is a fun way to explain density to children. 

Musical Activities

Like all early learning experiences, musical activities promote development in many domains. Imagine six toddlers banging on different musical instruments; it is a team effort that can nurture cooperation and build positive peer relationships. Not only will they learn rhythm, they will be encouraged to share and take turns. Passing instruments will get them to feel the beat as their rattles go “chicka chicka,” and their little drums go “boom chicka boom.”

Learn about Recycling

As parents and educators, it is essential to teach children the importance of taking care of the earth. You can set up a recycling center where children can learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle. It will provide an opportunity for them to learn where the products came from and how they can reuse them. If you are a teacher, you can invite the kids to bring in some disposable household materials to combine with items in the classroom and transform them into creative art projects. 

Dressing Up Role Play

Every child needs an engaging and fun way to learn. Role-playing activities will deliver just that. It is an activity where kids use their imaginations, gain confidence, build vocabulary skills and develop ideas about how the world works. With dress-up play, your child can be anyone – from a superhero to a doctor, a fashion model to a policeman, even a princess or a frog!

These activities will keep your little ones entertained, especially if you have a budding Picasso on your hands or the next Albert Einstein. Don’t let your child miss out on the fun! Choose a daycare center that combines different fun activities with an educational twist that will benefit them in the long run; choose Discovery Village Center! If you have questions, visit our website and don’t hesitate to call us at (914) 631- 1009!

 

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Caring for Children with Food Allergies in Daycare

Caring for Children with Food Allergies
A blog written by Discovery Village Center titled

Kids are energetic, unpredictable and curious. Whether they are under the care of a small in-home provider, a large daycare center or even in their own home, countless dangers are around every corner. However, one of the most common risks for children is food allergies. 

Food allergies are on the rise and have been for some time. It can be frightening to see a child’s face swell and realize that they are having an allergic reaction. The reaction is a result of the body’s immune system thinks that a particular food product is harmful. When someone has a food allergy, the body reacts by releasing chemicals, including histamine, when exposed to that food. These chemicals trigger allergic symptoms which range from mild to life-threatening. 

You have spent their early years protecting your child from allergy-causing foods. However, as they grow and become more sociable, you will realize how challenging it is to keep your child away from food allergies at school or camp. After all, you can’t be with your child 24/7. 

If your child does have food allergies, the idea of sending them to childcare centers can make you feel scared and nervous. Therefore, it is essential to choose a child care facility that knows how to deal with food allergies and can recognize a reaction since some children don’t know how to explain what is happening to them. 

What foods often cause allergic reactions?

A child can be allergic to any food. However, the most common food allergens include eggs, cow’s milk, peanuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, soy and tree nuts. Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, and fish are usually the most life-threatening allergies that cause severe reactions. Some schools even implement “Peanut-free” policies to avoid the grave implications of peanut exposure to peanut-allergic students.

There is still no medication to treat food allergies. All you can do is avoid the foods that trigger the allergic reaction. However, avoiding the allergen altogether is not always possible, especially when caring for young children. 

You can treat mild to moderate allergic reactions, including diarrhea, eczema and hives with antihistamines or topical steroids. For severe reactions, such as loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and chest pain, inject epinephrine to keep the blood pressure up. If an epinephrine injection is necessary, but the child does not have an epi-pen take the child to an emergency room or call 911 immediately.

 

5 Ways to Protect Your Child from Allergic Reactions 

Anyone working with young kids should know about the basics of allergic reactions. If you are entrusting your child to a childcare center, make sure that your chosen provider knows how to identify and respond to an allergic reaction. Of course we would rather there be no allergic reaction in the first place, so here are five ways to avoid an allergy trigger:

Read the label

When grocery shopping, it is essential to read the label of every product you buy, especially as a parent or a caregiver. The innocent-looking fruit roll up might have trace amounts of common allergens, so check the ingredient lists and advisory statements like “may contain peanuts” or “processed in a shellfish facility.”  Moreover, if you encounter a product without an ingredient list, do not buy it – it is not worth the risk.

Make a list

If your child has food allergies, make a list of what they can and cannot eat. You can also request a letter from your child’s doctor that outlines their food allergy triggers, ways to avoid these allergens, along with medications and treatments in case of an allergic reaction. Having this handy list can be a lifesaver, especially if your child is in a childcare center. 

Determine the symptoms of food allergies

Since no two people react the same way to foods, it is challenging to determine food allergies. What’s tolerable to some might be a nightmare to others. Therefore, knowing the traditional symptoms can go a long way. If your child experiences diarrhea, hives, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the mouth, tongue or lips, or  sudden blood pressure drop, it’s time to take them to the nearest doctor. 

Talk to school staff

Another way to protect your child is by reaching out to the school’s administration, nurses and teachers about their condition. This should happen at the beginning of the year to ensure that everyone is on the same page and protocols are in place. 

Always keep an emergency medication on hand 

If your child starts having severe allergic symptoms, give them an epinephrine auto-injector right away. In addition, carrying an over-the-counter antihistamine for your kid can also help treat mild allergy symptoms. But remember that antihistamine is not a replacement for the epinephrine shot. 

Taking care of kids with food allergies is a challenging responsibility. At Discovery Village Center, we make sure that every child gets the nutrition they need in a safe manner. We keep strict records of all food allergies and intolerances. If your child requires a special diet, we will work closely with you to make sure that your little one gets the nutrition they need and deserve. Call (914) 631-1009 today!

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How Your Kids Can Survive the First Day of Preschool in White Plains

preschool in White Plains
How Your Kids Can Survive the First Day of Preschool in White Plains

Time is a luxury we cannot buy. In the blink of an eye, your sweet babies grow up to be little humans who are all ready to begin their preschool journey. You have already done a thorough research and chosen the perfect preschool in White Plains for your little one. You also made sure that they went to bed early last night so that they would wake up happy and with plenty of time to get ready. Their backpack is filled with school supplies and is waiting by the door while the first-day-school outfit is hanging in the closet ready to go for the big day. 

It’s your child’s first day of preschool in White Plains, and it is time to begin a journey that will last for almost two decades! As parents, how can you make this a hassle-free, memorable day? 

Your kid’s first day of preschool only happens once. It is a huge leap and an exciting milestone for both you and your little one. While stepping into preschool for the first time comes with new and beautiful experiences for your child, it can also be scary for some children. 

First Day Struggles of Both Parents and Child 

Starting school for the first time is an overwhelming, yet exciting milestone. Teachers understand the struggles of some families as their kids embark on this new journey. While parents look forward to the independence, discoveries, and friendships that await their future scholars, enrolling them in school means taking on different routines and leaving the comforts of home. Some preschoolers might experience separation anxiety during the first weeks of school. It is only natural for children to feel anxious on their first day of preschool. It means that the child needs time to trust that you will come back and get used to new routines and faces. Even if they will only be away for a few hours, it is still a huge step for someone wearing such cute, little sneakers.

5 Tips to Take on the First-Day-of-School Jitters

Making the first day a good day can set the tone for the school year to come. If you want your kids to stay in a good mood and go into the day with confidence, help them ace it by following these five get-ready-for-school tips:

Keep your good-byes short and sweet

When the teacher tells you that it’s time to leave your child, hold back your own tears, give your preschooler a quick kiss and hug, then let him know that you’ll be back. When you pick them up after class, reinforce the idea that you returned like you said you would. Remember not to try to sneak away when they are not looking since it will make them less trusting and insecure. Having this routine each day will make goodbyes easier in the long run. 

Keep a smile on your face 

When sending your child off to preschool, they might have a total meltdown. But don’t let them know that you are sad as well. If you seem confident that your little one will learn and have fun and your tone is upbeat, your child will be optimistic too. Put on a happy and smiling face – even if internally you are close to tearing up – give lots of kisses and hugs, then leave. 

Talk to your child

In the week leading up to preschool, you can encourage your child with positive words. When you drive by the building where they will be attending school you can say, “You will have so much fun in there!” or “You are going to love your new school!” If you have any reservations yourself, choose your words carefully since children can pick up on those feelings. 

Don’t rush in the morning

Every morning can feel like a mad rush, especially if your kid is a late riser. If your little one is hard to wake up, get them into bed earlier than usual. In doing this, it will be easier for your child to wake up early, and you won’t have to rush them as they eat their breakfast. 

Bring a comfort object

If the preschool you have chosen allows it, let your child bring an item that reminds them of home and will give them comfort throughout the day, like their trusty stuffed animal or beloved blanket. Once your little one becomes comfortable with their new environment, they will let go of their lovey or leave it in their cubby during playtime. In case your kid has trouble letting go of his lovey, you can compromise and explain why their comfort object is better off staying at home. 

Keeping these five tips in mind can start your child’s educational career off right and help both you and your kids have a more comfortable first day of preschool. Remember that it will be okay. So if you are looking for a reliable preschool in White Plains, calm your kid’s first-day jitters and prepare them for their first day with Discovery Village Center! For more details, check out our website or call (914) 631-1009 today.

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Play, Imagination, and Rocket Science: Creativity in Early Childhood

Creativity in Early Childhood
Childhood

In the early years of the Apollo Project, NASA commissioned George Land, a scientist specializing in the enhancement of creative performance, to design a creativity test for engineering and rocket scientist job applicants. The test, which measured “divergent thinking”, challenged applicants to look at a problem or object and come up with multiple solutions or different ways to use the object.

After identifying truly gifted engineers and rocket scientists for NASA using this creativity test, Land wondered how children might fare with his creativity test, and how the results might change as these children aged.

So began a fascinating longitudinal study on creativity. In 1968, Land administered the same test he had given to aspiring NASA engineers and rocket scientists to 1600 five-year-olds. He re-tested the same children when they were 10 and again when they were 15. In 1985, Land later tested 280,000 adults.

How many individuals at each age scored in the highly creative range?
  • 5 year olds: 98%
  • 10 year olds: 30%
  • 15 year olds: 12%
  • Adults: 2%

Those numbers are astounding. While 98% of five-year-olds scored at the “genius” level on a creativity test, only 2% of adults achieved the same results.

Land’s conclusion: Non-creative behavior is learned. Or, as Pablo Picasso put it:  “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

I first read Land’s study while serving as principal of an elementary school. Considering myself a forward-thinking educator, I offered my students project-based learning, nature-based learning, school-wide enrichment programming, and quality experiences with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). And yet, I recognized so many signs of learned non-creative behavior. I wondered and I worried. If my students took Land’s creativity test, how would they fare?

I strove to find solutions, becoming involved with various schools and programs seeking to reimagine education in more foundational ways. Could we design schools that not only preserve the natural creative genius of young children, but even enable that creativity to flourish, deepen, and expand?

We made progress. And, yet I remained unsettled. What would the results be if we administered Land’s test today? Would there be substantial differences in schools remaining quite traditional, schools adding more opportunity for creative expression than existed when Land conducted his research, and schools fundamentally reimagining what education can be? And, would five-year-olds today, with the many shifts in our technologically advancing society, fare better, worse, or the same as the five-year-olds Land tested in 1968?

I became enamored with the potential of nurturing and celebrating creativity in childhood. So many questions ran through my mind.

Could educators and parents thoughtfully craft environments enabling children not only to maintain, but even to enhance, their innate high levels of creativity?

Could we embrace the creativity in early childhood as a time to set a foundation strong enough to shield children from absorbing non-creative behavior later in life?

Could a start in life that celebrates and encourages creative expression lead both to more joy in the childhood years and greater creative adapt-ability far into the future? Could creativity in early childhood set a lifelong foundation?

I opened Discovery Village Childcare and Preschool in Tarrytown this past July. I now stand in awe each day, recognizing how blessed I am to spend my days with individuals (from 6 weeks to five-year-olds) who have the creativity levels of elite NASA rocket scientists. Our primary tools are our imaginations, as playful learning and discovery is elicited by just about anything: bubbles, play dough, snow, water, paints, leaves, puppets, animals, books, cardboard boxes, and so much more.  Our children are joyfully having fun, while at the same time strengthening their innate creative capacities to craft lives of joy, possibility, and meaning.

Shira Leibowitz, Ph.D founded Discovery Village, a Childcare Center and Preschool that offers young children the care of a village with the creativity of an art study and the discovery of a science lab. Shira is an adjunct faculty member in the doctoral program in Education at Northeastern University, and served as a principal of nursery through eighth grade schools for twenty years prior to opening Discovery Village. Learn more at discoveryvillagecenter.com or email Shira at [email protected]