Category: Blogs

Categories
Blogs

How a Quality Daycare Program Can Prepare Your Kids for Kindergarten

daycare near White Plains
How a Structured Child Care Program Can Prepare Your Kids for Kindergarten

The early years of a child’s life are critical. Children absorb more information than we realize like sponges. They develop through their interactions with the world as they discover things for themselves. 

As a parent, you make dozens of decisions to support your child’s health, growth, and development each day. For instance, one of the most crucial choices that working parents have to make is choosing the most qualified place to care for their children while they are away. Many families search for quality daycare near White Plains. Since their kids will spend a significant amount of time in these environments, it’s understandable why parents put so much time and effort into researching before making their decision. 

When evaluating daycare near White Plains, it is essential to consider their curriculum. Why? Because it sets the tone for every activity in the center. If you want your little one to pick up foundational skills before formal school starts, crayons and flashcards may not be the answer for your energetic child. Both a parent and kid-friendly solution to this issue is structured play. But can a child learn while they are playing and having fun?

What is a structured play? 

The good thing about the structured play is that it does not have to take up more precious time than is necessary. Structured playtime, also known as “play with a purpose”, combines an enjoyable activity with a learning objective. It can take on different forms — physical or mental — which keep the children active while learning. In this setting, the activities support kids in learning fundamental skills with adult supervision. Some people refer to these skills as the ABCs, which stand for agility, balance, coordination, and speed. 

Structured activities such as following directions to assemble a Lego-theme set or playing card games with a set of rules can develop these skills. If you’re teaching your child how to fold their clothes, let them match socks and count afterward to see how many he or she can match correctly. Working in some physical activity helps too.
Overall, structured play supports children’s competence and confidence, which helps them get comfortable in trying a variety of activities in different settings.

Some parents question if they should add structured play to their child’s schedule if it means taking away their regular playtime. It is important to know that not every session should have an objective or task to complete. You can provide them with at least an hour of structured activities every day, especially if they are already getting structured play through a child care curriculum. The best practice would be to break down that 60-minutes of play into smaller chunks to allow your child to concentrate.

4 Ways to Prepare Your Kids for Kindergarten with Structured Play

A structured playtime is an option that both parents and teachers rely on to help children learn and grow. If you want to close the gap between an early child care program and a kindergarten, here are four ways to do it: 

Always set clear expectations

Some parents believe that there shouldn’t be any expectations for their kids at an early age. However, instructors believe that with clear expectations, children will learn how to cope with them successfully. For instance, teachers should introduce teacher-designed expectations in most activities, so children can learn to be accountable for the proper completion and quality of the task. 

Establish classroom rules

Rules are essential to a childcare curriculum since it helps them prepare for kindergarten, while at the same time improves their day-to-day conduct. These children should know how to sit correctly with both feet in front of them, work quietly, and put their used materials back to their original place after completing a task. 

Emphasis on classroom routine

For the first few weeks, teachers should clearly teach the kids the habits and expectations of the classroom and schedule. Reinforcing the desired behaviors during each activity goes a long way.

Promote independent working 

Some of the physical and social activities in the structured play don’t always promote independent work. To help the children learn independent working, teachers need to decrease the amount of guidance they give their students. If any problems arise, they should encourage the child to resolve the issue on their own instead of spoon-feeding them the answer.  

Whether your child is six weeks or 12 years old, you wouldn’t want to send your kid just anywhere. You would want to find a child care center that cares for your child as well as you would and supports optimal development. At Discovery Village Center, that is precisely the kind of environment we will create for your child. Nothing is better than seeing your kid smile during their structured play. If you want to see the benefits of our quality child care curriculum first-hand, schedule a tour today and discover the beauty of our quality daycare near White Plains.

Categories
Blogs

What are the Benefits of Daycare Center in Sleepy Hollow?

art in daycare in Sleepy Hollow
What are the Benefits of Daycare in Sleepy Hollow?

In today’s busy life when most parents in Sleepy Hollow are professionals, quality childcare is a must. While some have family members who can care for their children, daycare centers are an excellent alternative, providing a safe, warm and structured environment for kids. Daycare is not only an excellent solution for parents; it also benefits children in more ways than one. So if you are going back to work part or full-time, but you are not sure what your options are, it’s time to learn more about the daycare center in Sleepy Hollow. 

5 Benefits of Taking Your Child to a Daycare

There are many proven benefits of enrolling your child in daycare. So if you are feeling guilty about your decision, stop apologizing for this acceptable and promising parenting choice. Here are five significant benefits of enrolling your kids in a quality daycare program. 

More room to grow

A quality daycare can contribute to a child’s success in the long run, especially when they have teachers who are capable of handling behavioral problems. Moreover, the learning environment provides opportunities for kids to learn and grow while having fun.  

Helps kids try healthy foods

Based on a study from the Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, children in daycare are more willing to try healthy meals when daycare teachers sit with them and consume the same food. Getting your little one to have small tastes of nutritious food is crucial for improving familiarity with different foods.  When you try to introduce healthy meals at a young age, their willingness to eat a wider variety of food will be higher in the future. 

Smoother transition to preschool and kindergarten 

Transition times are one of the most challenging and stressful parts of the day in daycare. Parents who put their children in a daycare center tend to stay more involved in school life as their little ones grow old. This choice does not only help the parents, but the children as well since it makes it easier for them to adjust to regular schooling. 

Routine and schedule

In a daycare setting, children follow a daily schedule and routine. More than any other reason, having a daily routine provides a sense of security and certainty for the kids. If there are no regular routines, anxiety can build up and the child might start showing emotional reactions due to inconsistencies and too many unknowns.

Interaction with adults

Daycare allows kids to interact with authority figures and get positive guidance from mentors. Moreover, adult care providers encourage kids, respond to their vocalizations, curb negative interactions and display a positive attitude in the daycare environment. 

Reality check: daycare provides countless benefits to children. While enrolling your child in a daycare center is not an easy decision, choosing a reputable daycare can benefit your child over time. If you are looking for a trusted daycare center in Sleepy Hollow, it’s time to consider Discovery Village Center. Shoo those fears away and contact us at (914) 631-1009 to schedule a tour today!

Categories
Blogs

How to Get Your Child Ready for Preschool in Sleepy Hollow

preschool in Sleepy Hollow
How to Get Your Child Ready for Preschool in Sleepy Hollow

Each day is a new adventure for a young child in Sleepy Hollow. Soon enough parents will need to start thinking about what preschool they wish to send their child to. It is a big decision to make, but it does not need to be a difficult one. 

Starting preschool is the beginning of a new chapter in a child’s development. You may ask yourself, “Is my child ready to start preschool?” Even if your child has previously attended a toddler program, preschool in Sleepy Hollow is a big step. They will make new friends, gain independence as well as confidence and learn new skills along the way. Although this new undertaking will set your little one on a path to later success in school, it is not always easy. Both you and your child might have mixed emotions of excitement, worry and even sadness as infancy disappears. Emotionally preparing your child – and yourself as well – will take intentional effort. But with a little preparation, you can make it a smooth transition and a confidence-building experience for both you and your child.

Change is Inevitable: Preschool Adventure into the Horizon 

We live in an ever changing world and the pace of change has never been more rapid than it is today. It can be overwhelming at times, so many parents will shelter their children. If you are ready to enroll your child in preschool in Sleepy Hollow, you may be approaching this upcoming change with conflicting emotions. For your little one, preschool can cause excitement as well as anxiety since it is a new environment filled with unfamiliar faces of both teachers and kids. Meanwhile, parents might feel unsure about whether their child is ready to enter preschool.  

Enrolling your child in preschool in Sleepy Hollow has many benefits. School readiness is more than knowing the ABCs and 123s. A school-ready child is eager to learn, engaged and adjusted to the new environment. It is a place for them to interact with their peers and learn valuable life lessons. Children can also develop vital social skills and get better at following instructions, which will be useful in kindergarten and beyond. 

5 Simple Strategies to Prepare Your Kids for Preschool

Starting preschool is a big step for a child and parents can play a vital role in preparing them for this new experience. There are several small, simple things that you can do at home to prepare your child for preschool. Here are five strategies you can use to smooth the transition, not only for your child, but for the whole family as well.

Use pretend-play to get the idea of preschool

Reassure your child that preschool is a safe place where they can learn while having fun. You can take turns playing a parent, child or teacher and act out typical preschool routines, such as saying good-bye to mommy and daddy, playing outside, singing songs, reading stories and taking naps. Familiarizing your child with these routines can help them feel comfortable and in control when it comes to the real thing. 

Listen and acknowledge feelings

Preschool is an exciting yet heart-wrenching adventure and it is typical for both parents and children to feel anxious. To help your kids deal with the stress of change, let them express their feelings while you listen attentively and acknowledge their fears. Their worries — no matter how big or small — can spoil their preschool experience, which makes it important to talk them out so they do not build up. 

Check out the preschool

Find out if your child’s preschool has orientation for new families. It is the perfect chance to meet the teachers ahead of time and have some of your questions answered. Your child will also get the opportunity to meet their teachers, other classmates and experience the preschool with you for the first time.  

Use books to prepare

Spend time with your kids by reading books about preschool. You can choose from several books available in your public library and read with your child before preschool starts. Then talk about the story; it is an opportunity for your kids to ask questions and share any fears they may have. 

Keep your child informed

It is only natural for your child to feel nervous and anxious about going to preschool. Prepare your child by talking about the preschool and what would they may do there. Try to make the conversation as light and casual as possible, so the child does not feel overwhelmed or intimidated. 

Adapting to changes may take some time for both the child and the parents. Remember that becoming comfortable in a new environment is a process – not an instant transition. It is a big move for your family and worrying about the bumps ahead can spoil the joys of the preschool years for your child. Once your kids adjust to the new preschool setting, goodbyes will become much easier. Turn each “Good-bye, mommy” and “Bye-bye, daddy” into a happy experience with Discovery Village Center at Sleepy Hollow. Schedule a tour today by calling (914) 631- 1009.

Categories
Blogs

It’s Not Small Talk: The Wonder of Weather In Early Childhood Learning

The weather in early childhood learning
It's Not Small Talk: The Wonder of Weather In Early Childhood Learning

Noticing, wondering, sensing, and experiencing are all characteristics of the curious and the creative. They are also at the very core of Reggio-inspired early childhood learning, a  project-based educational approach in which learning stems from student interest. Among the countless topics that can ignite children’s inquisitive nature, the weather, with its seasonal, daily, even hourly changes has near limitless potential in early childhood learning. Connecting art and science, while holding the potential to lay the foundation for a life-long commitment to care for our planet, investigations stemming from weather, make for profoundly meaningful learning. 

At Discovery Village, which opened this past July, we did not initially imagine how central the weather would be to life in our village. Committed to learning stemming from children’s interests, we watched, attentive to children’s conversations and self-initiated activities. With large windows in each classroom facing the outdoors, and outdoor play and nature walks twice daily, we quickly noticed our students’ conversation, wonder, and explorations into nature, the weather, and over time  the changing seasons.  

Summer

  •  

    Creating Our Own Rain Clouds

 

Family trips to pools and beaches, boating and fishing, rainstorms and puddles, plentiful water play, and love for the song “Baby Shark” opened up endless conversation and curiosity this past summer about water.  We watched out our windows at the summer rain showers, jumped in puddles when the rain abated, and splashed around through water play outdoors and sensory bins inside. 

Investigations stemming from children’s interests included ways people explore the sea, using boats, submarines, and scuba diving gear. We engaged in learning both about creatures that live under the sea, and about ways land animals cool down in the heat. Sensory experiences with water, sand, and even one in which we made our own mud abounded, as did loads of splashing around and water play. We took nature walks collecting items related to summer and watched the sun and the clouds, as well as the shifting colors of the sky. Science experiments using water, as well as art activities with water rounded out our experiences. 

Fall

  •  

    Sensory Activities with Materials We Collect on Our Nature Walks

As the weather cooled and our relaxed short sleeves and sandals gave way to cozy sweaters, beauty and gratitude emerged as Fall themes. Science activities relating to the changing colors of the world around us, and art projects incorporating fall items we collected on nature walks occupied our imaginations. This led to increasing interest in art and the creation of our own museum and range of gallery exhibits. We learned about the harvest and where our vegetables come from, took many nature walks, and celebrated with harvest festivals and a special Friendsgiving feast. 

Winter

  •  

    Fun In The Snow

It is just the beginning of our winter explorations. We’ve already created a range of winter art, and are starting so many experiments with snow and ice.

Even more significantly, we’ve embraced our curiosity about the world in which we live. As we play, wonder, experiment, and create, we’ll also be thinking about ways of showing care for the world around us