Author: fuelingbrains_AdMEEn

As adults, many of us have the ‘greeting phobia’. Some of us get all clammy and nervous when we have to greet a stranger at a party. Imagine our young children – physically tiny in comparison to us adults and they are expected not only to greet strangers they have been introduced to, but also to do it with a smile!

As a Montessori center, we have helpful lessons in greeting for our young children. Our teachers help them overcome their fears and teach them to greet without fear. At home, you too can help you children just by using some simple tips.

If there is one thing children love, is to look older and more grown-up. At the preschool, we explain to children that when they meet someone in a friendly manner, they are showing respect to the person and this always makes them look all grown-up. This ‘grown-up’ feeling automatically gives them confidence and their fear is shed slightly, if not completely.

Sit with your child and make a list of the words and actions that constitute a complete greeting – a polite hello, eye contact, a smile and a simple greeting , a handshake and probably and introduction. Role-play this with your children with puppets or stuffed animals and turn it into a relaxing game. Once he has had fun doing it with you, ask him to practice with family members when they come into the house. In no time will he be a confident greeter!

When you plan to go for an event like a birthday party, a social gathering or a family wedding, prepare your child before the event. Tell him about what he should expect and go through the greeting process once more. Always instill into your preschooler that he should never be afraid and encourage him with positive words.

Happy Parenting!

Toddlers love action. Remember that if you keep reading lively and engaging, children will enjoy reading with you at home. At Kids U daycare Calgary NW, our teachers ensure that your toddlers are having fun while they learn how to read. Here are some tips you can follow to help you do the same at home. Try a new tip every week and see which one works best for your child.

 

The most important thing to remember, according to our teachers at daycare Calgary NW is that toddlers love to move around constantly, so don’t expect them to sit still while you read to them or teach them how to read. They may want to skip and tumble as you read them a book. Remember that although they may be moving around, they are definitely listening.

When we at preschool Calgary NW recite a rhyme or sing a song, we let the little children finish the last phrase or chant. Once they are familiar with the lyrics or rhyme they will sing more and more. When you do this, try making a mistake on purpose and see how your child catches you!

The type of books you choose are important too. Books that make sounds or invite movement, books with flaps or textures to keep little hands busy, books that require a child to look for hidden objects – there all make interesting reads. Our library at daycare Calgary is filled with interesting books for this age group.

Keep your reading time simple, short and regular. Toddlers have a very short attention span. If you sense them zoning out, stop and continue a little later. The more you press on when the child is disinterested, the more he will start hating it. Read a little bit a few times a day and you will have them interested.

Children will form favorites very soon. Read them their favorites again and again….this will increase their attention span and build enthusiasm for reading.

Although early childhood education has been in existence for well over 100 years, the knowledge of the importance of benefits earned by children attending these programs has recently gained popularity. So what are the real benefits? And is the hype worth all the money?

As a doctorate studying early childhood development for the past 7 years, here is my perspective. About 10 years ago brain research suggested that 85% of all brain cells are created by the age of 5. Now the same research says this occurs by 3 years of age. In a study designed to get closer to unraveling how memory develops, researchers at Harvard have discovered that by age 2 children have recalled and have developed memories strong enough to repeat tasks shown to them months earlier. Studies like this explain why a child learns at a much faster pace than in the later years of their lives.

We live in a competitive society where demands are constantly rising. Ever wondered how life would be if you didn’t procrastinate, were more organized, could recall information quicker and faster, hold attention for longer periods of time, and maybe were able to control your emotions more? Early childhood education is not just about the colors, shapes, and numbers that everyone is so worried about. Eventually everyone gets it! We all know that a rectangle is, hopefully can count 4 or 5 objects, and spell our names. But how do you hold your pencil? Were your muscles developed correctly? Did you build good hand-eye coordination? Are you balanced? Life is much more than the things we hold our kids accountable for. Colours and shapes are the way our children observe and categorize the world around them. The ability to discern the similarities and differences between colours and shapes form the skills required to differentiate between letters and numerals. It is the foundation for living in a diverse, mathematical world. Simple activities such as sorting by color and shape prepares children for the future application of these same skills on a larger scale. Early childhood education is key to building independence, knowledge, critical thinking, memory, the ability to shift attention and still retain focus, and the discipline to control our bodies and emotions. The struggles we face today could be minimized if we were given the opportunity to begin cognitive development much earlier.

In response to these studies and methodologies, Kids U provides a nurturing program by implementing a student-centered, inquiry based learning curriculum. We believe that by providing a program tailored to ensure the quality of a child’s daily experiences we will be building a foundation for future learning. When a child first enters our school, we look to provide an appealing surrounding that enables them to build trust, comfort, and a feeling of safety here at Kids U. Once a child is comfortable with their new friends and teacher, only then will they be able to grasp knowledge.

Never seen our school? Come take a free tour! Simply click the “book a tour” button at the top right corner and select a convenient time for you. If you are ready to enroll your child, you can click the “register now button” or you can call us at (403)290-0405.