• Helping Kids Make the Transition to Full-Day School

    At some point during early childhood education, children must make the transition from part-time programs to full-day school. As a parent, it’s natural to have some concerns about making this change and how to support your child through it. If your child is about to make the switch to a full-day early education school in Pembroke Pines , here are some things you can do to make the process easier.

    Develop a Morning Routine Helping Kids Make The Transition To Full-Day School

    Having a stressful morning sets kids up for a stressful day. Having a morning routine will help you prevent this. Do what you have to do to make sure that your child has plenty of time to get dressed and have breakfast in the morning without feeling rushed, such as setting out clothing the night before. Make sure your child knows what to do when he or she wakes up, and stick to the same plan every day to get things off to a smooth, peaceful start.

    Give Your Child a Reminder of Home

    One of the biggest adjustments kids have when they start a full-day early childhood education program is that they are away from parents for an extended period time. Having a little piece of home with them can help. Consider taping a family picture inside your child’s lunchbox or letting him or her bring a favorite stuffed animal from home for naptime, if the school allows it. These things will help your child feel connect to you even when school lasts all day.

    Stay Patient During the Process

    It’s normal for young children to need time to fully make the adjustment to full-day school. Be patient and supportive, and don’t try to rush your child. When you’re anxious, your child will be on edge as well. Stick to the schedule and give your child plenty of time to adjust. He or she will eventually fall into the routine and happily head off for a day at school.

  • Examining the Differences Between Gross and Fine Motor Skills

    Part of early childhood education is the development of both gross and fine motor skills. If your early education program in Pembroke Pines discusses your child’s development of these skills with you, it can be easy to get the mixed up. This video explains the differences.

    Gross motor skills refer to using large groups of muscles together in a coordinated way. The major activities your child does, such as running and skipping, involve gross motor skills. Fine motor skills involve the use of the smaller muscles in the hands. In an early childhood education program, things like coloring, cutting, and writing with a pencil are used to practice fine motor skills.

  • What to Look for in a New Backpack

    https://youtu.be/ikdgtykr7qq

    Success in early childhood education begins with the right tools. Before your child heads off to preschool or kindergarten in Pembroke Pines, take him or her shopping for a new backpack. Very young learners won’t need to carry much, but having their own backpack can foster a sense of ownership regarding their education. For some quick tips on choosing the right backpack, watch this featured video.

    This expert discusses the importance of selecting the right size of backpack. Preschool students need a much smaller bag compared to elementary school students. Avoid having your child’s name monogramed on the bag, as this can be a safety risk. If your child is in first grade or beyond, look for a bag with a few pockets for better organization. Cushioned straps are also a plus.

  • Help Your Child Create an Illustrated Book

    Early education activities are often fun for adults as well as children, as they are typically hands-on, creative exercises. At this young age, children learn best by manipulating physical objects and stimulating the senses. For example, you can help your pre-k student in Pembroke Pines create his or her own illustrated book. For this pre-kindergarten activity, you’ll need about five to 10 sheets of blank paper or colored construction paper. Assemble some assorted markers or crayons, or let your child use finger paints or watercolors.

    Ask your child to tell you a story. It could be a list of fun things your child did that day, or what the two of you saw during a walk in the park. If your child was at the early childhood education center, the story could be about what he or she did in the classroom. Write down your child’s story, using a new sheet of paper for each main point. Invite your child to illustrate the pages, and then staple them together. Don’t forget the cover page!

    Help Your Child Create An Illustrated Book

  • Library Do’s and Don’ts for Kids

    Visiting the library is a fun way to encourage your kids to love to read. When your child is working on Kindergarten reading in Pembroke Pines , going to the library to find books to supplement what he or she is learning in the classroom is a perfect way to show your child the world of reading for pleasure.

    Help your kindergarten-age child get the most from his or her library experience by teaching the rules in this video before you go. The library is not the place for running or loud noises. Show your child how to treat books with respect and only handle them with clean hands. The library can become a favorite family destination and a good resource for supporting Kindergarten reading once your child learns the rules.

  • Milestones That Your Child May Meet in Pre-K

    Pre-Kindergarten, or pre-K, is often a subject of confusion for parents. It is not the same thing as preschool but rather is a targeted program designed specifically for children about to enter the Kindergarten classroom. Most students in pre-K programs in Pembroke Pines are around four years of age. Pre-K is voluntary—which is why it is sometimes referred to as VPK—but it can have a tremendous impact on children as they prepare to succeed in Kindergarten. Although every child is different, if you choose to enroll your child in pre-K, here are some of the milestones he or she may achieve. Milestones That Your Child May Meet In Pre-K

    Language and Literacy

    Children usually enter pre-K with a vocabulary of about 1,500 words, but by the end of the year, most children speak fluently and can usually use the proper tenses, pronouns, and plurals. Most children also learn to print at least some of their letters in pre-K. In addition to becoming more masterful with language, children also tend to embrace using it more and delight in telling stories or having conversations.

    Cognitive Development

    During pre-K, children make great strides with their problem-solving skills and can use them for everything from figuring out how to open a favorite snack to working through the rules of a game. Children often also learn to count to at least 10 and may also begin to understand basic concepts about money.

    Social Development

    For many parents of pre-K kids, social development is one of the areas that is most dramatic. At this age, children become much more invested in their friendships with each other, and they may seek out specific peer groups within the class to spend time with both on the school playground and on the weekends during play dates. At this age, children also become cognizant of fitting in with their classmates and may also begin to seek praise from both parents and peers. Pre-K kids also understand the differences between wrong and right and being honest or dishonest.

  • Top Reasons Why Summer Day Camp Benefits Children

    When summertime comes around, families are often faced with a dilemma about how to keep their little ones busy. Whether you work during the day or simply want your child to do something other than sit inside glued to an electronic device, day camp can be the best solution. In fact, summer day camps in Pembroke Pines offer a surprising array of benefits for kids. Here is a look at some of the rewards your child can reap by signing up for summer camp. Top Reasons Why Summer Day Camp Benefits Children

    Summer day camp helps kids build social skills.

    Summer day camp provides a unique social situation for kids. Often, going to day camp means meeting and bonding with other children that aren’t in their usual class. That means that they have to go out of their way to make and foster connections, learning the negative outcomes of choosing the wrong group of friends or ostracizing other campers. As day campers are making friends, they also must navigate the camp environment on their own and figure out how to get their needs met without being surrounded by familiar faces.

    Summer day camp prevents brain drain.

    If the last day of school is the first day your child starts forgetting everything he or she learns, the summer day camp could be the solution you’re looking for. Day camp doesn’t resemble school, but mixed in with all of the fun are lessons to help keep your child’s brain engaged and skills up. Your child won’t know that he or she is really learning, but you’ll see the benefits when the new school year begins.

    Summer day camp keeps kids active.

    If you’re constantly trying to push your child to get outside and play, let summer day camp help you make sure your child gets all that important activity into his or her day. You can count on fun outdoor activities being a central part of camp, which will help your child stay physically healthy and strong while encouraging good habits that can last a lifetime.

  • Cognitive Development: Age 3

    It is a fun and interesting time when children pass their toddler years and turn three years old. At this age, children are learning more about the world around them, and their preschool activities are filled with make-believe games and sensory-based learning. Here is a better look at the cognitive development of three-year-old children and how their preschool near Pembroke Pines can foster their growth:

    As shown in the video, three-year-old children are exploring their world and learning through their different senses. They love to touch objects—such as puzzles and blocks in their learning center—and they enjoy playing make-believe games. This preschool age is the perfect time to encourage children to dress up and use their imagination. Three-year-old children are also learning different concepts, such as those related to time. Foster this understanding by setting a timer to signify the beginning or end of activities.

  • Packing Tips for Summer Day Camp

    Summer camp offers kids a great way to enjoy the season while staying active, engaged, and surrounded by friends. Is your child enrolled in summer day camp in Pembroke Pines ? If so, then watch this video for tips on what to pack.

    First, consider using a rolling cooler for easy traveling to and from summer camp and the car, as well as keeping your child’s snacks and lunch cool throughout the day. You may also want to pack wet wipes, a bathing suit, an extra set of clothing, a towel, bug spray, sunscreen, water, napkins, and utensils when sending your child to summer day camp.

  • Choosing Educational Toys for Pre-K Kids

    Toys can be a fun distraction for children, but they can also be educational and support their development. Is your child currently in pre-kindergarten in Pembroke Pines ? If so, then she is probably experimenting with her developing physical skills, asking many questions, and displaying a longer attention span. Continue reading for tips on selecting educational toys that can support your child’s education at this age. Great Educational Toys for Children in Pre-K

    Pick Toys That Allow Her to Create

    Encouraging your child’s creativity is an excellent way to help her learn and develop. For this reason, you should look for toys that give your child something to create with. Some great examples of creative materials to offer your pre-k student are colored construction paper, crayons, markers, paintbrushes, finger paint, scissors made for children, scraps of cloth, paste, playdough, and chalk.

    Choose Toys That Encourage Problem-Solving

    At this age, you can support your child’s education and development by providing her with toys that demand problem-solving skills. Puzzles with 12 or more pieces and collections of objects that can be sorted in various ways, such as by color, size, quantity, and shape, are great educational toys for children in pre-k. You might offer her colored blocks, different sized bowls, and everyday items from around the house for these activities.

    Select Picture Books That Are More Advanced

    Now is the time to make the step up from the picture books that your child loved as a preschooler. As you peruse your options, choose books for your pre-k kid that have fewer pictures and more words than she is accustomed to.

    Opt for Toys That Help Your Child Play Pretend

    At this stage in her development, you can help your child by providing her with toys that encourage and help her to play pretend and stimulate her imagination. Consider giving your kid child-sized furniture, play food and appliances, dolls or stuffed animals to accessorize, dress-up clothes, puppets, construction sets, and blocks for building structures.