It's the Week of the Young child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association. In honor of young children everywhere, we're asking you to post on social media using #WeekoftheYoungChild!
It's National Kindergarten Day! Celebrate by taking the time to say thank you to a kindergarten teacher today and share your kindergarten memories using #NationalKindergartenDay on social media.
The old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” However, we Floridians know that the real rain starts in May and can last through October! Southwest Florida may be going through a bit of a drought at the moment, but rainy season is almost upon us. While playing outside can be little tricky on a rainy day, Spring weather provides the perfect opportunity to keep our kids engaged and curious about their surroundings and everyday experiences.
As children grow, it's important to promote good health both at school and at home. Exercising and eating healthy are things children can start practicing at an early age.
Feeling stressed out or overworked lately? Is your child having trouble dealing with their emotions? Do you ever feel like having a full body tantrum on the floor like your toddler?
It's no doubt that our children are growing up in a fast-paced world. Technology is a great connector, but it can also demand that we be instantly available to each other, no matter what. And while it is wonderful to be able to turn on our smartphones and “see” each other all over the world in real time, this often means our children are bombarded with horrific images of war or natural disasters right in their own homes. Where is the "safe haven" for our children these days? This is the question authors Christine Kiewra, Tina Reeble, and Nancy Rosenow ask in their book, Growing with Nature: Supporting Whole-Child Learning in Outdoor Classrooms.
Do you know the most common dangers in the home for accidental ingestion by toddlers? See below for five of these items and suggestions on how to avoid them.
Letting Go of Screen Time
How much time do you spend each day in the car with your early learner? If you're like most parents, driving your child to and from school and then to other activities, it could add up to over two hours per day! While it's tempting to put a DVD into the portable player, or set your child to playing an educational game on the iPad, car rides are great opportunities for valuable bonding time with your child, and also for working on increasing skills and knowledge.
17 Best Learning Books for Preschoolers & Kindergarteners
Just because your child isn’t reading yet doesn’t mean he or she can’t gain a wealth of information from books! So put on their pajamas, cuddle up, and settle into a good book. Preschool and Kindergarten aged children are ready to be introduced to the world of reading through any classical, modern, funny, moral, and colorfully illustrated books you can provide for them. Below are some of our favorites:
9 Kindergarten Readiness Skills Your Child Needs
Kindergarten is an important milestone in your child's life, it's their first step into formal education. Preparing children for this step is the job of parents and early learning centers. Nowadays, parents are feeling more and more pressure to make sure their children have the necessary skills that will put them on the same level or ahead of their peers. Early learning centers help teach preschoolers these vital skills that will put them on the path to kindergarten success, especially during the summer month to keep learning momentum going.
