Best of Parenting
Mar 23, 2018
Mar 22, 2018
Nursery Rhyme Science
This week we are learning about Nursery Rhymes in Toddler One. Many of you might know the first verse of this common rhyme...
But who knows the second verse?
Jack and Jill went up the hill,
To fetch a pail of water.
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.
And Jill came tumbling after.
But who knows the second verse?
Up Jack got got and home did trot,
As fast as he could caper,
As fast as he could caper,
To old Dame Dob who patched his knob,
With vinegar and brown paper.
With vinegar and brown paper.
There are even more verses after that. Since Toddler One was exploring this rhyme that mentions vinegar they mixed it with baking soda for a cool science experiment. It bubbled and fizzed and all the kiddos thought it was super cool!
Mar 21, 2018
Playing is Connecting!
Your child and his or her teacher get to connect with each other on a daily basis through playing and learning. Did you know that there are simple activities that you can do on the way home from school or on the weekends that can help you connect with your child? It can be summarized in one word: PLAY. Here are some simple ways to play and connect with your child.
Kids as young as 2 can begin to play this favorite. Start off by hiding yourself and having them try to find you. Or hide a favorite stuffed animal and look for him/her together. Give a hug when the person is found – or chase back to a certain spot!
2. Buzz Hug Game
A “buzz hug” is a snug hug that is given with a gentle shaking and buzzing sound.
3. Dancing or Marching to Music
Create your own special dance – or just play some fun music and actually get up and dance with your kids.
4. Playing Music Together
This can be a fun way to bond! Put on some music and get instruments out and play along, or even better, play real musical instruments and create songs together.
5. Floor Play
Sometimes doing a simple activity like a jigsaw puzzle, or a stacking game together on the floor can be all a child needs to connect. Open-ended toys like blocks, cars and trucks, and dolls provide many ways for your child to direct the play and you to follow their lead – something kids love!
6.Walking Outside
There’s something about being outside together, especially out in a natural area, that is good for the soul! Try exploring a new park, a local pond or boardwalk, or even just follow a trail that you haven’t been down before. Your child will pick up on your sense of adventure and exploration and you’ll get some fresh air and sunshine!
7. Baking/Cooking
If you haven’t done this yet, start easy by making pancakes from batter that only needs you to add a couple of ingredients, or a pre-mixed muffin mix. Your child will love learning to stir and pour and especially enjoy the tasting!
8. Car Play
Even when you’re on your way somewhere, you can take time to connect.
Onetime loves playing I-Spy in the car, or a game where I say the first line or two of a nursery rhyme and he fills in the last word. e.g. “Humpty Dumpty sat on a….?” “Wall!” “Humpty Dumpty had a great….?” “Fall!”
9. Imaginative Play
One of the toddler and preschooler’s favorite forms of play. Join in his/her play by being a willing participant (be a firefighter too!), a helping character (become the mechanic when the train breaks), or a subordinate (be the patient when she’s the doctor.)
Remember to follow your child’s lead, ask questions like “Where should we go next? What should we do next?” and get on his/her level when playing.
10. Sing Songs Together
Sing favorite songs in the car, while walking to school, in the living room after dinner, or before bedtime.
10 Ways to Play and Connect
1.Hide and SeekKids as young as 2 can begin to play this favorite. Start off by hiding yourself and having them try to find you. Or hide a favorite stuffed animal and look for him/her together. Give a hug when the person is found – or chase back to a certain spot!
2. Buzz Hug Game
A “buzz hug” is a snug hug that is given with a gentle shaking and buzzing sound.
3. Dancing or Marching to Music
Create your own special dance – or just play some fun music and actually get up and dance with your kids.
4. Playing Music Together
This can be a fun way to bond! Put on some music and get instruments out and play along, or even better, play real musical instruments and create songs together.
5. Floor Play
Sometimes doing a simple activity like a jigsaw puzzle, or a stacking game together on the floor can be all a child needs to connect. Open-ended toys like blocks, cars and trucks, and dolls provide many ways for your child to direct the play and you to follow their lead – something kids love!
6.Walking Outside
There’s something about being outside together, especially out in a natural area, that is good for the soul! Try exploring a new park, a local pond or boardwalk, or even just follow a trail that you haven’t been down before. Your child will pick up on your sense of adventure and exploration and you’ll get some fresh air and sunshine!
7. Baking/Cooking
If you haven’t done this yet, start easy by making pancakes from batter that only needs you to add a couple of ingredients, or a pre-mixed muffin mix. Your child will love learning to stir and pour and especially enjoy the tasting!
8. Car Play
Even when you’re on your way somewhere, you can take time to connect.
Onetime loves playing I-Spy in the car, or a game where I say the first line or two of a nursery rhyme and he fills in the last word. e.g. “Humpty Dumpty sat on a….?” “Wall!” “Humpty Dumpty had a great….?” “Fall!”
9. Imaginative Play
One of the toddler and preschooler’s favorite forms of play. Join in his/her play by being a willing participant (be a firefighter too!), a helping character (become the mechanic when the train breaks), or a subordinate (be the patient when she’s the doctor.)
Remember to follow your child’s lead, ask questions like “Where should we go next? What should we do next?” and get on his/her level when playing.
10. Sing Songs Together
Sing favorite songs in the car, while walking to school, in the living room after dinner, or before bedtime.
Mar 16, 2018
Mar 13, 2018
Step Dancers
We were thrilled to once again welcome The Southern Academy of Irish Dance to come perform for our students to celebrate St. Patty's Day! They wore beautiful costumes and danced to traditional Irish music. The students were memorized at the movements. They sure are very talented dancers! Some volunteers even got to practice along with them. What a fun morning!
Mar 12, 2018
Family Challenge: Leprechaun Traps!
This March we challenged our families to get creative, roll up their sleeves, and make leprechaun traps for St. Patty's Day. And boy are we blown away with the results! We can tell a lot of hard work went into each trap. All entries are so unique and special. I don't think any leprechaun will be able to stay away! Be sure to vote today and tomorrow for your favorite trap. The winner of the FREE WEEK of tuition will be announced on Wednesday. Thank you to each family who participated. We hope you had fun spending family time together.
This trap features free hot air balloon rides!
Who can resist a lucky charm wall?
Free coins here!
The clover is disguised as a floor but will trap the leprechaun in the jar!
The signs read "definiately not a trap" and "totally safe for leprechauns". HA!
A beautiful, eye-catching box of gold!
This one comes complete with a gold slide into the hat trap.
A pipe cleaner cage will drop down and trap that pesky leprechaun.
This isn't a mouse trap...it's a giant leprechaun trap!
What a cute idea to use pretzel sticks for the ladder!
This trap has flashing lights and everything!
What an awesome lego bridge!
The floor of this trap is sticky so no leprechaun will be able to escape.
The rainbow ramp is SO COOL!
Holy leprechaun trap...super cool!
The gold stepping stones are a genius idea!
We love this "free gold" felt banner.
The beautiful rainbow will disguise this trap for sure!
Who wants lucky charms?!
This MASSIVE trap will catch even the biggest leprechauns!
This trap is hockey themed and the Predators flag hides the false bottom.
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