Summer Camp Benefits Preschoolers

Summer Camp Benefits Preschoolers

Summer Camp Benefits Preschoolers – Read Four Practical Benefits!

Adapted from Sharon Wilhelm

We’re off to a Great Start at A Children’s Carousel Summer Camp!

Enjoy this video of your kids at A Children’s Carousel Summer Camp! Click here

 

Summer Camp Benefits PreschoolersDid you know that there are many summer camp benefits preschoolers can achieve? Many Programs take children as young as 3 years old – and while this might sound too young, there are some pros to consider, especially if your child will be entering preschool or kindergarten in the fall.

1. Structure: Summer camp benefits preschoolers can gain is a provide a preview of school, particularly for children who haven’t been to daycare, according to whattoexpect.com, the official website of the bestselling book and brand What to Expect When You’re Expecting. The transition from laid-back, flexible days at home with a parent or caretaker to the relative structure of a classroom environment can be challenging. Summer camp can introduce kids to concepts like following a schedule, Summer Camp Benefits Preschoolerslearning group rules, taking responsibility for their belongings (backpack and lunchbox), and getting along with other children in a group setting.

2. Independence: Summer camp benefits preschools can also achieve is a great “practice run” for kids who don’t have a lot of experience being away from Mom and Dad. After all, being dropped off for a day full of fun and friends might seem a little less daunting for kids (and their parents) than going to the first day of school. While schools tend to have stricter policies about school drop-off, camp counselors are likely to be a bit more lenient about those first few goodbyes.

3. Skills: Summer camp benefits preschoolers in terms of introducing your preschooler to new activities and skills. Many day camps include water play or swimming lessons. Other camps may focus on specific sports, like soccer or gymnastics. Your kids will have fun while practicing important skills like teamwork, coordination, self-confidence and learning and following rules. They might even enjoy the new activity enough to continue it beyond summer camp.

Summer Camp Benefits Preschoolers4. Social: Summer camp benefits preschoolers with a wonderful opportunity to introduce your child to a whole new group of friends. Young kids sometimes have limited peer group exposure – their social circle may only include a handful of friends from daycare, a play group or their neighborhood. Summer camp, like school, allows children to practice making friends and interact with kids from diverse backgrounds. It also gives children the freedom to make friends independently, instead of just making friends based on convenience or proximity.

Help Your Child Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Help Your Child Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Critical Thinking Development and Your Child

Adapted from Caroline Duda and Parenting Magazine

critical thinking Critical thinking skills, or for that matter much of early-childhood education takes place right at home, months or years before students begin preschool. Children learn to speak and to walk, to color and to cut with scissors as well as developing their critical thinking from the individuals around them. Children develop these important thinking skills as they learn to cooperate with their peers and when they learn to read short picture books independently.

Though critical thinking is emphasized in nearly every year of school — from pre-kindergarten to college or graduate school — it is a skill that parents can begin to introduce to their children from a young age. It is even less tricky than a term like “critical thinking” might imply. Here are three ways you can foster critical thinking skills in your student:

1. ENCOURAGE QUESTIONS OF THE WORLD YOUR CHILD:“Why?” To the parents of small children, this question may seem persistent and — at times — frankly annoying. Questioning the world around her might be one of her first ventures into critical 
thinking. While it may be frustrating to hear a small voice ask, “Why?” when you tell your child to put her shoes on or to tell her what to wear in the morning, you can transform this moment into one that enriches critical thinking skills in your child. When your child asks “why?” instead of answering, you might ask, “Why do we wear shoes?” or “What do shoes protect your feet from?” Questions that begin with how, what or why are often best for these discussions with your child, as they encourage critical thinking or answers outside of “Yes,” or “No.”

2. RESIST THE URGE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR YOUR CHILD:

Although we naturally jump to protecting our children and students, especially when they are distressed. However, allowing your students to solve their own problems — assuming they are not in any danger — can exercise their critical thinking muscles. An example of this can be in this scenario: you and your family are at the beach, and your child would like to build a sandcastle. Unfortunately, you forgot your shovel and bucket at home. While you could suggest that your child use a drinking cup or hands and solve the problem, challenging a child to solve the problem without your help can create an even better response. Your child may come to a solution that you had not thought of, like borrowing a bucket from the family beside you – thereby sharpening critical thinking skills. Remember to praise your child for the fabulous critical thinking answer!

critical thinking3. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVITY AND FREE PLAY: 

Critical thinking is closely linked to creativity and problem solving. Times of free play, also known as unstructured play, is both easy to create and is a rich source of problem solving using critical thinking. With free play, your child selects the toy to play with and allows your child to decide what to do. For example, if LEGO’s is the toy of choice allow your child to use deep thinking skills to create and build a hospital, a school or a home. These creations will increase your child’s imagination while considering what these items look like in reality. Creative activities like dance, sports, music and painting can also introduce your child to new ways of thinking, and these new ways of thinking can, in turn, will deepen critical thinking capabilities. This will lead to the ultimate educational goal; that being success in school.

To read the original article please click here 

 

Cooking and Baking – Life Educational Skills

Cooking and Baking – Life Educational Skills

Cooking and Baking used to Teach Life and Educational Skills

life educational skillsS’mores Pudding Parfaits are the perfect easy dessert made with new JELLO-O SIMPLY GOOD Pudding Mix. This recipe is worth a try as it is delicious and life educational skillsso fun to make with your students, kids or grand-kids. Fabulous looking S’mores can be eaten after your Easter Egg Hunt in school or at home! A great in school and in home project for preschool and older students and children. Pictures should be taken of the students measuring, taking turns and having fun creating this dessert.

This yummy dessert allows teachers to use differentiated instruction to teach their students life educational skills. Students will learn important life skills like taking turns and following directions. Students will also learn educational skills like addition, subtraction and measurements that can become a MATH lesson. A fabulous opportunity to teach life educational skills while making learning exciting!

Regardless of a child’s learning process, children love being involved in the cooking process!

After students cook and eat their s’mores; a differentiated math lesson based on the cooking process can be taught

life educational skillsthe same day or it can be saved for the next day.

Teachers can use the pictures taken of the children using life educational skills, the recipe card and the video below. A math lesson will be as easy as pie!

Parents, grandparents and caregivers can create S’mores Pudding Parfaits as an after-school project with their children. Family members are forming lifelong bonds and at the same time learning life educational skills. This recipe and others are a perfect holiday (think Easter!) and/or birthday party treat!

Parents, grandparents, care givers, teachers please see the recipe card and video link below for easy step by step instructions for your children and students! Enjoy watching this rewarding feeling of “sweetness” on your children’s and student’s faces!  

                                                 To read original article and watch instructional video click here: 

 

 S’mores Pudding Parfaits – Adapted from Trish-Mom on Timeout
Quality Parent Preschooler Time!

Quality Parent Preschooler Time!

Baby Bird Nest

Adapted from Margaret VanEchaute; Designs by Jodi Mensing Harris and parent.com

   preschoolerPreschooler love to spend time with Mom, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa. But it’s hard now-a-days to find the time in your busy day to spend with your preschooler orpreschooler

toddler. Age appropriate art project can be a fun way to enjoy time with your preschooler. Your preschooler will have a blast as he or she spends time with Mom or Dad making an arts and crafts project! Here is a cute and easy art project for parents to spend “preschooler quality time”.

Bring the outdoors inside – or do this project outside if it’s a beautiful day! Create this sweet and cozy new home for adorable pom-pom birds. Your child will always remember this time spend with Mom or Dad.  Watch the video below with your preschooler; it’s fun to watch together as parent and preschooler see the Baby Bird Nest being created.

          What You’ll Need:

preschooler

  1. Paper plate
  2. Shredded brown paper (use a recycled brown paper bag)
  3. Orange piece of colored paper (or any color your preschooler wants to use)
  4. Three blue pom poms (use the color your preschool likes)
  5. Three Popsicle sticks
  6. Googly eyes
  7. Brown paint (small amount is needed)
  8. Paintbrush
  9. Scissors
  10. Glue

Make It:

  1. Cut a paper plate in half and staple the rims together (leaving the top of the nest open).
  2. Paint the plate and let it dry.
  3. Then glue shredded brown paper onto the front to add texture.
  4. Create the birds by gluing three pom-poms to the ends of Popsicle sticks, one pom pom for each stick.
  5. Add googly eyes and colored paper beaks for a little personality.
  6. Have your kids slide the ends of the Popsicle sticks between the plates (for extra security, glue the sticks to the plates)
  7. Your child can allow their sweet baby birds to rest inside their new nest or pop up when they get hungry!

Copyright © 2011 Meredith Corporation.

To watch the Baby Bird Nest Craft How-To Video with your child; please click here:

Preschoolers Learn the Best through Play!

Preschoolers Learn the Best through Play!

Adapted from Sarah Punkoney’s article, NOT “JUST” A PRESCHOOL TEACHER

To watch an informative VIDEO on the topic below by Jennifer Kaywork, Ed.D., from parents.com please click here

  • Preschoolers Learn Through Play

Preschoolers learn through play – or do preschoolers sit and listen attentively to the teacher? The best preschools are in fact teaching the students through play to accomplish the goal of learning. Parents need not be concerned as to why their preschoolers are playing instead of learning their A, B, and C’s. The fact is preschoolers learn best through play and the best preschools are cognizantPreschoolers Learn of this. Play will allow a three year old to become active members of the classroom, and eventually society when preschool is play to learn focused.

How is it possible? It is curriculum based, proven to be the top method that a preschooler will learn. It is also a natural course of events throughout the day. Children learn through play from their classmates and friends. They learn by observing, interacting, and playing with other children in a group or individually. Preschools will learn via play from the teachers as well; as preschool teachers don’t “kick back” and drink coffee allowing the classroom to be led by children. Our great preschool teachers are directing, observing, assisting, supporting and monitoring each individual preschooler as they play and learn. Additionally, the best teachers will observe their class at play in order to be certain that the “play-learning” curriculum is working with their students. If it is working – great, if not even a play-learn curriculum can be fixed just a bit in order to make it work. Examples of preschoolers learning through play is by using blocks, cooking, magnetic letters, creating puzzles, using play dough, shaving cream to learn shapes, colors, letters, reading and math. The best way preschoolers learn is through creative free yet structured play. Play based learning will naturally help preschoolers practice key skills that will not only increase their knowledge base but also build their self confidence. Play to learn will prepare preschoolers for their eventual entry into the more formal instruction when they enter kindergarten and beyond.

As a parent; when your child runs into school with a huge smile on her face? Clearly he’s happy to be at school; and when you observe you will value the importance of play in order to learn. A preschool where children are welcomed via song, dance, music and play is where your child wants to be. This is the equivalent to being welcomed at a parents place of business with good morning smiles; as opposed to the rushed head nod by your boss, or the tired look/wave of a fellow employee. Preschool teachers use song and dance, etc. because this type of play will assist your child’s language, eventual reading and even math skills!

A most important way that preschoolers learn by play is by observing…the teacher. The teachers must be role models. Students will observe and learn via play by observing their classmates, but the “trickle down teacher behaviors” are extremely important, just as “trickle down parenting” is.  Preschool and lower elementary teachers help parents build a foundation for students to develop their social skills, interact with their classmates, and many other social/psychological key developmental groundwork.

  • Preschool Teachers; Educating the Whole Child

As parents we know that our children are NOT the same. We must raise them according to their way in order to assure upstanding, caring, honest, empathetic, etc., adults. The same method is Preschoolers Learnused in the preschool classroom. A great teacher will create lessons for the individual child based on his/her entire or whole personality; based on the individual students’ level of development. A preschool teacher knows that the classroom is set for the child and his needs. Therefore, the teacher will see the potential in a child, yet he might be lacking is social skills that might lead to a student without friends or self-esteem. The way to nip this in the bud would be slowly and with care helping the student break out of her shell by inviting her over to a group of children playing and working together. This will connect her to others creating a feeling of confidence and joy.  If a teacher notes that a student is having trouble with large or small muscle skills; she will focus a range of ways to build these skills depending on the age of the preschooler. For the inquisitive student who is advanced the preschool teacher must be prepared with individual (or group) fun learning activities that will enrich these children. The challenge of assuring that the whole child is taught while at the same time keeping the classroom filled with individual activities is a challenge for preschool teachers. When your child runs into preschool excited to “play”, as parents you can be certain the preschool and the teachers are the best of the best as they mold their curriculum for their individual student with love and care.

  • Preschool Teachers; Caring and Observant

Preschoolers Learn

A preschool teacher knows intuitively that your child might be nervous, emotional to see you leave, quiet, outgoing…and so parents must know that of most importance is your child’s social and emotional growth and well-being. Some students are in preschool for 3 hours, some for 6 hours but regardless of the amount of time spent with their teacher in their preschool environment your child will look to the teacher to make sure that they feel safe, protected, happy, at ease, content and secure; just as a parent would do at home. Preschool teachers are always on the lookout; they understand each child and know their needs. They want joy and happiness to surround their students; and they want to partner with the parents to assure this most important component of your child’s growth is cared for. Preschool teachers have this knack and are aware that your child is respected and understood.

     To read the original article by Sarah Punkoney, author and creator of Stay at Home Educator please click here 
      To watch an informative VIDEO on the topic please click here
 
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