Simple Ways to Raise Grateful Children

Posted on November 8, 2018August 4, 2020 by [email protected]

Adapted from blogs.brighthorizons.com

Thanksgiving is around the corner. It is a holiday and an expression of gratitude. Here are some tips to teach our kids gratitude and to practice thanksgiving all year round!

• Model Gratefulness. You are your children’s most important role model. Using grateful language and positive reinforcement is a great way to show children how to be grateful. “The playroom looks great with all your toys put away. I’m so happy you cleaned up!”

• Say Please, Thank You, You’re Welcome. Use these words for both small and big things. In fact, you can never overdo it – it will make a difference. Have them become an important part of your family’s language.

• Share Appreciation Daily. During family dinners, talk about their day. Ask the kids “what’s something good that happened today?” For the Thanksgiving season ask, “What’s something nice you did for someone? Or, what’s something nice someone did for you?”

• Encourage “Eye Contact” Thank You’s during Gift-Giving Holidays. Kids love presents! They open them very quickly. During these times, encourage them to personally “thank” the gift giver. This should include making eye contact. They should also say the name of the person they are thanking.

• Make Thank You Notes or Cards. It’s nice for children to make “thank you” notes for gifts received during special occasions. For little kids, parents can write them and kids can color the card. As they get older, they will continue this as they make their own thank you notes.

• Volunteer or Do a Charity Project. We have a lot of opportunities to help the needy. It’s important to make sure to involve the children in the service projects. Discuss why people need Thanksgiving food and other things.

• Set Shopping Expectations. Parents should tell their children, “Today, we are getting a present for your friend’s birthday at the toy store. If you see something you want, you can write it on your birthday/holiday list.”

• Be Patient, Consistent & Persistent. Children are solid thinkers. Gratitude is a character trait that takes time to develop. With some patience and persistence, you’ll be on the road to raising a grateful child.

Enjoy this video of your children at A Children’s Carousel and click here to watch it on our YouTube channel!

Toddler Lunch Ideas

Posted on October 16, 2018August 4, 2020 by [email protected]

New ideas for sandwiches, wraps, mini-pizzas and more tasty lunch recipes for kids

Adapted from Parenting.com by Jennifer Saltiel, Stephanie Eckelkamp and Kelly Ladd Sanchez

Enjoy these yummy and simple lunch recipes!

Honey, Almond Butter & Banana
Spread 2 slices of whole-wheat bread with almond butter or peanut butter. Top 1 bread slice with a drizzle of honey (for kids 1 and up) and a layer of banana slices. Cover with the other slice, butter side down.

Pear & Avocado
Mash 1/2 ripe avocado in a bowl. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread the avocado evenly on 2 slices of sourdough bread. Add a layer of thinly sliced Bosc or Asian pear to 1 bread slice. Cover with the other slice and press gently to adhere. Swap in pomegranate seeds for the pear, if you like.

Tuna Pasta Salad

Mix whatever shaped cooked pasta you like with some mixed veggies. Once it’s cooked mix in some tinned tuna or other fish, a drizzle of olive oil and some dried oregano – serve it hot or cold. Delicious and so simple!

Strawberry & Goat Cheese
Split an English muffin and lightly toast the halves. Spread each half with softened goat cheese or plain whipped cream cheese. Top with a thin layer of strawberry jam, followed by a layer of thin strawberry slices. Place the top half of the muffin over the bottom half and press gently.

Slice It Right
If it seems like that sandwich you packed in the morning makes a soggy return uneaten in the afternoon, swap in Pepperidge Farm Goldfish—shaped bread. It’ll remind him of a familiar snack and get him to eat up. $3 to $4; grocery stores.

Turkey Pinwheels
Spread dollop of store-bought hummus on whole-wheat tortilla, then layer a slice of turkey and some spinach leaves. Roll up and cut.

Pita-Butter and Jelly
If your child’s main food staple is PB&J, but peanut butter is a no-no at her school, here’s a peanut-free option. Substitute butter or cream cheese in for peanut butter and spread on whole-wheat pita bread. Top with jelly, or if she loves apple pie, try cinnamony apple butter.

I Heart Turkey
A plain ol’ turkey sandwich gets a little love with this Thanksgiving-inspired, heart-shaped version. (Kid not a heart-lover? Stars or dinosaur shapes work, too.) Spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce on two pieces of whole wheat bread. Layer two slices of roasted turkey breast and sliced cheese. Use a cookie cutter to cut the sandwich into the shape of a heart.

Mini Pizzas
This kid-favorite gets a healthy makeover to fuel your child’s busy body all day long. Make these the night before to save time in the morning. Top English muffin halves with jarred marinara sauce (if your child won’t object, add chopped steamed broccoli or spinach to the sauce.) Sprinkle pre-shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Let cool, then wrap up.

Brunch for Lunch
Who says French toast and eggs are just for breakfast? This traditional morning meal makes a power-packed lunch. Feel free to make these the night before. French toast cinnamon sticks: Add pureed squash or sweet potatoes to egg-milk batter for an extra boost of beta-carotene. Cook French toast and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Let cool and slice into sticks for an easy-to-eat fork-free option.

Click here to read the original article.

Mindfulness Practice for Preschoolers Connecting Kids to Nature

Posted on September 28, 2018August 4, 2020 by [email protected]

Mindfulness Practice for Preschoolers Connecting Kids to Nature

by: Scott Rogers – Adapted from Mindful Magazine, 2017

We live in a time when it is all too easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed, and even children are more frequently

experiencing these uncomfortable states.

When we teach mindfulness to children, we are sharing with them skillful ways of relating to life’s uncomfortable and challenging moments. The earlier we do so in their young lives, the greater the opportunity to help them cultivate resilience as they mature.

Mindfulness Practice for Preschoolers, is an approach of sharing mindfulness that draws on the elements of nature. Often, we reflect on the beauty and serenity of the natural world out there and overlook our own beautiful nature. This exercise introduces children to ways of seeing the strength and beauty of nature within themselves, offering a short practice to help relax and observe their experience.

When we go outside we can see and feel so many wonderful things. Things like trees, and the wind, and the clouds, and the sun.

In many ways we are like these beautiful parts of nature.

Here is a mindfulness practice for preschoolers. It is an exercise that teachers and parents can practice with their students/children. Please enjoy video clip of your children practicing mindfulness below!

Today we will be like the tree, the wind and the sun.

Our body is like a tree. It grows, and it is strong.
Our breath is like the wind. It flows in and out.
And the sun is like the part of us that is warm and kind.

So let’s lower or close our eyes and sit tall like a tree. We extend our hands way out and stretch our fingers, like branches and leaves. Let’s squeeze our fingers together and then let go and feel them wiggle, like they are blowing in the wind.

And now, with the wind blowing, let’s be like the wind and take two big, slow breaths. Breathing in and breathing out, blowing out the wind. Breathing in and breathing out, blowing out the wind.

And now the sun comes out and warms the tree and the wind. As it shines on the tree, we feel our body. Can you feel fingers and feel your toes? What else can you feel—just by noticing? As the sun shines on the wind, we feel our body breathing. Can you feel your belly moving up and down? Can you feel the air flowing in and out of your beautiful body? With the sun up high in the sky, brightening and warming the whole world, you too can warm the world—with your kindness!

Think of someone who can use a little kindness—like your mom, dad, sister or brother. Your friend or your teacher. And as you think of them, wish for them, “May you be happy,” imagining them smiling like the sun. You deserve happiness too. So now wish for yourself, “May I be happy,” and smile like the sun. As you smile like the sun, feel your body sitting tall like a tree and feel your breath blowing like the wind.

And then gently open your eyes and look around. You are amazing!

Your children practicing mindfulness – enjoy!

Click here and listen to the audio of this great exercise

Click here to read the original article

Preschooler Reading Milestones

Posted on September 13, 2018August 4, 2020 by [email protected]

Daily reading for preschoolers is a critical part of their long-term reading success!

Adapted from PBS Family

During the preschool years, many young children will be able to recite or sing the alphabet. They may begin to recognize familiar letters, especially letters in their own names. Children who have been read to frequently pretend to read books to themselves or to their toy dolls and animals. They use their own words or phrases from the story.

Here are some tips for helping younger children become readers for life.

Read and reread your young child’s favorite books every day. Reading books with rhymes helps develop a child’s awareness of the sounds in our language. This ability is associated with reading success in the early grades. An example is in the book “Green Eggs and Ham ”. The repetitive refrain, “I do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them Sam I am.” is memorable. Young children also delight in predictable books with memorable refrains.
Read books with a variety of characters. All children should have the opportunity to read books with characters that look and speak like them. At the same time, children also enjoy reading stories about fantastic characters, such as talking animals. These will stimulate their imagination and build on their love of pretend play.
Enjoy rhyming books together. Children enjoy books with rhyming patterns. Young children find the use of nonsense rhymes playful and fun. As you read, invite your child to fill in some of the rhyming words.
Point out the important features of a book as you read. Before you start reading, show your child the title and author on the front of the book. For example, you might say, “The title of this book is ‘Amazing Grace’. Then say, “It is written by Mary Hoffman and the pictures are by Caroline Birch.”
Point to each word with your finger as you read. This demonstrates to your child that there is a one-to-one match between the spoken and written word. Also, it also draws your child’s attention to the link between the words you say and the words on the page. Therefore, pointing as you read also reinforces the concept that we read from top to bottom and from the left to the right.
Use stories to introduce your child to new words. Focusing on new vocabulary words increases reading comprehension. Thereby, promoting your child’s vocabulary development by drawing his attention to new or unusual words in the story. Most importantly, just have fun with these new words and help your child use them in real-life situations. An example of this would be, after learning “capsize” in a story, you can point out that the toy boat in your child’s bath has capsized and the animals are now in the water.

Click here to read the original article and learn more about how preschoolers develop into readers through writing

Tips for Handling the First Days of Preschool

Posted on August 25, 2017August 4, 2020 by [email protected]

Tips for Handling the First Days of Preschool

Adapted from whattoexpect.com

TIPS TO MAKE THE FIRST DAYS OF PRESCHOOL AND THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE AND FOR YOU

TIP 1: DON’T RUSH THROUGH THE MORNING.

Get everyone up at a reasonable hour so that you won’t have to hurry your child through breakfast or risk being late. After all, no one likes to race through the school morning routine – especially on the first days.

TIP 2: ARRIVE FASHIONABLY EARLY.

This way, your little one can slowly settle in before the real action starts. He’ll also get more face time with the teacher – which will be tougher to do once all the other kids are there.

TIP 3: BRING A COMFORT OBJECT.

If the preschool allows it, let your child bring along her favorite stuffed animal (or blanket, or whatever object does the trick) so the new setting doesn’t feel so scary. Before long, your child will feel comfortable, allowing her teacher to put the comfort object to the side.

TIP 4: PUT ON A HAPPY FACE.

Anxiety may be eating you up inside, but don’t let your child see it because nerves are highly contagious. When your child sees that you’re upbeat and you look confident – the transition from home to preschool will be smooth and he will feel upbeat and excited too.

TIP 5: HANG AROUND, BUT DON’T HOVER.

Many preschools let (or even encourage that) parents stay in the classroom for all or part of the first few days. If this is allowed, try to stay a bit – keeping a distance away from your child allowing her to explore her new surroundings. Your goal is to let the teacher take over so you can get on with your day.

TIP 6: KEEP GOOD-BYES SHORT AND SWEET.

When it’s time for you to make an exit, hold back your tears a little longer (smile!) give your new preschooler a hug, and let him know when you’ll be back (“I’ll pick you up after lunch” or whenever you plan on picking her up). Then leave and don’t linger because he can’t get on with his day until you do. Finally, no matter how tempting, never sneak out when your preschooler is looking the other way as it will make him feel insecure and less trusting.

Just remember, it’s common for kids to have a difficult time separating, however chances are she’ll be fine five minutes after you walk out the door. If it’s taking a while for your little one to adjust, don’t panic – our preschool teachers and their assistants have seen it all and they know just what to do, so ask his teacher for help. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at pickup seeing your child very happy and busy!

To read the original article click here

To watch a video click here