STEM Education – It’s Never Too Early

STEM Education – It’s Never Too Early

STEM EducationWhat is STEM?

STEM is an acronym for SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH. The STEM approach to teaching and learning integrates the curriculum content with skills of science, technology, engineering and math.

Many parents ask us what age we think it is appropriate to start teaching STEM to children. At A Children’s Carousel, we believe that it is never too early to start STEM education. Reasons are STEM Educationmany – a few being that

  • Young learners are naturally curious and questioning.
  • Early learners are natural scientists.
  • STEM education sparks a child’s interest in science, technology and math.
  • Foundations of scientific learning are inquiry and exploration; both are elements of STEM.
  • STEM encourages developmentally appropriate instruction as children explore the world around them.

STEM Education

For young children, we focus on STEM through EXPLORATION, PLAY, AND BUILDING CURIOSITY ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD AND THE WAY THINGS WORK. For example, children learn about technology by exploring tools or simple machines and investigating how they work. These can be items they use every day like a pair of scissors, observing the wheels of a car, exploring at the park, watching a sunrise or by swimming in the ocean.

The research is quite clear that STEM education encourages the best practices in early childhood education. It shows the importance of breaking away from passive instruction to allow for more play and investigation. This kind of learning early in life builds skills, problem solving, abilities and interests that will serve children throughout their school years, and later in life. When discussing STEM-like education at home to their bi-lingual children, parents are encouraged to use both STEM Educationlanguages. In fact, research shows that bilingual children have greater mental flexibility, which may clarify math and in general many concepts.

STEM education integrated within early childhood education will tap into children’s natural curiosity and give them ample opportunities to be active participants in their own learning. Natural settings offer children almost unlimited opportunities to explore and investigate that leads to building STEM skills and creating a solid  foundation for future learning.

A Children’s Carousel is proud and privileged to have successfully incorporate STEM education into the Pre-K curriculum as well as afterschool. We encourage parents to continue this natural curious way of learning at home.

To read the original article please click here  To view more STEM related videos click here and here

Check out a few videos of our Pre-K at A Children’s Carousel engaged in STEM education!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Ways to Teach Kids PATIENCE!

Three Ways to Teach Kids PATIENCE!

Teach kTeach Kids Patienceids patience…three easy ways?

If your child wasn’t born to wait, you’re not alone. Good news is that patience is actually a skill you can teach. Teach Kids Patience

As mom’s and dad’s of young children, have you ever wondered if it’s possible to teach your toddler patience? First time parents, this will help you immensely in the years to come. For parents-of-a-few who really needs to teach this lesson, don’t worry, you’re covered too. Remember, building patience takes time and discipline not just for them, but for you too.

Does this seem impossible and easier said than done? Have no fear with consistency and determination it can be done – and it’s worth the effort!

The video below provides three simple and fun ways that you can do to teach kids patience! Enjoy!

Want to watch this video and others on YouTube? click here and here

Tips for Handling the First Days of Preschool

Tips for Handling the First Days of Preschool

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

First Days PreschoolTIP 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.  First Days Preschool

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.

First Days PreschoolJust 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

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 

 

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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