10 Step Checklist for Choosing Child Care

• In regards to child care, it really depends on what YOU feel the most comfortable with. There are pros and cons to both in-home child care and an actual child care location or center.
• When you find one, remember these 10-STEP "feelings" to look for during the first few weeks of dropping your child off and picking them up.

• 1. Are the kids engaged in something constructive? 2. Is the teacher or child care provider bending down to the kids level to speak with them? Is he/she welcoming with a hug, or nice gesture? * The day care I had my kids in most recently, there was not a day that went by that I didn't drop them off and pick them up and BOTH of their teachers gave them each a hug and said "I love you" every morning and afternoon. I really loved that and they reciprocated in return to love their teachers too. * It is extremely important that the teacher/care giver loves their job. Not b/c of the money and getting a paycheck, but b/c they have a passion for doing it. In all teachers, this DOES show and you will be able to tell just by how they communicate with you, run their classroom/home care, and interact with the kids. 4. Is the owner friendly, welcoming, and communicative? * Again, the latest day care I had my kids in here, the owner would even call me if the kids were beginning to get a slight cough, or she would call if my son wasn't napping b/c he said his head hurt. Nothing for me to worry about or reason to pick them up, but I thought as a parent that was so nice for her to be completely open and communicative with me about even the smallest things with my kids, so I trusted everyone at the school completely when/if the "big things" were to happen. 5. What are their discipline policies? Time-out, redirection, positive reinforcement? 6. What is the ratio per classroom? Typically at a school for toddlers is 9 kids to 1 teacher and preschool is anywhere between 18-20 kids per 1 teacher. Although it seems like a lot, if it is the right teacher (and I have worked with both kinds, good and bad, for that age group) - the right teacher knows how to handle all of them so it doesn't seem "so chaotic" and busy.....that is where #1 comes into play, are the kids engaged? 7. Is the environment structured consistently? If there is a routine and the teacher/school follows that routine daily so the kids know what is expected of them - this is a MUST for little kids to be in such an environment. They crave for that, and if there is no "daily schedule" (ask for this) then it may not be the place to put your kid. More importantly, just b/c it is written as their daily schedule on a piece of paper, you must make sure they actually follow/do it. 8. Voice tone. Is there a lot of screaming, crying, yelling - loud tones from the teacher and/or care giver? There is a difference between "good - having fun engaging learning" loud noise, and upset loud noise. Look for the good kind. 9. Cleanliness and organization. Is the classroom/home look clean and sanitary? Does the classroom look organized shelves, center areas, and work stations? 10. Curriculum - what are they doing to actually and age-appropriately engage your child to learn. Even at the littlest of ages (infants-toddlers), there still should be learning of shapes, colors, numbers, his name, songs, reading books, art activities, sensory activities....and so forth. If there is not a curriculum or plan for learning - that is a negative. Play is learning....but constructive play is learning with a cherry on top!

  In-Home Child Care VS School Child Care Centers, Things to know and keep in mind:

• From a teachers standpoint, some times with in-home care, having a HUGE age-range of children in one setting (such as 4 kids all between the ages 10 mo to 3 years) is DIFFICULT to actually keep structured, engaging with age-appropriate activities for each age group, and meeting the needs of all ages (b/c the needs for a 10 month old is EXTREMELY different than that of a 3 year old). Keep in mind, when the ages are separated into classrooms at a school or daycare center, that teacher can plan/focus her schedule, activities, curriculum, and nurturing needs care around that specific age group, which as a teacher makes it SO much easier to make sure the kids are all getting what they need to meet at their specific age range.
• One thing to remember about in-home that is important - make sure they are licensed by the state. Also, just a friendly reminder that I know as a parent I felt more "at ease" with knowing - when you have 1 provider that is in-home, there is no other "adult" around present from day-to-day that would be your "back up go to" when/if there was something unacceptable going on while your child is in their care. Where as, at a child care place, there are multiple adults and not all of them would let harm, misconduct, or unacceptable things happen with the children present. More than 1 adult present, does ease the mind in knowing, you have "back up" to communicate with you, watch your child, and build a relationship with. (Or so you would hope!!!)
  Even though child care places can seem more "busy" especially for little ones his age - there are, I think, a lot of pros than cons. If you look for the things mentioned above as I stated in #'s 1-10 - it is a lot easier to leave your child and make the decision of what you feel is right. Cost is one of the cons at a school center location, along with overcrowding can be a problem at some.
• 
  Good luck on your journey, it can be super frustrating (somewhat fun) to find exactly what you need/looking for, I know - but you will and it will all work out. Just keep your eyes open, and remember whatever you decide, your child will be just fine b/c mom & dad know best!!!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas and Teaching Tools

Do you do Elf on the Shelf??? Check out our calendar of ideas to hide Elf and use him to teach your children at the same time!  An original, creative, and one-of-a-kind calendar for anyone to use in December, for all ages!

Please GO HERE to view the calendar larger and print to use!  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas

TRACING? 10 Creative Ways to Teach...

Tracing is a beginning skill that kids need to and can learn around age 2 to help with early writing and fine-motor development.  Below are some helpful activity ideas to help you teach tracing skills to your toddler and preschooler.  The KEY when teaching tracing - to make it easy on their eyes and make it engaging so they WANT to do it!  All 10 of these activities below will help you do just that .... AND the best part, they are all AFFORDABLE and EASY to prepare!

1. USE A HIGHLIGHTER TO TEACH TRACING - Using a highlighter shows children "one continuous line" - therefore, makes it easier for them to follow along and less stimulating as those "dotted tracing letters workbooks".  When you ask them to "trace" - Say a simple phrase they would understand, such as, "can you follow along the yellow lines with your marker?"  Always show and model for them what it is you want them to do, before expecting a child to do it on their own (for the first time).

2. USE CLEAR TAPE TO TEACH TRACING - Have your child use their finger or a marker to follow along the clear tape on a colored sheet of paper (for easy viewing).

3. USE PLASTIC COOKIE CUTTERS TO TEACH TRACING - Have your child use their finger to follow the outline of the cookie cutter.  Then, have them put the cookie cutter down on white paper, and use a marker to trace its outline.

4. USE GLUE TO TEACH TRACING  - Help your child use liquid glue to trace the outlines of letters, lines, or shapes on a sheet of paper.

5. USE PAINT TO TEACH TRACING LINES - Have your child use a paint brush and paint to trace lines, or letters, you have drawn out on a sheet of white paper using a highlighter, as shown below.

6. USE PAPERCLIPS TO TEACH TRACING - Have your child use a pen and paperclips to trace their outlines.

7. USE YOUR CHILD'S HAND TO TEACH TRACING - Have your child trace the outline of their hands, feet, or your hands on a sheet of white paper or the sidewalk with chalk.

8. USE CHALK TO TEACH TRACING - Write your child's name with a piece of white sidewalk chalk outside, have them use colored chalk to trace over it!  You can also substitute by having them use a paintbrush with water to trace over the letters written in chalk, as a form of "erasing it!"  FUN!

9. USE HOMEMADE PATTERN SHEETS TO TEACH TRACING - Create some fun, different pattern sheets (have them laminated at the local Office Depot) and give your child a dry erase marker.  Have them "trace" or follow the patterns on the sheets, like shown in the picture below!

10. USE POPSICLE STICKS TO TRACE PLAY DOUGH LETTERS - Create letters in play dough, then have your child use Popsicle sticks to stick in the play dough following the letters outlines.  View in picture below!

Moms VS Dads

Alright people....here is the real TRUTH behind what goes into a Moms VS Dads daily routine.  To the MOMS out there, we are so awesome!  Dads, you are too, in your own unique kinda way.

 




Just for fun....and a reality laugh for my fellow mommies out there....lets take a look!  Keep in mind to our dear ol' husbands, WHY we are so tired at the end of the day....why we DON'T want to be romantic, intimate, or seem to find someway to b*tch about things....no clue what for??? But, we do love you....

BUT DON'T WORRY DADS, this daily schedule could also be vice versa for some families.....where good ol' DAD plays some, if not all, of the "MOM" roles too!

READ, LAUGH...........RELATE..........
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Moms Daily Schedule (for the SUPER MOMMAS - that stay at home AND/OR work)

Wake up
Make your bed
Take a shower
Use the restroom
Do hair, make-up, brush teeth
Get dressed
Make coffee
Eat breakfast
Pick up some things around the house (blankets, toys, dishes in kitchen, clothes laying around, ect.)
Take pets out to potty (if you have them)
Kids wake up (sometimes crying)
Help kids make their beds
Have/help them go potty
Get them dressed
Brush their teeth
Brush their hair
Feed them breakfast
Feed the pets (if you have them)
** Stay-at-home moms - ALL DAY of PLAY, CLEANING, PARK, ERRANDS, GROCERY STORE, FEEDING KIDS, PLAY, DEALING WITH TANTRUMS, CHECK MAIL, GO TO APPOINTMENTS, AND CLEANING...AGAIN)
** Working moms
Get their back-packs ready
Get their lunches and/or snack bags ready
Walk kids to car
Get kids in car
Turn on car
Drive them to school (may be more than one location)
Drive to work
Work a full 8 hour day shift
** Stay-at-home and working moms continued schedule
Drive to pick up kids from school (may be more than one location)
Stop somewhere to get them a drink and snack (because they are STARVING when you pick them up from school it seems like every single day....)
Take the kids to their events:  Soccer, Karate, Dance, Cheerleading, Music class, Gym, Football, Ect.... (sadly, some days may be 1 or 2 different places and events depending on how many kids you have and the schedule of them)
Drive home
Check and get the mail
Get kids out of car
Put book bags, purse, work stuff, kids school work away
Have/help kids go potty
Do homework
Open the mail
Use the restroom
Prepare dinner
Make dinner
Answer the phone
Do some minor daily errands around house (dishes, sweep, pick up toys, laundry, dust/wipe down tables or counters, water plants, take out trash, go to the grocery store if needed)
Get table ready for dinner and serve it to each person in family
Sit down to eat dinner
Clean up kitchen/dishes from dinner
Have/help kids go potty
Have/help kids clean their bedrooms with toys all over the place
Get kids a bath
Brush their teeth
Comb their hair
Get PJS on kids
Have/help kids go potty
Read kids a story or sit down and play with them EACH for 10 minutes because they desperately want your attention and DESERVE it!
Continue with minor house errands (wipe down bathrooms, pick up toys, laundry)
Watch TV or have some "personal down time" to enjoy something you look forward to because YOU DESERVE it!
Have/help kids go potty
Put kids to bed - lights out!
Get belongings prepared for tomorrow's work day (if need be)
Get kids clothes for school tomorrow picked out and ready
Do personal duties - like pay bills, prepare mail to be sent out, make dr. appointments for week/next day, return phone calls, check emails/texts/Facebook, update the weekly family activity calendar of events...
Take a bath (optional at this point)

Get your PJs on and get comfortable

Brush your teeth

Use the restroom

Put yourself to bed
Sleep
Toss and turn thinking about everything you have to do tomorrow....
Sleep
.......
Do it all over again the next day!

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Dads Daily Schedule (for the hard-working dads out there!)

Wake up
Take a shower
Do hair, shave, brush teeth
Get dressed
Make coffee
Eat breakfast
Walk to car
Turn on car
Drive to work
Work a full 8-10 hour day shift
Drive home
Put away work stuff
Help take out the trash
Help water the grass and plants (every other day, and only if, you dont have a sprinkler system)
Sit down to eat dinner
Read kids a story or sit down and play with them each for 10 minutes because they desperately want your attention and DESERVE it!
Watch TV or have some "personal down time" because dad just got done working a full day and he DESERVES it!  *wink to my fellow mommies out there*
Brush your teeth
Take a bath (if you feel like it)
Get your PJs on and get comfortable
Check your email/texts/Facebook, help with paying bills, checking mail, returning phone calls
Get belongings prepared for tomorrow's work day (if need be)
Put yourself to bed
Sleep
.......
Do it again tomorrow!

___________________________________________________________

Now THIS is REAL LIFE  with KIDS - tantrums, messes, and FUN as always...

  

Matching: 25 ways to tell, show, and do!

Learning how to match things together is a necessary skill that a child should be able to begin learning and doing as early on as 2 years old.  You can teach this concept in so many different and easy ways.  Matching is the capability for a child or person to put two, or more, of the same things together to represent alike.  The easiest way to explain matching to a young child is to make it "short and sweet."

Tell child:  "Matching means putting together things that look the same."

Show child: Put two of the same looking pictures, objects, or things together.

Learn with child:  Lay out objects on the floor that will help teach your child the concept of matching.  Encourage child to match and sort objects according to same attributes.

25 WAYS

Things you can use, or do, at home to easily teach matching skills with your child:

1. Using free paint sample cards from Lowes or Home Depot to teach matching colors, as shown in picture

2. Putting pairs of socks together

3. Putting pairs of shoes together

4. Putting together same shapes, as shown in picture

5. Putting together matching colored toys or blocks

6. Matching colors using Kool-Aid packages, as shown in picture

7. Putting same coins together; nickles, dimes, pennies, and quarters

8. Matching crayon colors

9. Play dough ball sizes OR cotton ball sizes (big and small), as shown in picture examples

 

10. Matching Goldfish colors

11. Matching Fruit Loops Cereal colors, as shown in picture

12. Matching colored M&M's, as shown in picture

13. Spoons and Forks together (for 3 years and up)

14. Alphabet letters (capitol and lowercase or same case-letters), as shown in pictures

 

15. Paper strips cut in different lengths to match sizes, as shown in picture

16. Matching numbers on tickets, as shown in picture

17. Matching letters in their name usign paper or tape, as shown in picture

 

18. Matching together movies or DVD's that are the same genre, for instance, all the Mickey Mouse movies together or all of the Blue's Clue's Movies together

19. Numbers and corresponding dots on spoons and plates, as shown in picture

20. Playing a game of copy-cat.  Copying actions of someone else to match what they are doing, as shown in picture

21. Matching one-to-one correspondence, as shown in picture

22. Matching colors together using an egg carton and tortillas that are colored, as shown in picture

23. Using snack items to teach matching concepts, such as tall and short or one-to-one correspondence, see picture examples

24. Using "Memory-like" board games to match same pictures on cards - or Use flash cards

25. Have your toddler or preschooler put together matching sight words with their beginning letter on a chart like shown in the picture below

10 Ways to use Play Dough for Learning

Ever wonder how you can use play dough to learn with your child? Here is a list of verbs to use when teaching your infant, toddler, or preschooler.  Below this list are 10 FUN and EASY ways to use play dough as a learning tool, as well!  Enjoy...and we love sharing ideas, if you have an interesting way to use play dough for learning with your child, please tell us in a comment below!

10 Ways to use Play Dough as a Learning Tool:

1. Use it to make big and small balls, teaching the concept of size.

2. Make creatures out of it and have your child (or you for an infant) use describing words to explain what you created, why, and its characteristics such as color, size, and features!

3. Use play dough to make shapes!

4. Use play dough to make letters!

5. Use play dough to spell out your child's name and teach them the letters in it!

6. Use play dough to teach colors.

7. Use play dough to teach sorting skills.

8. Use a ball and play dough to flatten out, building hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

9. Use play dough to practice tracing letters!

10.  Allow child to free-play with play dough; play is how learning occurs!