Posts Tagged ‘Reading’
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Playing With Your Child
Excerpt from Me, Myself and I
By Dr. Kyle Pruett
The best way to know what your child thinks about his world before he can tell you directly in words is through playing with him. It is right there, in their play sequences and manipulations that we see and hear what they understand and think about the world we share.
Remember, however, that this is his play, not yours. You are a partner and a facilitator, occasionally a “go-fer,” but you are not playwright, producer or director.
When you play make-believe with your child using simple dress-up (hats alone are great), narrate her play: “And now you get on your hat.” Describe what you think she is feeling: “Don’t you feel fancy (snazzy, cool…)?” And listen for when you are not quite on track: “So, then what?” Children often love to have you with them in these imaginary explorations of role and role-play and usually will do their best to keep you from getting lost along the way.
- Use reflecting surfaces (mirrors, windows) as you play peek-a-boo with your child’s image and then yours, or add a little face paint or make-up as he explores what happens to his face as he, or you, add a dot here or a line there. It helps him define who he is by enjoying the reflection of his face and feelings back and forth between you. Doing this together just feels different and better and usually more important.
- Sit together in the dark with a flashlight and give your child a sense that he has some control over what appears, reappears, and disappears into the darkness. Narrate the experience with him, and match his level of emotional interest, as you share the job of turning the flashlight on and off together. Sara, at 22 months, loved this game and called it the “good-bye light game.” She seemed to be sorting out the comings and goings of important things and people as the lights went off and on.
There are countless other ideas available from books and magazines. Borrow, invent, and reinvent games just for the two of you.
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, boredom, car, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Choosing a Preschool, Fathering, Fun in the Sun, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Reading, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Worrying in Children
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Thursday, January 28th, 2010
How Do They Measure Up?
At The Goddard School®Ballantyne, located in Charlotte, NC, we understand that selecting your child’s preschool may be one of your most important decisions. That is why we have developed a helpful checklist. Although you can’t measure everything in ten simple questions, we think you’ll agree that Goddard is raising the standard.
- Children are treated with respect in an atmosphere that nurtures their independence and self confidence.
- Fitness, foreign language, music appreciation, nutrition, sign language, and/or manners are incorporated into the program.
- An Education Director and School Owner are on-site to provide dependable staff management and open communication with parents.
- A Daily Activity Report is prepared for each child and sent home with parents every day.
- Each classroom offers a multi-cultural and developmentally appropriate environment.
- Goddard teachers have access to professional development and continuing education credit authorized by IACET.
- Teachers are CPR and First Aid certified.
- Detailed Corporate Quality Assurance Reviews are conducted semi-annually in addition to state license inspection.
- Corporate Developmental Guidelines provide the foundation for individualized lesson plans which are brought to life in fun and imaginative ways.
- Programs are developed in coordination with child development specialist, Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development and has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over 25 years. He is a clinical professor at Yale University’s Child Study Center.
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, Biting, boredom, car, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, Saving Money, Sleeping, Staying Cool, Summer Games, Sun Protection, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Transitions, water Play, Worrying in Children
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Friday, January 22nd, 2010
TV Time
by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
Are you surprised that the American Academy of Pediatrics says no television before age two? This standard alerts parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers that their children are strongly affected by the talking tube and that they need to consider the way their children are exposed to its powerful influences.
If you chose to allow your children to view television, consider limiting the amount of “watching time” in their first three years to 30-90 minutes per day. This is more than enough for their young brains and eyes. Children prefer, and benefit from, interacting with people far more.
- The programming you chose should be specifically directed at the age of your child. Most good parenting magazines regularly publish guidelines that tend to be more objective and reliable than an advertiser’s suggestions.
- Commercial-free is far better for eyes, ears, and minds. Fewer interruptions and a generally higher level of intellectual and emotional content are the benefits.
- A child’s room does not need a television. Television may inhibit a child’s desire to read and play imaginatively for years.
- When your children watch television, watch with them. They may need your help to decipher the barrage of messages, and only you know when they have had enough. Occasional babysitting by means of television so you can get something done is understandable, but may be a waste of your child’s time and mind.
These guidelines should be discussed regularly by all adults in your household. The evening news may matter to the grown-ups, but it is frequently incomprehensible and somewhat frightening to your little ones. Media-literate parents are great blessings to their children.
Suggested resource: Coalition for Quality Children’s Media www.cqcm.org
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. is an advisor for The Goddard School®. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development who has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over twenty-five years. He is a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale University’s Child Study Center.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, Biting, boredom, car, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Fun in the Sun, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, Saving Money, Sleeping, Staying Cool, Sun Protection, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking
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Monday, January 18th, 2010
Early Stimulation
by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
Brain research tells us that, of the 100 billion nerve cells we are born with, the ones we are most likely to keep longest are the ones that are used regularly in our interaction with the world around us. This does NOT mean that we can increase our child’s intellectual or developmental competence through so-called ‘brain stimulation’ videos or surround-sound cribs. Infants and toddlers enjoy learning first and best the things they learn in their relationships with the people that care for them.
Some things to keep in mind for the development of theirs:
Children can distinguish the voice of their father from their mother at birth – and their handling styles at six weeks.
- The most useful kind of stimulation is the kind babies can manage, learn from, and interact with. Vocalizations like the coos and giggles they initiate should be returned in kind – matching volume, pitch, and rhythm if you can. Be alert because they’ll often throw in a variation. The same is true for older children who sing and initiate games like peek-a-boo or patty cake. Tapes or videos are no match for the joy and value of ‘live.’
- Want to encourage a positive self-image? For babies, tender and frequent touch makes them feel treasured, and for toddlers and preschoolers, install a (safe) full-length mirror on the back of a door and provide dress-up or ‘pretend’ clothes and just watch them feel special.
- Keep your eyes and ears open for emerging motor skills, interests, words, emotions, and feelings. When such competencies are new, they are both adorable and vulnerable. Remember not to overwhelm children by requesting a ‘show’ of their new tricks. This can be over-stimulating and cause quite the opposite effect – anxiety about new abilities instead of confidence. Let children practice and enjoy their new skill.
HOW you are as a parent with your children matters far more than any particular thing you may ever DO with them. Development is not a race; it is a process that unfolds uniquely in each child. Rushing development erodes children’s belief in, and joy of, their own emerging abilities, replacing joy with frustration and discouragement – too high a price in my book.
Suggested resource: www.zerotothree.org
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. is an advisor for The Goddard School®. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development who has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over twenty-five years. He is a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale University’s Child Study Center.
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, Biting, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fun in the Sun, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Transitions, Traveling Children, water Play, Worrying in Children
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Monday, January 4th, 2010
Healthy Body and Mind
Students at The Goddard School® Ballantyne, located in Charlotte, NC, benefit from our healthy eating and living program provided for children ages Infant to Pre-Kindergarten.
Children learn to make healthy food choices, identify various foods, investigate food ethnicity and observe the physical changes that take place during food preparation and digestion through The Goddard School Healthy Kids nutrition program.
Children who are introduced to healthy eating at an early age are more likely to choose good nutrition and fitness choices. ‑Learning about nutrition is apparent in all aspects of the Goddard curriculum:
- Language Arts – children identify and name foods
- Science – children explore their five senses
- Math – children recognize time, weight and measurements
- Art – children identify shapes and textures of various foods
- Social Science – children use manners, show courtesy, cooperate and share
- Safety – children are encouraged to use utensils and equipment properly
- Physical Fitness – children engage in fitness activities
Music and Movement – children participate in healthy living songs, dance and finger-plays
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, Biting, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Fun in the Sun, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Transitions, Traveling Children, Worrying in Children
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Monday, December 21st, 2009
Positive Discipline
The Difference between Discipline and Punishment
Contrary to popular belief, discipline and punishment are not equal. Discipline is positive and should prevent the need for punishment. In fact, the word “discipline” is derived from the Latin “disciplina” which means teaching or education. Discipline helps to guide children toward positive behavior, promotes self-control, encourages children to think before acting and is not damaging to their self-esteem. Punishment, on the other hand, is negative – whether physical, verbal, withholding rewards or penalizing.
Positive discipline teaches children rules and behaviors in a respectful, loving and considerate way. It requires thought, planning and patience from parents and caretakers, such as:
- “No, don’t run inside!” becomes, “What happened to our walking feet? Where do we use our running feet?” or “We will go outside soon and you can show me how fast you can run.”
- “No, don’t throw the blocks!” becomes, “When did our blocks grow wings?” or “Let’s try building a castle and see what happens!”
Use positive discipline to redirect your child’s behavior, and you validate the legitimacy of your child’s desires and shows you care and understand. Redirecting endorses your child’s right to choose and begins to teach that others have rights, too.
Children also respond to reasoning – it just needs to be put into their language.
- ‘Inside feet’ versus ‘outside feet’
- ‘Soft hands’ versus ‘hard hands’
- ‘Inside voices’ versus ‘outside voices’
Create a Positive Environment
- Show the love; smile, touch, hold, caress, kiss, cuddle, rock and hug your child! This will not only make your child feel secure and happy, but is essential for normal social development.
- Listen and answer as an equal – not as an instructor. This will help build your child’s self-esteem and foster respect.
- Spend time with your child every day. Make time every day to drop everything and play with your child – even if it’s only for a couple of minutes. Your child will realize they don’t need to have a temper tantrum to gain your attention.
- Catch your child doing something good – praise and compliment! “You’re doing a great job feeding yourself and keeping your food on your plate!”
- Provide simple rules and state them in positive terms.
- Demonstrate the behavior you want your child to adopt – actions speak louder than words.
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, Biting, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Fun in the Sun, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, Saving Money, Sleeping, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Transitions, Traveling Children, Worrying in Children
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Friday, December 11th, 2009
TV Time
by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
Are you surprised that the American Academy of Pediatrics says no television before age two? This standard alerts parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers that their children are strongly affected by the talking tube and that they need to consider the way their children are exposed to its powerful influences.
- If you chose to allow your children to view television, consider limiting the amount of “watching time” in their first three years to 30-90 minutes per day. This is more than enough for their young brains and eyes. Children prefer, and benefit from, interacting with people far more.
- The programming you chose should be specifically directed at the age of your child. Most good parenting magazines regularly publish guidelines that tend to be more objective and reliable than an advertiser’s suggestions.
- Commercial-free is far better for eyes, ears, and minds. Fewer interruptions and a generally higher level of intellectual and emotional content are the benefits.
- A child’s room does not need a television. Television may inhibit a child’s desire to read and play imaginatively for years.
- When your children watch television, watch with them. They may need your help to decipher the barrage of messages, and only you know when they have had enough. Occasional babysitting by means of television so you can get something done is understandable, but may be a waste of your child’s time and mind.
These guidelines should be discussed regularly by all adults in your household. The evening news may matter to the grown-ups, but it is frequently incomprehensible and somewhat frightening to your little ones. Media-literate parents are great blessings to their children.
Suggested resource: Coalition for Quality Children’s Media www.cqcm.org
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. is an advisor for The Goddard School®. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development who has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over twenty-five years. He is a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale University’s Child Study Center.
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, Biting, boredom, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Fun in the Sun, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Transitions, Traveling Children, water Play, Worrying in Children
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Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Making Music
Students at The Goddard School® Ballantyne located in Charlotte, NC, benefit from early exposure to music, provided for children Infant to Pre-Kindergarten.
The goal of the Music Preludes program is to enrich children’s cognitive, social and physical development through learning experiences focused on the achievement of music literacy and the stimulation of self-expression, creativity and exploration.
Studies have shown that learning to process music in a meaningful way enhances the development of cognitive capacities for math, reading and science.
- Making Music provides CDs to complement the Music Preludes Program.
- Recognizing notes and rhythm patterns develops an awareness of dynamics and tempo and enables children to begin to read music.
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Goddard School, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, Saving Money, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Traveling Children, Worrying in Children
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Friday, November 20th, 2009
Grandparents
by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
Love and time…need we say more? How about wise historian, mentor, confidant, elder, counselor, spiritual guide, financier, playmate or parental antidote? These are all roles that grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren. And grandparents are a growing force! The number and percentage of the population that grandparents account for has grown dramatically in the last 15 years – from 58 million to 78 million.
Here are a few ways that you can help foster a healthy relationship between your parents and your children:
When planning a visit, talk about how you can help and what you should bring to help things go smoothly. Discuss recent routines and help your parents childproof their house – more to keep your child safe than to protect the crystal. This communication
provokes less defensiveness in grandparents, and helps them be a part of the solution from the start.
- Relax some rules, but don’t compromise your core values. For instance, sweets seem to be a generational prerogative, but television monitoring should continue according to your child’s habits and your beliefs.
- Children and grandparents are so close because they share something in common – you! They can share stories, secrets, etc. that allow children the experience of close relationships with a loving family member who is not wholly responsible for their future happiness, homework or well being.
- Spoiling is not a helpful approach to grandparenting and most of them know it. Positive expectant attention is best. Interestingly, today’s grandparents are so busy, I think this is less of a problem these days.
- Enjoy the relationship your children are developing with your parents.
When misunderstandings or problems occur (and they are bound to), it’s better to figure out a way to talk about them than to avoid each other. That is too steep a price for your children. We all want this relationship to work because the benefits are forever.
Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. is an advisor for The Goddard School®. Dr. Pruett is an authority on child development who has been practicing child and family psychiatry for over twenty-five years. He is a clinical professor of child psychiatry at Yale University’s Child Study Center.
To learn more about The Goddard School click here.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Add new tag, Back To School, Biting, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Fun in the Sun, Goddard School, Learning through Play, New Place, New School, Pacifier, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, Saving Money, Sleeping, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Transitions, Traveling Children, Worrying in Children
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Thursday, November 12th, 2009
PICKY EATER STRATEGY
While we all understand the importance of good nutrition during early childhood, a few of us are blessed with extraordinarily picky eaters. What’s a parent to do?
Children who attend preschool are better served when their parents pack their lunches. Why? Because the process of choosing, packing and providing healthy meal choices is in the hands of parents; not a caterer or packaged meal plan provider. This is especially important if your child is a picky eater.
The Strategy:
- Let your child be a part of a healthy food conversation. Discuss the week’s menus and the specific ingredients. Read cookbooks and magazines – or just look at the interesting pictures.
- Engage your child while at the food store and give them choices. For example, “Let’s pick a fruit to pack in your lunches. Would you like to bring strawberries or apples?”
- Add a little sous chef to your dinner preparations. Ask your children to bring two lemons to you or put them in charge of stirring cold items. This may delay dinner, but consider the reward – quality time!
- It is normal for toddlers and young children to be picky eaters. They may refuse food based on its texture or color – do not fret, keep trying!
Parent Tips:
- Offer new foods on multiple occasions. Many children need to try a new food up to a dozen times before they like it.
- Set a good example and try new foods yourself.
- Encourage healthy food portions. Never insist that children “clean their plates.” Rewarding a clean plate may lead to a distorted idea of food, such as ignoring feeling full or eating for a reward.
- Make healthy snacks available. Make fruits or veggies convenient to your child.
- Encourage your children to serve and feed themselves. Independence boosts self-esteem which leads to better food choices.
- Make ‘dining out’ a special occasion – even if it’s at the local burger joint. Children can practice manners and food choices in any dining experience.
Reward children with praise, hugs and kisses. Resist rewarding children’s good behavior with sugary treats.
To learn more about The Goddard School click ‘here’.
Tags: 28277, 5 Star Child Care Centers, 5 star Preschools in Charlotte, 5-star Preschools, Back To School, Charlotte Preschools, Child Care Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Ballantyne, Child Care Centers Charlotte, Child Care Centers in Ballantyne, Child Care Centers in Charlotte, Child Care Charlotte, Child Development, Child Vacations, Choosing a Preschool, Controlling Worrying in children, Fathering, Fun in the Sun, Learning through Play, Literacy, New Place, New School, Phonics, Preventing Biting, Reading, Role of Fathers, Saving Money, Sleeping, Staying Cool, Summer Games, The Goddard School, The Goddard School-Ballantyne, The Goddard Schoolol, Thumbsucking, Transitions, Traveling Children, water Play, Worrying in Children
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