Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the nation’s No. 1 childcare franchise, received Middle States Corporate Accreditation in recognition of its high quality early childhood educational programs. The Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is one of three accreditation units of this regional accrediting body.

“This recognition is an additional acknowledgement of the work GSI does to ensure Goddard Schools maintain high quality early childhood education programs,” said Sue Adair, Director of Education of the 380-plus location school franchise. “We are proud of the work our franchisees and executive team have done to maintain best in class educational practices.”

The Middle States Association (MSA) of Colleges and Schools has been providing accreditation and school improvement to colleges, secondary schools and elementary schools for over 100 years.  Over the past few years, the accreditation standards have been extended to early childhood programs through the Early Age Education Accreditation.  The Middle States Commission of Elementary Schools reaches out to public and private schools throughout the country and across five continents.

GSI’s education and business philosophy is continuing to gain national traction; the company opened 19 new locations in 2011. By positioning locations in top-tier markets across the nation, GSI is now located in 35 states with over 380 schools in communities across the nation.

• Wrap precooked hot dogs in thin strips of canned roll dough and bake until golden brown for yummy Mummy-Dogs. For a healthier twist, try turkey or tofu dogs!

• Slice veggie dogs, put in a mini-pita pocket with colorful matchstick veggies and add sweet and sour or BBQ sauce for a delicious Halloweenies sandwich!

• Whip up devilishly delicious deviled eggs. Top with a round slice of black olive. Serve two egg halves side-by-side for protein-packed Witch Eyes.

• Choose a regular, daily naptime and stick to it—early afternoon is best.

• Have your child visit the potty before heading off for their nap.

• Naps should occur in the same place your child sleeps at night.

• Choose a calming activity to do for a few minutes before naptime to help your little one wind down, e.g., they can practice a few yoga poses or flip through their favorite book.

• Enter the room with the lights off or dimmed low.

• Play soothing music or sing a soft lullaby to help them fall asleep.

• Provide a “lovey” for naptime snuggling.

• Incorporate relaxation time into your child’s daily schedule – play a game, visit a park, cuddle up and read a story

• In stressful times, do your best to remain calm – be a good example and your child may follow your lead

• Keep negatives to a minimum – saying “no” can cause frustration, try a phrase like “maybe later.”

• Be aware and sympathetic during transitions – starting school, potty training or a new sibling could be stressors.

• Make sure you’re listening to your child, not just hearing them – feeling understood and respected will go a long way.

• Reward with praise and attention – reinforce good behavior with plenty of positive parenting.

• Avoid shouting matches and harsh punishments – these reactions can make tantrums worse.

• Laughter is the best medicine – try humor to defuse a situation, shift their mood with a tickle, hug or silly song.

• Redirect – if you see a tantrum coming, shift your child’s attention to something new.

As children develop their language and comprehension skills, they usually tend to outgrow tantrums. In the meantime, the way you deal with them is important. Handling your child harshly or ignoring him/her altogether may cause tantrums to worsen and linger longer.

From now on, when driving I will not:

• Use my cell phone or any handheld devise
• Fiddle with my GPS
• Change CDs or DVDs
• Retrieve objects from the floor or glove box
• Put on makeup or fix my hair
• Do anything that takes my focus off the road

If I’m a passenger in a car with a driver who breaks these rules, I’ll speak up.

When it comes to the children in my car, I will not:

• Pass toys or snacks to kids sitting in the backseat
• Allow them to throw anything inside our vehicle (and I’ll impose a punishment if they do)

The next time I shop for a car, I’ll look for one with anti-distraction features.

Information provided by Parents.com/driving-pledge

“Our family pledges to encourage playful learning. We recognize that play helps children explore and discover and is the foundation of creative and confident learning.”

If your family believes in the power of play, take our Play Pledge by clicking ‘Share’ below!

Last month we debuted our Play Along Song, watch the making of video with your children! Making of The Goddard School Play Along Song!

• Play it with your children and let us know what you think: Making of The Goddard School Play Along Song!

• Download the mp3 from The Goddard School Blog! On the left-hand side (below Ask the Experts), click “Download Song Now.”

There are plenty of benefits of preschool; it can be a great place for children to interact with peers and to learn valuable life lessons such as how to share, take turns and follow rules. At the age of three, children are starting to understand some of these lessons. Children start to participate in cooperative play and the preschool setting encourages this interaction.  Preschool can also prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.

But going to preschool does come with its fair share of emotions, for both the parent and the child. For a child, entering a new environment filled with unfamiliar teachers and children can cause both anxiety and anticipation. For parents, there may be mixed emotions over whether the child is ready for preschool. The more comfortable you are about your decision to place your child in preschool and the more familiar the setting can be made for your child, the fewer problems you – and your little one – will encounter.  The best way to determine if your child is ready for preschool is to let him be involved in the decision-making.  When you start to visit schools, bring him along and talk to him about the school, the activities that you see or participate in, and take cues from him.

Here are some additional resources:

• Benefits of a High Quality Preschool
  
• In Choosing a Preschool, Experts Recommend Child-Centered Play
• How to Choose a Quality Preschool, by Dr. Michele Borba
• Managing the Parental Emotions of Childcare

Ensuring your child has adequate sleep and proper nutrition is very important. Your child will do their best if they get to sleep early and eat a healthy breakfast each day before school. A daily diet of junk food is not compatible with learning. It can cause listlessness and hyperactivity which can impair a child’s ability to learn. Skipping breakfast especially is a detriment to a child’s education.

Adjust your child’s sleep schedule a few weeks in advance to help avoid struggling to get them out of bed for school. Set up a consistent daily routine so that your child wakes up and goes to sleep at the same times each day. If you have not created one already, start a bedtime routine, including bathing, selecting clothes for the next day, cuddling together for a bedtime story and a kiss goodnight. Begin a regular morning routine that includes a healthy breakfast, packing a nutritious lunch, grooming and getting dressed for the day.

Dr. Minde reminds parents of the importance of routine in the daily life of a child.  At an age when children are learning so much so fast, predictability and regularity in the timing and location of meals, bathing, and bedtimes is soothing and comforting.  In today’s environment of working parents, such routines may be harder to provide, but they are no less important to the child.

He encourages parents to use quiet bedtime rituals to ease the transition.  Bedtime stories are a proven staple, as are songs and prayers.  But you can personalize the routine and periodically update it to match you child’s special interests, such as helping him put his favorite stuffed animal or doll to bed.

When the child cries, he recommends that the parents check on the child every five to ten minutes (whatever time frame is tolerable for the parent), perhaps patting and reassuring the child, but making it clear that the child is expected to stay in bed.  If necessary, he recommends that the parent withdraw from the room in stages, first sitting on the bed, then in a nearby chair.

If problems persist, Dr. Minde suggests that you enlist your child’s help.  You can put your child’s growing language and imaginative powers, as well as his growing independence, to work on the case.  Explain that you need your sleep, and ask your child what would help him to stay clam when he wakes and to get back to sleep on his own.  Perhaps holding and talking to his favorite teddy bear or snuggling with his favorite blanket.  Make sure these items are within easy reach at bedtime.

Here are some additional videos that may help:

• Sleep Dependency

• Sleep Routines & Rituals

• Sleep Autonomy