Playing alone is an important step toward independence. However, many children are reluctant to go out on their own, so a little coaxing may be in order.
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While traveling with children may seem like a daunting prospect, experts say it has significant benefits. Travel can expand a kid’s world, making them more empathetic toward cultural differences and helping them adapt to changing situations.
Child development experts tell us that thumb-sucking isn’t anything to worry about in children under 5. In fact, it can be an appropriate and useful behavior.
If you are a parent of more than one child, chances are you spend a lot of time dealing with sibling rivalry. While you may feel like your children fight more than others, the truth is that sibling rivalry and bickering is extremely common. In fact, even siblings who are extremely close argue from time to time.
While you will probably never be able to completely eliminate sibling rivalry, an article from verywellfamily.com, 8 Ways to Manage Sibling Fighting and Rivalry, lists some ways to navigate sibling conflict.
- Teach kids how to hand conflict in a positive manner
- Cast sibling harmony as important for the whole family
- Step in
- Listen to each side
- Make respect a non-negotiable rule
- Encourage kids to get specific and state the problem
- Ask the child to suggest some solutions
- Model good problem-solving behavior
With a little bit of insight and a lot of patience, you can achieve a peaceful home – most of the time – remembering that some sibling rivalry is unavoidable.
Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.
Premier Academy believes that keeping your child safe is your number one priority when choosing a child care program. But it can be difficult when there are so many other considerations like price, location and hours. It is important to remember that the best child care program is one that works for you, your child and your entire family. And yes, it is possible to find one! It just takes a little research on your part.
Quality Checklist for Choosing Child Care
The American Academy of Pediatrics is dedicated to the health of all children. It also has a checklist that you can use as a guide when choosing a child care program for your son or daughter.
How to Choose the Best Facility for Your Family
Not every child care center is right for every child. And that is the way it should be. The key is to find the best program for your unique situation.
Daycare Warning Signs Parents Need to Know
While it can be difficult to get all you want out of child care program, there are some things you can never compromise on and some red flags you must never ignore.
If Premier Academy sounds like the place where you want your little one to learn and grow, please come tour one of our Learning Centers.
Premier Academy knows nothing is as important as keeping children safe. And while in a perfect world, no parent would have to worry about keeping their child safe in child care, the reality is, some child care centers are safer than others.
Thankfully, finding the highest-quality and safest child care center for your son or daughter is possible. The key is to do your research. Just as you would not choose a doctor for your child without doing some homework and asking for referrals, the same goes for any child care center you are considering.
Unfortunately, many parents aren’t exactly sure what to look for in a child care center. If you are enrolling your first or only child, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the choices and standards of care. What follows is a list of questions you should ask when to determine if a child care center will keep your child safe, healthy and happy.
- Is it licensed? Any child care program you are considering needs to be licensed by the state and those licenses should be displayed where all can see. Your next step is to call the licensing agency to see if the center is indeed licensed, has had any violations and when it will be re-inspected.
- How well is it child-proofed? Some of the most important items to look at are window blinds; cribs located away from windows and blinds; outlet covers; gates for any stairs; straps on changing tables and high chairs; clean and well-maintained toys; and medications and cleaning supplies that are well out of reach of children.
- Are staff trained in CPR and first aid? Staff members should be trained in pediatric CPR and first aid. Ask to see training certificates (which should be renewed every two years). Health considerations are a hallmark of quality child care centers. For example, are babies put to sleep on their backs at naptime?
- What is the caregiver-to-child ratio? Every state has its own requirements, but experts recommend that there should one caregiver for every four infants. There also should be one caregiver for every four toddlers from 18 months to 2 years; for every six toddlers from 2 to 3 years; and for every nine children older than 3.
- Is there a great deal of staff turnover? The higher the turnover, the less likely it will be that your child will be able to develop solid, trusting relationships. It also means caregivers may not be happy and happy caregivers mean happy children.
- How are children disciplined? Positive discipline techniques are critical. Yelling, belittling or physical punishments should never be tolerated. Discipline should always focus on positive redirection.
- Are child care center policies written down? Procedures for the dispensing of medications, discipline and when a child is too sick to attend child care should be provided to each family so everyone is on the same page.
- How clean is the center? It is easy to tell when you walk into a clean and well-organized child care center. Children in child care centers can be at a higher risk of infections so frequent handwashing and consistent and thorough cleaning practices are essential.
Finally, if a child care center you are considering does not have an open-door policy, you need to turn around and leave. You should always feel at welcome to visit your child and observe what is going one. You also should feel free to ask questions.
Children spend a great deal of time at a day care center. It is your job to make sure that the one you choose meets the needs of your child and your family. Do your due diligence so that when you leave your child at that child care center you know that he or she is happy, healthy and well-cared for.
If you would like to see how a quality daycare operates, please schedule a tour at one of our Child Enrichment Centers.
The decision where to send your child to preschool can seem overwhelming. After all, a lot is riding on this choice.
Like most decisions in life, doing some independent research, asking the opinions of others and following your gut instincts will go a long way toward finding the perfect fit for your child. Once you have narrowed down your options based on things like distance from home or work and price, BabyCenter’s article, How Do I Choose the Best Preschool for My Child, suggests the following questions:
- Is the school accredited?
- Does it have clear rules and regulations?
- What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
- Is there a great deal of staff turnover?
- What is the school’s philosophy on educating toddlers?
Once you have the answers to these questions you will likely have found the ideal preschool. At Premier Academy, our preschool program is designed with the betterment of the child in mind. For more information, or to schedule a tour, give us a call at any of our three area locations.
Choosing the best preschool for your child can be difficult, we here at Premier Academy understand this. Is play-based preschool the best approach? Should you choose a Montessori school? How will you know? Taking the time to visit potential preschools and witnessing firsthand the interactions between educators and students will go a long way toward making an informed decision.
8 Questions to Ask When Looking at Preschools
Knowing how to choose the best preschool for your child involves asking a lot of questions. It also means asking the right type of questions.
Why Preschool is the ‘Most Important Year’ In a Child’s Development
There are some who believe that preschool isn’t a big deal, so choosing one shouldn’t be difficult. Not so fast according to many experts who say that preschool is actually the most important year in a child’s development.
What to Do When Your Child Hates Pre-School
Once you have selected what you believe is an outstanding preschool for your child, you may be surprised to find he or she doesn’t want to go. Now what?
Premier Academy offers affordable childcare in the Omaha/Elkhorn area. To learn more, visit us at premieracademyinc.com.