Back to School Tips

Back to School Tips

Auris Vanderbilt

Is it really that time of the year again? The signs are all here…. Summer camp has come to a close, trucks are moving about spreading mulch, floors are polished, trees are trimmed and checked for safety, windows, siding, playground equipment, etc. have been power washed, the air is a just bit cooler, reminding us September is close, classrooms are shaping up, staff is finalizing paperwork, welcome cards to new and returning families are compiled, etc.  Yes, summer is quickly waning and preparations for the new school year are well underway to ensure a smooth transition.

No different than a school, families are planning and preparing for their own back to school, be it organizing calendars, shopping for new shoes and backpacks, haircuts, doctors’ appointments,  etc.  Here are some back to school tips that can help your child start school feeling happy and prepared:

• Speak often and with excitement about school:  remind them how much (hopefully) you enjoyed school, drive-by the school a few times and reiterate, “This is your school!”
• “Play Preschool” as a means to discuss the first day of school – meeting the teacher, making new friends, seeing the classroom and the jungle gym in the playground, etc.
• Begin to re-introduce routines for bedtime hours, meals, bedtime stories, and naps.  
• Prepare and practice a “goodbye” routine - a special hug, singing of a favorite song, a double kiss etc. Express how you will pick them up a short while later and give them that special hug, sing their favorite song, etc. once more.
• Visit the school and meet the teacher –  introducing them to their environment and teachers will help alleviate some of the worries they may be feeling
• Reassure children that feelings of excitement, sadness, and worry are normal.  Share a time you may have felt scared and excited.

How to help your child adjust to a new sibling

How to Help Your Child Adjust To A New Sibling

Colette B. Cross

Parents are often surprised by the reactions of their children to a newborn when, before the arrival, everyone was equally as excited to welcome a new sibling.  Quite often, a child may react negatively when the new baby arrives. He might regress in his own behavior such as having frequent temper tantrums, regression in toilet training, using “baby talk”, and demanding more attention in various ways.  A child might tell his parents to send the baby back, or even try to hurt the baby. 

In all the excitement parents sometimes forget that everyone’s life changes with the arrival of a new baby, especially a young child.  A child often thinks he has been replaced somehow, and this can cause atypical behavior, emotions and outbursts.

Here are some tips to help parents help their child adjust.

• ·         Allow your child to help with the care of the baby, but only if your child is interested.  For example, “would you like to help wash the baby?”  and show your child how he can gently use the wash cloth.
• ·         Ask your child to help you make decisions for the baby, “Do you think the baby would like this blue bib or that green bib?”
• ·         Watch the baby’s movements together and discuss what you see, “Oh look the baby is following you with his eyes, or he smiled when you clapped your hands.”  Your child will feel more involved this way.
• ·         Read stories that have different scenarios of new baby arrivals, and ones that you think your child can relate to and understand.
• ·         Validate your child’s feeling, be supportive and understanding, and try not to tell him to be impatient with his reactions or outbursts.
• ·         Try to spend time alone with your child each day.  Remember your child might be thinking the new baby has replaced your attention and affection for him.
• ·         Engage other family members to spend some special time with your child, grandparents, a favorite friend or relative.
• ·         Most importantly, do not force your child to interact with his new sibling; children adjust and will come around on their own.
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For further reading, google Baby Center Expert Advice

Helping Your Toddler Acquire Language

Helping Your Toddler Acquire Language
Melanie Thiesse

First language acquisition and development varies widely from person to person. It is not uncommon for an 18 month old to only speak a few words while another speaks in full sentences. While development within this range is not necessarily a determining factor of overall intelligence or future potential, early language acquisition can make a huge difference to a child who may otherwise become frustrated by his inability to communicate his thoughts and feelings.

I recently came across a blog in the Montessori Bloggers Network titled, Five Montessori Language Tips for Toddlers that I thought I would share. It does a nice job of giving highlighting the key steps to filling an infant or toddler's life with rich vocabulary to enhance language learning.

Enjoy!

Summer Reading

Summer Reading

Colette B. Cross

We are currently in the midst of a two-week reading academy.  It is so exciting to see the children immersed in the world of words.  They are making their own books as well as exploring various types of literature.  They are discovering the who, the why, the where, and the how.  They are examining plot, character and sequence.  We observed older children reading to the younger campers, and watched their faces as they listened to adventures unfold.  I watched one of our students stretched out on the couch with a pile of books beside her; she simply read each one to herself oblivious to any surrounding activities. Oh the joy of reading, what a gift to give to any child!

With all sorts of summer activities for children we should not forget the importance of providing continued exposure to the written word.

Here are some ‘summer’ tips to continue interest, keep developed skills sharp, and fuel the passion for an important lifetime skill.

·         Read to your child daily

·         Have books readily available for your child.

·         Ask questions of your child about the books you read or she reads

·         Take regular trips to your local library with your child

·         Encourage your child to keep a summer journal, if your child is too young ask her to tell you the words, you write them and let your child illustrate.

·         Allow your child to choose the books she likes; your tastes might vary but children know what they like.

·         Visit your favorite bookstore; buy a book for a birthday gift.

·         If taking a car trip:

Ø  Buy a new book.

Ø  Bring puzzle books and books-on-tape,

Ø  Play word games, or the ever-favorite license plate game

Ø  Point out traffic signs along the way and ask your child to find others.

·         Be a role model, if you look forward to that summer or daily read, your child will too.

You can always find new titles on the New York Times best-seller lists. 

Here is a link to Reading Rockets (a national multi-media literacy initiative offering resources to encourage young readers) summer reading broken down by age.

http://www.readingrockets.org/content/pdfs/buyingguide/2016summer_all.pdf

Happy reading, enjoy and feel free to share your favorites with us!