Vocabulary is important in the developing child’s life and it is important in the early years to lay a good foundation.

Here is a good list from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on some ways we can help foster language development in children 3-5 yrs of age. (via healthychildcare.org)

• Speaking with children rather than at them;
• Encouraging children to talk with each other by helping them to listen and respond;
• Giving children models of verbal expression;
• Reading books about the child’s culture and history, which would serve to help the child develop a sense of self;
• Reading to children and re-reading their favorite books;
• Listening respectfully when children speak;
• Encouraging interactive storytelling;
• Using open-ended questions;
• Provide opportunities during indoor and outdoor learning/play to use writing supplies and printed materials;
• Provide and read books relevant to their natural environment outdoors (for example, books about the current season, local wildlife, etc.);
• Provide settings that encourage children to observe nature, such as a butterfly garden, bird watching station, etc.;
• Providing opportunities to explore writing, such as through a writing area or individual journals.

Children’s Exercise Guide: Why kids need exercise

Anne Etra, care.com, contributing writer

Kids needing exercise in their lives is not a newsflash. We’ve all heard about the positive effects of exercise. Now think about them as they relate to your child. Regular physical activity helps children build healthy bodies and prevent chronic disease. Here’s why:

• Develops muscle strength. Muscle strength helps to reduce children’s risk of injury. Lifting things including their own body weight keeps them strong and limber, so they feel well and function optimally.
• Improves cardiovascular capacity. Moving vigorously cultivates a healthy heart and lungs. Prevent Hypertension (abnormally high blood pressure) which can develop during childhood. Regular physical activity can substantially lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
• Keeps bones strong. The crucial time to build bones starts before the teen years and lasts until the mid-20s, when bones grow to their maximum thickness. Prevent Osteoporosis with weight-bearing activity like jump rope, running games, pivoting and balancing.
• Decreases body fat. Aerobic activity and strength training help children expend energy (calories), which helps them with weight control and positive body fat distribution.
• Maintains a steady, healthy weight. Movement and a healthy diet, combined with reducing sedentary behaviors like watching TV, videos and computer games help to prevent obesity, which in turn can help prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

Another fact? Regular physical activity helps children mentally. Here’s why:

• Enhances self-esteem. As children exercise, their strength increases, and so does their psychological well-being. They gain confidence and become more comfortable in their own skin. (Often this results in their trying other physical activities like swimming, climbing, or team sports.)
• Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Physical activity actually changes your brain chemistry and improves your frame of mind. For instance, exercise increases levels of serotonin, a chemical that some depressed children have in short supply.
• Increases concentration and alertness. Exercise releases ‘endorphins,’ feel-good chemicals that act on the brain as natural tranquilizers. Studies have shown endorphin-rich movement improves mental focus and cognitive skills.
• Boosts energy levels. Movement stimulates attention and energy levels due to improved circulation and blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your tissues.
• Controls mood swings. Exercise calms kids down and stabilizes their mood swings, thus making good behavior more likely.
• Fosters feelings of happiness. Fun, physical activities and mental stimulation -with family and friends in a supportive environment – give children the sense they have achieved something new and challenging. They feel better. They feel happy.

Here are 10 New Year’s Resolutions for kids via the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Find the full list (that includes resolutions for kids 13 & up) at www.aap.org

Preschoolers

• I will clean up my toys and put them where they belong.
• I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
• I won’t tease dogs or other pets – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.

Kids, 5- to 12-years-old

• I will drink reduced-fat milk and water every day, and drink soda and fruit drinks only on special occasions.
• I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors on bright sunny days. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I’m playing sports.
• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
• I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
• I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I’ll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
• I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school.
• I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.

There is much to look forward to in the new year & I’m anxious to see what it will bring.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

I’ve been thinking a lot about curriculum, learning and balancing structured learning activities and play. There’s been a lot of activity recently at our daycare. A good problem to have! I’m loving it. And with the Christmas holiday coming up I’ve seen so many great craft and art ideas I want to try. But I also want to maintain a good balance for the kids in my care.

There are some great conversations happening on the internet about play and learning. I am putting together a list of some of my favorite articles.

Here is one that made me think and I’ll be posting more soon:

Play vs.  Academics: A False Dichotomy via Not Just Cute

We have a lot to be thankful for.

I hope you enjoy spending time with family and friends!

Unfortunately I don’t have any before pictures but here’s a look at what I did.

This is one part of the room and it is where the play kitchen used be and is now the dedicated block/building area. I used to have the tree mural on another wall as well and I changed it to this one and it is the first thing you see when you walk in. I love how it turned out. It’s not as nice as some others I’ve seen on the web but I like it!

Here is a look at the Spool birds (that were all over the web) I made. You can kinda see it in the picture above but it kinda looks like it’s part of the tree.

This area is has a train set, blocks and other toys so they can spread out and play on the floor. It also has a sensory box that I switch out depending on the season (right now it’s fall). I got this idea from here.

This is an area I wanted in the space its an art/activity area. I wanted a table so the kids could freely create using the supplies provided. Later I may re-work this area depending on how it works out.

There are art supplies here now, but I plan to rotate the activities on this table; with playdough, light table activities, etc.

The picture on the right is our gallery wall. Right now it has pictures that I put in the frames but I plan on putting kid’s artwork in them. the frame with the three pictures is great, it lifts up from the front so you can swap out the pictures. I love it!

This is the manipulatives/puzzles shelf. I also put in a different table for the center of the room. The one that was there before was round (and a little too tall for smaller kids); and this one adjusts so if I need to make it taller I can.

This is our kitchen play area. It was in a different side of the room and set up differently as well. I think it works much better this way but if it doesn’t work for the kids I’ll change it. Some of the felt food I made, others I bought, there’s also some really cute wood food in there too.

    Well, that’s our “new” space! I’m really pleased with how it looks but it will probably change over time…again. We have openings, so if you live in the area and are looking for daycare, give me a call!

image via  BG3photo on Flickr

Have a safe Halloween!