Try these water activities with your children and keep them ‘cool’ in the hot weather!
Water Works:
This game is played like Musical Chairs. Play music while children run, skip and jump through a water sprinkler. After a short amount of time, stop the music. The child in the sprinkler when the music stops is in charge of controlling the music in the next round!
Frozen Toes:
Fill a wading pool with cool water and ice cubes. Give each child a bucket. Ask the children to transfer as many ice cubes as they can from the pool to their bucket - using their feet! The child with the most ice cubes is the winner!
*Safety First: A parent or guardian should always be present when children are engaged in water play. Parents should use their discretion regarding age-appropriate games for their children.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Summer Madness and Graduation!
It was summer madness week at The Goddard School of Wall as we prepared for the end of the school year and the beginning of our summer camp. We discussed the sun and the sun’s rays and the Guppies class had fun making sun art out of yellow construction paper and yellow tissue paper. Wednesday was Bubble Blast day - the Infants and Toddler classes all enjoyed watching, chasing and popping bubbles. The Goldfish class painted bubbles with blue paint and practiced tracing the letter “B”.
Thursday, June 23rd was Graduation Day for our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. Everyone enjoyed the ceremonies and the children’s performances were fantastic!
Congratulations to all of our graduates!
Congratulations to all of our graduates!
We are having our school-wide “End of the Year BBQ” today and all of our classes also celebrated the end of the school year with their own parties this week.
**Thank you to all of the parents who provided end of the year party treats for their child’s classroom this week! Everybody had a great time!**
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Prepare for Summer Fun
By Dr. Kyle Pruett
• Talk about where you are going and why.
• Discuss how long you will be there and a few things they can expect.
• Ask them what they think they will see or want to do.
• Suggest some “I Spy” targets to look for at your destination. This makes them better travelers and learners.
• Wrap-up the experience on the way home by discussing the surprises and the discoveries.
When you do this right, it feels like a shared family adventure in which everyone’s experience matters and contributes to its success. It also helps parents feel less like travel agents or teachers, and more like moms and dads who know what their children need. Enjoy first – learn second – remember always.
Are you planning a summer vacation with your children? Young children are natural explorers and typically adore adventures. But they love them even more when they have been prepared for new experiences. Better-prepared kids are kids who cope better. Here are some suggestions to prepare your children – to get the most educationally and emotionally out of your adventures.
• Talk about where you are going and why.
• Discuss how long you will be there and a few things they can expect.
• Ask them what they think they will see or want to do.
• Suggest some “I Spy” targets to look for at your destination. This makes them better travelers and learners.
• Wrap-up the experience on the way home by discussing the surprises and the discoveries.
When you do this right, it feels like a shared family adventure in which everyone’s experience matters and contributes to its success. It also helps parents feel less like travel agents or teachers, and more like moms and dads who know what their children need. Enjoy first – learn second – remember always.
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.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Dad's & Grad's
We spent this week getting ready for Father’s Day and our graduation ceremony. All of our Pre-K and Kindergarten classes have been practicing walking to “Pomp and Circumstance” for their graduation on June 23rd. Can you believe that graduation is next week already?! We also had a new play house and drum set installed on the playground and the children are having lots of fun with these new toys! Our Father’s Day “Donuts for Dad” celebration was a great success on Friday. We enjoyed some delicious Dunkin Donuts, giving out the special crafts the children made for Dad and spending time with all the special men in the students’ lives.
This summer, we are raising money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Look in our main entrance for the fish bowl filled with sea life themed Silly Bandz. We are selling them for 10 cents each with all proceeds going to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Start collecting your Silly Bandz today!
This summer, we are raising money for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Look in our main entrance for the fish bowl filled with sea life themed Silly Bandz. We are selling them for 10 cents each with all proceeds going to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Start collecting your Silly Bandz today!
Happy Father’s Day from The Goddard School of Wall!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Happy Father's Day!
We are celebrating Dad this week at The Goddard School of Wall! In honor of Father's Day, some "dad facts" from The Goddard School advisor, Dr. Kyle D. Pruett.
Fathering - by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
One of the principal behavior changes of American parents in the last generation centers on the wish that fathers be more involved day-to-day with their children. My research on the issue of whether or not this is a good thing comes to two firm conclusions: 1) children raised by involved dads are thriving, healthy kids, and 2) fathers do not mother any more than mothers father.
So, what is unique about the way men parent, and does it matter to children?
• Fathers roughhouse with their kids right from the beginning more than mothers. This is interesting to children, they respond to it, and even seek it out. It helps to build physical confidence in boys and girls.
• Fathers allow frustration to build to elevated levels before intervening when their children are mastering something new. It turns out that dads think this helps children learn to handle frustration at manageable levels - preparing them for life’s uneven playing field. They are right.
• Fathers may give their children more leeway in new circumstances while mothers tend to stay physically closer to their children in the park or at the mall. Dads want children to explore. Children tend to like it, and learn independence from it.
• Fathers use more real-world consequences to discipline whereas mothers use more social-relationship consequences. Children who receive both integrate them well, giving them a stronger sense of internal control and self-discipline than children with uninvolved or absent dads.
• Kids with involved dads - dads who have fed, changed diapered, bathed, and comforted (with the support of their spouses) - do better in school, have higher self-confidence, use less violent problem-solving themselves, and have stronger verbal skills.
Children can distinguish the voice of their father from their mother at birth - and their handling styles at six weeks. Any questions? Just ask the kids what they think of fathering.
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.
Fathering - by Kyle D. Pruett, M.D
One of the principal behavior changes of American parents in the last generation centers on the wish that fathers be more involved day-to-day with their children. My research on the issue of whether or not this is a good thing comes to two firm conclusions: 1) children raised by involved dads are thriving, healthy kids, and 2) fathers do not mother any more than mothers father.
So, what is unique about the way men parent, and does it matter to children?
• Fathers roughhouse with their kids right from the beginning more than mothers. This is interesting to children, they respond to it, and even seek it out. It helps to build physical confidence in boys and girls.
• Fathers allow frustration to build to elevated levels before intervening when their children are mastering something new. It turns out that dads think this helps children learn to handle frustration at manageable levels - preparing them for life’s uneven playing field. They are right.
• Fathers may give their children more leeway in new circumstances while mothers tend to stay physically closer to their children in the park or at the mall. Dads want children to explore. Children tend to like it, and learn independence from it.
• Fathers use more real-world consequences to discipline whereas mothers use more social-relationship consequences. Children who receive both integrate them well, giving them a stronger sense of internal control and self-discipline than children with uninvolved or absent dads.
• Kids with involved dads - dads who have fed, changed diapered, bathed, and comforted (with the support of their spouses) - do better in school, have higher self-confidence, use less violent problem-solving themselves, and have stronger verbal skills.
Children can distinguish the voice of their father from their mother at birth - and their handling styles at six weeks. Any questions? Just ask the kids what they think of fathering.
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.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Beach Time Fun!
This week’s theme at The Goddard School of Wall has been beach time fun. We learned all about palm trees on Monday and enjoyed some delicious Hawaiian Punch (oh yeah!) on Tuesday! We imagined the sand between our toes and we all had beach parties with our beach towels. The Guppies and Goldfish classes spent time outside with the sprinklers to cool off on a very hot Thursday morning. We also made all kinds of sand castle and sand art. The Whales class colored and decorated their own paper sand castles and the Lobsters class made sea shells with sand art. We had a great week of beach time fun!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Fun in the Sun – How to Protect Your Family
This week's theme at The Goddard School of Wall is "Beach Time Fun". With the beach on our mind and the scorching hot weather this week, here are a few tips for protecting your children in the sun...
Babies under 6 months:
The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.
For All Other Children:
• The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.
Last but not least...Set a good example. You can be the best teacher by practicing sun protection yourself. Teach all members of your family how to protect their skin and eyes.
Source: http://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-play/pages/Sun-Safety.aspx
Babies under 6 months:
The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.
For All Other Children:
• The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.
• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.
Last but not least...Set a good example. You can be the best teacher by practicing sun protection yourself. Teach all members of your family how to protect their skin and eyes.
Source: http://www.healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-play/pages/Sun-Safety.aspx
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Gardening with Children
Teaching your child how to garden is a fun, hands-on learning experience that encourages patience, imagination and environmental awareness. The best part about learning to garden is that it’s something your family can enjoy together, indoors or out!
Before you begin, talk with your child about the whole gardening process to peak their interest and help them become excited about the experience. You could also pick up a children’s book about gardening or visit a children’s gardening Web site.
When you’re ready to start, gather a few supplies and child-appropriate tools—soil, seed cups, watering cans, etc. Take a trip to the garden center together to pick out your supplies and seeds or seedlings for planting. Some great plants for children to start their gardening experience with include sunflowers, snow peas, cherry tomatoes and strawberries. Read seed packets and plant tags—anything with easy care and a short growing season are perfect for little ones to plant! Be sure to acknowledge that some non-edible plants can be poisonous. Check the National Capital Poison Center Web site for a list of some poisonous plants and always supervise your child while gardening.
Now that it’s time to plant, choose your location. If you have a large garden, section off an area or, if you don’t, use an old sandbox filled with soil as your child’s own special garden. Encourage your child to care for their plants throughout the entire process—from seed, to seedling, to mature plant, to harvest. How exciting it will be when the whole family is enjoying the fruits and vegetables they raised all on their own!
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