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

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!

Life’s a Picnic

This week’s theme was “Life’s a Picnic”. We all spent time exploring different aspects of having a picnic. The Dolphins classroom made picnic baskets out of very large pieces of paper that they painted brown. Miss Tara cut the paper into strips and the class assembled a huge picnic basket to hang on their wall (complete with thumb print ants)! All of the classes enjoyed the beautiful weather we had this week by taking their lunch outside for a picnic. We learned about all the yummy foods you can take on a picnic and discussed our favorite foods. Of course no picnic would be complete without ants so we spent time on Friday making some silly ant art! The Lobsters class made ant hills out of construction paper and painted ants with their finger prints.

Gymboree also visited us this week at the Goddard School of Wall and all of the Infant, First Steps, Toddler and Get Set classes enjoyed spending time singing, making music and playing games with Gymboree.

We hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and see you back at school on Tuesday!

Outdoor Activities & Park Play with Your Children

A day at the park may seem like ‘just another day,’ but learning and bonding experiences flourish at the park!

Pack for Safety
Drinking water, sunscreen, hat, water to wash as well as wipes for hands, sneakers or other closed-toed shoes, a change of clothes or a towel for the seat, small first aid kit for those little scrapes and a small trash bag to keep the earth litter-free are all important.

Expect to Get Dirty
Going outside is about the freedom to explore and the only way to explore is to touch it, and yes, it is dirty – it’s outside! Dirty does not mean ‘germy’. Roll in the grass, stomp in the mud, touch the frog and splash in the puddles.

Infant to Six Months
• Pack for safety: A blanket to crawl on and a sturdy pair of pants for crawling on rough surfaces. Be prepared to change diapers on the go.
• Be prepared to climb and crawl yourself. This is the best way for you to ensure your child’s safety. Watch for items going into your child’s mouth.
• Hydration: the outside air and activity increases the amount of fluids you both need to consume. And while you’re packing the water, pack a snack.
• Point, name and describe: As your child explores, point out the details; name objects and talk about your experience.

First Steps (12 to 18 months)
• Pack for safety: Bring a blanket and a sturdy pair of pants for crawling on rough surfaces. This is not the place for skirts or dresses.
• Plan for breaks and pack snacks, water and a few books.
• Dig and touch: Collect items to further explore when you get home.
• Walk the trail with your little one on a riding toy. Don’t forget the helmet.
• Park Play Etiquette: If your little one finds a playmate, ask the other parent if both of you may join in the play. Your child will learn to ask for your approval before playing with strangers and the parent of the other child will appreciate this overture.

Toddler and Get Set (18 to 36 months)
• Plot the potty path!
• Bring balls to throw and kick or bean bags and a bucket.
• Move beyond the park and walk a trail or explore a nursery. Go to the stream, lake or pond and skip rocks. Turn the rocks over to find creepy, crawly things.
• No breaks required – but pause for a moment to re-hydrate.
• Look through binoculars – even two toilet paper tubes offer a new view of the world.
• Tent it! A pop up tent is an instant playhouse.
• Take an umbrella and put on your galoshes – take a walk in the light rain.

Preschool to Pre-K (36 months +)
• Lie down and look up: Children like to see the world from a different perspective.
• Picnic: Let your child be a part of packing the necessities and preparing the sandwiches.
• Play “I Spy” or “I Hear.”
• Read or draw under the trees.
• Bring a magnifying cup for bugs and objects to view. Research your bugs and objects when you return home to learn more about each.
 
Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend everyone!