Starting school for the first time can be one of the most exciting and happiest days of a young child’s life. But the reality is for many young children, the beginning of school can be filled with  high stress and anxiety.  As a mother and kindergarten teacher I encountered both extremes in my children and in my students. While some were more than eager to begin others were not as enthusiastic about the sudden changes that the new school year brought upon their little lives. For these children, school symbolized a negative detachment from their parent or caregiver. In my observation many of the children with anxiety to kindergarten had parents who also felt anxious about their child attending school for the first time. Little ones are more perceptive than we realize and pick up on our emotions quite easily. Therefore, it is important as parents and teachers to address these feelings with the children in a positive manner before the first day of school so that the child is prepared for the changes that lie ahead.  Preschool teachers can work kindergarten readiness into their summer curriculum and kindergarten teachers can gradually introduce students to the school by offering select classes for the first few weeks if the school permits.  Here are some tips for transitioning young children into kindergarten and what to look for if you suspect your child is experiencing anxiety around attending school.

Tips for parents and caregivers:

• Introduce children to the school year routine one to two weeks before school starts
• Plan for transitions – getting to school, returning to school after breaks
• Provide regular routines – morning, school, homework, bedtime
• Hold realistic expectations that are right for your child’s age
• Help your child identify his or her feelings – nervous, intimidated, shy
• Ask your child if they have ideas or solutions for a particular concern
• Show yourself identifying your own feelings, problem solving and being brave
• Remain calm when your child is anxious
• Help your child shift their focus to the positive aspects of school
• Praise and reward even their small accomplishments

Consider seeking more help if your child:

• Attempts to remain at home or with a caregiver
• Refuses to attend school on certain days
• Refuses to eat in public
• Refuses to use public bathrooms
• Constantly worries
• Continually seeks comfort and reassurance
• Shows extreme shyness, avoiding social situations or events
• Raises physical complaints with no medical explanation (stomach aches, headaches, difficulty catching breath)
• Throws tantrums, cries or screams excessively.

Did you know that 90% of children’s critical brain development occurs by the age of five!

Right from birth a child’s brain begins forming connections rapidly. These connections form the foundation for all of the learning he or she will do later in life.  Studies show that babies and young children who are read to and sung to on a regular basis develop bigger vocabularies and become better readers later in life.

Reading books to children, telling stories, acting out finger plays and singing songs are all crucial in the early years for healthy brain development.  Allowing young children to  become familiar with books, magazines and other print materials also helps to stimulate the brain.

Board books are great for helping toddlers to develop a love for reading. That is because the books are sturdy enough to be used and abused and read over and over again. When my children were young they would carry around their favourite board books until they were practically falling apart. I usually keep a basket of board books in my preschool classrooms as well.  This way the children can use these books in all sorts of play without worrying whether or not they will rip up. Playing house or school is always fun with a book in hand. I love to see my preschoolers pretend to read to one another. They don’t realize it but by engaging in this activity they are building up their dendrites for healthy brain growth.

Another fun activity for young children is to give them old magazines. If they are old enough to use scissors they can cut out pictures, letters and words and glue them onto construction paper for a collage. Younger children might enjoy tearing the pages out or just looking at the pictures like mom or dad.  Having the tangible item to hold, touch and see helps to stimulate the brain.

In the age of technology one might ask, “What about  tablets and e-readers, etc?”  Yes, computers and e-readers are also another way for children to become excited about reading. However I would use this in moderation.  Without the actual physical interaction one loses part of the necessary steps in healthy brain development for the young mind. The computer should never replace the actual interaction between a child and his or her caregiver. Hearing a story read out loud also aids in oral skills and helps to develop a higher vocabulary in young children.

So keep reading and singing aloud to your child. And remember that by allowing young children to hold, touch and feel books you are helping to stimulate healthy brain growth!

Thank you to our adorable model Teagan and to mom Jodi for submitting this cute photo!

With Easter coming up, I thought I would share with you some of the fun Easter egg decorating ideas I did with my kids last year. Would be fun to use in a classroom also!

The first egg decorating idea is for Minion Eggs. I thought we were being quite original but after doing the project we found several blogs with the same concept. If your children like the Despicable Me movies then this is the craft for them. Using blue and yellow easter eggs, we simple switched tops with bottoms added electrical tape and google eyes for glasses and used sharpie to draw on faces. For fun I filled them with dried beans and hot glued them shut so kids could use them as musical shakers. This way we get to enjoy them all year!  I’ve also included a few pics of some easy Ninja turtle eggs  and some painted craft eggs we did in my preschool classroom.  The ideas for these crafts came form North Texas Kids Crafts. For how twos log onto their website at http://northtexaskids.com

With Valentine’s Day just a few short weeks away I thought it would be fun to repost these cute ideas for quick and easy Valentine’s Day cards.

Short on time and cash? No problem!  Here are some quick and inexpensive valentines for you and your child to make. These make perfect classroom valentines or just a special valentine for a special little someone in your life. 

We made these King and Queen Valentines by cutting out crown shapes and letting the children glue on hearts and jewels. Two holes were punched in the side for the lollipop.

These simple cards were made by placing a box of smarties and reeses pieces on a piece of card stock. For the smarties, we cut out a pocket shape of blue card stock and taped onto the smartie box to look like it was coming out of a pants pocket. So cute!

Another simple candy card to make is the lifesaver card pictured above. Simply cut out a strip of card stock and fold to make an envelope. Place candy and saying inside, fold and tie with a ribbon. Children love these! Another variation could be to use tootsie rolls , gum or other candy for the cards. Get creative and make up silly sayings to go with the candy you are using!

If you prefer not to use candy you can opt for the following valentines. 

Wrap mini packages of microwavable popcorn in red paper.  Add caption and hearts for a cute classroom valentine. Or dress up a package of nuts for a special treat with the caption “I’m nuts for you!”  Just make sure there are no nut allergies before handing out these.

Hope that these ideas have inspired you to get creative and remember it isn’t the gift, it is the thought that counts! Happy Valentine’s Day!

In honour of those who have served in the armed forces I thought it would be nice to post a Remembrance Day craft. The poppies are simple to make so even preschoolers can make them yet still elegant enough for older children to enjoy them as well. To make the poppy, cut four even heart shapes out of red paper. Glue the hearts onto white paper to form a poppy. Add a black circle and/or small black hearts to the centre for the middle of the flower. Poppies can be embellished with glitter, seeds or other decorative items to make them unique.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by John McCrae, May 1915