Is Your Daycare Closed When it Snows?

It is winter and inevitably that means snow will eventually show its beautiful glistening flakes! Now, some of us enjoy this weather wonder and take the opportunities to stay home and play outside building snow people, having snowball fights, you know, all the classic snowy day fun. However, other people dread the sight of the winter snowfalls and cringe each time the weather station declares a snowfall warning. Stress sets in and then stress is followed by panic!

"I have to go to work tomorrow and I just know my daycare is going to be closed now due to snow! Ugh! What am I going to do? I better start making phone calls and see who can take my
kids for the day. Or else I’ll be phoning work and losing pay, not good!"

Sound familiar?

Well, not if you are registered at one of our Jolly Giant Childcare Centres! Bring on the snow! More snow means more fun for our childcare providers and your children!

Schools are closed, daycares are closed, we are… OPEN!

We understand that we are an important and essential service for many families in our community who need to go to work, regardless of weather conditions. We know that if we shut down we are creating quite a stress and disservice to the families who rely on us each day to care for their children.
You can count on our doors to be open, our lights to be on, and our staff awaiting your child’s arrival in a warm and fun environment, ready for perfect snowy day fun!

We always encourage those families who can stay, to stay home, due to safety and road conditions. But, we know that some families don’t have this choice and we ensure that we are here to support that need.

Now, we know that some people will choose to disagree with this decision…

"I think it’s wrong to put your staff at risk just to stay open."
We understand and 100% support any staff who choose to stay home due to road conditions. If they are unable to find reliable and safe transportation then we recommend that they put their safety first and stay home.

And we understand that some of you may be concerned…

"How can you maintain ratios if your staff can’t all make it into work?"

We always advice any families that can stay home, to stay home. We also find that most often staff will find reliable transportation to come to work and therefore staff- child ratios are lower than any typical day.

"What if conditions worsen through the day, are we expected to pick up our child?"
No, we leave that decision up to the families, as long as you will be able to pick up at your designated contract time safely.

"What if I’m not a registered family of Jolly Giant but I need to go to work and find childcare for my child?"
Each child does need to be registered, it only takes a short time to fill out the paperwork, so give us a call and if we have space we will sign you up!

So, if panic is setting in and you are watching the weather channel every evening on the edge of your seat…
If you are dreading the snowfall warning and the early morning scramble to find care, so you can go to work, we ask you why? Why put yourself through that type of stress from October until May?
Contact us today! Choose Jolly Giant Childcare as your family’s childcare provider and ensure that you have reliable and consistent childcare every day! Regardless of weather conditions!

Then you can smile and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Sharing Christmas Traditions

Traditions….

In the eyes of a child, Christmas is the most magical time of year. As adults, this magic is somewhat clouded with the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, decorating, visiting and long to-do lists. However, we need to be reminded what this season is all about. We need to remember to make sure the magic of Christmas is not lost for our children.

Traditions are a special way of ensuring the magic stays close to our hearts and our families during such a busy time of year. Traditions are a way of reminding us that our children are only little for such a short time and it is important to create special memories that they will not only carry on in their lives but possibly generations to come.

These special times also enable us to take a breath during the month of December and really enjoy the magic through our children’s eyes! Seeing the smiles and sparkle in their eyes during these times, those are the memories we will carry throughout our lives.

The wonderful thing about traditions is that it doesn’t have to be a big production! It doesn’t have to be a big, thought out plan. It’s just about creating moments between the people you love that you look forward to sharing each year.

Here are just a few ideas…

• Donating gently used clothing and non-perishable food to families in need
• Going to a tree farm to cut down your own tree
• Baking goodies to deliver to neighbours or a seniors home
• Making a gingerbread house and drinking cider or cocoa
• Visiting Santa
• Writing a letter to Santa together, reminding your child to also think of others in their letter
• New individual tree ornament for each year, make sure to write the year on it!
• Attend a Christmas Eve church service for caroling and fellowship
• Get into your pajamas, make some hot chocolate and hop in the car to go in search of Christmas lights!
• Watch a favourite Christmas movie together
• Make a special hand-made gift for grandparents
• Make cookies to leave out for Santa and reindeer food for Rudolph
• Go for a walk on Christmas Eve, try to spy Rudolph’s nose!
• Track Santa on Norad Tracks Santa!
• Give your child a box of candy canes as you decorate the house, let them put them wherever they can find a place to hang them, you may be surprised!
• Make gingerbread playdough! (see previous post)
• Save a few favourite recipes that you only make during the Christmas season
• Use Christmas mugs on Christmas morning
• Rock around the Christmas tree to your favourite Christmas CD while decorating the tree
• Create bird feeders out of pinecones to give the birds a special gift
• Use candy canes to stir your hot chocolate, mmmm minty!
• Have special Christmas pajamas or socks to wear at Christmas
• Make a Christmas Pickle for the tree and follow the historical tradition!
• Make or buy a special little beaded spider for the tree and talk about the Legend of the Christmas spider, on Christmas Eve when the children have gone to bed, hang tinsel on the tree for tem to discover Christmas morning!
• Make your own stockings to hang
• Have a special advent calendar to count down the days together

There really are so many wonderful ways to create Christmas memories, we would love to hear about the special traditions your family has during the Christmas season! Please feel free to share in the comment section of this post :)

Gingerbread Playdough

This activity will have your home smelling
like Christmas in no time! So fun!

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
cinnamon, allspice, ginger and nutmeg

In a saucepan mix the dry ingredients together. Add spices to the smell you like. Mix water and oil together. Add them to the dry ingredients and stir. Cook the mixture for two or three minutes stirring. The dough will clump together and pull away from the sides of the pan. Take the dough out of the pan and knead it until it becomes soft and smooth. Allow to cool and store in an air tight container

Christmas Songs and Fingerplays!

Tried and true non-traditional favourite Christmas Songs and Fingerplays!

Reindeer Pokie (Sung To: Hokey Pokey)
You put your antlers in,
you put your antlers out,
you put your antlers in,
then you shake the,em all about.

You do the reindeer pokie
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your hooves in,
you put your hooves out,
you put your hooves in,
then you shake the,em all about.

You do the reindeer pokie
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your tail in,
you put your tail out,
you put your tail in,
Then you shake the,em all about.

You do the reindeer pokie
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your red nose in,
you put your red nose out,
you put your red nose in,
then you shake the,em all about.

You do the reindeer pokie
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your whole self in,
you put your whole self out,
you put your whole self in,
then you shake the,em all about.

You do the reindeer pokie
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

Way up High on the Christmas Tree Way up high on the Christmas tree (Point up)
Two little candy canes winked at me (wink),
So I shook that tree as hard as I could (pretend to shake tree)
And down dropped those candy canes (squat down)
Mmm, Mmm, Good!! (Rub Tummy)

Little Reindeer One little, two little, three little reindeer
Four little, five little, six little reindeer
Seven little, eight little, nine little reindeer
Pulling Santa's Sleigh

Five Little Christmas Trees Five little Christmas Trees (Hold up Five Fingers),
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very sad (Make Sad Face)
'Cause they hadn't found a home
Then chop went the axe (chopping)
And down fell the tree (clap)
And off she went with a happy family! (Make Happy Face)

Four little Christmas Trees (Hold up Four Fingers),
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very sad (Make Sad Face)
'Cause they hadn't found a home
Then chop went the axe (chopping)
And down fell the tree (clap)
And off she went with a happy family! (Make Happy Face)

Three little Christmas Trees (Hold up Three Fingers),
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very sad (Make Sad Face)
'Cause they hadn't found a home
Then chop went the axe (chopping)
And down fell the tree (clap)
And off she went with a happy family! (Make Happy Face)

Two little Christmas Trees (Hold up Two Fingers),
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very sad (Make Sad Face)
'Cause they hadn't found a home
Then chop went the axe (chopping)
And down fell the tree (clap)
And off she went with a happy family! (Make Happy Face)

One little Christmas Trees (Hold up One Fingers),
Standing all alone
Her heart was very sad (Make Sad Face)
'Cause she hadn't found a home
Then chop went the axe (chopping)
And down fell the tree (clap)
And off she went with a happy family! (Make Happy Face)

No little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very happy
'Cause they all found a home

Five Little Bells Five little bells hanging in a row.
The first one said, "Ring me slow."
The second one said, "Ring me fast."
The third one said, "Ring me last."
The fourth one said, "I'm a chime."
The fifth one said, "Ring me at Christmas time."
The sixth one said, "Ring me with the others."
The seventh one said, "Ring me for the mothers."
The eighth one said, "Ring me with a song."
The ninth one said, "Ring me all day long."

Two Very ‘Cool’ Ice Crystal Projects!

The first of these two awesome projects is not edible, as it uses soap. However the second of these ‘ice crystal’ experiments is edible, yummy! Both projects require adult help as they deal with boiling water. If you are planning on doing both projects, we strongly suggest labeling the jars clearly as to which one is edible and which on is not.

1^st Project – Borax Ice Crystal Snowflakes!

You will need:
Borax soap (found in laundry section of grocery stores)
Boiling water
Pipe Cleaners
Food coloring (optional)
Wide mouth jar
A pencil
A piece of string

Instructions: Make the snowflake shape. Cut a pipe cleaner into three equal sections. Twist the sections together at their centers to form a six-sided snowflake shape. The snowflake will need to fit inside the jar.
Tie the string to the end of one of the snowflake arms. Tie the other end of the string to the pencil. You want the length to be such that the pencil hangs the snowflake into the jar.
Fill the wide mouth jar with boiling water.
Add borax one tablespoon at a time to the boiling water, stirring to dissolve after each addition. (The amount used is 3 tablespoons borax per cup of water.)
You can tint the mixture with food color.
Hang the pipe cleaner snowflake into the jar so that the pencil rests on top of the jar and the snowflake is completely covered with liquid and hangs freely (not touching the bottom of the jar).
Allow the jar to sit overnight, do not lift or move the snowflake during this time.
Approx. 24 hours you will see spectacular crystals!

Ice Crystal Project #2 – The Edible one!

You Will Need:1 1/2 cups of white sugar (possibly more)
3/4 cup of water
Small saucepan
Tall glass or jar
Piece of clean cotton string or thread
A pencil

Instructions:
Pour the water into the saucepan and bring to a boil.
Pour the sugar into the water and stir until no more of the sugar will dissolve (you will still be able to see little grains of sugar floating around at the bottom of the pan). If all of the sugar dissolves at first, add a little more until you can't get any more to dissolve when you stir it.
Keep cooking the liquid and stirring it until it is clear, but not for more than 5 minutes, or it will get too hot and turn into hard candy!
Turn off the stove when it starts to look clear.
Pour the sugar water into the glass or jar, but go slowly to make sure that none of the undissolved sugar from the bottom of the pan goes into the glass. Fill the glass about 2/3 full. (You might have enough for two glasses.) Add food coloring if desired.
Dip the string into the solution so that half of the string is coated. Take the string out and let it dry. It doesn’t take long
Once the string has dried, tie the clean end around a pencil and put the dipped end back into the glass of sugar water solution, balancing the pencil across the rim of the glass. Make sure the string does not touch the bottom or the sides of the glass, or your crystals will not form right!
Carefully move your glass to a place where it won’t be touched. Check it each day to watch the crystals grow. Within a few days, you should start to see a few crystals growing on the string. In approx. one week, you will probably have a lot of crystals on your string.
When your piece of ice candy is as big as you want it to be, take it out of the glass and hang it in a clean glass to dry. Then you can take the pencil off, cut the extra string off, and enjoy eating your sugar crystals off the string!

Getting to Know Your Child

Has your child had any significant life experiences, such as premature birth, major illness or medical occurrences? What are their likes/dislikes? How do they like to go down to sleep?
It is important when enrolling your child into childcare programs that this information is shared with the caregivers. The significance of knowing your child and what has happened to them prior to enrolling in our care is essential in providing the best possible individual care to your child.
The events of birth and early life experience can affect a child, even if it isn’t an obvious affect right away, such as detectable medical or developmental affects. Some affects can occur in behaviours or reactions, as the child grows and develops in early life.
For example, if a child is born prematurely, and as the child is developing within the childcare program, we notice observations that concern us, such as a slight delay in development, if we know the child was born prematurely we can take note of this. However, if we did not know of the premature birth, we may be more concerned and begin assessments and more observations and continue on with actions that are not necessary for this child. We always want to provide the best, most accurate care for each child based on there individual needs and development. With knowledge we will recognize that this is a completely accurate stage of development for this child and provide care as needed for these needs, knowing that with time and care they will catch up on their own rather than having to involve outside supports.This is true for medical trauma or illness as well, which can affect a child’s development or behaviours.
You are the most valuable primary source of information for your children, and often we don’t get a chance to ask these historical questions verbally throughout caring for your child unless concerns arise. (Which most often won’t be concerns when we find out the history.)
Therefore, we have a ‘Getting to Know Your Child’ form for families, should you want to share this information when enrolling. It’s nice to have these on hand in the child’s file to look back upon and say ‘ah ha!’ that’s why this or that may be happening and begin to respond to the situation with valuable knowledge on your children’s individual or family needs and background. It is often said that knowledge is the key and in the case of caring for children I believe this is truly so. The more knowledge we have about your child, and the history prior to coming into our care, the more we are going to be able to provide the upmost quality and effective care and learning for your child. In this checklist we also ask about likes/dislikes, and other information, to ensure that when your child is enrolled in our program, your child is receiving the best possible care for his/her individual needs. We will have a jumpstart on knowing your child (how do they like to go down for a nap, what food do they like, do they like to feed themselves or are they fed, etc.) and as they continue to grow and learn and explore in the program we will also grow and learn more about your child and be able to continue to provide the best possible care for their development and needs.

It's Raining, It's Pouring, the Kids are Saying 'Boring!'

It’s raining. It’s not just drizzling or sprinkling… it’s down right pouring! Welcome to the fall season on the west coast!
The question is… what do you do with your children when cabin fever is setting in?
Sure, you could dress them head to toe in slickers n’ boots and hope they don’t get lost in some giant mud puddle outside, as you try to get a little bit of sanity in your day. By ‘day’, I mean days, weeks, months, you just never know when the rain will end on the west coast!
Or… you could check out this list of ideas and links, staying warm and dry, and get started on some amazing and fun quality time! Soon, you will be looking forward to these rainy days when you can hibernate inside together and really enjoy some treasured experiences.
Now, I know what you are saying, ‘it’s pouring rain and I’m not going out to get a bunch of crafty supplies,’ no worries! Our first list is a 'No-Craft' list! If you are, however, a crafty parent, we have a second list of some fantastic ideas for crafting with your little ones.
 
• Turn on music! Easy! Music always brightens the day and drowns out the sound of the rain. Once the music is on…
• Dance around together! If you have some scarves, they are a perfect prop for children to dance with. Play ‘follow the dancer around the house’, up onto the beds, down the hall, under the table, where ever you choose!
• Make some hot chocolate or tea and get busy baking your favourite treat! (And dancing of course! No one said you can’t dance with a measuring cup in your hand!)
• Play cards, or make a card house!
• Do a puzzle together ~ hope you are still groovin’ in your seat!
• Get a bowl for each child and fill it up with their favourite snacks. Find pillows and cozy blankets. Turn down the blinds and turn on your favourite family movie! It’s the middle of the morning? No big deal! The kids will love it!
• Play board games! You know the ones that have been sitting and collecting dust all summer? Yeah, those ones!
• Snuggle up in the blankets with some favourite books to read together! Spy Books are fantastic, they are super interactive and create some great early learning opportunities!
• Let your little one have a warm bath with some shaving cream (you can color it with a tiny bit of food colouring) and a paintbrush and let them ‘Picasso’ the bathtub!
• Go online and send e-cards to people, just because! Let them know you are thinking of them. Often we get so busy to remember to let people know how special they are to us. This is a great activity to model caring and giving to others. Making others feel good, just because. And making others feel happy makes us feel good!

Ok, here’s the ‘Let’s get Crafty’ list!

• Tis the season to start thinking about a few new Christmas decorations!
• Gingerbread houses!
• Christmas tree decorations! This is really endless in possibilities!
• Glue sparkle on small pinecones
• Use a baker’s clay (see LittleHands link below for a recipe) and cut out shapes and paint them
• Use white pipe-cleaners and make snowflakes
• Lace red and green buttons onto ribbon or pipe-cleaners
• Lace red, white and green beads on to pipe-cleaners and make candy canes
• Popcorn and cranberry garland!
• Handprint felt wreaths! And so much more! (See LittleHands link below for instructions)
• This is a fantastic facebook page with links to many ideas to keep little ones entertained and craft ideas to do together! Ideas and Inspiration for Crafty Parents
• Here’s is a website that is absolutely endless with ideas! Printable games and pages, crafts, etc. FamilyFun
• Looking for gifts to make together for loved ones? Or just some easy crafts to do together? Little Hands Lots of Love Blog
  
  Whichever activity you choose, take a deep breath and just enjoy this precious time. The rain helps us slow down and ensure we spend much needed time together.

 

 

Winter Songs and Fingerplays

Winter is arriving soon!
Some of us have already witnessed the spectacular sight of snowflakes speckling the ground. The children are excited to see this winter wonder and can’t wait to get outside to play!
If you are looking to keep them nice and cozy inside and still just as engaged by the season, then here are some tried and true favourite songs and fingerplays about winter! Pour some hot chocolate, sit by the window, watch the flurries and sing together. So fun! The kids will love it!

Winter Sky
Way up high in the winter sky,
Two little snowflakes caught my eye. (Point 2 fingers to sky)
Down to the ground they fell without a sound. (Twist around)
And before very long, It was snowing all around. (Hold arms out)

Chubby Little Snowman
A chubby little snowman had a carrot for a nose
Along came a bunny and what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny was looking for his lunch...
And he ate that snowman's nose. . . .Cr…..r…..unch!

Six Little Penguins
Six little penguins off an iceberg did dive,
One bumped his beak, then there were five.
Five little penguins swam the ocean floor,
One saw a whale, then there were four.
Four little penguins spun around, whee-ee!
One spun off, then there were three!
Three little penguins, with nothing to do,
One went fishing, then there were two.
Two little penguins, having lots of fun,
One fell of, then there was one.
One little penguin, when the day was done,
Went home to sleep, then there were none.

Snowflake Dance

(Sung To: ‘Are you Sleeping’)
Dance like snowflakes, Dance like snowflakes
In the air, In the air
Whirling, Twirling snowflakes, Whirling, Twirling snowflakes
Here and there, Here and there

I'm a Little Penguin

(to the tune of ‘I'm a Little Teapot’)
I'm a little penguin
Black and white,
Short and wobbly
An adorable sight.
I can't fly at all
But I love to swim,
So I'll waddle to the water
And dive right in!

Have You Ever Seen a Penguin

(to the tune of ‘Have You Ever Seen a Lassie?’)

Have you ever seen a penguin? a penguin? a penguin?
Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that?
Swim this way and that way and this way and that?
Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that?
(move arms like you're swimming)

Repeat, substitute "swim" with:
"slide" (make sliding motions with feet)
"waddle" (take tiny steps and swing body from side to side)
"dress" (bow and curtsy)

"Dear Old Frosty" (tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb) Guess who wears a magic hat, magic hat, magic hat
Guess who wears a magic hat, Dear old Frosty does
Guess who has two eyes of coal.....
Guess who has a carrot nose......
Guess who carries a big yellow broom......
Guess who wears a big red scarf.....
Guess who wears big green mittens....
Guess who wears big black boots.....

Watch for winter activities coming soon!

Potty Projects!

There are those wonderful little toilet-learning children who decide they are just going to go on the potty and they do. No arguments, no accidents, no stress. If you have one of those children then congratulations you really don’t need to read any further. But, for those of you who have a child like mine, a child that needs a little time and encouragement, then read on!
My son, then 23 months old, had been showing a great deal of interest in the potty. He liked to sit there briefly and then say "all done", and carry on with his play. Every once in a while I managed to get him to stay just a few minutes longer and each time we had success on the potty! It was during these ‘quality’ times sitting on the bathroom floor that I realized there had to be something better than the usual staring contest and ‘just a few more minutes’ reassurance. It wasn’t really fun for either of us and I don’t blame him for jumping up and running around half-naked. It was boring sitting on the potty!
Thus, the birth of the ‘potty projects.’ Potty projects are small activities to help keep your child occupied while sitting on the potty. These activities only take a few minutes, which is just enough time to help your child become more successful in ‘producing’ on the potty, as well as turning awkward, clock-watching moments into fun and teachable moments. Let’s face it, you are spending a lot of time sitting on the floor or the edge of the tub, let’s work with this ‘special time.’
If you are thinking about starting toilet training, have already begun, or like me, have already spent many moments on the cold bathroom floor waiting, then let’s get started on potty projects!
Here are 10 projects to get you started, and then you can discover your own potty projects that work for you and your child! Some require a few props or supplies and others are prop-free! It’s good to start with a bin or large basket to carry all the supplies in or simply leave it in the bathroom by the potty if you have room. This way everything is within easy reach when your child is asking to sit on the potty.

1. Stickers- stickers can be used in a variety of ways. One, have a small sticker book on hand and let your child fill up a page with stickers. Or, let your child place stickers on their potty! This creates a personalized potty and a fun ‘I Spy’ game when there is a collection of stickers to look at.
2. Books- store a few books in the bin. Books that your child can only look at on the potty. A great idea is to invest in a few ‘potty’ books. Lift-the-flap books are also great with more interactive play.
3. Toilet paper roll creations- well, you are in the bathroom...why not recycle what is within reach! Have markers or crayons in your bin and let your child color toilet paper rolls.
4. Empty tissue box- Again, reusing what is within reach, fill an empty tissue box with various sizes of material or light scarves. Toddlers love pulling them out one by one and then shoving them all back in again. (Suggestion: place tape around the opening for more strength, then it won’t tear easily). If you so desire, use a box of full tissues and let your child pull them out and put them back in, they may not be as pretty when guests go to use them, but children love playing with tissues!
5. Action songs- Singing and acting! This one needs no props and your children will love doing these songs with you and they are easy to do while sitting on the potty! Itsy Bitsy Spider, Head and Shoulders, If You are Happy and You Know it, Wheels on the Bus, and 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. There will be tons of giggles filling the bathroom!
6. Magnet boards- There are many places (even the dollar store) that sell small magnet boards. Put a small one in your bin and collect some bright color magnets in a small tin. You can also find the letter and number magnets as well as other fridge magnets made especially for children. I have also found magnet boards that have a scene on them and come with the magnets (such as dinosaurs, construction, farm animals.) Again, very inexpensive at the dollar store.
7. ‘Can you Find...?’- Toddlers are learning so much so quickly and are always eager to show you what they know! Especially body parts! Another project that requires no props. Ask your child to point out body parts to you. Can you find your toes? Can you find Mommy’s toes? Can you find your ears? Carry on with other parts of their body and yours!
8. Beanbag toss- This game doesn’t need beanbags, you can find any soft, or small object to use. Beanbags are easily made by filling socks that are too small for your child, with rice or beans, and then sewing or tying them shut. Use the basket/ bin you have or find another bucket (make sure it’s deep though) or even a plastic stool your child stands on at the sink, turned upside down. Then place the bucket several feet from your child and hand them a couple ‘beanbags’ and let them try to toss them in!
9. Which cup? - This project requires 3 small cups and an object/ toy that will fit inside. Place all cups face down on the floor. Show your child the object and then place it under one of the cups. Move the cups around without lifting them. Ask your child to guess which cup has the object. They will want to guess again and again!
10. What’ missing? – Gather 4-5 small objects and place them on the floor or a plate, let your child have a few minutes to look at the items and then cover it with a face cloth or hand towel, remove one or more of the items without your child being able to see, then remove the cloth and ask them to see if they can guess what is missing! It’s good to start with just one object and working up to all of them!

Let this important milestone for your child, and your family, become a treasured time enjoyed together. Before you know it, your child will be using the potty and you may even miss those moments sitting on the cold bathroom floor!

Remembering...

"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?'" -Eve Merriam

 

Until that day... we still need to explain to our children why people hurt other people, who our true heros are, and how we can change the future

Poppy

"Poppy we are but children small,
We are too little to do it all."

Children you may do your part.
Love each other is how you start.
Play without fighting.
Share your games and toys.
Be kind and thoughtful,
To all girls and boys.

~ author unknown

The Mommy Connection

Moms, this is for you! Do you have regular connections with other moms? It is so important!
I know, some of you are saying that you are just fine and you can do it on your own, and most days you absolutely can, but some days you can’t. Somedays you need to know that someone else out in this big world is feeling exactly the same as you are right now.

So,what do you do? You know, on the days when you can’t fathom having the energy to get dressed to go out for coffee, yet you would die of shame if someone saw the current condition of your house. The dishes in the sink, the piles of laundry, the scattered toys, the floor crumbs, it just goes on and on, I know.

You wish you could pick up the phone to bond with another mom but you know the moment you gently and quietly pick up the receiver, your children with their sonic ears, will be at your leg, pulling your pants half down and yelling the word you love most in the world, ‘mom’. They don’t know why they need your attention, they just know that you are on the phone so they need it, or they need to find the loudest toy and they just have to play with it. It’s their job, they do it well.

When we are trying to be all, do all and just scraping by with a little bit of sanity, we need each other. But how?
When our children are angels and we just can’t get enough of them, or when we just want to be in a land far, far away, we need each other. When you are smiling one moment and yelling the next. We need to know that we are not the only ones!

We need mom connections, moments to warm our heart, moments of laughter and tears, rants and raves, moments when we can say ‘YES! I’m not the only one!" You love your family, you love your children but there is something about a connection with someone who understands and can relate to your feelings as a mom, someone else who can reassure you and support you. No one, no matter how much you try to explain it, no one can really know how you feel, unless it’s another mom.

This is for the moms who feel they have it all together one day and then it all comes crashing down the next. For the times, when you are standing in line at Starbucks, after another night of no sleep, two kids huddles around your ankles ,they ask to take your order and you stare blankly at them, you have no idea where you are or what you are supposed to be doing in that moment. Am I the only one?

Motherhood... it’s the most precious, most exhausting, most emotional and incredible journey in life, and we can do it together... in our pajamas, unwashed hair and at anytime of the day or night. How?

Grab a cup of your favourite calming drink, snuggle up in a cozy chair, and check out some fantastic mommy blogs! This link is your connection to thousands of mommy blogs, pick and choose depending on your mood, your needs, your wants because right now it’s all about you! That’s right, you!

You will laugh, cry and know that... no, you are not the only one!

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/pages/index.php

Stressed About Finding the Right Care for Your Baby?

If your baby is turning one soon, or has recently celebrated their first birthday, then chances are you having been stressing about finding the right childcare for your precious little one.

Are you returning to work?

We know that along with such a celebration, many parents face the anxiety of returning to work. Maternity leave is ending and it’s time to figure out where the next path will lead. It’s not easy, there will be big changes happening for your family. It’s a difficult transition from being with your baby all day everyday to leaving your baby in someone else’s care.

How do you know which centre is right for your family?

How do you know you are making the right decision?
How do you know your child will receive the best care?

Many of the staff at Jolly Giant Childcare are not only Early Childhood Educators, but also parents too! We understand the stress of such important childcare decisions. We know that finding the right care and environment, while you are away from your baby, can weigh heavily and we want to help make your decision a little easier.

We want you to be able to return to work confident with the care your child will receive. We want you to be able to have a successful workday knowing your child is receiving care, education, and comfort in a fun and safe environment.

Our programs and facilities ensure the upmost quality supervision and care from loving and educated staff. Your child will grow and learn, build social skills and friendships. Our facilities provide developmentally age-appropriate programs, educated caregivers, and child-size equipment to ensure a safe and fun environment for your child to grow, learn and explore!

Go ahead, return to work at ease, knowing your child is receiving high quality care and comfort from loving and experienced staff, who truly value your child and your family!

Are you able to stay home?
What an amazing experience, to be able to stay home and care for your baby!
Have you thought about the important advantages of your child being in childcare?
Part-time care is a fantastic way to ensure your child gains important early learning and social skills. Your child will have experiences in building friendships and learning peer interaction skills, such as sharing and turn-taking. These opportunities are not always accessible in the home environment. Group care offers experiences in following gentle routines, learning through play and building self-help skills, all while having fun with friends and our experienced staff.

Our website offers an online application, a manager will contact you to arrange a no-obligation visit and tour of our facilities! We can answer any questions you have and hopefully help alleviate some of the stress you are feeling about childcare.

Nanaimo Trick or Treat Event Saturday October 29th

A reminder to all of our Nanaimo and Area families ~ Downtown Nanaimo is hosting a Trick or Treat event for the children from noon- 3pm TODAY! Check out the link for more details! Happy Halloween!
Downtown Nanaimo Trick or Treat

Mini Pumpkin Craft!

A great little craft for Halloween is to decorate mini pumpkins!

Materials you will need:

• Mini Pumpkins
• White Glue
• Small decorations such as sequins, googley eyes, feathers, buttons, whatever you have on hand!

Hint: The dollar store is a great place to get small craft decorations!

Autumn Songs

The Leaves are falling down

Tune:"Farmer in the Dell"

The leaves are falling down
The leaves are falling down
Red, yellow, green, and brown
The leaves are falling down

Author Unknown

Lots of LeavesTune:"London Bridge Is Falling Down"
Lots of leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down.
Lots of leaves are falling down in a flutter.

Take the rake and pile them up, pile them up, pile them up.
Take the rake and pile them up in a mountain.

Run and jump and roll around, roll around, roll around.
Run and jump and roll around. Whee! It's autumn.

Author Unknown

The Leaves on The Trees

Tune : "The Wheels on The Bus"
The leaves on the trees are falling down,
falling down, falling down.
The leaves on the trees are falling down,
Red, yellow, orange, and brown.

The leaves on the ground go crunch, crunch, crunch
crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.
The leaves on the ground go crunch, crunch, crunch.
All through autumn (fall).
Repeat verse 1

Author Unknown

Leaf Pile

Tune: "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"

Crunch, crunch, crunch the leaves
Rake them in a heap
Run, run as fast as you can
Into the pile you’ll leap!

I just made this one up!

Have fun with songs and children, use any classic tune and sing about what activity you are currently doing whether it’s crunching in leaves or doing the dishes!

Halloween Songs and Activities!

This is a compilation of classic Halloween Songs/Chants and Activities that
we love as well as some great new ones we found online

Songs/ Chants

5 Little Jack-0-lanterns

5 Little Jack-O-Lanterns sitting in a row (hold up 5 fingers)

5 Little Jack-O-Lanterns faces all aglow (frame your face using your hands and smile) Along came the stormy wind (make swishing movement with arms)

Looking for some fun

Gave a huff and a puff (blow in and out)

And blew out every one (close fingers into fist and put behind your back)

Five Little Pumpkins

5 little pumpkins sitting on a gate.

The 1st one said "my it's getting late."

The 2nd one said "there are witches in the air."

The 3rd one said "I don't care."

The 4th one said let's run let's run."

The 5th one said "Isn't Halloween fun?"

Oooooo went the wind and out went the lights

and the 5 little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

Trick or Treat

(tune-Frere Jacques)

Trick or Treat,

Trick or Treat.

Halloween Night.

Halloween Night.

In our costumes playing

You will hear us saying

Trick or Treat! Trick or Treat!

Scary Witch
A scary old witch was stirring a pot

OOOO OOOOO

Three little ghosts say ‘what has she got?’

OOOO OOOOO

tip toe, tip toe, tip toe…

BOOOOOO!

HALLOWEEN SONG
There was an old lady all skin and bones oooo, oooo, oooo

She lived down at the old graveyard oooo,ooooo,ooooo

One night she thought she'd take a walk ooooo,ooooo,oooooo

She walked on down the old graveyard oooo,ooooo,oooooo

She saw the bones a laying around ooooo,ooooo,ooooo

She went to the closet to get a broom ooooo,ooooo,oooooo

She opened the closet and BOO!

I am the Great Pumpkin
(tune: Did You Ever See A Lassie)

I am the Great Pumpkin, Great Pumpkin, Great Pumpkin,

I am the Great Pumpkin,

Come dance with me.

For your friends are my friends,

and my friends are your friends,

I am the Great Pumpkin,

Come dance with me.

ONCE I HAD A PUMPKIN
Tune: Did You Ever See a Lassie?

Once I had a pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin,

Once I had a pumpkin, with no face at all.

With no eyes and no nose, and no mouth and no teeth.

Once I had a pumpkin with no face at all.

So I made a jack-o-lantern, a jack-o-lantern, a jack-o-lantern,

So I made a jack-o-lantern, with a big funny face.

With big eyes and a big nose, and a big mouth with big teeth.

So I made a jack-o-lantern with a big funny face.

We're Gonna Make Some Halloween Stew
(Tune of Grandpa's Farm)
We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew
We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew

In our Halloween Stew we'll put a round orange pumpkin
In our Halloween Stew we'll put a round orange pumpkin
A pumpkin, we clean it out like this (scoop, scoop)!
A pumpkin, we clean it out like this (scoop, scoop!)

We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew
We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew

In our Halloween Stew we'll put a black furry bat
In our Halloween Stew we'll put a black furry bat
A bat, he flaps his wings like this (flap, flap!)
A bat, he flaps his wings like this (Flap, flap!)

We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew
We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew

In our Halloween Stew we'll put a warty green frog
In our Halloween Stew we'll put a warty green frog
A frog, he makes a sound like this (ribbit, ribbit!)
A frog, he makes a sound like this (ribbit, ribbit!)

We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew
We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew

In our Halloween Stew we'll put a white fluffy ghost
In our Halloween Stew we'll put a white fluffy ghost
A ghost, he makes a sound like this, (woo, woo!)
A ghost, he makes a sound like this, (wwo, woo!)

We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew
We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew

In our Halloween Stew we'll put a yummy sweet treat
In our Halloween Stew we'll put a yummy sweet treat
 A treat, it tastes a lot like this (yum, yum!)
A treat, it tastes a lot like this (yum, yum!)

We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew
We're gonna make, we're gonna make,
Gonna make some Halloween Stew!

Halloween Activities

Halloween Slime!

1 cup cornstarch

1 cup water

Green paint or food coloring

Mix together in a bowl or dish bin, and get 'slimed!'

Gooey Ghosts!

Glue ghost charms to have on necklaces or hang  in the window. Supplies needed are: squeeze bottles, white craft glue, wax paper, googly eyes and paperclips. Fill the squeeze bottles with glue. Children squeeze the glue out onto the wax paper in a ghostly blob. Then they can place their googly eyes. Have the child identify the "head" of the ghost and place one end of the paperclip in the head. When the glue is dry, peel off of the wax paper and string into a necklace. :)

Halloween Safety!

It’s almost dusk, the children look adorable in their sweet little costumes and you can’t wait to see their faces when they receive their first Trick or Treat! To ensure the evening remains a fun night, here are a few tips and the safety rules and expectations to go over with your little ghouls and goblins.

First here are a few helpful tips on ensuring they have a great head start on safety and spooky fun:

• Ensure your child is in a bright costume so others can see them. If their costume is dark in color, use reflective strips or have them carry a glow stick or bright flashlight.

• Ensure your child’s costume isn’t too long, tripping over it in excitement to rush to the next house can be a big hazard and bound to lead to the night getting cut short.

• Instead of masks, have your kids wear make-up so they can see where they are going. It’s more comfortable too! The masks build up sweat and condensation under it and guaranteed that your annoyed child will be ripping it off quickly. Make-up leads to happier trick or treaters.

• There’s a good chance (unless your child has a home-made costume) that other children are going to have the same or very similar costume and when it gets dark, distinguishing on ghoulish ghost, or cackling witch, from another can get difficult. A great thing to do is alter it in some obvious way to ensure you can see your child at all times. This can be anything from a specific design with reflectors on their back, or glow sticks sewn on the costume, anything that will quickly identify your child from the rest.

• Another tip for really little ones (under 3) is to put them in a stroller or wagon, not only will they last trick or treating longer, but it will also ensure they won’t get run over by bigger children zipping around.

And now the safety rules for the little ones!

• Review road safety rules such as, look both ways before crossing, stay on the sidewalk or close to the side of the road if there is no sidewalk, and use crosswalks when available.
  
• Remind them to watch for other people when hurrying from house to house. Bumps and falls can easily happen when there are groups of children running for candy! Keeping their head up and watch where they are going.
• Remind them to not eat the candy before you inspect it for safety.
  
• Here’s a little song that will easily remind them of the rules!

Trick or Treat

(Tune: I’m a little Teapot)

I am a trick or treater ready to go,

Here is my flashlight, I'll walk slow.

When I get all dressed up here me say,

‘Thank you for my treats today!’

I am so excited, ‘Trick or Treat!,"

I always look both ways across the street!

When I get my candy, can’t eat it, no, no

Until it’s check by people I know!

Toddlers, Preschoolers and Essential Social Skills!

Are you concerned about your toddler or preschoolers social skills?

Research suggests that a child’s social skills by age three could predict his or her future social and academic performance.*

Children with a head start on social skills and self-esteem are more likely to be able to focus on school work with out the distraction of peer conflicts and other social behavior problems.

Ask yourself these questions with regards to your child:

Do they have opportunities to build friendships, learn turn-taking and co-operation, effectively communicate with others, problem-solve, share, or recognize boundaries and social cues?

Do they have experiences in building self-esteem and independence, by successfully joining group play, learning self-control while gaining confidence in expressing their needs and wants to others?

The group childcare environment is the ideal learning space to build essential social skills that every child should be developing in their early years. Social skills are important in establishing the foundation of your child’s life experience!

Does your child know how to:

• Play effectively with others
• Build self-esteem in group situations
• Recognize peer boundaries, social cues and communication
• Successfully communicate their needs and wants to others in appropriate way
• Understand appropriate social behaviours – such as managing emotions and empathizing with others who are sad or angry, and learning how to react in these situations
• Discover leadership and following roles, determining group roles and co-operation
• Encounter sharing concepts – turn-taking and waiting, communicating and problem-solving
• Build peer friendships and determine which peers they will find connections with

Ensure that your child is receiving the upmost opportunities to build these important social skills and early learning! Ensure that your current childcare program is meeting these needs, ask:

• Do the programs and caregivers promote early social skills such as problem-solving, turn-taking and group play entry?
• How many children are in the group? Is this group large enough to create valuable group interactions such as building self-esteem in leadership roles, and discovering where they can contribute in group activities?
• Are the children the same peer age as my child? Does my child have daily interactions with children his/her own age to develop these social skills and important peer friendships and experience and manage peer conflict?
• Are there opportunities for my child to gain independence and discover self, as well as be involved in being a part of a group?
• Are they exposed to books and real situations everyday that teach them about peer social conflict situations and how to manage internal feelings, and problem-solve during these conflicts, resulting in a compromise or positive outcome?

• Our experienced educators provide these daily opportunities for your child to grow, learn and build upon all these essential social skills with their peers! We want your child to have these significant experiences! Our licensed childcare facilities provide developmentally age-appropriate programs, toys and equipment, educated caregivers, ensuring a safe and fun environment. Your child has the opportunity to play and create friendships with children their own age, be a part of co-operation activities and learn team-building skills, as well as learn self-esteem by leading groups or voicing their thoughts/ wants/ needs with in a group.

These are all fantastic skills to learn prior to the school years! Children will have team knowledge if their join sports. They will be more confident to stand in front of the class to present school projects because they have had experience voicing themselves in large groups and building the confidence to do so. They will be able to focus more on school work if they have good friendships and less peer conflicts. It’s really an endless list of positive outcomes when children learn early the social and emotional skills that will carry them throughout their lives!

Are you a stay at home parent?

Part-time care is a fantastic way to ensure your child gains important early learning and social skills. These opportunities are not ideally accessible in the home environment. Group care also offers experiences in following gentle routines, learning through play and building self-help skills, all while having fun with friends and our experienced staff!

*Michigan State University. "Childhood Social Skills Linked To Learning Abilities." ScienceDaily, 21 Jun. 2007. Web. 28 Sep. 2011.,

Is your child ready for Kindergarten?

If you have a Pre-K, you will probably be asking yourself many questions over the next year...

'Where will my child go to school?'
'Where's the best place to get school supplies?'
'How will I arrange transportation?'
'Who will my child be friends with?'

One very important question you should be asking:

'Is my child ready for kindergarten?'

Do they have the important skills that teachers want all their new students to have prior to entering their classroom?

• Does my child enjoy learning and discovering?
• Does my child have the opportunity for peer social interaction? Do they have opportunities to build friendships, learn turn-taking and co-operation, effectively communicate with others, problem-solve, share, or recognize boundaries and social cues?
• Do they have experiences in building self-esteem and independence, by successfully joining group play, learning self-control while gaining confidence in expressing their needs and wants to others?
• Are they having regular opportunities to sit in circle times? To listen and follow instructions for group games, to learn basic concepts such as days of the week, letters and numbers? Are they building confidence to stand up in front of a group and voice themselves?
• Has your child had enough experience being away from you all day, to cope with morning drop-off and sustaining independence throughout the day?
• Do they have regular experiences with fine-motor development?
• Can they effectively communicate with others?

Our qualified caregivers are educated and experienced in developing and implementing age-appropriate programs to ensure that your child has the best preparation when entering into kindergarten. We provide a fun and safe environment with ideal equipment and supplies to build these essential skills. We want to ensure that your child has the best Pre-K opportunities and experiences in our Daycare and Preschool Programs!

Preschoolers and Early Reading Skills – 5 Easy Activities!

How Can You Help Your Pre-K Learn to Read? Easy!

There are many activities you and your child can do together to build pre-reading skills. These are skills your child will need to learn prior to learning to read in their school years.

Here are 5 easy activities to do together:

• Reading out loud to them - ask them questions about the story and what’s happening. Encourage their involvement in telling the story. This activity builds vocabulary and language skills. Your child is learning new words and more ways to communicate about the world around them. When reading, run your finger across the words as you say them, to help your child understand that you are reading the printed words in the book, not the pictures.


• Ask you child ‘where else do you see words?’ Cereal boxes, road or store signs, flyers, grocery lists, etc.


• Sing phonics songs such as the ABC song or BINGO (try changing the words to use your child’s name as the letters ~ ‘There is a boy who is so sweet and ___ is his name-o…’)


• Try sound games such as rhyming or ‘starts with.’ For example, find an object in the room, what does it start with, what sound, what other things do we see that start with the same sound? Or rhyme with the object.


• Make a rhyming basket with several small objects, or pictures, that rhyme. For example: Have 10 objects in pairs that rhyme (tree/bee; boat/coat, etc) have your child find the matches that rhyme.

The most important key is to focus on fun, togetherness and quality time!

If it becomes a chore for either of you this process with not be a positive one and can be detrimental to their eagerness learn and to reach reading milestones. You want your child to love to do these activities, not dread them. Take the pressure off of you both by just enjoying the activities and forgetting about the need to make your child ‘ready’ for school.

With your support and gentle, positive encouragement, they will be. J

The Leaves are Falling Down!

Autumn is here and we couldn’t be more excited! The air is crisp, the morning is fresh, the cozy feeling has returned and the fall season is such an exciting time with children!

The temperature is not unbearably hot nor is it painfully cold, it’s the perfect time to spend a lot of time outside! We pull on sweaters, we search our drawers for matching socks, that have some how gotten lost over summer, and we head out into Autumn!

Everywhere we look the leaves are transforming into beautiful colours and falling to the ground, the perfect opportunity for a leaf-crunching walk around the neighbourhood or the local parks! The air chills noses and we breathe in deep, crisp air that refreshes and exhilarates us.

We wrap ourselves in warmth and indulge in the festive fall activities!

• Making homemade applesauce ~ Peel and slice apples. Place in saucepan with water and yummy spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves. Cook until apples mash easily. Use a potato masher to mash into sauce. Get a spoon and enjoy!
• Sit by the fireplace with a warm drink and read stories. Fall themed stories about Thanksgiving and Halloween. What great opportunities to talk about what we are thankful for or review Halloween Safety. (Look for up-and-coming blog regarding Halloween Safety)
• Rake up the leaves in the yard as the children jump into the piles! You too, go ahead, we won’t tell!
• Decorate the house with fall items such as acorns, cranberries, pinecones, pumpkins and leaves. Place fall scented potpourri or candles around the house, such as eucalyptus or pumpkin spice!
• Look at pictures of past Thanksgiving celebrations, write down all your family has to be thankful for this year.
• Create Halloween decorations to spook the neighbourhood on Halloween Night! A quick and easy craft to do is: get a tissue and either cotton balls or extra tissue balled up, place the ball in the centre of the open tissue, close up the open tissue around the ball and tie a string or twist tie around the ball and fluff up the excess tissue. Quick and easy tissue ghost! Make a few and hang them around the front of your house or trees (under cover is best to save them from the rain!) If you are concerned about them getting wet, re-use white grocery bags cut into small tissue –size squares.

Take in the season and really welcome it, the children will have warm and cozy memories to cherish as they get older and will look forward to the fall traditions you create as a family!