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