New Year’s Resolution: ‘Spend More Quality Time with My Child!’

Have you started this resolution yet?

Life gets busy. As parents we all want to slow down and spend more time with our children. It makes us feel good and it makes them feel good. It creates lasting memories and close relationships with each other.

However, we all know how busy life can be! Work, school, dinners, chores, baths, etc. It’s busy and it’s exhausting!

How do we create time and make this time priority on our list everyday? We make it easy!

Two things often prevent us from spending that time with our children:

1. Exhaustion
2. Busy, busy, busy (checking off to-do lists!)

Exhaustion

You may be feeling like you just want to relax at the end of your day! Not run around playing hide and seek. Well, surprisingly, children enjoy that down time too! It doesn’t matter what you do, it doesn’t have to be a big, thought out project and it doesn’t mean packing up and going out to the park or the pool.

Busy, busy, busy!

I know that some of you are saying, ‘I have too much to do! I can’t sit and play cars or build blocks, or play store. I need to get things done!’ Fair enough, the time for a parent is not enough and the list is always way too long.

So how do you compromise? How do you accomplish tasks or relax and not miss out on precious time with your child?

Let’s figure out how you can be together without exerting a ton of energy that you just don’t have, or delaying things on your list that will take your focus away from enjoying any other activity with your child.

No energy?

Find some things to do that you can sit down and not have to pour a lot of preparation and planning into…

• Sit and read stories, or have your child read to you
• Cuddle together and watch a show or a movie
• Cuddle and talk! Talk about the day – likes/ dislikes. Talk about what you want to do tomorrow. Talk about anything!
• Do a puzzle with a cup of tea and a snack
• Create a sticker book! So fun! (we use a binder with those plastic protectors, then we put stickers on colored paper and just slide them in!)
• Color! Easy, easy, easy!
• Look through cookbooks and sticky note the recipes you want to try together

What’s on your list?

Tasks can easily incorporate your child’s assistance and company if you think creatively about how to do it! It’s also a lot more fun to do together, it gets done faster, sometimes, and your children love being with you, regardless of what you are doing, if it’s together and you are having fun doing it, they will love it and you will to when you realize just how much time you can spend together! Children love to help!

• If the dishes really can’t wait? Let your child stand on a chair and rinse the dishes, or help unload the dishwasher and place things on the counter.
  
• Doing laundry? Children are great at putting clothes in front loading washers, they enjoy putting the soap in the dispenser and pushing the start button. Children can also easily fold face clothes and tea towels (it doesn’t matter if they are not perfectly folded)
  
• Writing out Thank You notes or birthday cards? Bring out the markers and paper and let you child create their own thank you notes!
  
• Need to mail bill payments? Go for a walk to the mailbox together
  
• Making lunches for the next day? Children can help with this! They can pick out fruit to add to each lunch kit, spreading peanut butter on bread, adding juice boxes, etc. Even toddlers can be involved by using step by step instructions (find an apple, pick it up, put it in!)
  
• Getting coffee ready on the timer for the morning? Children love to scoop and pour the coffee grinds
  
• Grocery shopping? Preschool children love to ‘Spy’ the next item! (We are looking for…. Let’s see who can spy them first!)
  
• Dusting? Put on some tunes and slide some socks onto your child’s hands, easy way for them to help with the dusting! Especially those awkwardly low baseboards!

When you make spending time with your child the focus, you will realize how to easily make quality time together a priority! And soon you will wonder how you ever did anything without them! And you will look forward to that down time when you can relax and reconnect with each other after a busy day or week.

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!

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.

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.,