Should my toddler attend a preschool program?

Preschool Planning




The Children's Learning Center

                                     

By Meghan

Blog 1: Should my child attend a toddler preschool program?

February 28, 2011

When my daughter was born one of the first things my family discussed was the year she would graduate from college. After some calculations about the year she would meet the age requirement for first grade and years of schooling necessary to complete college, we concluded she would be in the Class of ’31! That seemed impossibly far into the future. There would be plenty of time to plan everything.

My husband and I had already made the decision that we wanted her to attend Seton Hill University Preschool. Since it is located on the university campus there will be many unique educational opportunities.

We thought it was too early to enroll her at birth. When she was about three months old I called for information about the program. Surprise! The class she would attend as a three and four year old, class of 2013, was almost full. We sent a deposit to enroll her, and decided to take a more aggressive approach in planning her preschool education before the age of three.

This fall my daughter will be of the appropriate age to attend a two year old toddler program. There is the option to just wait until 2013 to start the educationally centered program at Seton Hill University, but since that is two years from now should she just play at home? She is an only child, and being home does not seem to be the best choice.

Gathering information on early childhood learning seemed to be a place to begin. Early childhood experts including Jean Piaget have determined that there is an ideal age for age specific types of learning to take place. The toddler years just are as vital to the educational development of a child as any other year. Maria Montessori studies of early childhood indicate that there is a best time to learn each skill. It is a “method of seeing children as they really are and of creating environments which foster the fulfillment of their highest potential - spiritual, emotional, physical, and intellectual - as members of a family, the world community and the Cosmos. “ The correct program for the individual child can be a great beginning to education outside of the home.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, preschool plays a large role in later academic success. "Children in high quality preschools display better language, cognitive, and social skills than children who attend low quality programs.”  In an article on how to select a preschool Danielle Wood States ," They have longer attention spans, stronger social abilities, and better language and math skills well into their elementary school careers. In fact, 20 or 30 odd years after they've put down their wooden blocks and stepped away from the sand table, they're still reaping the benefits – they're more likely to graduate from high school, more likely to hold high paying jobs, even more likely to own their own house.

Of course I expect my daughter to have a high school and even a college diploma. I hope she will have a rewarding career, and a house of her own. So I want to help her achieve this goal any way possible. A good program for a toddler seems a way to start.

My daughter needs to be in a quality program that will allow her to:

• develop independence
• learn in a way appropriate for her age
• adapt to a classroom setting
•  Interact with children her age.

I am investigating types of programs and how to choose one. This information will be in my next blog. Of course there are the practical considerations - location, schedule and cost to consider in this research. Personal experiences and information from other parents who have already made or are making this choice for their two year old children will be also invaluable. If you have any ideas please share them with me.

Next Post - March 7, 2011

 

From the Pro

Hello all,

 Since I last posted I tried the “lying” to my daughter about the fish, but she got freaked out and wouldn’t flush the toilet when she went potty because “ats groooss”.  So I sat her down and had a stern but loving talk with her and it has been better. Hopefully it will last.  As I promised I did the interview with the psychologist, John Dittmar, who has his masters in education, is a licensed therapist, and is a PhD Candidate.

Here is what I got…

1. What is your take on a child in the potty training phase of life?

    Dittmar:    This period of life for a child is a dilemma because they are trying to find their independence and defining themselves as separate from their parents.  Independence comes from competence, so to complete this it requires dependence.

2. What is your advice to a parent and the child while potty training?

    Dittmar:  Don’t wait too long…a lot of people say “they will do it on their own”, however a parent should   provide encouragement for the child and at least get them acquainted with the idea.  Also, praise the child when they do use the potty.  Let the child feel like they have a sense of control, but intervene if it is taking too long to begin the potty training process.

3. What age should a child start the process?

    Dittmar:  By the end of the 2^nd year a child should be engaged in potty training.

4. How should a parent handle an accident after the process is well on its way?

     Dittmar:     -Encourage positive attention

           -Make the child be independent (cleaning his/herself off and changing their own clothes), by doing this it sends a message of less pleasurable attention because they have to clean up after themselves.  Let them know that if they need help you will assist, but don’t do it for them.  When it is all said and done, make sure to give the child positive attention.

           -Don’t give negative attention when accidents happen, because it reinforces the idea that some attention is better than none.

PATEINCE IS THE KEY, REMEMBER ONE DAY IT WILL ALL BE OVER J

I hope you enjoyed the advice and will check out my next blog on March 11^th when we will touch base on the infamous temper tantrums.

Alisha O.

TEENS BEHIND THE WHEEL

By:  Tina

As my son’s 16^th birthday rapidly approaches, I must admit that the thought of him obtaining his driver’s license concerns me.  I am not so much concerned with his driving ability, I am more concerned with how easily teenagers can be distracted while driving a car and the fatalities that are directly related to those distractions.  I did some research on the statistics relating to motor vehicle crashes involving teens and I felt it was important to share this information with teenagers as well as parents. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for US teens.  In 2009, approximately 3,000 teenagers, ages 15-19, were killed in the US and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents.  With these alarming numbers, I decided to share some tips on how teenagers can be safe drivers:

• Take part in a Comprehensive Graduated Drivers Licensing Program.  You can learn more information on this program by visiting http://driversed.com/dmv/Pennsylvania-Graduated-Drivers-License-GDL.aspx, or take a moment to view the attached video from Allstate Insurance.    

   

• Be aware of dangerous or hazardous situations.
• Allow appropriate stopping distance.
• Do not allow passengers to influence the speed in which you drive.
• Get in the habit of wearing a seat belt.  When properly used, seat belts reduce the number of serious traffic injuries by 50 percent and fatalities by 60-70 percent.
• Do not drink and drive.  Become a designated driver and protect yourself and your friends.
• Do not talk on the phone or text while driving.  If you absolutely must make a phone call or send a text, pull off of the road to a safe area.

As parents we must realize that driving is a natural step toward adulthood.  This can be an enjoyable time for parents as well as teens if we remember that while we are making our teens happy, we are also keeping them safe.  Here are some tips for parents:

• Talk to your teen about vehicle accidents.  
• Go over the basics of safe driving with your teen.  Make them repeat the basics over and over until they can recite it in their sleep.  The more it is repeated, the quicker they will remember and respond if needed.  
• Remind your teen of your driving standards and expectations and stick to them. 
• Encourage your teen to call home upon arriving at their destination as well as before departing. 
• Make sure your teenager is aware of the driving restrictions imposed upon teen drivers.  You can find more information on this topic by visiting: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/young_drivers/young_driver_faq.shtml#Q16.

I hope this information will be helpful to teens as well as parents as you face the task of learning to drive and learning to be a safe and responsible young adult.

References:

1.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

        http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Teen_Drivers/teendrivers-factsheet.html        

        [Cited: October 18, 2010]  Retrieved: February 6, 2011.

2.  Graduated Driver Licensing Laws Video. 

         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwj_U953JZ8        

         [Published: June 18, 2008]  Retrieved: February 16, 2011.

3.  James Madison University.

        http://www.jmu.edu/safetyplan/vehicle/generaldriver/safetybelt.shtml        

        [Cited:  October 21, 2004]  Retrieved: February 4, 2011.

Breakfast. The most imporant meal of the day

Mornings! What a concept. We rush around trying to get ready for our day, our child’s day and be sure the whole family is out the door on time. There is one thing that is missed in our hectic mornings, Breakfast.



Breakfast is to be said the most important meal of the day. There have been studies that children who eat breakfast have higher test scores, less sick days missed, decreases the snacking throughout the day and an all around happier child.

Children no matter what age learn from us as parents. If your child watches you running around with only a cup of coffee for breakfast, why should they want to eat breakfast either? We as parents need to be role models for our children’s nutrition. What better way to do this then to have breakfast ourselves. We do not have to sit down and have a four course homemade breakfast, there are many things that are on the market that can be made easily, quickly and can still be nutritious.



Some things to look for when making good breakfast decisions are whole grains, protein, and not too much sugar. Whole grains are found in cereals, bread and rice. Whole grains provide energy to help stay active, provide nutrients for vital health and body maintence of our bodies. They also have fiber, which not only keeps children fuller longer but also will keep their digestive tract regular. Proteins help our body’s cell to grow and survive. Sugars also provide energy for children but very little minerals and vitamins. Too much sugar can lead to childhood obesity.



Some good examples of fast, nutritious breakfast are smoothies, frozen whole grain waffles, whole wheat toast with peanut butter, whole grain toasted bagel with cream cheese and whole grain cereal served with milk.

Smoothies can be made in the morning, the night before or at the beginning of the week and pour out a serving as needed. Fresh fruit and milk are all that are needed to make delicious smoothie. Bananas, blueberries, strawberries, mango or any other fruit of your choice makes an excellent smoothie blended with milk. Frozen waffles are easily popped into the toaster and can be a breakfast that can be eaten on the run when topped with flavored cream cheese, peanut butter or apple slices. Whole wheat toast or bagels are another on the run meal that can be held in the children’s hand. It can also be topped with peanut butter, flavored cream cheese, apple slices, banana slices or raisins. Whole grain cereal is the go to easy breakfast when topped with milk and fruit on the side. It is a fulfilling nutritious breakfast.



Remember children learn from watching us so we can eat the same easy to go breakfast that they can. It is a win-win situation. Good luck and enjoy that breakfast!!

Some good recipes can be found

http://www.parentsconnect.com/parenting/quick-breakfast-recipes.html

http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/healthy-eating/10-easy-healthy-kids-breakfast-recipes-pancake-smoothies/




Submited By: Christina C

WELCOME FRIENDS

Hi blog friends. Thank you for visiting our blog. As part of an Advanced Composition College Course myself and others, with similar interests, were required to create and maintain a blog for the semester. With that said, I am part of a group of mothers with children of all ages. My group consists of six members each with their own topic(s) related to the age of their children. Our goal is to cover many different aspects of parenting focusing on various age groups. The name of our blog From Diapers to Diplomas really sums it up. Some of the topics that the group will cover are: Potty Training, Toddler Nutrition, Sibling Rivalry, Behavior, and the challenges of both teenagers and parents during the teenage years. As you can see we will cover a vast age group from toddlers to teenagers.

I have two children, both boys. My oldest son is 24 years old and my youngest son is 15 years old so I decided to write about the teenage years. There are so many changes that children go through as they approach the teenage years and as a parent you have to accept that your child is maturing and growing into a young adult. It is our job as parents to help our children through those very confusing years. I have learned not to think of the teenage years as an ordeal but rather an experience. It is best to stay involved with your teenager and keep the lines of communication open. It is also very important to talk to your teen about drugs and alcohol, sex, and peer pressure. Parents need to set good examples by “Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk.” A parent’s influence runs deeper than you may think. If you have a solid set of core values, chances are your teenager will hang out with friends whose families share similar values.

It is a little frightening to watch your baby grow up and become independent. Not frightening in the sense that it is a terrifying or intimidating experience, rather, frightening in the sense that it can be difficult for parents to accept the fact that your little baby no longer needs to hold your hand when crossing the street. It is also frightening to accept the truth of your child maturing into a young adult. New found relationships, learning to drive, entering the workforce, and preparing for college are all issues that will need to be dealt with during these critical years. Reality is that the teenage years are all about our children finding their own identities. Yes friends, we have to let our children spread their wings and fly. I like to think of a baby bird learning to fly. Day after day the baby bird tries to fly and then one day like magic, there it goes, soaring like an eagle. Did you ever notice that the mother bird is not far away when the baby is learning to fly? That is exactly the type of nuturing a teenager needs. As parents we have to give them space but not too much.

My goal is to offer information that will be useful for raising successful teenagers and help to alleviate some of the stress that goes along with it. I hope you will visit this blog often and feel comfortable adding your comments.

Submitted by: Tina

Potty Training

My daughter and I are 27 days on a good streak without any accidents and I think to myself “WOW! This is it, we are officially potty trained!!! YAY!!!” and the very next day we are back at square one.  We have been doing this since she was about 18 months old, and she is 3 years old now.  I understood and expected that when her baby brother came along she would feel jealous and think that she had to be a “baby” as well to get mommy’s attention.  That was over a year ago though and some days I wonder if maybe we shouldn’t go back to the pull ups?  I get so frustrated and mad and sometimes I just don’t know what to do.  Sometimes it gets to the point where I want to rip my hair out and cry. Especially when we just got to the grocery store and I don’t have a spare change of clothes, so we end up driving all the way home or I have to just buy her a new outfit.  It is not that she doesn’t know when to go or how to go, but sometimes it seems as if she is doing it to make me mad or maybe she is just being lazy.  I think the only thing that has kept me from loosing my mind is because I keep reassuring myself that someday this will all be over (until it’s her brothers turn).   I’m sure that many of you have these similar potty training problems as well, so I started digging for information on how to help our frazzled and frustrated nerves and I narrowed it down to a top 5.

1.      Rewards -give the child an M&M or some form of treat for going potty…I tried this but after awhile my daughter would pretend she had to pee in order to get more candy…so I switched to stickers and it worked…for awhile.

2.      Frequency -putting your child on a timer and sticking to it.  I tried this one as well, but it is hard to watch the clock for every 20 minutes when you are a parent of two, go to work, school, and run a household.

3.      Carrying a potty lid for public toilets so your little one isn’t as scared to use it -never tried that, she isn’t afraid of the potty just doesn’t use it all of the time.

4.      Lying-(this one is probably my favorite, I didn’t try it yet but I will soon) I read that one mother told her son that when he pooped it would go to the fish and they would eat it, and if he didn’t go then the fish wouldn’t get to eat, and it apparently worked.

5.      The most helpful tip is PATIENCE!  Which is sometimes easier said then done, but all we can do is wait.

Stay tuned for my next blog which will be posted on February 25, where I will post an interview with a child psychiatrist and find out what he thinks will help with the potty training.

For more tips go to http://www.parents.com/ where they elaborate on the potty tips, also check out http://www.huggies.com/ for free information and coupons (who doesn’t like coupons).

Alisha O.