Physical readiness for kindergarten

A child needs to feel independent physically before he is ready to be left alone in a new and strange environment.

• Can your child walk by his/her own?
• Can your child wash his/her hands and eat independently?
• Is your child able to take off and put on outer clothing?
• Will your child be able to indicated that he/she needs to go to the toilet and do so independently?

If your child is not able to do any of these activities, he/she may first need some home training. A child on a wheelchair may need to be taught modified ways of doing self care activities and also trained in using the wheelchair before he is ready to attend kindergarten independently.

Kindergarten social interaction and communication

Many children find it difficult to cope with the social and communication demands faced at kindergarten. Children who don’t have siblings often find it difficult to cope with other children. They find it difficult to share toys, attention and opportunities. Some children who have not developed language skills may find it difficult to express their needs or emotions, and this can be the cause for some behavior problems. Other children find it difficult to stay for long periods of time without their parents , but children usually cope with it in a couple of weeks or so. Children therefore need to be given opportunities to play and meet other children before beings ready for kindergarten. They also need to learn ways to communicate their basic needs to adults.

Preparing a child for kindergarten

Preparing a child for kindergarten usually involves helping a child to be independent in basic self care, and also helping a child cope with social demands of preschool. Giving opportunities to children to play with other children helps develop social skills and helps them cope better at kindergarten. Talk to children about kindergarten and present it to them as a fun and exciting new thing that is going to happen in their life This helps them build a positive attitude towards kindergarten. Shopping for bags,clothes and stationery can also help children look forward to kindergarten.

Supporting your child in kindergarten

Children need a lot of support to help them cope with changes in their life, like the first few months of kindergarten. To help them through this, parents can help by picking up children and dropping them in school. Another approach is to be interactive and interested in the daily activities – ask your child to show the art work or other projects they have done during the day and to put it up in the home where everyone can see it. Parents should talk to the teacher to find
out more about how the child is doing in class. In this way the child knows that they are being monitored and have not bee abandoned in kindergarten.

]]> http://childcarefinders.org/kindergarten-readiness-is-your-child-ready-for-kindergaten.htm/feed 0 http://childcarefinders.org/maths-for-kindergarten-kids.htm http://childcarefinders.org/maths-for-kindergarten-kids.htm#comments Sat, 11 Dec 2010 17:03:49 +0000 Christine http://www.kindergartenparents.com/?p=9 Kindergarten is a time when children build up the basic math skills that they need for life. These skills can be taught in a fun and enjoyable way. Developing math skills at this point can have a profound effect on how a child deals with maths and related subjects, and even impact on career choices in early adulthood.

Early Math Skills

Counting and Sorting

Children in kindergarten start learning math skills long before they are introduced to numbers. There are many other skills which help children understand the concepts of numbers and quantity, and this is essential for them to understand and work with numbers. Counting is the ability to count a number of objects correctly.

Sorting objects depending on their characteristics is one of the foundational math skills. Initially children learn sorting based on one characteristic and then they can be taught to sort and work with objects of various characteristics. Once children are able to do sorting, they are taught to match two similar objects.

Colors and Shapes

The understanding of colors and shapes and associating of the names to the color or shape is one of the early skills that children learn. This too has a role in building a good foundation for math. Colors and shapes can be taught with a wide range of hands on activities, including art and craft activities.

Size

The concept of size involves understanding small and big, smaller and bigger and also arranging objects in ascending and descending order of size. This helps children learn to compare the size of different objects, which will further help them understand the way numbers are used.

Patterning

Making patterns help children learn to work with numbers even before they learn numbers. It teaches them sequencing and order to arrange and even the fundamentals of geometry. In this way, children can learn to make more complex patterns, and practice working with numbers of different quantities.

Number identification

Number identification is basically the ability to look at the written form of a number and being able to say what number it is. Children pick up this skill early, but they usually need more time to understand the relevance of a number. When combined with other activities, a child can quickly move from just calling out a number to being able to work with it in everyday practical terms.

Rote counting

Rote counting is the ability to say numbers in order from memory. Children usually pick this up through games and other activities that they play at kindergarten. This does not mean that a child will fully understand that successive numbers increase in quantity and vice versa, but it is an indication of their ability to memorize and recall number-related information.

Number concept

Number concept is an understanding of how many objects are in a number. This is sometimes more difficult for a child because it is the bridging the gap between identifying numbers and actually putting basic math skills, like counting, into practice. A variety of hands on activities can be introduced to help children practice and develop this skill.

Teaching math to kindergarten children

The basic math skills are actually very few, but need a lot of practice. The more a child gets the opportunity to practice skills and work with quantities and numbers, the better their math foundation. A lot of hands on activities can be used to practice skills. The way a child learns to deal with any new or existing activity will determine their long term association and comfort with the subject matter. With math being the cornerstone of most skilled activities, teaching it in a manner that is fun yet constructive can have a host of effects on the child, adolescent and even adult.

Games for physical development

Races and running games, trampolines, skipping, hopscotch and other sports are all games that help develop physical skills. At kindergarten children further develop their balance and coordination skills.

They learn to skip, jump and hop.

Children also love games like obstacle courses and climbing games as these help children understand more about their bodies and their physical abilities. Thus it is essential that kindergarten children are given opportunities for various kinds of physical activities every day.

Games for development of social skills

Games provide an opportunity for children to learn social skills. Taking turns in games and giving other kids a turn teaches a child to be patient, share and be considerate of others. Team games help children understand the meaning of working in a group or team together for a common goal. When children are paired together as partners for games, they learn to communicate and work with others. All these skills are very essential for children to handle social situations.

In addition to this, games also help develop language and communication skills. Children need to listen to instructions and follow them. Games are a fun and enjoyable way of helping children develop a wide array of social skills.

Games for development of fine motor skills

A lot of board games help children develop fine coordination and fine motor skills. Handling small pieces and moving them require good eye hand coordination. Games like puzzles, building blocks and pick-up sticks also help develop fine coordination.

Games for development of cognitive skills

Most games help develop some aspect of cognitive skills. Games are a great way to help develop attention and concentration skills as well as problem solving, and memory skills. Memory games, chess, puzzles and quizzes are great ways to develop these cognitive skills.

Games for development of other academic skills

Games can also be used to develop various academic skills. Colors, numbers, and vocabulary can be introduced through different games. Games can also be used to practice skills taught to the child. Dice games help a child improve their number skills.

Memory card games help a child develop vocabulary. A lot of other puzzles and games are available that help children to learn alphabets and words. Teachers can also create their own group games that can be played in the classroom to learn or practice skills.

• Polar Express

When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. Rated G. (Recommended for ages 3+)

• Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

This classic made-for-TV Christmas movie premiered in 1964 and it’s been delighting generations of kids ever since. It tells the story of Rudolph, a reindeer with a nose that lights up. He’s looking for a place where he belongs. Special guest appearances by the Abominable Snowman and the misfit toys make this movie extra-special.

• Frosty The Snowman

An animated cartoon about Frosty the snowman, who springs to life when the children place a magic hat upon his head. We all know the song, “Frosty the Snowman,” and the upbeat wintery feeling it brings. This wonderful favorite is available on the same DVD as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” (Ages 2+)

• Home Alone

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left home alone by his family while they fly off to France for Christmas vacation. Kevin loves his freedom, delightedly gorging himself on sweets and staying up late — until he is forced to defend his home from a team of burglars. But Kevin learns that self-defense can be fun too, as he goes about flying to defeat the bumbling thieves. Rated PG. Recommended for kids 8+ (There are a couple of instances of bad language and several scenes involving slapstick violence.)

• Mickey’s Christmas Carol

The DVD Classic Cartoon Favorites, Vol. 9 – Classic Holiday Stories contains several classic animated Disney Christmas holiday shows, including “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” Honestly, there will never be another adaptation of A Christmas Carol that will ever compare to this one. In this delightful version of the story, Scrooge McDuck learns about the meaning of Christmas from the three Christmas Spirits and makes Bob Cratchit (Mickey) his partner. The film is the perfect length for families, without leaving out any of the important elements of the story. I can’t let a Christmas go by that our family doesn’t watch this one several times. (recommended for all ages) Rated G.

• Miracle on 34th Street

Kris Kringle–unbeknownst to cynical, market-minded adults, the real Santa Claus–is hired to play himself at Macy’s Department Store, New York City. He finds himself in a situation where he must convince an unbelieving little girl, and others, that he is the real Santa. NR (Ages 5+)

Each year, hospital emergency rooms treat about 8,100 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts, and shocks related to holiday lights, decorations, and Christmas trees. In addition, Christmas trees are involved in more than 400 fires annually, resulting in 30 deaths, 90 injuries, and an average of more than $17 million in property loss and damage.

Have a safe and happy holiday season by following these safety tips.

Child Care Christmas Safety Tips

Trees

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green; needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights

• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples, not nails or tacks, to hold strings in place. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• For added electric-shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold. GFCIs can be installed permanently to household circuits by a qualified electrician.

Decorations

• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.” Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Fireplaces

• Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

To feel secure in care, your child needs to develop an emotional attachment to the adults who care for him or her. For this reason it is important to try and maintain continuity of care and to avoid changing carers more than once a year. Younger children will benefit from even longer relationships, so try and keep this in mind when you choose your care provider.

The relationship between your child and his or her carer is an important one for ensuring the success of the child care arrangement. Rest assured, however, that quality care is no substitute for the value of your primary parent-child bond and you should not worry about being ‘replaced’.

Things to Consider When Choosing Child Care

• There should be a good match between your child’s temperament and needs and the carers ability to meet them
• Look for small numbers of children to carers. For pre-school children, it’s ideal to have no more than four children to one carer although this is not always achievable
• Look for a carer with the potential to develop a continuous, strong and positive relationship with your child
• Make sure staff have been trained in health, safety (CPR) and child development

These rules apply no matter whether you choose a nanny, an au pair, an in-home carer, family day care, long day care centre, a pre-school, or a nanny share arrangement. The priority is to ensure your child receives quality, professional child care which accommodates their needs and helps you meet your professional commitments.

All of the child care options available have pros and cons and you’ll need to weigh them up against your family’s requirements to ensure you put your child in the best type of care.

Author of The Working Mother’s Guide to Life: Strategies, Secrets, and Solutions, Ms Linda Mason has done a lot of research in to this subject and after conducting numerous interviews with working parents has shown that it is possible to have a rich and vibrant family culture even when both parents are working.

‘A strong family is one with a deeply felt connection, a sense of belonging and security, and unconditional love. The sense of family is defined by values and connections, not by any particular configuration of individual roles’, she writes.

In her book Ms Mason encourages parents to continuously share their professional world and working life with their children. She says that taking your children to your workplace to see where you work and meet your colleagues will make the whole thing seem more real to them.

‘When we take our children to our workplace, tell them stories about lunchtime and company outings, and explain what we actually do throughout the day, it helps our children shape views of what they want to be when they grow up. They will also be proud of our achievements when they have a better understanding of what we do for work’, she says.

Ms Mason suggests in her book that it’s possible to create a balance between working life and home life by helping children understand that work is a natural part of life and by cultivating a rich and strong family life for the times when everyone is home together.

She says that families can achieve this by intentionally creating a unique set of rituals and traditions which are easy and fun to do on a regular basis and which everyone can get involved with. Some ideas include playing a favourite song before everyone leaves the house in the morning, walking the dog after dinner, Sunday brunch, Saturday cuddles in bed and/or reading a favourite book before bed.

In addition to the family rituals, Ms Mason says it is very important for family members to make the most of the time they have together, even with the competing pressure of work.

‘In the eyes of children, it’s the little things that count the most: the hugs, the conversations, playing together, listening to your child play an instrument, singing a song together or reading a book’, she says.

Ms Mason says for families with working parents it is especially important to share feelings and to be intimate and honest with your children. She says this fosters an open environment which encourages constant communication and allows children to develop a broad range of emotional responses to the things they experience in the world.

‘Sharing life stories, personal interests, and relaxed time with our children can help us appear real and accessible to them. Through this, we create a bond with our child that is based on intimacy and honesty’, she says.

As a final suggestion for creating a strong family culture Ms Mason advises parents to create intimate family spaces which are cozy and inviting for children. This has the two fold benefit of providing your children with a snuggly nook where they can go and read a book or do some drawing as well as a place you can go to share these moments with your children.

‘However we choose to create a strong family culture – inventing unique family rituals, continuous verbal family bonding, or designing intimate family settings – the real values lie in the focused family time spent together. Such occasions will develop into cherished family moments for everyone’, says Ms Mason.

Steve Biddulph, Australia’s leading family therapist and author of Raising Boys [Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1998] says that understanding the gender differences created by male hormones should be handled in practical ways to help boys be more confident, capable and caring. He outlines some common problems and ways to manage them.

Tips For Raising A Boy

Slower Brain Development

As boys tend to have slower brain development, their motor skills are not as advanced as girls. That means in the early years, boys have difficulty using their fingers carefully, affecting the ability to hold a pencil or scissors. This in turn will have an impact on their learning abilities in school. Biddulph suggests delaying first grade for boys for up to a year so that they can pick up pen-and-paper skills during that time.
Hyperactivity

Boys have bursts of energy that have to be released. So they run about and shout quite a fair bit. These activities are also their way of masking their anxiety. That’s why it’s important to give them ample physical space to zoom around. Parents can also encourage their boys to take up sports to put that energy into good use. Plus, involvement in sports also helps boys to build character, leadership skills and team spirit. Additionally, sports are fun and come with lots of health benefits!

Separation Anxiety

Some parents mistakenly think that boys should be tougher, and therefore shouldn’t be given too much attention. The opposite is true. Small boys are actually more prone to separation anxiety than girls do. Biddulph suggests that parents delay leaving their sons in the care of others, for instance childcare centres, until they are at least three years old. Parents should also shower them with as much attention as they do with their daughters.
Inclination to Act without Thinking

Act first, think and face the consequences later. This seems to be the mantra of many boys. As a result, boys generally get into trouble more often than girls. It takes very little to trigger fights – often physical fights – between boys. The best approach is to talk to them in a calm and friendly tone about harmonious ways to solve conflicts.
More Physical Strength and Muscular Body

As boys grow older, their bodies become more muscular and they get stronger physically. Some of them don’t know their own strength and may unintentionally hurt others while playing. Spend some time to teach them not to hit others deliberately.

Sex and Aggression

This is an issue many parents dread but need to address, particularly when their sons reach puberty. Explain to them the differences between liking, loving and lusting. Teach them to be respectful of girls and women. Avoid berating them if they are caught reading or watching pornographic materials. Instead, try talking about erotica that depicts healthy and meaningful relationships between men and women.
What Mum and Dad can Do
Mothers are the ideal people to teach their sons about women and what qualities women look for in a man – kindness, sense of humour and loving attitude. A mother should also try to encourage a closer tie between her sons and their father.

Fathers too have an important role in their sons’ lives. Boys tend to imitate their fathers. So be a good role model. A father who has a loving relationship with the boy’s mother will invariably make the boy want to have that too when he grows up. Be firm and set rules and limits for the boy but avoid hitting or frightening him even if he’s done something wrong and deserves to be punished.

Parents who understand why their boys behave the way they do are likely to teach them to cope with their problems more optimistically. The results – self-assured, well-balanced and happy men – are certainly worth the effort.

When To Baby Proof

Some parents start baby proofing their household as soon as they find out they are expecting a child. This is perfectly fine and keeps you ahead of the loop, ensuring you are prepared well ahead of time.

However if you are too busy with other preparations for the baby and have not had the chance to baby proof your home, don’t panic. During the first couple of months after the baby is born, the child will still be confined to its crib or bassinet. Use this time for baby proofing so by the time the baby is crawling, your work will be done.

How To Baby Proof The House

Once you have found the time to baby proof your house, it is important you get right to it so you can ensure your new born is very safe when you bring them into your home.

• Start by thinking from the perspective of a crawling baby. This means you must place yourself at the level of your baby and look at objects, appliances, cupboard doors etc from that level and see what your infant is capable of hurting themselves with. As your child grows, you will have to keep making changes to the baby proofing to keep up with your child’s height growth and reach capabilities.
• Once you have identified possible danger sports for the child, star by baby proofing the house with outlet covers. Children often love to stick their fingers into power outlets and this is very dangerous. Baby proof your home by covering these outlets properly.
• Furniture needs to be well taken care off too as toddlers use furniture as support, especially when they are trying to learn how to stand up and walk. Baby proof your furniture by ensuring it is firmly bolted to walls, and in some cases, even to the floor. This way when the child uses the furniture for support, there is no chance of the furniture toppling over.
• If your home has stairs, especially if they are within the house, you must consider installing a baby gate so your child cannot easily go down the stairs. A baby proof gate reduces the risk of your infant falling down the stairs.
• A common sense way to baby proof your house is to keep all small objects out of reach of the infant. Little children love to put objects in their mouth and by keeping these objects away from them, you are successfully baby proofing your house.
• You must also ensure you install appropriate baby proofing clasps on fridge doors and cupboard doors so the baby does not get their finger jammed on one of these.

These are just some of the ways in which you can baby proof your home. Keep thinking from your child’s level and you might spot objects that are potentially dangerous and hence that will require baby proofing too.

Baby Name Ideas

Choosing a baby name is definitely not the easiest thing in the world so where should you start your baby name search?

• Would you like a unique name for a baby or would you prefer a name that is popular? Once you have answered this question, it will give you some sort of direction. A child with a popular name might share their name with hundreds of other kids which can help them easily fit in and make friends. On the other hand, a more unusual name gives the child a unique identity and makes them feel special. However, an unusual baby name can also mean a child may feel singled out. Choose carefully.
• Culture, nationality and religion often dictate a name for babies. Depending on your background, you might veer towards certain names and this could be a good starting point to help you in choosing baby names.
• Parents often name their babies after family members or friends and this might be a baby name consideration for you as well. For example, you might choose to name your baby after your grandparents, parents or even aunts and uncles. Certain names are very popular within a family and this could help you in choosing a baby name as well.
• If you are truly striving for unique, you always have the option of making up your own name. However, be sure that it does not sound silly. Parents often make new names by combing two existing names.
• In certain cultures, names have meanings and you might want to take this into consideration to help you choose baby name.

Names Of Babies – Considerations

While coming up a name for babies, you must keep certain factors in mind to ensure your child does not grow up hating their name.

• It is important to consider where you will be living. Some cultures have very complicated and hard to pronounce names. However outside of this culture, others might find it hard to pronounce your child’s name. If your child will be growing up in a place different from your culture, you must consider this and not single them out with a difficult name.
• When naming your child, consider if it is possible in any way to twist the name so it sounds funny or obscene. Sadly children can be mean and if your child has a funny name they may find it very hard to deal with.
• While uniqueness is nice, it is important to ensure your child’s name is easy to pronounce. Nobody likes growing up with a name that everyone is always mispronouncing so it is better to pick something that everyone can easily pronounce.
• Also, ensure that your child’s name and last name go together. Unpleasant name combinations should be avoided.

Naming a baby is a huge responsibility so think about long and hard before picking a baby name for your child.

References:

1. Top 10 Hints on Naming Your Baby – Baby Naming

Pre-Delivery Steps to Avoid Sibling Jealousy

• Tell your child that you are expecting a baby before he or she hears it from another family member. Introducing the new baby idea early allows time for your child to accept it.
• Let your child know that Mommy’s stomach is going to grow big, that she will be tired and will need to rest, that one day she’ll go to hospital to deliver the baby, and even details like where the baby is growing. Keeping a child involved reduces chances of sibling jealousy later.
• If there are changes to be made, make them before introducing the new baby or the older child will feel displaced. If your toddler has to be potty trained, weaned from breast feeding, or has to join childcare for a few hours, start it during the pregnancy months itself.
• Changes such as redecorating or moving a child to a new bedroom to make place for the baby could be causes of sibling jealousy. However, showing that you value your child’s opinion and talking to him like a grown-up about decisions can help. Involve your toddler in choosing wallpaper or paint, allowing him or her to perform small tasks or to help moving toys to a new room.
• There are books about introducing new babies that you can share with your child to prepare him or her. Spending quiet time together provides an atmosphere for children to air their views about the pregnancy and their worries or fears. Listen to them and discuss them with your child seriously.
• Explain that your child will have a little brother or sister to play with, and how they will always have a special friend. Talk about the good part of being a big sister or brother, about how big siblings look after little siblings.
• Acknowledge their feelings of sibling jealousy and tell them its acceptable to feel like that. Helping them by talking through it can make it easier in the months when the baby is around and when you may not have as much time.

Introducing the New Baby

• Try to have a small gift ready for your toddler “from his baby sister or brother” for the first time you introduce the new baby to your child.
• When your child first sees the baby, let him or her decide if they want to just look, or touch its hand or hold it for a few minutes.
• Don’t force your child to kiss or hug the baby until he or she is ready.
• Sibling jealousy is often just a result of the child feeling that they are no longer important. Shower attention on your child and ask how school or preschool has been, what they have been up to, or what they ate for dinner.
• When introducing the new baby to visitors and relatives, remind them to show attention to your toddler too, and talk to him or her about things other than the baby.
• Set aside special time for the child, either while the baby is asleep or being cared for by your partner. Let your child know this time is only for the two of you, and do whatever the child wants.
• Allow the older child to participate in looking after the baby, helping with feeding or bath time, or fetching things, but only if they show willingness. Telling them repeatedly that they are being wonderful big brothers or sisters can reduce sibling jealousy to a large extent.
• Tell your child stories about how happy everyone was when they were born and stories about their birth and infancy. Children love stories about their own babyhood, and it will show them that their stories are just as special.

References:

1. Cure Sibling Jealousy – Baby World

2. Preparing your Child for a New Sibling – Kids Health

3. New Baby Sibling- University of Michigan Health System