Over the years, we have seen many little “fashionistas” parading their styles through our classrooms. Behind them are parents who are just rolling their eyes and apologizing for their child’s appearance. :>)
We are here to tell you there is no need to apologize. Some children just love to experiment with clothes and it brings a smile to us all!
A parent recently shared her experience with her tiny fashion bug and we thought we would share it with you:
“When my youngest was small he wanted to be a fireman. This isn’t uncommon with little boys, however, my son took it a little further than most I met. My son used a pair of his brother’s jeans with suspenders and some black rainboots with yellow trim. Every night before bed he would take off his “turnout gear” and set it next to his bed. Every morning he sprang out of bed and jumped into his turnout gear ready to take on the day.
“One day my husband took him to preschool and was apologizing to the teacher for his son wearing the same clothes every day. The teacher, having seen a lot of kids pass through her classroom said, ‘Relax! No one thinks you dressed him!’
“So let your daughter wear purple socks with a green dress. Let your son wear bunny ears if it makes him happy. My son is now 11 and he doesn’t wear turnout gear anymore.”
Thanks For sharing this great story!
~ Jackie & Jo-J0
A few weeks ago a mom said something wonderful and rare that inspired this post. Upon entering the room and seeing her son wrapping a doll up in a blanket, she smiled and said, “Oh, I’ll have to buy him a doll!” It’s worth noting that five minutes before that he was pretending to mow the lawn.
How beautiful it would be to be free of the notion of girls versus boys toys. We have had situations where a parent would get upset if his/her son played dress up or used dolls and forbid them to do it again. How sad! And the thing is, boys really get the bad rap. If a girl is being rough and wants to play with trucks, she is laughed off as being a tomboy. The boy, however, is looked upon with worry over future sexual orientation.
Especially during the preschool years, children are exploring their world and trying to make sense of it all. Role playing enables them to express how they perceive those around them. It also helps them investigate and mimic the nurturing roles of the immediate people in their lives such as moms, dads, sisters, brothers, etc,. This also expands to people who enter their lives like doctors, police officers and teachers.
So next time you observe your child engaged in an activity you don’t deem as stereotypically appropriate, why not take a step back and RELAX? A boy playing with a doll may be an awesome dad and husband one day and the little girl with the truck could be a future top notch mechanic or engineer.
~ Jackie & Jo-Jo
Hope you all had a fun Halloween! Jo-Jo outdid me with 48 trick or treaters versus my 22. Leftover candy much?
Anyway, we had our share of ghosts, characters, and of course, MONSTERS. The topic of monsters is a frequent subject with children. In our day it was better known as “the boogeyman.” Many parents have asked for suggestions on how to calm the fear of monsters and other things that go bump in the night. Helping children deal with these fears can be as easy as opening a book.
The author, Mercer Mayer, has been helping children face their fears of monsters for years in many of his stories such as: There’s a Nightmare in My Closet, There’s an Alligator Under My Bed, There are Monsters Everywhere, and There’s Something in My Attic.
Along with these we highly recommend the following books:
- The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone and Michael Smollin
- Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
- There Was an Old Monster by Rebecca Emberley
Children also feel more secure when they have some control over the monsters that may come to visit during the night. Some things to leave with your child as “protection” are spray bottles filled with glitter or even a scent that is sure to repell any goblin, a flashlight (decorated with special stickers), a toy that makes noise, or a dreamcatcher hung on the wall over the bed - use your imagination and include your child in the making of these special nightmare busters.
Sweet dreams!
~ Jackie & Jo- Jo
A woman was complaining one day that when she arrived to pick up her four year old, she was “just dancing.” We think that the following poem by Anita Wadley is the perfect response to this statement. This is a favorite among teachers of young children for sure! Thank you Anita!
JUST PLAYING
When I’m building in the block room, please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”
For you see, I’m learning as I play about balances and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect some day.
When I’m getting all dressed up; setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play;
I may be a mother or father some day.
When you see me sitting in a chair, reading to an imaginary audience.
Please don’t laugh and think I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play;
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find; don’t pass it off as “Just Play.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play:
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some “plaything” at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business some day.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “Just Play.”
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body;
Please don’t say I’m “Just Playing.”
For, you see, I’m learning as I play; I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you asked me, what I’ve done at school today,
And I say “I just played”; please don’t misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work;
I’m preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.
Hope you enjoyed the poem, and for you adults too…………..take some time to “Just Play” today!
~ Jackie & Jo-Jo
On a recent episode of Dr. Phil, there was a discussion on stay at home moms vs working moms. The point coming out of this whole show was that you have to do what is right for you and your family, everyone has their own unique set of circumstances. Basically, there is no right or wrong and people on both sides of the issue should feel good about what they’re doing.
The old saying “it takes a village to raise a child” has taken on a new meaning these days. The “village” has now expanded to include daycare providers, babysitters, and nannies. Families are not in close proximity like they used to be and people don’t know their neighbors as well.
We have written the book Dear Daycare Parent to help those parents who have decided to go the daycare route be more informed and hopefully feel more comfortable with their choice. It’s our hope to find a publisher soon so we can share our many years of experience with you!
~ Jackie & Jo-Jo
Many parents have asked for recipes that we’ve made in the classroom. Since it’s apple picking season here in New England, we thought we’d share this apple dumpling recipe that’s always been a big hit with the kids.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Bisquick
- 1/3 Cup Whole Milk
- 6 Apples, peeled and cut up (not too small)
- 3/4 Cup Water
- 1/4 Cup sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
Topping:
- 1 Tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Mix the Bisquick and milk and set aside. Put the apples, water, sugar, and cinnamon in a large saucepan and cook on medium high. Before the apples get too “mushy”, drop the dumpling mixture on top by tablespoons. Cook on low 10 minutes, uncovered. Then cook another 10 minutes covered. The dumplings should rise.
When done, melt the butter and stir in the nutmeg and sugar. Spread on top of the dumplings and ENJOY!!!
MMMMMMMMMMMMM! Think we’ll go make some!
- Jackie & Jo-Jo
So here we are coming upon flu season again, this year in particular we are concerned with the H1N1 strain. One of the biggest preventative measures being stressed is “wash your hands frequently!” A reader recently sent me information about the dangers of the alcohol-based hand sanatizers to children. Upon researching this, it appears that good old soap and water is by far the most effective and safe method. The hand sanitizers should only be considered an adjunct. It is also best to keep the sanitizers away from young children as swallowing or licking the ingredients in them can be harmful. You can check out more about this at www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanatizer.asp as an e mail has been circulating about the harmful effects of hand sanatizers on small children.
So, here’s what we tell the children in daycare. When washing your hands, use plenty of soap and sing the HAPPY BIRTHDAY song to yourself twice while washing. When they are done singing , they should have had enough time to sufficiently cleanse. Hands are washed before snack and lunch, upon coming in from outdoor play, and of course after using the bathroom.
Wishing you all a healthy season!
- Jackie & Jo-Jo
It’s picture time at school and it brings to mind a very cute story. Children go through phases with things that catch their interest, they can even get quite obsessed at times. An example of this was seen in a four year old who totally idolized his older brother and wanted to be just like him. Big brother had a helmet he wore for football and whenever he would leave it lying around, little brother would wear it. When his brother entered high school, he passsed the helmet on to him. Well, this little four year old was thrilled and wore it everywhere! If an adult asked him to remove it, he would have a tantrum. Knowing it was a phase, the school chose to ignore it and the mother was grateful for their patience. The child wore this helmet everyday taking it off only to eat and rest.
When picture day rolled around, his mom tried to reason with the child asking him to take the helmet off for his photo. The child refused. When his turn came, there he was sporting the helmet. After a few shots, the photographer asked the child if his brother had his picture taken with his helmet on too. The child paused and said “Oh no! He took it off and held it in his arm like this.” Taking off the helmet, he held it under his arm. The photographer quickly snapped the picture. Many years have gone by now, but that picture in particular is still a family favorite. Not only did it show the little boy’s true character, but how much he loved and idolized his brother!
It’s a reminder to us all, that we need to be more open and patient and show more appreciation for the unique qualities in each of us.
- Jackie and Jo-Jo
Several years ago a mom and her daughter stopped in to visit a year after they had left the program. Her daughter was in Kindergarten. She asked us to pass along some very interesting advice to the newer parents of children in preschool. We’d like to share her thoughts on teaching children self-reliance.
While pointing to her child she said, “If I knew then what I know now, I would have done things totally different her last year here at preschool!”
She felt she had done her daughter a big injustice by doing everything for her at the end of the day. She recalled all the times she came in and collected all her child’s things, packed them up, and even carried them out. Of course many parents do this as a means to move things along and save time. She felt she should have taken the time to encourage her child to be responsible for her own stuff.
She went on to say that now that her child is in public school, she has forgotten everything from her coat to her lunchbox. Through her own frustration, she said, “You’ve got to tell parents not to do it all for their children the last year of preschool!”
Her thought was that if they could initially at least put their lunchbox in their backpack and gradually progress to do a little more, it will make them more self-sufficient. These words of wisdom have been passed along to other parents through the years. All agreed it was advice well taken and it made pick up time a lot easier. That guided self-reliance also lead to an easier transition to the public school years.
- Jackie & Jo-Jo
There was a disturbing article on MSNBC called Tutoring Tots? Kids Prep for Kindergarten. Why on earth are four and five year olds being tutored? Preschool should be setting them up for the academic learning that should begin in kindergarten. Preschool is a time for nurturing personal, social, and emotional development as well as communication, creative, and physical skills. Allowing children to dsicover and freely explore within these areas is the foundation for developmental learning. It is sad that kindergarten classrooms are more structured strictly for academics with materials such as blocks, water tables, and dramatic play areas slowly disappearing. Even preschoolers as young as two are being evaluated for what they can and cannot do!
Why are children being hurried along so? An excellent book on this subject is called the Hurried Child by David Elkind. It gives a good review of child development and discusses how children are now being hurried along by parents, schools and the media. As the parent you need to make an informed decision when picking a preschool facility. Is it based on a nurturing approach with developmentally appropriate activities or are they stressing academics? Which is right for your child?
You have to decide for yourself, but we ask……………what’s the hurry?
- Jackie & Jo-Jo
