Monday, April 23, 2018

Your Child Is Ready To Start Preschool — Let’s Talk Safety

It’s been repeated to the point of cliche but still rings true: Children grow up so fast. One minute they’re in the crib, the next they’re crawling and before you know it they’re ready for preschool. It can be a challenge when the latter milestone arrives, because it’s the first time many parents relinquish any bit of control over their children’s safety. If you find yourself facing this difficult situation, there are things you can do to gain some peace of mind.

The first thing is to realize that when your child is ready for preschool, they are also ready to learn some important safety guidelines. Teaching them to your child will make both of you feel more confident and prepared. This post will help you get the process started.

Begin with home safety since this is where your child spends most of their time. The following post explains how you can begin your instruction:

Your preschooler and safety: How to prevent injuries at home

Safety begins at home. You probably spent a lot of time and effort making your home safe for your baby. Did you know there are still more things you can do as your child grows older?

Here are some basics to keep in mind:

Be prepared for new skills: Your child’s risk of injury depends, in part, on his physical development and thinking and remembering skills. For example, does he enjoy climbing? Can he pull a chair over to a counter or stove? Can he open the door by himself to go outside or into the bathroom? Think ahead and prepare before a situation becomes dangerous. Read more at Caring For Kids…

The essential tip for safety at home is be proactive and think ahead. You want to anticipate potential threats and eliminate them before they occur.

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Another important safety precaution your child needs to understand is how to relate to people they don’t know. The following post gives insight on how to approach this with your youngster:

How do I teach my 3-year-old about strangers?

Q: I have an incredibly social, confident and trusting 3 year and I’m wondering how and when to teach her about strangers and those people who are “bad” in the world? I do not want to scare her or deter her from making friends but I also do not want to have her walk off with someone because she thinks it’s okay. Any suggestions? Read more at Parents…

Sometimes your child may not have the ability to understand why you require them to do or not do certain things. What they need to be taught in these instances is simply that the rules are ironclad and you expect them to be followed.

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Once your preschooler starts going to school, they enter a whole new world. This comes with lots of excitement, but it also brings new safety issues to think about. The following post gives a detailed list of things you should consider:

Tips for keeping children safe: A developmental guide – Preschoolers

By the time they are preschool-aged, children are more independent in their play and their ability to meet their own needs. They focus on learning rules and routines to know what is safe and appropriate. Their constant dialogue with peers and caregivers helps them to form specific ideas about what is safe and why.

Preschoolers move and play with ease. Climbing, running, and jumping are still favorite activities, and they are becoming much better at them. Many children also begin to pedal tricycles, play sports, and attempt more difficult climbing equipment. Their stronger motor skills give them the confidence to constantly try new things. During these years, preschoolers challenge themselves and develop a better understanding of the consequences of their actions. This trial-and-error approach complements the structure and rules teachers and families provide. Read more at ECLKC…

One of the best ways to set the foundation for your child’s safety at school is to enroll them in a program that is accredited at the highest standards. If you’re looking for such a daycare in Cary, NC, Spanish for fun! is the facility you seek. The care and safety of your child is paramount to our staff and administration. Plus, the Spanish-immersion curriculum we offer will give your child with the well-documented cognitive benefits of learning a second language.

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We specialize in a proven play-based teaching method here at Spanish for fun! that mirrors the way children naturally learn. Schedule a tour of our Cary campus today to observe our approach firsthand. We know you’ll be impressed by what you see. Call 919-677-7114 or complete the form on our website. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

The post Your Child Is Ready To Start Preschool — Let’s Talk Safety appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Here’s Why You Should Create a Storytelling Tradition With Your Child

Growing up, you had activities with your family that you recognized as traditions, even though you didn’t call them that. They were done without fail, and you probably never questioned why your parents thought they were important. You just did them. Many families do these things, like eat at the table together, take trips as a family, sit around the fireplace and play games on a winter night. If you had such traditions growing up, you probably have fond memories of them. Now that you are a parent, in an era when so much about family life has changed, you may be wondering if activities like these are practical or even important anymore. The answer is a resounding yes.

In this blog post we’re going to look at the specifics of establishing a particularly beneficial tradition with youngsters: Storytelling. Let’s start by examining why storytelling is so important for your child:

Words, language and ultimately storytelling are key to unlocking the eventual ability to read, and the subsequent ability to learn. Which is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children.

But the benefits of storytelling to our children go way beyond the literacy argument.

Storytelling also broadens the imagination, and can even help children make sense of things going on within their lives that they haven’t been able to deal with previously. Scientific studies also suggest that storytelling can also help a child develop socials skills such as the ability to empathise with others (presumably by having put them into someone else’s shoes through the medium of a story). Read more at Yotoplay…

Increasing the imagination of a child is crucial not only for their cognitive development, but also for expanding their ability to see the world in new and wonderful ways. This is important because when these leaders of tomorrow can envision a bright future, they can help bring it about.

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One of the things we all recognize is that our children are increasingly experiencing life through a device. This leads to a form of isolation that has been documented in studies. Storytelling and story time is an opportunity to introduce a critical human connection to their world. The following post explains this in detail:

Why is Storytelling Important to Children in This Digital World?

Nowadays, we spend most of our free time glued to the screens of mobile phones, tablets or other such gadgets. It appears as though we are depending on gadgets to not only make our lives comfortable but also fulfill our emotional needs.

However, despite advancements in technology, gadgets remain devoid of the ‘human touch’. Therefore, a conversation with our loved ones is always special and makes us feel good. And has it ever struck you that our conversations with others are nothing but a collage of stories! The same holds true for children as well. They too love to converse, hear a story or make one and tell it to others. Read more at Parent Circle…

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In addition to providing the benefits we’ve discussed, you can also establish your child’s value system and sense of identity by thoughtfully selecting the stories you share. Read the following for more details:

The Importance & Benefits of Family Storytelling

Do you tell family stories to your kids & grandkids?

There are many benefits to storytelling. Stories that have meaningful messages can instill virtues in your child; they can make them aware of their own culture and roots, opening them up to their family’s customs and traditions. Storytelling can improve your child’s listening skills, language skills, and sharpen his or her memory. On a deeper level, however, telling your children family stories can help your child form his or her identity. Read more at Friends Life Care…

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You probably haven’t thought about it, but storytelling is an excellent way to teach children a second language. At Spanish for fun!, helping your son or daughter learn Spanish through captivating stories is an essential component of our teaching method. We also invite you to join us for our special Spanish Story Time program every second Thursday of the month at our Cary campus.

Spanish for fun! is an accredited Spanish-immersion preschool where children learn and develop through purposeful play-based activities. Your child will acquire the language while gaining an appreciation for Spanish culture. Both of these outcomes will offer your youngster a lifetime of advantages.

Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Cary campus. Call 919-677-7114 or complete the form on our website and we’ll contact you. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

The post Here’s Why You Should Create a Storytelling Tradition With Your Child appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Here’s Why Bonding With Your Child Is So Important

Developing an emotional attachment (bonding) with your child is critical to their development as it directly and significantly impacts their sense of self-worth and security. This connection will shape the way your child perceives him or herself and relates to others throughout life.

Clearly, creating a deep, strong bond with your child is one of the best gifts you can give them. The following post has suggestions to help you with the process:

How to Strengthen Your Bonds with Your Kids

Participation in the development of our children is the greatest gift we can give (and enjoy) in life.  Successful bonding embodies meaningful contact, attachment, and nurturing for development of a healthy child.  Research confirms that deprivation of successful bonding creates emotional and interpersonal impairment. Few priorities are greater than awakening and deepening within our children confidence and healthy character through experiences that they assimilate from our loving relationships with them. These bonding experiences form the solid foundation for their positive connections with others. Read more at Psychology Today…

Taking an inventory of how you bond with your child will help you establish whether you are on the right track. You can then ask yourself if it is effective, and how you can improve this special time.

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Bonding with your child takes time and effort, and sometimes you can get so busy that spending quality time with your little one can be a challenge. When this happens, you can still make a point of bonding with your child as you go through your daily routine, as explained in this post:

8 Ways to Bond With Your Children When You Are Busy

Our lives have become so busy and stressful to the extent that creating quality time with our own children is becoming more of a challenge. As working mums and dads or even stay at home mothers with a lot of responsibilities to juggle, we regularly feel guilty that we don’t spend enough time with our children to nourish them emotionally and give them all the love and care that they need and deserve.

Fulfilling their basic needs is one thing and connecting with them is another. When it comes to bonding with your children, you don’t have to do major things every day. By doing small gestures throughout the day, you let them know that they are always on your mind, no matter how busy you are. Read more at Identity Mag…

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In addition to bonding with your child within your normal routine, you can strengthen your connection doing everyday activities together as well. A simple walk, for instance, can make a whole lot of difference, as discussed below:

The Easiest Way To Bond With Your Kids? Take a Walk

A walk with a baby, toddler or preschooler makes everyone brighter. With fresh air, exercise, and change in environment, walks are one of the best remedies for boredom, restlessness, sadness, or fussiness.

Walks also offer parents an ideal opportunity to help children learn concepts and have memorable experiences related to science, language, math, senses, nature, joy, and the community. Researchers found that daily exchanges between a parent and a child have been shown to expand children’s knowledge and skills and have lasting effects on their performance later in life—walks give parents the perfect windows to engage in these exchanges. Read more at Motherly…

Once your child is certain of the deep bond they share with you, you can start looking for other caring, adults for him or her to connect with, to expand their growth even further. A key secondary bonding relationship for child can be with a teacher, another adult with whom they will spend a great deal of time.

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At Spanish for fun! Cary, all of our teachers understand the importance of creating strong, nurturing bonds with our students to promote their cognitive development and sense of self-worth.

Our unique Spanish immersion preschool offers programs, including Parent and Me and Story Time, that not only allow you to get involved with our activities, but are also bonding opportunities for you and your little one.

If you are searching for a preschool that will offer your child a safe, loving environment and an educational jumpstart, Spanish for fun! is your best option. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Cary campus. Call 919-677-7114 or complete the form on our website. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

The post Here’s Why Bonding With Your Child Is So Important appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Spoiling Our Team with a Trip to Asheville

At Spanish for fun!, we truly care about each and every one of our employees and want to make sure they are not only successful but happy. That’s why we make it a point to take them on retreats. Our work trips allow the team to bond, re-energize, and spark creativity.

A couple of months ago, we took our admin-directors to Asheville to do just that! We worked a little, we played a little, we explored, and we bonded as a team. We love to spoil our team!

The adventure started with a lunch on Friday afternoon.

 

After lunch we had a working session and then Rob cooked the team a delicious dinner!

 

On Saturday, we worked on overcoming fears by ziplining through the mountains! From one mountain to many others, we spent 3+ hours in the trees.

 

We had so much fun exploring the beautiful city of Asheville.

 

On Saturday night, we had fun as a team figuring out the breakout room!

 

On Sunday morning, we worked, went for a hike, and reached the sky!

 

Before we headed back to Raleigh, Rob treated us on his food truck, Out of the Blue Peruvian Fusion Cuisine.

 

We had so much fun with the team and love our unique trips! Here are some words from our admin-directors.

Karina

“This adventure allowed us to share with the founders and mentors we work with. We came to know each other in a different way, having a lot of fun in the beautiful city of Ashville with the colorful trees around us.

I would name this trip as freedom, happiness, and challenge!

The whole trip was spectacular! I loved being spoiled by Rob with delicious breakfasts, being welcomed in their home, and sharing with Gabi the zipline, tour of Asheville, food, music, flavors and fun together as the family we are!”

From Monica

“My trip to Asheville was a great experience, I really enjoyed our bonding time. I felt part of the team, a great, strong and fun team 🙂

I enjoyed the delicious food, and overall the experience of being with our admin staff in a non-working environment, getting to know each one of them better.

Great company, great hosts, great time. Thanks Rob, Gabi and team.”

From Lucelia

“Our trip to Asheville was super fun and inspirational. We had a great time together getting to know each other better, and spending time together in a place that has outstanding nature and landscaping.

My favorite part of the trip was definitely the ziplining. I was super afraid of doing it and my adrenaline was super high, but once I had the courage to go, and fly between the mountains, watching those spectacular autumn views, it felt amazing.

We came back with a renewed energy, feeling stronger and happier. Can’t wait for our next one.”

From Veronica

“My favorite part of the trip was the time I spent with my coworkers while we were on our way to Ashville and the time during our activity. I loved our Zipline activity and seeing the team that we have so united, and how we encouraged each other to do each one of the ziplines. Some of us overcame the fear of heights or for some, it was our first time. Thanks to Ms. Gabi and Rob for opening the doors of their home and for the delicious dinner and breakfast they gave us.

It was a great experience.”

From Valeria

“I loved being in contact with nature, the extreme activities, beautiful landscape, and reinforcing team bonds as well as team skills.”

From Ingrid

“I loved sharing experiences with my peers, and growing stronger relationships with them. It was definitely a unique weekend! I enjoyed Rob and Gabi’s warm hospitality and most of all I loved to get to know their loved Asheville.

It was cathartic for me to overcome my fear of heights. I was able to truly enjoy the zipline!!! Going up to the mountains, the incredible views, and daring myself each time I was on the zipline was a great experience!!

During the trip, new ideas came to me, and I came back refreshed, and with a strong feeling to make positive changes in my school. This is an experience that I hope happens again!!”

If you are searching for a preschool that will offer your child a safe, loving environment and an educational jumpstart, Spanish for fun! is your best option. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of any of our four campuses: Glenwood, Duraleigh (both in Raleigh), Cary, or Wake Forest. Call 919-881-1160 or complete the form on our website, spanishforfun.com. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

The post Spoiling Our Team with a Trip to Asheville appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

Monday, February 5, 2018

It’s the Winter Season…Here’s What’s Coming at Sff!

‘Tis the season for winter fun and holiday activities! Here’s what we have going on at Sff! in the next few months:

January

In January, we learned all about transportation! Bicycles, cars, planes, trains, etc… Our little ones learned all about how we get around.

February

In February, we will be learning all about the Earth! This will include a Science Fair where we will learn what a science experiment is and how to conduct one. We will have several different experiments for the kids to try and will learn and get excited about science!

Important dates to remember:

  • Wednesday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Celebration
  • Monday-Friday, February 19-23: Science Fair Week

March

In March, we will celebrate and learn about different cultures across the world. We’ll learn by listening to the music of different cultures and learning other traditions.

Important dates to remember:

  • Monday, March 5: Report Card Day!
  • Monday-Friday, March 12-16: Parent-Teacher conferences
  • Thursday, March 29: Easter Celebration
  • Friday, March 30: Good Friday – School is closed

We’re so excited for all the fun we have planned! If your child isn’t registered for fun, get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Cary campus. Call 919-677-7114 or complete the form on our website and we’ll contact you. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

The post It’s the Winter Season…Here’s What’s Coming at Sff! appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

The Numerous Benefits of Early Childhood Education

The moment your child is born, he or she starts learning and developing cognitively, physically, socially, emotionally, and linguistically. As your child grows, their brain acts like a sponge for knowledge — learning from you and from their environment.

While all children will learn and develop quickly during these formative years, there are a lot of benefits to attending a preschool that specializes in early childhood education. Here are just some of the advantages your child will receive from the right preschool.

Social Skills

Being around other children in a safe and educational environment helps children develop social skills. Preschool allows them to engage both with other children and with adults, which is crucial to the development of social skills like listening, expressing ideas, sharing, making friends and being accountable for actions.

Autonomy

Allowing your little one to learn, discover and explore outside of your home and care, helps them develop autonomy. Learning how to be independent at an early age will help them later in life when independence is crucial. Allowing your child to explore on their own helps them develop a sense of self, and understand how their choices and actions affect outcomes.

Language Acquisition

Kids don’t come out of the womb speaking your language. They learn from you and from their environment. Preschool helps nurture language development and communication skills as they learn from and practice with teachers and classmates.

In addition to learning English, the preschool years are the perfect time for children to acquire a second language. Enrolling your child in a language immersion preschool (like Spanish for fun!) will help them on the road to bilingualism. And as you probably know, there are many benefits to being bilingual.

Some of these benefits include:

  • Enhanced cognitive ability
  • Faster learning
  • Empathy and appreciation of other cultures
  • Better multitasking abilities
  • Increased attention span
  • Better memory
  • Increased concentration

Attention Span

A quality preschool has lots of activities that help develop your child’s attention span. Children learn concentration, they develop their listening skills and they learn how to follow directions, all through discovery and fun.

Exposure to Diversity

We live in a world rich with diversity. The earlier you expose your child to diverse cultures, thoughts and traditions, the better. Children who learn about diversity at an early age grow up to be more empathetic and understanding of others. They also learn to appreciate and understand that everyone is unique and different.

Better Performance in Grade School

Finally, early education (especially bilingual education) has been proven to help increase performance in grade school. This is because a quality preschool builds the right foundation for learning with regard to your child’s physical, mental, emotional and social development — all things that prepare them for a lifetime.

As a parent, you will be happy to know that you don’t have take our word for it when it comes to the validity of our claims. We have the feedback of a wide array of parents who have sent their children to Spanish for fun!, as well as the support of educators who see our results first-hand in their classrooms.

Here are two examples of the personal comments, phone calls, emails and letters we receive regularly about our school and teaching methods:

From a Happy Parent:

We feel so fortunate a friend told us about Spanish for fun!. Not only do I feel my children are learning in a safe, diverse, unique environment, but also that they are absolutely adored by the staff. Picking up the children after a long day and still seeing the staff with big smiles and hugs for the everyone is wonderful. I love hearing my children’s language skills progress in both English and Spanish; and the weekly teaching plans seem fun and engaging. We feel lucky to be a part of the Spanish for fun! family!” – Blair

From a Kindergarten Teacher at Wake County Public School:

“Sff! kids are very well prepared to go to any public or private school. The teachers there do a wonderful job instructing them with the basic skills on how to start dealing with their daily lives and growing environment. They come to school with a great vocabulary, with a great ability to follow a conversation in Spanish, and knowing the letters of the alphabet. They get so excited when they hear the songs they already learned in Sff. They also come to school knowing a lot of games from Hispanic cultures. I believe Sff! is an amazing daycare because teachers there prepare students to be well-balanced individuals, capable of dealing with life’s challenges. It is a daycare that not only teaches Spanish; it goes beyond. They teach children to be open minded to a world of different cultures.” — Monica

Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our Cary campus. Call 919-677-7114 or complete the form on our website. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

The post The Numerous Benefits of Early Childhood Education appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

Monday, January 22, 2018

What Daycare Can Do To Enhance Your Child’s Social Skills

One of the top benefits of enrolling your child in a qualified daycare or preschool is the way it promotes the development of their social skills. Through daily real-world interactions your little one will learn invaluable life lessons like how to share, how to follow instructions, how to interact with authority figures and how to manage their emotional responses to others.

The following article provides more details on how attending daycare offers the ideal opportunity for your child to become socially savvy:

The Benefits of Socialization for Children in Daycare

The social skills we learn as children prepare us for adult life. Socialization techniques learned during early play and daycare experiences– sharing, taking turns, forming friendships, playing well with others, problem solving, etc.—form the foundation for later relationships with family members, friends and co-workers.

Those early skills will be fine-tuned, expanded and honed over our lifetimes; but the basic building blocks of socialization begin to take shape while we are quite young. Interacting with other children and adults in a safe, structured and well-supervised daycare setting encourages children to develop critical social skills more quickly. Read more at Horizon Education Centers…

In a preschool setting, your child is more likely to be exposed to perspectives and viewpoints that are new to them. Multicultural programs are particularly good for this because they help your child gain an understanding and appreciation for diversity. Your little one gets to learn firsthand that different cultures have unique traits, but they also share key similarities that unite us all.

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The intersecting issues of culture and cultural/national pride need to be addressed with children in an appropriate way. Children should be taught to love their culture and country, but not diminish or denigrate others in the process. The following post offers good information about this:

Cultured Kids: Teaching Your Children about Patriotism and Diversity

Patriotism can be a tricky topic. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being proud of the country in which you live, but some people take things to extremes. Unfortunately, those actions have led many individuals to equate patriotism with having undesirable traits. The founding fathers sought to instill this in the mind of the American people when our country was formed. If you are a parent, it’s important to teach your child to love the country in which they live. It is just as important, though, to teach them to respect other cultures. However, there are a few steps you can take to aid you in this process. Read more at Epic Mommy Adventures…

There are a variety of ways to introduce children to other cultures. Two excellent entry points are trying indigenous foods and learning a foreign language.

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The following post describes how your child can benefit from learning Spanish, in particular, as a second language:

Benefits of Learning Spanish

Learning Spanish does not mean abandoning English, but rather adding a second language. There are numerous benefits, according to Nancy Rhodes, Director of foreign-language education at the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, D.C.: “In our increasingly global world, parents realize that their kids will benefit from knowing more than one language. There’s definitely been a grassroots push for more bilingual education in preschools.” Read more at Money Crashers…

Learning a second language will provide your child with the tools they need to personally interact with and embrace people who are different from themselves.

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At Spanish for fun! Cary, we offer an immersive program that teaches children the Spanish language and fosters an appreciation for Latin culture through a variety of play-based activities.

Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our campus. Call 919-677-7114 or complete the form on our website and we’ll contact you. We look forward to showing you why your child will thrive with us.

The post What Daycare Can Do To Enhance Your Child’s Social Skills appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Why Your Child Is Moody And What You Can Do About It

As a parent, you never really get used to the way your child goes from being excited and happy one moment to whining or even throwing a full-on temper tantrum the next. Those are the moments that remind you that your little boy or girl is a complete human being with intense emotions — just like you. The difference is you know how to handle these feelings, while your little one doesn’t. You can help your child manage their mood swings by knowing what causes them and how to defuse them. This post will share some helpful information.

In our world of technology, our children are exposed to a lot of devices that impact their moods. The following post takes a closer look at the situation:

Is Your Child Moody And Angry? Maybe It’s Time For A Screentime Reset

You may have seen it in your own child – a complete overreaction and utter agitation to a request you’ve made. It took you aback, left you puzzled.

Or perhaps you’ve noticed increased sibling rivalry and shows of aggression. Does your child have an obsession with a show or game? Is there a total lack of attention when you’re talking to them? It may have given you serious pause.

Maybe you’ve even wondered if your child has a mental or mood disorder. It seems like doctors diagnose every other child these days with such a malady.

But is it always that? Read more at Child Teen Family Therapy…

Any good thing needs to be used with moderation, including the over-stimulating smartphones, TVs and other devices. If your child has exceeded the limits, it’s time to hit “Reset.”

dealing with a moody child

Clearly, electronic devices aren’t the only thing that can cause moodiness in children. Another factor is food — a poor diet can also cause bad moods, as highlighted in the following post:

5 Foods That Negatively Affect Your Child’s Mood

Parents intuitively know that food can impact their child’s behavior and mood. We know that sweets, for example, can cause bouts of hyperactivity. But mood-altering food isn’t limited to sugar – there are other culprits in the snacks and meals that we feed our little ones. The following five foods are the most common contributors to mood and behavioral changes in children.

1. Dairy – If your child is lactose intolerant or allergic to the proteins found in dairy, you may see changes in her mood and behavior. Many children become irritable, cranky, or aggressive. Children with dairy allergies or intolerance also tend to suffer from frequent colds and ear infections. Babies may exhibit colicky symptoms, whereas toddlers and older children may become inconsolable and irritable. Read more at Child Development Institute…

Tracking what your child eats and the corresponding behavior will help you detect the types of food that cause mood disturbances. This will prevent incidences of misdiagnosis.

dealing with a moody child

While you can do a few things to prevent the outbreak of a bad mood, what do you do if your child is already in a bad mood? The following post offers some tips:

7 Helpful Tips For Dealing With Moody Children

Are you surprised to see your child throwing tantrums and sulking in the corner? Well, worry not. It’s quite common in children. Contrary to popular belief that mood swings happen only in adults, children do tend to get moody and sullen.

Children get moody at times because of their inability to vent out their frustrations and disappointments. While it often gets frustrating to deal with a moody child, you have no options but to handle your little one.

Child development experts suggest that moodiness in children is very common. It is just that some tend to be more moody than the others. Read more at Mom Junction…

A nurturing and safe environment promotes calmness in your child. It is beneficial to ensure your child gets this, both at home and at school. If you are in Cary and would like to enroll your child in a school with such qualities, Spanish for fun! is the best preschool for your little one.

dealing with a moody child

Spanish for fun is a Spanish immersion daycare and kindergarten that is committed to giving each child the opportunity to have fun, share and discover lots of things through our play-based approach to learning. We have an amazing original curriculum that is accredited and has proven successful with our students.

Our teachers are also trained to handle children with tender loving care, according to the five love languages, and your child is guaranteed to thrive when he or she joins us. Learn more about Sff! on our website or call us at 919-677-7114 to schedule a tour of our Cary Campus. We look forward to meeting you.

The post Why Your Child Is Moody And What You Can Do About It appeared first on Spanish for fun! Daycare Cary, NC.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Nurture Your Preschooler’s EQ for Long-Term Success

As your child hits the milestones of development and prepares to start preschool, you may become anxious about how he or she will cope with the changes ahead. It’s possible that for the first time you are releasing your child to the care of people who are not family or close friends. If you’re wondering how your child will handle this situation, it’s in large part a matter of their emotional intelligence, or EQ (emotional intelligence quotient).

You may be surprised to learn that possessing a high IQ is considered by some experts to be less important for life success than having a high emotional intelligence. The following post examines this finding:

EQ vs IQ: Why emotional intelligence will take your kid further in life

One day on the school bus, six-year-old student Martin Moran gave a toy car he’d brought from home to a boy with special needs. He had noticed that no one ever wanted to sit next to the boy, who was often disruptive during the ride. Martin’s plan worked—the distraction helped the other child focus and stay calm, says Martin’s mom, Jessica Moran.

“It was his idea. Martin’s pretty in tune with other kids’ emotions and came up with that solution on his own,” says Moran.

The story illustrates her son’s high EQ, or emotional intelligence quotient. It’s a skill set that’s been getting a lot of buzz, with some experts and educators saying it matters more than IQ—your child’s intelligence quotient. Read more at Today’s Parent…

Emotional intelligence creates many favorable character traits in your child that will not only lay a good foundation for his or her own life, but will also enhance his or her ability to be a positive influence to the society. Isn’t that success?

preschooler emotional intelligence

With such valuable information, it is important to find out what could hinder your child having a strong EQ. The following post explains one of the common threats to EQ in children today:

How Technology Lowers Emotional Intelligence in Kids

In Three Mistakes Parents Make with Technology, I advised parents to create family guidelines for technology in their homes. Now, we’ll examine the effects of over reliance on technology and how it can diminish kids’ emotional intelligence.

I am defining technology as any external mechanism that disrupts your kid’s ability to be present with his or her thoughts and feelings, and attuned to others. That includes any device that draws your kid’s attention away from the moment—such as ear buds, smart phones, laptops—and dulls his or her senses to the world and the people in it. Read more at Psychology Today…

An awareness of technology as having the potential to rob your child of EQ is critical. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to cultivate a lifestyle that is healthy and conducive for his EQ to thrive.

preschooler emotional intelligence

There are also some things you can do to positively invest in your child’s EQ. The following post describes them in detail:

How to Strengthen Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence

When emotions run high, people do and say things they normally would not. When you’re a young child, this is what you do all the time.

Emotional self-regulation, a large component of emotional intelligence, is the ability to manage one’s experience and expression of emotions. With practice, children improve their capacity for emotional self-regulation. By age four, most children start to use strategies to eliminate disturbing external stimuli. In other words, they cover their eyes when they’re scared and plug their ears when they hear a loud noise.

It’s not until age 10 that children consistently use more complex strategies for emotional self-regulation. These strategies can be broken down into two simplistic categories: those that attempt to solve the problem and those that attempt to tolerate the emotion. Read more at The Gottman Institute…

As you put those measures into practice, you also need to ensure your child enrolls in a school that will support her emotionally as well as academically.

preschooler emotional intelligence

Spanish for fun! is a Spanish immersion preschool and daycare with an original curriculum that adopts a holistic approach to learning. We believe in giving children opportunities to discover, share and have fun while learning. We are also committed to handling each child with the tender loving care they need for proper growth and emotional maturity.

Call us at 919-677-7114 or fill out the contact form on our website to schedule a tour of our Cary Campus. We welcome the opportunity to show you firsthand the success of our teaching methods.

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