FAQ
I have been around children in a day care environment for most of my life and learned from one of the best educators out there, my mother. My mother is an ARMY wife and helped care for and teach children all across the globe for decades and as a child I started watching and absorbing the ins and outs of how children learned through her lessons and guidance. As I grew up I started working for the daycare in summer times and holidays and gained valuable hands on experiences that would later shape how I raised my child (now a teenager)
I have always found that children just learn better when they are engaged on a level that feels comfortable to them, so getting down on the floor to work on a lesson is very common around here.
Recently I have worked as a substitute teacher for the VA Beach schools and let me just say...I am disheartened at the lack of energy, care or attention our children have for learning. They are difused, burnt out and completely uninspired. I have an AA in Fine Arts and I am a IBCLC, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to teaching is not new to me, even if the audience is a bit different.
Great question! Life skills range from things like practicing manners, chores like cleaning up after meals and setting a table, laundry skills, learning how to sew, tying shoes, making phone call, debate club and so much more. This is one of those areas where they children will help decide what they want or need to learn based on their intrigue.
Yes! Learning how to have a healthy debate is something we absolutely teach around here! Teaching a child how to manuever through a conversation in ways that are productive are INVALUABLE lessons and confidence that they can carry with them throughtout their entire lives.
What does a debate look like with 3-5yr olds? Well...pretty remarkeable actually!
Circle time with a good beginning debate would look like this: So who here has a favorite color?
Red! Yes thats a great color. Who else like red?
What about blue? Does anyone think blue is their favorite color?
Can you tell me what is great about red/blue?
This is a basic way of getting children to engage politely (rules like not interupting) and offering different points, while being encouaraged to have different perspectives.
Once the center has selected it's 4 students, each parent will be able to register to this site as a "member". Having a closed site with a membership allows for us to be able to share photos of your childs day in a safe and secure way. The only people who can see your childs photos are the people you provide permission to.
There are two options available for members.
An open gallery which includes photos of all student enrolled allowing you a snapshot of how your child is interacting with others in their days or
A closed gallery which will include photos of your childs day only (your child will not be shown in the open gallery if you choose this option)
Each parent will provide a list of food items their child should or cannot not eat and from there we plan a varied diet that is fun to eat, easy to prepare as the kids will be helping prepare lunches and snack and varied in flavors.
Sample Menu for 5 days:
Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, toast, fruit and Milk
Lunch: Quiche with spinach & ham, fruit and Milk
Snack: Chocolate chip cookies the kids made
Breakfast: Oatmeal with fruit, toast and Milk
Lunch: Spaghetti, peas & ham, fruit and Milk
Snack: Homemade apple sauce the kids made
Breakfast: Pancakes with sausage, fruit and Milk
Lunch: Meatballs with noodles, green beans, fruit and Milk
Snack: Ants on a log (celery with peanut butter and raisins) the kids made
Breakfast: 1 scrambled egg, toast, fruit and Milk
Lunch: Dino nuggets, carrots, fruit and Milk
Snack: Brownies the kids made
Breakfast: Quiche with ham and mushrooms, fruit and Milk
Lunch: Make your own pizza, veggies, fruit and Milk
Snack: Grape worms the kids made
