New Year's Resolutions?

What resolutions have your children made to ring in the new year? The readers of Parents magazine share the real goals their kids have promised to accomplish here.

 

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Tips for Handling the First Days of Preschool

Your preschooler’s been playing school with his stuffed animals for a few weeks now, has had

playdates with a few of his classmates, and can’t stop talking about his new lunch box and backpack (Trains and cars on both? Way cool!). All good preparation for the big day ahead — and good signs that your pint-sized pupil is ready for his preschool debut. But will that excited anticipation translate into a smooth, stress-free transition on day one? Maybe — or maybe not as much as you’d hoped. Either way, these tips can make the first day of preschool (and the days after) a more manageable experience for your little one — and for you.
FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL TIP 1: DON’T RUSH THROUGH THE MORNING.

No one likes to race through the school morning routine — especially on the first day. So get everyone up at a reasonable hour. That way, you won’t have to hurry your child as he munches through his morning meal — or risk being late because you had to tame your frazzled tot’s tantrum.

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL TIP 2: ARRIVE FASHIONABLY EARLY.

This way, your little one can slowly settle in before the real action starts. He’ll also get more face time with the teacher, too, which will be tougher to do once all the other kids are there to vie for her attention.

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL TIP 3: BRING A COMFORT OBJECT.

If the preschool allows it, let your child bring along his favorite stuffed animal (or blanket, or whatever object does the trick) so the new setting doesn’t feel so scary. And once your teddy-toting tot feels comfortable with his surroundings, he’ll let go of his lovey — or at least leave it in his cubby when he plays.

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL TIP 4: PUT ON A HAPPY FACE.

Anxiety may be eating you up inside, but don’t let on — nerves are highly contagious. If your tone’s upbeat and you seem confident that your child will have a good time, there’s a better chance that he’ll be upbeat, too.

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL TIP 5: HANG AROUND, BUT DON’T HOVER.

Many preschools let (or even encourage that) parents stay in the classroom for all or part of the first few days, so if you can swing it, stick around. Knowing that you’re within clinging distance will give your kid the courage to explore his new digs. Then, as your child feels more secure, gradually melt into the background. Your goal is to let the teacher take over so you can get on with your day.

The Creative Curriculum

At Smart Start Academy our curriculum of choice is the Creative Curriculum. The Creative Curriculum is an early childhood curriculum that focuses on project-based investigations as a means for children to apply skills. This curriculum addresses four areas of development: social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. Our educators are guided while creating thematic units designed to support children’s natural curiosity and stimulate their creativity. Our teachers offer their students the opportunity to work in depth, giving them the time they need to reflect, consolidate and transfer their learning.

The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is based on five fundamental principles. They guide practice and help us understand the reasons for intentionally setting up and operating our preschool programs in particular ways. The principles are as follows:

• Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning.
• Social–emotional competence is a significant factor in school success.
• Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning.
• The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions.
• Teacher–family partnerships promote development and learning.

To learn more about the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, please be sure to visit www.teachingstrategies.com.

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All of our admissions forms are available on our website! Get started on enrollment today by following this link.

Baby Sign Language

One of the most popular things that we provide to this age group is teaching baby sign language.

Between the ages of 8 months and 2 years of age, children begin communicating with others. Giving your child the means to communicate has been shown to help ease the frustration of the infant as well as the parent. We teach simple signs that have been adapted from American Sign Language that can help your child communicate a few months earlier than other children their age.

Other children who benefit from learning sign language are those who are experiencing a communication delay, have a communication disorder, or show signs of autism. These are not uncommon in children and some families have found that learning sign language can help them to start communicating. It seems that some children just become comfortable pointing for the things that they need, so they find no reason to learn to vocalize their wants and needs.

Of course, these signs are no good to you as a parent if you do not know what they are and can’t use them at home. We work with parents to teach them all the signs that infants learn here along with how to support the learning and communicate with their child when they are at home.

Our Infant Program

We offer an infant daycare program for children in the range of 6 weeks of age to 18 months. Our teachers are happy to provide a loving and nurturing environment for every child. In order to offer the best care possible, our teachers and providers tailor this daycare for infants to fit the individual needs of the child and their family. This is best done meeting with the child’s parent(s) and discussing individual goals, needs, and even nutritional guidelines. Once a plan is set in place, our infant daycare teachers can provide personalized care to every child in the best way possible.

The Opportunities We Provide

Our teachers provide many additional opportunities for your family to help your child meet the goals you have for them. The care and educational opportunities that are given at this age are much different than what is offered for older children, but they are still just as important for learning and development.

Baby Sign Language

One of the most popular things that we provide to this age group is teaching baby sign language. Between the ages of 8 months and 2 years of age, children begin communicating with others. Giving your child the means to communicate has been shown to help ease the frustration of the infant as well as the parent. We teach simple signs that have been adapted from American Sign Language that can help your child communicate a few months earlier than other children their age.

Other children who benefit from learning sign language are those who are experiencing a communication delay, have a communication disorder, or show signs of autism. These are not uncommon in children and some families have found that learning sign language can help them to start communicating. It seems that some children just become comfortable pointing for the things that they need, so they find no reason to learn to vocalize their wants and needs.

Of course, these signs are no good to you as a parent if you do not know what they are and can’t use them at home. We work with parents to teach them all the signs that infants learn here along with how to support the learning and communicate with their child when they are at home.

Singing Time

Our infant daycare’s in Jersey City and Hoboken include a lot of music and singing. According to emergent research, singing to an infant is important in their brain development and can even help prevent language problems later in life. Infants naturally enjoy listening to singing because of the difference in rhythms and tones it provides. One thing that is also important to note about music is that it helps to teach too. In songs like “Old McDonald Had a Farm” and “The Wheels on the Bus”, kids learn the different sounds animals make and about the world around them. Eventually, even small babies join in on trying to sing songs which helps to further enhance their experience with music.

Playtime and Exploration

Another key component of an infant’s learning happens through exploring the world around them. This is most commonly done during playtime, when they are free to crawl around and look at different objects. We provide plenty of interactive playtime so that your infant can learn to make sense of their world in a safe and controlled way. With so many different opportunities to learn about their environment, your child is able to grow into a curious and confident toddler.

Open House

We welcome you to register to join us at Smart Start Academy's Open House events. Meet our teachers and tour! Smart Start Academy values and takes great pride in their educators. Our teachers are carefully selected based on their education, teaching experience and their passion for teaching. All of our lead teachers must meet or exceed the qualifications set forth by the DCF, in addition to completing extensive training and orientation classes at S.S.A.

Smart Start Academy is dedicated to bringing the best environment for learning and creativity to each student. Our full day programs have a curriculum that works to meet every learning style in a way to that nurtures every aspect of a child- the physical, emotional, intellectual and social.

Bilingual babies learn languages faster

 

Some parents may worry whether teaching their babies two languages concurrently will overburden their babies' minds, while some may wonder if babies get confused learning two very different languages from birth. These concerns are unfounded, according to the latest findings by psychologists from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

 

Read more here.