Summer time means lots of playing, hiking, biking, camping, and so much more. One of our favourite times too! However, it also means learning loss occurs as well. But it doesn't have to! Here are some fun and easy summer learning activities to do with your kids.
Being a mom of three and educator for many years, I have come to determine that the best gifts for Mother's Day have to not only be thoughtful but have to be either a gift that gives mom some time with her family or time alone!
This is the yummiest M&M’s Cookie, tested and approved by every family member. And they loved the first, second, and third batches... I mean you have to be thorough in your yummiest M&M cookie testing, right?
Teaching manners to children is an important part of their development. It helps them navigate social situations, build positive relationships, and become respectful individuals. As parents, it is our responsibility to instill good manners in our children from an early age. Here are some effective strategies to teach your child manners:
Children learn by observing and imitating their parents. Therefore, it is crucial for us to model good manners in our own behavior. Whether it's saying "please" and "thank you" or showing respect towards others, our actions speak louder than words. By consistently demonstrating good manners, we create a positive influence that our children will pick up on.
Children thrive on structure and consistency. Set clear expectations about what behaviors are acceptable and what are not. Explain to them the importance of manners and how it impacts their relationships with others. Reinforce these expectations regularly and provide gentle reminders when needed.
Start by teaching your child basic courtesies like greeting others, saying "please" and "thank you," and using polite words such as "excuse me" and "sorry." Role-play different scenarios with them to practice these skills, and provide positive reinforcement when they demonstrate good manners.
Manners go beyond just using polite words. Encourage your child to consider the feelings of others and be empathetic towards them. Teach them to listen actively, take turns in conversations, and be respectful of personal space. By fostering empathy, you are helping your child develop a deeper understanding of others' perspectives.
Mealtime provides an excellent opportunity to teach your child table manners. Teach them how to use utensils properly, chew with their mouth closed, and wait for everyone to be served before starting to eat. Make mealtime a pleasant experience by engaging in conversations and setting a positive example.
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in teaching manners. Praise your child when they demonstrate good manners, and highlight specific behaviors you want to encourage. This can be as simple as saying, "I really appreciate how you shared your toys with your friend today." Small rewards or privileges can also be given to reinforce positive behavior.
When your child displays inappropriate behavior or forgets their manners, it is important to correct them in a calm and constructive manner. Avoid using harsh or negative language. Instead, gently remind them of the expected behavior and provide guidance on how to handle the situation appropriately.
Teaching manners is a process that takes time and patience. Remember that children are still learning and may make mistakes along the way. Be patient with them and offer guidance and support as they develop their manners. Celebrate their progress and acknowledge their efforts, no matter how small.
Teaching manners to your child is an investment in their future. By leading by example, setting clear expectations, and providing guidance, you can help your child develop good manners that will serve them well throughout their lives. Remember to be patient, use positive reinforcement, and make learning manners a fun and engaging experience.
Warmly,
As parents, one of the most important decisions we make is determining when to put our young kids to bed. While it may seem like a simple question, the answer can vary depending on several factors. In this blog post, we will explore the best time to put young kids to bed and provide some tips to establish a healthy bedtime routine.
Sleep plays a crucial role in a child's development and overall well-being. It is during sleep that their bodies and brains recharge, allowing them to grow, learn, and thrive. Adequate sleep also contributes to better behavior, attention span, and emotional regulation in young children.
One of the key factors in determining the best bedtime for young kids is their age. Sleep needs change as children grow, so it's important to consider their developmental stage when establishing a bedtime routine.
During the first year of life, babies require a significant amount of sleep. On average, newborns sleep around 14-17 hours per day, gradually decreasing to around 12-14 hours by their first birthday. However, it's important to note that infants have different sleep patterns and may wake up frequently during the night. Often when you least want them to!
Toddlers need about 11-14 hours of sleep per day, including naps. Most children in this age group still take one or two naps during the day, which should be factored into their overall sleep schedule. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help toddlers transition from playtime to sleep time.
Preschoolers typically require 10-13 hours of sleep per day, including naps. As they outgrow their daytime naps, it becomes even more important to ensure they are getting enough sleep at night. Consistency and a calming bedtime routine can help preschoolers wind down and prepare for a restful night's sleep.
While age is an important factor, there are other considerations to keep in mind when determining the best bedtime for young kids:
There is no better way to get your preschooler into routine than with Easy Daysies visual schedules!
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to put young kids to bed, understanding their age-related sleep needs and considering individual factors can guide you in establishing an appropriate bedtime. Remember, consistency and a calming routine are key to helping your child get the restful sleep they need for their growth and development.
Warmly,
Starting preschool is a big step for both parents and children. It can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful for both parties. There are a few things you can do to prepare your child for this new experience.
Establishing a routine can help your child feel more secure and prepared for the transition to preschool. Start waking your child up at the same time every day, and establish a regular meal and nap schedule.
The best way to establish a routine is with Easy Daysies visual schedules for kids!
If your child hasn't had much interaction with other children, it's important to introduce socialization before they start preschool. Arrange playdates with other children around the same age, or enroll your child in a parent-child class.
Talk to your child about preschool and what they can expect. Explain what they will do, who they will meet, and what they will learn. You can also read books about preschool to help your child get a better understanding of what to expect.
Take your child to visit the preschool before their first day. This can help them get familiar with the environment and feel more comfortable. If possible, arrange a meeting with the teacher and let your child ask any questions they may have.
Preschool requires children to be more independent. Practice self-help skills such as using the bathroom, washing hands, and putting on shoes and jackets. This will help your child feel more confident and prepared.
Label your child's belongings with their name. This will help them identify their things and prevent them from getting lost or mixed up with other children's belongings.
Talk to the teacher about your child's needs, interests, and any concerns you may have. This can help the teacher better understand your child and provide a more personalized experience.
Separation anxiety is common among young children starting preschool. Prepare your child for this by practicing leaving them with a trusted caregiver for short periods of time.
Starting preschool can be emotional for both parents and children, but it's important to stay positive and supportive. Encourage your child to have fun and make new friends, and celebrate their accomplishments.
Remember that every child is different and may have different needs when starting preschool. Be patient and supportive, and trust that your child will adjust in their own time.
Warmly,
Playing with other children is a crucial part of a child's social development. It helps them learn important skills like sharing, taking turns, and communication. However, not all children are naturally good at playing with others, and some need a little extra help. Here are some tips on how to help your child play well with other children.
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is an essential skill for playing well with other children. You can teach empathy by talking to your child about how others might be feeling and encouraging them to put themselves in other people's shoes. You can also model empathy by showing your child how to be kind and considerate to others.
Sharing is a vital part of playing well with others. It can be challenging for some children to share their toys, but it is an essential skill to learn. You can encourage sharing by praising your child when they share and by modeling sharing behavior yourself. You can also teach your child to take turns with toys and games.
Playdates are a great way for your child to practice playing with others. You can invite a friend over to play or take your child to a local playground. Encourage your child to interact with other children and help them navigate any conflicts that may arise.
Conflict is a natural part of playing with others. It is essential to teach your child how to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and respectful way. You can teach conflict resolution by helping your child identify the problem, brainstorming solutions, and choosing the best solution together.
Good communication is essential for playing well with others. Teach your child to express their feelings and needs clearly and respectfully. Encourage them to listen to others and ask questions to clarify their understanding.
Children learn by watching and imitating the behavior of adults around them. Be a good role model by modeling positive social behavior. Show your child how to be kind, respectful, and empathetic to others.
Some children are naturally more introverted or shy and may not enjoy playing with others as much. Don't force your child to play with others if they are not comfortable. Instead, encourage them to find activities they enjoy and feel comfortable with.
Learning to play well with others takes time and patience. Be patient with your child and celebrate their progress, no matter how small. Encourage them to keep practicing and trying new things.
By teaching empathy, encouraging sharing, setting up playdates, teaching conflict resolution and communication skills, modeling positive social behavior, and being patient, you can help your child learn to play well with others. Remember, every child is different, and some may need more help than others. With time and patience, your child can learn to be a great playmate!
Warmly,
Top photo by Artem Kniaz on Unsplash
It's a common scenario for parents to face tantrums from their kids. Tantrums are a way for children to express their emotions when they can't find the right words to communicate. However, dealing with tantrums can be overwhelming for parents, especially if they don't know how to handle them effectively.
Tantrums can occur at any age, but they are most common in toddlers and preschoolers. Children throw tantrums when they feel frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed. They may cry, scream, kick, or hit to express their emotions. Tantrums can be triggered by a variety of reasons, such as hunger, tiredness, boredom, or a desire for attention.
Preventing tantrums is not always possible, but there are some strategies that can help reduce their frequency:
Despite your best efforts, tantrums can still happen. Here are some tips to help you deal with them:
One of the best ways to prevent tantrums in the long run is to teach your child self-regulation skills. Self-regulation is the ability to manage one's emotions and behavior in a way that is appropriate for the situation. Here are some ways to help your child develop self-regulation:
While tantrums are a normal part of childhood, there are times when they may indicate a more serious problem. If your child's tantrums are frequent, intense, or last for a long time, it may be a sign of an underlying issue. Talk to your child's pediatrician or a mental health professional if you have concerns.
Dealing with tantrums can be challenging, but with patience, understanding, and the right strategies, you can help your child manage their emotions in a healthy way. You've got this!
Warmly,
Click above to see these tips presented on CTV Morning Live!
Let’s Talk Easy and Healthy School Snacks for Brain Development and Healthy Growth
Our family is a definite foodie family! We get excited about food, new and delicious food, foods from different cultures, and eating snacks too.
When it comes to snacks for our kids, it is easy to just grab snacks that are prepackaged and most often processed. We all do it and it is okay!
With back to school around the corner, I wanted to take the time to discover and share some of our family favourite easy and healthy school snacks for brain development and healthy growth! Once we know the benefits of certain foods, it is easy to create yummy and healthy school snacks for brain development and healthy growth! Please do let me know if you try some of these ideas here below. I would love to know what you think, and please do share your own yummy and healthy ideas!
I am a BIG fan of feeding kids with foods that are not only DELICIOUS but will help promote the healthy growth of their bodies and their brains. So let’s start with a quick refresher for all of us remember some of the best foods for healthy kids’ growth and development.
During childhood and adolescence, good nutrition is key to healthy growth and development. This is the age that research advises is vital in helping kids reach their full potential in height and brain development.
As parents and child care providers, we try to do our best to help our children have healthy, developing brains. We get them to do puzzles, exercise, watch less television, have less screen time, help them with homework, and get to bed at a decent time, most nights, at least. However, what we feed them is so important for developing healthy brains and growth. Here are just a few foods to consider for meal and snack prep this week, and help us prepare easy and healthy school snacks for brain development and healthy growth.
Leafy greens such as spinach, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and kale, are jam packed with nutrients our brains craves, like: folate, beta carotene, and vitamin K. Leafy green foods help slow cognitive decline.
Fatty fish are rich in omega-3, which are healthy unsaturated fats that help build healthy brains and protect against Alzheimer’s.
Berries, have natural plant pigments (called flavonoids), that give them their bright colours, help improve memory.
Nuts are an excellent source of protein and good fats to help build healthy brains. For example, walnuts in help improve one’s memory. This mama needs to eat more walnuts!
And let’s not forget chocolate. Dark chocolate improves cognitive function and improves brain function by increasing blood flow.
Here are some foods to remember to include when preparing easy and healthy school snacks for brain development and healthy growth this week:
Eggs – one egg is full of nutrients that are vital for healthy growth and development. Packed with calcium, over 6 grams of protein, vitamin D, folate, and vitamin B12. Studies show that deficiencies in vitamin B12 amd folate may lead to poor growth in kids.
Almonds – are an excellent source of Vitamin E- Vital for children as a vitamin E deficiency can cause stunted growth in children.
Fruits – Vitamin C is important for bone health and helps produce collagen which is vital in bone strength and repair.
Fish – provide vitamin D and Calcium, which aid in bone development and growth
On a side note, good sleep and regular exercise are important in healthy growth and development of our children’s bodies and brains. Making sure our children have regular physical activity is important because it helps strengthen muscles and bones. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (aka CDC) recommends that 6–17 years old kids should aim to get a minimum of 1 hour of exercise every day.
Many studies show that a lack of sleep can affect a child’s growth and development. According to the CDC, here are three ways to tell if your child is getting a good amount of sleep:
So, if you are wondering how much sleep they need, the Centres for Disease and Control Prevention recommends:
|
Age |
Hours of sleep |
|
4–12 months |
12–16 |
|
1–2 years |
11–14 |
|
3–5 years |
10–13 |
|
6–12 years |
9–12 |
|
13–18 years |
8–10 |
Here are some Easy and Healthy School Snacks for Brain Development and Healthy Growth!
Remember, the best and easiest way to get kids to eat healthy is to have it ready and right in front of them! For example, prepare a kid-friendly charcuterie! Add a cheese fondue to it and you now have a fun dinner!
When packing snacks for school, make sure to use fun, leak-proof containers to put them in and the kids will be excited to use them too! Here are some from Staples: https://www.staples.ca/search?query=sistema
Here are some easy and healthy school snacks for brain development and healthy growth. Make these for breakfast or after school snack time.
Make it GREEK!
INGREDIENTS:
Whole-wheat pitas (or English Muffins)
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
4 oz feta cheese, roughly chopped
½ cup Greek yogurt
2 tsp lemon juice
Cucumber-Tomato Salad:
1 cucumber, diced
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 Tbsp each olive oil and red wine vinegar
A pinch of each chili flakes and salt
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS:
Slice and enjoy!
Make it ITALIAN!
INGREDIENTS:
Whole-wheat pitas (or English Muffins)
2 Tbsp pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce, per pita
1⁄4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, per pita
1 pinch of spices (e.g. Italian seasoning, garlic salt)
Toppings: pepperoni, red peppers, any other favourites
Olive oil
DIRECTIONS
DIRECTIONS:
Make it SWEET!
INGREDIENTS:
Whole-wheat pitas (or English Muffins)
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup whipped cream cheese
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup strawberries, sliced
¼ chopped walnuts or chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS:
Slice and enjoy!
Everything Cookie (All the yumminess plus nutrition!) for a Quick Grab & Go Breakfast or Afterschool Snack
Freezing Instructions: Cookies can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature or warm in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Great for some extra protein in a little yummy peanut butter ball! Check out this easy three step recipe here: https://www.easydaysies.com/road-trip-snacks/
Check out more yummy and easy back to school treats like: Yummy Make Ahead Pumpkin Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins, Make Ahead Mini Pizza Muffin Bites, and Quick and Healthy One Step “Good Morning Sunshine Smoothie” Recipes all here: https://www.easydaysies.com/three-quick-and-delicious-easy-healthy-make-ahead-meals-for-busy-families-for-breakfast-and-lunch/. Also, check out Make Ahead – Not Your Average Croissant here: https://www.easydaysies.com/quick-and-easy-make-ahead-camping-meals-and-snacks/
So yummy and so easy that kids can make this cheesy fondue any time after school or for dinner!
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound shredded Gruyere cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan
2 Tbsp cornstarch
2 cups apple juice
½ tsp country-style Dijon mustard
Salt and black pepper, grounded
YUMMY FOODS TO DIP:
1 (bite-sized chunks) loaf of bread
2 sliced apples or pears
2 cups broccoli florets or cauliflower florets
1 cup grape tomatoes
Whole grain Crackers or pretzels
½ lb(s) salami, cut into chunks
Directions:
Easy Easter Baking – Bunny’s Garden Cake We are hosting Easter Dinner at our house this year and I wanted to make a yummy and cute dessert option. Our family has a variety of consumers, ominvores, carnivores, and vegans. Here is a yummy easy Easter baking idea that is also pretty stinkin’ cute for the […]
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…And actually get to drink a hot cup of coffee before noon! Being a mom is like having to be a Super Hero or the CEO of your own household! Studies show that Morning Time is the most stressful time for moms — but it does not have to be! Grab a coffee now […]
The post Easy Morning Routine for School – 5 Strategies to Conquer the Morning Madness appeared first on Easy Daysies - Magnetic Schedules for Families.
Being a Mom is a very difficult job – maybe the most difficult. It is also a very important job – maybe the most important. As a mom of 3 young children myself, I know that the costs and rewards of motherhood are both overwhelmingly great. Have you ever noticed that advertisements and Mother’s Day […]
