ParentJam: Tips for New Kindergarten Parents

Kindergarten is a learning experience for both parents and children.

Kindergarten has started. It is a time both children and parents have waited for with fear and excillaration.  Here we are, seeing our children off to their new lives as full time students. It is a transition that can be difficult for all parties.  We may not realize it on the first day, but there are a some things we parents will be learning this year too. 

First, Kindergarten is not the end game.  Since the moment of her birth, I was obsessed with my baby’s developement. Her father and I diligently observed her milestones: sitting up, crawling, walking, first words. Then we moved on to preschool skills: prewriting, social play, self help skills.  With every step of the way, kindergarten readiness was our goal.  At the time, we failed to realize that although this preperation was important, it was not going to end with the first day of school.  In reality, getting ready for kindergarten was not the goal, it was just the beginning. 

Second, teachers need our support and respect.  We may not understand it right away, but when the Kindgarten teacher insists your child pack his own backpack, complete homework everynight night or sit quietly until it is his turn, then we need to support her. If you truely feel that your child and teacher are not a good fit, then go directly to the school and work with the staff.  Talking poorly about school faculty infront of your child is not setting a good example. 

Furthermore, like every grade, kindergarten is not a joke. Look up your school’s local standards.  Every school district has set goals and expectations for all instrutors to teach the class. These are subjects your child is expected to learn.  You may think that your child’s classroom is on an unrealistic instruction pace, or perhaps you feel it is to slow. Either way, you are your child’s best teacher. Advocate for your child’s needs and support her developement at home, but do not make excuses and do not blame the teacher. In most cases, the teacher has your child’s best interest in mind and is also on a strict schedule that she must adhere to because her job is at stake.

Finally, there is more to school than the classroom. The culture of a school will be your child’s culture. Social situations are less regulated in elementary schools than you may have become accustomed to in preschool. The ratio is larger and most elementary school staff are not paid to regulate social situations (see the state standard link above). Lunch, recess, riding the bus and other transitons will be the times in school that your child will find important. These are times your child may be vulnerable to bullying or learning about subjects you haven’t introduced. As scarry as that is, they are also times your child will be empowered to make friends, include others and develop social maturity.  The more you get involved in the school and your child’s life, the deeper you will be involved in your child’s new school culutre, and will be able to support, explain or correct what you feel necesarry. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child and it takes a parent to choose the right village.

Be supportive. Be involved. Volunteer when you can. Do homework with your children.  Go to after school activities.  Ask your kids questions like, “How was your day?” “Tell me about recess.”  “What questions did you ask today?”  You and your child are starting a whole new chapter in life.  It is an exciting roller coaster you have just climbed on to. Put your hands up and enjoy the ride.

SafetyJam: Keeping Your Children Safe in a Crowd

Carnivals, Parades, State Fairs. . . Summer is a time of celebrating.  Unfortunately, all of these fun events mean crowds, and crowds and preschoolers don’t mix.  When your child is to old to enjoy a festival from the safety of your baby carrier, but isn’t old enough to join the big kids on her own, its time for some basic crowd safety rules.

Rule #1

“If you can’t see me, I can’t see you.”  Give the power to your preschooler. Your child wont understand if you tell her, “I can’t see you,” because to her, you are an all knowing, omnipotent being.  Instead, teach your child to have her eyes on you, and make it clear that if she can’t see you, then you can’t keep her safe.

Rule #2

Stranger Danger Rule of Three.  When my daughter was 3,  we went to Disney Land. I caught her talking to a stranger in the lobby. I told her she should never talk to strangers and she said, "He's not a stranger. I saw him yesterday." OH NO! That's when I created the Stranger Rule of 3: You need to know some one's name, their mommy and where they live. If you know all 3 of those things, chances are they are close friends and they can be trusted. If you know none of those things, they are strangers and you shouldn't talk to them, follow them or be alone with them. If you know 2 of those things, you can talk to them, with permission from a parent or the adult in charge.

Rule #3

Stranger Danger is all well and good, but you may want to consider teaching your children about "Tricky People." Pattie Fitzgerald, creator of "Safely Ever After," teaches that tricky people do things like ask children to keep secrets from their parents.  No child should EVER keep a secret from his parents. Ms. Fitzgerald goes on to point out that not all strangers are dangerous.  If your child gets separated from you, they should go to a safe person like a mom with kids. That is the kind of person who will help a lost child. 

Rule #4

Give your child a way to contact you.  If your child does get lost, she will need some basic information to be reunited with you, like the first and last name of the adult she is with.  Having a contact phone number is even better.  These bracelet with your cell phone number on it 

Click Here for Directions

 or these home tattoos 

Click Here for Directions

 can come in handy. If all else fails,  writing your number with a pen or sharpie on the inside of her arm.

Rule #5

Easy to find clothes.  You can custom order easy to spot family t-shirts like these:

www.customink.com

 Or make your own with iron on paper and a pack of Hanes undershirts.  You can also tie die matching shirts, or just pick a bright color to dress your children in.  Be sure to take a full body picture of each child before you start your day. This will help you to 1. Remember your fantastic day at the carnival and 2. Make it easy to identify your child in case of an emergency.

Carnivals and Fairs are family events and are meant to be enjoyed. Don't let this safety advice deter you from having fun.  But following these simple steps will keep you and your children safer and happier.

Keep Jammin!

This Land Is Your Land

On this 4th of July, remember that our country- its natural beauty, its people and the laws we create to protect them- are our gift to our children. Treat them well, preserve them, respect them and enjoy them. Happy Independence Day!

7 Child Friendly Steps to the Scientific Method.

Science Fun for Everyone!

Children are natural scientists.  They love to explore, are curious and want to learn about the world around them.  Summer is a great time for encouraging your little one. Referring to the scientific method during your outdoor experiments will empower your little ones to view themselves as scientist.  If you think that your child isn't ready for the scientific method, keep in mind that it is the process of learning that counts and not the content. Follow these 7 basic steps that closely follow the scientific method, but that emphasizes the young child's skills set.

1. Observe: Use as many senses as possible and give children ample time to observe as much as they can.

2. Compare: Make connections, talk about similarities and differences.  

3. Sort and Organize: Did you discover something that can be categorized more than one way?  Are the rocks you found round and smooth?

4. Wonder, Predict, hypothesize: Use what you learned to come up with an idea you can test.

5.Experiment, test, explore: Test your hypothesis! Do you get the results over and over? Give your child lots of time to experiment and opportunities to return to the experiment.

6. Infer and record results to show understanding: Use graphs, drawings or charts to show others what you have learned.

7. Extend, expand, apply: Think creatively! Encourage your child to use this new knowledge in other ways and continue discovering!

Most importantly, have fun! 

CookingJam: Ice Cream in a Bag

Do you love to eat ice cream in the summer?  Of course you do! For a healthier and cheaper alternative to the local ice cream parlor, try making home made ice cream with your little one.  It’s fun and easy to do.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup half and half
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup salt (The bigger the granules, the better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt is fine.)
• Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
• 1 pint-size ziplock bag
• 1 gallon-size ziplock bag

Instructions

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint-size bag and seal it tightly.
2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it's done.
3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one, add mix-ins, and eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Easy cleanup too! Serves 1.

• Make shaking the bag a game. Sing songs while one child has a turn shaking and then pass the bag. The person passing gets to pick the song the next person will sing while she shakes.

Home Made Felt Boards

Homemade felt boards are easy to make and a unique toy to add to your child's play room.  Using felt board puppets can help your little one practice interpersonal relationships. It will definitely give your child an opportunity to develop language and social skills. Plus it’s super easy and wont take you out of your crafty comfort zone!

Follow these simple steps:

• Glue a whole piece of felt to a recycled cardboard. Part of a moving or shipping box will be best because of it’s thickness. You can make a large board for your playroom wall, or make a smaller travel size for the car. 

• Cut out pictures of family and friends.  Glue felt pieces to the back of the pictures.  Don’t forget to add pictures of your own children so they can be part of the story!  

• Add to the scene by making background pictures such as hills, trees, sun, clouds and some flowers out of felt, or by cutting them out of photographs like you did with the people.

• Decorate a shoe box to keep all of your special new felt toys in!

Home made felt boards can be a way for a young child to relive a special day, remember a loved one who lives far away, or prepare a child for an upcoming move.  Felt boards are concrete and tactile tools that help children understand stories and concepts, much like illustrations in books.  Plus, they make wonderful personalized gifts!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, Upcycle!

Celebrate Earth Day April 22nd!

What does upcycle mean?  It’s when you use a seemingly useless item and change it to into an extremely useful, and more valuable thing.  For instance, instead of throwing away your old wool sweater, use it to create  a sock puppet, pot holders, baby hat or whatever else you can find on Pintrest.    

KinderJam's Facebook page is full of ideas for reducing spending by reusing things you already own.  This type of repurposing is good for the environment as well as your wallets.  

You and your child can celebrate Earth Day on Aprill 22, by doing an upcylce project together.  Instead of buying a doll house at the store, work together and paint an old book shelf to look like one.  You can find the old furniture from your house, the thrift store, or (if you want to be really environmentally friendly) from bulk trash (available on base for many Military Housing areas around the world).  

Even if you choose a less complicated project, like covering cereal boxes and turning them into giant blocks, the more you involve your child, the better. Children love projects, especially when shared with their primary care giver.  Showing your children how to upcylce teaches them innovation, encourages creativity and may even feed their entrepreneurial spirit (goodbye lemonade stand. Hello pop top jewelry business!)

Another time honored Earth Day celebratory activity is to plant seeds.  Make a fruit and vegetable garden, plant a tree or simple potted flowers.  Don’t buy planters at local store.  Reuse water resistant cardboard like milk cartons, ice cream containers or juice boxes. Add scrap paper and old craft supplies to decorate your container, cover it with Modge Podge and Viola! You have a decretive planter.  Teach your child how to care for the newly planted seed and by Mother’s day, your child will have a great gift to present to you.

Don't forget to continue to repurpose things in your home long after Earth Day passes.  Practicing environmentally friendly habits everyday models good citizenship for your children. And that deserves a Woo-Hoo!