Training parents about all things preschool and kids aged 18 months–5 years
The insane heat that we all know as summer is finally starting to dwindle which means it’s time for the crazy ritual that is back to school shopping. The number one item on every list should be to pickup a perfect preschool backpack and lunchbox. These get used everyday. But which one do you need to get…
Your child is never too young to learn about the meaning of the 4th of July. My educational philosophy is throw it out there and if it sticks great; if it doesn’t stick that’s great too. Each time your child hears the information it will make a little more sense and children are much smarter than…
Visit a children’s museum this summer. Scratch that. Visit a children’s museum right now. Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean your kids should stop learning, nor should you stop teaching them. This is what I call a teachable moment. Keeping your kids minds engaged during the summer months is of paramount importance and there are…
We can hardly contain ourselves! Training Wheels Needed has launched our video series, beginning with Butterflies in my Tummy: Charlie’s First Day of School. Butterflies in my Tummy is the idea that started it all. We wanted to give preschoolers and their parents a fun way to learn about those butterflies we all get when…
We’re big believers in preschool programs around here, with all the education and enrichment opportunities they offer. Some schools even send home assessments of each child so the parents can get the full picture on how their children are doing with developmental milestones like fine-motor skills, language, social interactions, and spelling their own names. Maybe…
Every good preschool curriculum includes a social studies component. Children get the chance to learn about community helpers, important figures in history, and holidays from various cultural traditions. At the preschool I ran, Thanksgiving and Chinese New Year were always the big favorites – especially the feasts and colorful decorations. One year during election season we…
Race and ethnicity have been major topics in the news lately, from the Black Lives Matter movement to political candidates’ comments about immigration. Chances are, your kiddo has heard at least some of this and may have some questions. Teaching your child about race can be a daunting task, especially since we adults still have…
We have all talked about the interview process for preschool. I can’t tell you how many times parents sat across from my desk and uttered these words, “My child is really smart. I know you hear that a lot, but my child is really, really smart.” Well, some of the children were, and some fell…
Some people I know have a lot of trouble with spatial tasks. I’m not saying it’s me but… it totally is me. Help your preschooler develop good spatial skills by giving him puzzles. Not, like, videogame puzzles – just real, hold-in-your-hand and lose-half-the-pieces puzzles. Not only do they help with spatial learning, fine motor skills,…
Why should big kids get all the fun? Here are some great smart device apps for the younger crowd that are fun to play and also reinforce what kids are learning in preschool. All are available through iTunes. Pre-Reading Endless Alphabet ($6.99, ages 5 and under) and AlphaTots Alphabet ($2.99, ages 5 and under) provide…
