Learning how to talk is one of the most exciting milestones of development for toddlers. Speech begins with coos and babbles, and builds to full-blown conversations over time. Children acquire new words every day. Toddlers’ language development may be influenced by several factors. Parents can provide their children with a variety of opportunities to enhance language development. Listed below are seven fun and easy things you can do to help boost your little one’s language development.
1. Read, read, read!
Reading books is a great way to build vocabulary. Reading exposes children to new words while allowing them to practice using their language skills. Picture books are a great place to start! When you read to your toddler, try to read each line in a different voice to keep your child engaged and interested. Engage your little one in conversation by asking questions or encouraging comments about the events and characters.
2. Talk about what you do every day
Your family’s everyday routine presents plenty of opportunities for your toddler to practice using and understanding language. Any event or activity can be a great time for learning. For example, if your child is eating an apple, you can point out the color of the apple. You can also ask your child to describe how it feels to chew or taste the apple.
When you're in the car, have children practice their language skills by asking them to tell you where you’re going or to describe the things they see out the window.
3. Teach your toddler new words
Don't be afraid to expand your child's vocabulary. You can show children how to ask for things they need or want by introducing different words. During a meal, ask children if they would like more food by saying, "Would you like some more dinner?" Doing this helps toddlers learn new words and encourages communication with trusted adults.
4. Sing songs
Singing also provides numerous opportunities to practice language development. The songs don't even have to be about words. Singing in rhythm with toddlers can help them recognize patterns in language and make connections between sounds at various points of each song. Try using songs children know, or you can create your own songs about your child’s favorite activities!
4. Encourage language development through play
Playing together provides plenty of opportunities for spontaneous conversation, which can help trigger and foster language development in toddlers. Whether you’re playing with a dollhouse or building blocks, there are so many ways for kids to practice imitating words and sounds. And of course, playing is a great way to connect and bond with your child! Carve out time to turn off screens and enjoy some floor play with your little one. Allow children to take the lead, and don't be afraid to get silly!
5. Incorporate fun family traditions
Family traditions are not only fun, but they can also be beneficial when it comes to building communication and language skills during early childhood. You can create new traditions, or introduce your little one to activities you did when you were growing up! Anything from singing songs, to telling stories around the dinner table or rolling down hills on blankets are all ways to help kids grasp language while having fun!
6. Talk to your child about your day
For parents, talking about your day is an easy and effective way to bond with your little one and stay connected after being apart. Explain what you did during the day and ask children about their day as well. Remember to be descriptive when you talk about the details of your day. Make the conversation about your child as well by asking questions. Encourage children to be specific when recounting the events of their day too.
7. Use technology to your advantage
Technology can be used for more than playing games and surfing social media. There are many apps available that can enrich language development and other skills with toddlers. For example, some activities involve a word flashing on the screen and invite toddlers to tap the word or drag it into different sections of a picture to form a sentence. While keeping in mind that parents should monitor their children’s online activities, technology can be a fun way for toddlers to practice language skills with guidance and supervision.
Supporting your toddler's language development doesn't have to be challenging or boring! There are plenty of fun activities and opportunities you can utilize to help enhance the development of your child's language skills, and these tips are an excellent place to start!
At Carepointe Academy, we encourage toddlers to use language as they are able, and we make verbal communication an important part of each day. Your toddler will learn to socialize and interact with other children during both playtime and structured group activities (such as circle time). Learn more about us by visiting our website today!
In addition to being a fun pastime for children, learning to read is also a critical component of both physical and cognitive development. Not only does practicing reading enhance brain development among children, but it can also boost their social skills and academic success. Maintaining strong reading skills throughout life also has the potential to improve a child's communication skills and strengthen relationships with others. Whether kids are reading for pleasure or educational purposes, reading can help children grow into successful students throughout their academic careers and beyond. Here are eight additional reasons to encourage your child to read.
1. Reading boosts brain power
Reading is one of the best ways to not only stimulate your child's imagination but also their brain. When kids practice reading, it helps to improve mental alertness, memory, and problem-solving skills. Reading also enhances creativity and imagination while strengthening concentration and focus. As a result, reading has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in children, (especially those who might have ADHD).
2. Reading strengthens social skills
Believe it or not, reading together as a family or alone can actually help strengthen a child’s connections with family members, and can help build stronger relationships with peers and other adults. As children foster social connections, their social skills will continue to develop and mature.
3. Reading leads to increased academic success
Reading has been shown to have a lasting impact on children's academic performance. This is because reading helps children retain information, which is vital when it comes to success in school and in life. As kids are introduced to new concepts through books or other forms of literature, their communication skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities will all improve. These are all important aspects of academic performance.
4. Encouraging children to read can help them become better writers
One study found that kids between the ages of three and five years old who were exposed to reading on a regular basis were more likely to excel in the areas of writing, spelling, and vocabulary as compared with kids who didn't engage in reading until they were older.
5. Reading is a great way for kids to escape and entertain themselves
Children can become bored or restless when they're in situations where they feel like they're restricted from doing what they want to do. This is why it's important to encourage your child to read and explore all different types of literature. Through reading, kids can learn about the world around them through engaging stories and interesting characters.
One study found that simply having books within reach helped reduce boredom among kindergarteners by 30%. So instead of relying solely on technology and electronic gadgets to keep your little one entertained, encourage them to pick up a book and read instead.
6. Reading can help improve vocabulary
As children read, they're likely to encounter unfamiliar words or expressions from time to time, especially if they’re reading a particularly advanced book for their age. In cases like this, the simple act of looking up a word in the dictionary and then using it in a sentence will help improve their overall vocabulary and communication skills.
7. Reading encourages kids to exercise their imaginations
When children read about something that interests them, they can use their imagination to visualize the plot and characters, and feel like they are part of the story. When children stretch their imaginations during reading, it encourages creativity and enhances their storytelling abilities, which can be helpful not only in the classroom but throughout their lives.
8. Reading helps children develop empathy
Learning how to empathize and relate to other people's feelings is a crucial component of one’s social-emotional skills. It is through reading that children can get in touch with their emotions and develop empathy for the characters in the stories. This can help them have a better understanding of other people's perspectives or circ*mstances, while also gaining a broader sense of the world around them.
Reading is a crucial component of each child’s overall development. Not only is it an enjoyable activity that can keep your child entertained for hours, but it’s also a great way to enhance academic performance.
At Carepointe Academy, we believe that character formation is vital during a child’s early years of life. Here, children experience the fun of learning by exercising their creativity and discovery through both structured and free-choice activities that allow their natural curiosities to emerge in an accepting and nurturing Christian environment. Visit our website to learn more.
A lot of parents have mixed emotions when the time comes to choose a child care center for their little ones. After all, this may be the first time you’re putting your child in the hands of someone that isn’t you.
However, a child care center can be such a special place where your little one will be nurtured and cared for. A quality child care center is a happy environment that enriches development, learning, and socialization with peers. The right child center can be a home away from home for your little one. But this can only be possible if you choose the right child care center that offers services that help both you and your children. In this post, we will look at some aspects to consider before choosing your child care provider.
Services that meet your family’s needs
Child care providers in your area can provide an array of services. When you start searching for a center, be sure to consider the needs of your family. Here are some of the services that child care centers may offer:
Full-day or half-day care
Faith-based programs
Infant care
Preschool
After-school programs
Occasional care
Location
Many parents’ lives are hectic due to their long hours and daily schedules. That's why it's important to choose a center that's relatively close to your place of work or home. Consider the following questions when choosing a center based on location:
How will the location affect your daily routine?
Will you be able to arrive at the center in time to pick your child up?
Will you be charged a penalty if you need to pick up your child late?
Cost
Enrolling your child at a child care center can take a bite out of your budget. Costs depend on the location and the services provided. Remember that the lowest price doesn't necessarily mean the quality of the center is poor, and the most expensive center doesn't always mean that it's the best. Look for a price that fits your budget while providing satisfying service.
Your family may also be eligible for financial aid from the government. Although it may not cover the entire cost of child care, the money you save can still go a long way. Also, check for possible rebates and any hidden fees.
Flexibility
Most child care centers welcome children from a wide range of age groups, but some are more flexible than others. Consider your family's schedule before choosing a center. Child care providers often have different settings depending on the days of the week and time of the year. If you find one that can be more flexible to meet your needs, that's great. However, always look for a center that can meet your family’s requirements regardless of these factors.
The Child-to-Adult Ratio
Another important thing of which to be mindful when choosing a child care center is the child-to-adult ratio. This is the number of children assigned per caregiver at a center. The child-to-adult ratio should be between 10:1 and 15:1 for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. A ratio of 16:1 to 20:1 is appropriate for older children. You can easily find child-to-adult ratio information on any child care center's website or by talking to someone from the facility.
The child care center's philosophy and type of education
The reality is that child care centers don’t just provide shelter for children. They offer a variety of early childhood programs that may follow a specific philosophy or educational method. Choose a center with a philosophy that aligns with your parenting style and beliefs. For example, some centers are inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori. It's important to determine the style of education that suits your family best.
Licenses and certifications
Always check that your chosen child care center has the appropriate licenses and certifications. Child care centers are required to be licensed by their state before they are permitted to accept enrollees. If your area doesn't require child care centers to obtain a license, make sure that it's accredited. This way, you can ensure that the center is following safety rules and regulations to ensure your child’s safety and well-being.
Checking references and asking potential caregivers about their prior experience with children can also help you in your quest to find a reliable child care provider.
Carepointe Academy offers a different approach to early education. We have qualified teachers to guide your child during their learning journey. Call us today for more information.
A lot of parents have mixed emotions when the time comes to choose a child care center for their little ones. After all, this may be the first time you’re putting your child in the hands of someone that isn’t you.
However, a child care center can be such a special place where your little one will be nurtured and cared for. A quality child care center is a happy environment that enriches development, learning, and socialization with peers. The right child center can be a home away from home for your little one. But this can only be possible if you choose the right child care center that offers services that help both you and your children. In this post, we will look at some aspects to consider before choosing your child care provider.
Services that meet your family’s needs
Child care providers in your area can provide an array of services. When you start searching for a center, be sure to consider the needs of your family. Here are some of the services that child care centers may offer:
Full-day or half-day care
Faith-based programs
Infant care
Preschool
After-school programs
Occasional care
Location
Many parents’ lives are hectic due to their long hours and daily schedules. That's why it's important to choose a center that's relatively close to your place of work or home. Consider the following questions when choosing a center based on location:
How will the location affect your daily routine?
Will you be able to arrive at the center in time to pick your child up?
Will you be charged a penalty if you need to pick up your child late?
Cost
Enrolling your child at a child care center can take a bite out of your budget. Costs depend on the location and the services provided. Remember that the lowest price doesn't necessarily mean the quality of the center is poor, and the most expensive center doesn't always mean that it's the best. Look for a price that fits your budget while providing satisfying service.
Your family may also be eligible for financial aid from the government. Although it may not cover the entire cost of child care, the money you save can still go a long way. Also, check for possible rebates and any hidden fees.
Flexibility
Most child care centers welcome children from a wide range of age groups, but some are more flexible than others. Consider your family's schedule before choosing a center. Child care providers often have different settings depending on the days of the week and time of the year. If you find one that can be more flexible to meet your needs, that's great. However, always look for a center that can meet your family’s requirements regardless of these factors.
The Child-to-Adult Ratio
Another important thing of which to be mindful when choosing a child care center is the child-to-adult ratio. This is the number of children assigned per caregiver at a center. The child-to-adult ratio should be between 10:1 and 15:1 for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. A ratio of 16:1 to 20:1 is appropriate for older children. You can easily find child-to-adult ratio information on any child care center's website or by talking to someone from the facility.
The child care center's philosophy and type of education
The reality is that child care centers don’t just provide shelter for children. They offer a variety of early childhood programs that may follow a specific philosophy or educational method. Choose a center with a philosophy that aligns with your parenting style and beliefs. For example, some centers are inspired by Reggio Emilia and Montessori. It's important to determine the style of education that suits your family best.
Licenses and certifications
Always check that your chosen child care center has the appropriate licenses and certifications. Child care centers are required to be licensed by their state before they are permitted to accept enrollees. If your area doesn't require child care centers to obtain a license, make sure that it's accredited. This way, you can ensure that the center is following safety rules and regulations to ensure your child’s safety and well-being.
Checking references and asking potential caregivers about their prior experience with children can also help you in your quest to find a reliable child care provider.
Carepointe Academy offers a different approach to early education. We have qualified teachers to guide your child during their learning journey. Call us today for more information.
Choosing a preschool or after-school program:
It's not for the faint of heart
Whether you need to enroll your child in a preschool or after-school program because of a work schedule, you want your child to have additional interaction with other children, or any other reason, it’s not an easy decision. There are many options for Fort Wayne day care.
Let’s face it – we all want to do what’s best for our children. And sometimes, what we need to do or want to do for ourselves can feel like its rubbing up against that desire.
I learned one thing when my now-adult daughter was a toddler: all parents have to make choices. There are few right or wrong choices, just different. I wasn’t “bad” because I chose to continue in my career after she was born, and my friend wasn’t “unmotivated” because she temporarily halted her professional life to stay at home. We both made choices, and we both gained because of those choices – and we both lost something, too.
Choosing a supplemental caregiver from amongst the Fort Wayne day care choices is challenging because the consequences are so high. We all worry about making a mistake that has negative consequences on our child. But knowing what matters – and sticking to that – can make the difference between a successful arrangement for you and your child with a Fort Wayne childcare, and one that adds to the stress of daily life.
Here are three things to consider when making your selection; this isn’t an exhaustive list, but rather a place to begin.
Location
How far are you willing to drive for Fort Wayne day care with a preschool or after-school facility? Will your child be with children he or she knows from school, church or the neighborhood, or will he or she have to make another set of friends? Does the program pick up at your child’s school (or the school he or she will be attending)? Can you get to the location reasonably quick if your child gets sick or hurt?
Location should never be the sole deciding factor, but you want to consider it carefully. Moving your child from one Fort Wayne day care facility to another can be stressful – for both of you – so choosing a location that fits your lifestyle is important.
Qualifications
Who will be with your child during the day? Is this someone you trust? Does your child seem to warm up to him or her?
Don’t just look at the teacher or aids in your child’s classroom. People move on, and the teacher you love may not be at the Fort Wayne day care center next month – there are no guarantees. So get to know as many of the staff as possible. Are the qualities that you want visibly present in all of them? Are you comfortable with the director, the aides, the teachers, the interns, activity leaders, and anyone else who will interact with your child?
Ask about the center’s requirements for hiring. What kind of background checks are done, and what is the minimum educational requirements? This can vary at Fort Wayne day care choices. For example, at Carepointe Academy, all of our staff have passed national background check certifications (which goes far beyond the standard of just passing an Indiana background check). This means that they pass the background check of all 50 states, so you will have additional assurance and peace-of-mind.
Fun factor
Children know how to push the right buttons to cause Mom guilt or make Dad feel like he’s failing. So if you choose a preschool or after-school facility that your child enjoys, he or she will be much less likely to engage in that “button pushing.”
For older children, finishing homework will be important, but after that, what kinds of activities will your child participate in? If he or she enjoys active sports, a facility that offers video games may not be very “fun.” On the other hand, if your child doesn’t enjoy organized team sports, having to be on the soccer team may be pure torture. Fort Wayne day care choices offer many different types of programs.
Atmosphere
While a site visit is important, along with a meeting with the Fort Wayne day care center staff, one preplanned visit may not give you a true picture of the atmosphere of a center. Try to visit three times, at different times of the day. Look at what activities the children are engaged in, the cleanliness of the facility at that time, the student to teacher ratio, and the response of the children. Do they seem to be having a good time, or longingly looking at the door, wishing you were there to pick them up?
Of course, all children have a bad day from time to time, so don’t overreact if you see one unhappy child. You’re looking for a peaceful but energetic facility full of children who are engaged in a variety of activities. And finding that will make your experience with Fort Wayne day care positive – for you and for your child.
Questions? Feel free to give us a call and we’ll be glad to tell you why we are proud of Carepointe Academy and what makes our program great!
Let’s face it – whether you work outside the home, use the services of Fort Wayne preschools, or are at home with your child, there is always too much to do at the end of the day. So, the evenings (especially after the children are in bed) and the weekends become times of catching up – and wearing out.
Even the best mom or dad can get so caught up in the to-do list that honoring commitments to a child or carving out time for special surprise activities can suffer. Even with the help of Fort Wayne preschools, this can be a tough challenge.
So what’s a busy parent to do?
Enlist your child’s help
For years, I’ve used a series of colored laundry baskets so laundry is sorted from the start. Blue jeans go in the blue basket, whites and delicates in the white basket, colorful clothes in the pastel basket. . . . Even a preschooler can be taught to sort his or her clothes – and best of all, it doesn’t feel like a chore. Not only is your laundry sorted, but it’s easy to tell when the load is big enough to wash by eyeing the contents of the basket.
At Fort Wayne preschools, children have regular chores. And they should have them at home, too! What are things your child can do to help you with your chores? How can you make them easier – perhaps even fun? Add your ideas to the “comments” below, and help your fellow warriors in the challenge we call “Parenting” win another battle!
Before going to bed, organize the next day’s chores.
Whether you are a list maker or a pile-upper, go through everything on your counter, desk, or wherever your “pending” work is right before you go to bed. How will you maximize the time your child spends at one of our Fort Wayne preschools, if that’s part of your schedule? Prioritize what needs to be done, and put some of the quick things on top. That way, when you tackle your chores the next day, you can accomplish something right away, and you won’t waste time doing something that isn’t as important as another task that has a deadline.
Looking ahead and having a plan of attack can also help because the next day, you may think about something that needs doing – and come up with an easier way to accomplish it. This is an important lesson we’ve learned at Fort Wayne preschools – and we know it works at home, too!
Cut yourself – and your children – some slack.
Perfectionism – it seems everyone has accomplished it except you. We look around Fort Wayne preschools and everyone else seems so “together”! But let’s get real; if you probed deep enough, you’d probably find that even your most perfect friend or family member has the hidden drawer or closet (maybe even a room!) that is a better reflection of reality. The “face” we put on – on ourselves, our children and our house – may, like a façade, crumble in the storms of life.
Practice shrugging things off and not beating yourself up when you don’t achieve perfection. Even with the help of our Fort Wayne preschools, you will always have more “to do” left at the end of a day. Decide when “good enough” is good enough. And then don’t apologize – after all, if someone is “grading” you by your ability to control dust, do you really want to spend time with that person?
When my mom was teaching me to sew, she said, “When you break two needles, it’s time to stop for the night.” I’ve had to learn that in every situation, there is an equivalent of breaking two needles. When I get to that point, I stop. Mom was right (again).
Remember, you are constantly teaching your children – not just when you formally teach.
At Fort Wayne preschools like Carepointe Academy, we intersperse education throughout the day. After all, children are unique. Some are more open to learning in the morning and others take longer to “seize the day.” And that’s true for adults, too. For example, if I am hungry, forget it! I am crabby and can’t focus. Ignoring that need so I can learn something or finish a task is a recipe for failure.
So use moments at play, in the grocery store or in the car to teach. There is so much to learn outside Fort Wayne preschools – just from life! I remember learning to spell by looking at street signs along a route my mom and I frequently took when she drove me to school. My grandpa helped me learn to pound a nail so I could make a special centerpiece for my mom, and my dad used to stop whatever he was doing and watch a silly TV show with me every Tuesday night just because it made me happy. Now that they’re all gone, those are the memories I keep – the time they spent teaching me without me knowing I was learning.
So reclaim your nights and weekends and make them memorable for your children – and for you. It’s not about who does the most or travelled the furthest. It’s really about who made “home” a place where perfection gave way to love.
Finding day cares in Fort Wayne isn’t difficult – but finding great day cares in Fort Wayne may seem impossible! There are many options for day cares in Fort Wayne, but when it comes to placing your child in a program, you want more than location. “Location” may be terrific for selling real estate, but it can only go so far when you’re selecting one of the day cares in Fort Wayne.
You’ll want to consider the needs of your child, of course. Some day cares in Fort Wayne focus more on one aspect of programming while others have a different emphasis. What does your child enjoy? Does he or she like to read quietly or engage in an activity? Does he like crafts, or does she like music? Day cares in Fort Wayne have different points of emphasis, so you’ll want to look for the one that aligns with your child’s needs and interests.
At Carepointe Academy, one of your options for day cares in Fort Wayne, we know it’s not a matter of choosing between childcare and education. Today's parent wants to provide a child with great care AND a strong preparatory education . . . at the same time. That’s why our programs offer a wide variety of activities for children to choose from, at a pace that fits them best.
A few days ago, I was talking to a mother of a first-grade student. He was so excited about starting to “all day school,” but was exhausted after just a few days. She was hoping he didn’t fall asleep on Friday afternoon!
Be sure to look carefully at day cares in Fort Wayne and select one that is sensitive to the needs of your child. In the case of my friend, she would want a program that allowed some “down time,” so her son could rebuild his energy. A quiet place to nap might be the best thing for him right now as he adjusts to this new routine in his life.
You’ll want to be sure to ask day cares in Fort Wayne how flexible their programs are. Do all the children do the same thing at the same time, or are there enough staff members that children have options?
At Carepointe Academy, we know “teachable moments” aren’t always a matter of programming. What sets us apart from other day cares in Fort Wayne is that our teachers focus on identifying teachable moments as well as creating them through our curriculum. We call this our “teach throughout the day” approach.
An advantage of this is that our academy is family friendly. Instead of a fixed start-time and end-time, you can bring your child at the time that is most convenient for you (or your work schedule). Your child will be able to join whatever learning activity is currently being explored, without feeling he or she missed out on something.
We are fortunate to have many day cares in Fort Wayne. And at Carepointe Academy, we believe we are fortunate to be able to have a special role in the lives of our students – and in their parents’ lives, too. We understand how tough it is to balance “life.” Sometimes things happen that can really mess up even the best laid plans.
So when your child is part of Carepointe Academy, you can be assured that he or she is being cared for at one of the top day cares in Fort Wayne. We’re flexible, because we know the last thing you need is another deadline looming!
As you are looking at day cares in Fort Wayne, we invite you to come check us out at Carepointe Academy. We’d love to show you – and your child – around our school. We’re passionate about giving children a wonderful day care experience, and we’re excited to share our enthusiasm with you. Give us a call!
