10 Creative Non-Toy Gift Ideas

Are you struggling to buy something for your child this holiday season?

Does your child have enough toys? 

Do you want to give your child something unique?

Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti has compiled a list of non-toy gift ideas with the help of Pinterest that your child may love! The following gifts are sure to WOW your child, including:

1. Classes, like dance, music, horseback riding, drawing, karate, etc.
2. Memberships to the zoo, a museum, YMCA, or an amusement park
3. Tickets to a concert, sporting event, play, etc.
4. Gift certificates for mini golf, bowling, or a skating rink
5. Art and craft kits
6. Books
7. Dress up clothes
8. Games and puzzles
9. Small aquarium with fish
10. Redeem a coupon when they need some one-on-one time with Mom or Dad

Your child will be thrilled to have any of these gifts, helping to make the holidays great! Many of these gifts help a child’s development, enhancing their small motor skills, large motor skills, brain development, problem-solving, and responsibility.

If you decide to buy one of these non-toy gift ideas, we’d like to know how your child responds. In addition, are there any other recommendations that you’d like to suggest to other parents? Please let us know in the comments!

We hope this information will help you finish your Christmas shopping with ease. At Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti, we hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season!

The Ultimate Guide to the Right Car Seat for Every Age & Stage

Are you overwhelmed by the abundant selection of car seat choices?

Don’t worry! We have the 411 on car seats!

Whether your child is an infant or toddler, there’s a special car seat made just for them! 

According to Consumer Reports, “about 80 percent of parents and caregivers experience some level of misuse when using seats that include a harness, so it's important to carefully read the owner's manual for both your vehicle and your child's car seat.”

At Little Angels Preschool & Daycare in Ypsilanti, we like to ensure the safety of our students and their families. So, we have a few suggestions on how to pick the right car seat for your child including:

Infant Car Seats: (4-25 lbs.) Unless your baby is born before 37 weeks, you’ll buy this car seat when your baby is first born. These car seats have a comfy cushion surrounding every corner to embrace your baby.

Car beds: (born before 37 weeks or have special needs) These car beds are perfect for preemies because they feature a slant, enabling your baby to ride safely lying down. 

Convertible Car Seats: (25-100 lbs.) These car seats grow with your child, so you’ll only have to buy one car seat in your child’s lifetime. However, they are typically not compatible with strollers and can’t be used as a carrier.

 

Booster Car Seats: (30 to 40 lbs., maximum weight 70 to 120 lbs.) The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children ride in safety seats until the age of seven, and if your child is small, it may be wise to keep your baby in one even longer.

We hope this information will help you become more aware of the car seat options at your disposal. At Little Angels Preschool & Daycare Ypsilanti, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being. We want to ensure the safety of our students and their families.

Do you know of a parent looking for a quality daycare in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor or the surrounding areas? Please encourage them to contact us to schedule a tour of Little Angels Preschool & Daycare.

5 Tips to Improve Communication with Your Child

Many parents feel that communicating with their child can become a struggle. Something to keep in mind; a child’s brain can keep only four ideas in short-term memory at one time (even less in younger children). With our Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti’s 5 tips to improve communication, you’ll be on the fast track to smoother days with your child!

According to Psychology Today, the four most common methods to avoid in communicating with children are the following:

1. Talking too much
2. Nagging
3. Listening poorly
4. Failing to apologize

Here are a few suggestions to try in your communication with your child:

1. Limit the conversation (short and simple) – this helps them absorb the information better.
2. Allow your child to manage the situation better by loosening the reins (give choices you both would accept).
3. Try turning off your electronic devices when you come home from work.
4. Set an example on how to fess up after making a mistake and learn the proper way to apologize. State the mistake, apologize, and explain how to improve the relationship/situation.
5. Limit tasks – younger children may only retain 2-3 things at a time. Good rule of thumb is one task for every year old for 5 years and younger.

Give these recommendations a try. Your child will be more responsive and you will strengthen your parent-child relationship at the same time.

If you decide to try some of these things with your child, we’d like to know how it works for you. In addition, are there any other alternatives that already work for you that you’d like to suggest to other parents? Please let us know in the comments!

We hope this information will help you become more aware of your parent-child interactions. At Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti, we are dedicated to our students’ health and well-being.