Wednesday, April 15, 2015

“Nature Play and the Growing Child”



Biologist John Lubbock once wrote, “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountains and sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.” At Little Angels Preschool & Daycare in Ypsilanti we focus on growing the WHOLE child, not just academically, but also their character and well-being. Studies have shown that being outdoors is great for your child’s intelligence and their character, as well as their physical and mental health. Little Angels is dedicated to spending much of your child’s day exploring nature. We feel that it’s the best and most effective way for children to learn and grow.


For Your Child’s Intelligence


Preschool Daycare YpsilantiThe outdoors is richer in sensory experiences than indoor environments. Very young children learn predominately through their sensory and physical experiences, which supports brain development. Children who have nature experiences demonstrate more advanced cognitive development by improving awareness, reasoning, and observational skills. Even tree climbing requires a very broad spectrum of brain activity!


Children who spend time outside have longer attention spans than those who spend time in front of screens, and children with ADHD focus better after being outdoors. Memory performance also improves by 20% after spending an hour outside.


Academically, schools with environmental education programs have students that score higher in reading, math, writing, and science, in standardized testing.


For Your Child’s Character


Natural, irregular, and challenging spaces help kids learn to recognize, assess, and negotiate risk. This builds confidence, competence, self-esteem, autonomy, and independence. When playing in diverse, natural environments, children use more imaginative and creative play. This fosters language and collaborative skills and eliminates anti-social behaviors, such as violence, bullying, vandalism, and littering.


For Your Child’s Physical Health


The sun’s rays give off essential Vitamin D. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption, reduces inflammation, prevents some types of cancer, and reduces the effects of autoimmune diseases. The sun also acts as a natural antiseptic, which kills mold, yeast, bacteria, fungi, and viruses-even ones that are living on the skin. 


Studies have shown that playing in the dirt, and ingesting a little along the way, helps children build stronger immune systems. Exposure to parasites, bacteria, and viruses at an early age decrease the chance of having allergies and asthma

Additionally, viruses and bacteria thrive in air-tight spaces, so being outdoors gives your little one a break from all the circulating germs – and even clears out their lungs!


For Your Child’s Mental Health


According to a four-year academic study, antidepressant use is on
the rise in kids, with the fastest growing group, being children ages 0-5 years old. Time in nature, especially being exposed to Vitamin D from the sun, significantly decreases psychological scores for depression and anxiety in psychological testing and may keep children from being required to take these medications. 
preschool daycare Ypsilanti

Additionally, when spending time outside, you ingest and breathe a specific soil bacterium which helps decrease anxiety. As a result, children’s stress levels will fall within minutes of seeing green spaces.


National Public Radio recently reported that the average American child spends only 4 – 7 minutes outside per day. We hope that here at Little Angels Preschool & Daycare in Ypsilanti we can skew that number and assist you in raising a happy, healthy, and well-adjusted child, while also fostering a love of nature and the Earth.



References


2.American Science of Microbiology “Can Bacteria Make You Smarter?


3.Associated Press “Childhood Pastimes are Increasingly Moving Indoors” 


4.Children’s Nature Network “Children and Nature Worldwide
 

5.Council for Learning Outside the Classroom “Benefits of Early Years Learning Outside the Classroom

6.Government of Western Australia Department of Sports and Recreation “Why Build a Nature Based Playground
 

7.Harvard Health Publication “Spending Time Outdoors is Good For You

8.The Huffington Post “Why Getting Fresh Air is So Good For You


9.The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation “ Environment-based Education: Creating High Performance Schools & Students


10.National Institute of Health “ Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

11.New York State Department of Environmental Conservation “Immerse Yourself in a Forest for Better Health
 

12.Presbyterian Ladies’ College “The Effects of Outdoor Activity On the Brain
 

13. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute “Ultraviolet Radiation

14.University of Iowa “Immunology
 

15.White Huchinson: Learning and Leisure Group “ Young Children’s Relationship with Nature

Monday, April 13, 2015

7 Ultimate Ways To Deal With a New Sibling



Thinking about expanding your family?

How will your child handle a little brother or sister?

Are you worried that your child won’t accept a new child into your home?

Every parent has the same worries; you’re not alone! There is good cause for concern because not all siblings get along. If you had brothers and sisters growing up you know it wasn’t a cake walk. It was probably a struggle sharing, playing nice, and competing for your parent’s attention 24/7.
preschool in Saline


According to the University of Michigan Health System, help your child adjust to their baby brother or sister by doing the following:


  1. Set aside special time for your older child.
  2. Listen to how your child feels about the baby.
  3. Make sure it’s very clear that no hurting is allowed when they’re angry.
  4. Have some special “big brother” or “big sister” gifts to give your child as friends and relatives start showing up with baby gifts, so your older child won’t feel left out.
  5. Give them special jobs that they can do to help the family and let them help with the baby’s care.
  6. Make sure the older child has things of their own.
  7. Point out the benefits of being an older child.


Give these recommendations a try. Your child will be able to adjust better to a changing family dynamic if they’re aware of what’s going on, rather than being left in the dark. Your child will be able to grasp the concept better if you prepare them ahead of time. This will allow you to feel less worried as your older child and new baby learn about one another.

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! At Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti serving Saline, and the surrounding areas, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being.