5 Values You Should Teach Your Child By Age 5

As a parent of young children, you know that there are important values your kids need to learn for them to make friends, do well in school, and grow up.

When your kids are younger, they soak up everything they see and hear! The earlier you start teaching good values, the more likely they’ll internalize those values and apply them throughout their lives.

Here are five values that you may want your child to learn by his or her fifth birthday:

1. Love – Always be generous with your affection. When your son or daughter sees you showing love to family members and friends, he or she will feel more comfortable expressing affection. 
2. Consideration – Teach your kids to think about others’ feelings! Over time, a young child can see that treating peers nicely and being friendly can ensure that his or her peers will be nice in return. Remember the Golden Rule: treat others how you want to be treated!
3. Determination – Encourage your kids to take on a challenge! The easiest way to encourage determination according to Parents.com is “avoiding excessive praise and by providing children with honest feedback, delivered in a gentle, supportive fashion.” Make sure to congratulate your kids when they do something that is difficult for them, such as making friends when they’re shy, or completing a homework assignment that they’ve struggled with in the past.
4. Honesty – Help your kids find a way to tell the truth! The easiest way to encourage them to be truthful is to make sure that you’re truthful as well. Another way is to make sure you don’t overreact to small white lies. Encourage children to be honest by assuring them that you won’t yell and that they won’t be in trouble if they tell the truth the first time. 
5. Justice – Teach your kids to say ‘I’m sorry’ and make amends! Teaching your children to apologize after they do something wrong will help to instill the concepts of right and wrong, and help them think about how their actions affect people around them.

We think there’s a good chance that kids who learn these values will have an easier time socializing, making friends in school, and interaction with adults. Learning these values and life lessons early on will also give your children a foundation they can build on as they grow into mature, happy, kind-hearted people!

As the trusted and preferred daycare in Ann Arbor, we provide a positive learning environment for kids all over Washtenaw County. If you want more information about our facility or our teaching style, please visit our website!

Everything You Need to Know About Kindergarten Readiness! Read Our Checklist!

Is your child ready for kindergarten? Let’s find out!
 
At Little Angels Preschool in the Ann Arbor area we know how to identify when a child is ready to move on from preschool. Typically their fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills, and academic skills are vastly improved compared to when they were toddlers.
 
According to Scholastic, here’s what you should look in your child to know when their ready to start kindergarten:

1. Enthusiasm toward learning
Do they ask questions? Do they take initiative?

2. Solid oral-language skills
Can your child retain new words and use them in a conversation?

3. Ability to listen
Can your child follow directions? Can your child understand rhyming words or finish sentences to familiar stories?

4. Desire to be independent
Can your child hang up his or her coat? Fasten or unfasten buttons? Eat neatly and pour into a cup?


5. Ability to play well with others
Does your child share with other children? Can your child problem solve when a problem occurs?

6. Strong fine motor skills
Can your child color, cut with scissors, or hold a pencil?

7. Basic letter and number recognition
Can your child recognize most numbers and letters by sight?

After reading through this list of kindergarten readiness items, do you feel your child is ready for this next important step in their education? If you don’t think they’re ready, it’s important to take time after school to help practice some of these special developmental skills. You should also consult with your child’s teacher or the director of their preschool to ensure their readiness.

Little Angels Preschool in the Ann Arbor area has been serving Ypsilanti, Saline, Milan, Pittsfield Township, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

Can Your Child Express Their Feelings Well? Try this Activity at Home!

Is your child vocal about their feelings?
 
Can they explain critical parts of a story?
 
Can your child recognize feeling words like sad, hurt, confused, loved, etc.?
We recommend this great activity to practice vocabulary and expression that we found on FamilyEducation.com:
 

Materials
•  Your child's favorite book

Directions
•  You can take a favorite story a step further after you read it by asking the child what a particular character felt like at some point in the story.
•  Help to extend vocabulary as your child searches for ways to explain feelings.

Extensions
•  Make a list of words together that describe what a character felt.
•  Ask the child if there is another way the story could have ended.
•  Ask if there is another way a character could have acted.
•  Ask the child how they feel about a particular part of a story.

This is a fun activity to do toward bedtime to boost your child’s understanding of the characters in their favorite story. The earlier your child develops analytical and logical thinking skills, the easier reading will become!  

Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have been serving Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, Pittsfield Township, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

What is Good Playdate Etiquette?

Does your child go on playdates?
 
Or, do you host playdates?
 
Either way, you’ve come to right place if you’re looking for the 411 on playdates! Playdates are a great way for children to socialize, learn, problem solve, discover and make lifelong friends.

We’ve collected a few great tips provided by Parents Magazine to help make playdates fun for every child and easier for parents, including:

1. Limit the number of people you invite, so your child can have one-on-one fun without anyone feeling left out.
2. Drop off your child only when you know he or she is ready and most comfortable.
3. Be on time dropping off and picking up your child.
4. Insist on helping with the cleanup!
5. Have your child “Thank” as soon as they’re old enough to talk.
6. Accommodate your child’s food allergies by bringing your own snacks.
7. Have fun activities planned out in advance if you’re hosting.
8. Make the effort to alternate locations.
9. Check with the other parent on restricting certain privileges like TV and computer use.

What do you find that works for you on playdates? Do you have tips for fellow parents? Let’s start the conversation on our blog in the comment section.

Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have been serving Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, Pittsfield Township, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

Baby Talk or No Baby Talk That is Thee Question!

Yay or nay for baby talk?
 
Do you believe that imitating your babies babbling can be beneficial to your child’s vocabulary growth?
 
Or, do you think that speaking in a regular tone rather than a sing-song voice would be just as beneficial for your child, and that’s why you don’t baby talk?

According to PBS Parents, “Experts call this musical way of talking “parentese” and report there’s a true value to it. Parentese helps parents and caregivers connect to their babies and helps babies develop language skills.” If it can help benefit your child in the long run, why not try speaking baby talk every now and then. It couldn’t hurt!
 
With baby talk every child is exposed to drawn out vowels and exaggerated facial expressions, which allow a baby’s brain to remember the sounds they hear to help better recognize language. Before you know it, your baby will be rolling out sentences and performing in the school play!
 
Has baby talk worked for your children? Why are you for or against baby talk? Let’s start the conversation on our blog in the comment section.

Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have been serving Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, Pittsfield Township, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

11 Ways to Grow Family Time!

Do you want to spend more time bonding as a family?
 
Day-to-day tasks that need to be done at home would be a great place to start! Chores can teach your child the valuable skills and lessons they need for their future. In addition, chores give children a connection and a sense of purpose in your family.  

Our teachers at Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have compiled a list of chores you can do as a family around your home, including:

1.    Fold laundry
2.    Dust shelves
3.    Wash dishes
4.    Make beds
5.    Clean up toys
6.    Pull weeds
7.    Plant flowers
8.    Shovel snow
9.    Bring in light grocery items
10.    Cook or help prep dinner
11.    Clean spills and dirt
 
Imagine how fulfilled you’ll feel when your family feels a sense of closeness after you’ve added bonding time. The more time you spend together, the closer the family bond you’ll have for years to come!
 
Have you tried implementing something like this already in your home? Do you notice a difference in your family’s closeness or your child’s skills? If you decide to try some of these chores as a family, we’d like to know how it worked for your family.

Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have been serving Pittsfield Township, Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

Preschool Children and Grief in Ypsilanti

Have you lost someone recently?
 
Has a major tragedy cast a shadow over your life?
 
How do you cope with grief?
 
This is an important issue. Equally important is how the children in your life are coping with that same grief. When you lose a friend or family member, it can be hard to find time to deal with your feelings and to help your children do the same.

Little Angels is proud to serve preschool Ypsilanti children and their families, and we understand that it can be a stressful process to counsel a grieving child. However, there’s always a lesson that can be learned. As a parent it’s important that you let your child know as a family it’s important to be there for one another. This is a teachable moment for children on how to deal with stress and to teach sympathy/empathy.
 
Grief is as natural for children as it is for adults, but it can often show itself in different ways and for different amounts of time. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, preschool age children usually view death as temporary and reversible. It may be some time until they accept the loss in their life as final.
 
Avoid the temptation to keep the truth from your children, as painful as it may be for you and them. Children can pick up on subtle signs, and often know when you’re lying. Being truthful with your child builds a connection of trust and allows you to be there for them to talk about their feelings.
 
Children’s grief can display itself as anger in the form of rough, aggressive play, irritability, and nightmares. The child may also temporarily “regress,” speaking and acting younger than they are, while demanding food or attention. Young children believe they are the cause of what happens around them, and may blame themselves for the death, leading to depression and withdrawal. Just remember that each child copes in his or her own unique way. Negative behaviors can be expressed but you should discourage them from becoming long term habits.
 
You only want the best for your child. We want the best for them too! The National Alliance for Grieving Children reports that grieving children often feel less alone when they can be with other kids who have experienced loss. For preschool Ypsilanti children, we recommend Ele's Place, a healing center for grieving children and teens. Four branch locations support families throughout the Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Flint and Lansing areas and beyond. You can learn more about them on our Online Resources page, under the “Parents” menu.
 
If you’re looking for more resources to teach your child about grief read these books recommended by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Looking for Family Groups in Ypsilanti or Ann Arbor?

Are you looking for parent or family support groups in Ypsilanti or the surrounding areas?
 
There are many parents in the area who have similar interests and children at the same milestones as your family. Many groups in the area provide opportunities for parents to mingle, get advice, and support each other in their parenting endeavors.

Some groups in the area include:
 
1. Hike it Baby
2. La Leche League
3. Ann Arbor Parents Without Partners
4. Ann Arbor Parents Meetup Group
5. Lamaze Family Center
6. Saint Joseph Hospital Breastfeeding Club
7. Ann Arbor Baby Wearers
 
If you need a few more suggestions on family groups in the area, feel free to ask our staff. We’re always willing to help support and guide our Little Angels parents and guardians.
 
If you decide to try some of these parent groups, we’d like to know how they work for you. In addition, are there any other alternative parent groups that you’re already a part of that you’d like to suggest to other parents? Please let us know in the comments! At Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti serving Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, Pittsfield Township, and the surrounding areas, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being. (734) 998-0233

13 Tips to Help Your Child Eat Their Veggies at Home & at Their Preschool in Ypsilanti

Children go through phases of what they will or will not eat, this is normal. We know as parents that we want our children to have a diverse palate and nutritious meals.

Our teachers at preschool in Ypsilanti suggest the best thing to do is not force your child to eat veggies, but make it a fun experience!

According to WebMD, a few proven ways to get kids to eat more veggies include:

1. Take your child to a farmers market and have them pick a veggie.
2. Try to offer a selection of different foods for salad night, taco night or pizza night.
3. Make it fun by making faces with cut up veggies.
4. Avoid battling over veggies.
5. Offer new veggies with a familiar one.
6. Don’t give up! Children’s appetites change over time.
7. Make veggie popsicles and smoothies.
8. Take advantage of peer pressure. If their friend is bold enough to try veggies, your child may follow.
9. Try roasting veggies! It helps bring out their natural sweetness.
10. Serve veggies with dip!
11. Have veggies ready to eat as a go-to snack.
12. Set a good example! Make sure your child sees you eat your own veggies. They will be more likely to do the same.
13. Sneak veggies into baked goods.

If you decide to try some of these tips to help your child eat more veggies, we’d like to know if it was successful. Imagine clean plates and no complaints at dinner time! We hope that your child becomes more adventurous in their eating habits, as well as, a better health role model for the future.

Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have been serving Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, Pittsfield Township, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

September Fun Family Events in Washtenaw County!

Are you bored of doing the same old thing every night?
 
Are you looking to do something fun and unique with your family this month?
 

It’s almost fall, so there are some fun events in town sure to get you excited about the upcoming holidays! Our kids experts here at Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have brainstormed a few great ideas for you:
 
To name just a few…

• Visit the Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market
• Go see “Close Encounters”: a benefit for The Creature Conservancy
• Attend Downtown Storytime at the Ypsilanti District Library
• Check out Wiard’s Orchards and Country Fair
• Go to the 42nd Anniversary Jamboree: Dawn Farm
• Spend some time at “The Littlest Scientist”: Ann Arbor Hand-On Museum
• Run the Corn Maze at Talladay Farms
• Celebrate at the 7th Annual Harvest Festival: Pittsfield Township Parks and Recreation

All of these events are family friendly, with many events, games, and fun for everyone!
 
For more events in your area visit: Ann Arbor Family.
 
Happy harvest!

6 Reasons to Go to the Library!

Does your child enjoy reading?
 
How often do you take your child to the library?
 
Do you feel like libraries are an important part of learning?
 
Libraries are truly helpful in order to give children the chance to read books they may never have had a chance to read otherwise. Reading develops a child’s imagination and gives them a way to experience adventures without leaving home!
 
“I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” 

― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
 
Make your summer an adventurous one, by taking a trip to your local library to see what it has to offer. Local libraries provide many benefits to young children including:

1. Children’s programs
2. Reading rewards
3. Unlimited supply of free books
4. Story time
5. Expands vocabulary
6. Teaches responsibility
   

If you decide to take your child to the library this summer, we’d like to know if the trip was successful. Libraries can be a great escape from the sweltering heat in the summer, so give it a shot! Reading a book with your child helps them develop their vocabulary skills faster!
 
Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have been serving Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

Preschool in Ypsilanti Suggests 7 Ways to Encourage Kids to Read!

Does your child enjoy bedtime stories?
 
Can your child identify certain words, letters, and phrases?
 
Can your child build small sentences?
 
If you answered, “Yes,” to the above questions, that’s great! However, if some of your answers were no, it’s not the end of the world. Every child learns at their own pace. It’s helpful to learn how to read earlier on in life because it can be harder to advance their education without learning the fundamentals first.

According to PBS, there are many things you can do to encourage your preschooler to read including:

1. Build reading into everyday routines.
2. Read and reread your young child’s favorite books every day.
3. Read books with a variety of characters.
4. Enjoy rhyming books together.
5. As you read, point out the important features of a book.
6. As you read, point to each word with your finger.
7. Use stories to introduce your child to new words.

If you decide to try some of these things with your child, we’d like to know how they work for you. Wouldn’t you like to see your child do well in school? By encouraging reading early in life, you’re helping them succeed. 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’d love to hear from you!
 
Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti have been serving Saline, Ann Arbor, Milan, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. Your child will gain positive self-esteem, confidence and a healthy sense of value through Experienced-Based-Learning at our daycare center. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

Achieving Kindergarten Readiness Milestones in Preschool

Kindergarten can be an exciting time for children and parents, but it can also be scary. Knowing if your child is ready to learn in a new environment can be tricky, and knowing what to look for is sometimes difficult.

During this important time, it’s likely you have a lot of questions.

“How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?”

“What should I be doing to make sure they’re learning at home?”

“What skills does he/she need to be successful?”

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, or have more concerns about kindergarten readiness, your Ypsilanti preschool teachers and daycare professionals want to help!  

Here are several areas that Pre-K students, parents, and teachers should be focusing on, according to Ann Barbour, a professor of childhood education at California State University, Los Angeles:

Self-Care

By the time kindergarten starts, your child should be able to get dressed by themselves, and know basic self-help skills like using writing utensils, etc.

Using Language to Express Needs and Wants

It’s important for your child to be able to talk with adults and other children. They should also be able to play well with their classmates, so make sure to talk with them about sharing and making friends. 

Shape, Color and Letter Recognition

Your child should be able to write basic letters, especially the letters in their own name. Shapes and colors are important and easy to work on at home. Alphabet magnets are a great way to teach your child basic spelling, and using food dye and cookie cutters can be a fun way to learn both shapes and colors.

Eagerness to Learn

Showing curiosity and a willingness to learn new things is an important development for young children. Teaching your kids that learning can be fun instead of scary will help them

Most kindergarten readiness skills are already being taught in preschool or daycare, but your child can benefit from continuing to learn at home. The more you can do to prepare for kindergarten, the less scary it will be for the both of you.

According to Barbour, “you can also help your child prepare for the actual transition to kindergarten by talking about what will happen.” Much of the preparation is about making sure that your child is comfortable and happy.

Kindergarten readiness involves both you and your child, and your Ypsilanti preschool professional can help! Make sure to find out what your Pre-K teachers have planned for your child, and find out what you can do to make their learning experience as beneficial as possible.