How to Create a Natural Outdoor Play Space at Home

Did your parents ever say “fresh air is good for you?” Well it turns out our parents were right!

Creating a natural outdoor play space in your backyard is easy if you have access to natural materials, which most of us do. According to LetTheChildrenPlay.net, elements to include in your natural outdoor play space should include: 

• Water
• Vegetation
• Animals
• Insects
• Sand
• Natural Color
• Places to sit on, in, under, lean against, provide privacy, shade or shelter
• Different levels, nooks, crannies, places to hide
• Structures or objects that can be changed, including lots of loose parts

The outdoors is richer in sensory experiences than are indoor environments. Very young children learn predominately through their sensory and physical experiences, and that learning supports brain development. Children who have nature experiences demonstrate more advanced cognitive development by improving awareness, reasoning, and observational skills.
 
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. Call (734) 998-0233 to schedule a tour!

Shape Matchup Activity!

Want to set your child up for success by teaching him or her all about shapes?
 
Can your child already recognize certain shapes because of everyday items found around your house?
 
Is your child aware of different size objects around your home?
 
We recommend a great activity to practice shapes and sizes by Trish Kuffner, found on FamilyEducation.com:
 
Materials

• Colored construction paper 
• White construction paper 
• Pen or marker 
• Scissors 

Directions

1. Cut basic shapes (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, heart, and so on) out of colored construction paper. 
2. Trace all the shapes onto a piece of white construction paper. 
3. Have your child match the colored shapes to those drawn on the white paper.  

This might seem like just a fun playtime activity, but you’re really helping your child to be set up for success. Want your child to be the next great mathematician? The earlier fundamentals are learned, the better your child will perform in school and beyond! This shape matchup activity helps develop your child’s cognitive senses for math concepts from geometry to sorting and patterning.

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!

Preschool in Ypsilanti Want to Know: Do you Set Technology Rules With Your Children?

Do your kids watch more than 2 hours of television per day?

Is your child addicted to video games?

Is your child on his or her cell phone during dinnertime?

In this day and age, it’s no surprise that kids have a hard time detaching from their electronic devices. However, it’s your job as a parent to ensure that your child has limits, so he or she has enough time to do homework, socialize, and play.

If you have a hard time setting limits, you’re not alone. Most parents have a hard time because they’re attached to technology themselves. You must be a digital role model if you want your kids to follow in your footsteps.

If you want more family time than screen time, our preschool Ypsilanti teachers suggest the following:

• Establish places in your home where technology isn’t allowed
• Set times aside where the family must remain unplugged from technology
• Use parental controls that allow you to see what your child is doing on the internet
• Get your child’s passwords
• Encourage activities other than something that involves technology
• Talk to your child about potential risks

In following some of these suggestions for setting technology rules, you should see an improvement. Your child will be more active, while hopefully making new friends, which will allow them to be happier and healthier in the long term!

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 tips 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 how and when you use technology. At Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being.

Preschool in Ypsilanti Suggests Tips For Going Back to School

Is your child enthusiastic or unhappy about the new school year?

Does your child find his or her new school intimidating?

Are you having a hard time motivating your child for the new school year ahead?

Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered!

Whether your child is a new or returning student at our preschool in Ypsilanti, there’s always a solution to help ease your child into the idea of going to school.

PBS Parents recommends the following steps:

1. Practice going to school to help your child get familiar with the route and routine.

2. Describe to your child what will likely happen on their first day of class.

3. Ask your child compelling questions about what they’re looking forward to the most, and what concerns they have.

4. Schedule play dates with other children your child may not have seen all summer to acquaint them with familiar faces.

5. Walk your child into the classroom on the first few days.

6. Read books about starting school and how exciting it can be!

We hope these tips will help you and your child shift from summer back to a school schedule with ease. Have you found other ways that get your child excited about school? We’re not talking about bribes, we’re talking about techniques that work without you caving into your child’s demands. If you have any techniques, please share them with us! We always appreciate more ideas! 

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

Not All Bugs Are Harmless Advises Daycare in Ypsilanti

Do you ever see a creepy crawler and wonder whether it’s harmful or not?

Do bugs give you the willies?

Whether you’re a person who likes bugs or not, it’s still important that you and your child know which types of bugs are harmful!

Most people, depending on where they live, know whether a bug is unusual for that type of climate and region. But it’s always good to brush up on some bug knowledge. 

According to ListVerse.com, there are many bugs that are harmful (you will only find a few of these in Michigan, thank goodness!). The list includes:

1. Hemiptera – Transmits Chagas Disease.
2. Giant Japanese or Asian Hornet – Stings have a higher concentration of Acetylcholine than any other stinging insect.
3. Siafu – Bites can cause asphyxiation in young children and the elderly.
4. Wasps – Stings can cause people to go into anaphylactic shock.
5. Locusts – Contribute to starvation because they like to eat crops.
6. Fire Ants –Bites can swell up into a painful pustule and burn.
7. TseTse Fly – Carries a deadly sleeping sickness.
8. Bees – Stings can result in anaphylactic shock causing death.
9. Fleas – Bites can swell into a pustule and cause allergic reactions.
10. Anopheles Mosquito - Carries blood-borne diseases, like Malaria.

We hope we didn’t send goose bumps down your back! We hope that you will take this information and be more aware of the types of bugs you find in and around your home in the Ypsilanti area. 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.