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!

Preschool in Ypsilanti Discusses 6 Ways to Deal With Tattling at Home

Is your child a tattletale?
 
Are you worried that your child may not outgrow tattling?
 
Tattling is common in most households, so there’s nothing to fret over. The cause is often sibling rivalry if it’s happening at home, so make sure you give each child the attention they deserve. If you can work through the tattling problem with your child, imagine being able to come home from work to a home that’s relaxed, comfortable, and much less stressed. When you and your children get along well, that dream can become a reality!
 

How to Fix a Tattletale Problem:

According to MetroParent Magazine, there are nine things that can help combat your child’s tattling problem, including:

Photo Credit: Aleksandra Kostina, Flickr

1. Consider the motivation behind the tattling
2. Teach the difference between minor and important telling if someone is in danger
3. Acknowledge your child’s feelings
4. Coach your child on problem-solving skills
5. Be a mediator between the children to help figure out a resolution
6. Play the role of supportive consultant rather than punishing or taking sides
7. Maximize listening skills by taking an interest in what your child has to say
8. Use matter-of-fact phrases like “There are only two grownups in this house, and it’s our responsibility to enforce the rules.”
9. Wait it out! Your child should outgrow tattling eventually

If you come home every day your young child can’t wait to tattle on their older sibling, you’re going to be annoyed and frustrated. So, there’s no harm in trying some of these techniques. They could make a huge difference for your peace of mind!
 
If you decide to try some of these things with your child, we’d like to know how they 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, Ann Arbor, Milan, and the surrounding areas, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being.

Why Does My Child Lie?

Does your child tell lies?
 
Are you wondering why?
 
Do you worry that your child may be developing a lying problem?
 
No need to worry! Telling lies is completely normal stage for children. Most of us did it at one point or another, but it’s important not to let the telling of lies get out of hand. Instead, imagine what your life would be like if you had a steady flow of truthful communication between you and your child?
 
If you and your child were able to speak openly about everything, there would be a lot less opportunity for lying. Trust is the KEY!
According to Parenting.com, here’s why certain ages groups tell lies:
 
Toddlers: Telling small fibs is common for ages 2-3. These are often fibs “denying they’ve done something wrong or in order to gain something for themselves.”
 
Preschoolers: “This is the age of invisible friends, horned monsters and talking rainbows. Preschoolers who tell tall tales can be pure play, or sometimes wishful thinking, usually insisting their fantasy world is real.”
 
Schoolkids: When 5 – 8 year-olds lie, it usually “benefits someone else or is told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.”
 
Tweens: Tweens (ages 9 – 12) tend to be a little bit secretive but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. It usually means they’re maturing and wish for more independence.
 

How Should I Handle My Child’s Lies?

The best way to help wean your child from lying is to encourage them to express themselves truthfully. Building a relationship is critical, because without a trusting relationship, getting to know one another can become difficult.
 
Don’t be afraid to open up your feelings to your child and tell them how you feel when they lie. Do you feel angry? Are you filled with disappointment? Are you sad? This can help open up a dialogue and hopefully get your child to open up as well, if you handle it calmly and with love.
 
If you decide to try some of these things with your child, we’d like to know how they work 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, Ann Arbor, Milan, and the surrounding areas, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being.

6 Ways to Deal with Aggression in Toddlers and Preschoolers

Is your child aggressive toward other toddlers or preschoolers?

Does your child have a history of biting, kicking, or hitting?

What have you done to help solve the problem?

If you’re having a hard time dealing with an aggressive child at home, you’re not alone! Many toddlers display aggressive behavior around two years old mostly because they’re frustrated. Toddlers have a limited vocabulary to express how they’re feeling, which results in frustration. 

Photo Credit: George Hodan

How would you like to get a good report from your child’s teacher every day? You would have less frequent trips to the preschool and daycare in Ypsilanti, and have more YOU time!  

According to Parents Magazine, “if your child has a tendency toward aggressive behavior, it's up to you to help him develop judgment, self-discipline, and the ability to express his or her feelings in appropriate ways. Here are six ways to do that:

1. Set firm consistent limits.
2. Help your child find new ways to deal with their anger. 
3. Instill self-control in your child.
4. Avoid encouraging your child to be tough.
5. Don’t spank as a form of discipline.
6. Control your own temper.”

Give these recommendations a try. It’s important that you portray how your child should behave yourself because, after all, they learn from you! Your child will pick up on your signals. If they continue to struggle, it may be beneficial to speak with a doctor regarding your child’s behavior.

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, Ann Arbor, Milan and the surrounding areas, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being.

Preschool in Ypsilanti Encourages the Importance of Outdoor Play

Does your child like to go outside and play?

Is your child’s development improving happening at a pace you’re happy with?

Does your child appreciate nature and what it has to offer?

There are many benefits to playing outdoors, but some kids don’t take full advantage of them. According to Early Head Start National Resource Center, reasons why children don’t go outside can be attributed to “adult fears about crime and safety; increased use of television, computer games, DVDs, and other digital media; more time spent indoors in structured activities; childcare arrangements with limited free time; and loss of natural habitats.”

Photo Credit: Petr Kratochvil

Does any of this sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many parents struggle to find chances for their children to run free, sometimes because of fear of bumps, bruises, and scrapes. It may be hard to believe, but those bumps, bruises, and scrapes they get in nature, help them develop mentally, physically, and emotionally!

According to the Early Head Start National Resource Center, outside play has many benefits including:

1. Helps improve overall fitness level
2. Builds stronger immune systems
3. Helps absorb Vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth
4. Helps regulate and balance sleep patterns
5. Helps protects against life stresses 
6. Increases creativity and imagination
7. Enhances opportunities to make decisions, solve problems, and collaborate with peers
8. Improves awareness, reasoning, and observation skills
9. Strengthens ability to focus and pay attention
10. Helps children learn about nature, life cycles, and how plants and animals depend on each other for survival

At Little Angels Preschool & Daycare in Ypsilanti, we focus on growing the WHOLE child, not just academically, but also their character and well-being. We’re dedicated to helping your child spend much of their day exploring nature. We feel that it’s the best and most effective way for children to learn and grow.

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

Preschool in Ypsilanti Recommends the 4 Absolute Best Ways to Prevent Biting

Does your child bite?

Have you struggled to come up with a solution?

Is your child getting into trouble at school as a result?

Biting is very common among toddlers, so don’t worry (at least not too much)! It can be frustrating for any parent asking hard questions like: Should I discipline my child? Laugh it off and say “they’re just playing”? It’s a hard choice to make for any parent. To prevent your child from biting, it’s helpful to understand why they’re doing it. 

According to NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), children bite for a number of reasons including:

1. Relieve pain from teething.
2. Explore cause and effect (“What happens when I bite?”).
3. Experience the sensation of biting.
4. Satisfy a need for oral-motor stimulation. 
5. Imitate other children and adults.
6. Feel strong and in control.
7. Get attention.
8. Act in self-defense.
9. Communicate needs and desires, such as hunger or fatigue.
10. Communicate or express difficult feelings, such as frustration, anger, confusion, or fear (“There are too many people here and I feel cramped”). 

It’s important to be able to spot your child feelings before the situation arises so you’ll be well prepared to handle the situation.

NAEYC suggests there are plenty of things parents can do to prevent biting, including:

1. Have age-appropriate expectations for your child’s behavior based on his or her current skills and abilities.
2. Make sure your child’s schedule, routines, and transitions are predictable and consistent.
3. Offer activities and materials that allow your child to relax and release tension.
4. Use positive guidance strategies to help your child develop self-control.
5. Provide items to bite, such as teething rings or clean, wet, cold washcloths stored in the refrigerator. This helps children learn what they can bite safely, without hurting anyone else. 

Give these recommendations a try. Your child will take your lead. Set a good example and teach them proper manners. Biting hurts. For example, tell your child how the other child is feeling: “Look, Timmy’s crying because you hurt him.” Keep it simple, so your child will understand.

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, Ann Arbor, Milan, and the surrounding areas, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being.