Training parents about all things preschool and kids aged 18 months–5 years
The first thing a teacher does at the beginning of the year is evaluate your child. Because I ran a preschool for many years, I know what Kindergarten teachers are looking for in your child. If your child has attended preschool before entering Kindergarten that’s a big plus, but don’t worry if they haven’t. It’s important…
It’s your responsibility to give your kid the competitive edge. Master my list of top 6 skills to make your child the smartest one in the class so they’ll succeed in the future. The world is not perfect and we all know that children developed at different rates, but these skills should at least…
We’re big believers in preschool programs around here, with all the education and enrichment opportunities they offer. Some schools even send home assessments of each child so the parents can get the full picture on how their children are doing with developmental milestones like fine-motor skills, language, social interactions, and spelling their own names. Maybe…
Every good preschool curriculum includes a social studies component. Children get the chance to learn about community helpers, important figures in history, and holidays from various cultural traditions. At the preschool I ran, Thanksgiving and Chinese New Year were always the big favorites – especially the feasts and colorful decorations. One year during election season we…
We have all talked about the interview process for preschool. I can’t tell you how many times parents sat across from my desk and uttered these words, “My child is really smart. I know you hear that a lot, but my child is really, really smart.” Well, some of the children were, and some fell…
Some people I know have a lot of trouble with spatial tasks. I’m not saying it’s me but… it totally is me. Help your preschooler develop good spatial skills by giving him puzzles. Not, like, videogame puzzles – just real, hold-in-your-hand and lose-half-the-pieces puzzles. Not only do they help with spatial learning, fine motor skills,…
Why should big kids get all the fun? Here are some great smart device apps for the younger crowd that are fun to play and also reinforce what kids are learning in preschool. All are available through iTunes. Pre-Reading Endless Alphabet ($6.99, ages 5 and under) and AlphaTots Alphabet ($2.99, ages 5 and under) provide…
I’m going to just type the words. Penis and Vagina. Now, it’s in print for the world to see. Why is it so hard to say these words? In our house, the private areas of our bodies were referred to as the “como se llama.” This was translated to mean the “whatchamacallit.” Should parents teach children the…
A relatively new feature in New York City cabs is video screens for passengers. There are promotional clips for Broadway shows, great restaurants, and local attractions. Recently, I was in town on a business trip and my taxi ride included a public service announcement. The message was simple: Talk, read, and sing to your children. It…
I was in New York recently on a business trip. I have to admit I am not a subway chic I am a cabby. If you haven’t been in the big city lately, you might not know there are video screens in the cabs. ( Plus the greatest perk you can pay by credit card.) …
