Two Important Ways Parents Can Learn Parenting Tips from One Another

Two Important Ways Parents Can Learn Parenting Tips from One Another

by | Oct 16, 2017 | Blog, News |

They say, “It takes a village…” and the sentiment is overwhelmingly true. Parenting is hard work and by leaning on others in the community, we can all be stronger, smarter, and more successful at the task at hand. No matter our age, experience, or satisfactory work thus far, a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, and sage advice are always useful and ought to be embraced. Parents can learn from others when it comes to raising happy and productive kids. Every parent has that “special something” that another may lack. We all have our strong suits, tricks and tips, and skills that make us great parents, and others in the same boat have their unique qualities as well. When we all put our hearts and minds together, we can raise the future generation with confidence and pride. Here are two winning ways parents can learn parenting tips from one another. Be open and be willing to share and the results will astound you. You’ll see it in yourself and the wonderful children you are raising! Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Your Mistakes As parents, we can’t be perfect 100% of the time. There will be moments of doubt, despair, and we won’t always make the best decisions. This is OK – we’re only human. The point is to learn from these mistakes and do things better the next time around. When you feel all alone in a parenting conundrum, be open to discussing your feelings with other parents. You will learn that you aren’t the only one who feels like they have “failed” as a parent. When...
Fun Ways to Sneak Vocabulary Lessons Into the Everyday

Fun Ways to Sneak Vocabulary Lessons Into the Everyday

by | Oct 12, 2017 | Blog, News |

We all want our kids to learn as much as possible, even while they are not in school. As parents, we can keep the education going even after the school day is over. One area where we can keep the momentum going is with vocabulary. Kids are like sponges when it comes to taking in knowledge, so use any possible moment as a teaching moment while keeping things light and fun. The kids won’t even think of it as learning, but you’ll know that you’re giving your child the tools to develop their ever-expanding vocabulary. Here are some fun ways to sneak in vocabulary lessons no matter where you are! Sing-a-Longs Whether you’re in the car or hanging out at home, put on some upbeat child-appropriate music and sing with your child. Some of the words in the lyrics will be new to your child, so point those out and give your child its meaning. Suggest using the word later that day when applicable. Your child will be proud to show off their knowledge and will be eager to play new songs with even more new words to add to their vocabulary. Doesn’t that sound like music to your ears?! Go to the Zoo  Take an adventurous trip to the zoo and as your child has a blast seeing all the interesting animals, they will learn new animal names, countries of origin, and descriptive words about the animals’ behaviors and habits. Your child will be excited to learn as much as possible about the unique creatures, yet won’t feel like they’re being given a tedious lesson. The time spent...
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff- 3 Things Parents Shouldn’t Worry About So Much

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff- 3 Things Parents Shouldn’t Worry About So Much

by | Oct 10, 2017 | Blog, News |

Parents have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Every stage of a child’s life is filled with moments that have parents full of fear and anxiety, only because they want the best for their child. Kids don’t come with “how-to” manuals, so parents must learn the ropes with every step. While a certain degree of worry is natural and helpful for being on the ball and making sure children are protected and well-cared for, worry overload is never a good way to live life, even when it comes to raising our kids. To lessen the burden, it’s time to look at the big picture. Not everything needs to be perfect, and letting the small stuff go can be a huge relief for parents so they can concentrate on the more important aspects of parenting. We are not suggesting calling for a free-for-all, but a little less focus on certain things will put parenting into perspective. Here are 3 things parents could worry less about and surely things will still work out just fine.   Germs Parents need to protect their kids and make sure they don’t get sick, but many of today’s parents are going overboard with germ-killing and other over-the-top sanitary measures. Like when we were growing up, it’s OK for kids to get down and dirty sometimes. Not everything they touch needs to be doused with hand sanitizer and if they accidentally eat something that fell on the floor, they don’t need to be rushed to the doctor. Kids are resilient and build up their immunities when they come in contact with these germs. As...
Advice from Others Parents Should Take Into Consideration

Advice from Others Parents Should Take Into Consideration

by | Oct 2, 2017 | Blog, News |

They say, “It takes a village…,” but some parents resent unsolicited advice from other parents when it comes to raising their children. Nosy neighbors, know-it-all relatives, and far too interested friends want to give other parents their tips and tricks when it comes to rearing their kids. Lots of parents want these people to mind their own business and allow them to raise their children as they see fit. While some of this advice may be unnecessary, much of it can be helpful if taken into consideration with an open mind. Many people you know are truly well-meaning and only want the best for you and your family. Here are some occasions when listening and learning may be of benefit.   Tantrums    When kids have a temper tantrum it can be sheer chaos. Parents try everything to get their kids to calm down and gain composure. Some techniques work wonders while others are useless. Sure, every child is different, but some methods of handling tantrums can be applied to children across the board. If your child is in that “meltdown” phase and you’re at your wit’s end, consider hearing how other parents deal with the madness. You never know, they may just have the key to getting your child to chill out and behave well. Give their tips a shot; it’s better than struggling through another hissy fit.   Bullying    Bullying is a big problem for kids of all ages. Talking to kids at an early age about this sensitive topic is a must. Getting help from other parents who’ve already dealt with bullying can be very...
Back-to-School Tips for Busy Parents

Back-to-School Tips for Busy Parents

by | Sep 13, 2017 | Blog, News |

The beginning of the new school season is exciting, but chaotic. After a relaxing and less-stressed summer, once that bell rings for the first day back to school, the daily grind is right back in action and parents feel the heat. There are appointments, scheduling, pick-ups and drop offs, after-school activities, tutors, sports games, rehearsals… you name it. There’s a lot to do and most of the execution relies on the parents. Don’t let the mayhem make back-to-school season a drag. Make the most of these tips and you will find that the school year can be well-planned and less stressful than you anticipated. Sure, school season is more serious than the breeziness of summertime, but with some order and structure, you can make this time of year fun for all. Pre-Prep the Night Before The morning before a school day is probably the busiest. You are pressed for time to get everyone ready for the day and out the door in a timely fashion. If one thing falls off schedule, the whole morning can become a crisis. Plan ahead by picking out the kids’ clothing the night before and lay it out in their room. Bathe the kids at nighttime so they can simply rinse off and brush their hair and teeth come morning. Pack snacks and lunches when you make dinner and ask the kids what they want for breakfast so you can have it ready for them in the morning. Make sure the kids’ backpacks are ready to go and all homework is completed. The more you can do in the evening, the easier the AM...
Healthy Snacks You Can Make with the Kids

Healthy Snacks You Can Make with the Kids

by | Sep 6, 2017 | Blog, News |

Most kids crave an after-school snack and something to enjoy at lunch or snack time at school or daycare. While there are plenty of healthy choices that are pre-packed and available for purchase at the grocery store, it’s always a joy to get in the kitchen with the kids and whip up something tasty together. Not only will you create something good to eat, but the time together is special for parent-child bonding. You will also have a chance to instill a value of healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Here are some healthy ideas for smart snacking both you and the kids will love. They are all easy to prepare and taste absolutely delicious! Fruit Parfait  Kids love sweets, so go all-natural with fresh fruit. Simply layer spoonfuls of yogurt with diced fruit and low-fat granola. You can top with a drizzle of honey or a dollop of applesauce. Enjoy after school or pack in a seal-tight container to go in a lunchbox. Mini Cracker Open-Faced Sandwiches  Get some whole wheat crackers and top with a variety of healthy options. For a sweet fix, try peanut butter and sliced apples. Or go for sugar-free jam and goat or cream cheese. If you’re in the mood for something savory, try hummus and cucumber slices, low-fat Swiss and turkey with mustard, or tuna fish salad and tomato slices. Mix and match for endless snacking ideas. Pinwheels Kids love finger foods, so pinwheels are the perfect choice for bite-sized treats. Use a whole wheat tortilla and fill with your favorite foods. PB & J is always a classic but...
After-School Ideas That Don’t Involve a “Screen”

After-School Ideas That Don’t Involve a “Screen”

by | Sep 1, 2017 | Blog, News |

Technology is a wonderful thing, but more and more kids spend far too much time planted on the couch with eyes glued to the television set. Or they are furiously tapping away at smartphones or tablets without a care about what is going on in the “real world” around them. We’re all for kids becoming savvy in the high-tech department, but there is a real need for some time away from the gadgets and gizmos to give today’s kids a taste of the simpler things in life that are as just as, or even more fun than what lies behind a glaring screen. Now that school is back in session, after-school playtime is the perfect chance for kids to experience activities that don’t involve a screen. There is more to life than TV shows, video games, and social media. Show your kids the way to a new source of fun and entertainment they may miss out on if they don’t look up every once in a while! Treasure Hunt Set up a game of “treasure hunt” in the yard or even around the house if the weather isn’t permitting. Make a list similar to one you’d create for a scavenger hunt and let the kids explore. Don’t make it too easy – give clues so the kids must do some investigative work to find the hunt items. Play with teams or even alone. The point is to get off the sofa and explore. You can give a prize for completion or the winner can be the next one to create the treasure hunt list for another round of fun....
Lower East Side Location OPEN HOUSE!

Lower East Side Location OPEN HOUSE!

by | Aug 14, 2017 | Blog, News |

RSVP (FREE!) HERE All My Children Daycare & Nursery is pleased to announce an upcoming open house on August 27th for our Lower East Side (LES) Manhattan location at 112 Ridge Street. The quality education private school, which has been open for 2 years will offer open enrollments for children from 3 months to 4 years of age. The center has seen tremendous growth in the last year alone, especially with all the real estate developments in the area. On Sunday, August 27th from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, the highly-experienced staff from All My Children will host families at their LES facility showcasing this extraordinary eco-friendly school and its many unique resources. “The lower east side like other major communities in NYC is seeing a boom in more upscale residential accommodations,” said Melanie Felsman, Head of Communications for All My Children Daycare. “Our education platform and approach to the creative curriculum attracts many of the families that are moving to the area. The combination of our eco-friendly environment and holistic approaches to preschool are what most families seek,” concluded Felsman. “Now that we are gearing up for the upcoming school year, we would like to invite all prospective families with children 3 months through 4 years of age to see our LES property and meet some of our teachers for a fun-filled Sunday morning,” offered Felsman. On August 27th, families are welcome to visit All My Children’s informational open house. There will be entertainment, refreshments, and other activities the children. For more information, you may go online to www.allmychildrendaycare.com or email marketing@amcearlylearn.com. About All My Children AMC provides...
Boost Your Little One’s Vocabulary with Little Steps Each Day

Boost Your Little One’s Vocabulary with Little Steps Each Day

by | Aug 9, 2017 | Blog, News |

Starting off young when it comes to boosting your child’s vocabulary is a great step towards a bright future. Kids need as much stimulation and education as they can get, and when it comes to fostering a broad vocabulary, the more you work with your child, the more advanced they’ll become. And with a versatile vocabulary, kids will have a chance to perform better in many areas of schooling and life in general. Here are 4 ways you can boost your little one’s vocabulary each day. Do as much as you can to keep the process consistent and interesting for your child. Every step counts so make each moment a learning opportunity.   Read Books Before Bedtime Before bedtime, sit beside your child and make it a ritual to read books together. Before your child can read, you can do all the reading, but as your child begins to sound out words and formulate sentences, allow them to participate. Books are adventures, so your child won’t even feel like they’re learning… but they are! There are so many age-appropriate books to choose from, so pick stories that captivate and excite your child based on their personality and interests. When you get your child into the habit of reading, they just may become a book-lover for life!   Write Letters to Relatives and Loved Ones In today’s high-tech world, the art of letter writing has practically gone out the window. Bring back this more personal form of communication by writing letters to family and friends with your child. If they are too young to write themselves, do the writing for...