by Melissa Kay | Jan 24, 2020 | Blog, News |
Kids love to get their hands on everything, but some items that seem like toys are not what they appear to be. Older kids and teens are more aware of what they’re doing, and in most cases, the following information won’t apply. But for the little ones, parents, pay close attention. They May Be Fun, But Beware Those tiny magnetic balls, or beads, (sometimes called Buckyball magnets) sold to adults for keeping themselves occupied, to swirl in their hands, link together, and so forth, are just as interesting to kids. They’re designed to reduce stress and alleviate boredom. But adults know better than to put these magnets in their mouths. Even kids who don’t intend to swallow them may accidently do so, and in some cases, the repercussions can be a real health hazard. Stat News explains, “Rare-earth toy magnets, marketed under names like Zen Magnets and DigiDots, are composed of tiny, high-powered magnetic balls or cubes, some smaller than the tip of a ballpoint pen. The shiny and colorful pieces, sold in sets of up to 200, can be 30 times stronger than a standard kitchen magnet, making them the most powerful commercially available permanent magnets.” Too Easy To Swallow As per Poison Control, National Capital Poison Center, “More and more children have been swallowing the tiny ‘adult toy’ magnets, leading to severe injury and even death. When a child swallows two or more magnets, the magnets can attract and meet each other within the child’s body, causing digestive tissue to be trapped between them. This cuts off blood supply to the stomach or intestines. These internal injuries...
by Melissa Kay | Jan 10, 2020 | Blog, News |
We welcome you to attend an OPEN HOUSE at our Ridge Street location on Sunday, Jan. 19th, from 11-2. See our facilities, speak with the staff, meet other parents in the area, and more. The state-of-the-art facility is a wonderful environment for your children. We feature an emergent curriculum as well as an eco-friendly environment. The kids can have fun while you’re there with arts and crafts and free play. Address: 110 Ridge St. Lower East Side, NY 10002 Date: Jan. 19th Time: 11AM – 2PM RSVP by calling 212-419-5416 or click HERE to do so online. All My Children has 30 years of experience with children. Our staff is top-notch and our Ridge Street location is sure to impress you. We look forward to seeing...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 16, 2019 | Blog, News |
Give The Kids Some Leeway While School’s Out Winter break is always a blast, as the kids have a couple of weeks or so off from school to spend with family. While the schedule shifts, it’s a nice treat to break the rules a bit, allowing the kids to do something fun before bedtime. They’ll be thrilled that you’re willing to loosen up, making their winter break even better. Here are a few ways to make the kids smile as you surprise them with pre-bedtime fun. You don’t have to do anything over-the-top to make an impression. It’s the little things that go a long way. They’ll be so grateful that you’re being extra-generous. Movie Madness Gather the family for movie night in the main room or in one of your bedrooms. Pop the popcorn, heat up some hot cocoa, and sit and snuggle together to watch a family-friendly flick. Even if the movie lasts past their bedtime, it’s no big deal since there’s no school the following day. Supper On The Sofa If your house rule is that kids can only eat at the kitchen table, shock them by serving dinner in the den. Use paper plates and make sure you’ve got plenty of napkins! Sure, there may be a few spills and crumbs everywhere, but clean up is quick. The kids will think it’s fun to feast where it’s normally frowned upon. Sibling Sleepover For those who have more than one child, let them sleep together in one room if they have their own rooms. They can camp out in the living room as another option. If...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 9, 2019 | Blog, News |
Kids love smoothies because they think they’re milkshakes. Parents wouldn’t dare serve ice cream concoctions for breakfast, but the kids won’t realize how nutritious their smoothies are when you make them taste so satisfying. Give your kids a healthy drink before school that’ll have them convinced you’ve lost your marbles and made milkshakes. When you blend up the ingredients and pour out something sweet and smooth, you’ll have them fooled. Honey Banana Oat Smoothie You’ll Need: 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats (dry) 1 medium ripe banana ½ cup plain Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons honey 1 cup low fat milk 5-6 ice cubes Plop everything in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass and serve. It’s a drinkable oatmeal that’s especially unique. “Pumpkin Pie” Smoothie Ingredients: 3/4 cup canned pumpkin purée 1 small ripe banana 1 cup soymilk 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons light brown sugar 5-6 ice cubes Blend all ingredients until combined and creamy and pour into a glass. Sprinkle some extra nutmeg and cinnamon on top for a kick. Almond Butter Apple Smoothie What’s In It: 2 tablespoons almond butter 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce 1 cup almond milk 2 tablespoons maple syrup 5-6 ice cubes Combine all ingredients in the blender until creamy and frothy. Pour and serve. Kids may enjoy some extra apple slices to dunk. Do you make smoothies for your kids? What’s your favorite recipe? For more information like this, please visit All My Children’s blogs. By: Melissa A. Kay...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 4, 2019 | Blog, News |
Winter is upon us, with chilly weather that makes us all want to stay inside. When the snow starts piling up and icicles form nearly instantly, it’s time to snuggle up and stay warm. What better way to do so than with loved ones? Sure, “vegging out” on the couch and watching TV or playing video games is one way to pass the time, but there’s more fun to be had when outdoor play is too treacherous. Here are some ideas for family time during the winter, especially on those days when school is closed due to the weather. Hot Cocoa And Cookies Treats are tempting, particularly when tummies are grumbling. Kids love to help out in the kitchen, so get to baking and be creative. Mix in chocolate chips, nuts, and raisins, and top your cocoa with fresh whipped cream and marshmallows. Yum! Family Slumber Party Get the whole gang together in the family room with plenty of blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags. Tell jokes and share stories. Everyone can pile up and fall asleep on the floor, then wake up when the sun rises for breakfast, picnic-style. Dance And Karaoke Show off your talents (or lack thereof) as you move and groove. Play some music, sing along, and have a mini dance party to liven up the mood. Holiday tunes are perfect this time of year to raise spirits and bring smiles. What do you enjoy doing with your family when you’re stuck indoors? Share your ideas and we’ll give ‘em a try! For more information like this, please visit All My Children’s blogs. By: Melissa A....
by Melissa Kay | Dec 1, 2019 | Blog, News |
Family and friends enjoyed their visit and the leftovers are all gone. Another Thanksgiving celebration is in the books, and the festive holiday season is swinging into high gear. Aside from the feasts and family gatherings, we gave thanks for the blessings we have in life, appreciation for our good fortune, and acknowledged those in our lives who’ve made an impact. Smiles, good vibes, and full bellies remind us to show gratitude, and we do so without a second thought. But what about after Thanksgiving? Most folks slip back into their regular routines, forgetting the few moments when gratefulness felt like such a gift. It’s not that we’re unappreciative all of a sudden, but we don’t tend to express our thanks with the same “oomph.” Start A New Family Tradition Kids love going ‘round the Thanksgiving table to share what they’re most thankful for. Why not do this every day? During dinner or at another time when you’re all together, each family member can share something positive, what they’re happy about, thankful for, or owe a “shout out” to. It doesn’t have to be something grand or even that great. The idea is to remind everyone that there is always something to cherish, even when the day didn’t go perfectly. Begin a new family tradition and get everyone on board. Giving thanks isn’t a once-a-year activity. Daily doses of gratefulness go a long way. They are a reminder that the glass can always be seen as half-full, there’s always a silver lining, and even hard times have their hopes. We at AMC hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and...
by Melissa Kay | Nov 22, 2019 | Blog, News |
There’s so much going on at AMC. Here’s a recap of what we’ve been doing this fall. All the kids are having a great year so far, and we love sharing the info with you all. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more happenings to come. Professional Development At AMC Our Educational Coordinators have been busy this month training staff on developing their social and emotional curricula. They collaborated and presented workshops focusing on positive behavior management as well as social and emotional learning. The teachers were presented with cutting-edge research on positive reinforcement, videos on how to successfully implement behavior management, and activities and role playing that reinforced each tool. The teachers are excited about implementing their new experiences within the classrooms to create a positive and supportive emotional environment. AMC @ the UWS Exploring Pumpkins… It’s always fun to decorate pumpkins in the fall. The UWS kids had a blast using their creativity. Halloween was a hit too! Message From Our Chess Trainer: We have been experiencing the delight of learning and playing chess. Our children have learned how all the pieces move on the board. We just began playing the game in its entirety, and we are so impressed with the students’ memories and skill levels! We begin each session with a story related to our lesson, we then do a few exercises on the chessboard, and we complete the session by engaging in a complete game. Each session ends with a quick recap of the day’s lesson as we spend the last few minutes coloring an illustration of the piece we learned about that day. Shortly, we...
by Melissa Kay | Nov 15, 2019 | Blog, News |
Kids have been eating cereal for breakfast for what seems like forever. The simple meal makes mornings easy, with minimal prep work or clean up. Perfect for busy mornings when moms and dads don’t have much time. Kids love the crunch, and parents are pleased that they are getting something into their children’s bellies before school. While the basic bowl of cereal and milk is tasty, jazzing it up makes the standard stand out. These add-ons and switch-ups will create some excitement, and breakfast will become even better. Go Nuts! Spoon in mixed nuts and get great texture as well as some protein. If your child is nut-free, try seeds instead. Fun With Fruit Add some mixed berries, sliced banana, or even dried fruit to add freshness and flavor. Mix Up Your Milk Go for almond milk or soymilk instead of “regular” for a difference in taste. On special occasions, let the kids use strawberry or chocolate milk as a treat. Cereal Combos Who said you have to stick to just one cereal? Pour two or three kinds into one bowl for a “mash-up” the kids will crave. Go For Yogurt Instead of milk, mix dry cereal into yogurt. The creaminess is cool and curbs those morning hunger pangs. Sweeten The Deal Choose less-sugary cereals but still get that sweet tooth satisfied by drizzling some honey into the bowl. You don’t need much to make a difference. Any tips on turning a boring bowl of cereal into something special? Share your ideas in the comments section. For more information like this, please visit All My Children’s blogs. By: Melissa...
by Melissa Kay | Nov 8, 2019 | Blog, News |
Parents who have more than one child know that every moment isn’t bliss. Even those who have kids who are best friends see them bicker, bother one another, and sometimes something worse. It’s human nature for siblings to go at it. As KidsHealth explains, “Often, sibling rivalry starts even before the second child is born, and continues as the kids grow and compete for everything from toys to attention. As kids reach different stages of development, their evolving needs can significantly affect how they relate to one another.” Call it competition, or maybe just some level of “I can’t stand you!” As long as no one is getting hurt or humiliated, parents ought to let the kids sort things out on their own. They’ll need to learn how to get along with others, and starting at home with those closest to them is a great start. Deep down, there’s a deep connection and a pure love that siblings share. If rivalry rears its ugly head and they go at it from time to time, it’s a test of their bond, even when it’s temporarily broken. What To Do? Don’t fret or try to figure it out for them. Of course, they can’t get physical or emotionally tear each other apart, so if something severe is happening in the household, it’s your way or the highway, so to speak. As the parent, you lay down the law, no matter how much the kids are at each other’s throats. Otherwise, kids have their own way of navigating their way through the world, and sibling rivalry is a stage. Some siblings will...
by Melissa Kay | Nov 4, 2019 | Blog, News |
Kids love pancakes, plain and simple. With a pat of butter and drenched in maple syrup, this meal never fails to delight. Even frozen pancakes are pretty good, especially when they’re served on a school day. Sure beats out a boring bowl of oatmeal. If you want to whip up something fast for the kids before they head to school, pick pancakes. Use the pre-made frozen kind for convenience, and the meal is halfway made. With these extra touches and add-ons, the kids will be impressed with your culinary skills. You’ll just be happy they’ve got something warm in their bellies before school. Banana Walnut Pancakes Heat up the pancakes as directed and top with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, a sprinkle of brown sugar, and a dash of cinnamon. Some pancake syrup for dipping adds another sweet touch. Simple and satisfying, this combo is a classic. Cherry Berry Pancakes After heating up the pancakes, top with sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and a few maraschino cherries. You can also warm up some jam and pour over top. Sweet And Sour Pancakes Warm up the pancakes and top with a dollop of sour cream, then drizzle with honey. The flavors are fresh and fantastic together. If you don’t have sour cream on hand, Greek yogurt or even whipped cream cheese works well. Peanut Butter And Jelly Pancakes When the pancakes are ready, take two and spread some peanut butter and jelly on one of them. Top with the other pancake for a twist on the PB&J sandwich. The kids can even take it to go. What do you like to do...
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