by Melissa Kay | Jan 11, 2019 | Blog, News |
Bullying is a big problem among our youth. While we teach our kids to respect one another and be kind and caring, there are always troublemakers who may be troubled themselves. Teachers do all they can to prevent bullying, as do parents who step in when their child may be involved in a bullying situation – on either side. Hopefully your child is never on the receiving end of a bully’s harmful words or actions. And may they never bully other children, no matter what. To inspire your child to steer clear of bullying behavior and to uplift your child who may have been bullied, here are some quotes you can share as a reminder that every child is special and deserves respect from everyone. Let’s do all we can to stop bullying for good. This lesson starts at home, one child at a time. Quotes & Messages We are all here to uplift one another. Confidence comes from within. Simple and straightforward, but sometimes we need a reminder. If you see someone being bullied, tell a trusted adult. Let’s all get along. There’s no room for bullying…put your foot down. If you see something, say something! Every zone is a no bully zone. How do you talk to your kids about bullying? All tips are worth sharing. Let’s wipe out bullying for good! For more information like this, please visit All My Children’s blogs. By: Melissa A....
by Melissa Kay | Jan 10, 2019 | Blog, News |
Exciting Announcement! We are proud to make the official announcement that a second All My Children Upper West Side location as well as a brand new Brooklyn Heights location will be opening in Spring of 2020. With the success seen in our centers thus far, the demand for more locations has been met. Details Thus Far The Brooklyn Heights center will serve children ages 3 months – Pre-K. The UWS 2nd location is set to be an infant/toddler program, serving as a sister location to the other UWS AMC center on West 85th St. Like our existing locations, these new facilities will be eco-conscious. Stay Tuned… The ground breaking for the two new sites will be announced soon, so stay tuned to our blogs and social media pages. We look forward to having you join us for this monumental occasion! About All My Children: At All My Children we offer a holistic approach to education inspired by nature. We see our role as not only educating the children of today, but as cultivating the leaders of tomorrow. By providing children with a nurturing and responsive environment to discover, learn, grow, and realize their potential, our children are empowered with school and life readiness skills. For more information about these new locations or our other centers, please contact us: Manhattan Office: (212) 466-6262 Queens Office: (718) 658-1563 Brooklyn Office: (718) 576-6812 E-mail...
by Melissa Kay | Jan 5, 2019 | Blog, News |
Is your child desperate to get a pet? While having a pet can bring so much joy into a family’s life, it takes more than love alone to give a pet the care it needs. Before you decide if adopting a pet is the best choice for your family, these three books are helpful tools to teach your child about the responsibilities that come with owning a pet. Not only will you educate your child about what may be in store, but you’ll spend time reading together about a topic of interest. No matter what you decide to do in the end, at least you can say you’ve added another good book to the shelf! Lola Gets a Cat This book takes you into the world of little Lola who wants to adopt a cat. Since her mom told her it’s a lot of work to take care of a cat, Lola learns all she can about being the best caregiver she can be. Eventually, she gets to adopt a kitten from the shelter. Our Very Own Dog For those who are thinking about getting a dog, Our Very Own Dog is an adorable book about a family who is getting their home ready for their new four-legged friend. As you read the story, there are useful educational tips for those seeking to adopt too. What Pet Should I Get? If you love the iconic Dr. Seuss, this rhyming book will be another classic to add to the collection. When the family isn’t sure which pet is the right fit for their home and lives, maybe Dr. Seuss can...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 20, 2018 | Blog, General, News |
It’s so important for kids to have a wholesome and hearty breakfast before they head off to school. Proper nutrition is key to their performance and attention, keeping them on the ball and at their peak. Without a nutritious breakfast, kids can lose concentration, feel physically unwell, and have trouble keeping up with classwork. They may feel tired, irritable, or just plain hungry. That’s why it’s your duty to make sure they have a wholesome breakfast each day. Winter’s here, meaning it’s time for seasonal favorites made to keep tummies warm when the temperature dips. These two easy-to-prepare breakfasts are not only delicious, but healthful too. Each recipe makes one serving. Oats, Nuts, and Fruit Bowl Ingredients: ½ cup quick cooking oats 2 tablespoons mixed unsalted nuts or sunflower and pumpkin seeds 2 tablespoons raisins 2 tablespoons chopped dried apricots 1 tablespoon chopped dates 1 tablespoon low-sugar jam or jelly 1 tablespoon nut butter of choice Cook the oats as directed and stir in the remaining ingredients. Serve with warm milk or a pat of butter if desired. Filling and flavorful, kids will be ready for a full day of school. Veggie Egg Wrap-Up Ingredients: 2 large eggs 1/8 cup milk ¼ cup diced green bell pepper ½ cup chopped spinach 2 tablespoons chopped sun dried tomatoes ½ teaspoon black pepper Dash of salt to taste Medium-to-large whole wheat tortilla wrap Scramble eggs with the milk and stir in remaining ingredients. Cook in microwave or in a pan. Transfer to the tortilla and wrap up like a burrito. Serve with ketchup for dipping if desired. Serve your winter breakfast...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 5, 2018 | Blog, General, News |
Are you interested in enrolling your child in an eco-friendly daycare/school? Consider the Lower East Side location of All My Children Daycare. We’re holding two open houses. We are inviting families to tour the facilities and learn what the AMC curriculum is all about. Come meet our dedicated staff and director. We are accepting children 6 months to 5 years. Two open houses are scheduled: Dates: Monday, December 17th 7-9PM and Sunday, January 6th 11AM-2PM. Location: 112 Ridge Street, New York, NY 10002. We will provide open play and arts and crafts for the kids to keep them entertained and occupied. About us: AMC is committed to preparing young children for school and life readiness. Our safe, nurturing, eco-friendly environment and ethical character define our dedication to your children. We instill within each child the skills necessary to develop their own knowledge. They are the future for a better world. We look forward to meeting you in December or January! Contact us for more information: E-mail Address: info@allmychildrendaycare.com Manhattan Office: (212)...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 3, 2018 | Blog, News |
There’s nothing like a nice bedtime story on a cold winter’s night. These five winter-themed kids’ bedtime stories will add more magic to the season. Tuck them in and turn the pages! Winter is Here by Kevin Henkes When you cuddle up at night, this book all about the wonders of winter will be sure to warm everyone up. Learn how different animals prepare for the cold and all about the special seasonal elements that make winter so whimsical. Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple As bears hibernate for the winter, get your child in the mood for slumber too as you read from this wintery tale of calm and comfort. Bedtime will be bliss as you page through this lullaby of a book. Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buener Kids love building snowmen when there’s finally enough snow to make one that stands significantly, but what happens when we all go to sleep? Here’s a story of the “secret” lives of snowmen when nobody’s watching. The Snow Globe by Tammy Brown Elkeles This creative collection of short stories tell the tales of brothers who become tiny enough to fit inside a snow globe and embark on exciting wintertime adventures like sledding and playing in the snow with their dog. Let your child’s imagination run wild with your own made-up mini-adventures. I See Winter by Charles Ghigna Rhyming verses all about winter and its many marvels makes this well-illustrated book perfect for the snowy season. Kids will love reading about everything from snowmen to sweet hot cocoa. Do you have any winter-themed favorites...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 3, 2018 | Blog, News |
Building your child’s vocabulary comes bit by bit. Too much too soon can be overwhelming and counterproductive. But it is important to help children broaden their vocabulary from an early start so they can keep at it as they develop. It’s Simple! One easy yet effective way to increase their vocabulary is by working in new words every chance you get. If you make the process part of the everyday, it won’t seem like you’re trying to obviously teach your children something new, which could lead to lack of cooperation if they’re not in the mood for “learning.” Be easy-breezy about it and before long, your children will be using these new words in their conversations. It doesn’t take much effort to keep using the same words over and over again, but once kids are able to articulate in more ways than one, it’s important for parents to give them the tools and knowledge to expand and enhance their vocabulary. Start with using new words for things they already have a word for. Perhaps your child calls everything he drinks from a “cup.” We know there are lots of different drinking vessels with names other than cup. Point out when he’s drinking from a glass, a mug, a water bottle, etc. These alternatives give your child new ways to express himself. More Tips Another way to work in new words is to teach your child brand new vocabulary for actions or behaviors. For example, instead of saying “Stop,” you can say, “Please refrain from doing that.” Rather than saying “Let’s go,” you can say, “It’s time to depart,” or...
by Melissa Kay | Dec 1, 2018 | Blog, General, News |
Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a warm bowl of soup. Comfort food at its finest, a hearty bowl of simmering soup is a belly-filling delight. Whether for a light lunch, afternoon snack, or a dinner starter, soup is always a crowd-pleaser. Now imagine making homemade soup in a snap by using a blender to combine all the ingredients in a flash. It’s easy and efficient, then all you have to do is warm it up in a pot on the stove or in the microwave. Save batches in the freezer to heat up when you’re in a rush but want something soothing to eat. Here are two winter blender soup recipes the family is sure to love. Grab a spoon and dig in! Sweet Potato Puree We all love sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving but tend to forget about the tender tater come winter. The wholesome potato is full of flavor and makes for a great blender soup. Kids love the sweet taste and you’ll love that you’re feeding them something nutritious. Makes 4 servings. Ingredients: 4 large sweet potatoes (use yams if you can’t find sweet potatoes) oven-cooked or microwaved ‘till fork-tender. Cool and dice. 1 cup whole milk (or low-fat). Swap with soy if you’re dairy-free. 4 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons dried onion 1 teaspoon white pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt Parsley for garnish Sour cream for garnish Place all ingredients (aside from the parsley and sour cream) in a blender and blend until smooth. Heat in a pot or in the microwave and serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of...
by Melissa Kay | Nov 14, 2018 | Blog, General, News |
After a long day of school, extra-curriculars, homework, dinner, and playtime, getting into bed is something we all look forward to. Kids are exhausted and parents can’t wait for the kids to hit the sack. But before the kids close their eyes and drift off into dream world, here are three things you can do to end the day on a positive note. Make it a habit to spend these precious moments with your children to enrich their lives every night. Read Together A bedtime story is always something to look forward to. No matter your child’s age, when you sit together and flip through the pages of a good book, the time is well-spent. Choose a story that your child will look forward to getting back to night after night and take turns reading aloud. Not only is the experience one to cherish, but it will enhance your child’s vocabulary while having fun. Talk About the Day When your child is finally relaxed, it is the perfect time to look back on the day and discuss the high and low points. It is so important that your child knows you are available to talk, no matter the subject. No secrets and no surprises. When your child is secure in knowing you are a shoulder to lean on and ready to offer advice and support, it will only bring you closer. Tune Out Bedtime is when we decompress and unwind. This means it’s time to put the electronics away. No cell phones or tablets. Turn off the TV and dim the lights. There is so much to distract us...
by Melissa Kay | Nov 6, 2018 | Blog, News |
November is the time of year when Thanksgiving is the first thing that comes to mind. We get ready for a fantastic family feast, filled with delicious food and family from near and far. We reconnect over an indulgent meal, perhaps in our own homes or that of a loved one. Joy fills the air and turkey and stuffing fill our bellies. Some families go around the table to share what each person is thankful for this year. Sometimes the gratitude is for something significant, other times the blessing is basic. When it’s your turn to say what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving, why not keep it simple? After all, it’s the little things in life that often mean the most. Here are two reasons to remember. Your Family As you look around the room, see all the people who have contributed to your life in some capacity. You may see them every day or only on special occasions. But you are blessed to have this group to call your own. There are plenty of people sitting home alone with no one to share a meal or conversation. While you may not get along with everyone perfectly, just knowing these family members are present is a gift. Share your feelings with your loved ones and let them know they are important to you. The Meal Whether your Thanksgiving is an all-out smorgasbord or just something simple, be thankful for the food piled on your plate. Americans often go overboard on this “all you can eat” holiday, but it’s more about sharing a meal with those you gather with...
Recent Comments