Choosing a Preschool

My little girl is FINALLY old enough for preschool. She is now "pre-kindergarten" age. Technically I could have put her in last year, but I didn't really see the need. She's been dying to go to school for ages though, so she is positively excited.

Choosing a school was much harder than I had anticipated. This is my first time sending a child to school, so it was new for me.

I picked up some tips through this last week of dilemma. I hope they help you and that you have some to offer if you've already sent one of your children to preschool.

1 - If you can avoid it, don't wait until the last minute. I didn't have much of a choice.... we just moved to our new house a week ago (and it's in an entirely new state), and school starts in just 2 weeks. I had to work FAST. As a result I felt pressured to choose. There aren't many spots left open in preschools at this time of year. Explore your options early so you can feel confident about your choice.

2 - Ask for suggestions. This one goes without saying... but it's important. I searched out 3 preschools and all of them came off of referrals from ladies in my ward. I had to be bold and ask FAST since I had just met them, but it was worth it.

3 - Go meet the teacher/see the preschool in person! Don't just make a judgement call based on what others have said or over a phone conversation. You might have different tastes/needs for your child than your friend. I had preconceived notations about the schools I was looking into and ended up choosing the one I didn't think I would after I had met the teacher and seen the school. I really liked one teacher over the phone AND in person. The other teacher I didn't really like when I talked to her over the phone, but upon meeting her in person I discovered that she's awesome, and just doesn't do well on the phone.

4 - Take your child with you to see the schools and meet the teachers. Let him/her be part of the process and if possible let your child give input. In the end I had narrowed it down to 2 schools that I really liked and I couldn't choose. There were pros and cons for both. It was a HARD choice. I asked my daughter SEVERAL times which one she liked better and every time she said the same one. Since she liked it so much I picked her preference.

5 - If price is a concern you can POSSIBLY get someone to lower their prices. At one point I had settled on one school and called the other teacher to let her know I had chosen somewhere else. When she asked if it was because of the price difference and I said yes, she offered to match the price of the other school! WOW! (I think it helped that school starts in 2 weeks and she wants to fill up.)

6 - Choose a school that fits the needs of your child. If I was concerned about my daughter academically I would have chosen preschool with very few children in it (there was one I looked at that would have had only had 8 kids in the class with my daughter). However, I was looking for a great social experience, so I ended up choosing the school with 16 students and 2 teachers so she would get more of a feel for what kindergarten will be like. This school is an actual building instead of a basement which really appealed to my daughter. I also picked the school that only had pre-kindergarten age children in the class, instead of one with 3 year olds in it as well.

7 - Pray about it. After we'd made the choice I told my daughter that we should pray about it to make sure our choice was good. What a wonderful opportunity to teach your little one about making big decisions WITH Heavenly Father.

8 - If it works for you and you don't have the money, do preschool at home or do a JOY school with other mothers in your area. I can promise you that your child will be academically sound for kindergarten if he/she knows the basics (shapes, numbers, colors, letters, sounds). If you are worried about it, contact a kindergarten teacher in your area and find out what your child needs to know before kindergarten.

I hope this helps!! What other tips do you have for choosing a preschool for your child?

~Tannie

Don't forget to check out Megan's post below about tips for starting school. Although I taught elementary for 3 years, I've never been on the other end of the spectrum. I too would love some advice on getting kids ready for school.

DryErase ABC Book

I am always looking for new ways to introduce my kids to the alphabet, numbers and other topics. Awhile ago I read about using a photo album to create a picture book. I thought it sounded like a nice way to create a toy/activity for my kids that could be personalized to them or to a concept I wanted to teach.

I decided to make more than just a picture book. I figured why not make a reusable coloring ABC book. So that is what I did.

Materials Needed:

photo album (I got mine at the dollar store)

scissors

Crayola DryErase crayons

ABC printables

* I made these printables myself. Feel free to use them or just use them as a sample and make your own. I promise I won't be offended.

This is so simple to make. If you use the printables it will only take about 20 minutes - enough time to cut out the pictures and put them in the book.

Step 1:

Cut out the pictures.

Step 2:

Insert pictures into the photo album

Optional:

Insert cover

Step 3:

Hand book and crayons (dryerase markers can also be used) to your child and let them color away.

I told you this would be an easy project. My son LOVES this book. We talk about the letters and their sounds as he colors. I am also hoping that he will learn some new vocabulary words - like octopus and quail.

 I like that it is small enough to fit into the diaper bag. I plan on using when we are out on errands that require a lot of waiting (doctor visits, anything to a government office).

I hope you like this idea. It is a really inexpensive way to introduce the ABCs and have fun with your kids.

Let us know if you have any fun teaching ideas or projects for kids.

I am always on the hunt for new ideas!

~Lisa~



Bring On The Play Dates

It's never too early to arrange play dates.  I love them.  Play dates are fun for me, my child gains valuable social skills, and spending time with other human beings make those long hours before my husband gets home fly like nothing else.  There's only so many conversations I can have with my toddler before I start itching to hear complete sentences.  But remember, play dates are more than scheduling a time, date, and a place on your little sweetum's social calendar...there's etiquette, inevitable problems, and all sorts of things to consider.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Age:  In the beginning, play dates may be more for the society-deprieved young mother than a small baby, but it's never too early to start.  Babies are fascinated by other babies.  I remember my child progressed through milestones leaps and bounds faster after watching other kids roll, crawl, and walk around him.  If your toddler is one of those that prefer playing alone, never fear.  They'll still value the time spent in another kid's company.  Co-playing will come easier as they get older, usually between ages 3-5.

Gender:  Doesn't really matter with young toddlers.  If anything, play dates are an excellent opportunity to spend time with a child of the other gender.  My two year old son's temperament is super mellow, so he actually plays better with girls than he does with most rough-housing boys.  When gender DOES start to matter, your child will let you know.

Frequency:  I have a three month old baby as well as a toddler, so once a week is about all I care to pack up the kids for.  Other mothers with more mobile kids seem to reach a general consensus that twice a week is a good number for planning social times as well as keeping the general routine of the house in-tact.  On the other hand, especially busy mothers are hard-pressed to make a play date work once every couple weeks.  The important thing is to cater it to your schedule. Whatever works for you and your family and doesn't stress you out.

Location:  Because my toddler is two and a half and prone to meltdowns in confined spaces, location is a big issue for me.  My friend and I discovered just last week that the library is NOT a good place to take toddler friends.  They just wanted to run around, yell, jump on kiddy-size furniture, and be toddlers in general.  Since then, we've stuck to parks, playcenters, and each other's houses.  Full-on excursions will have to wait for when the kids are older.

Length:  Two hours is about the point of no return for my kiddos.  Anything too far beyond that makes for overtired, overstressed, overplayed children that are a BEAST to put down for a nap later on.  And I mean that with all the motherly love I've got in me.  I've found that play dates work best when we semi-structure out different activities.  Play time.  Snack.  Activity.  Play time.  Pack up.  Leave.  Switching up what the kids are doing will help keep them from getting bored and frustrated with each other.

Reciprocate:  If one mom hosts a play date at her house, make sure you do the same for her.  It's just the right thing to do.

COMMON PROBLEMS:

Now, all that said, play dates don't come without problems.  One common one is SHARING...(oh the never ending battle) toys, food, mommies, babies, you name it...if a playmate has it, the other kid wants it. Sometimes it helps to narrate the situation.  Get your child used to the idea of someone coming over to play by giving him a heads up before Johnny comes over.  Once Johnny gets there, physically take and hand the toys between the toddlers (at good transition points) and explain that both of them get to play with it when it's their turn.

Another problem is SHY children.  You go through all the trouble of arranging a play date, but your little angel sticks to you like glue.  Sigh.  Is the play date even worth it?  Yes!  Keep at it.  Ask your mother-friends for help and explain the situation.  As much as possible, you want your toddler to practice getting used to other people with the comforting feeling that mommy's close by.  Try to be there without getting in the middle of it.  Let your child explore their own creativity.  The last thing you want to do is avoid play dates altogether.  Let's just say...avoiding social time is going to make preschool REALLY shocking for your child.

So, I turn the time over to you ladies.  How often do you schedule play dates?  What do you usually do (for what ages)?  And how do you deal with the problems listed above?  My boy is one that's a little shy around other kids...especially if there's A LOT of other kids, like at a play center.  Please share your fabulous advice!  I appreciate your feedback.  Thanks, gals!

-Alyssa

It's that Time Again

Back to school! Since this is the first time I will be sending a child to school, well preschool, I'm wondering what I need to do to help my little guy be ready to go.  We've talked about how next week he will get to meet his teachers and then start school. Luckily he is pretty comfortable with one of his teachers as she is in our ward and he plays with her 3 year old. But I'm wondering if there is anything else I should talk to him about or prepare him for, any suggestions from you smart moms?

-Megan-

Somedays I Just Need a Reminder

"The noblest calling in the world is motherhood.

 True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions.

 She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserves the admiration and plaudits of mankind;

but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God."

~David O. McKay

   "Chapter 16: The Noble Calling of Parents," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: DavidO. McKay, (2003)

Book Sale Announcement in Logan, UT

A great follow-up to our fabulous discussion POST about children's books...

Not all, but a good chunk of our readers live around or near Logan, UT, so I just wanted to give a shout-out to this sale.  For years upon years, a wonderful woman, called "The Book Lady" by many, traveled across the country, collecting notable children's titles in bulk and selling them from her home to eager parents at her cost.  What a great lady.  Now, luckily for us, her daughter is continuing the legacy.

These sales come around a couple times a year.  Back when I lived in Logan, I would go to every single one and stock up on great, new and classic children's books at an insanely affordable price. She always has a fantastic selection.  There's always a table full of board books, cases of classic books for toddlers and young children, easy readers for young beginners, and entire book shelves of young adult novels (I've picked up a lot of my Harry Potters there).  All her books are new and in perfect condition and always at low, low prices.  If you live close, I'd definitely drop by.  Go!  You won't regret it.

NEXT SALE:  

August 16-20th

1612 East 1220 North

9:00 am - 12:00 noon

For more information, visit her website at www.thebookladysdaughter.com.

-Alyssa

To Share a Room, Or Not Share a Room...

That's the big question at my house this month.  Reasons for room sharing are vast, but most center largely on two factors, (a) necessity, there just aren't enough rooms in the house and (b) the parents want siblings co-exist in the same room to build better relationships.  Which is better? Well, it depends.  Here are some pros and cons to consider.

THE UP SIDE

The most obvious benefit is that kids learn to live with someone else.  They learn to negotiate decorating a room together and cleaning when one child is messier than the other (ehem, good practice for marriage, perhaps).  Good behavior can also rub off on the other child, like seeing a sibling reading, or drawing, or investigating sciency-stuff in their room.  And finally, parents of room-sharing kids often say that the biggest plus is that at night time, when dark shadows and overactive imaginations bring out worry in some kids and they don't like to be alone, having another sibling close by quells some of the night time fear.

THE DOWNSIDE

On the other hand, I shared a room with my sister growing up, and I can attest that with regards to room maintenance, bad behavior rubbed off more than good.  You would think that one of us would be cleaner than the other, but we seemed to augment each other's hurricane of clothes, books, toys, and trinkets on the floor until seeing the carpet was nigh near impossible.  My dad would have to threaten to throw all our stuff in the dumpster to jump start our bi-monthly room cleaning extravaganza.

Other parents complain of children waking and keeping each other up during the night.  Some kids spur competition, ("I want a drink."  "Me too!"  "I need to go potty."  "ME TOO!") making bed time practically impossible.   This not-so-good bed time behavior is clearly not constructive or helpful in relieving bed time headaches.

As kids get older, the biggest drawback may be privacy.  If y'all remember growing up, having an ALONE space to go to was sometimes very necessary.

SO, WHAT TO DO

None of the downsides have to keep your kids from sharing a room.  If space is limited...well, there's not much logical reasoning that can do anything about that.  Room sharing will have to happen, but bringing all the variables into the decision may change subtle nuiances of how you go about doing it..  Experts do advise though with older children, if room-sharing and single rooms are both an option, to bring the kids in on the decision making process.  Kids know best whether or not their sibling friendship can stand the test of sharing a room.  You might want to try a weekend sleepover to see if it works!

MY REAL-LIFE SITUATION

My kids are NOT in the rational, "older" kids category to have a discussion with.  My boy is two.  My baby's 3 months.  We don't have room for them NOT to share a room, and I want my baby out of my room.  Neither of us is getting good sleep with things as they are.  My kids will have to share a room.
 I'm just not sure how to get things rolling.

So, what are your thoughts?  What do you remember (pros and cons) of sharing a room with your sibling?  For those of you with kids, what kept you from putting them in the same room?  At the same time, for parents who have kids sharing a room, how did you do it?  I need help.  I don't see how it'll work.  My toddler will SO wake my baby up any chance he gets.  Not good.  I really appreciate your comments.  Thanks much!

-Alyssa