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Making Outdoor Time Fun for Kids: A Guide for Parents

We want the best for our children. We want them to be healthy, happy, and active. But in this technology era, children spend more and more time indoors, glued to their screens. As a result, they’re becoming more sedentary, and this lack of activity leads to obesity and other health and emotional issues. Parents need to encourage outdoor activities to keep their children healthy and happy. Here are some tips to help children embrace the great outdoors.

Lead by Example

Parents should act as role models for their children. Encourage your kids to embrace outdoor activities by spending time with them in nature. Plan weekend hikes, bike rides, or trips to the beach. Do fun outdoor activities together, like playing Frisbee, soccer, or swimming. Children are more likely to be interested in outdoor activities if their parents are also interested.

Make Outdoor Activities Fun

It’s essential to make outdoor time fun for your children. You can do plenty of activities together as a family that your kids will enjoy. For example, take a picnic to the park, fly a kite, or set up a scavenger hunt. Organize outdoor games, like tag or hide-and-seek. If your child prefers solitary activities, consider giving them a book to read outside.

Let Them Choose Their Activities

Children are more likely to be interested in outdoor activities if they get to choose what they want to do. Let them choose what activities they’re interested in, and support them in their interests. Please don’t force your child to do anything they don’t want. For example, if your child prefers swimming to hiking, encourage them to swim regularly rather than forcing them to go on hikes.

Encourage Free Play

Kids learn a lot through free play. Please encourage your children to play outside freely, letting them make up their games and explore their environment. If you have a garden, let your child plant some flowers or fruit trees and allow them to take responsibility for nurturing them. Encouraging free play will enable your children to connect with nature and explore their creativity.

Minimize Screen Time

It’s essential to create boundaries for screen time. Having clear boundaries on screen time will ensure children have ample time to engage in outdoor activities. Consider setting specific times of the day for screen time, and encourage your children to engage in outdoor activities during the remaining hours. You might also consider removing your TV to encourage your children to participate in different activities.

Taking the time to encourage your kids to embrace outdoor activities is one of the best things you can do for them. You may need patience as they adapt to new activities, but it will be worth it. Remember to lead by example, make outdoor activities fun, let your child choose their activities, encourage free play, and minimize screen time. Following these tips will make your child happier, healthier, and better equipped to face the world. So, get your kids outside and have some fun!

Fun Springtime Activities to Do Around the House with Your Kids While the Snow Melts

Spring is finally here! It’s time to put away the winter boots and coats and enjoy the warmer weather. Of course, it’s a great time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, but what about when the snow is still melting, or the weather is not cooperating? Don’t worry; we have some fun ideas for activities around the house with your kids.

  1. Indoor Gardening:

Get your kids involved by letting them pick out their favorite flowers or herb seeds, and plant them in a small pot or container. Teach them how to care for their plants, like watering and giving them enough sunlight. It will be a fun activity and a great learning opportunity for them to understand how plants grow and thrive.

  1. Spring Cleaning:

Springtime brings the perfect opportunity to declutter and organize your home. Get your kids involved by giving them specific tasks, like organizing their room, going through their toys, and deciding which ones to donate. Make it fun by setting goals and rewards for completing the tasks. Not only will you have a cleaner home, but you’ll also teach your kids the importance of taking care of their belongings.

  1. Art Projects:

Spring is a great time to get creative with your kids. Break out the paints, crayons, or colored pencils, and let your kids create their springtime art. Some fun ideas include painting flower pots or drawing pictures of the signs of spring they see outside. Then, display their artwork in your home for everyone to enjoy.

  1. Spring-themed Baking:

    Spend a rainy day in the kitchen with your kids and bake some spring-themed treats. Try making sugar cookies and letting your kids decorate them with colorful frosting and sprinkles. Or make cupcakes and decorate them with flowers or other spring-related designs. You will have a tasty treat to enjoy, and it’s a fun activity to do together.

  2. Science Experiments:

Try conducting some simple science experiments like making a homemade volcano or exploring the properties of water. Then, make it fun by incorporating spring-themed experiments, like seeing how rainwater affects soil or observing the petals of a flower under a microscope.

Spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but there are still plenty of fun activities inside the house with your kids when the weather is not cooperating. From indoor gardening to science experiments, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and create memories with your kids. These activities provide not only fun entertainment but also valuable learning opportunities. So, gather your kids together and get ready for some springtime fun!

Why Brooklyn Park is a Great Place to Raise a Family

 

Brooklyn Park is a great place to raise a family for many reasons. First, the community is extremely supportive and welcoming. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community, whether it’s through volunteering, participating in local events, or simply getting to know your neighbors.

Excellent Education Systems

The schools in Brooklyn Park are excellent. Students here have the opportunity to receive a top-notch education, whether they attend public or private schools. There are also many extracurricular activities and programs available for students of all ages, so there’s something for everyone.

Brooklyn Park is a Safe City

The crime rate is low, and residents feel secure in their homes and neighborhoods. This is a great place to raise children, as they can explore and play without worry.

Diverse City

There are residents from all walks of life, which makes for a vibrant community. Everyone here is welcome, and everyone has something to offer.

An Abundance of Parks and Recreational Activities

From the parks and green spaces to the quaint shops and restaurants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

If you’re looking for a great place to raise a family, Brooklyn Park should be at the top of your list. With its supportive community, excellent schools, safe environment, and abundance of amenities, it’s the perfect place to call home.

How to Help Your Children Get Organized

It can be difficult to get your children to stay organized, but with a little bit of effort, it is possible. You can start by setting some ground rules and sticking to them. You may also want to consider getting your children their organizational tools, such as a planner or a desk organizer.

Start Early On

One of the best ways to help your children get organized is to start early. If you can get them into the habit of being organized when they are young, it will be much easier for them to stick with it as they get older. You can also help by explaining the benefits of being organized. For example, telling them that it will make their lives easier in the long run.

Offer Assistance

If your children are having a hard time getting organized, you can also offer some help. You can set aside time each day to help them get organized, or you can help them with specific tasks, such as getting their homework done. You can also provide encouragement and praise when they do a good job.

Set Rules and Guidelines

Ultimately, it is up to your children to stay organized, but you can help them out by setting some rules and providing some guidance. With a little bit of effort, your children can learn to stay organized and it will make their lives much easier in the long run.

How to Build Your Toddler’s Self-Esteem

As a parent, there’s nothing more important than seeing your child grow and thrive. One of the most important aspects of healthy development is a strong sense of self-esteem. Here are some tips on how to help build your toddler’s self-esteem:

Praise Your Child’s Accomplishments

No matter how small, every accomplishment deserves praise. When your child masters a new skill, or even just manages to clean up their room without help, be sure to let them know how proud you are. This will help them feel good about themselves and give them the confidence to try new things.

Give Positive Reinforcement

Not only should you praise your child for their accomplishments, you should also give them plenty of positive reinforcement in general. Let them know that you love and value them, no matter what. This will help them feel good about themselves, regardless of their achievements or failures.

Never Put Them Down

It’s very important not to put your child down, even in a joking way. This can damage their self-esteem and make them feel like they’re not good enough. If you need to criticize them, do it in a constructive way that will help them learn from their mistakes.

Help Them Build Healthy Relationships

One of the best ways to build self-esteem is to have healthy relationships with others. Encourage your child to play and interact with other kids, and teach them how to be respectful and kind. This will help them develop strong social skills and a positive sense of self.

Let Them Be Themselves

The most important thing you can do for your child’s self-esteem is to let them be themselves. Don’t try to force them into a mold or make them feel like they have to meet certain standards. Encourage them to explore their interests and be proud of who they are.

Building your toddler’s self-esteem is an important job, but it’s one that you can definitely handle. Just use these tips as a starting point, and continue to show your child how much you love and value them. They’ll appreciate it more than you can imagine.

How to Keep Your Kids Motivated in the Winter

When the weather is cold and the days are short, it can be difficult to fight the urge to stay in bed. This can be especially difficult for parents who are trying to get their children up in the morning. Staying motivated in the winter can be incredibly difficult, especially for children who are old enough to be in school. However, here are some tips to help you motivate your children:

Why We Lose Motivation in the Winter

The days are colder and shorter, and for many people, it can make it more difficult to get the day going in the morning. Academic productivity usually plummets towards the beginning of winter, and seasonal affective disorders are fairly common in the winter months. So how do you keep your children motivated and productive during the winter?

Get Some Daily Exercise

It will be tough to do exercises outdoors when there is a foot of snow and it is below zero. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get any exercise whatsoever! Our minds are sharper when we add some exercise into our normal routines. Indoor fitness activities such as stretching, yoga, jump rope, and other simple body exercises are great for your kids. Getting physical movement is critical in increasing productivity. Oftentimes, the weather might be just warm enough to bundle up in warm layers and get a breath of fresh air!

School Work Should be Done Sooner than Later

Because it gets darker earlier in the evening, it can be a cause for demotivation. Having your children do their homework before the sun fully sets can boost their academic productivity. However, this may not be the case for every child. Make sure to find the time to identify when your child is most productive.

Keep the House Decluttered and Distraction Free

As the holidays bring many gifts and goodies to kids, it can be difficult to get them to focus on school after the long holiday break. This is especially true if they got a new gaming console or toys to play with. Make sure you only allow a certain amount of time for them to play before they need to do any academic work.

How to Curb Your Children’s Separation Anxiety

As the new school year goes by, many parents might be struggling with the anxieties that their children may be facing. The last couple of years have been quite stressful as well, which does not help with separation anxiety. Here are some tips you can follow to help ease some of the separation anxiety your children may be facing when sent to school or child care.

Make a Goodbye Ritual

Some children might have a hard time being dropped off at school, so to counteract this, you should develop a goodbye ritual. A goodbye ritual is simply a habitual act that comforts your child. One fun way to do this is by creating a “secret handshake” right before they exit the car or get on the bus. This can help ease some of the stress the child has before going to school.

Be Social With Your Child About School

Try and talk with your child about what they see and do at school. Are there any lunches they like more than others? Are you enjoying a certain subject more than another one? Have you made any friends during recess? Putting some interest into their days at school can reaffirm their comfort with being dropped off and motivate them to focus on their day at school.

Don’t Stall When Leaving

This might be difficult to do, but when you drop your child off make sure to not stall. When you tell them you are leaving, you need to leave. Making your departure a larger deal than it needs to be can increase their anxieties.

Try to Make Leaving the House More Fun

Before leaving for school, try to entertain your child to settle any nerves they may have about going to school. Put some music on and laugh around to brighten their morning. Sending them off to school with a happy and positive attitude can prevent a meltdown from occurring at drop-off.

The Benefits of Daycare

Daycare and other childcare services are more than just a place where your child can go and play during the day while you are at work; it’s also a helpful resource for working parents, it also provides children with a number of benefits that help to promote their early childhood development. In today’s post, we will discuss some of the benefits that your child may experience from daycare.

At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, our goal is to provide your child with plenty of opportunities to grow. We offer everything from curriculums that are designed around your child’s learning abilities to enrichment programs that give your child the chance to experience new activities. Explore our website to learn more about everything that Today’s Life Schools & Child Care has to offer your little one, and give us a call today to schedule a visit to our center! In the meantime, continue reading below where we discuss a few of the many benefits of enrolling your child in daycare.

Regular Schedule

Similarly to many adults, children enjoy having a schedule that they can count on each day. When you enroll your child in a daycare center, they will follow a schedule that consists of play time, learning, eating, napping, and all of their favorite activities. At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, all of our daily activities are planned in advance and are designed with your child’s learning abilities in mind. As a parent, you will not only have access to your child’s schedule, but you can also have peace of mind knowing that the activities that are offered will help to promote early childhood development.

Interaction With Peers

Parents understand the importance of socializing your child at an early age. Children who are not enrolled in a daycare program may interact with neighborhood children or family members who are of a similar age. However, daycare provides your little one with the opportunity to socialize in a supervised environment. Through the interactions your child will make in daycare, they will learn how to share, empathize with others, use their words, and so much more.

Academic Improvement

Not many people associate a daycare program with learning. After all, younger children can’t sit still for very long, so how are you supposed to teach them anything? The best part about a high-quality daycare center is that many of the teachers have the skills and expertise to incorporate learning into your kiddo’s schedule without them even realizing it. Whether it’s learning shapes and colors through art or counting through a game, your child’s cognitive and academic learning will flourish.

Enroll Your Child in Today’s Life Schools & Child Care

There are numerous benefits to enrolling your child in a daycare program. Hopefully, the few that we have highlighted above will give you the encouragement you need to consider enrolling your child in Today’s Life Schools & Child Care Center in Brooklyn Park. We pride ourselves not only on focusing on academics and early childhood development, but we also work hard to care for your child’s safety and nutrition as if they were our own. If you’re interested in learning more about our qualified teachers or scheduling a visit to our facility, give us a call at Today’s Life Schools & Childcare today!

We look forward to seeing you soon.

6 Reasons You Should Take Your Kids Camping This Summer

The warm summer weather is perfect for spending hours in the great outdoors, whether that be at the park, in your front yard, or even on a hike. That being said, one of the best ways to fully appreciate nature is to take your family on a summer camping trip! In addition to getting some fresh air and quality time with nature, there are many benefits to taking your kids camping, and in today’s post, we will cover a few good reasons to plan a camping trip this summer.

If your little one like to explore, learn, and try new things, then why not give them the opportunity to do it all? At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we promote early childhood development by offering enrichment programs that are designed to give children the chance to try new things and expand their interests. We also strive to create curriculums that are geared toward your child’s learning abilities. Children are always learning, and whether you’re interested in our different educational programs or you want to enroll your child in our summer daycare, you can rest assured that your child is learning in a safe and nurturing environment. Browse our website to learn more about what Today’s Life Schools & Childcare has to offer, and give us a call to schedule a visit at our Brooklyn Park location.

Your Child Will Learn New Skills

When you go camping, you can’t just turn on the stove and heat up dinner or go for an easy walk around the block. Camping is an entirely different type of living, and in order to fully enjoy the experience, your child will need to learn new skills such as starting a fire or pitching a tent. Learning these new skills will help your child to better understand themselves and it will also help to encourage early childhood development. In fact, some of the skills that your child may learn on your family camping trip could help them later in life.

Camping is Affordable

Many families prefer going on camping trips because camping is more affordable. Think about other family trips that you have gone on in the past. Gas, hotel, food, and souvenirs are just a few of the expenses that you may encounter on a typical family vacation. Granted, those expenses will go up depending on the type of vacation. If you already have all the camping gear you need, it’s easy to keep costs low. Not to mention, when you go on vacation, your child probably wants to buy every little souvenir or trinket that they see, but with camping, there are no gift shops.

Your Kiddo gets the Chance to Disconnect

In today’s society, children rely on technology for many things, including entertainment and learning. If you’re looking for a way to help your little one disconnect from a world filled with technology, then camping is the perfect solution! Electronic games and mobile devices feel out of place in the great outdoors, not to mention you will be hard-pressed to find an outlet to charge your devices.

Camping Encourages Creativity

Because your child won’t be able to use their electronics, they will be forced to find new things to entertain themselves, which may require the use of their imagination. Hiking and exploring is a great way to fill the time. You can even encourage them to set up a hammock and enjoy a nice book, or share stories around the campfire. Without screens or their endless mountains of toys, your kiddo will be forced to come up with new games and find new ways to spend their time.

You Get to Spend Quality Time as a Family

Another great benefit of a summer camping trip is that you get to bond as a family. We mentioned above that your child won’t have any electronics to entertain themselves, and the same thing goes for the parents! Without the noise of the television or the constant email reminders, your entire family will get to talk and interact without interruptions. As a result, you may find that the time together brings you closer.

It’s Fun!

If for no other reason, you should take your kids camping because it is fun! There’s nothing better than falling asleep in a tent to the smell of the campfire and waking up to birds chirping outside. Your child will get to try things that they may have never tried before, and your entire family will get a break from your normal lives.

Camping is a great way to encourage early childhood development, and once you return from your trip, the learning doesn’t have to stop! At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we work hard to provide your child with many opportunities to learn. Visit our website or give us a call today!

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

When a child reaches a certain age, he or she will start attending school. For some children, starting kindergarten is just the next step because they’ve already spent a few years in a classroom setting. On the other hand, there are many children who have not experienced any sort of educational setting prior to attending kindergarten, meaning that they probably are unprepared for what to expect. Early childhood education is an important step for all children, and in today’s post, we will discuss why more children should have the opportunity to attend an early childhood development center and the importance of an early education.

If you’re a parent looking for a childcare center that you can trust to provide your child with a safe environment and the educational opportunities that they deserve, then you need Today’s Life Schools & Childcare. Our childcare providers create curriculums that are geared toward your child’s learning level, and we also offer enrichment programs that are designed to give your child the opportunity to try new things and discover his or her likes and interests. In addition to our education and enrichment programs, our childcare providers also make sure to take special care with the safety and nutritional needs of your child so that you can rest assured that your little one is in good hands. Browse our website to learn more, and be sure to contact Today’s Life Schools & Childcare to get started today!

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

Children learn through new experiences and by watching the behaviors of those around them. The first few years of their lives are when most of this learning takes place, and receiving a formal education will give your child more opportunities to experience new things. In addition to the educational benefits of early childhood education, there are many developmental benefits as well, including:

Socialization

One of the main benefits of enrolling your child in an early childhood education program is that he or she will be able to socialize with other children in the same age group. If your child spends most of their time at home, there are only a limited number of people that he or she will come into contact with. Unless your child has siblings, there’s a good chance that most of those people he or she meets will be adults or significantly older.

Early childhood education gives your child the opportunity to interact and socialize with other children that are close in age. Your little one will get to meet new people and learn how to make friends, which is a skill that he or she will use for the rest of their life.

Cooperation

Another important part of early childhood education is that children learn how to cooperate and work together within groups. In a classroom setting, the concept of sharing and taking turns is a daily lesson. For some children, this lesson comes easily because they have learned how to share with siblings at home. However, first-born children who may not have the opportunity to learn to share, really benefit from learning how to cooperate. The benefit of early childhood education is that your little one learns these lessons in a safe environment that is closely monitored by a professional childcare provider.

Encourage Lifelong Learning

Children don’t always have the best attention spans, which is why learning has to be fun and exciting in order to be effective. Early childhood educators create lesson plans that are specifically designed to not only captivate the attention of your child, but to also encourage them to love learning. By making learning a positive and enjoyable experience at an early age, your child will be more likely to seek out learning experiences in the future.

Confidence

One of the most important benefits of early childhood education is that it gives your child confidence. Your little one will experience numerous positive experiences with other children and his or her teachers. Each positive experience will help to encourage your kiddo’s confidence. With a little bit of confidence, your child will feel empowered to try new things and approach situations and problems instead of avoiding them.

Give Your Child the Opportunity to Grow and Learn With Today’s Life

If you want to see your child experience all of the benefits listed above, Today’s Life Schools & Childcare can make it happen. We offer a wide range of enrichment programs as well as educational programs that are geared toward your child’s learning abilities. Help promote your child’s early childhood development by giving him or her the tools they need to succeed. Check out our website to learn more, and contact Today’s Life Schools & Childcare to schedule your visit today!

How to Teach Kindness to Your Child

Children are born with the ability to be kind and compassionate. However, in order to ensure that your child grows up to be a caring adult, there are little things you can do to teach your child to be kind to others. At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we strive to provide your child with an education that is geared toward his or her learning abilities in addition to various opportunities to expand their skills. Our childcare providers have years of experience and up-to-date training, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your child is in good hands. Check out our website to learn more about Today’s Life Schools & Childcare and give us a call to schedule a visit to our Brooklyn Park location!

As your child ages, he or she is constantly learning and observing. With that in mind, it’s important to be a good example for your child to follow, as well as give them as many opportunities to be kind to others. In today’s post, we will provide you with a few things that you can do to help teach your child kindness and compassion.

Help out as a Family

As an adult, helping friends or family members who are in need comes naturally. When a loved one is sick or is having a hard time, the natural thing to do is offer to help out around the house or bring them food so that they don’t have to worry about making dinner. If you’re looking for a simple way to teach your child about kindness, all you have to do is include them in these preparations. Ask your child to help you make the meal that you’re going to bring to your sick aunt, or if you plan on picking up your friend’s children from school, take your little one with you. Because your child looks up to you, he or she will see you doing these nice things and it will make them want to be just like you.

Teach Them to do Their Share of the Work

Helping out isn’t always something that you can choose to do on a whim. In some cases, you may be required to help out and do your share of the work, like with cleaning the house or certain tasks that need to be completed on a daily basis. Cleaning or doing chores may not seem like a direct way to treat kindness, but when you teach your child to share some of the necessary work of the house, you are teaching them to respect the others who live there and how to care for the place that you all share.

The best way to show your child how to properly share the work is to assign chores. If he or she is old enough, assign them the task of feeding the family pet every morning, or have them help with dishes each night. When you have a cleaning day, give your child a few tasks that you know they can accomplish on their own. Once you make chores a regular part of their routine, you may notice that your child starts to do things without being asked.

Does your child have a lot of toys that are spending their days sitting in the toy box or on the shelf? Instead of watching those toys get dusty, suggest that your child donate them to the local thrift store or your neighbor’s garage sale. When you make this suggestion, you may be met with some objection, which is natural. Try explaining to your child that when you donate the toys they will have the opportunity to make another little boy or girl very happy. If your little one is on board with donating some of their toys, ask them if they want to help you pick out which ones to donate.

Do Something Nice for Your Child’s Teacher

Teachers and childcare providers do a lot for their children. While teacher appreciation week is a great way to show how much you care, teachers also appreciate little gifts throughout the rest of the year. A great way to teach your kiddo kindness is to encourage him or her to do something nice for their teacher. Baking cookies, picking out a special treat, or even drawing a picture are all little things that your child can do to show their appreciation.

At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we are dedicated to helping promote early childhood development. Our dedicated child care providers work hard to create curriculums and enrichment programs that your kiddo will not only enjoy, but they will also help them learn and grow. Visit our website for more information, and contact Today’s Life Schools & Childcare to get started today!

Preparing Your Child for Daycare

No matter what the situation may be, there comes a time when you need to look into childcare. When that time arrives, you need to be sure that you choose a place that cares for your baby with as much compassion as you would. At Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, we make it our mission to care for the safety and well-being of your child as if he or she were our own. Whether your child is an infant, a toddler, or getting ready to start kindergarten, our skilled teachers create curriculums that are designed to teach and challenge your kiddo based on his or her learning ability. When you trust your child with Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, not only will he or she receive excellent opportunities for education and exploration, but you can have peace of mind in knowing that your child is in safe and loving hands. Contact us today to schedule a viewing of our Brooklyn Park location.

Once you’ve found the perfect childcare center, the next step is to prepare your child. Your kiddo is used to spending his or her entire day with you, and it will be difficult for both of you to let go. In today’s post, we will provide you with a few tips to make the transition easier.

Talk it Through

Before your child’s first day of daycare, it’s important that you talk through the decision. Even if your child is young, he or she will benefit from understanding why you are leaving them at a strange place as opposed to being dropped off without any explanation. Sit down with your child and let him or her know what will happen. Explain that they are going to a daycare center with many other children. If you know what the daily schedule will be like, explain it to your kiddo. Your kid will benefit from your reassuring tone, and understanding what will happen will make the first day of daycare that much easier.

Try Going Part-Time

If you’re worried that your kiddo will have a hard time adjusting to the changes, try easing into the new situation. Inquire whether or not the childcare center offers partial days. The benefit of a partial day over a whole day is that you still have the opportunity to accomplish any work or errands that you need to get done, but your kiddo won’t be stuck in an unfamiliar place for very long. Once your child gets used to going to daycare, add in a couple days where he or she goes for the entire day, and eventually make the full transition to all-day daycare.

Bring Something Familiar

On the first day of daycare, have your child bring something from home like a blanket or a stuffed animal. It will be difficult for your child to be away from home during those first few days, and having an item that smells like home or reminds him or her of mom or dad will bring some comfort. For older children, you can also send a picture of your family that your kiddo can look at throughout the day.

Have a Goodbye Ritual

Another tactic that you can try is to have a goodbye ritual. A goodbye ritual can be anything from a simple hug to a kiss on both cheeks. The importance of the goodbye ritual is that it happens every single day, allowing your child to know what to expect when he or she is dropped off at daycare. This ritual is also beneficial for parents because it provides a sort of closure so you won’t be tempted to linger at the door.

At Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, we understand that leaving your child for the first time can be difficult, which is why we do everything in our power to make the transition, and your child’s time at our childcare center, as easy as possible. Our childcare providers make it their mission to communicate with your about your child, while also creating a fun and exciting environment for learning. Browse our website to learn more, and contact Today’s Life Schools and Childcare today!

How to Make Mealtime Fun!

If you have a picky eater on your hands, then mealtime can be a struggle, especially if your child only eats one or two things or refuses to eat at all. Proper nutrition is important to help your kiddo grow big and strong, and in today’s post, we will discuss a few easy ways that you can make mealtimes more fun!

Today’s Life Schools and Childcare is dedicated to helping promote early childhood development through learning, fun, and proper nutrition. Our teachers create curriculums that are designed to engage and challenge your child, while also preparing them for their future education. In addition to education and our enrichment program, we also work hard to promote good nutrition and eating habits throughout the day. If you’re looking for a daycare center that you can trust, then contact Today’s Life Schools and Childcare Center today, and continue reading below for tips on how to make mealtimes more fun for your picky eater.

Ask Him or Her What They Want to Eat

You may be thinking that it’s pointless to ask your child what he or she wants to eat because the answer is always the same. While that may be the case, the trick is to offer your child other options. Give your child the choice between three different meals that you have in the house. Depending on how picky your child is, giving him or her options may still present a challenge, however, having the power to choose what’s for dinner may be too tempting to resist.

Have Your Child Help With Meal Prep

There’s nothing better than standing in the kitchen helping mom or dad cook dinner, and if your child plays a part in cooking dinner, he or she may be more likely to eat it once it’s done. Ask your kiddo if he or she wants to help with preparing dinner, and then give them a task like stirring or mashing potatoes. If you notice that your child has a lot of fun helping you cook, you can make it a daily activity and make sure that every meal has a task that your kiddo can easily complete.

Cut Food into Fun Shapes!

Would you rather eat a small slab or pork or a piece of meat shaped like a star? As an adult, you don’t really care about how your food looks, but as a child, presentation is everything! If your child is a picky eater, one thing you can try is cutting his or her food into fun shapes. Buy a few different cookie cutters, and try cutting meat or sandwiches into animals, stars, trees, or hearts! In some cases, you can buy your kiddo’s favorite foods already cut into different shapes, like dinosaur nuggets. It may be more difficult to get your child to eat things like veggies because you can’t cut them into shapes. In that case, try naming them different things. Say that broccoli is a tree and that your kiddo is a dinosaur, or say that green beans are just green french fries. Anything you can do to make meals more fun will give you a better chance of getting your picky eater to branch out and try new foods.

Eating healthy and trying new things can be difficult for a child, but with these tricks, mealtime can be fun and enjoyable for all. At Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, we understand that an important part of healthy development is nutrition, which is why we provide healthy meal options during the day. To see what our childcare center has to offer, contact Today’s Life Schools and Childcare to schedule a visit to our Brooklyn Park location today!

We look forward to seeing you and your child soon!

The Benefits of Yoga for Children

As a parent, it’s important that you present your child with as many opportunities as possible to try new things. At Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, we strive to promote early childhood development through our structured curriculum and variety of extracurricular activities. Whether your child is an infant, getting ready to start kindergarten, or somewhere in between, our teachers create a curriculum that is geared toward your child’s learning abilities. In addition to our normal classes, we also offer enrichment programs to help your child experience new activities. To learn more about our Brooklyn Park location and to schedule a visit, contact Today’s Life Schools and Childcare today!

The enrichment program offered at our childcare center gives your child the opportunity to try things like music, Spanish, obstacle courses, and even yoga! While yoga doesn’t sound like a typical activity for children, there are actually many benefits. In today’s post, we will discuss how your child can benefit from practicing yoga at an early age. If you are interested in learning more about our enrichment program, contact Today’s Life Schools and Childcare today!

Develops Focus and Concentration

If there is one thing you know about children, it’s that they don’t always have the best track record for focusing on a single task for long periods of time. Therefore, you may be wondering how an activity that centers around focus and concentration can be beneficial for children. The truth of the matter is that yoga helps to teach kids how to focus and concentrate. Because the poses require both balance and movement, your child will learn how to focus on staying balanced while also changing positions. The key to yoga is movement. If you ask a child to sit still and focus on a task, it will be next to impossible. However, if you ask a kid to focus on an active movement, you’re more likely to see better results.

Boosts Confidence

The great thing about yoga is that it is geared toward all skill levels. Throughout the session, you will have to perform a variety of poses, but most teachers give you the option to modify the pose to make it easier or harder. When children practice yoga, it teaches them to persevere, keep trying, and to chase after their goals. Finally mastering a pose without any sort of modification gives your child a great sense of accomplishment and a boost of confidence. Another benefit of yoga is that your kiddo will learn to do all of the poses on their own. The instructor can only provide your child with guidance, meaning that your child will perform and master the different poses all on their own!

Promotes Physical Strength

Many people think that yoga is as simple as positioning your body into different poses, but it is much more complicated than that. Yoga involves using your muscles in ways that you never had and controlling your movements. Moving your body in such a way allows you to become more aware of how it moves and how it feels, which is important to understand as a child. Not to mention, using different muscles to control the movements will help your kiddo improve their strength.

At Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, we make it our mission to help promote early childhood development in all of our students, whether it is through learning in the classroom or trying new activities like yoga in our enrichment program. Browse our website to learn more and contact Today’s Life Schools and Childcare to set up an appointment to visit our Brooklyn Park location today!

Ways to Keep Your Child Active During the Summer

There’s no question that the summer months are every kid’s favorite time of year. For a kid, there’s nothing better than waking up whenever you want and having the whole day to do whatever you want. Unfortunately, most children choose to spend this free time sitting in front of the TV. In today’s post, we will give you a few ideas on how to combat the summer slump and get your child up and moving!

At Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, we take pride in providing your child with top-of-the-line care and enriched programs that help to promote early childhood development. We offer a variety of programs that are tailored to your child’s needs, whether they are infants or getting ready to start kindergarten. In addition to our curriculum classes, we also offer enrichment programs and a summer program that encourages your child to try new things. Browse our website to learn more about our extensive programs, and schedule an appointment to check out Today’s Life Schools and Childcare in Brooklyn Park.

Turn off the Electronics

When given the option, children will automatically choose to watch TV instead of doing something more creative, so a simple solution to combat a plethora of TV throughout the summer is to turn it off. If you take away the option of watching TV or playing on electronics, your child will have to use their imagination to come up with ideas of how to fill their time.

If you have a child that is less than pleased about losing the TV and electronics, you can compromise by offering a designated amount of time each day that your child is allowed to watch TV, play video games, or use any electronic devices.

Make Exercise a Family Activity

When most people think of exercise, they think of going to the gym or going for a run. However, that’s not always the case. The best part about summer is that you can go outside and get exercise without actually realizing that you’re exercising. That being said, if you have a child that is resistant to spending some time playing outside, an easy way to ensure that he or she stays active is to make exercise a family affair! Things like going for a walk after dinner, going on a family bike ride, or playing frisbee at the local park are all fun activities that you can enjoy together as a family.

Set up Playdates

If your child is not being as active as you would like, an easy way to help him or her get up and moving is to schedule a playdate. As a child, it’s easy to become bored when you’re all alone, but having a friend to play with can create endless possibilities! Schedule a playdate at the neighborhood park, or invite a friend over to have a picnic outside. If you’re worried that both children will end up in front of the TV, have a few ideas on hand that will keep them occupied and out of the house.

Summer Daycare

As a parent, you may have other responsibilities that take up your time during the summer, and as such, it may be difficult for you to ensure that your child is staying active. Summer daycare and summer enrichment programs are the perfect way to give you peace of mind, knowing that your child is in good hands and staying active during the summer months. Luckily, if you’re in Brooklyn Park, Today’s Life Schools and Childcare offers a summer program that will provide your child with activities, in-house field trips, and more! You will have the freedom to tackle your responsibilities without having to worry about your child. If you are interested in learning more about Today’s Life Schools and Childcare, browse our website or give us a call to schedule an appointment at our Brooklyn Park location today!

The Importance Of Child Interaction

Children have a way of naturally making friends with whoever they meet. It’s always fun to watch children interacting with each other, however, with the increase of technology use, there are some children who would rather interact with a screen than with their own peers. At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we strive to promote early childhood development for those in Eden Prairie by giving children the chance to interact with other kids and learn together. Our curriculums are specifically designed to get children up and moving and encourage them to learn. We offer a variety of programs for infants and children who are getting ready to start kindergarten, in addition to enrichment programs. If you would like to learn more about what our Eden Prairie child care services can offer your child, contact Today’s Life Schools & Childcare today!

In order to promote healthy development, it’s important for children to interact with each other. In case you are not fully aware of the benefits of child interaction, we will go over those benefits in today’s post. Once you finish reading, if you think Today’s Life is right for your child, contact us to schedule a visit.

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Learning Social Skills

You may understand that it’s important for your child to play with other children, but you may not understand why. As your child interacts, not just with other children, but with other humans in general, he or she is learning proper social skills. Interacting with peers is a great way for your child to learn how to be a friend and empathize with other children. Playing and interacting will show your kiddo what makes his or her peers sad or mad or happy, and these responses will dictate how your child behaves in the future.

Interaction Begins At An Early Age

Believe it or not, your child is learning how to interact with other humans from the day he or she is born. Babies look to their parents, or primary caregivers, to teach them how to behave. Because babies are new to the world, they are constantly observing and learning. For example, do you notice that your baby will relax when he or she is held in your arms, or smile when they see you? All of these reactions are based on observation and the relationship you have developed with your baby. Through this relationship, your child is learning what it means to feel for someone.

Taking Turns

If you spend time in a preschool class, you will often hear a teacher telling students to take turns with toys. The idea of taking turns is an important part of your child’s social development, and starts when he or she is a baby. You may not realize it, but the way you interact with your child can actually promote the idea of taking turns. For example, if you’re holding your baby and he or she makes a noise, and you make that noise back, you are taking turns. As your child gets older, you may play games that involve taking turns like rolling a ball back and forth or playing peek-a-boo.

Imaginary Friends

As your child gets older and starts to understand what it means to have friends, he or she may develop an imaginary friend. Not only do imaginary friends help to encourage your child’s imagination, but they also help to develop their social skills. Your kid uses an imaginary friend as a way of relating to others. You may see your child talking to their imaginary friend, playing games, or even scolding their friend for doing something wrong. While it may look odd to see your child talking to “nothing,” having an imaginary friend is actually beneficial in many ways.

The Different Developmental Stages

As we mentioned above, your child is learning how to interact with other humans from day one. That being said, through each stage in his or her life, your kid is learning different aspects of friendship and relationships. It’s important to understand what your child learns at each stage so that you can help to promote these lessons.

Luckily, at Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, our childcare providers have the experience and knowledge to guide your child through each stage of development. In fact, each of our programs are designed with a specific curriculum that will encourage healthy development and learning. To learn more about our programs, contact Today’s Life Schools & Childcare today!

Fun Ways To Get Your Child Outside: Part Two

Now that the weather is finally warming up, the outdoors are calling. While some children can’t wait to get outside, for others it may take a little convincing. In part one of our series, we gave you a few ideas of some activities that will get your child outside. In this next part, we will continue with a few more activities that may entice even the most resistant of kids.

At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we strive to help promote early childhood development by providing children with the chance to engage with their environment and try new things. All of our teachers have a passion for education, and they work hard to create curriculums that will help your child grow. Whether your child is an infant or preparing for kindergarten, at Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we have programs that cater to all levels. If you would like to learn more about our childcare services, contact us to schedule a meeting. In the meantime, continue reading below for fun activities that your child can do outside.

Build A Fort Outside

Does your child love to spend hours creating the perfect fort out of pillow and blankets? If the answer is yes, why not take your kiddo’s favorite activity outdoors? Give your child the challenge of finding things outside to make a fort. You can provide him or her with a few essentials like some rope and a tarp or blanket that you don’t mind getting dirty. The best part about using materials outside is that instead of taking it down at the end of the day, you can leave it up overnight! Your child will love spending hours building the perfect fort and using his or her imagination. Once the fort is complete, you and your kiddo can spend time playing castle or restaurant, or some other creative game.

Treasure/Scavenger Hunt

Speaking of games, scavenger hunts or treasure hunts are perfect games that you can play outside! You can hide your child’s toys, fake gold coins, or even secret clues for your child to find all over the yard. If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can offer to play along and create clues that will take you to other places away from your home, such as a nearby park, or make it a playdate that takes you to your child’s friend’s house. When it comes to scavenger or treasure hunts, the sky’s the limit! No matter how elaborate or simple you make the game, there’s no question that your child will have a blast.

Use Sidewalk Chalk

If you want to help your kid be creative and use his or her imagination, give them a piece of sidewalk chalk and let them go to town! Chalk is great because it will wash away with water, leaving you with a fresh canvas. Children spend a lot of time drawing pictures, but they will enjoy the chance to draw on the sidewalk or driveway as opposed to a normal piece of paper.

At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, promoting early childhood development in your kiddo is a large part of what we do. We create curriculums that are designed to help your child learn, while also catering to their need to move around and explore. Learn more about the programs we offer, and be sure to contact Today’s Life Schools & Childcare today!

Fun Ways To Get Your Child Outside: Part One

Now that spring has finally arrived, it’s time to shed the heavy winter clothes and open up the windows. After spending the winter cooped up inside the house, there’s no question that your child is probably ready to spend as much time enjoying the fresh spring air as they can. At Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, we try to provide your child with every opportunity to explore and try new things. We offer a variety of programs including Spanish lessons, enrichment programs, and more! In order to promote early childhood development, we try to create fun curriculums that challenge your child while making learning a fun experience. If you would like to learn more about Today’s Life Schools & Childcare, contact us today!

Spring is the perfect time to get outside and try new activities that will help your child to learn while also having fun. In part one of this multi-part series, we will give you a few ideas of some activities that will get your child exploring the outdoors.

Watch A Caterpillar Grow

Early spring is full of new life, and while your child may be too young to care for a small pet, one way to teach them responsibility is to care for a caterpillar. Not to mention, if you care for the caterpillar long enough, you may eventually be able to teach your child about how the caterpillar turns into a butterfly!

Start by going for a walk in the woods, a nearby park, or another area where you might be able to find a caterpillar. You can even turn it into a scavenger hunt! Once you find a caterpillar, you and your child can put together a little habitat full of leaves, twigs, and a capful of water. An unused flower pot or a plastic container with holes make perfect homes for a caterpillar. After that, the rest is up to you!

Blow Bubbles

As an adult, you may not find blowing bubbles to be the most exciting of activities, but we guarantee that your child will love it! To a child, there’s something magical about seeing a bubble form mid-air right before their eyes. Your kiddo will be able to marvel at the rainbow of colors as the bubble floats through the air until it disappears.

You can either buy bubble mixture from the store or spend some time making your own with your kid. Once you have the bubble mixture, take it outside and use bubble wands to create giant bubbles. Make it a contest to see who can make the biggest bubble or whose bubble lasts the longest before popping.

Have A Picnic

Whether you have a long day of errands planned with just a small window for lunch, or you’re looking for something to mix up your schedule, a picnic is perfect for any situation! Instead of spending money on fast food while you’re out and about, you can pack a lunch for you and your child and stop at a park while you’re in town. There’s something really nice about eating outside, especially if it’s not something you do on a regular basis. Your child will love getting out of the house, and if you stop at a park with a playground, you can let your kiddo run around and play while you take a few minutes to catch up on emails or other necessary tasks.

There are just a couple ideas for how you and your child can get outside. If you’re looking for a way to ensure that your child is challenged and gets the chance to explore new things on a daily basis, Today’s Life Schools & Childcare can help! Contact us today to learn more.

The Benefits Of A Summer Enrichment Program

Now that spring is just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what your child will do once school is no longer in session. If you are a working parent, there are many options and ways to entertain your child during the summer months without disrupting your work schedule. One great option is a summer program through Today’s Life Schools & Child Care! At our childcare center, we love to combine learning with having fun, and our summer programs are a great way to do that! Not only will we give your child a solid, educational foundation, but we also have a variety of in-house field trips for everyone to enjoy! Learn more about our summer enrichment programs and sign up today!

Learning during the summer doesn’t sound like fun, and you may be worried that your child will be opposed to a summer learning program. In today’s post, we will take a look at a few of the benefits that are associated with attending a summer program as opposed to sitting at home. Continue reading below and be sure to check out the program offered by Today’s Life Schools & Child Care!

Promote Cognitive Development

The majority of the year, your child goes to school or daycare where he or she learns valuable life skills and is constantly improving his or her cognitive development. When the summer months roll around, they are no longer receiving that brain stimulation, which as a result, can lead to summer learning loss. Studies have shown that kids who don’t keep up with academics when school is no longer in session will lose as much as three months of basic skills. It’s no wonder that teachers spend the first few weeks of school reteaching what students learned the previous year.

As part of our summer enrichment program at Today’s Life, your child will continue to build on his or her educational foundation. We strive to make learning fun and to incorporate lessons with fun games and activities. Your child will have so much fun, he or she will never know that they are actually learning!

Develop Social Skillskids avoid getting sick

During the school year, your child has many opportunities to socialize with other children, however, that may not always be the case once school is no longer in session. When children are bored, they tend to turn to mobile devices or television in order to find stimulation. While this solution may cure the boredom, it does nothing to help develop social skills.

If you enroll your child in a summer enrichment program, he or she will have ample opportunities to socialize with other children of the same age! Instead of wasting hours in front of a screen, your child will spend time learning, participating in field trips, and getting to experience new things with other children.

Encourage Physical Activity

It’s no question that young children need to be up and moving at what seems to be all hours of the day. Summertime brings warm weather and endless opportunities to move, dance, and play. In our summer enrichment program, we take advantage of the warm weather and use it as an excuse to have activities outside and to give your child plenty of time to get rid of his or her endless energy.

At Today’s Life Schools & Child Care, we promote learning and cognitive development in a fun way. If you’re interested in enrolling your child in our summer program, contact us today! We look forward to working with your child soon.

4 All-Natural Ways To Help Manage A Child’s Cold And Cough

There is nothing worse for a parent than watching your child go through the colds they get every year. We know that it is probably not serious, but it is still difficult to watch them suffer. Here are some ways that you can help them feel more comfortable and reduce their misery.

An Ounce Of Prevention
Estimates show that kids are sick for a whopping 22 million days of school every year. You won’t be able to stop them from encountering germs in their daily lives, but you can do some things to prevent them from getting sick. For instance, your child should get enough sleep. An immune system works best when the body is well rested. Healthier eating will also boost the immune system to fight off colds. The vast majority of infections are spread by touch. That means that one of the best defences against getting sick is by washing your hands and killing those germs before they can cause problems.

Cough and Sore Throat Relief
A great and yummy way to give your child relief from sore throat and coughing is honey. Depending on the age, you can give a half teaspoon or a full one. Dark honeys also contain antioxidants that will help boost the immune system as well. The honey will soothe the throat and relieve pain, allowing a child to sleep better.

Hydration
A body loses a lot of water through sweat when it is fighting off a fever. That is why it is so important to keep your child hydrated at all times. Being dehydrated will just make things worse. You can also use oral rehydration solutions that will help replenish electrolytes.

Humidification
Using a humidifier can help your child with stuffiness. It is important to change the water regularly, because it can attract mold and bacteria. If you do not have a humidifier, then your child can take a steamy shower, or even sit in the bathroom as it steams up.

There is no reason to feel helpless if your child is sick with a cold. There are many ways that you can help him or her feel better, even if there is no cure. Try these tips to help manage their symptoms and feel better.

If you are interested in learning about Today’s Life Schools & Child Care’s Minnesota day care services, feel free to contact us online or call 952-358-2020.

Escape The Cold With These Activities for Your Kids

It is a pretty safe bet that if you send kids outside to play, and they are having fun, they will stay out there for hours. The fact that it is cold outside may never even occur to them. However, parents know that it can be dangerous for a child to be out too long in the elements if it is very cold out. Luckily, there are games they can play inside when it is time to come in from the cold. Here is a selection of activities kids can do inside when winter gets to be too much.

Hunt For Treasure

Treasure hunting has stood the test of time as a great activity for kids. It can be a very simple game to organize. Simply hide something in the house, and let them loose to go find it. Make sure to set out rules and boundaries so the kids do not get into too much mischief.

Board Games

Board games are another classic activity to keep your kids’ brains occupied. There are so many to choose from. It is always a good idea to have a selection on hand for any situation.

Collages

Making collages is something that kids love to do. They get to cut out pictures from magazines and newspapers, and tell a story with them. They can pick out things that are meaningful to their lives, or just things that make them happy.

Card Games

There are many classic card games that you can teach to your kids to keep their minds occupied. They will learn to strategize and also improve their math skills.

Painting

Creating art is something kids will always love to do. It can be as simple as getting out some brushes and paints and letting them get to work. For some added fun, hand out some finger paints and watch the messy creativity unfold.

Puzzles

Puzzles are great because you can get them to suit any age. There are puzzles for toddlers, and puzzles for older kids who need a challenge. Buy a puzzle with their favorite cartoon character on it, or you can even get one custom made from a photo.

As you can see, there is so much to do inside when the weather is cold. So, bring those kids in to have some fun.

If you are interested in learning about Today’s Life Schools & Child Care’s Minnesota day care services, feel free to contact us online or call 952-358-2020.