The Benefits of Part-time Daycare

 

There are many parents who put their children in daycare because they work and don't have anybody to take care of them.  Unfortunately, they're not as lucky as those who have family to watch their children.  Some stay-at-home mothers might put their children in daycare part-time because of the following benefits:

Develop Normal Social Skills-children get the opportunity to interact with other children and learn how to take turns, share and respect others. 

Increase Fine Motor Skills-children usually manipulate many objects, such as crayons, books, puzzles and play dough.

Prepare for Kindergarten-it makes the transition to kindergarten a little easier for child and mommy.

Extra Free Time-part-time daycare comes in handy if mommy wants to work part-time, go to school part-time or make appointments.

We had our four year old in daycare part-time and she loved it.  She used to be very shy, but now she's more comfortable around people and she made a lot of friends.  She starts full-time kindergarten in September and I'm confident she will do great. 

Pros and Cons of Bunk Beds

When my husband and I had our third child we put our older daughters in the same room.  We decided to put a bunk bed in that room.  Here are the pros and cons of bunk beds:

More space-our girls have more room to play with and store their toys. 

Easy sleepovers-We can put another bed in that room for our girls to have a sleepover.

More design options-I can arrange the furniture in their room in many ways because of the extra space.

Here are the cons of bunk beds:

Can be dangerous-children call fall off the top bunk resulting in a serious injury.

Making the bed-Making the top bunk is challenging.

The ladder- The younger child is supposed to sleep in the bottom bunk for safety reasons, but they get tempted and climb the ladder to the top bunk, which can be dangerous.

It's a good idea to put children six years old and up on the top bunk and make sure there are guardrails on both sides.

Children Using Fluoride Toothpaste

Our four year old likes to do what her big sister does, so when we decided to switch her big sister to toothpaste with fluoride, I was hesitant because I didn't think our four year old was ready.  However, the transition went rather smoothly.  I went out and bought some small cups and Barbie Colgate toothpaste with fluoride.  Our girls were so excited.  We explained to them that they cannot swallow this toothpaste and they had to spit it out.  My husband and I advised them to fill the small cup with water, rinse their mouths and spit.  We supervise them while they're brushing and we only put a tiny bit of toothpaste on their toothbrushes to be safe.  We brush their teeth every morning and night.

Children under the age of six should be supervised while they're brushing with toothpaste that contains fluoride and they should only use a pea-sized amount.  It's very important for children using fluoride toothpaste to spit because swallowing too much of it can have toxic effects on the body.

It's important to reinforce safe brushing habits with your children.   Have them brush their teeth and spit, even when they're using the fluoride-free toothpaste.  This will make the transition to fluoride toothpaste easier.

 

Ways to Cool Off With Your Children in the Summer

We've had some pretty hot days this summer.  Children are out of school for summer, so parents have to find ways to keep them busy so they don't get bored.  There are fun things you can do with your children to cool off.

• Find the nearest recreational centre with a swimming pool.  We always put our children in swimming lessons during the summer and they love it.  

• If your backyard is big enough, set up one of those inflatable swimming pools.  You can fill it up in the morning so the water gets warm and your children can take a dip without you having to leave the house.

• Go to a water park.  We get Canada's Wonderland season passes every year and it's great because the water park is included.  Our children love the water park as there are so many things to do to stay cool.

• Head to a park with a splash pad.   Our children have a blast running around at a splash pad on a hot day in their bathing suit.

Have a great summer with your children and stay cool!

The Benefits of Full Day Kindergarten

 

When our five year old was in kindergarten she attended full day Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Friday.  The days she had off she wanted to be in school.  Our four year old was in daycare part-time twice a week, and she enjoyed it because she liked playing with her friends.  Our five year old will start grade one in September, but I think our four year old is going to enjoy full day kindergarten. 

Children will have the ability to increase their social skills as they interact with other children.  They will develop strong problem solving skills as they learn to resolve conflicts with other children.  They will have the opportunity to develop strong reading, writing and math skills.  Their daily routines will be more consistent and they will be more prepared for grade one.  Parents benefit from full day kindergarten because they know their children are in good care.  Working parents won't have to pay for daycare and they will be comforted knowing their children are learning in a safe environment.  Before and after school programs will be provided, but it's less expensive than daycare.

The learning will be play-based, which helps to enhance children's imagination, creativity and self-confidence.

I'm looking forward to our four year old being in full day kindergarten because I think she's ready and she'll have fun. 

How do you feel about full day kindergarten?

 

The Benefits of French Immersion School

My husband and I have decided to put our daughters in a French Immersion school.  Our four year old starts full-time kindergarten in September, but she will go to a French Immersion school when she starts grade one.  Our oldest daughter starts grade one in a French Immersion school in September and it will be half English and half French.  

I remember when she was younger and she played with those toys that talked or played music, she always put it on French.  Every time I put it on English she always switched it back to French, so I have a feeling she will enjoy going to a French Immersion school.

We feel strongly about putting our children in a French Immersion school because knowing a second language opens more doors for career opportunities.  Learning French can help enhance creativity and problem-solving skills because they have to learn how to communicate and express themselves in another language.

We're going to do some French activities with our daughter over the summer to help her be prepared.  My father speaks fluent Creole French, so she will have that support as well.

Au revoir!

Juggling Writing with Children

It's hard finding time to write when you have three little children at home.  As soon as I sit down to write one of them either want something to eat or need a diaper change.  Not to mention I have to keep my house clean, do laundry and make dinner.  I'm working on a Young Adult novel called "Whispers in the Dark" and my plan is to finish it by the end of the summer as I will be attending McMaster University part-time in September.  Any chance I get I jump on my laptop and continue to write, but I make sure I don't neglect my children.  Usually I write a little in between meals or at night after the children have gone to bed.  I have a lot of television shows that I enjoy watching, so thank goodness for DVR.  As long as I write a little bit every day, it will get done.  I will persevere!

My Next Book!

  

I'm currently working on my first Young Adult book and I'm so excited!  I have written five children's books but I want to write a different genre.  I enjoy reading Young Adult books, so I decided to write one of my own.  Stay tuned!