Encourage Growth Through Healthy Eating
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As a parent, your goal is to ensure proper growth for your child. Healthy eating habits will help to ensure that your toddler is fueled with the nutrients they need to properly grow and develop. 

These critical vitamins necessary for your toddler’s development can be easily overlooked and forgotten if not explicitly addressed. 

Overloading your child with unhealthy foods or drinks, high in sugars and artificial flavorings, preservatives, and chemicals, won’t allow your toddler to maximize their development potential. 

The root of your thought process should stay constant; the toddler’s health and wellbeing always come first. 

When thinking of what food or drink your child should eat or drink, the first questions that you should ask yourself are these: 

• “What nutritional value is this providing?”

 

• “Is this reinforcing the basic principles of healthy eating habits?” 

If you can’t come up with a reasonable response for one or both of these questions, or attempt to fill the void in thinking with some abject rationalization, it may be time to reconsider or think again about what you’re using as a source of fuel and energy for your child.

When it comes down to it, your toddler will miss out on experiences with food through culture and experience a decline in social aptitude if they develop habits of picky or unhealthy food choices. 

All parents want to see their child grow to become adventurous and curious, ready to try new cuisines and flavors from different cultures and backgrounds. 

If these principles are not instilled at a young age, the chances of these traits developing in the future become much less likely.

There’s no time to waste; start doing this today!

Encouraging the growth and well-being of children and toddlers is what we’re all about at Willowdale Children’s Academy. 

Learn more about what we do and ways that we can contribute to the growth of your child in all aspects of their future.

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Newborns
From birth, you can begin to read to your child. If you're not actually reading, just talking to your infant regularly is important so they can begin hearing patterns of speech. Things like narrating what you are doing is a good way to get a headstart with your child’s language skills. Language comprehension is what will help your child learn to speak and eventually, to read.
 
Here are some book suggestions for newborns, toddlers, and more.
 
6 Months
At 6 months, when your child is learning to sit up and grasp objects, you can begin to provide board books for your child to look at.  Your child will enjoy learning how to turn the pages and view the images. 
 
Early reading begins when parents point to a picture and say what it is. For example, pointing to a dog on the page and saying the word, "dog."
 
One Year
When children begin speaking, keep in mind that they understand more words than they can say. This is a good time for stories with a beginning, middle, and end. 
 
Two Years
This is a very important age to read to your child because this is when children will bring you books and ask you to read them. We know how difficult it can be to stop what you're doing and read, however, we would encourage you to take the time whenever possible to support their love of reading.
 
Three Years
By the age of three, your child will already have developed reading skills and may already have some favorite books. It is time to encourage some good reading habits.
 
Here are some ways you can support the love of reading in your toddler.

1. Lead by example. Monkey see monkey do. By making time for you to read, your child will be watching to see that reading is an important way of relaxing, learning new information, and a part of life.  
2. Take frequent trips to the library and make sure to take out books for yourself and for your child.
3. If your child isn't naturally drawn to novels and stories try books with more graphics. They have come a long way since comic books originated.
4. Find reading times that are not always before bed. While reading before bed is a good way to relax and end a day make sure that reading also happens during other parts of the day too.
5. Create cozy reading spaces in your home and especially in your child's room.
6. Make reading fun! Teaching your child to read may take all the fun out of reading. If you push your little one, they will feel put on the spot. That feeling will last their whole life, and it won't help them like reading. Make your job all about fun and enjoyment!

 
Reading with your child is a gift that will enhance their entire life. That's not just because you're helping your child develop reading comprehension. You're also nurturing a deep love of reading. If you struggle and need help, connect with us!

Instead, try saving the applause for when they go above and beyond, such as making their bed and getting their own lunch ready, especially if they have never done it before. Kudos if the act was unprompted by you.
 
Self-confidence doesn’t come from mom’s praise. It comes from a feeling of competence, like trying new things and succeeding. 
 
One of the best things a parent can do is encourage their child to complete the task they are showing interest in. Whether it’s getting to the next level of a video game or not giving up halfway through cleaning their room. Allow them to generate their own self-praise by being proud that they accomplished an arduous task.
 
Don’t shield your children from failure and disappointment. The only way they will appreciate their hard work is by failing, staying persistent, and completing the challenge. 
 
Starting with your toddler, have your child help around the house. Kids need opportunities to demonstrate their competence and feel that their contribution is valuable.
 
Try asking age-appropriate chores such as:
 
Ages 3+

• Set the table
• Change the paper towel roll
• Put away their toys 
• Make their bed

• Feed the pet
• Clear the table

 
What should you do when your child becomes frustrated with a task or experiences disappointment like getting cut from a sports team?

1. Let your child know that your love for them is unconditional, and not performance-based. 
2. Remind your child that practice is all they need to improve...and that every expert was once a beginner.
3. Don’t focus on it. Many times, children learn the most valuable lessons from failure. How to deal with hard feelings and rebound is a life skill you will be happy they can master at a young age.

 
Keep in mind that you can always offer appropriate praise, but if you would like to set your child up for success, you will want to dole it out when it is specific and earned. 
 
A confident child is a child that is not afraid of failure. Parents can guide children down this path so they can become happy and healthy adults.

Consistency and continuous efforts from your part with your preschooler are essential. If you need more tips or help, consult your child’s pediatrician or a specialist for additional information. If you need more information, contact us.

As per the American Society of Pediatrics, symptoms are mainly triggered by motion.

Motion sickness happens when your brain has a “sensory mismatch.” A preschool-aged child watching a movie or an older child reading a book in the car is an example of this mismatch. The child’s body feels the motion but their eyes are fixed on something still -- like a screen. 

These inconsistent “incoming messages” to the brain can cause the body to react with sweating, dizziness, and nausea that can lead to vomiting. Children between the ages of 2-5 are particularly susceptible.

Here are 8 tips for avoiding car sickness in children: 

1. Prepare in advance. Pair trips with naps or sleep. Choose to drive at night while your child sleeps if they are too old for naps. During sleep, your eyes are not sending signals to the brain so there is no opportunity for a sensory mismatch. Nighttime is the perfect time for you to do long drives with a child prone to motion sickness.

 

1. Eat accordingly. Many parents think children should travel on an empty stomach but this is not true. It is best to feed your child some bland snacks (nothing spicy or greasy) before they ride. Hunger can actually trigger nausea. Don’t overfeed your child.

 

1. No screens or books. It is very tempting to keep your kids occupied on long drives with tablets, screens, or books. However, the reality is that they should be looking out the window to synchronize their sensory information to prevent nausea or other symptoms. 

 

1. Better position your child’s seat. Children who sit too low and can’t see out the window are more likely to have motion sickness. Place your child’s seat in the middle of the car so they can see in front of them. This helps to keep symptoms at bay.

 

1. Provide air ventilation. Make sure your car is well ventilated and your child is taking deep breaths of oxygen via the air conditioner or the window. Cold air usually soothes someone who is beginning to show symptoms.

 

1. Take breaks. If your child is beginning to feel sick, stop the car immediately and let your child walk around. Moving his or her body will help re-sync the senses and could stave off vomiting.

 

1. Try some over-the-counter remedies. When all else fails, ask your child's pediatrician about medication to prevent car sickness. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) is approved for kids 2 and older. The antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), approved for kids 6 and older, may also prevent symptoms. 

 

1. Try some natural remedies. Many families like the motion sickness bracelets that hit acupressure points to help alleviate nausea. Along the same vein, try a homeopathic lollipop to ease your child’s symptoms or have your child chew a ginger candy, which is said to help treat upset tummies.

When all efforts fail, and you have a sick toddler or preschool-aged child -- know that car sickness usually wanes by adolescence. If these tips don’t help, consult your child’s doctor for additional information. If you need more information, contact us.

Your new baby will eat, need to be changed, and sleep every few hours, throughout the day and night. So getting prepared in advance is crucial. 
 
Here is a list of simple things to do to get your home and family ready for your new baby.
 
Getting the House Ready
 
There are a few simple things to do to get ready before homecoming. 

• Do a safety check of your home. Check fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Make sure they have batteries and are up-to-date. Check electrical outlets make sure you don't have any loose wires. Buy some electric outlet safety plastic plugsand install them on all outlets, especially the ones your baby can reach. Before you know it your baby will be crawling. Get down on the floor and review your living space from the perspective of a crawler. What do they have access to? What needs to be covered and put away? Here is an extensive child safety checklist. 

 

• Get any flaking or peeling paint sealed or removed by a professional, especially if your home was built before 1978. Dust from lead paint, which was banned from residential use in that year, can be harmful if ingested. If you are unsure when your house or building was constructed, find a company to test for lead. 

 

• Get rid of clutter. Soon your countertops will have bottle racks and monitor equipment. Eliminate any unnecessary objects from coffee tables and shelves. Especially glass and other breakable mementos. Make room in your refrigerator and freezer for breast milk and formula. 

 

• Organize the baby’s room in advance. From your baby equipment, furniture, to clothes, everything should be in place, available and fully functional in advance. Do not wait for the last days of the pregnancy to get started. Do not forget to wash all the new clothes you bought or received in a mild, fragrance-free detergent before you get home from the hospital. Have the clothes ready to pull out and use immediately. Sometimes, the baby will need to be changed multiple times a day! 

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• If you don't already have your bills on autopay, set it up now. The first few months will be a blur. You will have to catch up with a new day and night rhythm, and you will want to focus on your little one. An important bill is easily forgotten when you’re tired or focused on your newborn.

 
Getting an Older Sibling Ready
 
If your new baby will have an older sibling at home, make sure to involve him or her in the process from the first months of the pregnancy to homecoming and after.

• Talk to your child about the new baby that is coming. Show your child how your tummy is growing and let him or her feel the baby kicking. It may help to read a book about what it’s like to have a little brother or sister. Here are some great examples: “I Am a Big Brother”or  “I Am a Big Sister.”

 

• Buy your older child a doll for practice. Let him or her practice holding, changing, feeding, and tickling their doll. Guide them on how to act around a baby. They will love to learn! At Willowdale Children’s Academy, we put a lot of emphasis on role play. It is fun and a great way to learn and involve them. 

 

• Think of ways your older child can help, such as organizing diapers, washing bottles or decorating baby’s room. Anything that makes them feel involved will be helpful.

 
Getting the Family Dog Ready
 
Do you have a dog at home? Fido will need some time to adjust to the new baby. Many families decide to have a dog trainer come infor a one- time visit on how to prepare your dog for your newest addition. 

• Before homecoming, bring the first blanket or garment that was in contact with your newborn’s skin home and let the dog smell it. Sometimes, parents even bring the first dirty diaper at home and go through the same process of letting the dog smell it. Dogs create connections with the world through odors and smells. 

 

• Teach your dog boundaries with the baby. For the first few weeks at home don’t let your dog set foot into the nursery. You are claiming that area and the baby as yours. The dog will have to be very calm and gentle to “gain permission” to see and smell the baby.

 

• Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise during the first few months once the new baby is home. Giving your dog a chance to run and be wild will set him up for success to be calm around the baby.

 

• Don’t leave the baby alone with your dog, no matter how gentle your dog seems when you are around. The baby could grab onto some fur and the dog could react by nipping or biting the baby. 

 
Taking your new baby home is an exciting time in your family’s life. 
 
Make sure to prepare your home so you can enjoy this special time as much as possible. In case you need more tips, connect with us.

If you observe the following symptoms, talk to your pediatrician immediately to determine whether your child has a cold or is actually suffering from seasonal allergies. 
 
- runny nose
- watery eyes
- sneezing
- coughing 
- ear pain
- congestion
 
Seasonal allergies have some added symptoms: 
 
- itchy throat
- itchy skin
- itchy, watery eyes
- itchy, runny nose (mucus is usually clear)
 
It is important not to diagnose your little one yourself. Also, do not self-medicate or leave your toddler untreated believing that it will get better. 
 
When allergies are left untreated, it can result in colds, ear infections, and other secondary infections and can cause a great deal of suffering. Congestion can lead to lack of proper sleep and increased fatigue. Allergies can also cause sinus pain and even headaches. 
 
Allergy testing may be performed to determine whether your toddler is allergic to any environmental allergens. Your pediatrician may refer you to a pediatric allergy specialist for additional evaluations and treatments.
 
If the allergen has been identified through testing, an important step to avoid pain, and headaches are to manage the allergy symptoms. 
 
The best way to ease allergic reactions or episodes is to avoid the allergens that trigger the symptoms. Here are some tips that can be easily implemented and help your toddler.
 
Outdoor Allergies
 
Outdoor allergies can be caused by tree pollen, grass pollen, ragweed pollen, mold spores, and others. If you find your child reacts more when outside, tell your pediatrician. 
 
There are also a few steps that your pediatrician may recommend and that you can take to help your toddler. Here are the following steps:
 
1) Limit the child’s exposure to outdoor allergens - especially during peak allergy periods. Check out The Weather Channel’sdaily Allergy Trackerto see when your child should stay indoors. 
 
2)  Have your family remove their shoes upon entering your home to limit the amount of pollen and other allergens tracked inside. Clean the shoes.
 
3)  Wash your child’s hands immediately after outside play.
 
4) When you have no access to handwashing during outdoor play (such as the park), bring a damp cloth or rag and wipe the child’s hands and face regularly to remove allergens.
 
5)  Bathe your child to rinse away allergens. 
 
6)  Wash their clothing in hot water and their outerwear regularly. Dry jackets in the dryer to remove any remaining irritants.
 
7) Keep windows shut tight at all times to limit the pollen that can blow in. Use air conditioners to keep the temperature mild. Purchase special HEPA filters and change them regularly.
 
8) If you have dogs, bathe them. It will remove the allergens they may carry in their fur.
 
9) Ask your pediatrician if your child should start on a nose spray, like saline to flush the sinuses. Your toddler may need a prescription.
 
10) If your child is still suffering after taking these precautions, consider discussing with your pediatrician about bringing your toddler to an allergist.
 
What else can you do at home?
 
1) Use a HEPA filtered vacuum to remove allergens inside the home. Vacuum daily or every other day.
 
2) Purchase a HEPA air purifier such as Molekuleor Air Doctor. HEPA filters trap pollutants and allergens from the air. Not to mention pet dander, dust, and other immune triggers.
 
3) Use mattress and pillow covers to eliminate pollen and spores.
 
4) Wash sheets and pillowcases in hot water at least every week.
 
5) Remove curtains and use shades or blinds in the child's room to eliminate any materials that allergens could attach onto.
 
6) Take the carpet out of your child’s room. A carpet can harbor lots of dust, pollen, and spores that would aggravate your child while playing in their room and while sleeping at night. 
 
Allergies may be common, but they can be brutal on your little one’s immune system. As we’ve learned, they can result in fatigue, irritability, drowsiness, and other more common allergy symptoms. 
 
Help your child by protecting them from the allergen altogether. Again, talk to your pediatrician, do not try to self-diagnose and self-medicate.
 
A healthy child is a child who can happily learn and grow. 
 
What more?
 
If you want more information on what you can do to help your child with seasonal allergies? Connect with us and we’d be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

The market offers a broad choice of childcare providers and preschools with different approaches to early childhood education. In most cases, the objective is to prepare children for Kindergarten and life beyond, although the ways to achieve the goal may vary between schools.
 
For many years, play-based education has gained momentum in the educational community and from experts in early childhood education. It only takes a quick online search to notice the abundance of content about play-based learning to realize that it is an area of varying opinions and continuous research. 
 
To simplify the discussion, the concept of play-based learning can be summarized as learning while at play.
 
Why Play-based Learning? 
 
Children are naturally inclined to play. Using this natural disposition in a learning context, a play-based activity is a developmental opportunity that fosters children’s excitement and motivation to:

• Explore 
• Hypothesize
• Experiment 
• Interact
• Discover 
• Solve problems
• Socialize

 
Play-based learning is a hands-on learning approach, in which children are encouraged to go through trial and errors to solve problems. 
 
Dr Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Director of the Infant Language Laboratory at Temple University, says that “playful learning engages and motivates children in ways that support better developmental outcomes and strategies for life-long learning. If we hope to groom intelligent, socially skilled, creative thinkers for the global workplace of tomorrow, we must return play to its rightful position in children’s lives today.” 
 
The Benefits of Play-based Learning
 
Children are stimulated through play. They become active learners that are exposed to challenging problems that they have to solve through exploration. 
 
It is important to note that a good balance between child-initiated free play and teacher-guided play with intentional thematic teaching is essential to enable and maximize benefits such as:

• Evaluation abilities
• Analytical skills
• Focus & concentration
• Creativity and imagination
• Problem-solving
• Independence

 
Play-based learning supports positivity in the acquisition process and builds upon the natural curiosity of children about the nature of things and their environment. It boosts children’s enthusiasm and rewards persistence, imagination, and creativity to overcome problems. Ultimately, this impacts children’s self-esteem. 
 
Play-based Learning vs Directed Instruction
 
Compared to directed instruction, failures are not a source of stress leading to demotivation. Failures are an opportunity for more experimentation. Failures have no negative impact on self-esteem which would have disastrous long-term consequences on a child’s life.  
 
It does not mean that directed instruction has no place in education. It means that young children have more involvement and input into their knowledge and skill acquisition in a system where play is the vehicle for learning. NAEYC(The National Association for the Education of Young Children) offers interesting examples to connect play to learning. 
 
Play-based activities offer a great framework for teachers to introduce STEMor STEAM while at play. STEAM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematic. STEM or STEAM activities are perfectly complementary to a play-based learning. 
 
Are You Interested to Learn More about Play-based Education?
 
If you are interested to learn more about play-based learning and how we implement it at Willowdale Children’s Academy, do not hesitate to contact us.