Building Trust and Connection

Talking with your child about their day at preschool helps build trust and strengthens your bond. By showing genuine interest in their experiences, you create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and challenges. This open line of communication fosters a strong connection between you and your child, establishing a solid foundation for their emotional well-being.

Gaining Insights into Their Learning

Conversations about your child’s time at preschool provide valuable insights into their learning journey. By asking about specific activities or projects, you can gain a better understanding of the topics they are exploring and the skills they are developing. This information allows you to supplement and support their learning at home, reinforcing their educational growth.

Addressing Concerns and Celebrating Achievements

Regular conversations about their day at preschool provide a platform for your child to express any concerns, worries, or fears they may have. It enables you to address these issues promptly, offering reassurance, guidance, and solutions such as contacting our staff. Additionally, talking about their achievements and successes allows you to celebrate their accomplishments, boosting their self-esteem and motivation.

Strengthening Communication and Language Skills

Engaging in conversations about their experiences at preschool also helps develop your child’s communication and language skills. By actively listening to their stories and asking open-ended questions, you encourage them to express themselves, expand their vocabulary, and improve their storytelling abilities. These skills are crucial for their overall cognitive development and future academic success.

At Growing Kids Learning Centers in Northern Indiana, we believe that effective communication between parents and children enhances the preschool experience and strengthens the parent-child relationship. For more tips and additional parent resources, contact us today — we’re always happy to help!

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Backpacks and Lunchboxes

Investing in a sturdy and child-friendly backpack is essential for preschoolers. Look for a backpack with comfortable straps, ample storage space, and vibrant colors or fun patterns to reflect your child’s personality. Additionally, a lunchbox with multiple compartments is a practical choice for packing healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Consider ones that are easy to clean and insulated to keep food fresh.

Clothing and Shoes

Preschoolers tend to engage in messy activities and playtime, so it’s important to dress them in comfortable and durable clothing. Opt for clothing made from soft, breathable fabrics that allow freedom of movement. It’s also a good idea to ensure your child has a pair of sturdy shoes with non-slip soles, allowing them to freely participate in activities like playing in our “Main Street!”

Art and Craft Supplies

Arts and crafts play a vital role in a preschooler’s overall development and creativity. Stock up on common must-haves such as washable crayons, non-toxic markers, child-safe scissors, glue sticks, construction paper, and finger paints. These materials will enable your child to express their imagination, develop fine motor skills, and engage in hands-on learning experiences during their time at Growing Kids.

Extra Sets of Clothes

We mentioned clothes previously, but any parent of a preschooler will know that you can never have too many. Accidents and spills are everyday occurrences in the life of a preschooler, so stockpiling extras is always a good idea. In particular, remember to include underwear and socks that will allow your child to get back to their activities without any disruptions.

By stocking up on these essential preschool supplies, you can set your child up for a positive and successful start to their educational journey. Check out our convenient locations in Northern Indiana and contact us to schedule a tour!

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Visit the Preschool Ahead of Time

One excellent way to get your child excited about preschool is to take them on a tour of our preschools in Northern Indiana. During the tour, your child will have the chance to see the colorful classrooms, explore the play areas, and meet our friendly staff. This visit will help them visualize their upcoming preschool experience and make them feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Find a preschool near you to schedule a tour!

Talk About Starting Preschool

Engage your child in conversations about preschool long before their first day. Discuss all the fun and exciting things they will get to do at Growing Kids, such as making new friends, playing with toys, participating in art projects, and learning through age-appropriate activities. By doing so, you can help them develop a sense of anticipation and enthusiasm!

Read Books About Preschool

Reading books about preschool can help your child build an understanding and familiarity with the concept. Choose entertaining books that depict preschool experiences and highlight the joys of learning and socializing with peers. This activity will stimulate their imagination, answer questions they may have, and create excitement about their own preschool journey.

Play Pretend Preschool

Children learn through play, and by pretending to play preschool, your child can develop a positive association with the idea. Set up a small area in your home with toys, books, and art supplies similar to what they may find in preschool. Encourage them to take on the role of a student or teacher and engage in activities that mimic what they will experience at Growing Kids. This is also a great excuse to spend more time with your little one!

By following these steps, you can help your child get excited about starting this new chapter in their life. Contact Growing Kids with any questions you may have, and schedule a tour of one of our Northern Indiana preschool locations today!

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Develop a Routine

Before your child is enrolled in a preschool program it is important to develop a routine. Start by waking up your child at a specific time each day, having breakfast, and getting dressed. Think about other activities they might participate in during preschool to make the adjustment easier. Having a routine allows children to feel more confident and secure when they are familiar with their daily activities. 

Teach Your Child Basic Skills

There are many essential skills that children should learn so they can be successful in their preschool education. Basic skills can include dressing, using the bathroom independently, and washing their hands. Teaching children these skills prior to preschool sets the foundation for them to be confident to do it alone when you aren’t around. 

Practice Separation 

As children enter preschool programs, it isn’t uncommon for them to experience separation anxiety. To relieve this potential anxiety, practice leaving your child with trusted family or friends for short periods of time to help them get used to you being away. 

Visit the Preschool 

A great way to ensure your child thrives in preschool education is to visit the daycare before their first day. Seeing the school will help them familiarize themselves with other children and adults. This allows them to feel comfortable and less anxious when their first day arrives. 

Preparing your child for preschool can be an exciting and challenging milestone for any parent. Growing Kids Learning Centers wants to help every parent in Elkhart, IN, relieve some of the stress and help prepare them and their children for this next step. If you are interested in our early childhood center, contact us today to discuss enrollment.

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If the thought of your child pointing out a person who is different than them is simply mortifying, you’re not alone. It’s common for kids to want to understand the newness of the world around them! However, there are great lessons in empathy that show up at these opportunities.

You might not fully be able to prevent your child from shouting about a woman using a wheelchair, but you will be able to teach tolerance with these tips from Growing Kids Learning Centers. Find out how to teach young kids about differences, and look into preschool and child care with our schools in South Bend (at Ireland Road, State Road 23, and North Bendix Drive), Chesterton, Goshen, Warsaw, Plymouth, Elkhart, Bristol, or Valparaiso today!

Give Examples

If you’re trying to avoid having your child call attention to someone who’s different from them, be proactive! Find books and movies that show great examples of representation. If the majority of your child’s exposure to fictional and nonfictional characters are very similar to them or your family, find more diverse examples.

There are some amazing, kid-friendly books that do the work of giving examples of differences for you. Purchase “It’s Okay to Be Different” by Todd Parr, “Elmer” by David McKee, “Princess Hair” by Sharee Miller, and “The Boy in the Dress” by David Walliams for your library collection.

Have Open Discussions

When you were growing up, you might have had moments where adults told you not to notice or think about other people’s differences. You might have even been told not to talk about them, or been scolded for your inquiries. At best, this breeds a lot of curiosity without direction; at worst, it creates feelings of shame.

No child should be ashamed for asking questions, especially when they have no context for what they’re asking about. Have conversations about appropriate times (and speaking volumes!) to ask questions, how other people might feel if they become the center of attention without their permission, and how you will always answer your child’s questions — it just might not be right when they want an answer.

Relate it Back to Them

The great thing about this lesson is that everyone is different! We all have our own unique tendencies, looks, and personalities. Even when your child might feel like someone else is different, the truth is that the stranger walking on the street will find them (your child) just as different!

It’s always important to focus on how we have things in common with one another, but it’s even more important to remember how our greatest commonality is that we are all different. And these differences can and should be celebrated.

Enroll in Preschool

From the books we read at Growing Kids Learning Centers to the peer-to-peer interactions we help supervise, facilitate, and use as teaching moments, your child will confidently learn how to embrace others’ differences — as well as their own. Social-emotional growth and empathy are two of the greatest and most important skills for a child to learn. Preschool is the perfect place to work on these skills, especially when you enroll with Growing Kids Learning Centers. Tour one of our schools today!

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Myth: “Parents should take care of their kids, not themselves.”

Fact: The two aren’t mutually exclusive! Plus, a parent can’t properly take care of their preschooler or 3rd grader if their basic needs aren’t met. And besides — parents can love their children unconditionally and still want time for themselves. To give yourself as a parent takes a tremendous toll, in spite of how rewarding it can be.

An iPhone or a remote controller can only run for so long before needing a recharge. Needing to recharge our batteries doesn’t make us bad parents, it makes us human.

Myth: “It’s selfish of parents to want time to themselves.”

Fact: Everyone should want time to themselves! It’s healthy, and it’s a way to stay connected to our individuality. Parenting just happens to be this strange situation where you simultaneously miss your kids like crazy, and also want a minute alone.

As our preschool and daycare center has said before, it’s essential for parents to be at their best selves to be their best selves as parents. Sometimes recharging can only happen most authentically and most fully when parents are on their own.

Myth: “This is what parents signed up for.”

Fact: Nothing can ever fully prepare someone for becoming a parent. We can go into parenting knowing that we’ll be overwhelmed, but that doesn’t magically erase those future moments when we feel stressed out. Parents still deserve self-care, and they shouldn’t have to fully sacrifice every single fiber of their being or their interests at all times — that’s an unfair expectation that parents already face.

Myth: “I didn’t take time off of parenting, why should others?”

Fact: No parenting situation is identical, for starters. No human experience is identical, for that matter! Each parent brings their own unique strengths and areas of growth to the table. Our fears, challenges, triumphs, and dreams are all wonderfully unique to us. Comparison is not only unproductive and unreasonable, but also unfair.

Every person deserves self-care — parents included. At Growing Kids Learning Centers, we know that we can help parents by providing the best child care and preschool programs in Northern Indiana. When you need assistance with coverage and want nothing less than exceptional care, we’ve got you covered. Read our reviews to see why people love the peace of mind that comes from child care with Growing Kids, and contact us to set up a tour today before space fills up. We look forward to hearing from you!

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When we think of burnout, we often picture stressed out workers at their hectic office jobs. We rarely think about parents. And with the stats on how busy and involved parents are, it’s no wonder that so many parents are feeling worn down.

Self-care is hard to practice when your whole world revolves around the care of your children. For that reason, our child care center has compiled a list of things that you can (and must) do as a parent. Try out some of these tips, and visit one of the Growing Kids Learning Centers in Elkhart, Valparaiso, South Bend (at Ireland Road, State Road 23, and North Bendix Drive), Chesterton, Goshen, Warsaw, Plymouth, or Bristol today.

Make Time for Yourself

We all complain that there’s not enough time, but that’s not really the problem (although, our child care center will be the first to say that parents have very little free time, if any!). It’s what we’re doing with the time that makes the biggest difference, and how we manage our energy.

It’s far easier to scroll through social media without intention than to sit down and do something that will truly make you feel better. When you purposefully make an effort to do an activity that brings you true joy, such as reading or playing an instrument, you’ll feel exponentially more fulfilled and refreshed.

Of course, spending time on social media isn’t a bad thing, and it can be a great source of connection. But more often than not, we end up mindlessly scrolling through news feeds and consciously or subconsciously comparing ourselves to others. If you catch yourself feeling this way while browsing Facebook or the like, it’s a sign to switch to something more restorative.

Cut Out Obligations

Whether it’s carpooling for your child’s fourth after school activity or a work meeting that could absolutely be resolved in a weekly email, there’s something in all of our lives that we don’t want to do. The good news is that we have the ability to cut some of these things out.

If you feel like there’s no time in your week or if there’s a commitment in particular that’s causing you anxiety, it’s OK to figure out a way to cut it out. Even if you’re just cutting back instead of eliminating entirely, you’ll feel so much relief from not having to do something you don’t want to. Saying no is definitely a form of self-care!

Journal Consistently

At our child care centers, we talk about expressing our feelings all the time. Journaling is one of the best ways to do so, and to feel better as a whole. Reflect on what’s working in your life and what’s not, what you’re grateful for and what you’re struggling with, and show yourself compassion through writing. Journaling is one of the best ways to help yourself process things, and it’s amazing to look back on where you’ve been and how far you’ve come by keeping a consistent, written record.

Savor the Small Things

So often we take for granted the most basic things that make up the fabric of our day-to-day lives. Hot, running water in the shower (even hot water for doing dishes shouldn’t be dismissed!), walks on the sidewalk, our children learning a new skill, or even just the fact that your coffeemaker is brewing in the morning are all pretty ordinary things on the surface. But when you take time to truly savor how incredible each thing is, you’ll feel more grounded and grateful.

Choose one thing to focus on each day, and focus on the nuances and details that make this task or activity so special.

Talk With Loved Ones

If your child was struggling, wouldn’t you want them to talk to you about it? Our loved ones are here to support us, just as we are here to support them. You are not alone in the struggles of parenthood — everyone has a tough time, because parenting is ridiculously tough!

When you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a loved one and share what’s going on. If you feel like you keep having the same struggles and you’re saying the same things, consider reaching out to a therapist for some additional great insights. There should never be any shame for talking to someone and getting the help that you need.

Sign Up For Child Care

Whether you need to clean the house without interruptions, to get to your job, or to have a moment to breathe, Growing Kids Learning Centers is here to help. We love working with children more than anything, and we still know how tough it can be to be a parent. That’s why we offer flexible child care in the Northern Indiana area for families to rely upon, and have been doing so for more than 20 years.

When you take a break for yourself, you’re still a parent, and you’re not shirking on your responsibilities. What you are doing is preparing yourself to be an even better parent in the future. Downtime doesn’t just feel good, it’s necessary! So let our child care centers help make that happen for you. Even if you end up just getting to listen to your favorite musician while on your way to pick up your 2-year-old, you’re still making time for you, which we believe every parent deserves to do. Contact us today to set up a tour!

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At Growing Kids Learning Center, we acknowledge how difficult this decision is. Our preschool and child care teachers have compiled a list of things for you to consider when looking into programs for your young one. While we know that our preschool and daycare center is an exceptional place for every child to grow, we believe families should make informed decisions that they feel confident in. Whether it’s with us or elsewhere, we hope this guiding list helps you choose an incredible daycare or preschool program for your child! Find out more from Growing Kids Learning Centers, and visit one of our locations in South Bend (at Ireland Road, State Road 23, and North Bendix Drive), Elkhart, Valparaiso, Chesterton, Goshen, Warsaw, or Bristol today.

What is the overall look?

When you’re touring daycare and child care facilities, first impressions are everything. You’ll immediately get a sense of there being a possibility for this school or not from the moment you enter the building and start walking around.

Are things kept pretty tidy? Are there good security measures in place? Are staff happy to greet you and answer any questions you have? Are children engaged in learning or play activities? These are some of the first things you’ll pick up on, and if you don’t like what you see, that’s a pretty good indicator that this is not the daycare facility for your family to consider.

What sounds am I hearing?

This might seem like a strange question to ask, but it’s a very important one. It’s something that you’ll intuitively do, but when you’re intentionally thinking about the sounds that you’re picking up on, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision about your child’s potential daycare or preschool.

For example, do you hear child voices? Are teachers doing all the talking? If it’s silent, is there nap time? What are the tones in voices that you’re picking up on? How are adults talking to children and other adults, and how are children talking to adults and other children? Take all these things into account as you’re making your decision.

How do I feel when I’m here?

If you don’t feel comfortable at a daycare or preschool facility, you probably won’t want to send your child there. The right child care center should feel like a growing and learning environment. It should feel positive and uplifting, and a place where young ones can truly thrive.

Ultimately, your intuition is crucial for making your decision. As a parent or guardian, you know your child best, and you should trust your gut about the daycare or preschool you’re looking into. If you send your young one to a place you’re not comfortable with, you’ll feel even more stress than trying to find the right daycare to begin with. You shouldn’t send your child somewhere that makes you feel uneasy or defensive. If those are the feelings you’re getting, it’s best to say “thank you for your time!” and look into another option.

Choosing a daycare or preschool program can be stressful, but we know that you’ll find the right place for your young one. As tough as the search can be, it’s the kind of thing where once you’ve found the right place, you’ll have lasting relief and satisfaction. The search to find the right daycare is absolutely worth it! Growing Kids Learning Centers is happy to have you tour our school or ask any questions that are on your mind. Contact us to see if we’d be a good fit for your family!

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Try some of these gift ideas this year for something different, and schedule a school visit at one of our Growing Kids Learning Centers in Bristol, South Bend (at Ireland Road, Goshen, State Road 23, and North Bendix Drive), Goshen, Elkhart, Valparaiso, or Chesterton!

Cooking Kits

Kids love helping out in the kitchen (well, maybe not as much with the clean-up part), and who can blame them? They get to put their hands in the dough, stir things, mix ingredients together, and the finished result is something tasty. There are some amazing kits out there that allow kids to bake in real life. Of course, having a pretend kitchen set can be so much fun for kids to explore and use their imagination with. But for your little chef who always wants to make something new, this is a productive gift for them to enjoy.

Puzzles

Puzzles are a great way for kids to work on their problem-solving skills, and they take a good amount of concentration. Plus, they help develop fine motor skills and a sense of shape and space. There are traditional two-dimensional puzzles that your toddler or preschooler will be excited to try, but there are also some new 3D puzzles that can be taken on the road, or can be reset and restarted to be enjoyed again and again.

Another great thing about puzzles? You can get them for cheap by shopping at a thrift store or a Goodwill. You might run the risk of missing a piece or two, but most people donating puzzles have already completed them, and are giving them away for someone else to try. You can do the same thing by donating your puzzle when finished, and then exchanging it for another one!

Board Games

Every adult can think of at least one board game that they cherished as a child. Whether you tried to sink everyone’s battleship or wanted to pop the bubble in Trouble, board games are one of the best examples of how learning can be so much fun. They’re a great opportunity for your family to connect and spend time together, too. Invest in a fun board game or two, and make Friday or Saturday nights your board game night with the family. Not to mention, everyone will be playing games without the screen time — something that every parent can get behind!

Giving gifts is a joyous act in itself, but the wonderful thing about kids is that they don’t need much to be happy. Especially when they’re younger and everything is new and special, you don’t need to go overboard for them to enjoy their holiday season. There’s no reason to get caught up with the latest gadgets and gizmos, many of which will quickly fade into the toy background after the holidays are over.

There are some presents that are timeless, incredibly fun, and promote learning and experiences all in one — something that our preschool and child care center can get behind! Have a great holiday season, and don’t forget to find out more about our upcoming Christmas program (ask your child’s teacher for details). Happy holidays from Growing Kids Learning Centers!

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Even if your children are too young to make their own list for Santa, you already know they’re going to get one metric ton of toys. Grandparents and aunts and uncles are going to bring all the presents, most of which will likely start collecting dust before New Year’s. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about the amount of stuff, if you don’t want money spent on toys that you know your child will quickly forget about, you’re not alone.

At Growing Kids Learning Centers, we think you can go without all that “stuff” and still have an amazing experience with the ones you love. If you’re looking for a gift idea list that doesn’t involve the toy aisle at Target in December, we’ve got you covered. Find holiday gift ideas that aren’t toys, and enroll your young one at one of our child care centers! With locations in Goshen, Bristol, South Bend (at Ireland Road, State Road 23, and North Bendix Drive), Elkhart, Valparaiso, and Chesterton, you never have to go far to give your kids the best in child care.

Books

Building the home library is one of the most admirable and worthwhile gifts you can give. Reading aloud to your child is one of the single most important things you can do as a parent — it makes an incredible impact on their academic and overall growth and development. Invest in some classics — your child might love reading the books that you loved as a kid! — and try out some new titles as well. “The Book With No Pictures” by B.J. Novak is a fun read, despite being exactly what you think.

Some other new titles in 2018 include “The Digger and the Flower,” “Elmore,” and “Wordy Birdy” (the last one is especially great if you have a chatty child). By finding books that teach valuable lessons and are fun to read, this is a gift that will truly keep on giving!

Arts and Crafts

Kids love working with colors and creating something new. Arts and crafts are a perfect present for every child to try! Finger paints, colored pencils, crayons and a new coloring book, jewelry making kits — the list goes on and on. Arts and crafts are a great way for your child to explore their creativity and imagination, and they might just find a new hobby in the process.

Sports-Related Gifts

Has your child just started getting into sports? Are they ready and rearing for their first soccer team that starts this spring? The holidays are a great gift-giving opportunity that can help them get their feet wet. Nerf balls, footballs, baseballs, frisbees, scooters, or bikes are all some other sports-themed gifts that your child will surely continue to love and use (especially when it gets warmer out).

Experiences

Kids usually have just a few toys that they truly love and that they remember. Experiences, however, are a gift that sticks with them, and helps shape who they are. The best thing about giving experiences as a gift is that it provides more opportunity for you to interact and connect with your young one. Plus, it doesn’t really matter what the experience is — if you hype it up, your child will be just as excited.

Mini golfing, trips to the museum, driving out of town to explore a new park or hiking trail, or even a trip to a hotel (with a pool, of course) are all things that kids will simply love. You can make it so that they still have something to unwrap by giving them a card with some picture clues, or create a scavenger hunt to help them figure out where they’re going!

Kids are what make the holidays so much fun. You want your child to have an incredible time, but you also want it to be worthwhile and meaningful. With these non-toy-related gifts, that can most certainly happen. Stay tuned for a few more ideas in our next blog, and contact Growing Kids Learning Centers to get the best in child care and preschool!

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