eFamily Playdates

lba-admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 15:21:31 +0000

eFamily Playdates

lba-admin Thu, 11/17/2016 - 10:21

What is a play date? A play date is a preplanned, scheduled opportunity for two or more children to get together and play. Play dates can happen at people’s homes, parks, children’s museums or anywhere children can have a good time and interact with one another. For toddlers and young preschoolers, parents of each child usually attend until the adults and children feel comfortable with one another, become familiar with the location and understand that parental behavior expectations can be very different.

Children need unstructured, relaxed time to spend alone and also with children of the same age. When playing with others, they learn socialization skills like cooperation and attempts at sharing. But most importantly, they should have fun.

If our children are at Lightbridge Academy all week do they really need play dates, too? Children who spend time in preschool or child care have lots of socialization opportunities. Weekend time as a family is a precious commodity that doesn’t need to be compromised by play dates. The number of play dates our children have doesn’t make them more popular or you better parents. Relax; children grow up just fine with or without play dates.

Childhood play dates aren’t as tricky as high school dates, but there are some basic guidelines that can help make the experience more successful for you and your little one.

Choose a location that allows for active play.
Locations that require sitting and being quiet like libraries, movie theaters or performing arts locations will be frustrating for the children if their main objective is to play. A home or park is good places to start.

Limit the number of children.
The more children who are in a playgroup, the more interaction and the greater chance of squabbling. Older children may want to choose whom to invite.

Schedule an hour or so.
Give children adequate time to warm up to each other and enjoy playing, but be aware that after an hour even the children best at sharing can start to tire.

Put away special toys.
Before the playmates arrive, let your child chose two or three toys to put away that they would not be required to share.

Establish a sick policy.
Parents have different expectations regarding children and illness. If runny noses aren’t welcome, make that clear when you set up the play date.

Let children play at their own pace.
Although we may be anxious for our child to play with others, give them time to warm up and accept that young children may choose to play independently.

Give an ample good-bye warning.
Give your child a five-minute warning before it’s time to go. You’re more likely to have a smooth transition leaving if they have a chance to finish playing. Give a longer warning if you want to include time for clean up.

As children get older and more familiar with people and places away from home, they’re able to have play dates where we drop them off for a few hours alone. And those are the very best play dates of all, except when it’s time to host the play date at your house.

Music & How it Benefits Your Child

lba-admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:55:16 +0000

Music & How it Benefits Your Child

lba-admin Tue, 09/20/2016 - 10:55

There are so many ways that parents can connect with their infants, toddlers and preschoolers, but music is probably one of the most fun and beneficial to your young child's growth and development. Whether it's singing a lullaby at bedtime, passing the time on road trips with silly songs or reminding children to do a simple task like brushing their teeth, music has a positive outcome on children.

Believe it or not, some researchers have found that early musical training benefits children even before they can walk or talk by smiling more, communicating better and easier to soothe when upset. In addition, certain studies show that music stimulates parts of the brain that are related to reading, math and emotional development.

Participating in music at an early age also improves a child's memory, helps children socially by letting them break out of their shell and teaches them discipline. And when you combine dance or movement, children learn how to control their bodies, develop hand-eye coordination and experience a fun way to exercise. Who knew "I'm a Little Tea Pot" was so educational?

At Lightbridge Academy, we love to encourage children to sing and dance with music! But there are so many ways you can use music to help your child's development at home as well.
Here are just a few:

Encourage your child to listen for beats or count them in a song.
Practice clapping or tapping the beats to a favorite song and have your child do the same.
Put on music and dance together.
Have your child walk on tiptoes when you listen to high, quiet music, and stomp his or her feet to louder, slower music.

As you sing and dance together, the music will not only create special memories, but will also help your child develop concentration skills. Have fun!