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Teaching Kids About ‘Stranger Danger’

Strangers are people who family members haven’t met before and ‘stranger danger’ is a feeling we get around certain strangers which helps us to stay cautious around them. Although many strangers are kind and friendly, it is important for children to keep themselves safe. Today’s children should know what to do when they encounter a stranger and there are ways that parents can educate their children about proper interactions with strangers.

With that in mind, we are going to take a look at some ways that parents can talk to their kids about stranger danger:

Talk Openly- parents should talk openly to children about the risks of stranger danger. They should know who and what strangers are. Although children shouldn’t be fearful of any stranger, they should know about the potential risks. As children grow, their knowledge about this topic should be reinforced further. Get a handle on how your children think about strangers and it is important to address any misconceptions they might have.

Teach About Good And Bad Strangers- it is not possible to assume a stranger is good or bad only by their appearance. Good strangers to trust are typically mothers with children, police officers, security guards, uniformed store employees, and firefighters. Possible signs of bad strangers are adults who voluntarily approach children to offer sweets, offer help, or ask for directions.

Role Play- after identifying potentially good or bad strangers, parents need to role play different scenarios with children. There are many ‘what-if’ situations that apply depending on certain situation. With these exercises, parents can teach children how to handle difficult situations. Make it very clear that your children shouldn’t follow anyone or enter a stranger’s car. Children should maintain a safe distance, beyond the physical reach of the adult. Make sure that the role-play exercise is an educating learning experience, instead of something overly scary.

Locate Safe Places- if possible, children should remain in safe places to avoid being targeted by bad strangers. Schools and crowded public spaces are fairly safe, if children want to keep their distance from unknown adults. When riding a bike to or from school, parents should show the safest route. When in public spaces, teach children how to find good strangers, like security guards or police officers. Children should know about the dangers of staying too long in deserted areas.

Teach Them Say No- if children know that they are in danger, they should say no and immediately run away. They can yell while running away and look for a crowd of people. They may draw attention and helpful adults may provide assistance.

Give Children A Phone- although there are concerns about giving children smartphones, this allows parents to check the whereabouts of their children. There are family GPS tracker apps that can help parents constantly monitor the location of their children as well.

Contact Playdays Academy

To learn more, contact Playdays Academy today and speak with a learning expert who can answer any questions you might have.

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The Value Of Teaching Children Respect For Others

One of the most important virtues a child can have is respect. Being respectful of others and their values and beliefs can ensure that they develop positive relationships with their family, friends, and those in their communities throughout their life. There are many ways to teach children the importance of respecting others and it all begins with ensuring that they treat others the way they want to be treated.

With that in mind, we are going to take a look at some important traits that your child can gain from learning the value of respect for others:

Tolerance- children who learn to respect others will be able to face conflict much more confidently. This is because they will understand the importance of tolerance and how to address conflict in a more productive way. They will be able to communicate effectively and take responsibility for their own mistakes.

Listening- one of the most important elements of communication isn’t speaking, it’s listening. By understanding the importance of respect, children will learn to listen to others intently and how not to interrupt them when they are speaking. They will get a turn to speak and engage conversationally with others.

Open-Mindedness- being open-minded can be difficult for adults, but it is even more of a challenge for children. By being respectful of others, children will also learn to not make snap judgements about others and that they should try to learn more about them before making any assumptions. Diversity can be a hard concept for children to understand, but by teaching them to accept everyone for who they are, they will become more understanding of others’ values.

Good Manners- good manners stem from respect and this is easier to teach at a young age. Those “pleases” and “thank you’s” go a long way in creating positive relationships with those around them.

By being respectful of others, your children will become much more successful both in school and in life. They will be better adjusted, more open to new concepts, and ready to take on the world and whatever the future holds for them. This is our mission at Playdays Academy and the reason why we are so successful at preparing children for school and play.

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To learn more about the value of teaching children respect for others, contact Playdays Academy today.

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6 New Year’s Resolutions For Kids

Just like adults, kids also have individual goals and they need to make new resolutions each year for positive personal growth. They want to have the feeling of achievement and to see positive changes in their lives. Having said that, it is the responsibility of parents to make sure their children stay on the right path and we can help them make their own New Year’s Resolutions with every new year.

Recommend these New Year’s resolutions to children and work together to help them achieve them:

Unplug More- children consume so much digital content that it’s becoming more difficult to find balance in life. By unplugging more, children can spend time outdoors, play with friends, and have a better learning experience every day. Make an agreement about the set amount of time they can have for using their digital devices.

Be Active Physically- children can gain numerous benefits by doing physical exercise and playing actively every day. It’s always a good resolution for children to keep physically active. Come up with new activities that your children love to do, such as biking, hiking, swimming, or playing ball. Once children discover their favourite physical activities, they will have a lot more fun staying active and fit.

Be A Better Friend- social interactions are essential for children. Problems like fighting and bullying are becoming more common as children grow older. It is important for children to spread their kindness to friends and those around them. Make them more committed to becoming a better person at school and at home.

Do Chores- allow children to help around the house. This daily habit could make children become more responsible individuals. This resolution is a win-win solution for both children and parents.

Help The Environment- watch environmental documentaries with your children to help them understand more about the environment issues our planet faces. Encourage children to make a new resolution to contribute to helping the recycling movement and reducing waste.

Do Better In School- children spend a lot of their waking time at school and it should be a priority to do well educationally. Children can look for ways to get better grades such as reading more books, taking notes effectively, and always completing their homework on time.

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To learn more ways that kids can have fun while achieving their New Year’s resolutions, contact Playdays Academy today.

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Fun Holiday Recipes That Children Can Make

The holiday season is a time for families to come together, create new traditions, and spend some time enjoying the Christmas break. This is more important than ever this year as social distancing, face masks, and lockdowns have changed the way we work, play and learn.

One of the best ways for families to come together during the holidays is to get in the kitchen and start cooking. Children as young as 4 can help out in the kitchen with supervision and, as they grow older, they can gain some valuable skills that they can use when they have children of their own.

Keeping that in mind, we are going to take a look at some fun holiday recipes that you can make with your children this Christmas:

Santa Pancakes

These adorable Santa pancakes are simple, festive and the perfect breakfast for the Christmas season.

How To Make Santa Pancakes

  • Start with your favourite pancake recipe. Make as many pancakes as you think you will need for breakfast.
  • Slice bananas and arrange at the bottom of the pancakes in an upside-down triangle. This will be Santa’s beard.
  • Slice fresh ripe strawberries and arrange in a triangle at the top of the pancakes. This will be Santa’s hat.
  • Outline the strawberry hat with whipped cream to represent the white trim on Santa’s hat.
  • Use 2 chocolate chips as Santa’s eyes.
  • Use a round strawberry slice as Santa’s nose.
  • Add additional whipped cream for his moustache.

 

Peanut Butter Reindeer Treats

Practically every child loves peanut butter, pretzels, and Rudolph and this easy snack lets them get creative in the kitchen.

How To Make A Rudolph “Sandwich”

  • Take a rice cake, pancake or slice of bread cut into a circle and spread it with peanut butter, almond butter, or soy butter.
  • Add 2 pretzels for antlers.
  • Add maraschino cherry as Rudolph’s nose.
  • Use two banana slices topped with chocolate chips as Rudolph’s eyes.

Candy Cane Pizza

This is the perfect kid’s recipe for your family’s next pizza night. It’s easy to make, fun, and delicious.

How To Make A Candy Cane Pizza

  • Using your favourite pizza dough, shape it into a cane shape. Kids can have a lot of fun with this part as they pretend to be pizza chefs.
  • Spread the dough with seasoned tomato sauce or sauce pizza sauce.
  • Arrange pepperoni slices to look like the candy cane stripes.
  • Bake until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.

Contact Playdays Academy

To learn more ways that kids can have fun this holiday season, contact Playdays Academy today.

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Three Ways Children Can Burn Energy On A Rainy Day

When it comes to doing workouts and burning calories, it is not always necessary to go outside. If it’s rainy all day, the whole family can exercise at home indoors. Children should burn calories and use more energy to maintain physical fitness. Children don’t have to be a total sloth on a rainy day as there are many activities they can do instead.

Keeping that in mind, here are three ways children can burn energy on a rainy day:

Jumping Rope – many children love jumping rope. It’s a great physical activity that burns calories and release endorphin, a stimulant that gives children relaxation and a feeling of well-being. Rope-jumping is more complex than running because children need to do muscular adjustments to maintain their balance. As a result, children gain dynamic balance and improved coordination. According to studies, jumping rope develops both right- and left-brain hemispheres, which improves mental alertness, cognitive functions, reading skills, awareness, and creativity. This means, rope jumping isn’t only good for your child’s physical performance, but also their mental and cognitive functions.

Aerobic Dancing- aerobic exercise is any workout that gets your children’s muscles working hard and heart pumping. They will breathe harder and use more oxygen. Use fun children songs to do aerobic exercise for children. Children can do 15 minutes of aerobic dancing session. The duration can be longer or shorter, depending on the physical condition of your child. It should start with a good warm up to prepare your child for highly vigorous activities. The next phase is high-impact or low-impact workout, depending on the physical condition of your child. This is the core of the aerobic dancing exercise and it may last for 20 minutes or less. Children may stop when they start breathing quickly from their mouth and nose. Spend about 10 minutes for relaxing and cooling down, by stretching muscles.

Circuit Training- circuit training is a combination of high-volume repetitions, resistance training, and short intervals for rest. For children, circuit training can improve agility, balance, coordination, strength, and metabolism. Cone-weaving, hurdles, and ladders are for agility training. One-foot hops and ball passes on one foot are for improving balance.

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To learn more ways children can burn energy on a rainy day, contact Playdays Academy today.

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Day Out Ideas For Half-Term

While it seems almost as if school has just recently begun, half-term is almost upon us and that has many parents searching for ways to keep their children occupied and entertained while on break. If this situation sounds familiar to you, keep reading as we are going to take a look at some fun day out ideas for the upcoming half-term. Let’s get started:

Fun, Family Day Out Ideas For Half-Term

Go To A Harvest Festival- autumn/winter is the perfect time of year to visit a local harvest festival. Even with the COVID-19 crisis going on, many outdoor events are still being held. There are plenty of activities for the whole family and children can carve pumpkins or try a variety of pies, sweets, and soups made of autumn specific vegetables. You will find music, dancing, crafts, even some educational and entertainment exhibits for the family as well. Autumn/winter harvest festivals are a good way to support local businesses and find seasonal products for the home.

Visit Local Orchards- while the weather is still nice, you can visit any of the local orchards or pumpkin patches that offer apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, warm apple cider and much more. Picking your own ripe apples can become a family tradition and you can include the kids in making a wide range of delicious baked goods such as apple pies, strudels, and apple butter. A trip to the orchard is a great way to spend a day out with the family.

Host A Bonfire- if you don’t feel like travelling too far from home, invite your friends, family, and neighbours over for a seasonal bonfire. Just as the cold weather is beginning to arrive, a warm, crackling bonfire is a good way to celebrate the season and enjoy the half term break.

Visit A Local Museum- there are many museums that are still open during the COVID-19 crisis and they are typically offering half term specials as well as some interesting seasonal exhibits designed to spark your child’s imagination and creativity.

As you can see, there are plenty of fun and exciting things to do during the half term break and your kids will have an opportunity to get outdoors and learn something new.

Contact Playdays Academy

To learn more day out ideas for half-term, contact Playdays Academy today.

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4 Healthy Snack Ideas For Your Child’s School Lunch

Other than regular meals at home and during school, children also need healthy snacks for proper nutritional intake. Many common kids’ snacks often have low nutritional values, because they are high in simple carbohydrates and fats. Healthy snacks can keep children energised and nourished while at school and they should be included in their lunchbox or backpack daily.

With that being said, let’s take a look at some healthy ideas for your child’s school lunch:

Sandwich- halves of sandwiches are compact and you can stack them easily inside your child’s lunch box. It’s important to choose healthy ingredients for your kid’s sandwiches. Start with whole-wheat bread. You should also include vegetables and sources of low-fat protein. Chicken breast, tuna, turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber are healthy ingredients for tasty sandwiches. Also choose low-fat and low-sodium cheese, mayo, and ketchup.

Banana Quesadilla And Peanut Butter- banana and peanut butter are a perfect combination because they are tasty and healthy. Peanut butter is a source of healthy fats and bananas give your children quick boost of energy. Use whole-wheat tortillas, peanut butter, grilled/baked banana, and cinnamon powder to make this tasty snack. For highly active children, banana quesadillas and peanut butter should energise them.

Energy Balls- energy balls look like cookie dough, but they are very nutritious. Make energy balls with whole chia seeds or ground flax because they are excellent sources of antioxidants, protein, and dietary fibre. Depending on the ingredients, homemade energy balls are healthier than commercial granola bars, because you don’t use artificial ingredients or too much sugar. Energy balls are versatile, because you can use ingredients like oats, almond butter, peanut butter, honey, whole chia seeds, ground flax seeds, chopped dried fruit, dark chocolate chips, almond and vanilla. Mix ingredients in a bowl and shape it into small balls. Refrigerate before eating.

Kale Chips- kale is a well-known superfood, which is packed with rich nutrients. For children, it is an excellent source of vitamins. Mix kale with olive oil, garlic powder, pepper, and a bit of salt. Spread kale leaves on cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes at 175°C. You need to check it often because kale may burn easily once it dries.

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To learn more healthy snack ideas for your child’s school lunch, contact Playdays Academy today.

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How To Reduce Children’s Anxiety For Going Back To School

Young children are like sponges; they soak up suggestions, emotions, and various environmental factors. Because they are not yet exposed to many new experiences, their uncertainty can lead to anxiety. There are many unknown things at school, and children who are just starting, or who are going back this term, don’t always know what to expect.

If your child is showing anxiety as the new school year draws near, here are some things you should do:

Study Textbooks At Home- parents and children should review textbooks a few weeks before the first day of school. Parents should provide guidance and make sure children grasp the core concepts of the learning materials. It’s a good way to make children more confident, because they know what to learn at school. Use Google, Wikipedia, YouTube, and other online resources to obtain additional learning materials.

Teach Resilience- parents should tell children that there will be failures, setbacks, and criticism at school. It is important to make sure that children won’t dwell on disappointments and failures. Children shouldn’t give up easily. Even so, it’s essential to acknowledge and validate these feelings. They should be comfortable in sharing their thoughts with their parents.

Instill Personal Independence- independent children are willing to try many new things. Although it’s not something that parents can teach in a few weeks, it is important for parents to start immediately. Parents may supervise from the sidelines. Children should be given space, so it’s possible for them to innovate and be more creative.

Be Responsive To Bullying- some children have severe anxiety due to a fear of bullying. Verbal harassments and physical bullying can make children reluctant to go to school. Parents should show children how to stand up to bullies in non-violent ways. If children are harmed physically, it is important to contact school administrators.

Encourage Children To Pursue Their Passion- children can be passionate about sports, music, theatre, or foreign languages. Encourage them to participate in relevant school activities. Always praise children when they accomplish something. They will be more eager to go to school to study and indulge in their passions.

Contact Playdays Academy

To learn more ways to reduce your child’s anxiety for going back to school, contact Playdays Academy today and speak with an early childhood development expert who can answer any questions you might have.

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5 Tips For Choosing A Dentist For Your Special Needs Child

Maintaining proper dental health and hygiene for children with special needs is often more difficult. Parents need to frequently remind special needs children to floss and brush. And, just as any other child, children with special needs also require scheduled dentist visits so dentists can inform parents about the best way to maintain their child’s health.

Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at some ways that parents can find the best dentist for their special needs child:

Familiarity With Special Needs Children- many dental clinics already handle children with special needs. They know that it takes more effort and attention to handle special needs children.

Tour The Facility- before choosing a clinic, it is a good idea to tour the facility ahead of time. This should eliminate any unknowns and you can be sure that your child will be properly treated. Check whether there are special seats and dental care equipment for children. If it’s not possible to check the facility, you may ask the staff for pictures.

Private Room- it’s optional, but it’s better if the clinic has a room for special needs children. Special needs children can be highly active physically and it’s a good thing if there’s a special room for them. Children are easily overwhelmed by the noises of cleaning tools and drills. A room without intimidating tools and with a more relaxed atmosphere may make children calmer.

Ability To Handle Tantrums- special needs children may refuse treatment and show bad temper. Paediatric dentists typically have enough experience and are well-acquainted to this situation. They know how to prepare both parents and children before starting a procedure. Because special needs children often don’t brush their teeth properly, periodical cleaning treatments are necessary to prevent possible problems.

Use Of Anaesthesia- special needs children can be very reactive to discomfort and any sensation of pain. Make sure that the dentist implements safe anaesthetic procedures for children. Parents should be fully informed about any procedure used, and whether it’s effective and safe for children.

A long-term commitment with your dentist is necessary for children with special needs. Special needs children will feel calmer if they always go to the same dentist. Paediatric dentists often try to make the experience fun and enjoyable for children.

Contact Playdays Academy

To learn more tips for choosing a dentist for your special needs child, contact Playdays Academy today.

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5 Ways To Turn Your Children Into Avid Readers

The increased use of digital devices, like smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TV, and gaming consoles, is turning children away from books. The only books many children read are their school textbooks and nothing else. Unfortunately, school textbooks aren’t giving children the same pleasurable experience they can get from reading and adventure story, and this is causing them to avoid books even more.

Keeping that in mind, here are 6 ways to turn your children into avid readers:

Read To Toddlers- because toddlers still can’t read, reading to them is a good way to help them to interact with physical books. Choose storybooks with simple narration and colourful drawings. Parents can spend 15 minutes each night reading books with their children. This activity also ensures closeness and warmth between parents and children.

Combine Movies And Books- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was first published in the United Kingdom on 1997 and the film was published in 2001. Watch the movie with children and then read the book together. Children could become motivated to read more books and watch other films in the Harry Potter series.

Read Non-Fiction Books- parents shouldn’t overlook non-fiction books. Even adults often mistakenly think that non-fiction books are not fun. For children, non-fiction books can be very entertaining too. Give children books about animals, flowers, dinosaurs, planets, and vehicles.

Give Children Magazines And Newspapers- these days, few people are reading magazines and newspapers anymore. Choose an affordable magazine subscription that gives children a year’s worth of reading material. This also applies to newspapers; children may find it enjoyable to read something that they can touch.

Go To The Library- once children are eager to read more books, a visit to the local library can be an exhilarating experience. Libraries are full of books and children can read whatever they want. Many libraries have sections for children and toddlers, where they can read books in a casual and fun environment. Most libraries allow you to borrow books for a week or more at no cost. If you haven’t finished reading the book with children, you can go back to the library to ask for an extension.

Contact Playdays Academy

To learn more ways to turn your children into avid readers this summer, contact Playdays Academy today.

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