LilSugar

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These: Tips to Avoid Nap Time Meltdowns in the Classroom

LilSugar — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:32:49 PDT

Snuggle up! Most children require some daytime ZZZs at least through preschool - even if they fight it with all of their lil might. Here are some tips to help lil ones settle down for a snooze - or at least some quiet time - even in the classroom.

Maintain a consistent nap time. If your tot's classroom has scheduled nap time for 1 p.m., stick to the same schedule at home - and that includes weekends.
Send your lil one to school with her lovey - but with clear directions for the teachers that it's only to be taken out at nap time.
Preschoolers love to feel like they are making their own decisions. Let them feel like they're part of the process by choosing a special nap mat for the new school year.
It's important for a toddler to fall asleep on his own at night. If they can't figure out how to self soothe in their own environment, there's no chance they'll just drift off in a classroom, on the floor, surrounded by other kids and distractions.
Nap time can be anxiety producing for restless tots. Talk to your tots about what will be expected, and reassure them that it's OK if they can't sleep; but, they will have to find a quiet activity to do, like reading or coloring, so as not to disturb the other students.

Shutterbug: 10 Must-Take Back-to-School Pictures

LilSugar — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:35:47 PDT

The time has come! Back-to-school season is in full swing and both moms and tots are ready for the big day. School supplies are bought, tees and socks are in good supply, and Mama's even prepared a few special surprises for lil one's first day at school. Now's the time to get the cameras ready to capture the special occasion for memory books, grandparents, and (of course) Mom's Facebook page. Check out these 10 creative ideas to make your back-to-school photo session a memorable one.

Source: Flickr User emilyonasunday

Get Schooled in Early Education Philosophies

LilSugar — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:31:43 PDT

Decisions, decisions, decisions. From the moment a baby is born, the parents' lives are filled with important decisions, "What will he or she eat?" "Play with?" "Wear?" Parents are generally prepared to make those choices; what comes as a shock to many are the many options they'll have when deciding on a preschool for their tot. Kids no longer simply attend the preschool that's closest to home - mom and dad have their pick of preschools touting a clear adherence to one of the many different theories concerning early education. Never heard of Rudolf Steiner or Reggio Emilia? Keep reading for a primer on the many different education philosophies and concepts that await when the great preschool search begins.

Shutterbug: 6 Pro Tips For Picture-Perfect First-Day-of-School Photos

LilSugar — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:25:01 PDT

The first day of school is such an exciting event in the lives of parents and kids that it screams for a camera to be present! It's a milestone filled with memory-making photo ops. Making a big deal out of first-day-of-school photos makes your kids feel special, shows them that the ordinary is worth celebrating, and that mom and dad are proud of them! Be prepared to capture your wee one's new school-year adventure with these six professional tips from family photographers Bellamy Blue.

Defeat First-Day-of-Preschool Blues

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:15:41 PDT

While some kids and parents have no problem with the first day of preschool, for many tots and mamas, the first day of school marks the first degree of separation and can be a very emotional and difficult day. Here are some first-day-of-preschool tips to help you deal with your emotions, so that you can be a supportive and loving parent but not give in to the whimpers of your child.

Here's what you should do:

Smile and stay positive. You might have expected tears from your kid, but if you find yourself on the verge of tears, try to breathe through them and wait until you have dropped your child off you go into a boo-hooing fit. It's important that your child senses that you are taking them to a fun, happy, and secure place. If you start crying, they will pick up on your emotions and will become worried, too. Smiling and showing excitement will help them sense that preschool will be fun.
Listen to the teacher. It's tempting to do what you think is best for your kid, but preschool teachers have experience and a game plan for upset preschoolers. They will mostly likely tell you that it's best if you leave, even if your child is still crying. Within five minutes of play, a child will usually stop crying. However, if your child becomes unruly, the teacher will contact you.

See more first day of preschool tips.

Mom Sues Preschool For Failing to Prepare Tot For Ivy League

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:00:00 PDT

The preschool brochure may have promised the world, but a New York City mama says it failed to deliver. After spending $19,000 a year for a preschool education, Nicole Imprescia is suing her daughter's Upper East Side nursery school for putting her daughter's future education at risk. According to the lawsuit, at 4-years-old, the tot was forced to learn shapes and colors with younger children, rather than studying for the standardized tests used for private elementary school placement – the thought being that acceptance to an elite NYC elementary school will feed into a top-notch university in the future. The suit seeks a refund for the lil one's tuition and mentions a possible class-action suit on behalf of other parents.

Preschool is meant to be a foundation for a lifetime of learning, but just how much of the future be determined by early education?

When Can a Child Let Go of Mom's Hand While Crossing the Street?

Heather Maddan — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 05:00:00 PST

Crossing the street on one's own is a major milestone. But before children ever set out on the pedestrian path alone, a parent has to loosen their grip. At some point, mom or dad decides a tot is mature enough to walk next to them rather than hand in hand. The decision to take this step often comes with an incredible trust that the youngster will listen to directions and won't dart out into traffic. When did you allow your kiddo to do this?

Do You Edit Your Tot's Art Collection?

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:00:00 PST

Practice makes perfect, but what's a mom to do with the early versions of her lil one's masterpieces? Though there are many ways to display tots' works of art, homes only have so much wall and refrigerator space on which to place it. Parents of preschoolers are drowning in their children's artwork and going to drastic measures to rid themselves of the clutter.

According to yesterday's New York Times, more parents are becoming overwhelmed with the amount of work coming home. They're throwing sentimentality out the door and sneaking pieces into the refuse bin. A child's artistic abilities are certainly a work-in-progress, but who's to say what's worth keeping? At my son's school, the teachers recommend periodically sitting with your child to pick out favorite drawings and paintings. Doing so, they say, will help parents discover what is meaningful to your child and encourage them to talk about ideas. How do you handle your kids' growing art collections?

Tech For Tots: Are Computers Appropriate For the Preschool Classroom?

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 04:00:00 PST

Does your tot boot up in school? Over Winter break, we were visiting with friends when their pre-K tot turned to mine to ask what his favorite computer game is in school. My lil one turned to me dumbfounded as he thought computers were only for grown-ups.

While my kid is a whiz with Leapster and has figured out my iPhone, our preschool has a no computers in the classroom policy. Some schools turn to the technology to encourage kids to learn their letters and numbers, but our school's philosophy holds that children have a lifetime of computers and technology ahead of them – at home and at school – so there is no need to introduce it to them at this young, formative age. Our friends argued that by not using the devices now, he may be behind when he enters kindergarten.

How do you feel about computers in the preschool classroom?

Love Blossoms in Preschool; Can PTA Bonds Break Up a Marriage?

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:30:00 PST

And their eyes met across the crowded pre-k room. No, it wasn't a couple of 4-year-olds, but their parents. In the Vows column in this past weekend's New York Times, a spotlight shined on a couple who met, vacationed together with their families, fell in love, and eventually left their respective spouses to marry after meeting at school. Though the article says no affair took place, the concept of two married parents striking up a relationship over Play-Doh and graham crackers at preschool has many mamas talking. While some women dress to the nines for school drop-off, others are lucky to put a brush through their hair. Have you seen love bloom in the carpool lane or at PTA meetings?