Category: Preschool

A playground is an important part of a child’s life. When we think of a playground, we imagine one that’s packed with kids of different shapes and sizes as well as abilities and physical activity levels. To handle such a broad user base, playgrounds need to introduce appropriate play structures that attract and engage children with different capabilities.

Children of different ages have vastly diverse physical, cognitive, and social skills. As you may imagine, preschoolers will need very different playground equipment than preteens. The guidelines for age-appropriate play equipment are clearly stated in the Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s Handbook on Public Playground Safety. The idea behind separate play equipment is to make the environment more secure, entertaining and stimulating.

What is an Age-Appropriate Playground?

The style of play kids enjoy evolves as they get older. Age-appropriate play activities allow children to better express and enjoy themselves. It also encourages them to push and test their bounds. On the other hand, when children are forced to play with equipment that may be too complex for them, it can result in injuries.

Specialized play equipment providers need to find the perfect balance between fun and safe. There are several factors to consider while selecting appropriate play sets for children of different ages, such as the child’s:

• Size
• Physical ability
• Auditory system
• Mental acuity
• Stimulation of senses
• Balance
• Spatial orientation
• Gustatory system
• Olfactory system
• Proprioceptive development

Benefits of Age-Appropriate Play

By engaging kids of different ages and abilities, age-appropriate playground equipment offer the following benefits:

Physical Health

The NHS recommends that children should have at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily to build their muscles and bones. Thus, children must visit the playground daily and use playground equipment to enhance their fitness and strength. Doing so keeps kids healthy and prevents them from falling sick often.

Challenge

Fear of a complicated piece of equipment may cause children to abandon it, whereas one that provides no challenge becomes less engaging and is finally discarded. It is, therefore, critical to include age-appropriate playground equipment to keep different children interested, while also allowing them to develop their cognitive abilities.

Safety

Playgrounds should be enjoyable, and age-appropriate equipment is crucial for keeping children happy and engaged. A safe playground takes into account the height of the equipment for each child.  What is suitable for a 12-year-old may not be safe for a 2-year-old. Seating and standing heights differ for toddlers, pre-toddlers, and school-age children.

Appropriate Playground Equipment by Age Group

When selecting a play structure, one crucial factor is the age range of the children enjoying the equipment. The three age groups for which gear is typically designed are:

6 – 23 Months

Choose equipment that helps toddlers to exercise their new physical independence while they strive to explore their immediate environment with their senses. When picking material, ensure it is lightweight, low to the ground, and within their grasp. The exteriors should be soft, either foam or rubber wrapped. It is important to select equipment that allows them to crawl or move about comfortably.

Suitable playground equipment for children in this age group are:

• Ramps
• Swings with bucket seats
• Slides of low height
• Low crawl tunnels

2 – 5 Years

This preschool-level group is eager to attend and enjoy the play equipment. At this age, children attempt to imitate their elders. The play equipment should be physically challenging, while also being safe in height. Children in this age range begin to learn about playing in social groups. Choose play equipment that will encourage their creativity, while also strengthening their body. Sliding and climbing are popular activities among children in this age group.

Suitable playground equipment for children in this age group are:

• Climbing structures
• Playhouse
• Spring riders
• Ramps

5 – 12 Years

The school-age children are energetic and vibrant. They like more complicated play that provides mental and physical challenges to keep them engaged. Children in the group have learned social skills and are honing their gross and motor abilities, allowing them to incorporate various play equipment into enjoyable activities.

Suitable playground equipment for children in this age group are:

• Spinners
• Merry-go-rounds
• Stairways
• Vertical sliding poles

A playground is an excellent area for children to learn and develop fundamental skills. For their overall development and playground safety, age-appropriate equipment is a must. In addition, the age group of the users should be explicitly stated in the play areas, as the proper equipment is critical in helping children progress physically, cognitively, and socially.

Image Source: https://pinterest.com/pin/562175965956621313/

Read about the ten tips for child safety at home and they grow and play.

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Margaret Mead.  Preschool is the first step to embarking on the journey of learning.  In easy language, preschool is learning before learning.  Here your little cotton balls know how to think and how to be respectful.

They also develop core skills like compromising, obedience, solving queries and many other core skills.

These are extremely important and act as a strong foundation for lifelong learning; you know learning never ends.

From small tasks like pouring their own juice into the bowls to bigger issues like making decisions- they learn and imbibe them all. So before looking for a preschool, you need to learn the importance of preschool.

So, let’s start the discussion here to have a better understanding.

5 Reasons Why Preschools Are Good For Your Child

Are you ready to admit your kid to one of the reputable preschools? As a parent, you must know why preschool is good for your child.

1. Finding Answers To Numerous Questions

When your child turns 4 to 5, they have stepped into the world of questions. At each and every moment, they will encounter hundreds of questions. Some are jewels, you know; they stoop you down to their level!

Their minds get flowed with numerous of them like:

• Do birds Fly?
• Do birds study like us?
• Mam, I don’t feel like counting anymore. Can I fly now?
• Green sky and yellow mountains and fishes flying high…can I do it like that? Hm?
• We don’t like milk. Why do you enforce us all the time?
• Do flowers sleep during the night when they are open all day?
• We are matured enough, you told me the other day, then let us do whatever we like, mom?

There are more “inquisitive” and creative questions, but they open the press of logic and inquisitiveness. You can’t face these missiles all the time. Why don’t you direct them toward the preschool teachers? They are trained to handle them.

2. Preschool Will Prepare Children For Elementary Schools

Do you feel immensely bothered by your child’s development of pre-maths and pre-literacy skills? You don’t need to do so.

When you enroll your child in a daycare preschool, it’s essential to choose a place that aligns with your educational values. For instance, at Victorum Learning Center, children are automatically exposed to a learning environment that not only prepares them for elementary levels but also focuses on their holistic development. This approach ensures that your kid receives the right foundation in these formative years.

You know, the basics need to be strong, but if your child doesn’t develop a sense of logic and understanding, he/she will not be able to cope with the stress of elementary mathematics and bigger challenges in life.

If you can not count properly, add or subtract, there is a high chance that you miserably fail in mathematics and other subjects developed around logic.

3. Social And Emotional Development

You know, your preschool helps your child develop the social and emotional aspects of your kids. While playing with their friends, they develop great virtues like sharing and caring.

They also explore their “self”. Every day they learn new things and enrich their soft minds. They also develop their emotional self-right from such a lower age group.

You need to know some of the important components when you talk about child development. These components include:

• Self-management.
• Self-awareness.
• Social awareness.
• Relation skill and
• Responsibility for decision-making.

When your kid starts developing themselves, they take their first step toward independence. That is a hundred folds better than asking mummy all the time. A great step, indeed! I hope you are getting some clarity on the importance of preschool in your child’s life.

4. Develop Picture And Reading Skills

Children develop a lot of core skills like reading and drawing. In a quality daycare preschool, the teachers track important lessons to the kids on drawing pictures and reading.

A child develops emotion right from their infancy.

They are great thinkers during this age. When they learn painting, they develop a visual perception of something. This helps generate a self-opinion about anything.

If a child develops an opinion, it works to eliminate confusion and build self-confidence.

In addition, they develop their spatial intelligence (visualizing shapes in the eye of the mind). These are important in future work in maths, technology, science, engineering and visual arts.

5. Being Independent

It is said that a nation is called the best that provides and safeguards liberty and independence to its citizens. If you don’t practice it, someday you will be under a despot.

This sense of liberty and independence must be developed from childhood. This is what is developed in a daycare preschool.

Such a massive idea should be developed right from the grassroots. In a daycare preschool, kids learn to make their own decisions. They practice it right through this age.

This, in turn, helps develop creativity, inquisitiveness, and inspire young minds to explore ideas. Independence is freeing oneself from the bondage of enclosed thoughts. This also helps your kid develop academically and socially.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions that come in this kind of discussion. These are important in building a good idea on a subject:

Q1: What Are Preschool Activities?

There is a wide range of preschool activities that a kid goes through. They include color sorting letters, pillow jumping, connecting dots with letters, art projects, alphabet knockdown, crocodile roundabout, feather tip in salt tray writing, magic letter painting- and many more. These really help develop a good thought process.

Q2: What Is The Purpose Of The Preschool Curriculum?

The ultimate aim of the preschool curriculum is to understand and analyze how much young children learnt in academic domains. This helps in literacy, language, mathematics and science.

Q3: How Can Preschool Help To Learn Fun?

Preschool helps to make learning fun by Incorporating games, creating group time, being open to creativity, and breaking up lessons and other ways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that preschools are a great way of getting your kid developed over time. With preschools, you provide your child with a solid platform where they develop a lot of their skills. These skills are highly important to learn the basics and create an ecosystem of further development. They offer great benefits to your child and pave the way toward holistic development.

Additional Reading:

How to help your child do well in elementary school

Are you a first-time parent? If so, you may be wondering what you need to do before your baby arrives. There is a lot to prepare for, and it can be overwhelming. Don’t worry – we are here to help! In this blog post, we will discuss the most important things you need to do before your baby arrives.

Here are some tips and tricks to help make the process easier for you!

Make Sure You Get The Right Crib Size

When it comes to cribs, size does matter. You want to make sure you get a crib that is the perfect size for your baby. Otherwise, they may not be able to sleep comfortably or safely in it. To do this, you will need to know the dimensions of your baby’s nursery. Once you have these, you can start shopping for cribs! If you are unsure about what size crib to get, you can always ask your pediatrician for advice. They will be able to tell you the ideal size for your baby’s nursery.

Prepare All Must-Haves

Preparation is the key for a smooth transition. So, set up your baby’s nursery with a crib and changing table. Don’t forget to buy baby nappies, a good quality baby monitor, first aid kit, and a humidifier.

Don’t hesitate to take prenatal classes and read parenting books. This will help you prepare psychologically before the baby arrives. It is also crucial to plan for childcare, update health insurance, and consider financial adjustments. Furthermore, you also have to prepare a hospital bag with important documents.

Spend quality time with your partner and establish a support system of friends and family for emotional well-being. Set up a comfortable sleep environment for yourself and the baby, and consider a sleep schedule. Take care of legal matters by updating or creating a will and considering life insurance. Ensure the car seat is correctly installed in your vehicle well before your due date. Plan for postpartum recovery, including meals and support.

Baby Proof Everything

You need to babyproof everything before your little one arrives. This means getting rid of anything that could be a choking hazard, covering up any electrical outlets, and putting away any harmful chemicals. You also want to make sure that your childproofed doors and windows are installed properly. It’s also good idea to get some stair gates to keep your little one from getting into places they shouldn’t be.

Additionally, baby-proof your home by identifying sharp edges, small objects, and electrical outlets. Secure furniture by anchoring heavy items and installing edge bumpers. Place baby gates at stairs and doorways, and cover electrical outlets. Use cord organizers, install window guards, and secure cabinets with childproof locks.

By following these tips, you can help create a safe environment for your child before they even arrive. And once they’re here, you can rest assured knowing that you’ve done everything you can to prepare for their arrival. So go ahead and get started on babyproofing your home today!

Make Sure You Are As Healthy As You Can Be

Although having a baby is wonderful, it also presents many new emotional and physical challenges. To help you (and your baby!) navigate these changes, it’s important to make sure you are as healthy as you can be before your little one arrives.

Start by talking to your doctor about any concerns you have and getting up-to-date on all of your vaccinations. This is also a good time to start taking a prenatal vitamin if you haven’t already. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise will help you feel your best during pregnancy (and beyond!).

If you have any chronic health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, be sure to work closely with your doctor to manage them during pregnancy. Additionally, if you smoke, now is the time to give it up! Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for both you and your baby.

Moreover, regular detailed check-ups throughout your pregnancy are essential to ensure the health of both you and your baby. Lots of future mothers visit a private maternity hospital where they run all the necessary tests and keep a close look at the development of the baby. This can give you peace of mind as well as help your healthcare providers to identify any potential problems more quickly.

Taking care of yourself before your baby arrives will help ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy for both of you. So don’t forget to take care of yourself, too!

Make Sure You Have Pumps Ready

If you are breastfeeding, make sure you have pumps ready. You will need to pump every few hours to keep your milk supply up. It is also a good idea to have some stored in the freezer for when you go back to work or school.

Another thing to think about is childcare. If you plan on going back to work or school, you will need to find someone to watch your baby. This can be a family member, friend, or daycare. Make sure you do your research and visit the facility before making a decision. You should also have a backup plan in case your first choice doesn’t work out.

Make Room In The Fridge

Making room in the fridge may seem like a small thing, but it’s actually really important. When you have a baby, you’re going to need a lot more food than you think. You’ll need baby formula, breast milk, and food for your little one. Having enough space in the fridge will help you keep everything organized and easy to find.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need to sterilize all of your baby’s bottles and nipples. This can be done by boiling them for five minutes or using a special bottle Sterilizer. You’ll also need to have a good stock of diapers on hand, as well as wipes and other changing supplies. It’s always better to be prepared than to have to run out to the store in the middle of the night!

Baby proof everything, make sure you are healthy, have pumps ready, and make room in the fridge.

Get Your Car Ready

Most parents focus on making sure they have everything at home to care for their baby.  Yet, for children born in a hospital, their first experience when you take them home is the car.  And when it comes to the car ride home, and many rides to come, it’s all about safety. Ensure your car is ready with changes your car needs when you have a child.  There is the obvious car seat installation, but proper installation can never be taken for granted and should be done well in advance so that you are familiar with all the safety features.

Schedule a thorough safety check for your car, including brakes, tires, lights, and seat belts. Ensure that all necessary repairs and maintenance tasks are completed before the baby arrives. Consider adding childproofing measures to your vehicle, such as window locks and door protectors. And stock your car with emergency supplies like a first aid kit, extra diapers, blankets, and non-perishable snacks.

In conclusion, there are a few things you should do to prepare for your baby’s arrival. You’ll have your hands full so it’s never too early to get started.  By following these tips, you can help make sure that both you and your baby are ready for the big day!

Additional Reads

• Spread the word about these special baby gift ideas.
• Everything a parent should know about baby teeth.

As parents and guardians, we have a crucial obligation to secure the wellness of our kids. Part of that tough job includes knowing exactly how to keep track of and encourage physical, cognitive, linguistic, and social growth, specifically in the early years of life.

We will talk about general speech and language anticipated from birth to 36 months and give suggestions to assist moms and dads in supporting their children’s advancement. As these are generalized, remember that each child develops at their own rate. If problems persist for the past couple of months, look for specialist support. There are different ways pediatric speech therapists assist parents in developing ways to support child development.

Birth to 6 months:

During this young age, your infant ought to react to sight as well as sounds. Babies will undoubtedly babble, squeal, laugh, and utilize various cries for various needs. Throughout this early stage, talk during the day, describing what you see, what you are doing, and where you are going. Respond to your baby’s articulations and facial expressions, as these are their attempts to interact! Begin reading aloud daily, using vibrant, repetitive/rhythmic passages and a vibrant voice. Babies react well to parentese, which is talking in a sing-songy voice.

7 to 12 months:

By age 1, children generally respond to their name and recognize things by label, point or grab wanted items, comprehend simple instructions, and make use of motions. Speech may include a lot more complex babbling, 2-5 early words, and a replica of noises. To encourage language development at this age caretakers must respond to squealing, model great speech, incorporate nursery rhymes or easy songs right into regimens, educate the names of familiar people and day-to-day things, take the child to new locations, and also play straightforward games such as “peek-a-boo” as well as “pat-a-cake.”

1 to 2 years:

Between 12-18 months, many children reply to ‘no’, understand basic commands and concerns, point to a few body parts, make animal sounds, use 10-30 words meaningfully, and begin to integrate words.

By 24 months old, kids can generally adhere to two-step commands, use at the very least 50 words, start to ask what, who, and where questions, and also make use of two-word sentences. Speech sounds anticipated by this age include p, b, m, h, w, and vowels.

To promote language development at this age, caregivers should attempt to:

• encourage, reward, as well as praise efforts to speak
• narrate acquainted routines
• talk simply, plainly, and slowly
• discuss new circumstances before you leave, while there, and once again when back in your residence
• model ideal eye contact
• describe what your kid does, really feels, and also listens to
• play kids music

This is a terrific age to develop a day-to-day reading routine. Your child can participate by picking publications, turning pages, pointing to photos, and naming things they see. Parents, guardians, and caregivers can engage children by making remarks, asking easy concerns, and checking out the exact same book in various methods.

2 to 3 years:

As young children grow, they develop speech and language skills promptly. They seek verbal communication with others as well as establish more complex play plans, engaging in pretending to have fun with themselves and others. Your 2-year-old should develop three-word utterances, know how to hold a book upright, as well as show an exploration of writing versus drawing.

Children do best when playing with familiar adults and also various other peers. It is vital to make time to play and participate in shared activities with your youngster daily. If your child is not able to communicate with unfamiliar people or not yet utilizing basic sentences by age 3, it may be time to seek aid from an experienced expert.

Paula Acuña, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a licensed bilingual (English-Spanish) speech-language pathologist. Her practice, Ms. Paula, SLP Bilingual Speech + Language Services, offers bilingual evaluations, speech therapy, consultation, and training to meet diverse client needs. Paula and her team are dedicated to providing effective, individualized intervention to support children, adults, and their families via in-home, on-site, and telehealth services.

Read more about why speech issues negatively affects quality of life and how text to speech readers can help.