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STEM education

The importance of STEM in preschool

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In today’s society, where advancements in science and technology abound, it is no surprise that jobs in the STEM field have become increasingly in demand. In fact, jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math are expected to grow by about 9 percent between 2014 and 2024. As your child grows up and reaches the age when he or she is ready to enter the workforce, there will be more demand in these fields than ever before. That’s just one reason why it’s important for young children to build a strong foundation in these academic fields during their formative years.

Below are some more benefits of introducing STEM at the preschool level:

It sparks an early interest.

Preschool age children are constantly developing new interests, which is why it’s so important to capture their interest in STEM topics as early as possible. In fact, delaying the exposure could actually have negative consequences according to recent research. Studies have shown that by fourth grade, one-third of students have already lost interest in science and by eighth grade, nearly half of them have lost interest in it or considered it unnecessary for their future plans. Engaging a child’s interest in STEM early on could prevent this from occurring and could also lead to a lifelong passion for these subjects.

It sets them up for success.

Many early childhood experts agree that the sooner STEM subjects are introduced to a student, the more successful the students will be in those subjects in the future. These subjects in school turn into financially secure work options later in life. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 93 percent of jobs in the STEM field present wages that are higher than the average salary in the U.S.

It fosters neurological growth during the critical point.

From birth to age 5, children are at a critical point in neurological or brain development. These formative years are the perfect time to introduce children to the process of scientific inquiry because they are naturally so curious about how the world works. It is crucial for children to engage in active exploration and hands-on experiences in STEM during this sensitive period of development.

STEM Curriculum at Carpe Diem  

At Carpe Diem Private Preschool, we offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning with STEM as one of our core components. The curriculum at Carpe Diem places an emphasis on math and science, unlike most other preschools which only focus on the child’s literacy skills and social-emotional development. Through hands-on rigorous exploration, our STEM-based curriculum is able to tap into the child’s natural curiosity.

 

 

One for all and all for a tidy room

5 Ways to Make Chores Fun for Preschool Age Children

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Involving children in household chores at the preschool age has many potential benefits. Gaining a sense of responsibility, independence, self-reliance, and empathy are just a few of the developmental breakthroughs that can occur as a result of your children participating in their household chores. Not only will it help you out by having one less thing on your to-do list, but it will help your preschool age children learn skills that will last a lifetime, including time management, task prioritization, and basic organization techniques.

Luckily, chores don’t have to be a drag! You can turn them into fun games and activities that your preschooler will love! Here are a few ideas that will get preschool age children started on their chores:

  1. Play the Freeze Dance Pick Up Game. Children at the preschool age are old enough to put away their own toys, but most kids don’t have as much fun putting them away as they did taking them out. The solution is turning this tidying up chore into a fun and interactive game of freeze dance. Blast your child’s favorite upbeat song as they dance and put as many toys away as possible while the music plays. When the music stops, well – you know the drill.
  2. Film a cleaning commercial. Whip out your smartphone or video camera next time there’s a spill and tell your kids that they are going to be the star of a new cleaning commercial! Hand them a wet towel and the cleaning product in a spray bottle (of course you’ll want to make sure that it’s a gentle one without any strong chemicals or fumes) and start filming away as they wipe up that mess!
  3. Kick off a laundry race. Make sure you have a few laundry baskets ready because your children will be eager to play this cleaning game. Blow your whistle and shout whites, colors, or darks! Your children will be racing to their rooms as fast as they can to grab their dirty laundry and come back with the color that you requested.
  4. Play cleaning Jenga. Here’s where you can really get creative by writing an age-appropriate chore on the side of each log in the Jenga stack. Your child will be directed by the cleaning activity written on the side of the log that caused the stack to fall.
  5. Hold a tidying contest. This one is all about speed. Who can tidy up their mess the fastest? You can make a scoreboard. Record all the times and give them the opportunity to beat their previous times, or the times of their friends and siblings. This is a great way to incorporate a little friendly competition and get the job done fast!

How Chores Help the Learning Process at the Preschool Age

At Carpe Diem Private Preschool, we use an interdisciplinary approach to learning in which children learn through doing and reflecting. Our experiential learning process helps children build character and leadership, as well as gross motor skills. We believe that involving your preschool age child in chores at home is a great way to continue this experiential learning process outside of the classroom environment.

 

Little girl trying giving food to her teacher

Childcare 101: Too Much of a Good Thing? How to Praise Kids Effectively

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We all know that kids should be praised for doing something right or behaving well in various situations. But is there such a thing as too much praise? Many childcare experts say yes. It’s possible for too much praise to negatively impact the process of rewarding good behavior. The most important thing to remember when it comes to praising our children effectively, should be the quality of our praise rather than the quantity. Understanding when and how to praise your child can play a fundamental role in raising confident children with a healthy self-esteem.

When to Praise:

When she complies – Praise your child for following your instructions and complying with the rules. Your child also deserves praise for playing quietly and entertaining herself, so make sure calm and peaceful behavior doesn’t go unnoticed.

When he displays prosocial behavior – When your child interacts with other children in a healthy way, such as by taking turns, sharing, using kind words, or just getting along in general, you should reward this kind of prosocial behavior with praise.

When she shows effort – As a way of encouraging your child, you should praise them for learning a new skill or for their willingness to try hard. Your patience and strategic praise during these situations will motivate your child to keep trying until they have mastered the skill.

How to Praise:

Praise the process specifically – How we praise our children can affect their mindset. Childcare professionals have found that the best way to create a growth mindset is to praise the process. Children with a growth mindset, relate success to the act of becoming smarter, as opposed to showing that they are already smart.

So rather than offering your child a general statement of praise such as “You’re so smart” for doing something right, try praising the process instead. For instance, “You found a really good way to tie your shoes” or “I can tell you’ve been practicing this.”

Praise positively – Praise should never be mixed with criticism, or it will reduce the effectiveness of the praise. Instead of saying “I’m glad you didn’t cry this time,” try something along the lines of “I’m proud of you for staying calm when I said you couldn’t have the toy.”

Praise genuinely – Children will know when you’re being insincere, and praising them insecurely could cause them to lose trust in you. This may also lead to insecurity. If they don’t believe your positive words, it could cause confusion in trying to distinguish when you mean the praise and when you don’t. Instead of saying, “You’re the smartest kid in the world, try “You do a really good job getting your homework done.”

Praise at Carpe Diem Private Preschool

Our teachers at Carpe Diem Private Preschool – Southlake, Allen, Frisco, Richardson, and Cedar Park – Austin, are trained to develop the child cognitively, as well as socially and emotionally. Our programs are based on the best knowledge of education theory and research, and our teachers are well-trained to administer just the right amount of quality praise to each individual child.

Blog Post 49 How to Make Potty Training Fun

Potty Training Series: How to Make Potty Training Fun

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Once you understand when the right time to potty train your child is, and after you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to begin learning some quirky tricks of the potty training trade. When you are ready to start getting down to business, you’ll want to make potty training as fun and stress-free as possible!

The following are some tips that will help you make potty training a more enjoyable process for the whole family:

  • Read books.

    Picture books about potty training are a fantastic way to get your child excited about this new milestone and will help him understand why he is using the potty.

  • Sing songs.

    Children love music! By singing some catchy potty training tunes, you can make the potty training experience much more fun for you and your child.

  • Play a game.

    A potty training board game is the ultimate potty training survival kit that makes potty training a blast for both kids and parents.

  • Download apps.

    Since your child probably knows how to use your phone just as well as you do, downloading a potty training app is another good way to engage your child in the potty training process. They will have fun playing with the interactive apps that also help them understand potty training.

  • Throw a potty party.

    If you know anyone else who is potty training their children, invite them to the party. It could be a good idea for your child to see that her friends are also using the potty as well. It’s also great to have your child’s favorite family members there (such as an uncle or grandmother) to cheer them on as well. The potty party is a creative way to offer your child positive reinforcement as they begin their potty training journey.

At Carpe Diem Private Preschool, our staff is trained and experienced in the potty training process. By making potty training fun, we engage our little learners and build confidence as they get started on the potty training process. We understand that accidents happen. Our staff focuses on positive reinforcement rather than scolding or punishing children if they have accidents. We believe in encouraging our students and creating a supportive environment in all aspects of their learning and development!

More in this series: 8 Ways to Know When its The Right Time, The Basics of Potty Training

Basics of Potty Training

Potty Training Series: The Basics of Potty Training

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Once you are confident that your child is physically and emotionally ready for potty training, it’s time to get down to business. Many parents get frustrated during the potty training phase if they feel like their child isn’t learning fast enough. But it’s important to understand that potty training is a process. Luckily there are many simple steps that you can follow to make bathroom business a breeze.

Here are some basic tips that might make potty training a little easier on both you and your child.

Prepare with the chair.

Sitting on the toilet may be scary for some children. They may feel off balance, and the seat may feel too high up for them. Using a potty chair can make your child feel more comfortable and secure, allowing them to plant their feet safely on the ground.

Be sure to keep the chair in a place where your child spends a lot of time, so that when he or she needs to use the bathroom, it will be easier to access. Having the chair close by also serves as a convenient reminder. Your child will see the chair and remember that she can use the potty chair as soon as she gets the urge.

Familiarize them with the toilet.

Help your child practice sitting on the toilet fully clothed at first, so that he gets familiarized with the setting. Once he is comfortable sitting on the chair with his clothes on, you can take the next step of helping him sit on it with his clothes off. This will help familiarize him with what the seat feels like on his skin.

Teach them bathroom concepts.

Demonstrate to your child that the toilet is the place where “pee” and “poo” goes. You can do this by taking your child’s diaper after she has had a bowel movement and having her watch as you dump the stool into the toilet. Explain to her that this is where all of her pee and poo belong.

Set an example for your child by letting her see you sitting on the toilet. You can encourage her to sit on her potty chair at the same time if it is in the bathroom. You should also show her how you wash your hands with soap and water every time you finish on the toilet, and help her practice doing the same.

Offer reinforcement.

Try not to get angry or be too hard on your child if he makes mistakes. Potty mistakes are bound to happen, especially in the early stages of the potty training process. Instead, offer praise when he does something right. Positive reinforcement is key in establishing good bathroom behavior.

After a few days of consistently successful bathroom visits, you can begin making the switch from diapers to training pants, or from training pants to “big kid” underwear. You can determine how quickly to make the change by your child’s reaction to the new introduction.

Get everyone on the same page.

If your child attends preschool or daycare, or is in the care of a babysitter or grandparents, it’s important to share your potty training preferences with all caregivers in your child’s life. This includes the teachers and staff at your child’s daycare or preschool. Doing this will make things a lot easier for your child, who will benefit from the consistency and support that she will receive from all caregivers.

At Carpe Diem Private Preschool, our staff is trained and experienced in the potty training process. Unlike many other daycares and preschools, we prefer to base potty training on the individual interests of the child. Once the child is using the potty regularly, our teachers will communicate with parents and encourage the use of underwear. Our staff focuses on positive reinforcement rather than scolding or punishing children if they have accidents. We believe that keeping a positive mentality and supportive environment for the children in our care is important in all aspects of learning!

More in this Series: How to Know When its The Right Time, How to Make Potty Training Fun

 

Training Day

Potty Training Series: 8 Ways to Know When It’s the Right Time

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There is no perfect time or magic age for parents to start potty training. Every child matures at his own pace, and it’s important to keep this in mind as you begin thinking about potty training yours. Before you begin on the potty training journey, you should first be sure that your child is both physically and emotionally ready. For many children, this occurs sometime around the age of two, either when they are in daycare or about to begin preschool. If the child is not showing signs of readiness, potty training may lead to more frustration than success.

Here are some tell-tale signs that your child may be ready to be potty trained.

Signs That Your Child Is Ready for Potty Training

  1. Pulling or picking at diapers. This is a behavioral sign that indicates your child doesn’t like the feeling of a wet or dirty diaper.
  2. Ability to pull pants up and down. This is necessary if you want your child to be able to use the potty on his own.
  3. Diapers remain dry for a longer than usual amount of time. This is a sign that bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine. For example, if she takes a nap and wakes up with a dry diaper, it is a clear sign that her bladder muscles are ready for potty training.
  4. Showing interest in others’ bathroom usage. He may watch you go to the bathroom, or even try copying you.
  5. Has her own words that she uses when she talks about urine and stool.
  6. Has his own way of telling you that he’s about to go, or even telling you that he has just gone in his diaper. These may be verbal or physical signals.
  7. Understands the concept of putting things where they belong. For instance, that urine and stool belong in the toilet.
  8. Indicates an eagerness for independence. This is a very important sign that shows your child is emotionally ready to begin the potty training journey.

At Carpe Diem Private Preschool, we work closely with parents to help each child achieve this important milestone. Unlike many other daycares and preschools, we prefer to base potty training on individual signs of readiness. When children ask to go to the potty, or begin to exhibit signs of readiness such as staying dry, motioning or telling a teacher before or after they’ve soiled their diaper, it is often the best time to encourage the potty training process. Often, this occurs around 24-26 months.

During this period, our teachers frequently ask the children if they need or want to go potty – sometimes they say yes and sometimes they may still say no. If the child has been exhibiting signs of readiness, they may be encouraged to sit on the potty for a few minutes just to be sure. As the child becomes more comfortable using the potty, the teachers will encourage them to go more often. Once the child is using the bathroom regularly, teachers will communicate with parents and encourage them to have their child begin wearing underwear to school.

Parents may have to try more than once, but should not lose hope. It’s not uncommon for a child who resists potty training one month to more easily transition to using the toilet the next month. With patience and persistence, and the help of your daycare or preschool, your child will successfully make the transition!

More in this series: The Basics of Potty Training, How to Make Potty Training Fun

Blog Post 35 teaching kids value of money

Teaching Your Preschoolers the Value of Money

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Being able to manage money is one of the most important life skills that anyone can acquire – even at a young age. Attitudes and habits towards money can be developed early-on in life. This is why it’s a good idea to start teaching your preschoolers good financial habits as early as possible. Here are some tips to help teach your child about the purpose and value of money.

Money as a Currency

Young children can learn that money is something you exchange for something else. To demonstrate this, you can give your child a dollar or two and allow them to select a piece of candy or fruit from the store. This will help them understand the role of money in everyday life.

Preschoolers and young children also love to play “store” using play money, so help your child set up a small “store” and allow “customers” to purchase items using play money. Your child will learn that money is used to acquire different items, and that valuable items cost more money.

Counting Coins

When your child learns how to count, you can begin explaining to them the value of different coins and their relationships with each other. Help them understand that five pennies are worth as much as one nickel, and two nickels are worth as much as one dime. This will help them comprehend that all coins are valuable, but some are worth more than others.

Giving your child a piggybank is also a good way to help them understand the value of coins. Allow them to collect coins in their piggybank and pick a time to empty it out and count the coins inside. They will enjoy sorting the different coins into piles and adding up the value of each pile.

Using Coupons

Coupons are a practical way to save a little extra money on an item. Instead of recycling the newspapers and magazines that arrive in the mail full of coupons, use them as learning tools for your child. Since most coupons include pictures of the items, go through a coupon book with your child and have them help you select which coupons will be useful for your family. Clip these coupons and put them in an envelope.

The next time you go to the store, allow your child to carry the coupon envelope. If he is old enough, he can help you locate the items on the coupons. This is a good lesson on the importance of discounts and choosing the best deals.

The Importance of Saving Money

Perhaps the most important habit for a child to learn is how important it is to save money. A good way to reinforce this is by setting up a savings account for your child. Children will be very excited and feel like responsible adults once they have their own bank account. If your child receives an allowance, encourage your child to deposit a percentage of their allowance into their savings account.

When they get a little older, explain to them that when they put money into a savings account, the bank pays them interest every month, so they are earning even more money. To further reinforce the importance of saving money, consider matching whatever amount your child puts into their account. This will inspire them to use their savings account even more frequently.

 

At Carpe Diem Private Preschool, our programs are based on the best knowledge of education theory and research. We believe that preschoolers learn number concepts best, for example, by manipulating and counting real objects, not by completing workbook pages. We also teach self-control, cooperation, and responsibility, which are all great qualities to have when learning the value of and managing money.

Kindergarten teacher and children with hands raised in library

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten

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The first day of Kindergarten can be an emotional experience, for both you and your child. You might be riddled with worry about how well your child will do in this new learning environment. Your little one might be scared to walk into a classroom full of other children he doesn’t know and adults he hasn’t met before. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to make your baby’s transition into Kindergarten as painless as possible.

Prepare socially                    

  • Set up play dates with children of various ages so that your child can get used to interacting with other kids. Observe your child’s behavior and notice if he struggles with concepts such as sharing or taking turns. These are social behaviors that you can easily teach your child before they start Kindergarten.
  • Leave your child with other trusted adults, such as an extended family member or a highly recommended babysitter, for a few hours at a time. If your child is not used to being in the care of someone other than mommy and daddy, this is a good way for her to adjust to being under the care of a teacher that she has never met prior to walking in on the first day of Kindergarten.

Prepare verbally

  • Give your child simple and specific directions and encourage him to complete the tasks. It’s important for your child to be able to listen attentively and follow through with what is requested of him before he goes into a classroom environment where this will be expected of him.
  • Read to your child daily and pause occasionally to ask questions. This will ensure that she stays engaged while you read to her. Here are some ways to make story time a more interactive experience.

Prepare cognitively

  • Teach your child his numbers. You can practice with him by counting aloud during car rides or helping him count objects in your home. Make sure he is able to identify the numbers 1-10 before beginning Kindergarten.
  • Talk about concepts with your child. It’s usually a good idea to start with an easy concept like opposites. Some common opposites include big/little, empty/full, and slow/fast. Positional and directional concepts are also important to go over with your child. Make sure they know the basics like up/down, over/under, in/out, behind/in front of, top/bottom, beside/between, off/on, and stop/go.

Prepare physically

  • Go outside and let your child run wild (under your supervision, of course)! Things like running, jumping, and climbing allow your child to naturally develop you his gross motor skills. Playing catch and skipping around are also great ways to do this.
  • Practice name writing. Not only will your child most likely need to know how to write her name on the first day of school, but name writing exercises are also one of the best ways to develop her fine motor skills.

At Carpe Diem Private Preschools, we believe that the best early childhood education starts with a good foundation. We believe that where a child learns has a direct impact on how well a child learns. This is why our preschool classrooms and teachers are so well-equipped to prepare the little ones for their big transition into our Kindergarten classroom. We have put careful thought into creating the perfect learning atmosphere for all of our students.

blog-post-23-tidy-child

How to Get Your Tot to Be Tidy

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Nothing is more frustrating than coming home from a long day and finding your child’s room a complete mess. With toys and clothes scattered everywhere around the room, it’s hard not to lose your mind right then and there. Thankfully, there’s another option – just teach your child to clean the clutter themselves!

5 Ways to get your tot to be tidy

Keep things at a child’s level. Looking at things from your child’s eye level will give you a better perspective on how to help them get organized. For example, closet hanging rods may be out of reach for your little ones, so lowering the rod and accompanying it with child-sized hangers will make it easier for them to put away his own clothing and keep the closet organized.  It’s also important to make sure that things like cubbies and dresser drawers are at their level so they can put things away on their own.

Teach your child organizational skills. Instead of getting mad at your children for leaving their room a total mess, teach them skills and maintenance methods that they can use to organize their room. This will allow them to adopt efficient ways to keep their room clean on a daily basis. One way to do this is to ask yourself what’s working and what’s not working for them. Also, be sure to know what is important to your child so you can explain to them why staying organized is important in a way that is meaningful to them.  For example, if they are frustrated because they can’t find a favorite toy, be sure to use that as an opportunity to explain how being organized and putting things back where they belong can help them find their things more easily!

Create a system.  Sorting, storing, and simplifying will make it so much easier for your child to keep their room organized. Start by keeping clothing sorted according to style and season. For example, you can keep all pants in one drawer and all shirts in a separate drawer. Things like jackets and hoodies can be stored in the back of the closet, under the bed, or on higher shelves during the summer months when your child won’t be using them.

Label everything. Printing out photos of the inside contents of a drawer and slapping them on the outside of each corresponding drawer, will help remind your child of where each item belongs. You can also put them on the inside of toy boxes or storage containers so if they decide to dump the stuff out, they will still know where everything goes back by looking at the photo inside.

Make a maintenance routine. Creating a regular routine can help your child stay organized and not feel overwhelmed. It’s usually a good idea to break things up according to time of day. So you can assign tasks like making the bed and putting dirty clothes in the hamper as the “morning pickup” and tasks like putting toys away and getting their outfits ready for the next day as the “evening pickup.”

Our Take

At Carpe Diem, our aim is to create an invigorating and orderly environment for your child. We believe that this kind of balanced environment leads to inspiring thoughts and good habits that will follow them into the future. That is why we keep all of the materials in our classrooms at “child level” – not the teacher’s /adult level. We know that when a child gets things and puts them away by themselves they are experiencing independence, which is a fundamental part of child development.