Smart Start Childcare Springboro

CORRECTING A SLEEP DEFICIT

According to American Academy of Pediatrics via KidsHealth, this is how much sleep little ones need:

🍼 Newborns (up to three months old) should have 14 to 17 hours of sleep, taken in short two to four hour periods.

👶 At four to 12 months, a baby should be sleeping 12 to 16 hours per day. That breaks down to sleeping through the night in addition to two or three naps.

🧸 For a toddler up to two years old, 11 to 14 hours of sleep is recommended. In addition to sleeping through the night, a toddler should also nap. At Smart Start, we have quiet time after lunch that provides the perfect opportunity to do just that.

If your little one is not getting the recommended amount of sleep, there are some strategies you can try to help them get enough rest. It’s always a good idea to consult your child’s pediatrician to ensure adjustments meet their unique needs.

CREATE A SLEEP SCHEDULE
Consistent bed times and wake up times are so important for little ones. If you’re not keeping them on a schedule, it may be challenging at first. It is worthwhile to work through the initial struggle for ongoing health outcomes.

ESTABLISH NIGHTTIME AND MORNING RITUALS
A soothing wash. Picking out pajamas. A bed time story. Consistently adhering to these rituals helps a child rest because they feel safe and content. When they wake, you can greet them with a familiar phrase or a few moments of quiet together.

SKIP THE SCREENS
As a rule, discontinue use of tablets, phones and TVs for at least an hour before bed. Studies have shown the use of screens is disruptive for sleep.

Here are some strategies you can use to help you support your child who may have mild separation anxiety when returning to school. 💙

1. Work Through Your Own Worries First
As a parent or caregiver, it is normal to experience some concern about being apart from your child. It’s important to work through your own thoughts and feelings so you don’t add to your child’s stress about the first day of school. Acknowledge that your feelings are valid and seek support with a trusted friend or counselor.

2. Start Talking About the First Day
Don’t be reluctant to bring up this topic with your child. In talking about the potentially negative side of going back to school, you are providing a great example of open and honest communication. You’re also establishing yourself as someone your child can trust, one of your most important roles as a parent.

3. Have a Practice First Day
Help your child build confidence by practicing separation in short intervals with a family member or babysitter that you trust. This not only helps them work through the anxious feelings, it shows them that you will return.

5. Speak Confidence and Independence Into Your Child
Did you know your child’s mind is like a sponge? They soak up every word you say, so use that to speak to their confidence and emerging independence.

"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood". Fred Rodgers

Where some may see a pair of preschoolers playing with blocks, we see two unique individuals learning to work together to build something. Where some see a baby grasping a rattle, we see a baby exploring with their senses and developing fine motor skills.

We believe play is the most important work of childhood. If you peek into our Smart Start Childcare classrooms, it appears to be fun and games. What’s happening is our kiddos are actually growing and developing constantly, and play empowers them to maximize their full potential. Play supports brain development, creativity, social skills, and problem-solving.

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

Summer Routines Can Set Kids Up for Success

😎If you really want to embrace all that summertime has to offer (and not hit a wall in the fall) set up a schedule for your kids and stick with it as much as possible.

😌 A well-planned summer schedule incorporates plenty of time for rest and relaxation while not letting bedtimes, hygiene or household responsibilities fall completely to the wayside.

🛑 A schedule can also help stop screentime from taking over huge chunks of the day.

💯 This matters because kids thrive with day-today consistency and balance. It will also help them bounce back into school routines when the time comes. It can help to invite your kids to help create the schedule.

WHAT'S ON YOUR LIST? 😎⛱️

It seems like summer just started and yet it slips away so fast! We'd love to hear how you're planning to make the most of the summer, and we linked some ideas for you in the comments.

In Ohio, state licensed childcare centers have their own Olympics, and Smart Start Childcare is a gold medalist. 🥇😁

Providing a “Gold-Rated” Childcare Experience In Ohio, state licensed childcare centers have their own Olympics, and Smart Start Childcare is a gold medalist.

If you want your child to grow into a confident young person, it’s wise to start now. Intentional words and actions are seeds that are best sown with encouragement. Sprinkle it whenever you can so your child feels capable and supported!

It’s easy to say, but putting this into action can be a little more difficult for parents. One of the best ways to do this is to show your child that you trust them to try things on their own.

🪴 REMEMBER the purpose isn’t perfection, it’s encouraging growth.

Here are some age-appropriate ways you can sow seeds of confidence with encouragement!

🧸 Toddler (Ages 2-4)

When getting dressed, give your toddler two options of weather appropriate items (this or that).
As often is safe to do so, encourage your child to walk and hold your hand.
Allow them to choose books and games that you will enjoy together.

🖍️ Preschool (Ages 3-5)

Encourage your preschooler to put toys and books in their designated spots.
Let them choose clothes and get dressed; offer to help with zippers, buttons or strings, if needed.
Show them how to set the table and let them try.

📚 School Age (5 and up)

Acknowledge and admire when they make their bed.
Guide them in planning and preparing their bags for school, sports, etc.
Invite them to help with meal prep such as stirring the sauce or adding items to a salad.

As winter winds down, how are you and your littles working out the wiggles? 💜😄

Drop your ideas in the comments!

Do you Know Your Child’s Love Language? 🧸💕

As parents, we sometimes assume our children will express love the same way we do. We might also expect them to understand we love them simply because we show them in a way that is meaningful to us.

To intentionally and productively demonstrate love to another person, we should take time to understand their love language. This goes for children, too!

Below are the five common love languages and some ideas you can use to say "I love you" beyond the words. It’s helpful to identify your child’s love language and use that, but use all these love languages!

Words of Affirmation

Some children feel most loved when they hear or read words that praise, compliment and affirm. For these kiddos, it is especially meaningful when you take time to mention that they played a great game, or that they have a special skill or talent that you admire. Words carry meaning for all of us, but for people whose love language is words of affirmation, words (or lack of them) strike them deeply.

Acts of Service

Some of us feel most loved when someone takes the time to address our needs. Acts of service can vary greatly depending on age. It can be helpful to ask your child what acts of service are meaningful to them. For example, teaching them how to organize their books, or polishing their shoes for them, might be a gesture you can provide every now and then that will touch their heart.

Gifts

We probably all enjoy gifts. The challenge with this love language is when we don’t get gifts. If that is how you perceive love, a lack of gifts equates to feeling less love. It can be helpful to focus on the giving rather than the gift itself. Inexpensive or free gifts, like a special hand-me-down or a flower picked on the way home, say “I love you,” as much as an expensive toy does.

Quality Time

It’s important to understand that for a child who values quality time, they especially need your undivided attention without distractions. If your child loves quality time together, you can say I love you by making sure your phone is put away or turned off. Schedule one-on-one time to play a game or read a book, together. The more difficult this is to do, the more it probably means to them!

Physical Touch

From the time we’re babies, physical touch is important. We are made to be with other people and physical touch makes us feel loved. This is particularly important for some people. For our kids who love physical touch, hugs, holding hands or brushing their hair every day can really help them feel loved.