Importance of Playful Parenting

Being playful is an innate and natural part of childhood. Kids of all ages tend to be eager to inject fun and play in almost everything they do.Because fun and laughter are important ingredients of a happy and harmonious family relationship, parents need to remember the importance of playful parenting.

“Playful parenting” is a style of parenting that incorporates intentional and connected playtime  between children and parents. Engaging in shared play not only promotes a fun environment at home; it can also cultivate a stronger bond and a deeper connection between parents and their children. 

While it’s important that children are allowed to play independently, it’s also imperative that parents create time for playful parenting in the routine. Read on to learn more about how incorporating playful parenting can benefit the relationship between you and your child at home.

Play fosters connection and reconnection

What better way is there to strengthen the bond between a parent and a child than by seeing the world through your child’s eyes? Playful parenting makes it easier for parents to both learn from and engage with their kids. It can also help parents form a stronger bond and connect with their kids on a deeper level as it lays a solid foundation for a loving parent-child relationship. 

Whether it’s playing a video game together or engaging in pretend play, be sure to allocate adequate time for play with your little one! These precious moments and memories will stay with your child for a lifetime. 

Play helps children become kind adults

Children who receive adequate attention and feel that they are loved are less likely to exhibit behavioral issues. One excellent way to remind young children that they are loved is by joining them during their playtime instead of merely supervising them from the sidelines. The moments you spend playing with your little one also provides opportunities for instilling in them valuable life lessons. 

For example, when you engage in pretend play with your child, you can make the most of this time to talk about kindness, respect and honesty by incorporating real-life scenarios.

Play helps children develop social skills

Independent play is important, but kids also need to learn how to interact with others as they cultivate  their social skills. This is one of the reasons why we send them to childcare centers and set up playdates with peers. When your child is not among peers, you can also be your child’s playmate. This is an excellent way to continue to boost their communication and social skills through interactions and conversations.

Play helps lighten the atmosphere

Families who make time for play tend to be happier. Play can help to create an atmosphere of joy and levity  at home. Play time with your children can also help to lighten the mood during tough situations and make the environment at home a happier one. 

Play makes children feel wanted

Spending time playing with our kids is one way to communicate that they are wanted. It’s a way of telling them that we love spending time together and being with them. Making time to engage in play with young children can also help boost their confidence because they know that they are secure in their parents’ love. They are more likely to believe in themselves and know they can take on life’s challenges because no matter what. their parents have their backs.

Play helps boost cognitive skills

Playful parenting can turn learning and education into fun and enriching activities. You can use educational toys to teach kids about the alphabet or numbers. When you participate while your little one plays with legos, musical instruments, or puzzles, you can be your child’s guide as they discover how these things work as you help to further spark their logical thinking, imagination and other cognitive abilities.

Play helps boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem

Like adults, young children also tend to doubt themselves and their own capabilities at times. With the help of playful parenting, you can help boost your child’s confidence and self-esteem, thereby helping kids overcome these types of challenges. Engaging in play with your little one is a fun way to boost their sense of self-esteem, especially when you allow them to “win” during a game occasionally.. The thought of winning a game that’s extra challenging because they played it with an adult can be a huge confidence-booster.

Being a parent means having to “wear different hats” every day as we manage both career and family needs. But this shouldn’t excuse us from making time for things that matter most – quality time with our kids. Make sure your little one feels loved and cared for by making time for playful parenting in your home.

For more helpful resources and tips for parenting, please visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center. 

 

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Personal Hygiene for Kids: 6 Habits to Keep Your Child Safe and Healthy

We live in a world where there is an apparent increase in infectious diseases. Diseases are evolving and are certainly not decreasing in number. This is why keeping one’s hands and body clean has become more important now than ever.

Personal hygiene is vital to avoid the spread of infections and viruses. And as parents, we play a vital role in instilling in our kids the value of personal hygiene. It’s something that should be taught early in life and be made part of their daily routine. 

Be sure to keep your little one safe and healthy by following these guidelines on personal hygiene for kids!

Proper hand washing

Proper hand washing is, no doubt, one of the best and easiest defenses against disease-causing germs and viruses. And it’s safe and effective for both children and adults alike. 

Teach your little one to wash their hands thoroughly by showing them how it’s done. Show them the step by step process from rinsing their hands with water, to washing them with soap, and then rinsing them clean.

Make sure they spend adequate time scrubbing dirt off their hands with soap by getting them to sing the “happy birthday” song twice. (Another song will do. The trick here is to help them figure out how long 30-45 seconds really is.) Then have them rinse afterward.

Make sure handwashing is practiced before and after meals, after they’re done playing outside, after using the bathroom, touching an animal, or as soon as they come in from outside. 

Oral hygiene

Most children have an obsession with sweets and this is why they need to learn how to properly care for their teeth and mouth. Otherwise, they might end up developing not only cavities but also bad breath, gum problems, and other oral health diseases. 

Even if their milk teeth are eventually going to fall out, establishing good oral habits is essential early on. Plus, certain types of oral health problems may persist independently of their tooth development.

Make sure your child brushes their teeth at least twice a day. Teach them to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste if they are over 2 years old. Guide them and show them how it’s done to make sure all the surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. Don’t forget to have them brush their tongue, too.

Adequate sleep

The importance of adequate sleep for young kids cannot be overemphasized. During sleep, the body regenerates cells and restores its energy for the next day. For children, good quality sleep doesn’t only play an important role in their physical growth and development. It is also vital in their learning, memory and improved attention span. 

Make sure your child regularly gets a good night’s sleep by establishing a good bedtime routine. Limit their screen time during the hour before bedtime. Read them bedtime stories and create a relaxing and comfortable environment for sleeping. 

Food hygiene

Unhealthy food habits can result in conditions such as stomach pains, diarrhea and vomiting. While you practice hygiene and sanitation when it comes to food preparation, serving and feeding, it’s equally important that your child also practices personal hygiene. Besides washing their hands thoroughly before meals, make sure they use designated serving spoons to avoid contaminating the food. Also, avoid coughing or sneezing on the food and turn away if they feel like they’re about to cough or sneeze. 

Proper storage is also an important part of food hygiene. Have the leftovers properly segregated and stored in the refrigerator. Keep the containers covered to avoid contracting bacteria. 

Haircare

Proper hair care is another important aspect of personal hygiene that kids need to learn while they’re young. This will help minimize the risk of problems such as lice and dandruff. When it comes to hair care, children should be taught to wash their hair at least twice a week with water and shampoo. Be sure to use shampoo appropriate for their age to avoid irritation on the scalp and eyes. If there are existing hair problems, be sure to have those treated. 

Bathing

Whether or not they love bathing, children should understand and embrace the importance of bathing regularly as it helps keep them clean. Have them take a bath daily, either before going to school or when they come home. Teach them how to scrub and wash their body thoroughly and rinse afterward. 

If there’s one thing all parents want to be sure of, it is to ensure that their kids are safe and healthy all the time. Make sure your little one stays healthy and sickness-free by following these guidelines on personal hygiene for kids. 

If you’re looking for more parenting tips or searching for the best preschool for your little one, please visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center. 

 

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5 Activities that Nurture Parent and Child Relationship

It’s true what they say that becoming a parent is life-changing. As soon as you have that tiny little baby in your arms, things aren’t the same anymore and your whole life is geared toward an entirely new direction. It is no longer just about yourself nor about you and your spouse. You now have another being to take care of, nurture, raise, and build a loving relationship with. 

When it comes to parenting, we all share one goal and that is to raise happy and healthy children. This is where the value of the parent and child relationship comes in.

Your relationship with your child plays a significant role in their development as well as their traits, behaviors and values – things that help set them on the path to future success.

So, what do you do to strengthen your parent and child relationship? Take a look at some of the activities you may want to try.

Read bedtime stories together

Reading bedtime stories to kids doesn’t always have to be something that only parents do. You can do the reading together with your child. Encourage their participation rather than doing the reading all by yourself. Make it more exciting and interactive by asking them questions in the middle of the story. It can be a followup question to review the names of characters or it can be questions about what they think will happen next. Or you can also mimic the sounds of animals mentioned in the story or do a bit of roleplay to make the activity more fun and interactive.

Take them out to eat

If there’s one thing that binds people closer, it’s food! And it’s true for families, too. So, carve out some time to bond over good food with your little one. Take them to a restaurant or pizza parlor or ice cream shop of their choice. Also consider taking them to the park or nearby beach for a picnic so you both can enjoy the outdoors and fresh air. And if they’re also into fine dining, it would be fun to dress up fancy to make them feel as if you’re going out on a real date!

Join them in their playtime

There’s certainly nothing wrong with going back to being a child and joining your little one in their playtime. Whether it’s toy blocks, dolls, toy cars, or video games. It would be a great idea to try having game time with your kids, too! Maybe schedule a game night on Friday or Saturday nights and play a different game each time. You can also draw lots to see who gets the chance to pick the game for the night!

Cook a meal together

Another exciting activity for strengthening your parent-child relationship is cooking a meal together. So, get messy in the kitchen! Look for easy recipes you can create with your little one. There’s plenty that you can follow online or YouTube. Check for recipes that do not use a lot of ingredients and that involve simple steps and processes. 

If they’re into pizza, then go ahead and let them do the making of the dough and have them choose the toppings according to their liking. You can also make baked goodies such as cookies, or mini cupcakes. Not only is this an excellent way to bond and connect with each other. It also offers opportunities to learn some skills they could use through adulthood.

Creating arts and crafts

Because children love to get messy and play with anything they lay their hands on, making arts and crafts is a perfect activity for them. Perhaps even more so if you join them. Try to look around the house and find objects to recycle or convert into masterpieces. Use empty plastic bottles, paper cups or old newspapers. Let their imagination run wild and create something out of these materials. Create your own work of art, too, and put your finished products on display afterwards. 

The importance of spending quality time with your children cannot be overemphasized. Build memories with your little one they will forever cherish and nurture your parent-child relationship with the help of these activities!

For more helpful parenting tips or if you’re looking for the best quality preschool for your little one, please visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center.

 

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6 Exciting Summer Camp Activities You Can Recreate at Home

Kids have various ways of spending their summer breaks. Some prefer to spend most of their free time playing with playmates and having fun. Some make the most of their time to learn new skills. While some others head off to enroll in summer camp programs. And why not? Summer camps are a perfect venue for having fun while acquiring new skills and learning lifelong lessons.

But what happens if there are no summer camps? Or your little one just won’t be able to join? It’s kinda sad but don’t worry! There are actually cool ideas you can try to recreate summer camp activities in your own home!

Have a campout night

One of things that completes the whole summer camp experience is sleeping in a tent, under the stars. If you have adequate space in your backyard for some stargazing and camping out, you can put up a tent for the whole family to sleep in. And don’t forget the best part of the night – S’mores!

But who says that camping out can only be done outdoors? You can also have a campout night indoors by putting up a makeshift indoor tent. All that’s needed is a little creativity! Create a starry sky by hanging glow-in-the-dark stars or sticking them to the ceiling. Turn off the lights and play some nature music in the background to make it feel more outdoorsy.

Play field games

Summer camps are extra fun because of outdoor games! Be sure not to miss fun field games like tug of war or scavenger hunt. Not only are these games fun and exciting but they also unleash your competitive spirit! So get geared up and be sure to get every family member participating for fun afternoon games over the weekend!

Host a talent show

Talent shows are also one of the most exciting parts of a summer camp program. When recreating summer camp at home, you may want to try hosting a talent show where every member in the family gets to showcase their talents and skills. To make it extra fun, try to inject a little creativity. 

For instance, instead of giving each one the liberty to choose their performance, you will have to randomly pick from a given set of tasks. Now, it will all be up to every member how they will make the performance outstanding to win the game!

Cook a favorite camp meal

Is there one specific meal or dish that reminds your child of fond memories of summer camp? Now’s the best time to recreate it in your own kitchen. Or even add your own little twist to it. 

If you’re not familiar with the dish, do a bit of research before gathering the ingredients. Invite your little one to get involved in the preparation to teach them a thing or two about cooking, too. Not only is this an excellent way to replicate a fun summer experience. It’s also a good way to bond with your kid!

Create arts and crafts

Does your little one exhibit an interest in creating arts and crafts? Summer vacations are the best time to encourage them to channel their inner artist! Gather recycled objects and art materials and let your child transform them into a masterpiece. You may give them ideas on what they can create out of what they have or you can also let them create an artwork from scratch. Let their imagination run wild! Just be sure they’re working with kid-friendly materials and they don’t end up hurting themselves in the process.

Be a young scientist

Young kids are naturally curious. They ask a lot of questions and are always interested to learn about the things around them. Turn their curiosity into a learning opportunity by incorporating science experiments into your summer camp activities at home.

The internet is a vast resource of kid-friendly, age-appropriate science experiments you can replicate at home. Some experiments you may try include topics about the water and life cycles, the phases of matter and a lot more. 

Summer camps provide kids with great learning experiences which help them acquire new knowledge and skills. Be sure your child still gets to have fun while learning during school closures, with or without actual summer camps, by trying out these ideas!

For more tips on family and parenting, or if you’re looking for the best childcare center for your child, please feel free to visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center.

 

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5 Tips for Helping Kids Deal with Missed School Activities

The coronavirus pandemic has forced schools from all levels to close. For these children, the abrupt closure left them with feelings of frustration, sadness, and disappointment. Many are missing out on so many major rites of passage such as graduation ceremonies or the prom. Other kids are missing out on their regular school activities like art classes, band practice, sports, or any of their favorite after-school clubs and organizations. Basically, they just miss life with their friends.

While everyone initially thought this was just a relatively temporary situation, it seems that school may be out for a while. In many cases, possibly until the end of this year. There is no vaccine yet and keeping everyone safe is the main priority at this point. This can be daunting and overwhelming for everyone. Having kids around at home 24/7 can definitely turn a peaceful life into chaos. Children may feel a bit sad and disappointed that school activities were canceled. 

Supporting them during this period is highly important, especially since there are so many uncertainties surrounding when these activities will resume. Here are some tips for how you can help your kids deal with this situation:

Talk to kids about the coronavirus

Every parent needs to educate their kids about the effects of the coronavirus and why schools need to be closed. Talk to them about why self-isolation and social distancing is critical at this moment. Make them be aware of the implications of this virus and why this needs to be taken seriously, without arousing panic.

Your kids may get incorrect and alarming information about COVID-19 from their friends or online sources. Parents need to explain the facts, in age-appropriate language, about the virus and its health implications. Give them the assurance that you are doing the best that you can to ensure that they are safe and healthy, without overwhelming them with information. 

Your kids are scared and anxious about this unseen virus that has been affecting everyone, so regular check-ins are a must. Hold meetings with your kids to discuss their concerns and fears, as well how to incorporate safety health practices at home.

Monitor their screen time

Since there are no schools or school activities to worry about, kids will be likely spending more time now watching television or browsing through various social media channels. It is important that you monitor these activities. Set a limit to their screen time and avoid listening or watching any upsetting or fake news with your kids around. They will definitely pick up these ideas and it could just aggravate the stress they are feeling at the moment. Remind them that not all stories they may read or hear regarding COVID-19 are all true and most are based on rumors and falsified information.

Emphasize the importance of social distancing

Eventually, there will come a time when your child will complain why it’s unfair that they can’t go to school or see and hang out with their friends. They will start to feel hurt that they can’t have school graduation or why their birthday party has to be postponed.

When these happen, validate their feelings and acknowledge their frustrations. However, make sure that you emphasize that closing schools and postponing school activities are the right thing to do right now. Educate them on the importance of social distancing and explain how taking time off from regular activities is ideal for everyone. Let them understand that all of these are for health and safety, not just for them but for the whole community.

Praise them for doing their part

As you educate your kids about the virus and its implications, point out to them how proud you are that they are staying home. While they may complain or eventually start to get bored just being at home, acknowledge that you are all doing this together as a family. Everyone is doing their part to help stop the spread of the virus. And they are making a big contribution to the community. Make it clear to them that everyone’s patience and hard work will help bring this crisis to an end sooner.

Create a new normal

Your kids will feel bad about school closures, but it is imperative that they move forward and accept this fact with optimism. To help them move forward, you need to create a “new normal” at home for the next few weeks. Sit down with them and explain the new structure that needs to be followed for their home-based days. You can ask your kids to help contribute to the activities they want to do in a day. This could be setting household chores, meal times, various fun activities in the afternoon, or schoolwork and reading time. Whatever that structure is, make sure there is consistency throughout the days or weeks you will be at home.

Keeping your family safe is important at this point in our lives. Without activities, many children (or even adults) will feel a bit lost and disoriented about how to maximize their time. Be with your kids during this time. Work together and have fun together.

For more information on how to help your kids deal with canceled school activities, check out The Pillars Christian Learning Center.

 

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Online Learning Tips: Helping Your Child Adjust to Remote Learning

In education, there has long been a slow shift underway toward online instruction. That has accelerated recently, both taxing school systems and forcing major adjustments for all involved.

As you and your children adjust to this new set up, it’s important for parents to help their kids establish healthy routines so they can stay focused on learning. Help your kids cope with the transition to remote learning with these online learning tips.

Create a schedule

Young kids are easier to manage if they are guided with well-established routines. Instead of giving them a free hand on how to go about their day and attend to online education any time they please, it would be best to create a schedule for them to follow if there isn’t one yet.

Wake up time should be set so they get up in the morning just as they would if they had to travel to a school. Have them take a shower and eat their breakfast. 

Schoolwork, including homework, should be scheduled the same time every day. Make sure they finish their online education first before playtime and other stuff.

Impose digital quarantine

For most kids, being at home and out of a traditional school setting means more time for gadgets and electronic devices. It means more time to watch TV, play video games and log on to the internet.

This is where more stringent screen time rules come in. Children must be made to understand that because they are at home does not mean that it’s going to be all playtime.

Make sure that electronic devices, except for their dedicated laptop, are kept away from them until they’re done with schoolwork.  There shouldn’t be any distractions when it’s time for online learning so that it receives their undivided attention.

Create a space conducive to learning 

In schools, classrooms are designed to make learning conducive for children. To make sure your little one makes the most of their online education, it’s best if they are able to work in a comfortable and quiet spot in your home that is free from distractions. 

Find a room, or even just a nice corner, that you can convert into a learning nook. Set up a table and a cozy chair. Decorate it with posters. Put their books in there as well as other learning materials. 

Treat online school like a “real” school

Make sure your little one takes homeschooling seriously by treating it like a real school. They should tackle their homework and make sure it’s done before they’re allowed to play. They should attend classes daily and work on getting perfect attendance.

Do close monitoring

Because this homeschooling setup is something new to your child, it’s important that you check their engagement with the lessons and confirm that learning takes place.

Are they absorbing the lessons or are they zoning out? Take time to monitor their progress by observing them as they take their online classes. Are they having any technical difficulty or is everything going okay? You can also ask them questions by the end of each lesson to check learning.

Get them to take breaks

Just like we need to take time to step away from work to keep our sanity, kids need to take breaks from studying, too. This is true even if they’re only doing it at home.

Not only is it important to give them time to have snacks and rest their tired eyes and brains. It’s also important to let them take a quick break from screens.

In a regular classroom setting they’d get break time so this should be no different.

Set up virtual playdates

Who says your child can’t stay connected with their friends? Leverage the internet to help your little one maintain friendships even from a distance. There are several platforms they can use so to chat and even play with their classmates and friends, despite the distance.

Learning from home presents several challenges especially when children are first trying to get used to this new setup. But with the help of these tips, you can help them navigate this journey with ease and have fun while learning. 

For more helpful parenting tips and resources, or if you’re looking for the best preschool for your child, please visit The Pillars Christian Learning Center. 

 

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How to Master Working from Home When You Have Kids

After a while working from home, most parents fall into a rhythm and figure out effective ways to juggle work and family life in one setting. If you are new to working from home, it may take a while to figure some of this stuff out.

Working from home has its own ups and downs. It lets you spend more time with your kids, focus on their growth, and help with their development without compromising your work and professional goals. However, some parents may struggle to stay productive and keep their sanity intact.

Family members, especially kids, may think that presence equals availability. If they see you at home, they may think it’s okay to interact with you without restriction. To avoid distractions and stay productive, you’ll have to set clear boundaries.

Having the best of both worlds—domestic bliss and professional success—is achievable, but you need to set up a plan to be more effective. Here are some tips:

 

Designate a Conducive Work Space

Setting boundaries is crucial to staying productive while at home. A visible boundary between your personal and work lives is a great start for this.

Consider your kids and their age and the amount of supervision they require when choosing a work space. Depending on their needs, you can set up a separate room as a designated work space, separate your space with rugs or shelves, or convert a closet into a workstation.

For kids who require a lot of supervision, make sure that they are still within eyesight.

 

Communicate and Set Expectations

In every job, communication plays an important role. Regardless if you are in the office or working remotely, letting your team members or your superior know what you’re working on and the struggles you are facing make the job a bit easier to manage.

Kids may not make your situation easier—they will have needs you have to attend to. This is even more difficult if you are a single parent.

Make sure that you proactively inform your employer that you have kids at home and there will be times when conversations or meetings may be interrupted.

Flexible working hours may be ideal, if you have that option in your company.

That way, you can attend to your children’s needs and work when they are preoccupied with a game or a book. When you assign screen time for kids, you can be with them working in the background as they watch their favorite movie.

 

Take Breaks with your Kids

During this time when parents are at home, kids may want to take advantage of the opportunity for more together time. They can spend more time with you, play with you, and eat with you.

When it’s not so busy with your work, take intermittent breaks—five to minutes or so—to read a book with them. This will make them feel loved and important.

 

Capitalize on Sleep Time

Take advantage of nap times. While they are sleeping is the perfect time to be more productive at work. Save crucial tasks that require your undivided focus and concentration for these times. 

 

Use Screen Time for Kids Wisely

While you don’t want your kids to spend most of their day in front of the screen while you work, you can still take advantage of some media. Choose educational games or videos prior to starting your work. Make sure that you create a schedule and structure their usage with time limits and security restrictions.

An alternative to screen time can be art or writing projects. Tell them what you’re involved with and “hire” them as your assistants. Ask them to write a client letter or draw a new label for product packaging.

They will feel engaged and useful while you get time to focus on the work that needs to be done. A special bonus is that you will get to see their unique perspective on the work you do.

Working from home with kids around can be a challenge. However, you do not need to do this alone. If you have a partner, collaborate and work together to create a balance.

 

The Pillars Christian Learning Center is a place whose main focus is the development of your child. Need assistance taking care and nurturing your kids to become better adults? Contact us today.

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