Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine - Preschool Guide - August 2022

PRESCHOOL GUIDE

August 2022

Get Ready

Learning Games, Potty training & More Part or Full Time

Making Decisions

The ABC’s

What You Need to Know New Routine From Sleep to School Check-Ins

l l a F

S U C N FO

O I T A C U D E

NortheastOhioParent.com August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 1

2 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 3

PRESCHOOL

READING ROOM

R

eading to your child daily helps develop language, stimulates their imagination and provides some quality time together. Learn and laugh with your preschooler with a few of our favorite preschool age books.

Good Night, Gorilla

By Peggy Rathmann

It’s bedtime at the zoo, and all the animals are going to sleep. Or are they? Who’s that short, furry guy with the key in his hand and the mischievous grin? Sneak along behind the zookeeper’s back, and see who gets the last laugh in this riotous good-night romp.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

By Mo Willems

Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat.

But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes some bunny was left behind? Using a combination of muted blackand-white photographs and expressive illustrations, this stunning book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy’s in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.

Silly Goose’s Big Story

By Keiko Kasza

Goose’s friends love the stories he makes up when they’re playing. Except one thing — Goose is always the hero. And when they ask to take turns leading the fun, Goose doesn’t agree. While they argue about it, no one notices the hungry wolf sneaking up on them until he shouts, “Hello, Lunch!” This real-life danger shows Goose how silly he’s been and that his friends make terrific heroes.

4 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

By Bill Martin and Illustrated by John Archambault

In this lively alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race each other up the coconut tree. Will there be enough room?

Oh, no —Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom!

Countless children —and their parents— can joyfully recite the familiar words of the alphabet chant.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

By Laura Numeroff

This book is a great first introduction to mouse, the star of the “If You Give”... series and a perennial favorite among children. With its spare, rhythmic text and circular tale, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” is perfect for beginning readers and story time.

Just Go to Bed

By Mercer Mayer

Little Critter is not looking forward to bedtime. Whether it’s time for him to stop playing and take a bath, or making a fuss about getting into his jammies. A great way to introduce children to a bedtime routine.

Llama Llama Red Pajama

By Anna Dewdney

This classic rhyming tale introduces Llama Llama and his difficulty going to sleep after Mama Llama heads downstairs. Why doesn’t she come when he calls for her?!

Humorous bedtime drama ensues and will comfort as well as amuse the youngest of listeners.

Giraffes Can’t Dance

By Giles Andreae

A touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance.

With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.

With light-footed rhymes and high-stepping illustrations, this tale is gentle inspiration for every child with dreams of greatness.

Dragons Love Tacos

By Adam Rubin

Dragons love tacos.

They love chicken tacos, beef tacos, great big tacos, and teeny tiny tacos. So if you want to lure a bunch of dragons to your party, you should definitely serve tacos. Buckets and buckets of tacos.

Unfortunately, where there are tacos, there is also salsa. And if a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa . . . oh, boy. You’re in redhot trouble.

Don’t Push the Button!

By Bill Cotter

ON THE COVER:

Magnolia, preschooler, shows off the chalk art that we created at Emerson Elementary School in Lakewood.

There’s only one rule in Larry’s book: don’t push the button. (Seriously, don’t even think about it!) Even if it does look kind of nice, you must never push the button. Who knows what would happen. Okay, quick. No one is looking... push the button…Uh, oh.

BOOKS FOR

PARENTS Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids

By Hunter Clarke-Fields

Whether you’re running late for school, trying to get your child to eat their vegetables, or dealing with an epic meltdown in the checkout line at a grocery store—being a parent is hard work. And, as parents, many of us react in times of stress without thinking—often by yelling. But what if, instead of always reacting on autopilot, you could respond thoughtfully in those moments, keep your cool, and get from A to B on time and in one piece?

The Most Important Year: Pre-Kindergarten and the Future of Our Children

By Suzanne Bouffard

At the heart of this groundbreaking book are two urgent questions: What do our young children need in the earliest years of school, and how do we ensure that they all get it? Cutting-edge research has proven that early childhood education is crucial for all children to gain the academic and emotional skills they need to succeed later in life.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

By Adele Faber

Experts provide information for communication between parents and children including fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships.

PHOTO BY MEMORIES BY STEPHANIE

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 5

s B C A

0f Presch00l Preparing Your Child for Preschool

By Ginny McCabe

P

arents often have questions about how to best prepare their child for preschool. Here are the biggest benefits of preschool as well as how to make the transition easy and fun for you and your child. Here are some tips on how to prepare your child for preschool.

Allow Children to Thrive Tina Schneider, executive director at Cleveland Montessori School says one of the biggest benefits is exposing children to social activities and giving them the chance to be with other children their age.

Another benefit is kids gain exposure to basic skills and they have opportunities to build upon their academic abilities early on.

“In Montessori, our focus isn’t just on the academics, but more about the whole child, so it’s helping to develop their concentration, independence and coordination, and all the things that will help them be successful in the

6 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

academic areas down the road,” Schneider says.

Kids can start with activities that are going to help them develop fine motor skills, such as being able to dress themselves, or scrub a table and work with water.

Preschool also exposes kids to other people outside of the family setting, including teachers and their peers. Preschool allows kids to experience other personalities, and they can learn to make connections with a variety of people in a different environment.

“The three areas that I talk to parents about as far as getting their children ready for school are really about helping them to be independent, helping them to develop confidence, and then, exposure to the basic skills, and being ready to do some reading and math, and so forth,” Schneider says.

Reading, Playing and Exploring are Key Janice Silvaroli, lead teacher, Little Saints Preschool at All Saints School of St. John Vianney in Wickliffe says parents often ask how to best prepare a child for preschool.

“By simply reading, playing, and exploring together with your child, you are helping your child get ready for preschool activities,” she says. “Spend time with kids away from devices.”

Silvaroli suggests going for nature walks often and participating in the Metroparks summer programs. Families can

also work on puzzles together or play board games that allow your child to learn to take turns and count. She also encourages families to visit the library and attend children’s programs at the local library.

Another helpful tip is to offer your child a variety of active, playful experiences as well as quieter, more focused activities such as painting, either watercolor or finger painting, working with modeling clay, stringing beads together or using age-appropriate building blocks to build. All these activities help to strengthen a child’s fine motor skills.

Reading with your child also has multiple benefits, Silvaroli says, such as building his/her vocabulary. There are all kinds of books from rhyming books and nursery rhymes to fairytales and non-fiction books.

Additionally, she says, there are several fun books about preschool that parents and children can enjoy reading together such as “Preschool Day Hooray!” by Linda Strauss, “Llama Llama Misses Mama” by Anna Dewdney, “What to Expect at Preschool” by Heidi Murkoff, “Monsters Love School,” by Mike Austin and “First Day at Zoo School” by Sarah Dillard, to name a few.

Practice and Encourage Independence

Talking with Your Child Miller encourages parents to have conversations with their children.

Whether that’s talking to them about their day while they are driving home in the car, counting the number of trucks as they go by, or the stop signs you meet.

Parents can also engage with their children by making a grocery list when they go to the store, so the child has to practice, even if it’s just a scribbled list.

Kids can help make a list, read the list when they get to the store, and then help their parents go to the shelves and find the items on the list.

“Those kinds of things really build a lot of what the child will need when they enter the preschool classroom. They build curiosity and expand their vocabulary, and all those kinds of things, and then, they’re ready. They don’t need to have knowledge of the ABC’s and 123’s, they just need to have their curiosity going and then they are ready to step in the door,” Miller says.

Preschool allows kids to experience other personalities, and they can learn to make connections with a variety of people in a different environment.

Preschool teaches kids how to communicate with other kids and how to express themselves with words.

Kids can also learn to do things more independently and explore the world in a safe way.

Silvaroli says parents can encourage their children to practice independent skills through activities such as washing their hands or putting on his/her own clothing and shoes. Other activities kids can do to build independence include packing a backpack, setting a table, putting away their toys or climbing up and down the stairs.

Children love pretend play, so parents can also use it to prepare a child for preschool. Pretend with your child that you're going to school, hang up your backpack, and sit down for circle time,” she says.

Families can do simple things like playing games or making a snack.

Then, they can talk about how to ask for someone's attention, practice taking turns, or join in the play.

Daniel Tiger has many songs and stories about preparing and attending preschool. Families looking for ideas for music can check out Laurie Berkner and Jim Gill on YouTube, among others.

Schneider says the children have a reciprocal relationship, where they help and learn from each other. The older children are role models and leaders for the younger children, for example.

One way to help kids develop independence, she says, is letting them make some choices at home – like what they are going to wear, or what they’ll have for a snack on a particular day.

“In the classroom, we offer them choices, so it’s not just an adult telling them what to do,” she says. “It’s saying, you can choose to do this activity, or that activity, and letting them have that opportunity to make a decision and them feeling comfortable and confident with the decision.”

Parents Help to Shape Kids Classroom Experiences Sara Miller, director at Carol Nursery School in Shaker Heights says parents are often invited into the classroom and they have an opportunity to share their talents. Parents that love to garden come to the learning garden and help the children garden. For example, parents that love to cook, come in and cook with the students in the classroom. Then, the students eat what they made for a snack that day.

When it comes to what kids walk away with after preschool, Miller agrees that socialization skills and how to be independent are a few of the most important things they’ll learn.

Preschool teaches kids other important things like self-help skills, she says.

Children learn that different people have different feelings about things, and they begin to understand the importance of respecting each other’s space as well as their thoughts and ideas.

Kids Are Expected to Know More in Kindergarten

“When we talk with a lot of parents, and they come in to see what kindergarten looks like, they are pretty surprised at where kindergarten has gone over the years, and what kids are expected to know when they walk through the doors into kindergarten,” says Abby Kassel, director of student services at Revere Local Schools in Richfield.

It’s imperative that children get preschool opportunities that show them what school looks like, and feels like, so they can be better prepared as learners and as students, she adds.

Another consideration is that parents continue to get their children involved in school earlier on, and more young students continue to engage with preschool opportunities.

Putting away their own toys helps children build independence.

“I’ve seen our needs in preschool grow significantly, just the number of students that we’ve seen come through, that we’re able to support and give an early childhood experience to has just exponentially increased,” Kassel says.

For those looking at preschool, Kassel encourages families to learn more about what preschool programs are available in the community. She also stresses the importance of not waiting until the last minute to sign kids up.

“We have parents that come in June, saying my child needs to be enrolled for the fall, and I know a lot of programs, not just in the district, but many of the local programs have been filled up for several months now. So, it’s important to be prepared and to enter a preschool program with an open mind,” Kassel says.

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 7

P

Learn and Play with Preschoolers

By Elena Epstein, Director of the National Parenting Product Awards

Need some ideas to play at-home with your preschoolers? Here are game and product ideas from the

National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA), which evaluates and tests all these play-ready for families.

Preschool Genius A set of dry-erase activities and games with a genius twist.

Includes beautifully illustrated activities that cover core learning outcomes as well as offering challenges like code-breaking and mapmaking that stimulate open-ended problem solving and creativity. $27.95, ages 3-6, Find at various retailers

Unlock It! Number Match These corresponding keys and locks give children hands-on practice with number recognition, matching and counting from 1 to 20—while building motor skills.

Match the number on a key to the number word or stars on a lock to open for instant reinforcement. $39.99, preschool-first grade, lakeshorelearning.com

My First Puzzle – Dinosaur The perfect first puzzle for kids.

The number of pieces is increased step by step to promote learning and engagement. $13.99, ages 2+, toiworld.com

Lift & Learn Inside of Me Kids can use their own x-ray vision to look inside the human body with this puzzle. As you peel away the layers, kids will be introduced to the body’s organs, muscles, the skeletal system and more. $14.99, ages 3 and older, tlji.com

Play Smart Challenging Series Help children develop the skills necessary to thrive with problem-solving in different ways, independence and awareness of environmental issues. $7.95, ages 2 and older, gakkenplusna.com

8 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

Hazel’s Helpers This game helps develop decision-making, construction craft and planning capabilities in young learners. Play while practicing fine motor skills. $34, ages 4 and older, simplyfun.com

Techno Tiles Gives kids creative freedom in building their own masterpieces they can play with. From rockets to castles, vehicles, and abstract structures, imagination is limitless. $19.99, ages 4 and older, tlji.com

Design & Drill Toolbox Kids can build anywhere with this super creative learning set. The bolts and drill fit easily inside the bucket for on-the-go fun. $64.99, ages 3 and older, Find at various retailers

Numberblocks MathLink Cubes Activity Sets Use the special edition set to build your own friendly characters.

Through building, children see how numbers really work as they master counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing through handson discovery play. $24.99, ages 3 and older, Find at various retailers

Musical Farm Playset Sing, spin, dance, and play with these barnyard friends. Great for developing fine motor skills and handeye coordination. $29.95, ages 2 and older, battattoys.com

Ironing Time Learning Set Press into learning about shapes, colors and counting. This interactive iron plays songs, silly phrases and sound effects when kids move it back and forth. 10 plus learning activities. $14.99, ages 18 months and older, store.leapfrog.com

Poppy the Count & Stack Flower Pot Grow all new fine motor, color identification and counting skills.

Each flower comes with different colors and numbers for added learning fun. $14.99, ages 18 months and older, Find at various retailers

100 Things That Go Take a road trip to the land of learning with the interactive book. Hear 100+ words about modes of transportation from dog sleds and dump trucks to skates and school buses. $14.99, ages 18 months+, store.leapfrog.com

Luca & Friends Combine learning and fitness via cutting-edge AI motion technology. Using basic movements, players might stretch or jump in order to “touch” or “catch” the right answers. $14.99/month or $99.99/year, ages 4, lucafriends.com

Tac Tac Jack Be the best lumberjack by hitting the tree with the axe to gather bark blocks. But be careful not to remove the core blocks. $24.99, ages 3 and older, foxmind.com

OuiSi Nature A set of 210 visually-connecting photo cards. Features activities that foster creativity and ignite curiosity about our beautiful planet. $35, ages 4 and older, shop.ouisi.com

Toniebox Starter Bundle Using magnetic figures, toddlers and young children can navigate storytelling and music independently, opening up their world to a library of education and entertainment. Filled with content from premium partners including National Geographic, Penguin Random House and Levar Burton. Plus original content offering hours of storytelling, songs, mindfulness activities and more. $129.99, ages 3 and older, us.tonies.com

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 9

PREPPING FOR

PRESCHOOL:

! e r o M & S POTTY TRAINING

By Lydia Mockensturm

tarting preschool is a big milestone for your child, so it’s understandable if you’re feeling a little nervous about the transition. Here’s what you can do to prepare your little one — and yourself — for the big day.

GETTING READY

First, it’s a good idea to talk to your child a little bit about preschool, but try not to make it a big deal.

“You don’t even have to say the word ‘school’,” says Teece Lester, preschool coordinator at Lake Erie Nature and Science Center in Bay Village.

Instead, talk about some of the things they’ll be doing, like playing with friends or playing with new toys.

“Relate it to something they’re familiar with,” Lester says. If they’ve been to storytime at the library, it may be helpful to say: “It’s kind of like storytime, but you’ll get to stay and play with other kids.”

If your child hasn’t yet visited their preschool in person, schedule a tour.

This will help to familiarize them with the space and their teacher. Plus, your little one will see all of the toys they’ll get to play with in preschool, which can help get them excited about it.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Having a short goodbye routine can be helpful if your child is anxious during the first few days of preschool.

Jennifer Jackson-Ausperk, LEAPS preschool supervisor at Avon

PRESCHOOLGUIDE GUIDE 10 || PRESCHOOL 10

!

g n i d a Re SUGGESTED

Lake City Schools, suggests using a special goodbye dance, a handshake, or even something as simple as blowing a few kisses before you leave.

Of course, even with all of this preparation, some preschoolers will get upset and may cry at drop-off, but it’s important for you to stay calm.

“Parents, please do not match their emotions,” Jackson-Ausperk says.

“The longer the parent stays, the longer the child stays upset.” Your best bet is to stay positive, stick with your routine, and keep the goodbye short.

As a parent, it’s hard to see your little one cry when you leave, and their preschool teacher understands that. But most children calm down within a few minutes.

“They calm down really fast,” Lester says, adding, “much quicker than parents would like to believe.”

POTTY TRAINING

Most preschools require children to be potty trained before school starts. And while some preschools have a strict no pull-ups policy, others are a bit more flexible, especially during those first few weeks of school.

However, even a child that wears pull-ups normally may have no problem making it through their preschool class accident-free, says Jan Lorko, director of Suburban Cooperative Nursery School in Rocky River.

“We’re only here for two hours,” Lorko says, adding that most preschool aged children have the control to make it an hour or two (with reminders, of course). Still, accidents do happen, so pack an extra outfit with your child each day.

For state licensing, though, most preschool programs require children to be independent when it comes to using the toilet, wiping, and other potty training skills — you’ll want them to have these down before school starts.

If your child is starting preschool soon and isn’t quite there yet, Jackson-Ausperk recommends clearing your calendar for about a week to focus on potty training. Using incentives like prizes, sticker charts, or a bathroom bin filled with special toys and books can all be great motivators

to help move the process along.

“There are a lot of tactics,” Jackson-Ausperk says. “It depends on the kid and what motivates him or her.”

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

The Invisible String

by Patrice Karst

Aside from being potty trained, there aren’t any special requirements for starting preschool. Rather than focusing on specific skills, spend some time really being present with your child and having fun together.“Children learn so much through play,” Lorko says, stressing the importance of making learning fun.

She suggests reading together every day, going for walks, playing board games, or cooking and baking together. Simple activities like these will teach your child helpful skills for preschool and beyond.

If there’s one thing that all preschool teachers can agree on, it’s that every child is different. As long as your child is potty trained and the right age for the program, you don’t need to worry too much about readiness, says Lester. “They come because they’re going to learn all of these skills.”

In this story, twins Jeremy and Liza learn about the invisible string made of love that connects us with our loved ones even when we’re apart.

The Kissing Hand

by Audrey Penn

When Chester Raccoon doesn’t want to go to school, his mother shares with him the secret of the Kissing Hand.

Llama Llama Misses Mama

by Anna Dewdney

Llama Llama doesn’t want to say goodbye to Mama Llama on his first day of preschool, but his new friends show him how fun school can be.

August2022 2022--NortheastOhioParent.com NortheastOhioParent.com August

|| 1111

Is Your Child Ready for Full-or-Part Time Preschool?

by Georgia Lattas

L

et’s face it – deciding whether to send your preschooler to full time or part time preschool is a challenging choice. For some parents who work or have other obligations, full time preschool may be the only option – but what is the difference between full time and part time preschool? How can parents make the best decision for their 3-year-old?

CONSIDER OPTIONS

Each preschool program is different – some schools may only offer mornings and some schools might not offer a five-day schedule. Be sure to ask what different options are available for your preschooler and how frequently your child can attend preschool.

“Many families now are two-parent working households, so they need to have the full time care for them,” says Mary Beth Hilborn, interim co-director of Hawken Lower School.

“But if you’re a parent who has the option of keeping your child at home with you, then I think it is important to consider, how are they during the day? How is their stamina? When you’re thinking about length of day, if you have an option to keep your child at home, you want to think about what does their afternoon look like currently at the house? If they’re sleeping for a good portion of the afternoon, then it’s probably a good idea just to have them attend school in the morning.”

Children who have spent time away from their parents, such as by attending a camp or by attending daycare, may be better equipped to handle time away from their parents, but this is not always the case. Be sure to explain to your little one the process of preschool and that they will not see Mom or Dad for a little while.

12 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

“Children who have experienced time away from their parents prior to entering preschool in some ways do come better equipped to manage full time preschool,” Danielle Hunter, director of education at The Nest Schools, says.

“For these children, they have had the chance to learn how to trust and build quality relationships with other caring adults, they feel safe in classroom environments, and they have learned to be around larger groups of children where they have likely experienced social struggles such as sharing toys, taking turns, and speaking up for themselves. Exposure to these things listed above provide a solid foundation of skills necessary for thriving in a preschool environment. Without them children wonder: am I safe here? Is this a place or person I can trust to care for me when I am away from my parents?

What is my role in this environment?”

PREPARE TO LEARN

A full day of school is a long day for children of all ages, and it can be an endurance test for children of preschool age.

“There are a lot of things children need to learn in preschool,” says Bob Rosenbaum, who manages communications for Hanna Perkins Center. “At the top of the list is that we want them to learn to enjoy school — so it becomes their choice to go, rather than something they’re compelled to do. Families can’t always accommodate a half-day preschool schedule in today’s world. But for young children, it’s a more manageable length of time. And no matter how long the day is, if the first school experience is of mom or dad disappearing and worrying if they’re coming back, it’s not a step in the right direction.”

For some children, engaging in this social environment may be especially challenging due to the pandemic.

“It’s interesting to see this group of children and see if masking has had an effect on their ability to read social cues from friends,” Hilborn says.“Depending on how many people they interacted with and who was masked, we’ll see how that affected them. So it’s kind of a question mark if the pandemic affected these children.”

“The pandemic has had a drastic impact on the social and emotional development of our youth,” Hunter says. “Those that either never attended a childcare setting or experienced prolonged absence at one point and time during the last few years really lost out on opportunities to learn and practice new social skills in the most authentic way possible: with and amongst their fellow peers. For many children they lost this time during the pandemic, but it is not impossible to rebuild. It is important for preschools to place as much value on these skills and the overall social-emotional well being and development of their children as they do any other area. Children without solid social-emotional development and skills will struggle to master the more academic pieces too. It all works together – when one area is lacking, they all will be affected.”

BEFORE YOU GO

While the pandemic raises lots of concerns for parents and can factor into whether your child attends part time or full time preschool, always be sure to ask your school for protocol relating to COVID-19 and what steps are in place to make your child more comfortable and

safe at school.

Determining whether your child is ready for full time or part time preschool can be a challenge. Most pre-kindergarteners, who are usually 4 years old, typically attend a five-day schedule.

“Some people may be wondering what makes a 4-year-old more equipped to handle a full-day schedule rather than a 3-year-old,” Hilborn says. “I just think it’s a developmental readiness. If they’ve been in our program for preschool, they’ve been here at least three mornings a week. Adding just another two mornings is a really good step for 4-year-olds.”

Most parents are concerned that their preschooler won’t be able to handle a full-day schedule because their child is too attached and doesn’t like to spend time away from Mom or Dad. “Children are often more comfortable in situations that present familiar environments, so bringing your child to the preschool and having them see the classroom and meet the teacher can calm their nerves.”

“Showing children that you feel this is a safe place and that you are excited is going to help them feel safe and ready,” Hunter says, “When we save the first visit for the very first day, tension is already high because you know that the drop off is going to be hard and those feelings spill over onto your child.”

While it may be difficult to know for certain if your child is ready for preschool, Hilborn and Hunter say parents should be aware of these telltale signs.

“See how they are during unstructured play time,” Hilborn says. “Do they have the attention to focus on something for a little bit more than five minutes at a time? There’s an indicator that they might be ready to be in a focused environment. Can they be around children,

have they been around children and been able to socially navigate and work alongside other children? Have they had experiences playing on a playground or going to a storytime or having some other kind of interaction with other children and do they seem to positively enjoy that? Can they stop one activity and move to another? Are they able to transition from one activity to another and feel good about that?

Are they independent? Those are telltale signs that a child might be ready for a school experience.”

“While we would love to provide a “one size fits all” model that determines preschool readiness, this is not the case,” Hunter says.

“Every child is going to be different when de-

termining if they are “ready” for preschool.

There are, however, some general things you may want to consider: Do they have the stamina to withstand a preschool schedule? Do they enjoy being around other children? Can they participate in group experiences? Can they work independently? Are they relatively independent? Have they expressed interest in going to school? How do they feel being away from you during the day? How do you, as their parent, feel about them entering school? The most important advice for knowing when your child is ready for preschool is to trust your instincts as their parent. You will know when the right time is and what the right program is for your child.”

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 13

Listings

B

14 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

Curiosity, Collaboration & Joyful Learning We are excited to share the Ruffing Montessori community with you. Schedule your tour today by calling Julie or Rosie at 216.321.7571.

Save the date : OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 12

18 months–8th grade

3380 Fairmount Boulevard, Cleveland Heights

ruffingmontessori.net

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 15

Listings CANTON COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Canton Country Day School is Canton’s premier private school providing superior academics, social, wellness and community support to students, preschool to eighth grade. Nestled onto a breathtaking 40-acre campus in the heart of Stark County, Canton Country Day provides individualized education to its students.

They seek to ignite students’ confidence and character, while developing academic responsibility and rigor in an interactive and innovative environment. cantoncountryday.org

CLEVELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Cleveland Montessori has been serving the Little Italy and Greater Cleveland Community for over 25 years, providing an education for life, which celebrates diversity, growth and joy. Students from preschool through eighth grade are met with respect and compassion as they strive to meet their individual potential in beautifully prepared classrooms that offer social, emotional and academic experiences in a unique urban setting. Apply now for 2022-23. 216-421-0700, info@clevelandmontessori.org, clevelandmontessori.org

CREATIVE PLAYROOMS

Creative Playrooms Montessori and Child Care Centers give children a leg up as they begin to climb the ladder of lifetime learning. Their gifted educators help kids fall in love with learning, and their centers focus on enriching the whole child — physically, emotionally, and cognitively — through their traditional and play-based Montessori approach. As an award-winning childcare provider with six locations and 50-plus years of experience in the Greater Cleveland area, Creative Playrooms offers multiple programs for infants through school-age, but also provides families an additional choice of traditional or montessori programs. creativeplayrooms.com

EMPOWERED EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY

The Empowered Early Learning Academy provides high quality preschool for ages 3 to 5. We believe that empowering children happens when families, community, and educators support the whole child. At EELA, the curriculum is STEAM based and individualized for the success of each student: socially, emotionally, and academically. We educate the whole child and family in a hands-on, play-based, inclusive, and fun-filled preschool. EELA welcomes you and your child! empoweredacademies.com

FAIRMOUNT EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

Fairmount Early Childhood Center creates an environment where learning is fun and play is important. Hands-on learning activities stimulate and challenge the students to encourage social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth. The curriculum is aligned with the Ohio Early Learning & Development Standards and developmentally appropriate practices.It balances both teacher-directed and child-initiated learning, with an emphasis on responding to children’s learning style.

Fairmount offers half-day and all-day programs for ages 3 to 5. beachwoodschools.org/fairmount.aspx

GILMOUR’S MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

Toddler (18 months to age 3) —three or five days/week; half-or full-day.

Pre-kindergarten (ages 3-4)— five days/week; half-,three-quarter- or full-day.

Montessori students enjoy unique opportunities including Spanish instruction and experiential learning opportunities such as collecting eggs from their chicken coop.

Before and after care available for those who would like to extend their day. Students then move seamlessly into the Lower School for grades kindergarten through 12th, where they continue to develop as curious learners. gilmour.org

16 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 17

Listings HAWKEN

Hawken School, a co-ed toddler through 12th grade day school, offers a nationally recognized early childhood program on its Lyndhurst campus. The school’s forward-focused mission of preparation through the development of character and intellect applies to even its youngest students through a dual commitment to academic and social curricula.

Teachers put students at the center of learning by focusing on language development, science inquiry, math awareness, creative arts exploration, and social and emotional growth. hawken.edu

LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER

As one of the first and largest nature-based preschool programs in the region, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center serves children ages 1 to 6 with age-appropriate activities to support social, physical and academic development. Children explore the wonders of science and nature with hands-on activities, crafts, music, live animal encounters, and planetarium shows.

The surrounding 100-acre parkland and access to Lake Erie serve as an extended classroom for outdoor adventures. Learn more at lensc.org/preschool-programs.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

Start your child’s education off right at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. Their full-day preschool program is located on the West Side of Cleveland and services both 3 and 4-year-olds. They adapt programs to the needs of their students, providing a unique experience for all of their preschoolers. Their preschool program collaborates directly with their school, providing a seamless transition into kindergarten. For more information please contact, reynoldsj@olmc-cleveland.org or call 216-281-7146.

OUR LADY OF THE ELMS

For 100 years, Elms students have been encouraged to explore through play-based learning and hands-on activities. Preschoolers develop kindergarten readiness skills with a focus on pre literacy through the scholastic curriculum. Their co-ed preschool program is designed for ages 3-5. Small class sizes allow for personalized instruction. On their 33-acre campus in West Akron students enjoy STEAM projects, playground activities, and urban farming. 1375 West Exchange St., Akron, 330-836-9384, theelms.org

PRE4CLE

PRE4CLE is a collective impact initiative implementing Cleveland’s plan to expand access to high-quality preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds in the city. PRE4CLE helps families find and enroll in high-quality preschool programs; connects preschool providers to tools, resources, and key partners to increase their quality and serve more children; and provides strategic leadership and advocacy to accelerate the availability of high-quality preschool in Cleveland. For more information, visit pre4cle.org

RUFFING MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights is more than just a school for children ages 18 months through eighth grade. It is a beloved community where bright, curious children are guided by experienced Montessori-trained teachers and immersed in a rigorous curriculum.

Boasting beautifully curated indoor and outdoor classroom spaces, see for yourself why Ruffing is the compelling school of choice for so many. Schedule a tour today by calling Julie or Rosie at 216-321-7571, ruffingmontessori.net

We offer content for

kids, too!

View KidStream videos online at NortheastOhioParent.com 18 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 19

The First Two Weeks of Preschool

T

By: Shana O’Malley-Smith

he first weeks of preschool are filled with a mix of excitement and nerves as your child learns the ropes of their new environment. There are a few fun things you can do to help your child ease into their new preschool routines, find comfort in the classroom and build confidence and independence as they begin the exciting adventure of school.

— Week 2 —

— WEEK 1 — Monday: Take a picture

with the classic “First Day of Preschool Sign.” This can be an annual tradition with your child from pre-k through high school.

You can find supplies to make one at your local craft store or purchase a premade one online.

Tuesday: Pack a lovey or security item. If your child feels homesick, his or her teacher can use this item to reassure them during the school day.

Wednesday: Let them have

an opinion. Let your child pick out what to wear or what to pack in their lunch. Letting your child make an “important” decision will help get them excited about the day.

Thursday: Have a Check-In Routine. Each day, talk about your child’s day during the car ride home, at dinner or before bed. Ask what they learned, what their favorite thing was and what they look forward to for the next day.

20 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE

Friday: Display their first art

project. At the end of the week, your child will likely bring home some of the projects and crafts he or she has been working on.

Make some room on your refrigerator or corkboard so your child can show off their work.

Saturday: Read the rulebook and fill out forms. Your child has likely brought home a packet outlining your school’s guidelines and policies for things like fire and safety drills, incident reporting and school closures.

Additionally, your child’s teacher might also send home a classroom rule sheet.

Sunday: Label belongings.

With multiple kids in a classroom, it’s likely that your child’s jacket or water bottle could end up going to the wrong home at the end of the day if it’s not properly labeled. To avoid mixups, anything your child brings to school should have their name on it.

Monday: Have fun in the

morning. Sing a song about tying your shoes, or make a game out of getting ready. Lightening up the morning will put your little one in a good mood for the day.

Tuesday: Start a simple goodbye routine. After a few days, the newness of the classroom might be wearing off and your child’s separation anxiety is kicking in.

Start a special hug, kiss or goodbye phrase such as “see you later alligator/after a while crocodile” for quick and easy drop-offs.

Wednesday: Pack something fun in their lunch. Whether it’s a fun shaped sandwich or a smiley face drawn on their napkin, pulling out something special and unexpected from his or her lunchbox will bring a mid-afternoon smile to their face.

Thursday: Start a sticker chart at home. Your child is likely using a chart at school, so now is the time to add one at home. You can add stickers for good drops-offs or completing simple tasks like

brushing their teeth and tidying their toys before bed.

Friday: Get a cute picture frame. Your child will have professional school pictures done in the coming weeks and you’ll want to display that sweet smile on your mantel or desk.

Buy a nice frame or find one you can paint or decorate to get your child excited about having pictures done.

Saturday: Assess your schedule. If you’ve been rushing out the door every morning, you might want to add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to your morning routine.

Or, maybe you need to set an earlier bedtime to accommodate the new school schedule.

Sunday: Make sure school clothes are comfy. Your child is doing a lot of things by themselves at school such as using the restroom or taking off their jacket and hanging it up in their cubby.

Make sure clothing items are free of complicated zippers or buttons that your child can undo by his or her self.

W

Sleep Well for Preschooler

hen it comes to staying healthy, all the hand sanitizer in the world won’t make up for lost hours of sleep. Getting enough sleep supports a healthy immune system, while sleep deprivation handicaps your immune response, leaving you, or your nightowl children, more susceptible to viral illness.

During sleep, the body releases infection-fighting proteins called cytokines that play a role in fighting infection and inflammation.

During periods of sleep deprivation, infection fighting cells are reduced. Chronic sleep loss can even make vaccines less effective, according to research. Here’s how to build a better bedtime and a stronger immune system, starting tonight.

DO THE MATH

A healthy sleep routine starts with bedtime.

According to sleep expert Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, late bedtimes cause many childhood sleep problems, because overtiredness makes it harder for children to get to sleep and stay asleep. But figuring out when to put your child isn’t easy.

To find your child’s bedtime, first determine how many hours of sleep they need in a 24-hour period to determine how many hours they can comfortably stay awake per day. For example, preschool-age children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics sleep guidelines, need (ages 3-6) 10-13 hours per day of sleep and children ages 6-12 should sleep 9-12 a day.

By Malia Jacobson

NIX NIGHTLIGHTS

You may love the way your child’s smile lights up a room, but when it comes to sleep, the best light is no light at all. Nighttime light disrupts melatonin production, and even a small nightlight or the light from electronics or a baby monitor can be enough to prevent deep, restful sleep. Dim the house lights after dinner and install effective blackout blinds to get the bedroom truly dark.

EMBRACE BORING

Sleep doctors agree that an effective bedtime routine is one that’s absolutely set in stone: the same things, in the same order, every night.

“Our bodies love routine, and this is especially so with children and bedtime,” Teitelbaum says.

Performing the same events in the same sequence before bed cues a child’s subconscious for sleep.

SHUT DOWN MEDIA MAYHEM

Bright lights, fast-paced activity, and over-stimulating content are bedtime don’ts. So television, which pours out light and stimulation just as kids should be winding down for sleep, has no place in a bedtime routine.

Numerous studies have linked screen-watching with poor sleep in children, yet it remains a common evening activity in millions of households with young kids. Shut off screens an hour before bedtime and use the

time before bed for reading and other quiet activities instead.

SERVE SLEEPYTIME SNACKS

The best bedtime snacks contain sleep-inducing tryptophan along with complex carbohydrates to help tryptophan cast its sleepy spell. Nut butter on whole-grain toast, cheese on whole-grain crackers, and cereal with milk or soy milk are great, healthy options. Be sure to serve the snack an hour before bedtime—sleeping on a full stomach can contribute to poor sleep and nightmares.

START SUNNY SIDE UP

For an better bedtime, start your child’s day off the bright way. Strong morning light helps set your child’s internal clock so they’ll fall asleep more easily come nightfall. Open their curtains to let the light shine in and serve breakfast in a sunny spot. A morning walk offers beneficial light exposure to help regulate your child’s circadian rhythm.

AVOID NAP TRAPS

Naps can help keep babies and toddlers from becoming overtired, and new research from Emory University shows that they help babies learn and retain new information. But napping all day is guaranteed to make your child nocturnal. To promote healthy naps while preserving nighttime sleep. Preschoolers should end afternoon naps four hours before bedtime.

ON THE MOVE

A body in motion is one that’s primed for sleep, because exercise helps children fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. Aim for at least 60 minutes per day of vigorous activity. Babies need lots of time on their tummies and backs to roll, wiggle, and work their muscles, while toddlers and older children can run, jump, climb, and stretch their way to sounder sleep.

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published sleep and health journalist.

August 2022 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 21

22 | PRESCHOOL GUIDE