Ways To Help Your Kids Make New Year’s Resolutions

2017 is right around the corner! The new year is a perfect time to celebrate a new beginning and focus on things you’d like to improve that upcoming year. Encouraging your children to make resolutions can be a fun and exciting way to prepare for growth and change and to help show them about the importance of striving to achieve goals. Help your children start fresh and reach their goals in 2017 by making resolutions.

Be Resolution Role Models- As a parent, it’s important to practice what you preach. If you want your child to focus on setting intentions for the next 12 months, show them that you are doing the same by making your own resolutions. Setting goals together is a great way to encourage family bonding and togetherness.

Keep a Positive Approach to Resolutions- There's a celebratory feeling to setting goals on New Year's that doesn't exist at other times of the year. Setting goals should evoke feelings of happiness for you and your child. To help your child set their intentions, start by going over the positive things they  accomplished last year and ask them to expand on it. Keeping things positive will help them be more excited to strive to reach them.

Narrow Down the Resolutions List- It’s important not to end up with too many resolutions that could overwhelm your child and make them feel like they have a lot to tackle this year. Narrow it down to two or three resolutions and help them make small steps towards achieving their goal. If your child wants to improve their writing, instead of tackling every letter at once, have them master each letter at a time by practicing in fun ways every day.

Help your child achieve their goals in 2017 by enrolling them in a superior nursery school. At Miss Sue’s Nursery School, our prime educational goal is the development of the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically and educationally. A multi-sensory, holistic approach to learning is provided through play, art, music and physical activities. To learn more about the school or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 516-938-0894.

Why Books Make Great Holiday Gifts

‘Tis the season to go gift shopping! Whether you’re buying for loved ones, co-workers, friends, or your little one at home, finding that perfect gift can be a nerve-wracking task. But it doesn’t have to be! There’s one universal gift that is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face--a book! If you’re buying for the little student in your life, giving the gift of reading and learning is priceless. Here are some other reasons why books make the best holiday gifts:

What books are you going to get your children for the holidays? Let us know on our Facebook page.

At Miss Sue’s Nursery School, our prime educational goal is the development of the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically and educationally. A multi-sensory, holistic approach to learning is provided through play, art, music and physical activities. To learn more about the school or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 516-938-0894.

Why You Should Vote For Miss Sue’s

By now you have probably heard that Miss Sue’s has been voted “Best of Long Island’s Best Nursery School” for the past seven years in a row, and we are happy to be nominated again this year! We recognize that we are nothing without our devoted staff, students and their families and we appreciate all of your loyalty in helping make Miss Sue’s what it is today!  

Nursery school sets the stage for a child's educational career. That's why it is so important to choose a great nursery school. If you want a safe and nurturing environment, and the best education available, then Miss Sue's Nursery School is perfect for your child.

We treat each student as an individual and encourage personal growth and development through group and independent lessons, learning centers and play.  Our curriculum features Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts and Art. Our teachers tailor lessons to accommodate the individual learning needs of each and every child, providing them with the support and attention necessary to thrive. When children are not at work, they are playing with blocks, tools, crafts, puzzles, etc. Playtime allows children to be creative while interacting with others. We know we are doing our job right when children look forward to coming to school.

We need your help! Please cast your vote here and help us take home the title of Best Nursery School for 2017!

We truly appreciate your business and support and allowing us to love what we do!

If you’re looking for a superior nursery school on Long Island, look no further than Miss Sue's Nursery School! To learn more about our curriculum or to schedule a tour to see our program in action, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

Thanksgiving Crafts For Preschoolers

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! What better way to teach your children about this holiday, than by making some Thanksgiving crafts? From turkey to pilgrims to cornucopias, these Thanksgiving crafts are a perfect way to have some educational fun with your kids at home:

Mayflower Craft

Teach your kids about the pilgrims and their journey to this “new world” with this cute Mayflower craft! Most of the materials needed will be common household items, so grab your supplies and let your creativity unfold.

What you’ll need:

• Small box
• Brown paint
• Paint brushes
• Scissors
• Clay or play-doh
• Drinking straws
• Paper
• Black marker

For full directions, or to see a finished product, click here.

Pudding Turkey Craft

This is a great craft to help your child tap into their sensory skills, and is perfect for very little kids. But no matter how old your children are, everyone will have a blast, getting their hands dirty with this fun turkey craft.

What you’ll need:

• Chocolate pudding
• Thick cardboard or posterboard
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Googly eyes (optional)

For full directions, click here.

Paper Plate Pilgrim Crafts

These crafts are great ways to teach your kids about history, where you can even use books to supplement your lesson. Making these pilgrims will be fun and creative ways for your children to gain some educational information at home.

What you’ll need:

• Large paper plate
• Small paper plate
• Beige paint
• Paint brush
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Tape
• Crayons

For the pilgrim template and full directions, click here.

Fingerprint Turkey Place Card

Have your little ones help you set the table with their personalized place cards for the whole family. They will have a blast creating these and knowing they were a part of Thanksgiving preparation. These quick crafts will turn any table into a happy and festive one!

• What you’ll need:
• Red, orange, yellow and brown paint
• Black marker
• White posterboard

For full directions, click here.

We hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving. At Miss Sue’s we are thankful for the staff, students and family members who make up this wonderful school. Our prime educational goal is the development of the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically and educationally. To learn more about the school or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 516-938-0894.

Ways To Encourage Kids To Be Thankful

It’s so important to teach our children to be grateful, and Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect for all that we have to be thankful for. Practicing daily gratitude has been said to come with an array of benefits like a happier more positive outlook on life, a better achievement of personal goals and a way to form closer relationships with loved ones. This holiday season, encourage your children to be thankful for all that they have with these tips:

Write Daily Sticky Notes: Making a habit of writing one thing your child is grateful for and sticking them on the mirror is a great way to get them to think about all that they appreciate.

Make Space For Thanks: Every night at dinner, as a family, go around the table and have  each family member state one thing they are thankful for that happened to them that day.

Keep a Gratitude Journal:  Encourage your child to write a list (with your help) about things they are grateful for, or as the holidays get close, things they admire about each family member.

Designate a No- Complaining Day: We know the daily stresses of life can get you and your family down, but designating  a “no-complaining” day once a week will help your children be aware of every time they focus on something negative. You’ll be amazed at how making a conscious decision to not complain will be really effective.

Model Gratitude Yourself: Be a positive role model for your children by making gratitude part of your daily life. They will be more inclined to focus on the good if they see the exemplary behavior demonstrated by you!

At Miss Sue’s we are thankful for the staff, students and family members who make up this wonderful school. Our prime educational goal is the development of the whole child — socially, emotionally, physically and educationally. To learn more about the school or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 516-938-0894.

Kid Friendly Ways To Stay Healthy At School

We’re veering into prime cold and flu season, so now’s the time to really work on keeping your little ones healthy. Since children have weaker immune systems, they’re more susceptible to getting sick and find it harder to fight off the germs they are exposed to at school. It is important for kids to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest so their bodies stay healthy. But can you do more? It’s important that you teach your kids some ways to stay healthy by encouraging them to do the following:

• Always cover their coughs and sneezes to avoid spreading diseases. Teach your kids to cover their coughs and sneezes by coughing into the crook of their arm if they don’t have a tissue. This will prevent germs from spreading onto their hands and then other surfaces where more children can get infected.
• Keep hands away from eyes and mouth. Since tiny hands are often covered in germs, it’s important for you to teach your child to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and out of their mouth.  
• Don’t share water bottles or food. Make sure your child knows that anything that goes in their mouth should not be shared with their friends and vice versa.
• Wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. This is the single most important thing you can teach your child to cut down their risk of a cold and flu. Make hand washing a game, by encouraging them to sing “Happy Birthday” or their “ABCs” while scrubbing to ensure that they get good and clean. While regular hand washing is important, it is especially crucial before eating.
• Play! Getting plenty of exercise helps their body and mind stay healthy, benefiting their immune system.
• Eat healthy foods. Be sure to include lots of healthy foods in their diet. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables will aide their growing bodies in providing them with essential vitamins and minerals.
• Sleep. Nothing rejuvenates your child’s body and helps them build up their immune system like getting a good night’s rest.

We hope that the tips above help your little one stay healthy. At Miss Sue's, your child's healthy and safety are our main concerns. Looking for a health conscious nursery school on Long Island? If so, choose Miss Sue's Nursery School! Call 516-938-0894 today to inquire about enrollment.

Fun Family Fall Activities

The crisp air, the bright colored leaves, the pumpkin patches--Fall is a season filled with lots of opportunities to enjoy some family fun. From planned out day trips on the weekend to spontaneous simple moments, here are some ways to enjoy family fun activities this season:

• Rake up some leaves...and then jump in them!
• Go apple picking...and then make a pie.
• Make your child’s Halloween costume together.
• Head to a pumpkin patch...and then carve a jack-o-lantern.
• Make delicious hot chocolate.
• Buy a new book, get cozy on a chilly day and read together.
• Go to a haunted house.
• Take a nature walk and collect colorful leaves.
• Decorate your home for the season.
• Make a creative project using the items from your nature walk.
• Go on a fall picnic with your family.
• Take a drive on an open road to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery.
• Collect pinecones...and then paint them!
• Attend a fall fair.
• Build an indoor fort and tell spooky ghost stories inside.
• Make a scarecrow to decorate your front lawn.
• Go on a hot air balloon ride--after all, there is no better way to enjoy the fall foliage.
• Bake Halloween cookies to give out to your friends.

For more fun fall activities to enjoy with your family, visit here.

It’s important to let your child tap into their imagination at home. And while they’re at school, Miss Sues’ curriculum is set up to foster creativity while providing your children with the best education available. If you’re looking for a superior nursery school on Long Island, choose Miss Sue's! To learn more about our program, give us a call at 516-938-0894 or visit our website.

Children's Halloween Safety Tips

Ghouls and goblins and witches, oh my! When it comes to Halloween, it’s fun to be scared--but not at the expense of your child’s safety! If you’re taking to the streets to embark on the great candy hunt that comes once a year, make sure to be safe! These Halloween safety tips will have ensure you and your child have a fun day, out of harm’s way:

Costume Safety:

• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective--make sure they fit your child well to avoid the risk of injury.
• Add reflective tape to their candy collecting bags.
• Opt for face makeup instead of masks to avoid blocking their eyesight.

• Be sure to look for wigs and costumes that are flame resistant.

On the Trick Or Treat Trail:

• Always be sure to accompany your child on their neighborhood rounds.
• Provide flashlights for your kids, as it gets darker much earlier around Halloween time.
• If your children are old enough to go out alone, make sure you plan and review a route that is safe for them to go and that they always stay with a group of friends.
• Reinforce to your child that they should never ever enter a home or car for a treat.
• Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk, making sure to look both ways when crossing.
• Refrain from using your cell phone while trick or treating as you’ll want to be alert and looking all around for motorists.

We hope you and your children have a safe and happy Halloween!

Safety is of the utmost importance when it comes to your family and children. If you’re looking for a safe and nurturing environment to provide a top-notch education to your child, Miss Sue’s is the answer! To learn more about our program or to take a tour of the school, give us a call at 516-938-0894 or visit us here.

Fall Activities To Do With Your Children

Break out the pumpkins, leaves and glitter--fall is officially here! Fall is one of the best times of year to get crafty with your kids. Let nature be your supplies, and gather sticks, leaves and acorns to make some of the cutest and most creative projects to dress up your home. If you’re looking for some fun fall activities to keep your little ones busy, try these out:

Glittery Pine Cones

Materials Needed: Pine cones, glue bottles, mini pom-poms and small glitter glue bottles.

Have your children use the glue to place pom poms on their pinecones. Then, drizzle glue on the cones and have them sprinkle glitter all over. These make great decorations to hang around the home, and are perfect pieces to keep until Christmas.

Autumn Wreath

Materials Needed: pine needles, green and brown leaves, pine cones, cinnamon sticks, glue, paper plates with the middles cut out.

Dress up your front door with this festive wreath! Take your child on a nature walk to gather supplies--the brightest colored leaves, acorns, sticks and pine needles. Then, let them arrange the materials on a paper plate with the middle cut out and break out the glue. You can add cinnamon sticks, glitter or even some ribbon for an extra festive touch! Your child will be so thrilled to see their masterpiece hanging on the front door to greet visitors over the holiday season.

Pumpkin Decorating

Materials Needed: Pumpkins, glitter, paint, markers, pom poms.

No fall activity would be complete without incorporating a pumpkin into the mix. Take a new approach on the traditional pumpkin carving, and have your child decorate and dress up their pumpkins with art supplies. Set up a station complete with paint, glitter, pom poms, stickers and any other crafty supplies, and let their imaginations run wild! You can even invite your child’s friends over for a fun pumpkin party and see how different and unique each one turns out!

It’s important to let your child tap into their imagination at home. And while they’re at school, Miss Sues’ curriculum is set up to foster creativity while providing your children with the best education available. If you’re looking for a superior nursery school on Long Island, choose Miss Sue's! To learn more about our program, give us a call at 516-938-0894 or visit our website.