5 Ways To Encourage Summer Reading

Just because school is out doesn't mean that learning should stop throughout the summer. Don’t let your child be affected by the “summer slide”--engage them in educational activities! Help your child get a head start on their studies by encouraging summer reading with these five tips:

Do Your Research

Having a hard time deciding on a book for your child? Children don’t just need any books- they need the right books. Providing your children with books that match their skill level and interest will keep them engaged and make them look forward to reading.

Make Reading a Priority

Setting aside a specific time of day when your child should read will get them used to a reading routine and teach them that reading is a priority. Even small stints of scheduled reading can make a huge difference in kid’s attitude and affinity for it.

Check Your Local Library

Your local library is a great resource in promoting reading over the summer. Aside from the tons of book options, there’s also a schedule of free events held all summer long. Many libraries offer a summer reading program as well, to support learning all year round. Sign your child up for their own library card  to get them involved and excited about making a visit.

Read Aloud

Reading aloud to your children builds fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Choose a book to read aloud together--ones that incorporate pictures are helpful in keeping their attention and another way to assist with learning.

Go online

There are lots of online reading sites for young children out there--utilize them! StorylineOnline is a great, free site where actors creatively read books aloud to kids. They feature plenty of well-known picture books to choose from and even include original background music to accompany the read aloud.

Most of all, show your child that reading can be fun! At Miss Sue's, our learning centers emphasize individual growth through language arts. Every day our children are involved with interactive language experiences. Enroll your child now for the upcoming school season. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at 516-938-0894 or visit us on Facebook to learn more.

Things Your Child Should Know Before Kindergarten

Preschool time should be all about fostering a love to play, learn and explore within your children! While it’s important for your children to learn in the classroom, it’s equally important for them to continue learning at home to get them ready for the next phase of their lives. Have you ever wondered what exactly your children need to know before kindergarten?

This Get-Ready-For-Kindergarten checklist will be sure to keep you and your kids on track!

They should be able to…

• State first and last name when asked.
• Write first name with first letter upper case and remaining letters lower case.
• Use appropriate three-finger grasp when using writing instruments (pencils, crayons and scissors).
• Know all the letters in their first name.
• Identify basic geometric shapes (triangle, circle, square, rectangle, oval, star, diamond and heart.
• Know basic colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, black, white, brown, pink).
• Count to 10 and identify numerals 1-10 in random order.
• Make most letter/sound matches.
• Identify most upper and lower case letters.
• Know the alphabet
• Sing along to songs learned in the classroom.

Socially, your child should be able to…

• Use restroom independently including washing hands without reminder.

• Take off and put on outerwear including jackets, mittens, hat and scarf.

• Sit for a story for 5-10 minutes.

• Clean up after themselves.

• Shares materials and toys with other children.

• Be confident and ready to separate from parent.

• Be able to listen and follow 2-3 step directions.

• Be able to solve problems without aggression.

Looking for superior school to get your kids ready for Kindergarten? Look no further than Miss Sue's Nursery School on Long Island! We would love for you to visit our school and see our program in action. To schedule an appointment or to learn more, give us a call at  516-938-0894 or visit us on Facebook.

Water Safety Tips for Kids

There are few things better than jumping in a swimming pool or taking a dip at the beach to provide some cool relief from hot weather. But something so fun can also be very dangerous for kids! Parents must take precautions to keep their kids safe in the water. Here are some tips to keep your little ones safe this summer.

• Be aware of all small bodies of water. Children are drawn to places like fishponds, fountains, watering cans and bathtubs. Make sure to pay extra close attention when your child is near an area like this, and always empty containers of water to avoid any unnecessary danger!
• Swimming pools require constant supervision. Any time your child is in a pool, even a shallow baby pool, they should be watched by someone who knows CPR and is always within arms length.
• Extra precautions must be taken when your child is playing in an area near a pool. Make sure to enforce a no running rule and that the pool is surrounded with at least a 4 foot fence with a functioning gate.
• Always remove a pool cover completely and put away floats and inflatables when they are not in use. These can serve as potential hazards to children if they cover their head, making it harder for them to go above the water.
• Make sure your child wears a life jacket anytime he/she swims or rides in a boat. It’s important that the jacket fits properly and can’t be lifted over their head after it’s fastened.
• Eliminate distractions when supervising your children in the water. Talking on the phone, working on the computer or tending to other household chores can all wait until your child is safely out of the water.

We hope that these tips will keep your kids safe in the water this summer! If you’re looking for a superior Nursery School on Long Island to send your child to next year, choose Miss Sue’s. But don't wait until the summer is over to enroll. Call 516-938-0894 today to inquire about enrollment.

Sun Protection Tips For Kids

It’s National Sun Protection Week! And while we’re all for having fun in the sun this summer, we’d prefer to do it safely. The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during childhood, and just one bad burn can lead to an increased risk of melanoma later in life. Protect your children from the sun’s harmful ways with these tips.

• Limit sun exposure: The sun is strongest between the hours of 10am and 4pm, even on cloudy days! If possible, keep your children indoors or in shadier spots during that time.
• Sunscreen is your friend: Choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and apply it liberally to your child. Look for products with UVA and UVB protection to ensure optimal coverage--and don’t forget to reapply it every 2 to 3 hours, or after sweating or swimming.
• Cover up: We don’t expect your child to stay indoors all summer, so in addition to sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and hats will greatly reduce their chances of getting burned. Keep your kids in dark colored clothing, and opt for long sleeves or pants whenever possible. Wide brimmed hats and sunglasses with a 99-100% UV protection also help in your quest to remain blister-free!

We hope that these tips will keep your kids safe from the sun this summer! If you’re looking for a superior Nursery School on Long Island to send your child to next year, choose Miss Sue’s. But don't wait until the summer is over to enroll. Call 516-938-0894 today to inquire about enrollment.

5 Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained This Summer

School’s (almost) out for summer! For kids, this is what they’ve been waiting for all year. But for parents, thinking of ways to keep your kids busy all summer can seem a bit overwhelming. While sending your child to day camp is an ideal way to keep them occupied, help them grow and develop their social skills, these additional activities will keep them entertained before they get there.

                            

Have a Treasure Hunt: Kids love adventure and setting up a treasure hunt is the best way to bring some excitement to their summer vacation.

Ride 100 Miles This Summer: We can’t stress enough the importance of keeping your kids active and healthy-- and making a fun game out of it is a great incentive. Create a chart with 100 squares and each time your family rides a mile on their bike, cross off a square. This will keep them engaged in physical activity and help with their counting too!

Visit the Library: The library offers so many wonderful programs in the summer. Take advantage of them by checking your local library’s schedule for craft sessions, science programs and story time!

Take a Walk Down Memory Lane: Revisit your childhood by introducing your kids to some of the fun things you did on your summer vacations. Did you hula hoop for hours? Or perhaps spent all night playing kickball? Your kids will have a blast playing these games while you relive your fond childhood memories.

Create Art: Summer time is the best time for getting messy outdoors. Set up a craft station with paint, glue, glitter and poster board and let their imaginations run wild.

Looking for a fun and educational way to keep your kids busy this summer? Miss Sue’s Summer Fun program is designed to nurture and build self-esteem in your children while they have fun in the sun. To learn more about the program, give us a call at 516-366-5623.