How Cooking Builds Motor Skills

When it comes to early childhood development, Miss Sue’s takes the lead! Whether it’s arts and crafts or story time, the educational and developmental possibilities are truly endless at our school. As it’s known, one of the most important skills any child can develop at an early age are motor skills. If you’re looking for another fun way for your child to enhance these essential skills, then it’s time to have them help in the kitchen — and here’s why:

Hands On Approach

Just like participating in a modeling clay project at Miss Sue’s during arts and crafts time, cooking fine tunes motor skills within children. From preparing the ingredients to cooking the actual meal itself (with strict supervision and help from a parent/guardian), it will help enhance their motor skills — whilst be entertained, too! One of the best ways to introduce your child to the joys of cooking is to bake cookies. As it’s known, cookies are created from dough — whether that be store-bought or homemade. When you let your child help prepare the cookie dough, they’ll be using a series of hand and eye coordination to get the baking essential ready for the best part: the actual cookies. To start, give your child a ball of cookie dough and a light/durable plastic rolling pin. Next, instruct them to flatten/roll the dough so that it is even and ready for cookies to be cut from it. As your child rolls the dough with the rolling pin, they’ll be using their strength, which enhances their coordination (also known as bilateral coordination). This is truly an essential element in motor skill building — but what exactly does bilateral coordination entail?

Bilateral Coordination

When learning how to cook, your child will not only enhance their overall motor skills, but will also strengthen their bilateral coordination — which falls under the category of gross motor skills (another important category within the realm of motor skills). Just like hand and eye coordination, bilateral coordination is when an individual uses both sides of their body to get a task done. When using rolling pin to flatten out cookie dough, your child is using both hands and arms to get the task done. Bilateral coordination is an essential skill since many day-to-day activities require both sides of the body to exert the action, such as tying shoes and once they get older, driving a car. Cooking not only introduces bilateral coordination, but it also strengthens it over time, making the task effortless for your child. Here at Miss Sue’s, students fine-tune their bilateral coordination through unstructured play, crafts and so much more!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

Important Winter Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

Winter is a great season for outdoor activities, like playing in the snow! But with the cold weather and icy conditions also comes safety precautions that need to be bad. Make sure your child stays safe this chilly season with these winter safety tips:

General Safety

• Children shouldn’t play outside alone. Always make sure you’re supervising them.
• Check often to see that your child is warm and dry. Children should take regular breaks and come inside for a warm drink.
• While a light snowfall can be tons of fun for children, never send them outside in extreme weather conditions, such as a snowstorm.
• Keep your kids indoors if the windchill is reported as 16oF or lower.
• Apply sunscreen to exposed skin when your child is playing outdoors, even when it’s cloudy.

Clothing Safety

• Dress your child in layers of clothing that can be put on and taken off easily.
• Be sure your child always wears a hat to avoid escaping body heat and to keep their ears covered.
• Wear warm, waterproof boots that are roomy enough for an extra pair of socks
• Use a neck warmer instead of a scarf, and mitten clips instead of a string to prevent choking.
• Remove wet clothing and boots immediately after playing.

Winter play

• Keep your child away from snowplows and snow blowers.
• Choose play areas away from roads, fences and water.
• Take extra caution when crossing roads. Visibility to drivers driving during snowy conditions might be diminished.

At Miss Sue’s, we understand the importance of staying active and having play time. Playtime is necessary for children because they are playful by nature. It is important to set aside some time daily for your child to engage in unstructured play. We believe in a multi-sensory approach to learning that is provided through play. If you’re you looking for a superior nursery school on Long Island, look no further than Miss Sue's Nursery School! Call 516-938-0894 or visit our website, to inquire about enrollment.

4 Winter Books to Read With Your Child

Winter is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with a good book! From marvelous picture books to festive story books — the possibilities are endless for the perfect seasonal story to read with your little one! If you’re not sure which book to read first, here are a few great choices:

Book 1: The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

Known as the most popular picture book in the literary world, The Snowman tells the story of a young boy who meets his new friend, a magical snowman, on the snowiest day in the countryside. Throughout the story, the boy and snowman embark on a grand adventure, in which the snowman shows the boy what the world looks like through his snow-filled eyes. It’s truly the perfect picture book to view with your child and will definitely get them in the spirit of wintertime fun!

Book 2: Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Taking place during a clear winter night, a father takes his daughter on a walk through the woods to find an owl. While on their journey, the father makes owl-like noises to see if they can spot one of these majestic creatures. Continuing on with their walk, the two discover that sometimes owls might be present — and sometimes they might not. No matter the outcome, the story teaches children to always have hope, and no matter what the outcome may be to always enjoy the journey!

Book 3: Snow by P.D. Eastman and Roy McKie

Edited by the late Dr. Seuss, this story truly encompasses everything about winter! From sledding down a hill to playing in the snow, this story will bring a plethora of wintertime joy to your child! Through the illustrations drawn and words written, Snow is a beloved classic and will always be fun to read with your little one throughout the season!

Book 4: The Big Snow by Berta Hader and Elmer Hader

Known as a story that tells the tale of nature in wintertime, this is the perfect book to read with your child. Depicting the true realm of the wild, The Big Snow shows children that although some animals may migrate south for the winter, some animals stay within their natural habitat and prepare for the colder temperatures. This tale is perfect for teaching children the animal kingdom and what happens in nature once the temperature drops. It’s truly a fun, informative read!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

How Miss Sue's Increases Social Development

It is no secret that children love playtime -- but what about social development? Sure, it's not something that comes to mind (especially for a child), but playtime does develop this essential skill -- and especially through unstructured playtime at Miss Sue's! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, free play time is essential to the cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being of children and youth. Here are some reasons why unstructured plays a huge role at Miss Sue's

• Play promotes healthy development of the brain.
• Unstructured play helps children learn how to work collaboratively, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and learn self-advocacy skills.
• When play is child-driven, children practice decision-making skills, move at their own pace, and discover areas of interest on their own.
• Free play time prepares your child to become a successful adult. They will learn how to be agile and adaptable during this time, shifting gears accordingly.
• Play offers parents a wonderful opportunity to engage fully with their children. It gives kids a chance to develop their social skills as they communicate with the people they are playing with.
• Play and unscheduled time that allows for peer interactions is an important component of social-emotional learning.
• Unstructured, child-driven, creative play protects against the effects of pressure and stress.

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

3 Fun Winter Crafts to Try at Home

Already gearing up for the winter? Here at Miss Sue’s, we’re providing our students with fun winter-based activities and lessons, such as arts and crafts! If you’re looking for some exciting arts and crafts activities to do with your child this weekend, then here are some great, motor skill-building crafts to do:

Craft 1: Snowflake Painting

When thinking about the wintertime, what’s the first thing that comes to mind besides snow? Snowflakes! To start, get a few sheets of white construction paper and tape them together to make a large canvas. Next, take some clear tape and makes some snowflakes (out of the tape) across the paper in a random pattern. After that, give your child some non-toxic, washable blue paint — and let them paint the entire surface. Once your little artist has finished covering the paper in blue paint, let it dry for a few hours. Finally, once the paint has dried, let them pull the tape off to bring the snowflakes to life!

Craft 2: Puffy Names

Looking to give your child the ultimate winter wonderland experience? Let them spell out their name using mini-marshmallows! Easy as 1-2-3, purchase a bag of mini-marshmallows from your local grocery store! Before the craft begins, let your child know that they cannot eat the marshmallows they use — and that you’ll set some off to the side for them to enjoy later. Once that rule is established, give your child non-toxic glue, blue construction paper (with their name already written to follow as a guide), and a bowl of “crafting” marshmallows. After you have provided them with the materials, it’s time to let them spell out their name! Once their masterpiece dries, it will certainly make a great focal point amongst your holiday decorations!

Craft 3: Soft Snowman

Although snow may not be present, it’s never to early to build a snowman with your child! To start, pick up a bag of cotton balls from your dollar store, in addition to some construction paper and non-toxic glue. Once you acquire the required materials, it’s then time to let your child build that snowman! If you’d like, you can certainly draw a snowman outline on the construction paper before you present it to your child as a guide! No matter how many cotton balls they use, their snowman will surely look like a work of art!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

The Importance Of Playtime

Let’s face it: every child loves playtime! Whether it’s using building blocks or playing with dolls, there is no greater way for your child to have fun and express their imagination! Here at Miss Sue’s, we know how great playtime is and we always emphasize its importance. Besides having fun, playtime will help your child develop the following skills:

Builds Language Skills

One of the biggest benefits of playtime is that it builds your child’s language skills! From interacting with other children, to narrating a scene when playing with their toys, it’s truly the best practice for developing communication skills. In addition to these forms of spoken communication formed from playtime, your child will also grow comfortable voicing what they like and dislike when it comes to choosing a toy or activity. This not only builds their confidence, but it also helps them develop their own voice!

Builds Social Skills

When your child participates in playtime with their classmates at Miss Sue’s, they’re also building their social skills. As we all know, teamwork is the most important element to instill within students at an early age, and here at Miss Sue’s, that’s an easy skill to accomplish. For example, if your child is playing a game of tag or go fish, your child will have to communicate with their classmates to not only play each game as a team, but to also have fun in the process!

Builds Motor Skills

In addition to language and social skills, playtime also builds motor skills! That’s right: when your child is playing with their favorite toy, it will develop these essential skills over time. Here at Miss Sue’s, we realize how important motor skills are and how big of a role they play in everyday life. When your child is participating in playtime, they are building an incredible set of pertinent skills for a lifetime!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

4 Thanksgiving Books to Read With Your Child

Thanksgiving is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with a good book! From marvelous picture books to festive story books — the possibilities are endless for the perfect holiday story time read with your little one! If you’re not sure which book to read first, here are a few great choices:

Book 1: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Charles M. Schulz

Based on the beloved television classic, this book is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit with your little one! In the traditional Peanuts style, Charlie Brown is planning another festive gathering with his friends and beloved dog: Snoopy. When Brown prepares Thanksgiving dinner, his friend Peppermint Patty isn’t too thrilled with the meal. Just like the televised cartoon, this book will teach the true importance of Thanksgiving, while providing some laughs!

Book 2: Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

Known as a Thanksgiving staple to homes across America, the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is quite the site to see! If your child is enamored by this fun, festive parade, then this book will be the perfect fit! Author/artist Melissa Sweet penned this incredible book that tells the story of Tony Sarg: the man who created the larger than life puppet balloons in the parade. From the colorful illustrations to the facts provided, this picture book will give your child a new perspective on the famed parade — and will make watching it on television (or in person) even more exciting!

Book 3: Arthur’s Thanksgiving by Marc Brown

Arthur the aardvark is at is again! Based on the beloved animated children’s series, this Thanksgiving story tells the tale of Arthur being chosen to direct his annual school play, but with a Thanksgiving twist. When rehearsals for the show begin, Arthur’s classmates are happy  — but they’re not thrilled with their roles. Crunched for time before the show’s opening, Arthur has no choice but to become the turkey in his production. This heartwarming tale will explain the true meaning of Thanksgiving, and will instantly become a family favorite!

Book 4: Dora’s Thanksgiving by Sarah Wilson

Everyone’s favorite explorer is on the quest for the best Thanksgiving ever! Dora the Explorer and her pal Boots are getting ready to celebrate one of their favorite holidays with Dora’s entire family. From an incredible dinner to tasty treats, it’s truly a Thanksgiving to remember! Follow along on Dora’s holiday journey and discover what Dora is truly thankful for! Your child will love this book and it will definitely become a staple in their personal library!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

4 Great Halloween Books to Read With Your Child

Halloween is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with a good book! From marvelous picture books to festive story books — the possibilities are endless for the perfect holiday story time read with your little one! If you’re not sure which book to read first, here are a few great choices:

Book 1: Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds

If you’re looking for a non-spooky, fun book to read your kids on Halloween, look no further than Reynold’s Creepy Carrots! This picture book tells the tale of Jasper Rabbit and how his beloved food (carrots) begins to become alive — and Jasper needs to find a way to stop them! With an array of great characters and photos, this book will be an instant classic — and will be a fun, exciting story to read with your child on Halloween!

Book 2: Click, Clack, Boo! By Doreen Cronin

When a farmer isn’t too thrilled with Halloween, he decides to not celebrate the holiday and goes to bed early. Although the farmer isn’t in the festive spirit, his farm animals are quite excited for the holiday — and decide to celebrate while he’s asleep! The funny tale describes the animals having a Halloween party, and providing some tricks — rather than treats! Your little one will love this hilarious story — and will giggle for sure!

Book 3: Pinkalicious: Pink or Treat! By Victoria Kann

Everyone’s favorite character is back — and more festive than ever! Before everyone in Pinkalicious’ town is about to go trick-or-treating on Halloween — the power goes out, leaving everyone in the dark. Although the power is out, that won’t stop Pinkalicious from saving the day, and bringing the joy of Halloween to everyone she encounters! If your little one is a fan of superheroes and/or Pinkalicious, then this will be a great book to read!

Book 4: Monster Needs a Costume by Paul Czajak

As we know, finding a costume can take quite some time, since the possibilities are endless! If you’re looking for a comedic book about the ultimate Halloween costume search, then check out Monster Needs a Costume by Paul Czajak. This story tells the tale of Monster, as he tries to find the perfect costume for the big day! Your child will surely laugh out loud when they see the funny outfits that Monster tires on!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

3 Ways Arts and Crafts at Miss Sue's Will Benefit Your Child

From Picasso to Rembrandt, the world has seen their fair share of artists — but have they seen the brilliant creations of the artists at Miss Sue’s? From creating gallery-worthy paintings to magnificent clay sculptures, our students express their creativity in a variety of art projects in class! Here at Miss Sue’s, arts and crafts play a huge a role in our daily curriculum and here’s why:

Way 1: Expresses Creativity

When a work of art is created by a famous artist, such as Jackson Pollock, the artist creates the piece as a way to express their thoughts on a canvas. When your child creates a masterpiece at Miss Sue’s, not only are they expressing their creativity, but they’re also using this activity as way to relay a message to their audiences. Just like writing a story on a piece of paper, art can be seen in a similar light. Here at Miss Sue’s, we always encourage our students to use their imagination and let it be seen/heard through their artwork!

Way 2: Craft Fine Motor Skills

In addition to expressing their imagination through art, working with a variety of mediums/materials will help students craft their fine motor skills. At Miss Sue’s, we love to provide our students with a variety of different art projects ranging from painting a picture to sculpting with clay. By giving our students these different crafting projects, with a variety of tools to use (such a plastic clay cutting shapes), it will help your child finetune these small, intricate movements that they can implement into their daily routines!

Way 3: Increase Coordination

Although video games should be played in moderation, they do increase hand and eye coordination — and the same applies for arts and crafts! When your child works on an art and crafts project at Miss Sue’s, they’re not only using their talents to create a beautiful work of art — but they’re increasing their coordination skills. Since most art projects require students to use both hands to create the craft, this will prepare them for other essential skills such as tying their shoes and brushing their hair. Arts and crafts opens up a series of opportunities for students —  and it is truly the most fun way to do it!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

3 Halloween Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

Bright colored costumes, piles of candy and freshly carved pumpkins only mean one thing: Halloween. Holding a reputation for being one of the largest celebrated holidays on the planet, it’s definitely a school favorite here at Miss Sue’s! Once the crayons are put away for the day, it will be time to take your child trick-or-treating in your neighborhood! Before you pick up the plastic candy bucket and step out the door, here are some general safety tips you should know:

Tip 1: Bring Flashlights

As the autumn sun begins to set faster each day, it’s important to know that it will get dark quickly. The best solution for trick-or-treating after sunset is to bring flashlights with you. Not only will this be the best way for you and your child to navigate dark walkways — but it will also be a great indicator to vehicles when you’re crossing the street. If you want to add a fun element for your child, we suggest purchasing some fun light-up accessories (such as a bracelet) to really get into the Halloween spirit!

Tip 2: Use Reflective Tape

In addition to lighting up neighborhood walkways with your flashlights, reflective tape is another must. If your child’s costume isn’t composed of bright colors, then this safety tool will work wonders. To start: purchase a roll of inexpensive reflective tape at your local home improvement or craft store. Once you acquire the tape, stick some strips around the end of pant legs and sleeves — since these will be the most visible areas. After you apply the reflective tape, it will create a flash every time light hits the tape.If you’re feeling extra festive, you can even take a plain t-shirt and create a pumpkin design out of reflective tape in the center!

Tip 3: Always Check Candy

The most important Halloween safety tip is to check all candy that your child acquires when you go trick-or-treating. The best way to check candy is to do it as soon as you get home, and have your child spread the sugary sweets across your kitchen table. If your child is persistent on having some candy, you can have them sit next to you as you evaluate the candy. When you deem a piece is good, you can give it to your child — and they’ll be sure to love that sweet surprise!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

3 Ways Miss Sue's Teaches Motor Skills

One of the most important skills your child will learn during their early education years are motor skills. Being used in a variety of daily activities such as turning a doorknob or twisting a key, motor skills will help spark their independence — and at Miss Sue’s, that’s an easy feat to accomplish. If you’re curious as to how our team ignites this spark, well, it’s quite simple:

Way 1: Using Modeling Clay

Looking back on your childhood, do you remember playing with modeling clay quite often? Besides being a fun, imaginative medium to express your creativity, this clay also helps build motor skills. In our curriculum at Miss Sue’s, we place a great emphasis on craft time, by providing our students with non-toxic modeling clay to not only bring their imagination to life, but to continue building their motor skills — since the clay requires students to use their hands to create various shapes and patterns with the modeling clay.

Way 2: Build With Building Blocks

Another way we help our students enhance their motor skills is by working with building blocks. Just like modeling clay, building blocks not only create incredible structures — but they also build your child’s motor skills, too. In addition to fine tuning these essential skills, building blocks also develop problem solving and mathematical skills when students are constructing their masterpieces. At Miss Sue’s, we provide our students with building blocks to help them build a city/town they envision, while enhancing their motor skills!

Way 3: Arts & Crafts

The biggest staple of helping children develop motor skills is through arts and crafts. From painting a picture to creating a beaded bracelet, art not only helps students discover their creativity, but also also creates a platform for students to take their motor skills and transcend to new levels! At Miss Sue’s we believe that arts and crafts is an essential part of our program, because it’s a surefire way to help students to not only implement their motor skills but to also express their creative voices to the world!

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.

3 Great Ways to Practice Letter Writing With Preschoolers

Writing is one of the most important life-skills a child can develop. From writing their name to their address, it’s a form of universal communication that your child will need to have in the palm of their hand — literally. Instead of throwing a child into numerous workbooks to learn this skill, Miss Sue’s has a different, more friendly approach to practice letter writing:

Way 1: Large Paper and Markers

One of our students’ favorite methods of practicing letter writing is with a large pad and variety of non-toxic markers! This is not only a fun way to practice, but it gives our students the opportunity to see the letters they’re drawing full-scale — and with a fun twist, too! Since they are up-close to the letters, students can study the detail of how each letter is shaped and can even master their own personal writing style! It’s a perfect way to get students hands-on into the learning process!

Way 2: Words and Drawings

Another popular way that we  practice letters with our preschoolers is by accompanying words with  drawings. This not only helps our students become more familiar with writing full words, but they’ll also be able to visualize what they’re writing about. For example: we’ll present our students with the word “Queen,” followed by a simple drawing of a Queen. When a student sees this, they’ll be able to envision the word more clearly and will have a simpler time writing it on their own. It’s a great way to not only solidify the word within their minds, but to also get their creative juices going!

Way 3: Tracing Words

In addition to writing letters and full words on their own, another great method for teaching our students to write is by tracing their own name! When you write a child’s name down and give it to them, it will not only entice them to write it for themselves, but will also help them develop more of a connection of how they’d like to write their name. It’s a wonderful solution to help expedite the letter writing process, and gives children a chance to grow independently, too.

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 and give your child the best pre-k experience, give us a call at 516-938-0894.