3 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten

As the beach umbrellas begin to close and the public pools become empty, it means that school is here again. One of the most monumental moments in any parent’s life is sending their child to kindergarten. Kindergarten is a time for your child to be introduced to academics, while partaking in some fun activities at the same time. If you’re unsure how to transition your child from summer mode to school mode, then we suggest you keep reading:

Way #1: Create Playdates

One of the biggest elements of a child entering kindergarten is being surrounded by other children their age. While some may enjoy this, others may be slightly overwhelmed. When your child attends pre-k at Miss Sue’s, we take pride in helping each child get adjusted to their new environment. This will help set up each child for success before they enter kindergarten. Before your child’s first day, set up some playdates with other children they know within the neighborhood. This will help them grow more comfortable adjusting, and will have fun in the process, too!

Way #2: Have Storytime

Whether your child is looking at a picture book or enjoying storytime, they’ll always find the joy in a book. Here at Miss Sue’s, we love having storytime with our pre-k students and enjoying a wonderful book together, while preparing them for kindergarten. At home, allocate some time in the day to read to your child. This will not only increase their imagination, but it will also encourage them to start reading in their spare time.

Way #3: Include Games

Another pertinent feature when your child enters kindergarten is the group activities they’ll participate in. When your child attends pre-k at Miss Sue’s, we always include an assortment of group games and crafts for each child to work with their fellow peers. This prepares your child to play with others, which is essential when they enter a kindergarten setting. To get your child adjusted, simply start playing board games at home.This will help your child understand how to play with others, while having fun at the same time.

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 to Prepare Your Child for Nursery School

A fresh stack of sharpened pencils, the waxy smell of crayons, and the loud zipping of a new lunchbox only mean one thing: school is near. If you’re a parent to much younger children, then you’re probably preparing your child for their first year of nursery school. Although it may seem like a life-changing experience for you and your child, some parents feel overwhelmed because they feel unprepared. Don’t fret — here are three stress-free ways to prepare your child for nursery school:

Way #1: Keep a Schedule

At Miss Sue’s Nursery School, we keep all of our students on a schedule. From lunch to story time, our students will always know what their daily schedule will entail. To get your child used to a schedule, wake them up at a certain time each morning  and start with breakfast. You can then work in scheduled activities such as reading and crafting, as well as some writing. It’s a great way to introduce your child to being on a schedule.

Way #2: Encourage Creativity

One of the biggest ways you can prepare your child for nursery school is to get their creative juices flowing. Here at Miss Sue’s, we have many opportunities for our students to be creative with finger painting, Play-Doh, feathers, beads and so much more. The opportunities for each child to use their imagination are endless! We support creativity with the highest regard, and it shows through our students’ work!

Way #3: Let Them Make Their Own Choices

The biggest fundamental lesson all nursery school students will learn is that they can make their own choices. Whether they’re choosing a material for a craft or a book to read, students will learn that they are capable of making their own choices. A great way to start is to give your child choices at lunchtime. Before you prepare their favorite meal, give them options and ask what they’d prefer to eat instead. This is a truly a simple but easy way to get your child used to decision making.

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.

4 Final Weeks of Summer Activities to Enjoy at Home

The summer sunshine is slowly dimming down, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end! After all: the last official day of the summer season is September 22 — you still have time to finish out the season on a strong note before school starts! If you’re looking for some exciting activities for your kids to partake in, look no further — we’ve got you covered!

Go Swimming

One of our campers’ favorite activities is swimming around in one of our two full-sized pools on our grounds! Before your local community pool closes for the season, or before you winterize your own pool, go for a family swim. It’s a great way to have fun and stay cool in the summer sun!

Group Games

Just like our non-competitive group games at camp, partake in some fun outdoor activities such as hop-scotch or jump rope! It’s an exciting way to enjoy the outdoors and relive your childhood memories with your children!

Family Sports

If your child loves playing sports here at camp, try playing some family sports at home! One of the most popular amongst families is basketball. From playing an actual game to shooting some hoops, it’s a fun and exciting activity for the whole family to enjoy!

Make Sand Art

Another fan favorite activity at camp is playing in the sand! With our tabletop sand boxes, campers love using their imagination to make the coolest of creations! To replicate this at home, you can either buy some crafting sand from your local art supply store or buy some actual sand and let your child’s creativity run wild!

When you choose Miss Sue’s Summer Program, you can rest assured knowing that your child is safely having fun in the sun, while also building the knowledge, skills, and confidence to have a successful future. To learn more about the program, give us a call at 516-366-5623

5 Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids

One of the greatest perks of the summer season is that there are a surplus of outdoor activities to do with your family! Besides going to the zoo or the amusement park, there are some cheaper, home-based alternatives that are just as fun! If you’re looking to change things up a bit, then check out these great outdoor activities that your kids will love!

Play Pirate Ship

Argh your kids ready for some fun? Why not play a game of pirate ship, just like at Miss Sue’s! To get your kids into the spirit, gather some pirate accessories from your local party supply store, such as pirate hats and eye patches! In addition, you’ll need to gather some “treasure” for your pirates to find, such as faux jewels and candy! If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can try building a replica of the Miss Sue’s pirate ship in your own backyard — we’ll want to see photos of the finished product!

Have An Obstacle Course

One of our campers’ favorite activities at Miss Sue’s is our variety of tunnels and bridges to explore! To replicate this at home, build an obstacle course that will be fun for the whole family! When planning this fun festivity, get creative and use items around your home such as cardboard boxes as tunnels! If you’re feeling extra creative, you can even set up a sprinkler and make it a water course!

Soccer Fun

Is your child a fan of sports and running around? In addition to playing a traditional game of soccer, why not play some soccer drills? From setting up a net and doing a kicking practice, to doing some passing drills — the possibilities for fun are endless!

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Have some explorers in your family? Have your kids go on a nature-based scavenger hunt in your backyard! Go to your local dollar store and pick up some fun tote bags to give them. Next, provide your kids with a list of what they should find within your backyard. After that, let your children run around and keep track of time — whomever collects everything on the list in five minutes wins!

Sunshine Drawings

Are your kids bored on a sunny day? Take them outside for a drawing class and use the sun as their guide! Set up a table in a slightly sunny area, place some paper and pencils/pens/markers/crayons on the table and have each child trace the shadows that appear on their paper. This will be a fun and creative drawing exercise for sure!

When you choose Miss Sue’s Summer Program, you can rest assured knowing that your child is safely having fun in the sun, while also building the knowledge, skills, and confidence to have a successful future. To learn more about the program, give us a call at 516-366-5623.