Best Ways to Boost Your Child's Memory

Fact: sometimes young children may have a hard time remembering things. The reason is that their memory is still in the process of being developed. If you’re looking for a way to improve your child’s memory, then here are some helpful tips to know!

Be Repetitive

Believe it or not, repetition is a positive factor when it comes to memory exercises! When talking to your child, don't be afraid to repeat yourself — because this will be the key ingredient when it comes to improving a child’s memory. To further elaborate: when your child hears something more than once, it will become ingrained in their memory. One of the best ways to practice repetition is to short book to your child. When you finish reading the book, you can then ask your child to tell you their favorite sections of the story. This is a great (and fun) way to boost your child’s memory skills!

Listen To Music

Presenting music to your child at a young age can actually help strengthen their memory! Studies have shown that children are more likely to remember data when it is presented with an accompanying melody; think of sing-along videos featuring their favorite cartoon characters. If you want to take it a step further, you can sing messages to your child and encourage your child to create their own tunes when responding! Not only is this a great way to increase your child’s memory, but it will also entice their love for music, too!

Give Positive Feedback

When your child accomplishes a new task, it's important to give them positive feedback! After all, children are more likely to recall positive feedback than negative feedback. They will certainly remember what they did to receive that kind of praise, 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.

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.

Tips & Tricks For Teaching Preschoolers the Alphabet

Practicing the ABC song is helpful when teaching your child to learn the alphabet, but it’s not the only way to teach them their letters. From letter-shaped magnets to alphabet-inspired crafts and games, these tips and tricks will have any preschooler knowing the difference between “F” and “Q” in no time!

Letter Shaped Magnets: Alphabet magnets are a great tool for teaching letter recognition. Look for magnet sets that make the sound of the letter or ones that show both the letter and common objects that begin with it.

Point Out Letters: Noticing letter everywhere is helpful when teaching your child the alphabet. Make sure to point out the “D” at the doctor’s office door, or the “S” at the supermarket. Pointing out letters repetitively will make recognition much easier for your child.

Start With Names: Teaching your child to be able to recognize and spell their name is one of their first introductions into learning letters. Go over the letters of their name until they have mastered it, and then move on to other ones.

Play With Letter Toys: The most important thing in teaching your preschooler anything is to keep it fun, since you’ll want them to associate learning with having fun. Introduce a variety of alphabet toys like puzzles, flashcards, and foam letters to play with in the bathtub. Making a game out of learning the alphabet will ensure your child is excited to partake in it, and will be more successful in doing so.

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.

The Purpose of Nursery School

Do you want to set your child up for a lifetime of success? Nursery school provides a foundation for learning, both socially and academically, that will help your child succeed in elementary school. While our students engage in playtime each day and school might seem like only fun and games, there is so much more involved than that. Nursery school has a purpose and can provide your children with so many invaluable skills that they’ll carry throughout their lives. Here are some reasons why nursery school is so important:

Promotes Independence

Prior to nursery school, children are extremely reliant on their parents. Once a child goes to nursery school, they will take responsibility for themselves and their actions. At school, children have several choices of activities; a child who is wandering aimlessly is encouraged to choose one that interests him. It helps to foster a sense of independence.

Preps For Kindergarten

Sending your child to nursery school also preps your child for kindergarten. While it may not seem like it, children follow a highly structured environment in nursery school, which helps young children learn to make friends and play well with others. Learning how to behave properly in a classroom setting will only make the transition to kindergarten even easier.

A Lifetime of Success

Children learn the most information in the first four years of their lives. They can process and learn new information at a very rapid pace. You need to trust these special years in your child's development to a superior nursery school. It will help ensure your child's success in life. Miss Sue's can help you child do just that.

Need a top notch nursery school on Long Island? Choose Miss Sue's! We invite you to visit our facility. Our nursery school is a safe environment with the best care, the best attention and the best education available! Call 516-938-0894 today to make an appointment to see the facilities and start your child on the road to a successful life.

Tips to Help Your Child Transition To a New School

Transitioning to a new school can be difficult for kids. Whether it’s your child’s first day of preschool, their first day of high school, or you’re moving to a new school district, starting a new school can have an affect on your child’s well being, academic performance and social skills. This school year is off to a start already, but your child may still be experiencing some apprehension. In order to ease their fears, here are some tips to help them transition to a new school.

Talk It Out- Ask your child questions about what they are most excited during this school year. Encourage them to discuss what they want to learn and what activities they are looking forward to trying. The way you talk about going to school will help shape how your child views it.

Make Friends: Setting up playdates with your child’s new classmates outside of school is a great way to help them feel comfortable and familiar when they’re inside of the classroom.

Get Involved: Volunteer at your child’s school or help out with a school sport or club. Taking an active role in their school environment and getting to know your child’s friends and the other parents will help your child feel nurtured and relaxed.

Play School: Taking the time to play school outside of the classroom will show help our child grab the concept of school and see it as a fun scenario. Let them be the teacher, and you can be the student, to give them a new take on going to school.

Since your child is going through this transition phase, it’s important to be patient as they adjust. After your child has started a new school, keep an eye out for any signs of strain and stress. These include: repeatedly refusing to go to school

• throwing tantrums whenever school is mentioned
• recurring meltdowns when you try to bring them to school
• suffering separation anxiety and needing you more than they have in recent months or years
• changes in sleeping or eating habits

If you notice your child’s showing signs of poor transitioning, it’s important to talk to them about it, and to meet with their teachers and administrators so you can work to target the sources of your child’s discomfort.

Miss Sue’s is here to provide the most loving, safe and nurturing school for all of their students and families. 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.

Tips For Starting Preschool

Sending your child off to school for the first time is an important day for both them and you. Even if your little one is heading off to preschool for only a few hours, it’s a very big step for someone wearing such little shoes. While it’s very likely that you’ll be wiping some tears as they head off, it’s important to make sure that they’re not sharing in that with you.  Preparing your child ahead of time is a great way to get them ready for their preschool debut. Here are some preschool-starting tips:

• Visit your local library during a story time session. This will get your child used to hearing someone other than your family members read to them.
• Establish a routine of going to bed early and waking up early to help them adjust ahead of time to their new school routine.
• Make sure your child is comfortable with letting someone know that they have to use the bathroom.
• If there’s a school visiting day ahead of time, be sure to attend with your child. It will help them feel more comfortable on the first day if they have already seen their classroom and met their teacher. If you do meet some of the kids from your child’s class, arrange a play date before the start of school.
• Include your child in the school supply selection process. Let them pick out their own backpack and lunchbox.
• Share stories with them about when you went to school and if you have pictures, make sure to show them those as well. They will feel more at ease if they know that this is something that mommy or daddy did.
• Read books about going to school and saying goodbye. It’s important for your child to know that you will not be staying with them but will be back to pick them up later on.
• If your child hasn’t been cared for by others, you may want to leave them for short periods of time with a trusted babysitter or family member. They’ll feel more secure when they see that you always come back for them.
• Allow your child to take a small personal item with them on the first day of school as an added comfort. These pocket hearts are a cute way for your child to hold a piece of your heart close by and ease their nerves whenever they hold it.
• Remember that separation is a process and it is normal if your child needs a little bit of time to get comfortable with their new situation.

We understand that children (and parents) can have some apprehension on the first day of preschool, but Miss Sue’s is here to provide the most loving, safe and nurturing school for all of their students and families. 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.

End of Summer Activities to Do With Your Kids

Just because summer is almost over doesn't mean the fun has to stop yet! In fact, quite the opposite! Before your little ones head back to school, there’s still time to squeeze in some last minute fun activities. Here are some cool ideas to end the summer the right way:

Frozen Vinegar Activity:

This is best to do outside while the weather's still warm. Have you ever wondered what happens when you mix vinegar and baking soda? Put your little scientist to work and try this fun experiment out. The combination of the two makes for a chemical reaction that produces water and salt. They’ll be amazed at the results and can even pack them in a mold to form stars or hearts.

Recycled Fish Mobile:

This one takes a bit of creativity, but you’ll be helping them environment by recycling your materials and supplies. Gather some branches in the backyard, or go on a nature walk to collect your goods. Then grab some plastic water bottles and glue little pieces of colored tissue paper all over it to mimic a fish’s colorful scales. Add some googly eyes, attach a string and hang it up for a fun and eco-friendly mobile!

Recycled Tic Tac Toe Game:

We love re-purposing materials to make fun crafts for kids! This is a really simple, yet fun take on teaching your kids tic tac toe. Take an egg carton and open it up to use as the squares of the board. Next grab some colorful pipe cleaners and have your kids form them into X’s and O’s. Then, let the games begin! Your kids will feel great because they’re not only having fun playing the game but can feel a sense of pride in having created the actual board!

For more end of summer fun kid’s activities, visit here.

We hope you’re enjoying the rest of your summer with your kids before they head off to school. If you’re looking for a superior nursery school on Long Island, choose Miss Sue's! We go to great lengths to provide your children the best education available. Enrollment for the 2016-17 school year has already begun. Give us a call at 516-938-0894 or visit us here to enroll now.