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.

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.

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.

Why Choose Miss Sue’s

The new school year will be here before you know it, so it’s time to start thinking about where you’re going to send your toddler in the fall. Parents always want what’s best for their child, and selecting a school is no exception. There are tons of nursery schools on Long Island to choose from, but none of them are Miss Sue’s. Here are some things that makes us so great:

Our Philosophy:

We provide the best education possible in a safe and loving environment. We address the individual needs of each and every child and foster growth through lessons, learning centers, one on one time and play. We strive to help every child develop emotionally, socially, physically and academically.

Our Curriculum:

Miss Sue’s recognizes the importance of keeping up with the times. Our curriculum is constantly-evolving, combining creativity with learning, We believe in a multi-sensory approach, and feel that supplementing learning through art, music, science and physical activities is very beneficial and successful.

We’re Family Owned and Operated:

For three generations, Miss Sue’s has been vital in shaping the lives of so many students. Since we are a family business, we feel that our staff and students are part of our family too! We have worked together as a family unit to develop new techniques, give children an educational advantage, promote social and emotional growth and instill a love of learning.

Our Success Speaks For Itself:

At Miss Sue’s, we do our best to set each child up for their own personal success. Since nursery school is their first step into the education system, it’s important that we give them the tools, support and skills necessary for them to flourish. We encourage our students to be curious about the world around them. It is no wonder that Miss Sue's graduates go on to become successful doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors, athlete and well-rounded individuals.

Are you ready to enroll your child in a superior nursery school on Long Island? If so, 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.

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.

Ways to Encourage Social and Emotional Development at Home

Children’s emotional well-being has a great impact on the way they are able to establish and maintain relationships throughout their lives. Monitoring your preschooler’s physical development is easy to do, but making sure that they are on the right path as far as social and emotional development are concerned can be a bit trickier. By the age of 3 or 4, children should be reaching certain social and emotional milestones.

How do you know if your child is developing age-appropriate social and emotional skills?

• Can they correctly state their gender and age?
• Can they recite their first and last names, and the names of parents?
• Can they take care of their own needs, such as washing hands and dressing?
• Do they adjust to new situations without an adult being present?
• Are they starting to notice other people’s moods and feelings?
• Are they starting to learn to take turns, share, and cooperate?
• Do they expresses anger with words rather than acting out physically?

Understanding the social and emotional skills that your child should posses will help you reinforce them at home. Practicing the following activities are fun and important ways to help them develop and reach their milestones.

• Provide structure and establish a daily routine to create a secure environment for your child.
• Encourage their independence. Acknowledge a job well done when your child brushes their own teeth, feeds a pet or dresses themselves.
• Practice reciting your child’s name, gender, age and address with them.
• Play games that require your child to wait their turn, and cooperate with others.
• Organize play dates with other children their age. Regular social contact is key in helping your child reach their milestones. During the play date, make sure to observe their interaction and how they handle conflict in the play group.

At Miss Sue’s, our main goal is to foster an awareness in the children of the world around them while presenting the social, emotional and conceptual skills appropriate for each age and each stage of  their development. To learn more about Miss Sue's, visit us on Facebook or Twitter, or call 516-938-0894 today.