How to Create the Perfect Morning Routine for Your Child

Fact: it’s tough to transition from “summer-mode” to “school-mode” in any home. While this may happen year-after-year for your children, some children are anticipating their very first year at school — and there’s nothing more exciting than that! If you’re looking to prepare your child for the perfect morning routine, then here are some simple ways to do it:

Early Bedtimes

Unlike the summertime, your child won’t be able to sleep in late — since school starts bright and early in the morning. If you’re looking for the best way to help your child adjust to the time, then it’s best to set an early bedtime a few weeks before the first day of school. Not only will this make the adjustment much more comfortable for them, but they’ll wake up with ease on the big day!

Lay Everything Out

Sure, your child might want to pick out their outfit for school — but they might do that minutes before the bus arrives. To avoid chasing the bus each morning, it’s best to let your little one pick out their outfit the night before. This will not only eliminate any bus-running, but it will put them (and yourself) at ease, knowing that everything is okay and ready to go.

Once their outfit is picked out, you can then lay out their essentials in the bathroom. From their brushing essentials to their hair comb, this will help your little one greatly, while they become more independent. Of course, let them know that you’re always down the hall to assist whenever they may need it!

Create a List

One of the best ways to keep your child on track in the morning is to create a list of their morning schedule. From waking up and getting ready, to eating breakfast and waiting for the bus, this will help your little one put into perspective their school days and will definitely help them develop a routine. This will also be of great assistance, since it will prepare them for being on a schedule in the classroom, 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.

Family Summer Fun Before School Starts

Ah, the summertime! Known to be one of the warmest seasons on Long Island, there are a variety of fun activities that your children can partake in — such as attending Miss Sue’s Summer Fun! However, once camp ends, there’s still some time to enjoy the summer before school starts. Not sure what to do? Here are some great tips!

Go on a Picnic 

One of the best summer activities any family can enjoy is a picnic! Perfect for any environment, this will not only be a great way to catch up and gain some wonderful family time, but it’s the ideal way to feast on some delicious summer treats, too!

From the park to the local beach, there are a variety of great spots where you and your family can enjoy a lovely picnic! Of course, you’ll want to do this on a day where it’s not too hot, nor too cold. If it happens to rain on your designated picnic day, then you can always improvise by hosting it in your living room!

Your imagination will come in hand for this one! Simply lay a blanket on the floor of your living room, followed by placing bowls of snacks in the center. Not only will your children love this — but you can simply walk to your kitchen whenever you need to! It’s definitely a win-win situation!

Get Some Ice Cream

Another great way to spend some quality family time and enjoy the summer weather is to get some ice cream! Whether you visit your local ice cream parlor or get some from the frozen food aisle of the grocery store, there’s always a way to enjoy this incredible treat! Of course, if your little one is lactose intolerant, there are some dairy-free options to continue the fun!

If you’re looking to create the ultimate ice cream experience, then you can pick up a carton from the store, followed by some toppings, and you can then build your own ice cream parlor in the comfort of your home. Not only will your little ones love making their own sundaes, but they’ll always cherish this beautiful summer memory!

Already thinking about summer 2019? When you choose Miss Sue’s Summer Fun, 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.

First Day of School Prep

Ah, the first day of school! For most parents, this will be a breeze since many have older children who have gone through this process before — but what about those parents that are sending their child to their very first day of school? Remain calm, since their first day will be an absolute breeze with these tips:

Create a Schedule

One of the best ways to prepare your child for school is to create a schedule. From brushing their teeth to eating breakfast, this will help your little one get used to having a daily routine, which will be very beneficial for when they enter a classroom!

Here at Miss Sue’s, we provide our students with a daily schedule to follow, which will not only help them stay organized but will also help your little one develop a routine. Establishing a routine is one of the best skills any child can learn from, especially when they go to grade school; will carry on with them through the years!

Reassure your Child

Of course, if your child’s very first day of school is coming up, then it might seem a tad scary to them. Indeed, this is a natural feeling, and it’s important to reassure them. When your child attends Miss Sue’s, not only will they have a class filled with a group of fun, kind students their own age — but they’ll also make memories that will last a lifetime. It's important to always reassure your child that their experience it going to be incredible — especially at Miss Sue's!

For the past nine years (and counting), Miss Sue’s holds the title for the Best Nursery School on Long Island. We not only prepare our students for grade school, but we also teach the "essentials" through fun activities, games and more! When your child is a Miss Sue’s student, they’ll be receiving that Miss Sue’s advantage that we’ve taught since 1965!

Pair them with a Buddy

Does your child have a friend that’s attending Miss Sue’s for the very first time, too? If that’s the case, then you can let your child know that fact — and you’ll definitely see a rush of excitement in their face! It’s true: when a child is aware that they won’t be alone, they’ll definitely feel more secure and eager to go attend school.

Of course, when your child attends Miss Sue’s, they’ll be placed in a variety of group activities, where they’ll make even more friends. This will not only make your child’s school experience more enjoyable, but it will also give them friends that will last a lifetime, 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.

How to Overcome Picky Eating

Sometimes, serving a meal to a picky eater can seem like a challenge to some parents. From vegetables to pasta, any food can be ruled out by your child. Of course, it’s possible they’re afraid of trying what’s served to them, or they might not be a fan of the taste. Regardless, here are some ways to help your child overcome picky eating:

Make it Fun

One of the best ways to help a picky eater try a new food is to make their meals fun! Believe it or not, a presentation isn’t only an essential staple in upscale restaurants, but plays a huge part in childhood dining, too. Whether you’re making fish or vegetables, it’s vital to present the final product in a fun and exciting way! 

Of course, you’ve been told from an early age not to play with your food — but when creating a presentation to your picky eater, you might have to! If the food is solid (i.e., chicken, beef, pork), then you can take a cookie cutter and use it to make shapes! 

Now, if the food has a softer consistency (i.e., corn, spinach, mashed potatoes), then you can place them in fun-shaped serving cups/bowls. Once your child sees this presentation, they’ll be enamored by how fun their plate looks — and will undoubtedly feel inclined to try these new foods!

Dipping Sauce Helps

Sometimes, carrots might taste better with ketchup — to your child. Believe it or not, most children like the taste of vegetables and/or fish with some dipping sauce by their side. Not only will this hinder the flavor of the new food, on their end, but they’ll also feel more inclined to try anything that’s presented to them with the red staple by their side. 

If you’re looking for the best way to go about this, then you can provide a dipping sauce of ketchup with your child’s meal. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, then you can always opt for a condiment that has low-salt. 

Next, when you serve your child their meal, you can place the ketchup on the plate (or on the side), which will give them the option to use ketchup to their discretion. Not only will this make any mealtime a bit simpler for you, but it will help your child try new foods — to which they usually wouldn’t try without ketchup!

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 Best Nut-Free Lunches for Kids

Parents: does your child have a nut allergy? Whether it be peanuts or almonds, to name a few, there are a variety of products that are created with nut-based products. Of course, this could be a potential risk to your child (and to those around them), so it’s best to always take precaution when making your child’s lunches. Looking to change up their menu? Here are a few ideas to check out:

Create your own Snack Pack

One of the best meals to create for your little one is a snack pack. Of course, you could always purchase one of these ~famous~ lunches at your local grocery store — but it’s more fun (and personalized) when you make your own! To start, you’ll need the following:

• Reusable plastic snack container with compartments
• Crackers
• Cheese
• Pepperoni 
• Small cupcake wrappers

Once you acquire these ingredients for your child’s snack pack, it’s then time to start building it!  To start, you can fill the bottom of the bigger compartment with crackers. From there, you can take your small cupcake wrappers and place some slices of cheese and pepperoni in them. This will not only keep these ingredients from getting the crackers soggy, but it will keep your child’s lunch neat and organized! 

After that step is complete, you can then add some addition nut-free snacks in the other compartments — and then you’ll have created the greatest snack pack on the planet! Your child will love this little lunch, and you’ll have peace of mind, knowing that it’s completely nut-free!

Make Mini Pizzas

Another great nut-free lunch to make for your child are some miniature pizzas! Perfect for the kid that loves pizza parties, this will make their lunch not only tasty but fun, too! To start, you’ll want to purchase the following ingredients:

• A package of tortillas
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Tomato sauce
• A muffin pan

After you acquire these essential ingredients, it’s then time to start the pizza making process! To start, you’ll want to take a preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Next, take a tortilla and cut small circles to fit into the cups of the muffin pan. From there, you’ll want to take a teaspoon of tomato sauce to place on top of each small pizza “dough.” 

Next, sprinkle a nice helping of cheese and then place the muffin pan in the oven for approximately 10-to-15 minutes. Once the time is up, let the mini pizzas cool down and then you’ll be good to go! Your child will certainly love this little pizza party that they’ll have for lunch!

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.

Summer Weekend Fun for Kids!

When it comes to summer fun on Long Island, Miss Sue’s takes the lead! With our incredible day camp program, your little one will be having a blast participating in a variety of phenomenal camp activities all week long — but what about over the weekend? Here are some fun outdoor activities to do on Saturdays and Sundays with your little campers, parents!

Start a Garden

One of the most timeless outdoor activities is to plant a garden with your little camper! Of course, the garden doesn’t have to be the size of a football field — but it can be as big or small as you’d like it. When it comes to gardening, the possibilities are endless (and quite fun, too)!

To start, you’ll want to gather the following items:

• Sunscreen
• A baseball hat
• Sunglasses
• Gardening gloves
• Top soil
• Seeds/Plants

Once you acquire these materials, you can then start the gardening process! Not only will your child develop a love for gardening — but they’ll have a blast watching it grow over time, too!

Go on a Nature Walk

Looking for a great way to enjoy the great outdoors this summer? Go for a nature walk with your little one! Of course, you’ll want to do this on a slightly cooler day, where the temperature isn’t above 80 degrees.

Not only will this be the perfect way to stay active, but your little camper will fall in love with observing nature and all that it has to offer! If you’re looking to take it up a notch, then you can even park some snacks, or lunch, and hold a little picnic, too!

Create a Waterpark

Another way to have fun on the weekend is to create a waterpark in your backyard! Just like creating a garden, a waterpark is a perfect opportunity to let your imagination run wild! Of course, your homemade aquatic park won’t have to replicate those that are on the Island — but it can come close!

To create a fantastic waterpark, gather these materials:

• A sprinkler
• Pool noodles
• A portable pool 
• Small pool inflatables

When you obtain these items, it will then be time to set up your mini-waterpark! Before you set up the park, you’ll want to find a space that’s slightly shaded to keep the water cool. After you locate the perfect spot, place the pool in the center, followed by setting the sprinkler right next to it.

Next, you can take the pool noodles and small pool inflatables (i.e., beach ball) and place them around the pool — and you’ll be good to go! With parental supervision, this little waterpark will enamor your little one -- especially with how much fun it will be!

When you choose Miss Sue’s Summer Fun, 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.

How to Encourage Summer Reading

Believe it or not, sometimes summer reading can seem like quite a challenge from a parent’s perspective. From selecting books to making time for a book, your little one might want to avoid the literary activity altogether. If you’re looking for a way to encourage summer reading, then here are a few fun tips to make it happen with ease!

Make it a Game

One of the best ways to motivate your child to read is to create a game! To start, you’ll want to pick a book that will be the perfect choice for their reading level.

From there, you can sit down with them and look at the book together — but there’s a catch: you’ll read a page, and then your child will have to read the next.

Your child will love this game since it will be quite fun to take turns reading a great book together!

Create Reading Time

Another way to encourage summer reading is to create a designated reading time for your child. Of course, they might not be sold on the idea, at first — but you can make it quite a fun time!

One of the best ways to do this is to create a comfortable reading area for your child. Whether you bring an excess amount of pillows or their favorite stuffed animals, the possibilities are endless for a reading nook!

Once this is created, you can factor about thirty minutes to an hour each day for your child to read!

Bring the Fun

Looking for a way to make your child’s summer reading a fun experience? Select a funny, comedy-based book for their age level — and your child will have a blast reading through it!

Sometimes it takes a laugh, or two, to make reading fun for any child — and a funny book will undoubtedly be the solution to making this work!

Outdoor Reading Area

In the spirit of summer, you can create an outdoor reading area for your little one, right in your backyard!

To start, you’ll want to find a cool, shaded area for them to read. Next, you can decorate the space with a tropical theme.

When doing this, you can include faux palm trees, a sandbox and even a beach umbrella, too! No matter what you choose, your little one will get into the summer reading spirit!

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.