March is National Nutrition Month and it’s a great time to teach your child the importance of making good food choices and developing healthy eating habits. The foods your preschooler eats throughout the day are an important part of his or her overall health. You can begin by setting a great example for your child by making healthy food choices yourself. Start nutrition education young by exposing your child to a variety of foods early in life. This will help them to develop a better attitude towards trying new and different foods.
You may be wondering just how much your child should be eating. The USDA ChoseMyPlate site offers handy calorie suggestions for boys and girls of various ages and activity levels. This guide, along with input from your pediatrician will help you to determine a healthy nutrition plan for your child. At Building Blocks Learning Centers, we realize the importance of a healthy diet for children of all ages. We focus on providing highly nutritious snacks and meals to the children in our care every day. We feel it is important to helping to energize their bodies and sharpen their minds.
Five tips to help your child develop healthy eating habits
Sit down for a family dinner as often as possible. We realize it can be hard juggling everyone’s schedule and may not always be possible. When you can do it, it’s a great way to not only be sure your child is eating a healthy dinner, but also learn more about their day. Plan your family meal so everyone is eating the same foods. No need to make a separate mac and cheese dinner for a fussy child, rather teach them to eat the well-balanced meal you are enjoying.
Provide plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains for your child with meals and snacks. Introduce various fruits and vegetables to their child when they are young, they won’t be as quick to turn their nose up at things if they are used to them. A snack that includes dipping raw vegetables, such as broccoli and carrots into a healthy dip can seem like a treat if it’s introduced that way!
Take your child grocery shopping. It’s a great way to help them make healthier choices right from the start. Show them examples of the various food groups that should make up their plate. Let them pick out some fruits and vegetables on their own. Explain how you check the nutritional information on food labels when making purchase decisions.
Let your child help plan and prepare a meal with age appropriate tasks. Explain how you incorporate products from all of the food groups into the meal and teach your child about portion size. If your child takes part in the process of making a meal, they are more apt to eat and enjoy it. Learning about what goes into a meal may also help them to make healthier choices in the lunchroom.
Most importantly, be a good role model by sharing the healthy foods you enjoy with your child. Avoid eating too much junk food and sugary drinks, don’t skip meals and snack sensibly. It’s also important to try to avoid eating in front of the TV or computer when your child is around, as it could lead to mindless eating. Talk positively about healthy foods and encourage your child to eat nutritiously each day. Teach them about listening to their body for hunger cues as well.
For a more in-depth look at the five food groups, along with examples of foods in each group to share with your child, visit the USDA ChooseMyPlate site You will also find tips for picky eaters, as well as food safety tips and more. Check the Building Blocks Learning Center blog monthly for more helpful tips regarding preschool children.
With March in sight, we’re sure your entire family is showing signs of cabin fever and craving some time in the good ole’ outdoors. We’re right there with you, just waiting for that much-anticipated break in the weather. Believe it or not, daylight savings time starts on March 10th, so get ready to set those clocks ahead. Believe it or not, the first day of spring is on March 20th. There are plenty of outdoor family events happening throughout our area in March and April. Here are just a few ideas.
10 ways to celebrate early spring outdoors in NEPA
Bundle up and head out to a St. Patrick’s Parade. You have several to choose from, starting with the Pittston parade kicking off at noon on Saturday, March 2nd. That’s followed up by the famous Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade on Saturday, March 9th at 11:45am and the Wilkes-Barre parade on Sunday, March 10th at 2pm. Check for updated information on family activities surrounding each parade online as the dates near on the individual city/parade website.
Visit the SPCA of Luzerne County Pet Expo. Love to support your furry friends? Then head on over to the Kingston Armory on Saturday, March 30th between 10am and 6pm or Sunday, March 31st from 10am to 4pm for this 2-day event, which benefits the SPCA of Luzerne County. Admission is only $5 and children under 12 are admitted free. Best of all, you can bring your furry family members to this event. Yes folks, bring your pets! You will enjoy food and craft vendors, animal product and services, animal welfare organizations, adoptable pets will be on site, plus face painting, basket raffles and more. Best of all, you’re helping the adorable little critters at the SPCA. Tap to learn more.
Take me out to the ballgame; take me out with the crowd. Believe it or not, the RailRiders season opener is only a month away on Thursday, April 4th in Buffalo. The team is then home for a 7-game stretch from Thursday, April 11th through Wednesday, April 17th. They play Buffalo from the 11th through the 14th and then Lehigh Valley from the 15th to the 17th. Tap to see the RailRiders season schedule, as well as information on family nights, other promotions and giveaways.
Be on the lookout for local Easter Egg Hunts. Nothing beats a good ole’ fashioned Easter Egg Hunt, and there are usually plenty held throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. You may also find several breakfasts with the Easter Bunny events. Keep your eye out for an Easter event near you.
Pack a lunch and go fishing! Yes, April 13th is first day of trout fishing in NEPA. Introduce your children to the fun of fishing. It’s a great activity for the entire family. Don’t forget to pick up your license before the big day.
“Do it for the Kids.” The Wyoming Valley Children’s Association Kids that is. Not a fan of fishing? Then take a walk. The WVCA’s 27th annual “Do it for the Kids” Walk-A-Thon is on April 13th as well. This family friendly event features a 2.5-mile walk, food, music, raffle prizes, family activities and more, all to benefit the WVCA programs. The walk begins at the WVCA at 1133 Wyoming Avenue Forty Fort. Tap for details.
Enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms in Kirby Park. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 from 11am to 5pm in Kirby Park. There will be food, crafts, rides, games, music and more.
Ride a bike. Your child may have gotten a brand new bike for Christmas, but haven’t had an opportunity to get out much in the cold weather. There’s no time like early spring to enjoy the outdoors with a family bike ride.
Celebrate Earth Day by starting a garden. They say April showers bring May flowers after all. Earth Day is April 22nd and it’s the perfect time to teach your children how to garden. The Farmer’s Almanac offers some suggestions for planting timeline for a Wilkes-Barre climate. You can start seeds outdoors for vegetables, such as beets, carrots, onions and spinach in April. It will also give you suggestions for a timeline for starting seeds indoors and transplanting them. You can start seedlings indoors as early as March, so be sure to check it out. Start seeds early for flowers and herbs indoors as well. This is an activity your children are sure to love as they watch their vegetables and flowers grow all summer. Need a few more ideas to celebrate Earth Day, how about taking a hike or building a bird feeder for your yard.
Fly a kite. The breeze of springtime makes it’s a great time to teach your child the joys of flying a kite.
Building Blocks Summer Camp for Kids
Spring is a great time to begin to discuss the Building Blocks Learning Center Summer Camp with your family as well. Our summer camp runs mid June through mid August. It includes fun projects, sports, STEAM activities and more. Breakfast, lunch and a snack is provided, as well before and after care. Building Blocks summer camp for children is a fun and interactive way for kids to spend their summer. You can learn more by calling 570-793-1725. Building Blocks is here for all of your summer camp, pre-school and daycare needs.
Most importantly, enjoy the beauty of spring with your entire family. Whatever you do, do it together. Follow us on Facebook to see more family fun ideas like this and information on what’s happening at Building Blocks Learning Center.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to teach your children about making resolutions for self-improvement. It’s a fun way to have them take part in choosing ways they’d like to better themselves throughout the year. There are many resolutions you can make individually and together as a family as well. This is a great lesson to teach children at an early age. Best of all, resolutions are something your entire family can share. Keep in mind they should always be specific and achievable. For instance, steer clear of something vague like “I will read more.” Rather be precise, such as “I resolve to read 1 book each week.” Rather than “I will eat healthier,” choose “I will eat vegetables with dinner every night.” Very specific resolutions are easier to remember, to focus on and to achieve. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Ten New Years Resolutions for Kids & Families
We will help mom with the dishes every night.
I will limit myself to only 1 soda per week.
I will try a new activity this year, such as a new sport, a new class or a new hobby. Be ready to help your child explore options if this resolution is selected.
We will volunteer as a family in our community. (Work together as a family to select specific volunteer activities that interest you).
If I see any bullying, I will tell an adult immediately.
Do an act of kindness for someone. Visit a friend who can’t get out, help a neighbor, etc.
We will limit ourselves to 1 hour of TV or electronics after dinner and use the extra time to play family games or do a family activity.
I will make a new friend. This is a great resolution for adults as well as children!
We will take a long walk, hike or a bike ride as a family every weekend to get more fresh air and exercise.
I will read one extra book each month. Another great resolution. If your children are too young to read on their own, read that extra book to them. Reading is a great habit for them to develop.
We hope the above suggestions give you an idea of some resolutions you can work on as a family and some that you can help your children to work on. Make deciding on resolutions an activity for the entire family, so everyone can have input. You can select one individual resolution for each of you and perhaps one for the entire family. Kindness is a resolution that we all strive for and that we encourage. We hope that you can somehow throw that into the mix as well. Teach your children about kindness and encourage them to really focus on being kind to everyone this year. At Building Blocks Learning Center and childcare, we believe these early years are the most important in building a strong foundation for your child’s development and education. Learn all about our educational programs for children, as well as our childcare and daycare options at www.buildingblockslearningcenter.com or follow us on Facebook.
Be sure to do a childcare center site visit. You will want to observe how the staff interacts with the children and also take a look at the cleanliness, safety, and organization of the child care or daycare facility. The childcare center should be properly lit and ventilated and have adequate spacing for the number of children. Ask about emergency procedures and illness policies. Inquire about curriculum and developmental activities. Don’t be afraid to pop in for a surprise visit.
Look for a stimulating, structured curriculum. A daycare or child care center in the Wilkes-Barre area should have a structured schedule that includes plenty of learning activities, playtime, physical activities, group interactions, creative activities, meals and individual time. All curriculum and activities should be age appropriate and tailored to the educational, social and emotional development of the child.
An educated, well-trained and caring staff is essential. Education in early childhood education and ongoing training is important, especially for preschool and pre k staff. Most importantly, the staff should truly enjoy teaching and helping to develop the children in their care. Staff should also be trained in first aid and CPR.
Ask about the staff to child ratio. A childcare center, daycare or preschool needs to have an appropriate ratio of teachers or caregivers to children. Recommended for infants is a ratio of 1 staff for every 4 children. For 1-year-olds a 1 to 5 is required and for older toddlers, you should expect a ratio of 1 to 6. For preschool and pre-k a ratio of 1 to 10 is recommended.
Check licenses and accreditation for the preschool, daycare or childcare facility you are considering. For instance, Building Blocks Learning Center is licensed by the PA Department of Human Services, PA Dept of Education and Keystone STARS accredited.
Finally, ask for recommendations from other parents. Family and friends is a great starting point in developing a list of child care centers, daycares, and preschools for your consideration.
For more helpful tips such as these, follow us on Facebook or watch for more Building Blocks Learning Center blog articles.