PreschoolFinder Blog

The “Coupon Mom”

October 8, 2008 – 4:09 pm by Kim

It's no secret that our economy is taking a nose-dive, so this it the time to be thirfty. You can start cutting back on your costs by walking more or running errands at stores like Fred Meyer, were you can buy groceries, houehold goods, toiletries and other goods in one place. But what about all those ads you get in the mail or that you see online? Oh yes, the coupon. One mom, who calls herself "The Coupon Mom", has easy solutions for cutting costs at the store. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzPQaRexKWU&eurl=http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/712]

Posted in Family, General, Pre-K, Video | 1 Comment »

Cold Medicines and Your Child

October 3, 2008 – 2:36 pm by Kim

If you are like most American moms, it is likely that you run for the cold syrup at the first sound of your child’s cough. However, according to recent findings by pediatricians, you may want to reconsider giving OTC medications to your youngster. Pediatricians in Washington have urged state officials to ban over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for young children, specifically between the ages of 2 and 6. This ban was rejected on yesterday, but now the FDA says they are also uncomfortable with the OTC medications. So what is the big deal? Pediatricians say that the lack of effectiveness of OTC cough and cold medications, along with a lack of scientific evidence on their possible side effects on children, is enough to keep them off the shelves. Each ...

Posted in General, News, Pre-K | No Comments »

Cutest Celebrity Kids

October 2, 2008 – 3:09 pm by Kim

Americans are really obsessed with celebrities - from stalking them with the Paparazzi to hosting entire websites filled with pictures and gossip - we just can’t get enough of them. Most celebrities can be seen in top designer clothing, enjoying a late afternoon lunch or doing pretty much whatever they please. And now, with the celebrity baby boom going on, it’s hard to miss their stylish mini-celeb kids. So here is a look at the cutest celebrity kids. 1. Suri Cruz 2. Violet Garner 3. Matilda Ledger 4. Deacon and Ava Witherspoon 5. Nahla Berry 6. James Broderick 7. Harlow Richie 8. The Beckham boys 9. Sam Alexis Woods 10. Kingston Rossdale

Posted in General, Pre-K | No Comments »

10 Ways to Help Your Shy Child Open Up

October 1, 2008 – 2:55 pm by Kim

Children can be shy for a number of reasons, ranging from insecurities to difficulties with speech. It is not uncommon for young children to go through a period of shyness, but it is important to help them break this habit, as it can affect them socially and emotionally. The first step is to identify the nature of your child’s shyness. Here are some ways to get started: 1. Are they actually shy? It is important to differentiate being shy from being thoughtful. In other words, is your child actually shy or do they like to assess a situation before jumping in socially. Being cautious in social situations and being shy are two separate things. 2. Assess the situation When is your child shy? Are there particular situations in which your child becomes more ...

Posted in General, Pre-K, Tip of the Week | No Comments »

Preschool Etiquette - Addressing Elders

September 29, 2008 – 3:58 pm by Kim

Here is an etiquette lesson for your preschooler:  the proper way to address an adult. Contrary to what some children believe, addressing an adult with “hey!” or “lady” is not appropriate. This may seem silly, but I have had many children address me in this manner or by simply yelling “hey you!” or waving something directly in my face. I was raised to follow the etiquette of a proper southern belle and to address my elders as “Mrs.” And “Mr.” and to always respond with a “no ma’am” or “yes, sir” response. It is typical for southern children to address their elders by their first name such as “Mrs. Kelly” or “Mr. Matt”, but not quite so normal on the west coast. Upon moving to Seattle, WA, my ...

Posted in Family, General, Pre-K | No Comments »

Finding a Babysitter 101

September 26, 2008 – 2:04 pm by Kim

Leaving your child for the first time can be really tough and finding the right babysitter can be even tougher. Family is always the best place to look for help, but if they don’t live in the area or are unavailable, it’s time to begin hunting for a babysitter. So how do you know if the person you hire will be reliable or responsible? Are they going to burn the house down while you are gone or let your child run loose? Here are a couple things to look for when searching for the perfect babysitter. • Ask for references Checking references is the best way to see if your candidate is a good choice. Find out if they get there on time, how they deal with poor behavior, how ...

Posted in General, Pre-K, Tip of the Week | No Comments »

5 Ways to Prevent a Meltdown

September 25, 2008 – 10:28 am by Kim

We’ve all witnesses it and some have experienced it – a child’s meltdown in a public place. Whether it be a restaurant or toy store, kids have no limits when it comes to having a full blown public meltdown. Often it comes out of nowhere and catches you by complete surprise, but the good news is that it can be prevented. Here are five easy solutions to preventing a meltdown. Solution #1:  Take some time out When your child starts acting up and you feel a tantrum coming on, take a brief time out. If you aren’t at home, then take it outside the store or restaurant or find an empty aisle. Have your child sit down and calm down (have them sit one minute per year of ...

Posted in General, Pre-K, Tip of the Week | 1 Comment »

10 Things Your Preschool May Not Tell You

September 23, 2008 – 1:56 pm by Kim

This list was created by Smart Money magazine and shorten in this post for easy reading.  1. “We’re licensed, but that doesn’t mean we are high quality” Most licensing requirements are based around safety and health, rather than the quality of teachers of curriculum. Find out how long they have been in operation and seek testimonials and recommendations from other parents. 2. “Bus drivers are paid better than our teachers” The average salary of a preschool teacher is around $22,000, which is less than most bus drivers, and therefore leads to a high turnover rate – approximately 30 to 50%. A higher turnover rate means less training and less experience. Be sure that you check for college degrees and visit the school to observe the classroom. 3. “We are solely focused on academics” Some schools will ...

Posted in General, Pre-K | No Comments »

Fall Shows to Watch With Your Preschooler

September 22, 2008 – 3:05 pm by Kim

Today is the first day of fall and the beginnings of colder weather. As this change occurs, you may find yourself spending more time indoors to keep your preschooler warm. If this is the case, you may want to catch a t.v. show or two, and you might as well make it educational. Here is a list of this fall’s top t.v. sampler for preschoolers to tweens. 1. Martha Speaks (ages 4-7) The show is centered around a dog, Martha, who ate a can of vegetable soup and can now magically speak. Martha teaches vocabulary and life lessons to her viewers. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFtrS78z8WA] 2. Sid the Science Kid (preschool) Digital animation of the Henson puppets that aims to make scientific concepts accessible to children. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V87I10yMIb4] 3. Imagination Movers (preschool) Focused around a New Orleans-based band whose rock ‘n’ ...

Posted in General, Pre-K, Video | No Comments »

Importance of Planning

September 19, 2008 – 2:36 pm by Megan Spears

Do you ever wonder how some parents do it? I do, all the time! I know I have talked about this before,  but I am always amazed at what we are capable of as parents. One thing that helps me stay on track in so many areas is meal planning. If you haven't ever considered it, you need to think about it. Until about a year ago, I would have never thought that I would be a meal planner. I remember when I first saw a list on a friends fridge, I thought it seemed like so much work and for what?Here are just a few reasons why meal planning is so beneficial: 1. Saves You Money. Planning meals means planning your shopping list! 2. No more ...

Posted in Family, General, K-12, Pre-K | 1 Comment »