Art is not only a hobby, but an essential part of a child’s early education. Kids like to paint, draw and scribble! Half the time they don’t give any thought to what they are actually drawing, does this matter? No, because they are just having fun, being creative and learning new skills! So, let them finger-paint, scribble with pencils and crayons, sprinkle the glitter and smear paint all over the paper. They enjoy it! While it may just look like kids are just making a mess left for you to clean up, they are actually learning. They are developing new skills, while… Counting the pieces of torn up paper, learning and discovering new colours, joining new materials together and boosting their confidence by feeling good about what they have created! Three ways art helps a child learn: Mental development: creative activities let children learn new things in their own fun way. Children can learn shapes, colours, textures, basic numeracy and measurements through art. Another great way for teaching children is to ask them questions about what they have created, so they can also develop their language skills. Ask them about the shapes and colours they have used. Physical development: art can increase a child’s fine motor skills as they can learn how to cut and tear paper, hold a paintbrush and also how to correctly hold pencils. Children can learn many important developmental skills through art. Creative development: art increases a child’s capacity to think and allows them to draw and create anything they want. They get to experiment with new materials, colours and objects. Art allows them to make their own decisions! Art is crucial for all these developmental areas, plus it allows them to express themselves freely. Creativity forms new connections and develops the right side of the brain, which is important for a child as they grow. Art builds and promotes: Creativity Neural connections Writing Fine motor skills Problem-solving Self-exploration Overall, art is a fun activity that allows children to collaborate together learning social skills and other important skills! At My Cubby House Early Learning Centre, children have fun filled days creating art, taking part in physical activities, socialising with other children and learning new things. Our friendly educators work together to create rich learning opportunities that we offer to toddlers from six weeks old through to pre-prep at six years of age. For more information on our childcare centre or for enquiries, please contact us on 07 5527 1679 or please click here. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.
The Child Care Subsidy (CSS) is the sole means-tested subsidy available to assist families with the cost of child care. As of July 2018, the CCS is the only means-tested subsidy to help families cover the cost of child care. It replaced both the Child Care Benefit (CCB) and the Child Care Rebate (CCR). Because of this change, low-income families in particular will be better off as a result, with the subsidy rate increased and the annual cap or limit on Government support also abolished. But how much are you eligible for, and what else do you need to know? Who can use the subsidy? The CCS means that the Government will pay part of your child care fees directly to your child care provider, reducing how much you have to pay. But to get this payment assistance, you need to meet a few criteria. According to the Department of Human Services, you may be eligible to receive the payment if: You care for your child at least 2 nights per fortnight, or have 14% care You are liable for any fees you pay to approved child care service You or your partner are living in Australia, AND are either an Australian citizen, have a permanent visa, have a Special Category Visa, a certain temporary visa type You child must also meet criteria, including: Under the age of 13 Or if they have a disability, between the ages of 14-18 Some families can get additional payments if you’re either a grandparent, transitioning to work, or currently undergoing temporary financial hardship. Video embed <iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/tUGMgTNcLiw” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe> Or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUGMgTNcLiw How much can you get? The amount of subsidy you are eligible to receive will depend on your circumstances, as the CCS is means tested. Overall, it depends on three main factors: your combined family income, the hourly rate cap, the hours of “activity” you and your partner do. Family income The lower your income, the greater share of your child care costs are covered. The table below outlines a rough estimate. Combined Family Income Subsidy received as a % of fee charged (up to hourly rate cap) $0 to $66,958 85% Above $66,958 to below $171,958 Decreasing to 50%* $171,958 to below $251,248 50% $251,248 to below $341,248 Decreasing to 20%* $341,248 to below $351,248 20% $351,248 or more 0% In addition, if your family earns $188,163 or less, there will not be a cap on your subsidy, which means there will not be a point where your subsidy runs out each financial year. Hourly rate cap Because different types of child care charge different fees, the Government has placed a rate cap – the amount of the child care fee the subsidy applies to – on different types of child care. Therefore, depending on the type of child care you use, you may be eligible for different amounts. The table below outlines these caps. Type of child care Maximum number of hours of subsidy per fortnight Centre Based Day Care – long day care and occasional care $11.77 Family Day Care $10.90 Outside School Hours Care $10.29 In Home Care (per family) $25.48 (per family) As a long day care service, the hourly rate cap for My Cubby House Early Learning is $11.77. Level of recognised activity Depending in the amount of activity – i.e. paid work, unpaid work in a family business, unpaid work experience or unpaid internships, approved course of education, professional development, or volunteering – you will be eligible for a different subsidy amount. The more hours of activity you undertake, the more hours of childcare your subsidy applies to. The table below highlights the various levels of subsidy entitlement. Hours of activity per fortnight Maximum number of hours of subsidy per fortnight Less than 8 per fortnight 0 hours if you earn above $68,163 or 24 hours if you earn below $68,163 8-16 per fortnight 36 hours 16-48 per fortnight 72 hours 48+ per fortnight 100 hours How can I claim my payment? To claim your payment, the simplest way is to do it online using your myGov account. Otherwise you can claim via phone by calling the families line on 136 150. To make your claim as smooth as possible, make sure to have some supporting documentation at the ready. The most common types of documentation include: Financial – e.g. tax file number, bank statements, savings and superannuation Education – e.g. enrolment details, academic transcripts Work – e.g. income tax returns, PAYG certificates, payslips Living – e.g. housing arrangements, rent certificate, rates notices Relationships – citizenship or visa details Child care – e.g. birth certificates of child, medical reports, medical certificates How to calculate my subsidy? Clearly, there are a number of factors that will affect how much of the CCS you’re entitled to. If you have any questions related to the CCS eligibility requirements you can visit the Department of Human Services website here. Similarly, to get an estimate of the CCS subsidy you’re most likely to receive, you can the Goodstart early learning subsidy estimator. If you have any further questions about the Child Care Subsidy and how it applies to your family, don’t hesitate to contact us at My Cubby House Early Learning Centre. 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From an early age, there are a few child developmental milestones and stages, each with important signs to check your child is on track. When it comes to your baby growing up, there are a few major development milestones and stages that every parent looks forward to, from taking their first steps to smiling and waving “bye-bye” for the first time. But these are just some of the more obvious milestones. From birth to around 5 years old, there are many important signs to look out for in the way they play, learn, speak and move that indicate your child is developing on the right track. In this blog, we highlight a few of the key development stages and the milestones to look out for. The stages outlined here are part of the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standards. It’s important to keep in mind that a child’s learning path is ongoing, and each individual will progress towards outcomes in different ways and that learning doesn’t always happen in a straight line. Birth to 4 Months The first 4 months can be some of the most exciting, if not sleep-depriving, moments of raising your child. During this stage, you’ll get past the newborn phase and start to get a better sense of your baby’s personality. They’ll begin to gain better control over their bodies, for example being able to support their head upright, and will develop a strong sucking reflex. Key milestones: Baby turns their head to the side when the cheek is touched Responds to some gentle touching and cuddling or light rocking Begins to roll side to side Smiles and laughs Shows excitement at being fed Some of the warning signs at this stage include: Arching of the back Does not start to make sounds Not responding to familiar faces or sounds 4 to 8 Months By the time your baby reaches 4 months old, they’ll be starting to understand both themselves and you better. They’ll know when you call their name, and recognise your voice. Over this period, they should begin to become more curious about the surroundings and look to start communicating with others. Key milestones: Attempts to sit on their own Starts crawling movements using hands and feet, aka the “commando crawl” Recognises familiar people Swipes at nearby hanging objects Enjoys games Some of the warning signs at this stage include: Struggling to learn sounds Not learning to roll or play on the floor Struggles to move objects between hands 8 to 12 months At this point, your baby becomes a curious rover. They are not only able to crawl, but have started to develop problem-solving skills that make them a nightmare to keep an eye on. With their new abilities, their interest in the world around them only grows. They begin to point and make sounds and begin to learn how they affect people around them. Key milestones: Can raise themselves to sitting position Sits upright with little or no support Picks up and throws objects Crawling quickly Shows interest in picture books Some of the warning signs at this stage include: Unresponsive to carers Struggling to sit, crawl or pull themselves up to stand Not learning to eat solids 1-2 years By now, your child is a verified toddler. They do things their own way, and they’re showing clear signs of learning, playing and exploring. They’re able to concentrate more, and as a result, are better at listening and playing with others for longer. Each day they’ll take on new challenges and will seem increasingly independent. Key milestones: Your child is walking, climbing and beginning to run Can drink from a cup Cooperates when playing Seeks comfort when upset or afraid Recognises self in the mirror Comprehends simple questions or commands Some of the warning signs at this stage include: Is not communicating through word or actions Is not responding to others Not seeking attention 2 to 3 years By now, your child’s memory is fast developing, and they’re able to talk about people who aren’t present. They can begin doing more things outside the home and playing more independently. Moreover, their imagination is skyrocketing, with playtime becoming more and more about acting out scenarios and imitating what they perceive around them. Key milestones: Can start to draw shapes and lines Begins to play with other children more Simple make-believe play Show remorse or guilt for poor behaviour Uses symbolic play, e.g. use a block as a car Talks by using 2 or 3 words together Copies other people’s words and actions Some of the warning signs at this stage include: Is not interested in playing Finds it hard to use small objects Is not using many words Is not interested in others 3 to 5 years Finally, your child has reached pre-schooler age. At this stage, they are incredibly fascinated by the world around them. They are able to communicate better every day, speaking in longer formed sentence and asking questions left right and centre. They are hyper-focused on understanding more about the world around them. They look forward to playing with other kids and learning rules as they develop their social skills. Key milestones: Is able to dress/undress without much help Hold pens/pencils between thumb and first two fingers Can feed themselves Enjoys playing with others Understands when others are hurt Answers simple questions Speaks in sentences using numerous different words Enjoys jokes and stories Some of the warning signs at this stage include: Has speech fluency problems or stammering Not playing with others Unable to join a conversation At My Cubby House Early Learning Centre, we make sure to keep an eye on your child’s development milestones, so you can rest assured your child is reaching their full potential. If you are concerned about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to contact us, or make an appointment with your local family doctor to carry out a full development check. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and
Immunisation can protect your child from a range of diseases Here at My Cubby House, the team encourages the immunisation of your child to protect them from the spread of a range of diseases. However, if you don’t want to immunise your child, we won’t hold that against you or refuse your child’s enrollment. If an outbreak does occur in the centre, your child will be excluded from entering the centre just to be safe. Why is it important? When you immunise your child, the vaccine prompts the immune system to fight off a range of diseases while also preventing it from developing. Here are some more important reasons: It’s safe – One of the main worries for many parents is that the vaccines aren’t safe. Although it can cause a bit of pain and discomfort during the injection, it is one of the safest ways to protect your child from harmful diseases. Before vaccines become available, they go through several strict trials before being registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. They are also manufactured to a set of strict safety guidelines. Can save families money – By getting your child vaccinated at the correct time, they will remain healthy and you will be saving money on getting medical attention as well as buying medication. What can it protect? By having your child immunised, it can protect your child from several diseases including: Chicken Pox Hepatitis A and B Measles Tetanus Meningococcal Whooping Cough When’s the correct time? Created by the Queensland Government, the National Immunisation Program Schedule lists every type of vaccine and when your child should have it. In Queensland, all vaccines for children are provided free of charge. To make it easier to keep track of when your child’s next vaccination is, the Queensland Government has also come up with an excellent tool – VacciDate App. This app allows you to keep track of when all your child’s vaccinations are due and be able to have a digital record of every vaccine your child has had. Immunisation and Your Child at My Cubby House If you would like more details about immunising your child, contact us. Alternatively, you can visit the Queensland Government website for all the important information about immunisation. Why is it important to immunise my child? It is important to immunise your child because the vaccine prompts the immune system to fight off a number of different diseases. Another important reason is it’s tested. Before made available every vaccine goes through a series of strict trials and are manufactured by a set of strict guidelines. What can the vaccines protect my child against? By having your child immunised, the vaccines are protecting your child against a range of diseases including: Chicken Pox Tetanus Whooping Cough Hepatitis A and B When is the correct time to immunise my child? Thanks to the Queensland Government, they have created a few handy tools that can help with immunising your child. These tools are: National Immunisation Program Schedule – This lists every type of vaccine that is available and when your child should have it. VacciDate App – This app has been designed to allow you to keep track of all your child’s vaccines as well as being able to schedule out all the future vaccinations. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.
Reading to your child can benefit their future. But how? We all know that reading can play a huge part in your child’s development, but it can also benefit them for years to come – from school to university and life in general. Here at My Cubby House, we have studied hard and have created a list of the benefits associated with reading to your child. Improvement in literacy Literacy development is important in children especially early on as it is the foundation for life. The way your child’s literacy develops can have an impact on doing well at school, being able to socialise comfortably, working, saving money and developing independence. By reading to your child, you are helping them develop an understanding of words as well as sounds. A few good ways for improving literacy include: Looking at the pictures in the book and discussing what the pictures are about Letting your child sound the words out – this can be a massive benefit later in life, especially with spelling and being able to break the word up in to syllables. Language Development By reading to your child early on in their life, it can help to introduce more complex words. This can play a greater role in improving and strengthening their oral and comprehension skills especially for when they are ready to start at school. A few ways to improve language development include: Getting them to read the book to you – this can improve their pronunciation for words. Spell out the word – this can help with their grammar and doing assignments at school. Improves Brain Function We do like running or yoga to stay fit, but how does the brain stay in top shape? By reading with your child, you are basically doing a brain workout. This workout helps to improve the neurobiological attention that is required to remain focused and improve intelligence. Both concentration and attention of the brain can also benefit from reading. These are two of the most important skills as they lay the foundation in life. It can also reduce the chances of Dementia and Alzheimer’s from occurring as reading helps to engage the brain and prevent it from losing any power. Improves Knowledge Books are the main source of your knowledge. These days, books can cover anything from science, geography through to self-help. The more books you read, the more you improve and expand your knowledge. Reading to your child can be a major part of their development and can help them in the future with work, completing assignments and even studying. Early Learning at My Cubby House If you are wanting more information about how reading can benefit the development of your child or looking to begin the early learning path, feel free to contact us and we are happy to discuss this in more details. Why is reading to your child important? By reading to your child, it is helping to improve their literacy as well as brain function and knowledge. All these things can help them in their future development, especially schooling. I currently read to my child, but what are some good techniques for improving their language development? These two techniques should help you: Get them to read the book with you – can help to improve pronunciation of words Spell the word out – This is super important as it can dramatically improve their ability with grammar and spelling when they start going to school. How can reading improve my child’s knowledge? Through reading, your child is expanding their knowledge and also keeping up to date with major topics like science, geography as well as the English language. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.
7 healthy snacks for your child Growing children get hungry between meals and it can sometimes be difficult to avoid refined flour, added sugar and artificial ingredients. Snack time is the best time to sneak some extra nutrients into your child’s diet. Instead of highly processed snacks, here are some whole foods that will provide energy and nutrition when your child’s tummy begins to rumble. Fresh fruit Fresh fruit is an ideal snack because it is colourful, enjoyable and nutritious, providing a multitude of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are vital to healthy growth and development. There is a multitude of ways that fruit can be served to make it interesting and exciting every single time. Do be sure to cut the fruit into smaller pieces, particularly for kids between 0 – 5 years old as they are more likely to choke on food because of their narrower airways. Apple slices combined with a peanut butter dip are a delicious fibre-filled option Fresh fruit is easy on the go. Cut it up into smaller pieces and store it in a container for convenience Try peanut butter and a banana quesadilla for a healthy snack A fruit smoothie is a great way to pack a lot of nutrients in but try to add vegetables as well because fruits are high in natural sugars For the summer months, a frozen fruit popsicle made at home offers less sugar and preservatives than the store-bought kind Dried Fruit Dried fruit such as sultanas, raisins and apricots are recommended in smaller amounts. It’s important to know that the nutrition value of dried fruit does change, usually with an increase in sugar. Dried fruits also pose a choking hazard as kids may find them hard to chew and swallow. Dried fruit is obviously convenient to carry around in a handbag and can be stored in sealed bags for far longer than fresh fruit. Raisins are packed with fibre, potassium and various health-promoting plant compounds Prunes are natural laxatives and are rich in fibre, potassium, Vitamin A and K Dates are rich in antioxidants and have a low glycaemic index which means that they won’t cause major spikes in blood sugar. Yoghurt Yoghurt is a perfect snack that is full of protein and calcium which is especially important for your child’s developing bones. There are some yoghurts that contain probiotics which are beneficial to the digestive system. But remember to opt for plain, full-fat yoghurt and sweeten it with fresh fruit or a drizzle of honey rather than the kid’s yoghurts which are much higher in sugar. Do also remember to avoid giving honey to infants under 12 months as they are at risk of botulism. Popcorn Many people view popcorn as junk food as it is commonly slathered in butter and other unhealthy toppings, when in fact it is a really nutritious whole grain. Try to air-pop your own and drizzle it with a little butter and salt or grated parmesan cheese on top. Do watch out for little ones eating popcorn though as it can be a choking hazard. Nuts Nuts contain healthy fats, fibre and antioxidants. In the past doctors recommended withholding nuts from children because of the risk of an allergic reaction but more recent evidence indicates that introducing them at a lower age reduces this risk. They can also pose a potential choking hazard so do ensure that your little one is able to manage the texture before you give them nuts as a snack. Hard-boiled eggs Eggs are a highly nutritious snack for kids that provide high-quality protein along with a multitude of vitamins and minerals. They also contain two carotenoids that are beneficial for eye health as well as choline which is a vitamin necessary for proper brain development. Keep hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for a quick, high-protein snack. Olives Olives are great because they are rich in healthy fats and are packed with powerful antioxidants that help to protect your body from damaging molecules known as free radicals. Olives make for easy snacking though it would be a good idea to buy the pitted variety to make serving easier. Each olive variety does have its own unique flavour so start out with the mild-flavoured black olives first if your little one hasn’t had them before. Whatever your little one’s tastes and preferences, there are a number of healthier options for you to choose from. How can I help my child eat better? A healthy diet is imperative in your child’s development and as their parent, you are responsible for what they eat. Consider some of these tips when planning meals: Use less fat, salt, and sugar Cook with fewer solid fats. Use olive or canola oil instead of butter or margarine. Bake or roast instead of frying. You can get a crunchy texture with oven-frying recipes or using an air-fryer which uses little or no oil. Choose and prepare foods with less salt. Keep the salt off the table. Have fruits and vegetables on hand for snacks instead of salty snacks like chips. Limit the amount of sugar your child eats. Choose cereals with low sugar or with dried fruits as the source of sugar Make half of what is on your child’s plate fruits and vegetables Avoid oversized portions. How does physical activity help my child? Physical activity is just as important in adults as it is in kids. Like adults, children should be physically active most, if not all, days of the week. Experts suggest at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily for most children. Activities can include fast walking, riding a bicycle, skipping, playing basketball, soccer, or hopscotch as great ways for children to be active. Parents play a big role in helping kids to get up and get moving so you will need to set an example yourself by performing the regular physical activity as well as encouraging them and even joining them while they play. Do family dinners have any
Even the best kids misbehave, so it’s important to have strategies in places to deal with challenging behaviour. At My Cubby House Early Learning we believe that all children are wonderful, even if their behaviour is less than perfect at times. As parents, you may have different ideas about the difference between good and challenging behaviour and what you view as negative may be accepted as perfectly normal behaviour to other families. The way that parents tackle a child’s behaviour can also be vastly different where some are extremely strict, others may be more relaxed or have more patience in certain situations. There is no perfect black and white way to deal with temper tantrums and meltdowns but if it does become a reoccurring issue then it may be possible that there are behavioural issues that you need to address. Why is my child misbehaving? Children can be sensitive to their environment and whatever is happening around them, possibly causing them to act out or behave badly. There are a number of potential causes behind why your child is being difficult. Certain changes in a child’s life can cause a major upheaval resulting in behavioural problems. Things such as moving house, introducing a new sibling and even starting new childcare are just some changes that may cause a dramatic change in your child’s behaviour It is also possible that the way a particular problem was dealt with in the past, may be causing issues in the present Using chocolates or sweets as a way to placate your keep your child quiet may instil in them the belief that these treats will be given each time they go out or if they misbehave Tantrums may also be a way of getting attention, whether good or bad There may be other reasons for your child acting out such as hunger, tiredness, being over-excited or even simply boredom 10 helpful positive behavioural tips It’s true that children often mimic their parent’s behaviour so you will need to set an example by acting the way you want them to behave. Children are always watching and learning for you, so take the time to be a role model and use your behaviour to model theirs. Let your children know how their actions make you feel. Engage with them and explain that their behaviour hurts your feelings or makes you sad. Begin your sentences with the word “I” to try to get them to see things from your perspective. Be lavish with praise when your child is well behaved. This positive reinforcement can instil in them the understanding that good behaviour makes you proud and is desirable. Make eye contact by getting down on their level and communicating with them in a positive manner. This will allow them to be fully focused on exactly what you are saying. Say exactly what you mean and do what you have said you will do. Children learn from early on if you do not follow through with your words whether it is good or bad. Some sage advice is to learn to pick your battles. Consider the consequences and weight of your response along with what they are asking. Before you simply respond with no, ask yourself if it really matters if they want their cereal out of a cup or if they want to wear socks in the bath. Responsibility and the weight of consequences are important for older children. As your child gets older, give them more responsibility and teach them that with responsibility comes consequences. For example, if they were supposed to bring their water bottle home from school but forget, then they will not have one the next day. It is up to them to remember to bring it home. Make your point and move on. It is not necessary to keep pushing a point that will only make them feel worse. Make your child feel like their voice and opinion matters too. Whether they are young enough to be starting childcare or going into high school, their say should matter as well. Making light of a situation can also be helpful. Joke and laugh if it calls for it but be careful not to poke fun at your child. A joke is where two people are laughing. It is vital for your child to attend an early childhood education service when good behaviour is encouraged from day one. At My Cubby House Early Learning, our carers play an important role in guiding your child’s behaviour in an environment that is positive and supportive. We ensure that rules are kept simple and easy to understand so that they are easy to abide by. For any further advice, please feel free to speak to one of our experienced educators for support and guidance. What is a helicopter parent? A helicopter parent is a disapproving term for parents who believe their child is extremely vulnerable to injury, to teasing, to disease and disappointment that they hover (like a helicopter) over the child, ready to swoop in if when needed or if anything remotely negative happens. They try to oversee ever aspect of their child’s life and pay extremely close attention to a child’s or children’s experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions. Although the term is most often applied to parents of high school or college-aged students who do tasks the child is capable of doing alone, helicopter parenting can apply at any age. During toddlerhood, a helicopter parent might constantly watch over the child, always playing with and directing his behaviour, allowing him zero alone time. Why do children bite? Some children bite out of instinct because they don’t yet have self-control. Some of the other reasons why children may bite include: Relieving pain from teething Exploring cause and effect: what happens when I bite? To satisfy oral-motor stimulation To imitate other children or adults To feel strong and in control To get attention To act in self-defense To communicate needs such as hunger or
My Cubby House Early Learning How to toilet train your toddler Generally speaking, toddlers begin entering the phase to start potty training anywhere from 18 months to 3 years old. How quickly they are able to do so is entirely dependent on your child. It is possible that they may be toilet trained and out of nappies by age 2 or only beginning to comprehend using the toilet by three, the important thing is that there is no set time. When will I know if my child is ready to potty train? The key to potty training is to not force it. If your little one is not ready, then you will not be able to force them to use it until they are. Eventually, however, they will be swayed to using one once they see other kids going to the potty or toilet on their own at child care or preschool. How to know when your child is ready to use the potty As soon as your child becomes aware of their own in-nappy toileting, then you may want to consider introducing them to the potty. Be sure to look out for the following: They are aware of their nappy being wet or dry They are aware of when they are going to the toilet in the nappy They indicate the need to urinate by fidgeting or hiding They are becoming more independent in completing tasks They become interested in watching others use the toilet Their nappy is dry for up to two hours (indicating the ability to store urine in their bladder) They indicate with words or gestures when going to the toilet in their nappy They begin to dislike wearing a nappy, often tugging at it when wet or soiled They have regular, soft formed bowel movements They can pull their pants up and down It is important to know that not all of these signs need to be present for your child to be ready to potty train. Preparing for potty training In order to get your child ready to potty train, it is a good idea to start talking about it when you are changing their nappy so that they can become accustomed to the idea. And when they follow you to the bathroom (as they commonly do) speak to them about what you are doing, indicating that they too will be using the big toilet in time. Try to leave the potty out in plain sight where they will not only be able to see it but may also play and sit on it. If they have older siblings, then encourage them to sit on the potty and pretend they are using it. And you can even try using your little one’s toys to pretend that they need to use the potty as well. These are all small actions that will begin to perpetuate the idea of using the potty in your toddler’s mind. How do I begin potty training? If you feel that your toddler might be ready to begin using the potty, then be prepared to spend a week at home giving them your full attention while they wear no nappy at all. Other actions you may want to implement: Encourage your child to sit on the potty after meals Watch them closely for their potty use and continue to ask them if they would like to use the potty Ask them to sit on the potty while the two of you play a game Ask them to sit on the potty as soon as they know they need to go to the toilet Teach them words for their different bodily functions along with the phrase “I need to go” Ensure that your child’s diet consists of enough fibre and water to prevent constipation which will make toilet training far more difficult What equipment do I need for potty training? If your child is using the toilet, then you will need to ensure that you have a step for them to stand on. You will also need a smaller seat to securely fit inside the toilet seat as many kids are afraid of falling in. It is also recommended that before you begin potty training, you ensure that there are not big changes coming up. These can include starting day care, moving to a new house, bringing home a newborn baby or even going on holiday. What if my child has an accident while using the potty? If your child does not make it to the potty or misses it, do not make a fuss. Simply clean it up and wait for the next time. Making a fuss will only result in anxiety and worry about their next potty trip. It will not be perfect for a while but as soon as they succeed, that victory will be one that remains with them for the rest of their lives. All you need is one successful potty usage for them to fully grasp the concept. At My Cubby House Early Learning, your child’s home routine will always be considered to create a consistent environment where your little one will feel safe and thrive. If you would like to enrol your child then be sure to visit our website where you can enrol online. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.
From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops more than at any other time in their life. This early brain development has a long-lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed both academically and socially. The quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life, both positive or negative, helps to shape how their brain develops. While the field of neuroscience is continuously developing, we already have a lot of good information that can help us understand our children’s early brain development. Brain development in children The brain is essentially the command centre for the body. Early in your child’s life, they will start to form synapses or neural connections in the brain at a faster rate than at any other time of life. At least one million new neural connections are made every second! They’re actually producing many more than they need, and not all of them will make it to adulthood. This allows them to learn things more quickly than adults do. When your little one arrives, a lot of work and growth has already been done in the womb. But, there’s still a lot more growing to do. At birth, your child already has almost all of the neurons they’ll need for the rest of their lives even though their brain is generally only a quarter of the size of the average adult brain. Most people are familiar with the “soft spot” on a baby’s head. These soft spots are called fontanelles and exist because your child’s skull is not fully fused at birth. This serves the dual purpose of helping the head fit through the birth canal and allowing room for the brain to grow quickly during early childhood. Amazingly, the brain will double in size in just the first year. It will keep growing to about 80% of adult size by age 3 and 90%, nearly full grown – by age 5. What are the different areas of the brain used for? Different areas of the brain are responsible for different abilities, like movement, language and emotion. These different areas also develop at different rates. Brain development builds on itself, as connections eventually link with each other in more complex ways enabling your child to move and speak and think in more multifaceted ways. The brain is divided into three sections, the cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum: The cerebrum (front of brain) is composed of the right and left hemispheres. The functions of the cerebrum include: movement, coordination, temperature, touch, vision, hearing, speech and language, judgment, reasoning, problem solving, emotions, and learning. This section (middle of brain) includes the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla. The functions of this area include: movement of the eyes and mouth, relaying sensory messages (hot, pain, loud), hunger, respirations, consciousness, cardiac function, body temperature, involuntary muscle movements, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing. The cerebellum (back of brain) is located at the back of the head. Its primary functions are to coordinate voluntary muscle movements and to maintain posture, balance and equilibrium. These early years are the best opportunity for your child’s brain to develop the connections they need to be healthy, skilful and successful adults. The connections needed for many important, higher-level abilities like motivation, self-regulation, problem solving, and communication are formed in these early years. It’s much harder for these essential brain connections to be formed later in life. Early learning from childcare Whether or not you enrol your child in a pre-school program can often be a tough decision for many parents. While it’s a very personal choice and there are many factors that go into the decision, research compiled by Urban Child Institute in Memphis, Tennessee shows that children enrolled in pre-kindergarten classes have improved cognitive skills, decreased risk of developmental delays, and improved kindergarten readiness. Why not come in and experience our centre on a tour and meet our team and see for yourself why My Cubby House is a great choice for your family! We welcome children aged six weeks through to six years and offer purpose-designed environments and varied learning opportunities for each age group. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.
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