Managing Screen Time: Encouraging Active Play In today’s digital age, managing children’s screen time is a growing concern for many parents. At My Cubby House Early Learning, we believe in the importance of balancing screen time with active play to promote healthy development in children. This article provides practical tips and ideas to encourage active play while effectively managing screen time. Benefits of Active Play Active play is crucial for children’s physical, social, and cognitive development. It helps build strong muscles and bones, enhances coordination and balance, and improves social skills through interaction with peers. Furthermore, active play stimulates creativity and problem-solving abilities. Why Active Play Matters: Reading is a magical gateway to new worlds for young minds. At My Cubby House, we: Social Skills: Encourages teamwork and communication. Cognitive Growth: Enhances creativity and critical thinking. For more insights on fostering active play, explore our learning environments page here. Balancing Screen Time Managing screen time is essential to ensure children do not miss out on the benefits of active play. Here are some tips to help balance screen time effectively: Set Clear Limits: Establish daily screen time limits based on age-appropriate guidelines. Create a Schedule: Include specific times for screen use and active play. Lead by Example: Model healthy screen habits as children often mimic adult behaviour. Pro Tip: Incorporate tech-free zones in your home, such as the dining area and bedrooms, to encourage family interaction and active play. Active Play Ideas for Different Age Groups For Toddlers (1-3 years) Sensory Play: Use sand, water, or textured toys. Simple Puzzles: Enhance problem-solving skills. Music and Dance: Develop motor skills through movement. For Preschoolers (3-5 years) Obstacle Courses: Improve coordination and balance. Storytelling with Props: Foster imagination and language skills. Outdoor Play: Encourage exploration and physical activity. For School-Age Children (5-8 years) Team Sports: Teach cooperation and teamwork. Creative Arts and Crafts: Boost creativity and fine motor skills. Nature Walks: Explore and learn about the environment. For more activity ideas, check out our extra-curricular programs page here. My Cubby House Early Learning Services At My Cubby House Early Learning, we prioritise play-based learning and offer a variety of extra-curricular activities that support active play. Our state-of-the-art facilities are designed to provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to grow and learn. Our Key Services Include: Individualised Learning: Tailored educational programs for each child. Qualified Educators: Experienced and dedicated staff. Comprehensive Curriculum: Includes literacy, numeracy, science, arts, and social-emotional development. Learn more about our curriculum elements and how we create a rich and engaging learning environment. Balancing screen time with active play is essential for the overall well-being of children. By incorporating the tips and activities mentioned above, you can help your child enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. We are committed to providing quality child care that promotes active play and holistic development. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your child’s growth and learning journey. Related links: https://mycubbyhouseearlylearning.com.au/blog/the-importance-of-play/ Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.
It’s a beautiful day outside and the sun is shining! The kids ask you what they can do? If your answer is “go outside and play,” then you’re on the right track! Playing outdoors has many benefits for children, including improving their physical health, mental well-being, and creativity. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of outdoor play and messy play for children. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get started! What is messy play? Messy play is any type of activity that involves getting messy, such as painting, sculpting with clay, or playing in the mud. It’s a great way for children to explore their senses and be creative. Why is outdoor play important? Outdoor play is important because it allows children to explore the world around them. They can run, jump, and climb, which helps to develop their gross motor skills. Fresh air and sunlight are also good for children’s health. What are the benefits of outdoor play and messy play for children? Physical Health: Outdoor play is a great way for children to get fresh air and exercise. Running, climbing, and playing games are all excellent ways for children to stay active. Outdoor play also helps children develop gross motor skills (coordinating large muscle groups). Mental Well-Being: Being outdoors has been shown to reduce stress and improve moods. Fresh air and sunlight are great for our mental health, and spending time in nature can help us feel more calm and relaxed. Outdoor play also gives children the opportunity to explore, use their imaginations, and take risks (within safe limits). Creativity: Messy play and outdoor play are both great for fostering creativity in children. When children have the opportunity to get messy and explore their surroundings, they can learn new things about the world around them. They can also use their imaginations to come up with new games and activities. How can I get started? If you’re looking for ways to encourage your child to play outdoors and get messy, look no further! Here are a few resources to give you some ideas! https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/videos/messy-play-helps-development https://www.famly.co/blog/10-messy-play-ideas-for-hands-on-learning Winter Messy Play Ideas That Will Delight the Kids We hope you enjoyed this blog post. For more tips and information on child development, be sure to visit our website or give us a call. We’re always happy to help! Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.
It is the responsibility of early childhood education and care services to protect young children from infectious diseases. This means that all staff working in these services must be aware of the guidelines for preventing disease transmission. In this blog post, we will discuss some of these guidelines, so that you can ensure we are providing a safe and healthy environment for your child. How we work to protect the health of your child At My Cubby House Early Learning, we follow the guidelines as published by the National Health and Medical Research Council in our approach to caring for the health of children in our care. For more information on these guidelines, you can visit: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/reports/clinical%20guidelines/ch55-staying-healthy.pdf The first step in preventing disease transmission is to ensure that all staff members are up-to-date with their vaccinations. This includes vaccinations for common childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. It is also important for staff members to have influenza and of course COVID19 vaccinations. These vaccines help to protect both children and adults from serious illness. It is also important to follow good hygiene practices in early childhood education and care services. This includes regular hand washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitisers, and cleaning surfaces with disinfectant. Good hygiene practices help to reduce the spread of germs and prevent outbreaks of disease. Finally, it is important to have a plan in place for dealing with sick children. This includes having a separate area for sick children, and ensuring that all staff members know how to recognise the signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses. If a child becomes ill, it is important to follow the correct procedure for isolating them from other children and seeking medical advice. What parents can do to help keep their child healthy in childcare? By following the guidelines set out by the National Health and Medical Research Council, early childhood education and care services can provide a safe and healthy environment for children. As a parent, there are also some things you can do to help prevent the spread of disease in early childhood education and care services. Make sure your child is up-to-date with their vaccinations. This includes vaccinations for common childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. Ensure your child practices good hygiene habits. This includes regular hand washing, using alcohol-based hand sanitisers, and cleaning surfaces with disinfectant. If your child becomes ill, keep them at home and seek medical advice. If you have any questions about this article and how My Cubby House cares for the health of your child, please don’t hesitate to contact us 07 5527 1679. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Buffer, Digg, Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon, Delicious, WhatsApp, Line and Naver.