Beginnings School

Why the First Day of Preschool Is Important for Parents Too

The first day of preschool is a momentous occasion for children and parents alike. However, many parents experience more anxiety than their children when sending them into the care of another person for the first time. The best preschools can help nervous parents ease into this new routine. The following advice can also improve the transition from home to preschool.

Leaving your child with someone outside the family for the first time:

Many parents are nervous on the first day of preschool because it may also be the first time they are putting their child in the care of a relative stranger. To dispel this fear, the best preschools will have meet-and-greet days prior to the beginning of the school year so that parents and students can get to know their teachers. Yet parents should always feel free to inquire about the credentials of their children’s instructors. Knowing that your child’s teachers have the proper qualifications can further alleviate your stress.

Worrying that your child may not like preschool:

The prospect that their children will not want to go to preschool is a common concern for parents. To combat this potential problem, the best preschools recommend that parents discuss this transition with their children well before the first day of school. Explain to your child what going to preschool will be like, including when you will drop him off, how long he will be there, and when you will pick him up each afternoon. If possible, ask your preschool teachers for a class schedule so your child knows how his days will unfold.

Agonizing that your child will not need you anymore:

Sometimes parents are concerned that their children will enjoy preschool too much. Though parents want their children to be happy at preschool, they likewise want to know that their children still need them. Sending your child to preschool is a normal part of the parent-child relationship. Experiencing feelings of withdrawal is also natural. Acknowledge your emotions, but don’t forget to celebrate this exciting new time in your child’s life.

Beginnings School offers families in the greater Weston, Massachusetts area the best preschool for their children. To learn more about our curriculum, or to speak with a Beginnings School representative, call (781) 891-1011.

Not Overcompensating for Divorce

By Dr. Donna Housman

Many parents who have gone through a divorce feel guilty about it with their children and feel they need to compensate to try to spare their children any ill feelings whatsoever. If a teacher was disappointed in them, they come to the rescue. If they don’t win a race, they indulge them. Stepping in for them communicates you don’t have faith in them being able to handle things with just your guidance and support. It also communicates that there is always a safety net guarding against poor choice and doesn’t allow your child to learn from mistakes. How do we break this mindset?

Statistics show that over 50% of marriages end in divorce. When parents can explain effectively that although mom and dad no longer love each other, they still do love their children very much and will always love them and be there for them, then overcompensating (for what?) becomes a moot point.

Children need to have the stability, consistency, and predictability (and love!) from you more than ever before to help them feel secure, confident, and in control. Children also have a range of feelings including anger and sadness- not just happiness and joy. Encouraging and permitting your child to have and share his feelings will help give him the message that all feelings are fine. This message that all our feelings are fine, including our mad, sad, and scared feelings is very important so long as you help them learn how to “appropriately’ express them. For example, when mad you can tell your child “it’s NOT ok to hit, scream, or use your fists to hurt or destroy, but it IS ok to say you’re mad or sad because Mommy and Daddy are no longer together”. In a sense, in this example of divorce, a child is feeling a great sense of loss. If he feels he is allowed to be sad and feels understood, this will help him become strong and develop trust, confidence, and resiliency to weather any storm- even the storm of divorce!. It’s your love approval, and faith in their abilities that is what is most important to them.

Children learn through imitation in the context of a relationship and being accurate and consistent with ones’ own expressions (matching words with facial expressions that children read very well). For example, your child may see your upset face and ask “Mommy, are you sad?”. To protect our children, we often to hide them from this and say “No, I’m not sad- I’m happy!” and put on a forced smile. This sends mixed messages and it is better to respond with the truth, “Yes, I am sad, but I’m working on feeling better”.

Realizing what your child needs during difficult times can help can help you best comfort and support them. 

Beginnings School provides the best preschool instruction for children in the greater Weston, Massachusetts area. To learn more about our teaching philosophy, or to speak with a Beginnings School representative, please call (781) 891-1011.

What You Can Do to Build Your Child's Self-Esteem

When your child has positive self-esteem, he can focus on the world around himand feel confident within it. Studies have shown that children with a high sense of worth do better both academically and socially. Parents are the greatest influence on a child’s self-confidence, so it’s vital that they encourage positive feelings of self-assurance. Moreover, the best preschools will work in conjunction with parents to foster the self-worth of their students. The following self-esteem-building techniques can help both parents and educators lay a firm foundation for a child’s emotional, social, and academic success. 

Make your child feel special.

A highly effective way to strengthen your child’s sense of worth is to schedule regular dates with him. Showing your child that you find it important to spend time with him can have a hugely positive impact on his self-esteem. To further build your child’s confidence, enroll him in a preschool that can best adhere to this philosophy of focused quality time as well.

Encourage your child’s strengths.

Showing your child that you value his abilities will go a long way toward developing his self-worth. If your child has a natural affinity for painting, encourage that talent. If he excels at a particular sport, sign him up for lessons. Whatever your child does well, take the time to acknowledge his proficiency and support his efforts.

Never compare your children.

As the best preschools know, no two children are alike and should never be treated as such. The same philosophy goes for siblings. No matter whether your children are the same gender or close in age, never evaluate one according to the abilities or talents of the other.

Offer positive feedback to your child.

Though parents and preschools should correct children when they make mistakes, try to frame your feedback in positive terms. Instead of simply informing a child that he did something wrong, you can offer constructive advise on how to perform better in the future. If possible, also point out aspects of his work or behavior that he did right.

Beginnings School provides the best preschool instruction for children in the greater Weston, Massachusetts area. To learn more about our teaching philosophy, or to speak with a Beginnings School representative, please call (781) 891-1011.

Tips for Preparing Healthy After-School Snacks

Good nutrition is the best way to keep children healthy, active, and at a safe weight. But as a busy parent, you may not always have time to prepare special after-school snacks for your child.

Watch this video to learn key nutritional lessons from a professional dietician and chef. They offer some helpful, easy-to-make recipes, insight on portion control and sizes, and tips for eating healthy at restaurants and at home.

At Beginnings School, our goal is to keep your children healthy, active, and excited about learning about the world around them. Our teachers work to help children make the right decisions and be engaged in every activity, from classroom lessons to snack time. Call (781) 891-1011 to learn more about the Weston’s best preschool. 

Dr. Donna Housman: Season for Learning and Play

While parents know how to keep their children’s education on track during the school year, they struggle with how they should continue to promote learning during the summertime. According to an article written by Dr. Donna Housman in The Metrowest Daily News, “Emotional, social, and creative skills – often acquired outside the classroom – are equally critical to a child’s growth and development.” 

To read the full article click here.

Beyond assigned reading lists, children are actually expanding their knowledge during the summer months. Through “creative play and exploration,” young students are able to exercise their creativity which will in turn fuel their desire for future academic success. Dr. Housman believes that “summer break is the perfect time for imagining, exploring, investigating, discovering, and practicing social engagement.”

A diverse learning environment benefits children in many ways. Beginnings School in Weston provides your child with an array of indoor and outdoor learning environments, including a great playground, a wildlife sanctuary, and a garden for your child to explore. To find out more about our preschool, junior kindergarten, and afterschool programs, visit our website or call us at (781) 891-1011.