Playgrounds Help Develop the Whole Child

Posted in Blog on April 3rd, 2009 by admin

One of the most important activities for any child in preschool and daycare is outside playtime. This is the time of day that physical fitness and socialization of children generally occurs. Having playground equipment such as jungle gyms, slides, forts and monkey bars are a wonderful idea but should be balanced with open space for them to run in and play group games. All of the climbing and tumbling are things that children do on this equipment that often, their parents pay hundreds of dollars for at a gym or for a trainer. With the childhood obesity epidemic, the value of physical activity and the promotion of it as fun are vital for sets a good tone for their physical well being. Often, children are very limber due to the more elastic nature of their bones and physical activity helps them maintain this. Additionally, the physical activity from using the playground equipment will help to stimulate other areas of development. Having a chance to “relax” and get extra energy out during the day will help with their focus in classes. The fact that many will have to line up and wait their turn to get on the slide or teeter totter will teach them the important social skills of waiting for reward and sharing their toys. There are a myriad of reasons that physical activity and play yards are important, these are but a few.

How to Choose and Maintain Playground Equipment

Posted in Blog on April 2nd, 2009 by admin

Once the decision to have a playground at a daycare or preschool has been made, it is important to have the correct equipment. In these settings, the ages and skills of the children will vary both within classes and among classes. So it is important to have equipment that addresses these needs. For younger children, cars that the children can use their feet to move are always good. Avoid motorized equipment as it defeats the purpose of physical exercise. Other good pieces of equipment for younger children are smaller slides and swings with a seat that fits around the entire lower portion of their body. Older children would generally prefer larger slides, traditional swings, forts and equipment with monkey bars. Another consideration for all ages would be to invest in a good outdoor castle or house. This will stimulate the imagination and help children of all ages to play together. An important consideration is the safety of any playground. Make sure that all equipment is located on a soft surface so that if a child falls, they will not hurt themselves as badly. Further, if you are buying used equipment, it is important to insure that all parts are in good working condition with nothing broken. Examine any of these pieces for signs of rust or pieces that could come off easily. Finally, once the equipment is purchased and installed, be sure to take good care of it so that pieces do not break and it does not become rusty.

Doing Your “Dooty”

Posted in Blog on April 1st, 2009 by admin

The one inevitable of a daycare is that most children will be in diapers. For this reason, it is important to purchase and maintain good diaper changing stations. The stations should be large enough to hold some larger children adequately. The children should be able to rest comfortably on a cushion. In most cases, these tables come with the cushion that straps to the top of the changing area. When infants are being changed, the cushion should provide adequate support for their head. Another consideration for a good changing table is the amount of storage space. Depending on the size of the Daycare, multiple diaper changing stations could be purchased for each section. This will allow for more storage for diapers and wet wipes. Each child should have their diapering supplies labeled for sanitation purposes and they should be stored safely away to avoid any contamination that may occur during the diaper changing process. Latex-free gloves should be easily accessible as should paper or plastic to keep everything clean. The cushion must be wiped down between each child. Finally, safety is extremely important. Since all changing tables stand at a height that is easy for an adult to change a diaper, it is possible that the child could roll off and hurt themselves. For this reason, the cushion must be secured with the appropriate straps. Once the child is placed on the table, they too should be strapped securely. Most importantly, do not leave the child unattended. That is again, why everything should be stored nearby or brought to the table prior to putting the child on the changing table.

Making the kennel transition a bit easier

Posted in Blog on June 20th, 2008 by admin

You have weighed your options and decided that leaving your pet at the kennel is the best thing for him. He will be able to socialize with other people, socialize with other dogs, and get plenty of exercise. Leaving him there can be tough, but you will both get through it! Now, it?s time to pack some things for your pooch to take along. Here are a few suggestions to make your pet?s stay a little more fun.

Before you pack any item, talk to the kennel. Some places have rules against you bringing things from home, while others welcome the idea. It is really about making your dog?s stay as pleasant as possible. So, if there are some things that you think are necessary for your dog to have in your absence, talk it over with the kennel first. It is easy to work things out!

The first thing to do is make a list for the kennel. The list needs to include your dog?s schedule (hopefully they can stick to it as much as possible), medication, if the require a dog training collar system, their food intake, and anything else you think the kennel needs to know. They should already have all of your contact information, but it is a good idea to include it again.

Your pup loves familiar things. Does he have a special dog pet bed that he sleeps on? If so, then take that with him. The familiarity will allow him to be calmer and relaxed in the new, strange place. Don?t wash the bedding before you leave your home. Even if it is filthy, he will enjoy the recognizable smells. Throw in a blanket or an old shirt of yours, too. The odors of you and the household will also ease his stress. Just like the bedding, try not to wash the extra item before you send it with him.

Toys are always a great carry along. Grab his favorite toy to keep him company. Don?t go out and buy new toys. New toys are great when your pup is in his everyday environment; new toys at the kennel will be strange to him. He will love the companionship of his old toy friend. If you must buy a new toy, then try to buy something like a Kong Biscuit Ball. The Kong Biscuit Ball holds treats inside. Your dog will enjoy the playtime as he tries to get the treats! Kong?s are also a good way to keep your dog occupied while you are away.

What?s more familiar to a dog than the food he eats everyday? The kennel will provide meals for your dog, and he probably will not mind what they provide. However, it is a good idea to send along a day?s worth of food just to help him get through your initial leave. If your dog is picky, then you may work something out with the kennel where he can eat his food the entire stay. Just remember that food is included in your bill, so you may not want to pay for it twice. Sending along some of his favorite treats is never a bad idea!

When it is time to take your dog to the kennel, try to keep his schedule. If it is time for him to eat, then feed him before you leave your home. If you normally take him on a morning walk, then do so. Also, talk to the kennel about trying to keep him on his normal routine. This may not be possible, but it is worth asking. When you arrive at the kennel, do not make a big fuss about leaving him. Make sure he is checked in and everything is ready. Then, just pat him on the head and leave. He can sense when you are sad, upset, or anxious; and, in turn, can cause him to be sad, upset, or anxious. Once your trip is over and you arrive back at the kennel, try once again to keep your cool. You will both be overly excited to see each other, but not making a big fuss will help with future kennel visits.

Leaving your dog in their dog crate or kennel which can be a great retreat for him, but there are things that can help ease his initial stress. It?s important that you keep your dog on his normal routine and leave plenty of familiar things with him. Bedding and old toys are perfect items to accompany your dog to the kennel. Speak with the kennel before you pack his things.
Different kennels have different policies. If you do not make a big fuss about leaving, then future kennel visits will be much easier!