Do you remember your first trip to the library?
What impressed you the most?
The seemingly endless supply of books, music, and movies?
Or was it the thrill of that getting that first library card, visiting with a friend or family member, or getting help with that big research project?
Share those memories, and that love, with your preschooler April 3-9 by celebrating National Library Week.
Made possible by the American Library Association (ALA), National Library Week is an annual event that highlights the valuable roles libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. You can find out more about ALA’s week-long activities, tools, and resources, and meet honorary chair, Molly Shannon of Saturday Night Live fame, here.
At Building Blocks Preschool, we are encouraging parents to visit the library with their preschoolers and check out all they have to offer. It is never too early to foster a love of reading, and numerous studies show that reading books with your child early on in their development can boost their literacy and communication skills, and language acquisition. Plus, it’s a terrific way to bond with your toddler and create some memories.
Why not introduce your preschooler to some of the authors you might remember from your childhood:
Experience trees that give and teach important lessons, and stroll on a sidewalk full of imagination with The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends.
Treasure tales of hungry caterpillars that morph into butterflies, and a brown bear’s observations with The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?
But don’t stop there, you can find hundreds more options, classic and new, by visiting your library. There’s even something for you as a parent. There are books, audiobooks, and ebooks that can help you answer questions on a variety of developmental topics. Wondering how to deal with tantrums? Struggling to explain a challenging life event? You can find those answers and more at your local library. Or dive into a novel, biography, or short story collection of your own, and role model just how fun reading is to your preschooler.
The human search engines (known as librarians) can help find the perfect book to read with your toddler, suggest an activity, and get you a free library card. It’s your golden ticket to:
Unable to attend in person? Want to check books out from the comfort of your couch during naptime? Your local library also offers terrific online resources, and many of the services provided in person can be enjoyed via the web.
Have you visited the library with your preschooler? What library resources do you use and recommend?
Spoiler alert
It wasn’t quite the “it was all a dream trope” but the writers and producers of the long-running PBS show Arthur made a not dissimilar move with their series finale. Yes, you heard right. After 25 years of entertaining children of all ages, the animated show Arthur has now ended. *SPOILER In a twist ending, the series finale revealed that the entire show was all part of titular character Arthur’s graphic novel memoir. And all the characters are actually…wait for it…grown up! *END SPOILER
As we celebrate literacy and National Library Week this month, we tip our hats to the extremely popular television series based on author, Marc Brown’s, picture books of the same name. Born out of a bedtime story, the books, the first published in 1976, morphed into a PBS series aimed at fostering good social skills in children and providing life lessons. The show made history by being the first daily program to be described for blind or visually impaired viewers and won an impressive 6 Emmy awards and 25 Emmy nominations. To add to its resume, Arthur also received the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting.
In an interview with Variety, Brown addresses why they decided to stop at 25 years, questions surrounding Arthur’s race, and how embedding adult humor into the episodes has always been a priority (so don’t feel awkward for enjoying the show even if your child has moved on).
That’s not to say that Arthur is gone forever. In his interview, Brown indicates that they are way more opportunities now to keep Arthur going than when they started. Podcasts, games, and perhaps even PBS specials are a possibility. The show’s creators haven’t slammed the door, they just found some digital windows to open.
You can say “hey” to Arthur and the gang in their final episode which aired on February 21, 2022, by watching it on PBS Kids.
Have you and your student read the Arthur books or watched the show? What are your thoughts on the series’ finale?
Given that emotions are not easy to comprehend for adults a lot of time, it’s not hard to figure out why preschoolers have difficulty with theirs. Children at this age are just learning to express themselves and everything is new and confusing.
Thinking before acting is not a typical trait for your child at this age because they have little to no impulse control. Their developing brains often don’t produce the appropriate reactions to situations, which causes them to want what they want when they want it, followed up with outbursts if they don’t get it. That explains a lot about those tantrums if you don’t buy them a toy in the store, doesn’t it?
They truly do not understand what sadness, fear, anger, jealousy, and happiness really mean. As a parent or guardian, you can help to make some sense of this chaos for them. Which can also be overwhelming for you.
So, how is it that you can help your preschooler understand, and cope with their feelings?
An effective way to encourage your child’s healthy expression of their feelings is to help them label their emotions. Phrases like “you seem sad because” or “you looked like you were angry when” followed up with a brief description of the situation (e.g. an older sibling taking their favorite stuffed animal, or their best friend has moved away) can help identify and normalize what they are going through. Approaching feelings this way can make them a lot less scary and elicit more appropriate reactions from your child.
There are a lot of resources that can help your child learn to express themselves in healthy ways. Written for preschoolers, there are a plethora of books that deal with the subject in an entertaining and helpful way. Building Blocks Preschool Director and Lead Early Education teacher, Kathryn Kennedy, helped to provide an impressive list of titles that include favorites such as:
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain is a classic that doesn’t give emotions a bad, or good, moniker. They are simply feelings. Cain addresses the common emotions of happy, sad, and angry but also delves into others like pride, boredom, and jealousy.
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival teaches children that talking about your negative feelings (such as worry) can prevent them from getting so big that they steal your happiness.
My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems is another great book from a familiar name. Using fast-paced humor, Willems sends Piggie on a mission to help his friend, Elephant, from being too sad. In this tale, children are taught important qualities like empathy and compassion.
My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook tells the tale of Louis who just can’t wait to share his thoughts and ideas! Cook helps children to control their tendency to interrupt. She takes an empathetic approach to Louis’s interruptions and encourages the use of a witty technique to control their impulses.
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig addresses the needs of quieter, more sensitive children when Brian, who feels invisible, befriends Justin the new kid in the class. Ludwig uses small acts of kindness to illustrate inclusion, and acceptance in this gentle story.
Sharing a book on emotions with your preschooler can not only help their social skills but reading together also strengthens their literacy and your relationship.
Have you read any of these books? How did they work for you and your preschooler?
Potty Training. No two words can strike fear in the heart of a parent or guardian faster. Not only is potty training necessary for a toddler’s development, it’s also a rite of passage.
Preparing for potty training is just as important as the actual method. So, where do you start? As with anything in your child’s life, it’s a good idea to make sure they are receptive to it. But, how do you know they are? Here are some signs to look for:
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might be in potty training territory. Just be aware that your child’s comfort level may change from time to time, and it’s your job to change lanes accordingly.
Now that they are ready, how can you be ready? No two children are going to respond the same, but there are some tips and tricks that have been proven successful:
Your undivided attention signals to your child that this is important, and that you two are in this together.
When it comes to this important milestone, it’s easy to be focused on the destination. Just remember that the journey of potty training doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Keep it fun, follow your child’s lead, and be prepared to adapt. Pretty soon those diapers will be a thing of the past! If only we could say that about those songs…
“For many children, preschool is the first experience being without the care of a close, trusted family member. It is normal, even expected, for your child to be scared and anxious,” says Kathryn Kennedy, director and lead Early Education teacher at Building Blocks Preschool. “When they are unable to verbalize those thoughts and emotions, the transition can be hard for both the child and the parent.”
So how can a parent help make their child’s transition to preschool a more positive experience? Here are some tips to help:
Easing into the start of preschool is essential for your child and yourself.
Schedule trips to the school in advance so your child can see the school, meet the teachers, and some of the other students (and parents).
Scheduling playdates with other children and parents before the start of school can also help develop relationships that make going to school easier for a child – and yourself.
Reading to your child about preschool and role-playing are also highly effective ways to help prepare your child for a strong, positive start to their preschool adventure.
School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex and Christian Robinson. This New York Times bestselling author and illustrator team tell a story about the first day of school from a school’s perspective.
Be positive. The big day has arrived, and the first thing to remember is to remain upbeat. Your child picks up on your emotions, and if you are positive, they will be too. But if you are emotional, your child may also become anxious and emotional, making the day difficult for both of you.
Let your child bring something from home to help ease possible separation anxiety. This can be a favorite doll or blanket – or it can be something unique and small that fits into a pocket like a “lucky penny.” The idea is that this item can help your child “stay in touch with home.”
Create your own “goodbye ritual” that brings comfort and familiarity to the start of the day. Also, remind them that you will be back later to pick them up and take them home. This is an essential element of this ritual: making sure you end by leaving rather than drawing out your goodbyes. The best “goodbye rituals” are short and sweet.
If you find yourself wanting to “drop by and surprise” your child, don’t. At least don’t do this until things have settled down and your child is showing they are comfortable at preschool. Then, keep surprise visits to a minimum so you can avoid your child returning the favor and always looking to surprise you at home.
Don’t compare your child’s behavior with others. It’s common for parents to point out that “Johnny doesn’t cry when his dad brings him to school.” Since you don’t know how Johnny acts later on in the day, you could be pointing out another student as an example of preferred behavior that acts out their separation anxiety in other ways over the day.
Have patience. Everyone, including your child, will have some days that are better than others. When those challenging days occur, stick with your routine for the sake of stability. Though it’s tough to leave your crying child behind, it’s part of their education, and the teachers are skilled at capturing your child’s attention and helping them focus on happier things they enjoy.
Maisy Goes to Preschool: A Maisy First Experience Book by Lucy Cousins.
“Cousin’s iconic character will have your preschooler eager for the big day.” —Working Mother Magazine
Karin A. Bilich, I. C. (n.d.). 18 tips for overcoming separation anxiety on the first day of preschool. Parents. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/starting-preschool/separation-anxiety/overcoming-separation-anxiety/
Kerry Stutzman. (2022, January 6). Five ways to stop preschool drop off separation anxiety (yes, they really work!). Kerry Stutzman. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.kerrystutzman.com/five-ways-to-stop-preschool-drop-off-separation-anxiety-yes-they-really-work/
EditorThis was made by the combined efforts of the Preschool Inspirations team! (2021, July 1). Handle separation anxiety in toddlers and preschoolers like a pro. Preschool Inspirations. Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://preschoolinspirations.com/separation-anxiety/
How to ease your child’s separation anxiety. HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2022, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/Pages/Soothing-Your-Childs-Separation-Anxiety.aspx