7 Back to School Traditions to Ease First-Day Jitters

first day jitters

As the school year approaches, excitement and anxiety can overwhelm parents and children. To help ease the back-to-school scaries and first-day jitters, start some special traditions that will motivate your kids for a fresh start and build lasting memories. These fun activities will make the return to school a positive experience and help alleviate school worries.

Start a New Back-to-School Tradition:

1. Super Star Shopping Date

Remember the thrill of picking out new school clothes when you were a kid? Maybe you have a new backpack, lunchbox, or some fresh kicks.  No matter how much or how little was on the shopping list or what’s on your list for your own kids, everyone loves starting the year with something new.

  • Take advantage of pre-fall sales and hit the stores with your child. Arrange to send siblings on a playdate or hire a sitter to take over while you two are on a date.
  • Stock up on school supplies, gear, and clothes for the new year.
  • Keep budgets in check by assessing your child’s closets and drawers and deciding what’s needed. 
  • Make shopping a fun event by including a stop for lunch.  Use this time with your child to discuss the summer’s highlights, plans, and goals for the new year.

2. Meet a New Teacher and Host a New Friend

For a child, walking into a new classroom can be a scary thing. Seeing a familiar face in the room always makes it more accessible.

  • Take advantage of opportunities to meet the new teacher and visit the classroom to build familiarity and calm first-day anxieties. 
  • If you have a class roster, schedule a playdate with a classmate in the same class to make the transition smoother.
  • Make it an annual project to find a new or long-lost friend to meet up with after orientation day. This can significantly reduce the school jitters associated with the first day.

3. Tweak Your Routine and Refresh Your Homework Station or Quiet Time Spot

Being organized feels fantastic, gives everyone in the family a sense of control and preparedness, and reduces back to-school scaries.

  • Hold a family meeting to discuss what could be improved from last year and to share the school routine once school starts.
  • Refresh supplies for homework and organize them in a location that’s easy for kids to access.
  • This is the time to roll out new calendars, introduce new sitters, and ensure kids know what to expect. Many free printables will help you organize expectations. Consider chore charts, weekly planners, or lunchbox planners you can create with your child. Even simple This is Our Morning Routine and This is Our After-School Routine printable charts to help kids stay focused.
  • For younger kids, perk up the quiet time area by adding a few new books or making the space more inviting.

Related: 15 Hilarious First Day of School Memes

back to school scaries

4. Share a Story and a Craft

Get kids excited about school and address concerns and worries by sharing a book about starting school. Picture books can help reassure kids about starting school or going to a new school, and they also serve as catalysts for better communication at home.

5. Make the First Day Extra Special

Create a tradition of great fanfare on the first day of school! This doesn’t mean you must spend hours planning menus and creating DIY decorations. It just means adding extra TLC to the day to make it exciting and memorable. Here are some simple ideas you can do each year:

  • Get up earlier to set a pretty breakfast table with fresh flowers and a favorite breakfast you don’t typically serve on a weekday morning. 
  • Have each child pose for a first-day-of-school photo you can save in a special photo album. Take it up a notch by having your child hold a small sign or chalkboard marked with the date and a personal note.
  • Pack a special lunchbox treat with a note reminding the recipient that you are thinking of them all day.
  • Pick up a special after-school snack, such as these Chocolate Coconut Graham Crackers, which take good ole graham crackers to a new level. Take time out of your day to sit with your child after they get off the school bus to hear the highlights of the big day.

6. First Day Celebration Dinner

Celebrate the successful return to school with a special dinner. This school night tradition can help ease the first-day jitters and provide something for kids to look forward to after their first day.

  • Let your child pick their favorite meal for dinner.
  • Use the time to discuss the highlights and any challenges of the first day.
  • Consider a fun dessert or a family movie night to end the day on a high note.

7. Plan a Back-to-School Family Fun Day

Plan a special family-friendly day before school starts to ease the transition from summer to the new school season.

  • Choose a fun activity that the whole family enjoys, such as a trip to the zoo, a picnic in the park, or a day at an amusement park.
  • Use this day to relax, bond, and make positive memories before the school routine kicks in.
  • This tradition can help reduce anxiety levels and create a sense of excitement for the upcoming school year.

By incorporating these traditions, you can help reduce back-to-school scaries and first-day jitters and make returning to school a positive experience for the whole family.

One more tradition to start (just for mom and dad): The occasional night out! Find a trusted date night babysitter at UrbanSitter.

Related: 6 Ways to Help Your Child Adjust to Preschool

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5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Preschool or Kindergarten Graduation (That Feel Like a Big Deal)

Your little one worked hard all year: learning letters, making friends, and figuring out how to share (mostly). A preschool or kindergarten graduation is a real milestone, and it deserves to feel like one. Whether you have the whole family coming or it is just your crew, these five easy ideas will make the day memorable without adding stress to your plate.

1. Throw a mini celebration at home

homemade graduation cupcakes decorated for a preschool graduation party

You do not need a full party to make it feel special. A batch of graduation cupcakes, a banner, and their favorite dinner at home can feel enormous to a five-year-old. Let them pick the menu and help with the decorations. Giving them ownership of the details makes it their celebration, not just an event you planned for them.

Keep it simple. The goal is for your child to feel like the star of the day. If siblings or grandparents can join, even better.

2. Make the ceremony feel like a big deal

dad taking photo at preschool or kindergarten graduation ceremony

Dress up a little. Bring flowers. Take a photo in front of the school before you walk in. These small gestures signal to your child that today is different and that today matters.

After the ceremony, let them wear their cap and gown as long as they want. If you can grab a moment with their teacher for a photo, take it. These are the pictures you will print and frame.

3. Plan a special outing or treat

family celebrating kindergarten graduation with ice cream

A special outing does not have to be elaborate. Ice cream at their favorite spot, a trip to the bookstore to pick one new book, a movie they have been waiting to see: whatever feels like a treat to them is the right answer.

Ask your child what they want to do to celebrate. You might be surprised by how simple their answer is. Following their lead turns a parent-planned event into their celebration.

4. Create a milestone marker they’ll keep

parent marking child height on doorframe as a graduation milestone

Mark their height on the doorframe. Write down what they want to be when they grow up. Take a photo of their hands. These small, concrete things capture who they are right now, before they change too much.

A simple memory book (even a few pages stapled together with their drawings and your notes) becomes something they will come back to for years. Future-you will be glad you did it.

5. Book a sitter so you can focus on your grad

babysitter with two kids and mom

If you have younger kids, graduation day logistics can get complicated fast. A babysitter can handle pick-ups, keep little ones entertained during the ceremony, and give you the space to be fully present for your grad’s big moment.

Even if the whole family is attending, booking a sitter for the afternoon gives you flexibility: someone to wrangle the toddler while you take photos, or to take younger kids home for nap time so the celebration can keep going.

Frequently asked questions about preschool and kindergarten graduation

What do you do for a preschool graduation?

Most preschool graduations include a short ceremony at the school, often with a cap and gown. From there, families typically celebrate with a meal, a special outing, or a small party at home. The key is making your child feel celebrated. The size of the event matters much less than the intention behind it.

What is a good gift for preschool graduation?

Books are a great choice, especially ones that bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten. A personalized keepsake, a journal, a special art kit, or a fun activity like a museum membership or a cooking class all make meaningful gifts. Skip the toys that will be forgotten in a week and go for something that marks the transition.

How do you celebrate kindergarten graduation on a budget?

Some of the most memorable celebrations cost almost nothing. Make cupcakes together, blow up a few balloons, and let them pick dinner. Write a letter to your child describing who they are at this age and seal it to open when they graduate high school. Mark their height. Take photos. The memory-making is free.

What are some fun preschool graduation party ideas at home?

Set up a simple celebration with their favorite food, a homemade banner, and a few balloons. Let them invite a couple of close friends or cousins. Play their favorite songs, make a craft together, or do a special activity they love. A photo booth corner with a few props and their cap and gown makes for great pictures and a memorable moment without much effort.

How do you make kindergarten graduation feel memorable?

The details you document matter more than the size of the celebration. Take photos at the school, capture them in their cap and gown, record a short video message about who they are right now. Mark their height. Write down their favorite things. The moments you preserve intentionally are the ones that become the memories you will return to for years.

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7 Fall Crafts for Preschoolers

fall crafts for preschoolers

Celebrate fall by making these 7 fall crafts for preschoolers! With kids going back to school and Halloween coming up, there’s a lot happening this season.

Leaf hedgehog fall craft for preschoolers

1. Leaf Hedgehogs

Decorating leaf hedgehogs is a fun way to celebrate the leaves changing and explore outside with your kids. The best part is that every kid’s hedgehog will look unique! Messy Little Monster has a printable hedgehog image that doubles as a guide for the leaves and a coloring sheet.

For this Leaf Hedgehogs fall craft you’ll need:

  • Hedgehog printable
  • Leaves
  • Glue
  • Brown crayon, marker, or colored pencil
Easy apple tree fall craft for preschool kids

2. Easy Apple Trees For Preschoolers

Making these apple trees with construction paper and toilet paper rolls is simple and fun! This craft can be a way to discuss how apples grow or even the legend of Johnny Appleseed to your children. After creating a tree with construction paper, children can decorate their trees with apples made by stamping toilet paper rolls in red paint.

For these Easy Apple Trees (via Happy Home Fairy) you’ll need:

  • Green, white, and brown construction paper
  • Glue
  • Red paint
  • Toilet paper roll
Leaf rubbings

3. Leaf Rubbings Fall Craft

Leaf rubbings are a classic outdoor craft for fall in preschool and beyond! Your kids can experiment with different colors and shapes of leaves to create their own unique art piece with lots of interesting textures.

For the Leaf Rubbings (via National Nordic Museum) you’ll need:

  • Leaves
  • Paper
  • Crayons
Scarecrow paper bag puppet fall crafts for preschoolers

4. Paper Bag Scarecrow Puppets

This fall craft is fun for both preschool kids and older kids, plus kids make their own toys to play with. More advanced crafters can build their own scarecrow puppets using paper bags. Simple Everyday Mom has a printable template with lots of pieces they can use to decorate their scarecrow, or kids can freestyle and design their fall-themed puppet however they’d like. 

For the Paper Bag Scarecrow Puppets you’ll need:

  • Brown paper bag
  • Colored cardstock or construction paper
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Black marker
  • Scarecrow template
Paper plate pumpkin mask

5. Paper Plate Pumpkin Masks

This fall craft uses items you already have at home and is a great way to get preschoolers excited about dressing up for Halloween! One Creative Mommy has step-by-step instructions and photos to lead you through this craft. 

For the Paper Plate Pumpkin Masks you’ll need:

  • Orange paper plates
  • Adhesive craft vinyl or black construction paper
  • 1 straw or stick
  • 1 popsicle stick
  • Milk jug lid or other shapes for eyes
  • Scissors or razor
  • Marker or pencil
  • Tape or glue
Spooky forest craft

6. Spooky Forest Fall Craft

This craft is fun, a little spooky, and handy for family time outside. Gather twigs in your backyard or on a local nature walk, then glue them onto a piece of black construction paper and add googly eyes to create your own spooky forest. 

For the Spooky Forest (via Craftulate) you’ll need:

  • Twigs
  • Googly eyes
  • Black construction paper
Mummy kids fall craft for preschoolers

7. Mummy Kids

Help kids transform themselves into spooky, scary mummies! This craft is easy enough for preschoolers and perfect to get them excited about Halloween. The instructions are simple:

  1. Cut out a body shape from black construction paper, using a gingerbread cookie cutter as a stencil if needed.
  2. Cut out your child’s head from a photo and tape it to the paper body.
  3. Use masking tape to “wrap up” the paper body.

For the Mummy Kids (via One Child) you’ll need:

  • Scissors
  • Black construction paper
  • Masking tape
  • Photo of child
  • Gingerbread cookie cutter (optional)

 

Looking for more ways to celebrate fall with your children? Check out our favorite fall activities and delicious one-pot dinners that are perfect for fall!

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Cool Summer Activities for Preschoolers on Hot Summer Days

toddler summer activities, preschooler water play

Summer is chock full of opportunities for entertaining and enriching little kids’  development through new experiences and activities. Need some ideas for summer activities for preschoolers? Check out these ideas for summer activities for the 3-5 year-old set. They’ll come in especially handy during the dog days of summer, headed our way. 

1.  No-Stress, No Mess Water Play

Take advantage of a sunny day (or even a rainy one, provided there’s no thunder or lightning) to set your kids loose outdoors and let them burn some energy doing what all kids love to do as a summer activity – play with water. Fear not, city dwellers, simply set a big plastic container filled with water on whatever outside space you have and arm your tikes with any of the following, all which make for great water play for little hands:

Summer Activities for Keeping Preschoolers
Ice Cube Boat via Alpha Mom
  • Small plastic fish or animals
  • Barbie or Polly Pockets dolls
  • Sponges and a wash cloths
  • Small paint brushes for “painting” the sidewalk
  • Matchbox cars for washing
  • Boats – make your own Ice Cube Boats with nothing more than an ice cube molded in a plastic cup set with a drinking straw and flag for a sail.  These boats are adorable, and perfect for hot days.
  • Plastic cups for pouring and filling
  • A watering can for watering plants
  • A garden hose
  • Pull out the inflatable pool and let them splash for hours.

2. Easy DIY Crafts Just for Kids

Every kid needs a creative outlet, not to mention a quiet, inside activity once in awhile. We’ve found loads of great summer crafts for kids of all ages, some that can be made in minutes and others that will occupy a preschooler for the full duration of his baby sibling’s nap. Check out our Summer Crafts for Kids Pinterest board for ideas, including these adorable and easy-to-make Flowers.

3. Explore a Good Book

Be sure to save time in your summer schedule for the simple pleasure of reading with and teaching your preschooler skills that will help him learn to read.  You can encourage preschoolers to spend time with books by having them join older siblings in a summer reading program, whether it be one from a local library, Scholastic or a homemade incentive program. Encourage any form of reading, including pre-reading activities, like tracing or practicing their ABCs; “reading” to you or a sibling; or having a summer ritual of reading  together as a family, perhaps a chapter of an endearing family-friendly favorite like Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey, before bed. Scholastic has a helpful list of book recommendations for kids of all ages, including good picks for 3-5 year olds.

4. Get Your Groove On!

Another good hot summer activity is getting your groove on. Turn a playdate into a musical instrument making extravaganza (hint, hint, call in a babysitter to help!) and create the neighborhood’s next musical sensation. Check out Meaningful Mama’s fantastic list of 20 DIY Musical Instruments for Kids and see how simple and easy it can be to make anything from a bottle-cap tambourine to a full-on drum set.

Summer Activities for Keeping Preschoolers
DIY Musical Instruments via Meaningful Mama

5. Master a New Skill (and give Mom and Dad a helping hand!)

Teaching kids new skills helps develop their independence and shows them that they are an important, contributing member of their family… and eventually of the bigger world. Early childhood education experts recommend building skills by assigning chores, and believe that most preschoolers are capable of any of the following simple “taking care of myself and my house” chores:

  • Setting and clearing their place at the table
  • Making their bed
  • Sorting their clothes from the dryer
  • Picking up and putting away toys and art supplies.

See our handy guide to age-appropriate chores for kids for more ideas.

After all the fun with these summer activities for preschoolers you might need a parents night out. Book an UrbanSitter and leave the entertaining to the sitter!

10 Preschool Activities to Engage Your Little Ones

preschool activities

Are you a parent looking for engaging and educational activities to do with your preschool-aged children? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of 10 fun and interactive preschool activities that will keep your little ones entertained while also promoting learning and development. 

From math to science, art to literacy, these activities cover a range of subjects and are designed to be easy and enjoyable for both kids and parents. The best part is, you can do these activities using supplies you already have at home. So let’s dive in and explore the wonderful world of preschool activities!

Our Favorite DIY Preschool Activities

1. Color Sorting Train

color sorting train activity for kids

Let’s start with a colorful and engaging activity for preschoolers that will help your kids practice their sorting skills and learn about colors. Create a color-sorting train using toys or objects of different colors. Set up different colored carts and encourage your little ones to sort the items into the correctly colored carts. This activity not only promotes color recognition, but also improves fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Learn More: Fun Learning For Kids

2. Sort & Count Bottles Math Activity

count and sort bottles preschool activity

Take sorting to the next level by incorporating counting into this math activity for preschoolers. Gather empty bottles and fuzzy pom poms in different colors. Label the bottles with numbers and colors. Your preschoolers can then sort the correct number of pom poms into the matching colored bottle. This math activity not only reinforces color recognition, but also introduces basic counting skills.

Learn More: The Imagination Tree

3. Counting Flower Petals Math Activity

counting flower petals activity

Combine outdoor time with counting practice by engaging your preschoolers in a flower petal counting math activity. Head outside with your little ones and let them pick flowers. Encourage them to count the petals on each flower they find. This activity not only reinforces number recognition, but also allows children to connect with nature and develop their observation skills.

Learn More: Hands On As We Grow

4. Number Activity With Grain Bins

number grain bin activity for preschooler

If your child already has a farm or dump truck, this number activity is one of the best math activities for preschoolers out there. Create “grain bins” using containers and fill them with small objects like beans or pasta. Label each bin with a number and challenge your little ones to unload the correct amount of “grain” into each container. This math activity for preschoolers promotes number recognition, counting skills, and fine motor development.

Learn More: Hands On As We Grow

5. Clothespin Counting Wheel

preschool activity: counting wheel

Engage your preschoolers’ fine motor skills with this counting activity using clothespins and cardboard. Create a counting wheel with numbered sections and provide clothespins with numbers on them. Your little ones can practice their number recognition and counting by matching the clothespins to the corresponding section on the wheel. This activity is not only educational but also helps develop hand strength and coordination.

Learn More: Keep Toddlers Busy

6. Alphabet Clothespin Activity

hang up alphabet activity

Introduce your preschoolers to the alphabet with this easy DIY clothespin activity. Label clothespins with letters and invite your little ones to pin the letters in the correct alphabetical order. This activity promotes letter recognition, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. It’s a great way to make learning the alphabet fun and interactive.

Learn More:What Do We Do All Day

7. Seashell Alphabet Activity

seashell alphabet for preschool activities

Bring the ocean to your preschoolers’ learning experience with this seashell alphabet activity. Label seashells with letters and bury them in a sensory bin filled with sand. Your little ones can dig for the shells, arrange them in alphabetical order, and even practice pronouncing the letter sounds. This DIY activity combines sensory play with letter recognition, making learning fun and engaging.

Learn More: Pre-K Pages

8. Fine Motor Pizza Shop

fine motor pizza shop for preschool activities

Unleash your preschoolers’ creativity and fine motor skills with this pizza shop activity. Provide paper and scissors for your little ones to cut out different pizza toppings. They can then use their fine motor skills to assemble their own paper pizzas. This art activity for preschoolers not only promotes fine motor development, but also encourages imaginative play and decision-making.

Learn More: Frugal Fun For Boys And Girls

9. Fizzing Dinosaur Eggs Science Activity

dino eggs science activities for preschoolers

Take sensory play to the next level with these homemade fizzing dinosaur eggs. Create dinosaur-shaped bath bombs using simple ingredients and let your preschoolers watch in awe as the eggs hatch and fizz in water. These kinds of science activities for preschoolers combine sensory exploration with science and encourage curiosity and observation skills.

Learn More: Frugal Fun For Boys And Girls

10. Construction-Themed Sensory Bin

math activities for preschoolers: sensory bin

If your preschoolers love construction and building, this sensory bin is perfect for them. Create a construction-themed sensory bin using materials like sand, rocks, and toy construction vehicles. Your little ones can explore the textures and elements of a construction site while engaging in imaginative play. This activity promotes sensory exploration, creativity, and fine motor skills.

Learn More: Pre-K Pages

Finding the Perfect Sitter for Your Preschooler

While engaging in these fun and educational preschool activities with your little ones, it’s important to have support and assistance when needed. UrbanSitter connects families with trusted sitters and nannies who have experience with preschool-aged kids.

Search and filter for sitters who specialize in caring for preschoolers, ensuring you find the perfect match for your family. With UrbanSitter, you can have peace of mind knowing your little ones are in good hands while you take a well-deserved break or attend to other responsibilities.

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Seasonal Craft Activities for Preschoolers

Looking for more seasonal activities to do with your preschoolers? Check out our article on Fall Crafts for Preschoolers for a variety of fun and engaging ideas that celebrate the beauty of autumn or get crafty with Spring Crafts for Preschoolers.

Engaging in these preschool activities will not only keep your little ones entertained, but also promote their learning and development. From sorting and counting to sensory exploration and imaginative play, these activities cover a range of subjects and skills. 

Plus, you can easily do them using supplies you already have at home. So gather your materials, get ready for some fun, and enjoy quality time with your preschool-aged children as they learn, play, explore, and imagine. Happy learning!

Related: 6 Ways to Help Your Child Adjust to Preschool

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3 Parenting Myths about Children & Sleep, Busted!

By Dawn Van Osdellsleep+toddler

There’s a lot of contradictory and downright erroneous parenting info floating around out there. We’re not afraid to tackle it head-on! 

You may be past the days of coaxing your newborn to sleep through the night, or convincing your toddler to get in bed while his older siblings are still awake. But sleep challenges don’t always disappear when your little one graduates to the big kid bed! This month, we
turned to psychologist and family sleep coach Sasha Carr, Ph.D. to help us bust three myths about sleep challenges related to growing children.

Myth #1: We have so much to do after school—activities, homework, dinner, spending time together as a family. It’s okay to push bedtime back to a later hour, since my child will be extra tired and is sure to sleep better.

Truth: It may seem reasonable to keep kids up later so we can squeeze more into our busy evenings, but the latest sleep research tells us that this isn’t a wise or productive solution. Although most young children naturally wake between 6:00 and 7:00 am, they are more likely to wake even earlier if they’ve gone to bed later, since overtired kids don’t sleep as well. They often have a hard time staying asleep through the night, or wake super early and aren’t able to go back to sleep, explains Carr. It’s important to stick to a reasonable bedtime so kids can load up on what Carr calls the “power hours” of sleep, that early, non-REM sleep time when we all sleep more soundly; this way, kids will easily be able to fall back to sleep after those normal, brief awakenings in the second half of the night.

You can make getting a good night’s sleep a priority in your house by holding tight to a reasonable bedtime. To get there, carefully consider which after-school activities are best for your child and your family and, when possible, scale back or move some of them to the weekends.

sleeping+child

Myth #2: My child isn’t a baby anymore so he doesn’t need a bedtime ritual. Plus, now that he stays up later, I’m too tired to keep the routine going.

Truth: Bedtime routines can become like death marches for parents, especially if they’re too long and complex, or if they drag on too late into the evening. “While it’s tempting to cut your exhausted self some slack and skip the ritual, keep at it,” says Carr. Routines are reassuring even to older children, giving them consistency and calm and as a result, helping them fall asleep. If you already have a routine, work on shortening or simplifying it, so it’s easier for you to stick with it.

Thirty minutes is the ideal amount of time to be fully engaged with your child at the end of their day. So if bedtime stretches too far into the night, consider starting your bedtime routine a half hour earlier. If you always read three books, cut back to two. If you have more than one child to put to bed, save your sanity by adjusting your routine so that it includes everyone and accommodates age differences; alternate reading a chapter and picture books aloud, or have an older child read to his younger sibling, for example.

carseat+napMyth #3: My child finally sleeps through the night and it’s going to stay that way forever!

Truth: Bravo to you for reaching this amazing sleep milestone! But be aware that sleep habits can change as kids grow and also change. It’s not unusual for preschoolers to have difficulty falling asleep at night, especially during a period of change, such as starting school; and some children experience night terrors—similar to nightmares although much more disruptive to the rest of the family than to the child having them—typically between the ages of 3 and 12.

Also, interestingly, Carr points out that many children progress to an 8:00 pm bedtime as they get older, but our bodies’ circadian rhythms give us a
boost of a hormone called cortisol right around this time, which makes us more alert and therefore, less able to fall asleep. Outsmart it when the time comes, either by putting kids in bed before 8:00 pm (if they’ll stand for it), or establishing an 8:00 pm quiet time in which they can read or lie around before lights out, with the aim of having them drift off to sleep by 8:30 pm.

Photographs courtesy of UrbanSitter

 

The Pros and Cons of Daycare Revealed by Studies

Pros and Cons of Daycare

Does Your Choice of Child Care Effect Your Child’s Development?

Nearly 11 million children under age 5 are in some type of child care each week, which isn’t surprising since nearly 70 percent of mothers with children age 17 or younger work full or part-time. Almost 30 percent of these kids are enrolled in center-based child care, such as a daycare center, nursery school, pre-kindergarten, Head Start, or other early childhood education program. Choosing child care—such a day care center or in-home daycare, nanny, babysitter, or an au pair that is right for your kids, your schedule, and your budget can be a tough, emotional decision, and one parents often second guess. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of daycare.

Take comfort from the experts: The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, the largest and longest-running study on the effects of child care on development, shows that what happens at home—family and parent-child interaction—has a greater impact on how a child develops than does a parent’s choice of child care. (Hear the huge sigh of relief from parents everywhere!) However, it’s important to carefully evaluate childcare options for your family.

The Pros and Cons of Daycare

Pros:

  • Socialization—Daycare enables children to spend time with other children, helping them develop important social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, negotiating, and self-control. It helps them to function in groups, to understand social norms, and ultimately allows them to learn from each other.
  • Cognitive and Language Development— Many daycare centers provide some instruction or exposure to the arts and academic concepts. Studies show that kids who attend center-based daycare have somewhat better cognitive and language development, as well as stronger pre-academic skills involving letters and numbers. colette-play2
  • Dependable Care—Because centers have several childcare providers, parents can count on dependable childcare. There’s no worry or scramble to find alternative childcare if a provider calls in sick.
  • Strengthened Immunity— Really! Parents bemoan the constant stream of germs and sickness kids pick up and bring home from daycare, but a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine shows that daycare may enhance immunity. Babies who attend large-group child-care centers get more respiratory and ear infections than those cared for at home, but they are less likely to come down with these ailments once they start elementary school, signaling that some immunity building is at work.

Cons:

  • Inflexible Hours—While daycare offers dependable care, it doesn’t necessarily offer flexible care. Daycare centers have set hours that may not match parents’ work hours or accommodate a parent’s need to stay late at work. Centers that offer late pick-ups often charge a premium for the convenience.
  • High Cost of Quality Care—Studies show there is a big difference between low-quality and high-quality daycare. High-quality day care centers do not come cheap. They can often cost as much or even more than a year of college education at a four-year university.
  • Behavioral Problems—The NICHD study found that kids who attend daycare may have more behavior problems at age 4—such as disobedience and aggression—than kids who are cared for by a parent or other caregiver.
  • Inconvenience—Unlike childcare in your own home, daycare requires a drop-off and pick-up, which isn’t always convenient for time-stretched parents. Additionally, daycare centers have strict sick policies (germ control!), which mean parents need to find alternative childcare if their child isn’t feeling well.

Evaluating Your Own Pros and Cons

Every child responds to care and benefits differently due to his own unique nature and needs, so you’ll want to create your own list of pros and cons for daycare. If you decide daycare is the right choice for your family, talk with family and friends for referrals, and visit centers to evaluate facilities, programs, and instructors. Be sure look for the most recent state license and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation.

To find a nanny or sitter to care for your child, services like UrbanSitter can connect you with local providers that accommodate your unique schedule, budget and childcare needs. Choose what works for you.

How to be an Awesome Room Parent

image via flickr
image via flickr

You’ve signed on as room parent for your child’s class. Huge props to you! Your willingness to take on added responsibility is admirable and your mad organizational skills appreciated. As a classroom parent, you’re charged with serving as the main source of communication between your child’s teacher and all of the parents in the class.

Your duties likely include keeping everyone informed and up to date on class news and events, coordinating class parties, collecting money for teacher gifts, and recruiting volunteers to help meet the teacher’s needs. It’s a big responsibility, but you can do a stellar job and keep it manageable by following these helpful tips.

Don’t go it alone. Rather than handle it all, recruit another parent as a co-room parent and split the duties. One of you can handle email communication and calendar updates, and the other coordinate parties, field trips and events. Having a partner will keep you from becoming overwhelmed with ongoing tasks.

Have a sit down meeting with the teacher to synch expectations. This is your chance to understand the needs and responsibilities of the job, get a list of events for the calendar, obtain a class contact sheet and agree on how you and the teacher will communicate. Ask about any allergies or special needs in the class that you need to be aware of. Also get a sense of her style and ask about her favorites and preferences so you’ll be ready to choose the class gift.

Go digital. Keep an updated class calendar, whether it be on the classroom blog, school website or a site such as Shutterfly. Also make use of volunteering services like Volunteer Spot for communication. The sites will keep everything up to date and allow you to recruit volunteers, request things like extra supplies or snacks, and collect money for field trips and group gifts without sending countless emails. Using these services also helps to eliminate the dreaded Reply-All communication strings.

Help families get to know each other. One of the nicest things you can do for your child’s class is to help their families build relationships with each other. Sometime at the beginning of the year, long before holiday chaos consumes us all, send a welcome letter and schedule an informal meet and greet. There’s no party planning involved. Simply invite whoever is interested and available to meet somewhere local for coffee after school drop-off or for drinks one evening. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know your child’s friends’ parents, put faces to names, and compare notes on how the year is shaping up. You may end up finding a new carpool buddy, and you’ll certainly improve your chances of recruiting volunteers later in the year.

Make it a family affair. Involve the kids and your spouse by sharing duties. Your child will get an up close view of what you are doing for his classroom, and come to appreciate the work that goes into having a well organized and fun filled school year. It’ll also help take a lot of work off your to-do list.

With a little planning and upfront work, you can take the stress out of your duty as room parent and turn the experience into a rewarding opportunity for you to contribute to your child’s education and build lasting relationships with other families in the school. Congrats to you for stepping up to the job!

Teacher Gifts to Show Your Thanks

meg_son_flowerWith the end of the school year in sight, it’s time to think about teacher gifts for your children’s tireless educators. Teachers have one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Each September, families hand over their children, and entrust teachers to nurture, enrich and fill their minds with knowledge and responsibility to help prepare for the world.

How do you show your appreciation and gratitude? Whether you’d like to give a homemade gift or something practical, or you’re charged with buying or creating a gift from the whole class, we have thoughtful gift ideas that will go easy on your time and budget.

Group Teacher Gifts from the Class

If you’re the lucky parent charged with collecting contributions and choosing a class gift for the teacher, choose a collectively built gift that’s simple and sure to be loved. Choose a theme and assemble a gift basket or package that everyone in the class can contribute to fill.

To avoid the flurry of email communication that can flood your inbox when coordinating for a large group, rely on services such as Sign Up Genius, which will handle a lot of the coordination and help avoid duplicate purchases. To hold all the loot, use a cute bag or tote, which you or another family in the class can contribute.

Here are cute ideas for the class-contributed contents for a summer-themed package:

via Tidbits and Twine
via Tidbits and Twine
  • Beach towel
  • Gift certificate for Mani/pedi
  • Magazine
  • Paperback book
  • Journal
  • Small photo album
  • Insulated tumbler and drink mix
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Summery nail polish
  • Gift card to department store, a sunglasses or sport store
  • Monogrammed Frisbee
  • Cute drinking straws or drink stirs
  • Cocktail napkins
  • Reusable ice cubes in a fun summer shape
  • Outdoor tumblers and a pitcher
  • Deck of cards or a game

Quick and Easy “Homemade” Teacher Gifts

Looking to go beyond a store bought gift, but have less time than inspiration? Rather than tackle a big DIY project, you can add an extra, homemade touch to a store-bought (or homegrown) gift of flowers or a potted plant. Personalizing an always appreciated gift of green shows you’ve gone the extra mile to show you care. Here are three sweet and simple ways to embellish a potted plant or bouquet of flowers.

1. Chalkboard Pot from The Idea Room on Skip to My Lou you can customize with a personal note to your child’s teacher.

via The Idea Room
via The Idea Room

2. Handmade Container from Love of Family and Home.

via Love of Family and Home
via Love of Family and Home

3. DIY Succulent Terrarium from That’s Quirky.

via That's Quirky
via That’s Quirky

Picking Up a Practical Teacher Gift and Packaging It Just Right

Save yourself the agonizing and shopping for the perfect gift. Nothing is more useful to a hardworking teacher on a limited salary than a gift card to a favorite store, café or restaurant. A gift card allows him or her to splurge or spend as they like. These fun, free gift card holders to print will personalize a gift that may seem a bit impersonal. There’s one for coffee, a book store, the movies and good ole Target.

gift holder hip2save
via hip2save

No matter how you choose to thank your child’s teacher, remember that a personal note of thanks from you and your child is often the most important gift of all. Find the perfect babysitter for summer break at UrbanSitter.