Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool

Selecting and Using Manipulatives

Published 8/31/2020

1. Invest in good quality materials. It may seem like a lot of money to spend upfront, but the investment will more than pay for itself as your manipulatives withstand use by young children day after day after day.

2. Choose well-constructed materials, ones with pieces that fit together well and are easy to manipulate. 

3. Make a commitment to eventually buy enough equipment for each child to have his or her own set. Being patient and waiting or a turn are difficult for toddlers. Provide enough blocks, beads, etc. for each child to work successfully. 

4. Before you buy materials, check for overall safety. Are there any sharp edges? Are the pieces too big for a toddler to swallow or choke on? Also, be sure to check the materials in your room periodically to make sure they remain safe. 

5. Select equipment that can withstand a lot of washing. Paperboard products are difficult to clean. Wood and plastic equipment is better suited for this age group. 

6. Limit the number of manipulative toys that are available at any one time. Too many choices are confusing for young children and can make it more difficult for them to choose an activity. 

7. Just sitting on the floor next to toddlers as they work with manipulatives can encourage them. Refrain from directing their play or asking too many questions. Let them explore the manipulatives on their own. As you watch them work, however, be ready to step in and offer a little assistance if their frustration level gets too high. 

8. One way to encourage the use of a variety of table toys is to set out just one toy at a table. Sit with your children as they experiment and figure out what to do. As their interest wanes and they go on to other things, put that table toy away and get out another one. 

9. You may find that at the end of a play time, several different sets of manipulatives have gotten mixed up. Make the cleanup of the toys a game, and have your children help you sort them. 

10. Involve your children in the care of the manipulatives. When it is time to wash them, let the children help. Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water and let the children scrub and clean the toys.

 Sorting Toys

1. Sorting toys are very easy to make. You can use an assortment of almost any small item and a container such as a basket, a plastic jar, or a box. For safety, check that any items you use are too big for a toddler to swallow or choke on. 

2. Give each toddler his or her own container and several items for sorting. Sit at the table with your children, with your own container. Play alongside the children, putting one item at a time into your container and talking about what you and they are doing. This activity, putting in items one at a time, is the very first toddler sorting activity. 

3. Toddlers love dropping clothespins into a plastic container or moving pompoms from one container to another with kitchen tongs. 

4. A basket is great fun for sorting. Your children will enjoy putting objects into the basket and taking them out again. 

5. Cut a square hole in the plastic lid of a large empty container. Show your toddlers how to push small blocks through the hole. 

6. For older toddlers, you can make a sorting box by cutting a square hole and a round hole in the lid of a shoebox. Put the lid on the box and let your children put empty thread spools through the round hole in the lid and square blocks through the square hole. 

7. Have each child take off one shoe and put it in the middle of the room. When all the shoes are piled up, let your children sort through them to find their own shoes. 

8. Put out a variety of items in big and little sizes: socks, plates, and books. Let your children put the big items in a big basket and the little items in a little basket. 

9. Collect three toy cars and three stuffed toy animals. Mix up the cars and animals, and then have your children sort them into two separate piles. This works with any two kinds of toys or materials you have. As your children become more skilled at this, you can increase the difficulty by having them sort two similar items such as toy cars and toy trucks. 

10. Toddlers love this color sorting activity. Set out two sheets of construction paper: one red and one blue. Find three red toys and three blue toys. Let your children place the red toys on the red construction paper and the blue toys on the blue paper. Help the children say the color of each toy as they put it on the paper. Repeat with any other colors you wish to introduce to your children.

SOURCE: "Terrific Tips for Toddler Teachers" by Gayle Bittinger, Mary Ann Hodge, and Jenny Cooper Rose. 

A Mind Is a Wonderful Thing to Challenge

Courtesy of: Dr. Margaret E. Griffin, Assistant Professor of Child Development at Iowa State University.
Published 10/18/2020

Parents and teachers can help children to use both their creative and intellectual abilities by encouraging the following:

1. Creative behavior often involves taking risks and testing limits; it can be time consuming, messy, and generally unsettling.

2. Openness to perceptual experiences – sights, sounds, textures, tastes, smells.
Development of the problem-solving process. Children should have concrete experiences in which they are able to observe sequentially, hypothesize, predict, test, and evaluate. Adults can support this process by:

• Demonstration (“Watch what happens, listen/look at this, hold/smell/touch/feel this.”)
• Encouraging the child to think and express that thought. (“Tell me what you saw, heard, felt… what you think caused… what will happen if…”)
• Allowing or helping the child to carry out an idea. (“You have an idea, try it.”)
• Encouraging evaluation in a nonjudgmental manner. (“You thought… what do you think now?”)

3. Open-ended questioning – looking for all possible solutions for a problem. A question is open-ended if it meets any one of the following criteria:

• It allows the child a variety of ways to respond.
• It suggests there are many possible responses.
  It allows the child an opportunity to observe without responding.
• It allows the child an opportunity to hypothesize at his/her own level.
• It allows the child an opportunity to make predictions.
• It allows the child an opportunity to test an idea.
• It allows the child an opportunity to evaluate his/her hypothesis.

4. A question is closed-ended if it meets any of the following criteria:

•  It requires a “yes” or “no” answer.
• It requires a single word response.
• It indicates there is one right answer.
• It does not allow the child an opportunity to hypothesize.
• It does not allow the child an opportunity to make predictions.
• It does not allow the child an opportunity to test an idea.
• It does not allow the child an opportunity to evaluate his/her hypothesis.

Circle Time or Anytime!

Courtesy of: “Circletime Activities for Young Children by Deya Brashears and Sharon Werlin.
Published 10/22/2020

Simple yoga exercises help the children settle down and focus on the new gathering time. If you begin each Circle with yoga, the children will expect it and learn to relax and enjoy this healthy activity. Yoga helps develop awareness training, relaxation, strengthens the body, energizes the child, and helps balance and muscle control. As you continue to use yoga, it will become second nature to the children and they will learn to come together for a more successful Circle Time. To see illustrations of the poses described, 

LOTUS POSITION
It is best to introduce yoga with the Lotus Position. The leader describes the position as she is actually demonstrating the exercise. For example: “Let’s sit up straight with our legs crossed, our hands, palms up, on our knees or thighs. Be sure to keep your back straight. Close your eyes and mouth. Now, breathe in through your nose slowly. Keep your mouth closed. Hold the air in and let it out through the nose slowly. Let’s try it again together as I count. Breathe in –- 1 – 2 – 3, breathe out --- 1 – 2 – 3.”

To help the child get his back straight, say, “Have you ever seen a puppet on a string? Imagine there is a string on the top of your head pulling you up so your spine is straight. Pull the imaginary string and sit up straight.”

CLEANSING BREATH

Between yoga exercises, or at the end of an exercise, it is important to do a cleansing breath to energize the body before going on to the next activity. For example: 

“Close your eyes and mouth.  Breathe in through your nose and hold.  Think about any unpleasant things that may have happened today –-- a fight with a brother, a rushed morning, not being able to share a toy.  Now breathe out these unhappy feelings through your mouth.  Now breathe in love and happiness and good feelings, and again breathe out any bad feelings.” 

THE LION

Kneel with your hands on your knees and your spine straight, inhale deeply.  Force every bit of air from lungs with a ferocious lion's roar. Look ferocious as you do it! Repeat. 

THE MOUNTAIN

Sit in the Lotus position then position your legs as if they are folded like a pretzel. Your legs will be the base of the mountain. Your arms and hands are the peak. To make the mountain top, stretch your arms over your head with your fingertips touching and your palms together. Inhale and exhale slowly through your nose and imagine that you are as still and peaceful and quiet as a mountain. 

Toy Soldier and Ragdoll

Stand up straight and tall, feet together, head erect, arms stiff at your side, tummy in, and chest out.  Inhale through your nose and pretend you are a toy soldier guarding the castle gates.  Now, exhale and relax your entire body.  You are now a floppy rag doll.  Bend at the waist, hang your head down, sway it from side to side, bend your knees and swing your arms from side to side. Inhale and repeat Toy Soldier position.

Conceptual Differences, Part Two

Courtesy of:  Ginger Sprague, Curriculum Coordinator, The Center for Early Learning.
Published 11/07/2022

ACTIVITIES CORNER
Here are concept-skill activities for all levels of experience. There’s sure to be plenty of fun and skill-building for everyone.

Treasure Hunt – Tell the children you’re going to have a treasure hunt. Give them a category to look for, for example, “We’re looking for treasure that you can read.” Use a large cardboard box for a “treasure chest.” Let a few children at a time hint for the treasure and bring it back to the treasure chest. After everyone has had a turn, take the items, one by one, from the chest and have the group “appraise” the treasure to make sure it belongs to the category that was being hunted.

A fun variation to this activity is to name a category for the treasure hunt early in the morning and give the children the rest of the day to collect the treasure in the chest. As a wrap-up activity at the end of the day, go through the contents of the chest with the class.

Puzzle Picks – This is a self-checking game for grouping concept items. Instead of each puzzle forming a single picture, it forms a concept group. Each piece of the puzzle shows a different member of the group. Several puzzles are mixed together and the children have to sort out the groups. Fitting the pieces together tells if they’ve chosen the right members. Start with just a couple of puzzles mixed together and progress to more complex problems with more and more puzzles added.

It’s in the Bag – Talk with the children about “definitions”. Explain that a definition is a way to tell someone about something without actually showing it to him. Tell them that the best definitions explain the most important things about the object – what it looks like, what it’s used for, what it does, etc. Then give them an example: “A squirrel is a small animal that eats nuts, climbs trees, and has a long, bushy tail.”

Once the children become skilled at defining objects, take several large paper bags and inside each, place a familiar object. Close the top so the object can’t be seen. Now, have a volunteer choose one of the bags and peek inside without telling anyone what he sees. He must give the class the best definition he can without naming the object. The person who guesses the identity of the object gets to choose the next bag and give a definition!

Recall Time Checklist:
How Adults Support Children at Recall Time

Published 12/11/2020

Adults examine their beliefs about how children learn at recall time.

Adults recall with children in a calm, cozy setting.

• Recall in large groups.
• Recall with those who shared the experiences children are recalling.
  
  Adults provide materials and experiences to maintain children’s interest at recall time.
• Group games
• Props and partnerships
• Representations

Adults converse with children about their work-time experiences.

Adults take an unhurried approach to recall.

Adults invite children to talk about what they have done:

• Pick up on children’s opening comments.
• Comment on child’s play.*
• Ask an open-ended question.

Adults watch children and listen attentively.
Adults contribute observations and comments to keep recall narratives going.
Adults use questions thoughtfully and sparingly.
Adults support children’s co-narratives and conflicting viewpoints.
Adults acknowledge (rather than praise) children’s work-time experiences.
Adults note connections between children’s recall narratives and plans.

Adults anticipate changes in the way children recall over time.

*Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool refers to “play” as “work”.
High/Scope Approach to Preschool Education, Daily Routine Participant Guide, Second Edition, page 36
Copyright 2007 by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation

Small Group Time Develops
CRITICAL THINKING

Adapted and prepared by Ms. Charlottee N. Umoja
Published 12/13/2020

Definition of critical thinking:

Skillfully analyzing information to come up with a conclusion using facts and events.
Critical thinking, or logical thinking, is the process of determining accuracy or value of something, analyzing and providing support to your own conclusions and a willingness to change your view of evidence is convincing.

Critical thinking skills include being able to identify, analyze, and evaluate.
It is a way to develop reliable, rational evaluation making reasoned judgement. Applying reasoning and logic to unfamiliar ideas or situations.

Basically, it is using criteria to judge or make a conclusion about something.

Conceptual Differences, Part One

Courtesy of:  Ginger Sprague, Curriculum Coordinator, The Center for Early Learning.
Published 10/30/2022

Developing a child’s ability to form concepts can be a real challenge! Often, in the rush to teach specific skills such as reading and writing, it’s easy to overlook the importance of developing basic thinking skills. A child’s ability to conceptualize is his link between simply perceiving the world and using that information in reasoning and communication. In short, it’s the key to the productive use of his mind.

JUST FOR FUN
Here’s a festive idea for your next class party. Invite the children to make ice cream clowns of their own design! You’ll need ice cream, cones, marshmallows, candies, paper plates, and spoons.

Place a scoop of ice cream on each child’s plate. Show the children how to put a cone on top for the clown’s hat. Now they can go to work on making the clown’s face and collar. Invite them to make the collar from colored marshmallows or gum drops arranged around the scoop of ice cream. They can make the face by carefully pressing candies in the ice cream for the eyes, nose, and mouth. If you want to get really fancy, the children can use tubes of icing to draw the features on the ice cream. Tell the children they can’t take too long to make their clowns or they’ll have clown soup!

The final part of this activity, of course, is to have the children eat their clowns. (They won’t need any instructions for this.) Try to get around the class to admire everyone’s work before it disappears!

Children often have difficulty in expressing themselves. Giving clear directions or explaining something can be a problem for them. Much of it is simply the lack of vocabulary development. As adults, it’s hard for us to imagine not having the words to express a simple idea, but for a child, it’s an everyday happening.

10 for 10: Ten Activities to Occupy Toddlers for Ten Minutes, Part 1

BY SHAUNA SMITH DUTY
Published 1/13/2021

Toddlers are busy little people, working hard to explore their new world and learn everything they can. They move from one challenge to another in a matter of minutes and require a great deal of chasing, engaging, cleaning up after, and redirection.

These ten creative activities will keep toddlers occupied for at least ten minutes at a time, and they are great for encouraging both an increase in their attention span and developing motor skills.

1. Sorting Machine. Most toddlers love to sort things. For a toddler who enjoys organizing, provide a few handfuls of multi-colored, O-shaped cereal and a muffin pan. With a little direction, she'll sort the cereal by color into the muffin pan cups and enjoy a healthy snack. For a non-edible activity, use blocks or colored manipulatives.

2. Future Picasso. A bowl of soft, chopped fruit with a little cream cheese and graham crackers is great for an entertaining, edible art project, First, spread the cream cheese on the graham cracker. Then have the toddler press fruit chunks into the cream cheese to create a nutritious work of art. You may just inspire the world's next Picasso.

3. Toy Rotation. A bin filled with toys can be stashed away for months in a closet or cupboard. When the forgotten toys are reintroduced, toddlers feel they have rediscovered them.

4. Shake It Up. Place toys or treats inside clear containers with the lids attached. Children love to shake and rattle things, and when a toddler realizes a treat is inside, the activity will be even more appealing.

5. Water Colors. Add a drop of blue food coloring to a shallow wading pool or sand and water table. Toss in some sea creature toys. Fora change of theme, use green food coloring and jungle creature toys. It makes a great outdoor activity on warm days. Remember to closely supervise any waterplay.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week!

-----

Shauna Smith Duty is a freelance writer and home-
schooling mother of two in Roanoke, Texas. She writes activities, crafts, and parenting articles for websites, magazines, and newsletters. Visit www.shaunasmithduty.com to find out about her latest projects.

Selecting and Using Manipulatives

Published 12/28/2020

1. Invest in good quality materials. It may seem like a lot of money to spend upfront, but the investment will more than pay for itself as your manipulatives withstand use by young children day after day after day.

2. Choose well-constructed materials, ones with pieces that fit together well and are easy to manipulate. 

3. Make a commitment to eventually buy enough equipment for each child to have his or her own set. Being patient and waiting or a turn are difficult for toddlers. Provide enough blocks, beads, etc. for each child to work successfully. 

4. Before you buy materials, check for overall safety. Are there any sharp edges? Are the pieces too big for a toddler to swallow or choke on? Also, be sure to check the materials in your room periodically to make sure they remain safe. 

5. Select equipment that can withstand a lot of washing. Paperboard products are difficult to clean. Wood and plastic equipment is better suited for this age group. 

6. Limit the number of manipulative toys that are available at any one time. Too many choices are confusing for young children and can make it more difficult for them to choose an activity. 

7. Just sitting on the floor next to toddlers as they work with manipulatives can encourage them. Refrain from directing their play or asking too many questions. Let them explore the manipulatives on their own. As you watch them work, however, be ready to step in and offer a little assistance if their frustration level gets too high. 

8. One way to encourage the use of a variety of table toys is to set out just one toy at a table. Sit with your children as they experiment and figure out what to do. As their interest wanes and they go on to other things, put that table toy away and get out another one. 

9. You may find that at the end of a play time, several different sets of manipulatives have gotten mixed up. Make the cleanup of the toys a game, and have your children help you sort them. 

10. Involve your children in the care of the manipulatives. When it is time to wash them, let the children help. Fill a bucket with warm, soapy water and let the children scrub and clean the toys.

 Sorting Toys

1. Sorting toys are very easy to make. You can use an assortment of almost any small item and a container such as a basket, a plastic jar, or a box. For safety, check that any items you use are too big for a toddler to swallow or choke on. 

2. Give each toddler his or her own container and several items for sorting. Sit at the table with your children, with your own container. Play alongside the children, putting one item at a time into your container and talking about what you and they are doing. This activity, putting in items one at a time, is the very first toddler sorting activity. 

3. Toddlers love dropping clothespins into a plastic container or moving pompoms from one container to another with kitchen tongs. 

4. A basket is great fun for sorting. Your children will enjoy putting objects into the basket and taking them out again. 

5. Cut a square hole in the plastic lid of a large empty container. Show your toddlers how to push small blocks through the hole. 

6. For older toddlers, you can make a sorting box by cutting a square hole and a round hole in the lid of a shoebox. Put the lid on the box and let your children put empty thread spools through the round hole in the lid and square blocks through the square hole. 

7. Have each child take off one shoe and put it in the middle of the room. When all the shoes are piled up, let your children sort through them to find their own shoes. 

8. Put out a variety of items in big and little sizes: socks, plates, and books. Let your children put the big items in a big basket and the little items in a little basket. 

9. Collect three toy cars and three stuffed toy animals. Mix up the cars and animals, and then have your children sort them into two separate piles. This works with any two kinds of toys or materials you have. As your children become more skilled at this, you can increase the difficulty by having them sort two similar items such as toy cars and toy trucks. 

10. Toddlers love this color sorting activity. Set out two sheets of construction paper: one red and one blue. Find three red toys and three blue toys. Let your children place the red toys on the red construction paper and the blue toys on the blue paper. Help the children say the color of each toy as they put it on the paper. Repeat with any other colors you wish to introduce to your children.

SOURCE: "Terrific Tips for Toddler Teachers" by Gayle Bittinger, Mary Ann Hodge, and Jenny Cooper Rose. 

Now Hiring!

Published 3/32021

Are YOU looking for a CAREER with PURPOSE?

Are YOU looking for a CAREER that offers training at no cost to YOU to earn a national credential?
Do young children make YOU smile?

If you have answered YES to all of these questions then Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool may just be the place for YOU. We have the following positions open at our Fairfax location:

FT or PT Floating Teacher Assistants from 9a.m.-6p.m.; 9a.m.-3p.m.; or 3-6p.m. (M-F)
FT Infant Lead Teacher from 8:30a.m.-5:30p.m.
Email your resume to clehnhoff@tbdcva.com

DIY Gifts for Mom

Published 5/27/2021

It's time to create some gifts for mom! Here are some ideas!

Crayon Candle
This project is a two-in-one: It makes a cute candle for Mom, and it also uses up those crayon nubs that are too small to color with. Be sure to include Mom's favorite colors!

To make homemade crayon candles you will need wax, wicks, old crayons, and containers. Note: It’s best if you can grate or chop the crayons in to the smallest pieces possible. Read the rest here.

"I Love You Because" Flowers
Part card, part craft, Mom will be extra touched to learn all of the reasons why the family loves her so much. The whole project is rather simple and easy -
the stem will take a little time as it will need to be spray painted and allowed time to dry. But the parent does this part anyway. So plan ahead, paint it and allow to dry the day before.

Then once you begin the "I Love You Because" flowers, you can just work straight through. Find out instructions and more here.

Find more ideas here.

We Play to Their Strengths

Published 6/13/2021

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool is a unique place for your child to learn and grow! By individualizing learning based upon each child’s interests and strengths, children are allowed to progress as far as they are developmentally able in areas of language and literacy, logic and mathematics, movement and music, creative representation, social relations, and initiative. From infancy through pre-Kindergarten, children ascend a ladder of progress in each of the competency areas with careful attention provided to tailoring activities to challenge children to climb to the next rung of development.

Learn more about us by scheduling a tour today!

Developing Life Skills

Published 6/26/2021

What is the purpose of the best academic education if it fails to prepare children for the “real world”? Through the process of Plan-Do-Review and the Adult/Child Interactions of the HighScope Educational Approach, the children develop life skills which are training wheels for every chapter in life, such as:

- Integrity
- Effort
- Curiosity
- Perseverance
- Common sense
- Caring
- Responsibility
- Cooperation
- Courage
- Friendship

We have three locations for your convenience. One in Fairfax and two in Alexandria. Contact us to tell us more about your needs and we will get back to you!

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Different and Unique

Published 7/05/2021

At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool we recognize and respect that each child is different and unique. Your child has their own special gifts and talents- let's work in partnership to help your child reach the next step's in their developmental journey!!!  At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool, each child is important. Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool recognizes the need for and strives to provide all children and parents with warm, nurturing, friendly relationships with teachers. In addition, Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool provides each child with a preschool experience that includes an individualized learning program based on six key competency areas.
To learn more, call us or explore our website.

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With Love from South Reynolds Street

Published 7/15/2021

Dear Teddy Bear Daycare and Preschool Friends and Supporters,

We have made the tough decision to close our South Reynolds Street location and shift our focus to nurturing and growing our Merton Court and Braddock Road locations from here on out. South Reynolds Street was our first location and we’re so thankful for nearly 50 years of business and support there. We will cherish all the memories of that location, and we look forward to a bright future at our Merton Court and Braddock Road locations with you!

Sincerely, Teddy Bear Staff

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Sight Word Craft-Stick Puzzles

Published 08/23/2021

If you're practicing sight words, go beyond the run-of-the-mill flashcards with a craft-stick matching puzzle. You can tailor the words by grade level, and add more pairs as your kids become stronger readers.

Get the tutorial here.

Still Hiring for Multiple Positions

Published 09/26/2021

We are always looking for dedicated, passionate people to join our growing Team at Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool. Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972 and appreciate you reaching out! If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you. Are YOU looking for a CAREER that makes you feel like you are making a BIG difference in the world?

Learn more about which positions are open here. 

Fun Tip for Teaching Toddlers!

Published 09/19/2021

Toddlers love this color sorting activity. Set out two sheets of construction paper: one red and one blue. Find three red toys and three blue toys. Let your children place the red toys on the red construction paper and the blue toys on the blue paper. Help the children say the color of each toy as they put it on the paper. Repeat with any other colors you wish to introduce to your children! 

Developing Life Skills

Published 10/17/2021

What is the purpose of the best academic education if it fails to prepare children for the “real world”? Through the process of Plan-Do-Review and the Adult/Child Interactions of the HighScope Educational Approach, the children develop life skills which are training wheels for every chapter in life, such as:

- Integrity
- Effort
- Curiosity
- Perseverance
- Common sense
- Caring
- Responsibility
- Cooperation
- Courage

Looking to Add to Our Team!

Published 08/01/2021

We are always looking for dedicated, passionate people to join our growing Team at Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool. Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972 and appreciate you reaching out! If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you. Are YOU looking for a CAREER that makes you feel like you are making a BIG difference in the world?

If you are interested in working with us, please click here.

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What Children Can’t Do… Yet, Part 1

BY Dan Hodgins
Published 10/24/2021

When working with children, keep in mind what they are ready for and what they are not; what they can do and what they are unable to do… yet.

I can’t share.
Children use possession of objects as a device to understand autonomy. Just as babbling comes before talking, so owning comes before sharing. To share fully, a child must fully possess.

I can’t say “I’m sorry,” and mean it.
Saying “I’m sorry” has little meaning to the young child. To say “I’m sorry” and understand what you are saying, you must also be able to understand how the other person feels.

I can’t remember what you told me.
Most children remember only what is important to them. A child may not remember that you just told them to walk, and not run, while indoors. Adults often forget that children have trouble remembering.

I can’t focus on more than one task at a time.
“Pick up your toys, put on your shoes, and wash your face; we are going out to play.” This command has three more tasks than a young child is able to focus on. Most young children will remember the last task or the task most important to them. With the above command, all the child may focus on is that he or she is going out to play.

I can’t understand negative commands.
If a child reaches to put his or her finger in an electric wall outlet and you say, “don’t”, the child is confused because he or she doesn’t know how to reverse their action. Saying “Pull your hand back; that’s dangerous.” gives the child a positive action to take.

I can’t measure.
When you want a child to pour a glass of milk or juice and you hand him or her a full pitcher, expect the child to pour all the milk into the glass, even if it pours all over the floor or table. Young children do not understand that all of the milk will not fit into the glass and so keep pouring until it’s too late.

I can’t tell you the truth when you set me up.
If you see a child do something inappropriate, and you ask if he or she has done it, the child will probably deny it. Don’t ask the child if you know what happened. That only sets them up for failure.

Dan Hodges writes from Flint, Michigan, where he is coordinator of the child development program of Mott Community College.

What Children Can’t Do… Yet
Earlychildhood NEWS / THE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS EXCELLENCE – © 2006 Excelligence Learning Corporation, All Rights Reserved.

Looking for Caring Individuals to Join our Team!

Published 10/31/2021

At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool, each child is important. Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool provides environments that teach and provides adults who care. In order to provide for every child on our waiting list, we are looking to fill multiple positions at both our Alexandria and Fairfax locations. For more information, please click here.

Experience Counts!

Published 11/14/2021

At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool we recognize and respect that each child is different and unique. Your child has their own special gifts and talents- let's work in partnership to help your child reach the next step's in their developmental journey!

With nearly 50 years of experience in running daycares and preschools, our team knows what is needed to make your child's experience the best it can be.

Experience Counts!

Published 11/28/2021

Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool utilizes the "HighScope Curriculum''! The HighScope Curriculum emphasizes self-reliance in children, a carefully designed learning environment, and a plan-do-review process that strengthens initiative and self-reliance in children. Teachers and children are active partners in shaping the educational experience.

Climb the ladder of success with Teddy Bear!

Join Our Team!

Published 12/5/2021

We're always looking for caring, positive, and energetic individuals to help provide quality child care to our growing enrollment of amazing children, while desiring to learn more about having a career in early childhood education.

Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972. If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you.

Every Child is Unique!

Published 12/12/2021

At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool we recognize and respect that each child is different and unique. Your child has their own special gifts and talents, let's work in partnership to help your child reach the next step's in their developmental journey.

Tried and True since 1972!

Published 12/19/2021

Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972!

If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you!

Click here to learn more.

Let's Play!

Published 12/26/2021

Research has demonstrated that engaging children in the learning process increases their attention and focus, motivates them to practice higher-level critical thinking skills, and promotes meaningful learning experiences. These skills will help them later on in school and even later on in life!

Learn more about our curriculum.

Life Skills for All Ages

Published 01/09/2022

Through FUN as our primary teaching tool and with the help of a unique curriculum, children at Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool develop life skills that are training wheels for every chapter in life! Through the process of Plan-Do-Review and the Adult/Child Interactions of the HighScope Educational Approach, children develop skills such as:

- Integrity

- Effort
- Curiosity
- Perseverance
- Common sense
- Caring
- Responsibility
- Cooperation
- Courage
- Friendship

We have two locations for your convenience: one in Fairfax and one in Alexandria.

New Year = New Career Path?

Published 01/02/2022

If you're looking to make a difference and have a passion for helping children, you may be a good fit for a job at Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool!

A rewarding career with us will help you find a sense of purpose and will certainly provide you with many smiles from the start of your day until the end!

But most importantly, you will be helping families that desperately need child care. Our very own Jessica Duckett was recently featured in this article by CNBC, stating that we only have 60 of a possible 109 children enrolled, simply because we do not have enough staff.

Help us make a big difference to children and their families in our area and join our team! Find out more information here.

Looking To Your Child's Future

Published 01/16/2022

We are always looking to the future at Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool. One way we do that is by practicing PLAY and making learning engaging and fun for all children!

Research has demonstrated that engaging children in the learning process increase their attention and focus, motivates them to practice higher-level critical thinking skills, and promotes meaningful learning experiences. These skills will help them later on in school and even later on in life!

Looking to Fill Multiple Positions

Published 01/23/2022

We are always looking for dedicated, passionate people to join our growing Team at Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool. Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972 and appreciate you reaching out! If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you. Are YOU looking for a CAREER that makes you feel like you are making a BIG difference in the world?
Learn more about which positions are open here.

What to Read With Kids this Valentine's Day

Published 02/06/2022

Scholastic has compiled lists of books that are about love, empathy, kindness, and more to read with your children this Valentine's Day. This holiday is a great opportunity to read books about love for others with your child — and to teach them important lessons about empathy.

Stock up on the best Valentine’s Day books for kids, which explore themes of love in ways children can easily relate to.

Ask your child questions after each story, such as “What is your favorite way to show someone you love them?” and “What are three things in your world that you love?”

Click here to read the rest of their book suggestions!

Climb the Ladder of Success

Published 08/29/2021

Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool utilizies the "HighScope Curriculum''! The HighScope Curriculum emphasizes self-reliance in children, a carefully designed learning environment, and a plan-do-review process that strengthens initiative and self-reliance in children. Teachers and children are active partners in shaping the educational experience. Interested in the benefits of this curriculum? Contact us today!.

Sorting Activity for Toddlers

Published 01/30/2022

Sorting toys are very easy to make. You can use an assortment of almost any small item and a container such as a basket, a plastic jar, or a box. For safety, check that any items you use are too big for a toddler to swallow or choke on.

Give each toddler his or her own container and several items for sorting. Sit at the table with your children, with your own container. Play alongside the children, putting one item at a time into your container and talking about what you and they are doing. This activity, putting in items one at a time, is the very first toddler sorting activity.

Seeking The Right Fit for Our Team

Published 02/13/2022

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool is seeking to hire experienced and talented individuals. Teddy Bear is a small family-owned child-care company that has been providing quality early care and education for 50 years in Alexandria and Fairfax County.

If you are looking for a very caring work environment that provides the following benefits:
- Well equipped classrooms
- Developmentally appropriate curriculum
- On-going training opportunities
- On-site supportive management
- Competitive pay based on EXPERIENCE and EDUCATION
- Starting every Day with a smile

Then you might be a great fit for our team! Please click here and learn more.

Now Hiring!

Published 1/25/2021

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool in Fairfax is accepting applications for a PT Teacher Assistant in their 3-5 year old program. Candidates must be available M-F from 3-6 (no exceptions). If you are an individual that is flexible, energetic, and enjoys interacting with young children please forward your resume to clehnhoff@tbdcva.com.

We are always looking for dedicated, passionate people to join our growing Team at Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool.

Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972 and appreciate you reaching out!

If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you.

Are YOU looking for a CAREER that makes you feel like you are making a BIG difference in the world?

If you enjoy spending time with young children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, then you may be a great fit for Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool (TBDC) at one of our VA locations in Alexandria and Fairfax.

We’re always looking for caring, positive, and energetic individuals to help provide quality child care to our growing enrollment of amazing children, while desiring to learn more about having a career in early childhood education.

If you’re ready to be part of a work culture that has existed since 1972 that believes in our employees and strives for excellence, TBDC is anxious for you to apply and learn more about us.

We're Unique Too!

Published 7/25/2021

At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool, we recognize and respect that each child is different and unique. Exploration and hands-on learning experiences are the best tools a child can gain from a safe and experienced center like Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool. 

Your child has their own special gifts and talents. Let's work in partnership to help your child reach the next step's in their developmental journey.

.

Recognizing the Individual

Published 03/06/2022

At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool we recognize and respect that each child is different and unique. Your child has their own special gifts and talents, let's work in partnership to help your child reach the next steps in their developmental journey.

By individualizing learning based upon each child’s interests and strengths, children are allowed to progress as far as they are developmentally able in areas of language and literacy, logic and mathematics, movement and music, creative representation, social relations, and initiative.

Learning is FUN and Engaging

Published 02/27/2022

Just ask our parents what makes Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool different! We practice PLAY and make learning engaging and fun for all children!

Just as the memory of your favorite Teddy Bear elicits feelings of warmth and security, the staff at each at Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool is busy creating the same atmosphere of love and security for your child.

Learn more about us by exploring our website! 

Our Curriculum is Different.

Published 08/08/2021

From infancy through pre-Kindergarten, children ascend a ladder of progress in each of the competency areas with careful attention provided to tailoring activities to challenge children to climb to the next rung of development.

By individualizing learning based upon each child’s interests and strengths, children are allowed to progress as far as they are developmentally able in areas of language and literacy, logic and mathematics, movement and music, creative representation, social relations, and initiative.

Allow Children to Problem Solve On Their Own

Published 03/20/2022

According to this article from Rasmussen University, parents and teachers can help children learn to problem solve by removing themselves from the process.

To try this out at home, it is important for adults to move past their own instincts to fix problems and instead see what solutions their children can come up with on their own.

For example, there's only one red truck, and two children both want to play with it. Ask your child what kind of solutions you could come up with to make sure everyone is happy. The point is to make the children a vital part of the creative process instead of just getting them to comply with the adult’s idea. This also helps develop empathy, especially in situations where problems stem from hurt feelings or other emotional conflicts.

Child Care is Essential

Published 03/13/2022

We know how essential child care is to the working family. We also know the importance of a safe and nurturing environment for your children. Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool provides environments that teach and provides adults who care!

We Want to Provide Care for All!

Published 03/27/2022

We have waiting lists and want to get every child that needs care supported.
We are hiring to fill this need! Please tag and share so we can open the doors to more families who need the support.
Thank you! For more details and where to submit your resume, click here.

Play is Children's Work

Published 04/03/2022

Play is children's work. Therefore, it is the foundation for academic learning. There are many centers, schools and programs that claim “Children First”. Here at Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool, we know and believe the phrase and work hard so that it is reality.

At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool, you will not see -
- Children sitting for long periods of time.
- Teachers doing all the talking.
- Children reciting the ABC's.
- All the children doing the same thing at the same time.
- Children doing worksheets.

You will see them-
- Writing letters that are important to them.
- Involved in talking about topics of interest to them.
- Hear them reading their own writing.
- Building, painting, drawing, constructing things of interest to them.
- Working in a group, alone or with a partner.

 Child Care Center Director Opening in Fairfax, VA.

Published 04/10/2022

Pay: $45,000-$55,000 per year

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool (TBDCVA) is looking for a Director for their Fairfax, VA location. TBDCVA has been family-owned and operated for nearly 50 years in VA. This location is licensed for 109 children ages 6 weeks through 5 years of age. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone that wants to be a Director in a center where there is a system of support that allows them to have the necessary time to put their staff, the children, and the parents first and foremost.

This position has been filled! Thank you!

Encouraging Children to be Children!

Published 04/17/2022

We keep the "child" in "childhood"!

Alfie Kohn, a noted child psychologist, said, "We have lost sight of the 'child' in the word 'childhood' and turned it into a joyless training camp for the adult world." At Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool - a special place for children - we keep the "child" in childhood and provide the best environment for children.

Sorting Activity for Toddlers

Published 04/24/2022

Sorting toys are very easy to make. You can use an assortment of almost any small item and a container such as a basket, a plastic jar, or a box. For safety, check that any items you use are too big for a toddler to swallow or choke on.

Give each toddler his or her own container and several items for sorting. Sit at the table with your children, with your own container. Play alongside the children, putting one item at a time into your container and talking about what you and they are doing. This activity, putting in items one at a time, is the very first toddler sorting activity.

Climbing the Next Rung of Development

Published 05/22/2022

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool is a unique place for your child to learn and grow! By individualizing learning based upon each child’s interests and strengths, children are allowed to progress as far as they are developmentally able in areas of language and literacy, logic and mathematics, movement and music, creative representation, social relations, and initiative. From infancy through pre-Kindergarten, children ascend a ladder of progress in each of the competency areas with careful attention provided to tailoring activities to challenge children to climb to the next rung of development.

Learn more about us by scheduling a tour today!

Dramatic Play is not Just for Fun!

Published 05/08/2022

"Let's play house!" is a familiar sound at home and in any preschool setting. Through dramatic play, your child expands their imagination, creates their own world, and safely acts out any fears and life experiences. Your child may decide to give a party or act out waking from a nap because of a thunderstorm. Whatever the situation, he/she is experimenting with new roles.

At home – If you have the space, set up a small house corner in your child’s bedroom or store play props in easy-to-reach boxes. Provide dress-up clothes, dolls, household props such as silverware and dishes, a play telephone, etc. Ask questions to stimulate play, such as: “Are you having any guests over for lunch today? How is your baby feeling this afternoon?” Your enjoyment of make-believe enhances your child’s dramatic play.

Turn the Page

Published 05/15/2022

Ready to encourage reading in your child?

At preschool, the library corner is a place where children can go to relax, think, get lost in a book, or share a story. Through books, children learn that language is useful and powerful. They can find new information, deal with important feelings and changes in their lives, and let their imaginations run free.

At home – You could visit the library together and pick out some favorites. Your child might enjoy time to browse by themselves. Then later at home, you can share a story or two. If possible, provide low shelves for storage and a comfortable pillow to lean on!

On Sight Words

Published 05/30/2022

If you're practicing sight words, go beyond the run-of-the-mill flashcards with a craft-stick matching puzzle. You can tailor the words by grade level, and add more pairs as your kids become stronger readers.

Get the tutorial here.

Always Looking for More Team Players!

Published 06/05/ 2022

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool is seeking to hire experienced and talented individuals. Teddy Bear is a small family-owned child-care company that has been providing quality early care and education for 50 years in Alexandria and Fairfax County.

If you are looking for a very caring work environment that provides the following benefits:
- Well equipped classrooms
- Developmentally appropriate curriculum
- On-going training opportunities
- On-site supportive management
- Competitive pay based on EXPERIENCE and EDUCATION
- Starting every Day with a smile

Then you might be a great fit for our team! Please click here and learn more.

Father's Day Craft: Movie Night in a Jar

Published 06/12/ 2022

This unique Father's Day gift is easy to put together, and it's a great way to plan some fun family time. Find a large jar and let the kids pick what goes into it. A new movie, Dad's favorite candy, and different flavors of microwave popcorn are all great fillers.

Get a free printable tag at the source.

Home activity: Building with Blocks

Published: 07/10/2022

When building with blocks, your child is solving problems in creative and imaginative ways. Whether building the tallest tower in the world or a miniature network of cities, he/she is learning about weight, balance, space, and dimension. He/she is also developing valuable language and social skills as they communicate ideas and cooperate with friends.
At home: Find room to play and provide shelves so blocks can be stored safely. Listen to your child describe what he/she is building and help find appropriate props to enhance the play, such as paper and crayons to make signs and scenery and dress-up clothes to complement what your child is building.

National Ice Cream Day

Published: 07/17/2022

Tasty Treat: Toddler-Friendly Ice Cream
In honor of National Ice Cream Day, here are some ice cream recipes for toddlers you may want to try out.

Just beware of brain freeze!

Summer Craft: Watermelon Sponge Painting

Published: 07/24/2022

Watermelon and Summer are meant for each other! This sponge painting art activity will invigorate the senses, spark creativity, and add in a little bit of math all in a tactile way.

Find photos, list of materials, and full instructions at Fantastic Fun and Learning.

Encourage Art & Writing

Published: 07/31/2022

According to healthychildren.org, it is great for children to write and/or draw without any educational purpose in mind other than to express themselves. For example, you can encourage your children to write original stories, cards, letters, and invitations to friends and relatives. Keep paper, pencils, crayons, markers, and tape in a convenient lo­cation so your children can sit down and use them easily.

Research has shown that writing improves a child's reading skills—and vice versa.

Read more tips on how to reinforce your child's learning here.

Tried and True since 1972!

Published 05/01/2022

Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972!

If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you!

Click here to learn more.

Improving Children’s Oral Language

Courtesy of: Texas Child Care / Summer 2003
Published 10/8/2020

During their early years, children need supportive adults who will engage them in conversation, read to them, and provide experiences in which they can learn new words (IRA and NAEYC, 1998). Children also need adult role models for reading and writing activities – reading the newspaper and writing a note to parents, for example. Children with these experiences will have a tremendous head start when they begin school.

Offer Oral-Language Activities

A rich environment enhances children’s language development indirectly. You can also enhance development directly by providing activities aimed specifically at improving oral language skills.

Preschoolers

- Provide props.

Place props in the dramatic play center or use at circle time. A dentist kit, for example, may encourage the children to talk about their experience in going to the dentist.

- Discuss art work.

Encourage children to discuss their creations: “Tell me about your painting.” “How did you feel while making this collage?”

- Talk while playing.

Encourage children to talk while playing in the block building and dramatic play centers; these activities are interactive and collaborative. While children are playing and talking, their vocabulary will improve because they hear themselves and remember some of the words they have heard adults use.

- Tape a story.

Read a story and record it on tape. Make the tape available for children to play and enjoy as many times as they want.

- Encourage pantomime.

Encourage a child to retell their favorite story or pretend to be a character from the book in front of a mirror.

- Play a rhyme game.

Say “Ball rhymes with call.” Spell out the words – “Ball, b-a-l-l and call, c-a-l-l.” Encourage the child to say the words to feel and hear how they rhyme.
- Play “Objects in a Bag”

Place a few items such as a cap, plastic cup, and spoon into a bag. Invite the child to pull an object from the bag and talk about it. The child can describe the object and talk about how it’s used.

- Record sounds in nature.

Take an audio recording of sounds from the outdoors. While playing sounds such as birds, moving vehicles, and dogs barking, encourage children to talk about what they hear. Encourage children to write about or draw pictures representing the sounds they hear.

- Solve a puzzle.

While working with a child to solve a puzzle, talk about the pieces, colors, and shapes. Encourage conversation.

- Take field trips.

Expose children to a variety of experiences by visiting the zoo, library, park, and museum. Encourage children to make comments and to ask questions.

- Read or tell a story every day.

Vary the reading format, using books as well as flannel board and puppets, for example. Have a well-stocked book center that children can use on their own.

Use books to stimulate oral language:

- Always have available a variety of books.

- Choose high quality books about topics such as animals, places, and things that children like.

- Choose books that positively reflect children’s identity, home language, and culture.

- Discuss the story before, during, and after reading.

- Discuss the title and what might happen in the story. Encouraging the children to make predictions stretches their thinking and imagination.

- Point to the pictures and talk about them.

- Help children relate words to their prior knowledge and experiences such as taking a bath, eating, or playing outdoors.

- Read in a natural way, as if you were talking. Use expression by changing your voice tone with each character. Use hand and body gestures.

- Pause to explain unfamiliar words.

- Encourage parents to take advantage of times in the doctor’s waiting room and at the laundromat by talking and reading to the children.

Developing Life Skills

Published: 06/19/2022

What is the purpose of the best academic education if it fails to prepare children for the “real world”? Through the process of Plan-Do-Review and the Adult/Child Interactions of the HighScope Educational Approach, the children develop life skills that are training wheels for every chapter in life, such as:

- Integrity
- Effort
- Curiosity
- Perseverance
- Common sense
- Caring
- Responsibility
- Cooperation
- Courage

Brain-Boosting Games

Published: 06/26/2022

Boost your baby's brain with simple games! Sanford Health says that by responding to your baby's needs, talking, singing, holding, and looking at them, you are helping to form connections in their brain.

Boost their development with the following activities:

1. Mirror, Mirror. Try putting something on their cheek or nose such as a little sticker or a smudge of lipstick and wait for their reaction.
Where are baby’s toes? Use a sing-song voice while showing your baby where their toes are. Repeat this with different things such as their nose and tummy. This will help them to learn the meaning of words.
2. Touch and feel. Find different fabrics and cut out small squares. You can also punch a hole in the corner and put them on a metal ring to keep them together. Let baby explore their senses by touching all of the different textures such as sandpaper, felt, and satin.
3. Reading. Reading to your baby is important for their rapidly developing brain. Simple picture books are just fine to read to your baby. Don’t feel like you have to read the words. Look at and talk about the pictures. This helps your baby build language skills as well as builds a bond between the two of you.
4. Peek-a-boo! When you hide a toy under a blanket or put your hands in front of your face, at first an infant does not understand that the object is still there. Your baby will begin to understand that even though they cannot see the toy under the blanket, it is actually still there.
5. Building blocks. Blocks come in all different forms such as wooden and plastic, connecting, and stacking. Stacking blocks helps build hand-eye coordination. The first thing a baby might do with blocks is hit them together. Your baby is also learning that hitting two objects together creates noise!

For more ideas and information, click here.

Magic Moments

Published 2/9/2021

What is the HighScope Preschool Curriculum?

Most early childhood educators expect a curriculum to lay out a set of daily prescribed and sequential tasks – explicit lesson plans that make up the content for an educational program. HighScope is not packaged in this manner. Instead, it offers a set of principles and practices that can guide teachers and caregivers in developing their own programs and plans around the interests, needs, and styles of the particular group of children and adults involved.
HighScope’s Educational Approach is centered around the belief that young children learn optimally by working directly with people, materials, events, and ideas and that the adult’s role is not to direct or control this learning process but to support it. The approach is based on developmental validity or the belief that children develop in predictable sequences, within which there are optimal times for particular kinds of learning and particular methods of teaching as well.

HighScope classrooms are divided into interest areas that address all aspects of children’s play and development including, for example, a block or building area, house area, toy area, book area, and sand or water area. Adults establish a predictable daily routine with consistent times for children to plan (planning time); carry out their plans (work time); remember, reflect on, and share their experiences (recall time); engage in Small and Large Group experiences; share a snack or a meal; clean up the classroom; and play outdoors.

The Plan-Do-Review sequence is the hallmark of HighScope’s daily routine. Research supports HighScope’s belief that daily planning and recall experiences for young children promote essential qualities that they need to succeed: initiative, self-confidence, competence, and a sense of community. Planning guarantees that children will be engaged in experiences of their own choice, gives them a sense of purpose and control of their environment, and ensures that they participate in the program at their own developmental level and pace. During Work Time, children initiate and carry out their intentions, solve problems they encounter along the way, and interact spontaneously with peers and adults. These experiences foster feelings of competence, promote interdependence, and extend children’s skills according to their interests and readiness. Opportunities to recall allow children to reflect on their experiences, share them with others, and use words, actions, and symbols to represent what they have done.

Adults in a HighScope program create a warm and caring atmosphere by showing positive attention, attending to those who are upset, getting down to the child’s eye level, calling children by name, smiling, hugging, and using a calm and supportive tone of voice.

Children develop literacy and numeracy skills by having plentiful opportunities to express their thoughts and ideas in personally meaningful ways and to interact with a variety of materials and people. In HighScope, children’s interactions with the world are captured in a series of Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs) in child development that help them to encounter and understand their environment. The KDIs are organized into seven major categories. Teachers use the KDIs as a conceptual framework to help them plan experiences, observe children, think about the day, and make sure they provide the variety of experiences that are critical to the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth of children.

HighScope’s belief in child-initiated learning has been confirmed by historical research findings of its long-term studies, which suggest that preschool programs that encourage children’s self-directed learning do indeed have a positive impact on children’s later lives.

Approaches to Learning
-Social and Emotional Development
-Physical Development and Health
-Language, Literacy, and Communication
-Mathematics
-Creative Arts
-Science and Technology
-Social Studies

WHY IS PLAY IMPORTANT? Pt. 1

Published 2/15/2021

Children of all ages love to play. Whether your child is five months or five years old, play is the best tool for fostering learning. As your child plays, he or she is building a foundation for academic skills, learning to get along with others, and developing pride in their accomplishments.

At different ages, a child’s play styles and interests grow and change. As a parent, there are many ways to facilitate that growth. If you have an infant or toddler, laughing, singing, and cooing to your little one offers early social play and language experiences. Also, exploring a variety of toys or household objects like pots and large wooden spoons will stimulate hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and intellectual growth. If your child is two or older, your involvement enriches his/her play and communicates that play is important.
Here are just a few things your child learns while playing both at home and at school.

BUILDING WITH BLOCKS
When building with blocks, your child is solving problems in creative and imaginative ways. Whether building the tallest tower in the world or a miniature network of cities, he/she is learning about weight, balance, space, and dimension. He/she is also developing valuable language and social skills as they communicate ideas and cooperate with friends.
At home – Find room to play and provide shelves so blocks can be stored safely. Listen to your child describe what he/she is building and help find appropriate props to enhance the play, such as paper and crayons to make signs and scenery and dress-up clothes to complement what your child is building.

DRAMATIC PLAY
“Let’s play house!” is a familiar sound at home and in any preschool setting. Through dramatic play, your child expands their imagination, creates their own world, and safely acts out any fears and life experiences. Your child may decide to give a party or act out waking from a nap because of a thunderstorm. Whatever the situation, he/she is experimenting with new roles.
At home – If you have the space, set up a small house corner in your child’s bedroom or store play props in easy-to-reach boxes. Provide dress-up clothes, dolls, household props such as silverware and dishes, a play telephone, etc. Ask questions to stimulate play, such as: “Are you having any guests over for lunch today? How is your baby feeling this afternoon?” Your enjoyment of make-believe enhances your child’s dramatic play.

ENJOYING BOOKS
At preschool, the library corner is a place where children can go to relax, think, get lost in a book, or share a story. Through books, children learn that language is useful and powerful. They can find new information, deal with important feelings and changes in their lives, and let their imaginations run free.
At home – Visit the library together and pick out some favorites. Your child might enjoy time to browse by themselves. Then later at home, you can share a story or two. If possible, provide low shelves for storage and a comfortable pillow to lean on.

Climbing the Next Rung of Development

Published 10/24/2022

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool is a unique place for your child to learn and grow! By individualizing learning based upon each child’s interests and strengths, children are allowed to progress as far as they are developmentally able in areas of language and literacy, logic and mathematics, movement and music, creative representation, social relations, and initiative. From infancy through pre-Kindergarten, children ascend a ladder of progress in each of the competency areas with careful attention provided to tailoring activities to challenge children to climb to the next rung of development.

Learn more about us by scheduling a tour today!

New Enrollment Special

Published 11/14/2022

4th of July Craft

Published: 07/03/2022

These festive sparklers are the perfect craft for 4th of July! You will need just tissue paper, white glue, straws or skewers, and scissors. It's encouraged to experiment with all different color combinations!

Find full instructions at the source.

Homemade Giant Bubble Science Experiment

Published 8/21/2022

Children of all ages love playing with bubbles! Why not work together with your child to make your own – but GIANT ONES!!

First, you’ll need to dissolve ½ cup of corn starch in 6 cups of tap water, stirring really well. Then, gently stir in ½ cup of blue Dawn
dish detergent, 1 tbsp. baking powder, and 1 tbsp. glycerin (be very careful not to create a lot of froth). Allow your bubble mixture to sit for at least one hour before using, stirring occasionally, when you see the cornstarch settling to the bottom.

When your bubble solution is ready, you can pour the liquid into a large, shallow baking pan so you can completely submerge your wand inside.

You could explain to your child that a bubble is just air wrapped in soap film. A thin layer of water lies between the two layers of soap molecules, sort of like a water sandwich with soap molecules for bread.

You can also make your own giant wand by gathering two drinking straws and threading yarn (about 6 to 8 times longer than the length of one straw) through the straws, tie, and knot, and your wand is ready!

Source: https://happyhooligans.ca/homemade-giant-bubbles/

What Children Can’t Do… Yet, Part 2

BY Dan Hodgins
Published 11/27/2022

When working with children, keep in mind what they are ready for and what they are not; what they can do and what they are unable to do… yet.

I can’t sit still for very long.

Young children are often told to sit still, while their bodies are telling them to move. When the large muscles in a preschooler’s arms and legs are growing rapidly, they cry out for exercise. As a result, preschoolers feel a need to move about.

I can’t play with other children until I am ready.
Children go through different stages of social interaction. If allowed to grow at their own pace, they will begin to interact with other children when they are ready.

I can’t tell the difference between reality and fantasy.
When a child has a bad dream, it is very real to him or her. Telling a child not to be a “baby” does not help. Playing fantasy is real for the child and very important for control and development.

I can’t express myself in words very well.
Children resort to physical means of communication because they don’t have the verbal skills to express frustration and other feelings. You can help by giving the child words to use.

I can’t wait.
Try not to put children in situations where they have to wait for long periods of time. Waiting often makes taking turns difficult.

I don’t understand right and wrong.
Because young children don’t understand cause and effect relationships, they can’t fully understand right and wrong. A young child does not understand intentional versus unintentional actions, can only see issues from his or her own perspective, and views issues as black and white.

I can’t be ready until I’m ready.
Children all grow and develop at different rates. Don’t compare children or force them to do things before they are ready.

Dan Hodges writes from Flint, Michigan, where he is coordinator of the child development program of Mott Community College.

What Children Can’t Do… Yet
Earlychildhood NEWS / THE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS EXCELLENCE – © 2006 Excelligence Learning Corporation, All Rights Reserved.

Tried and True since 1972!

Published 12/04/2022

Many of our Early Child Care Educators have been with us for decades. We are proud of our rich history of providing quality early care and education since 1972!

If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you!

Click here to learn more.

Seasonal "Cooking" Corner: Snowflake Sandwich

Published 12/11/2022

Use a snowflake cookie cutter to cut shapes from 2 slices of bread. Soften cream cheese (you may want to add honey, crushed pineapple, or strawberry preserves to taste). Spread filling on the bottom snowflake/slice of bread, then add the top "snowflake". Spread a

a very thin layer of cream cheese on top and sprinkle with sugar crystals for a really festive and fun sandwich.

Sprinkles, of course, are optional!

(Recipes found in The Mailbox, Preschool, Dec./Jan. 2008-9 and at www.parenting.com)

Household Objects = No Limit!

Published 12/18/2022

Some of the best tools for children to use don’t come from toy stores - they are common household objects (check items for safety hazards) that entertain while teaching new skills. Common items that may be used: pots and pans with fitted lids, plastic measuring cups and spoons, empty oatmeal container, milk container, or cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, bandage box with hinged lid, dishpan with water and sponges, empty thread spools, margarine tubs, key rings with keys, sheet covered table, drinking straws, and aluminum pie pans. Invite your child to discover the feel/weight of the different materials, the sound of a wooden spoon tapping the pie pans, etc.

Courtesy: Texas Child Care, Parents Bulletin Board, Spring 1999

Exploring in the Toy Area

Published 12/25/2022

The toy area provides opportunities for children to develop several skills, such as: thinking logically (cause and effect), comparing sizes and quantities, predicting outcomes, and coordinating small muscles of the eyes with the hand.

At home, encourage children to use the materials in various ways and have children practice returning items to their labeled containers! This will reinforce what they are learning at Teddy.

Small Group Time Develops
CRITICAL THINKING

Adapted and prepared by Ms. Charlottee N. Umoja
Published 01/15/2023

Definition of critical thinking:

Skillfully analyzing information to come up with a conclusion using facts and events.
Critical thinking, or logical thinking, is the process of determining accuracy or value of something, analyzing and providing support to your own conclusions and a willingness to change your view of evidence is convincing.

Critical thinking skills include being able to identify, analyze, and evaluate.
It is a way to develop reliable, rational evaluation making reasoned judgement. Applying reasoning and logic to unfamiliar ideas or situations.

Basically, it is using criteria to judge or make a conclusion about something.

Family Fun in Northern VA

Published 09/05/2021

Want to spend some quality time together but not sure where to start? There is plenty to do in our area!

Things to Do With Toddlers:
Zoo
Waterpark Fun
Mini Golf
Parks & Nature Centers

Things to Do With Kids:
Bowling
Laser Tag
Children’s Science Center Lab
Trampoline Park

Things to Do with Teens:
Escape Rooms
Museums & Historic Sightseeing
Ziplining
Pottery Studios

For more ideas, click here.

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Father's Day Craft

Published 6/19/2021

Paper Roll Dad -

For a one-of-a-kind dad, you need a one-of-a-kind gift — like a paper tube roll dressed up to look just like him. You can even make his favorite outfit!

Get the tutorial here.

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10 for 10: Ten Activities to Occupy Toddlers for Ten Minutes, Part 1

BY SHAUNA SMITH DUTY
Published 1/22/2023

Toddlers are busy little people, working hard to explore their new world and learn everything they can. They move from one challenge to another in a matter of minutes and require a great deal of chasing, engaging, cleaning up after, and redirection.

These ten creative activities will keep toddlers occupied for at least ten minutes at a time, and they are great for encouraging both an increase in their attention span and developing motor skills.

1. Sorting Machine. Most toddlers love to sort things. For a toddler who enjoys organizing, provide a few handfuls of multi-colored, O-shaped cereal and a muffin pan. With a little direction, she'll sort the cereal by color into the muffin pan cups and enjoy a healthy snack. For a non-edible activity, use blocks or colored manipulatives.

2. Future Picasso. A bowl of soft, chopped fruit with a little cream cheese and graham crackers is great for an entertaining, edible art project, First, spread the cream cheese on the graham cracker. Then have the toddler press fruit chunks into the cream cheese to create a nutritious work of art. You may just inspire the world's next Picasso.

3. Toy Rotation. A bin filled with toys can be stashed away for months in a closet or cupboard. When the forgotten toys are reintroduced, toddlers feel they have rediscovered them.

4. Shake It Up. Place toys or treats inside clear containers with the lids attached. Children love to shake and rattle things, and when a toddler realizes a treat is inside, the activity will be even more appealing.

5. Water Colors. Add a drop of blue food coloring to a shallow wading pool or sand and water table. Toss in some sea creature toys. Fora change of theme, use green food coloring and jungle creature toys. It makes a great outdoor activity on warm days. Remember to closely supervise any waterplay.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week!

-----

Shauna Smith Duty is a freelance writer and home-
schooling mother of two in Roanoke, Texas. She writes activities, crafts, and parenting articles for websites, magazines, and newsletters. Visit www.shaunasmithduty.com to find out about her latest projects.

10 for 10: Ten Activities to Occupy Toddlers for Ten Minutes, Part 2

BY SHAUNA SMITH DUTY
Published 1/29/2023

Continuing from last week's post: Toddlers are busy little people, working hard to explore their new world and learn everything they can. They move from one challenge to another in a matter of minutes and require a great deal of chasing, engaging, cleaning up after, and redirection.

These ten creative activities will keep toddlers occupied for at least ten minutes at a time, and they are great for encouraging both an increase in their attention span and developing motor skills.

6. Paper Play. Consider allowing toddlers to wrap themselves in toilet paper and pretend they are snowmen, or to decorate the room with toilet paper streamers. You may want to use the game as a potty training introduction or celebration of a potty success.

7. Lid-Le Ideas. Try presenting toddlers with a tub of plastic containers and their detached lids. Children can find and affix the matching lids to each container. Cleaned and dried plastic bottles like those used for condiments (ketchup and mustard), and grated cheese have distinctive lids that are easily identified and attached.

8. Roughin’ It. Turn over a table or gather chairs into a circle in the center of the room, then drape blankets over them to construct tents. Flashlights and a non-sticky snack can create a fun
environment while you read a story or sing songs.

9. Obstacle Course. Use nap mats on their sides, propped against chairs or tables, to form walls for a maze. Pillows can be hopped over, crawled on, or used as steppingstones in an obstacle course. Play Follow the Leader in the obstacle course, changing
the leader each time you reach the beginning. Encourage the children to vocalize - can they travel as kittens, as cows, as racecars?

10. Footsteps. Place a small amount of washable paint on a pie tin or sturdy paper plate. Encourage the toddler to step into the paint with her bare foot, or feet, and walk across banner paper. She can even have a different color for each foot. This activity can be confined to a wading pool or tarp to ensure caster clean-up.

Conclusion
With all their energy, providing constant stimulation for toddlers can be difficult. These inexpensive and easy ideas will afford early childhood educators a few minutes of downtime while encouraging children to use their minds and their bodies to
explore, play, and learn in their new world.

-----

Shauna Smith Duty is a freelance writer and home-
schooling mother of two in Roanoke, Texas. She writes activities, crafts, and parenting articles for websites, magazines, and newsletters. Visit www.shaunasmithduty.com to find out about her latest projects.

Teaching Tip: Use Open-Ended Questions

Published: 08/14/2022

With open-ended questioning, a child can look for all possible solutions for a problem.

A question is open-ended if it meets any one of the following criteria:
- It allows the child a variety of ways to respond.
- It suggests there are many possible responses.
- It allows the child an opportunity to observe without responding.
- It allows the child an opportunity to hypothesize at his/her own level.
- It allows the child an opportunity to make predictions.
- It allows the child an opportunity to test an idea.
- It allows the child an opportunity to evaluate his/her hypothesis.

We show that learning can be a fun adventure! 

Published 02/04/2023

We know that our children come ready for school. They already have a repertoire of play skills. Through play, and the structured environment that promotes play, the staff extends play to develop initiative, critical thinking skills, work spirit, problem-solving skills, and more!

Upcoming Holiday

Published 02/11/2023

Reminder that Teddy Bear will be closed on Monday, February 20th, in honor of President's Day!

Check out our closing schedule for the year here. (Subject to change).

What a Child Needs Most…

Becci Nicholls, Swords & Snoodles
Published 12/09/2020

Stability
Hugs
Kind words

To be loved for who they are

Your time

Second chances To be heard

The freedom to make mistakes

Explanations instead of explosions

A good example

To be able to cry without judgment

Unconditional love

A healthy balanced diet

WHY IS PLAY IMPORTANT? Pt. 2

Published 2/23/2021

Children of all ages love to play. Whether your child is five months or five years old, play is the best tool for fostering learning. As your child plays, he or she is building a foundation for academic skills, learning to get along with others, and developing pride in their accomplishments.

At different ages, a child’s play styles and interests grow and change. As a parent, there are many ways to facilitate that growth. If you have an infant or toddler, laughing, singing, and cooing to your little one offers early social play and language experiences. Also, exploring a variety of toys or household objects like pots and large wooden spoons will stimulate hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and intellectual growth. If your child is two or older, your involvement enriches his/her play and communicates that play is important.
Here are just a few things your child learns while playing both at home and at school.

SAND AND WATER PLAY

As your child uses sand to measure and fill plastic bottles or places a toy boat and a marble in water to see if they float, he/she is learning basic concepts related to science and math.  Sand, water, or the two mixed together offer children play that engages their senses and challenges them to think.

At home – Enjoy water play with your child using the sink or bathtub.  Just make sure you keep a large towel around the area!  Or, try filling a homemade sandbox with rice or dried beans.  Gather some of the props mentioned and you’re all set to explore.

ART

Whether it’s dropping a glob of red paint into a glob of yellow paint or sculpting playdough into just the right shape, your child is experiencing something entirely personal.  With art, your child feels free to experiment and discover.

Because preschoolers aren’t always able to translate what they feel into words, art takes on even more importance.  Art experiences enable your child to express his/her thoughts and expand their creative powers through color, shapes, textures, and design.

At home – Encourage your child by providing materials such as playdough, plastic utensils and cookie cutters, paints, paper, brushes, a smock, fat pencils and crayons, markers, safety scissors, scraps of paper and material, and paste.  Choose an easily accessible storage place and decide on an easy cleanup method.  Pick a place to display your child’s work.

Play gives your child a chance to try out new ideas, see him/herself as successful, and develop a positive attitude toward participating in new experiences.  Learning takes root in early childhood, through play!  Play with your child and enjoy this special time together!

Our Team is Here for You

Published 10/04/2021

With over four decades of providing quality child care, our dedicated team is here for your family!
We know times are challenging and we know you want to ensure your children are in the best care when they're not with you.
Contact us today to learn more!

We are always looking for dedicated, passionate people to join our growing Team at Teddy Bear Day Care & Preschool. If you are interested in joining our Team, please let us know more about you. 

Learn more about which positions are open here. 

Creating Quality

Published: 08/07/2022

By creating a partnership with parents, we are able to offer more learning and care services for toddlers and children. We are able to focus on quality time and provide a creative curriculum that includes reading, communication, mathematics, and discovery.

It is our multi-faceted approach to learning and child care that makes us one of the premier Day Care and Preschool providers in the NOVA Area.

Fun is Fundamental

Published 02/19/2023

Teddy Bear is known to prioritize experiences as a foundation of learning. Do you know why that is?

Fun experiences for young children can be beneficial for learning because:

- They engage children and make learning more enjoyable.

- They can increase children's attention and motivation, making it easier for them to learn.
- Fun experiences can help children develop important skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
- They can foster a positive attitude towards learning that can last a lifetime.
- Fun experiences can also provide opportunities for socialization and collaboration, which are important for children's overall development.

We Play to Their Strengths

Published 03/06/2023

Teddy Bear Day Care and Preschool is a unique place for your child to learn and grow! By individualizing learning based upon each child’s interests and strengths, children are allowed to progress as far as they are developmentally able in areas of language and literacy, logic and mathematics, movement and music, creative representation, social relations, and initiative. From infancy through pre-Kindergarten, children ascend a ladder of progress in each of the competency areas with careful attention provided to tailoring activities to challenge children to climb to the next rung of development.

Learn more about us by scheduling a tour today!

What a Child Needs Most…

Becci Nicholls, Swords & Snoodles
Published 02/26/2023

Stability
Hugs
Kind words

To be loved for who they are

Your time

Second chances To be heard

The freedom to make mistakes

Explanations instead of explosions

A good example

To be able to cry without judgment

Unconditional love

A healthy balanced diet

Dates Closed in 2023

Published 03/12/2023

Please save the following dates (click to enlarge):

Happy 2023!

Published 01/08/2023

What Children Can’t Do… Yet, Part 1

BY Dan Hodgins
Published 11/20/2022

When working with children, keep in mind what they are ready for and what they are not; what they can do and what they are unable to do… yet.

I can’t share.
Children use possession of objects as a device to understand autonomy. Just as babbling comes before talking, so owning comes before sharing. To share fully, a child must fully possess.

I can’t say “I’m sorry,” and mean it.
Saying “I’m sorry” has little meaning to the young child. To say “I’m sorry” and understand what you are saying, you must also be able to understand how the other person feels.

I can’t remember what you told me.
Most children remember only what is important to them. A child may not remember that you just told them to walk, and not run, while indoors. Adults often forget that children have trouble remembering.

I can’t focus on more than one task at a time.
“Pick up your toys, put on your shoes, and wash your face; we are going out to play.” This command has three more tasks than a young child is able to focus on. Most young children will remember the last task or the task most important to them. With the above command, all the child may focus on is that he or she is going out to play.

I can’t understand negative commands.
If a child reaches to put his or her finger in an electric wall outlet and you say, “don’t”, the child is confused because he or she doesn’t know how to reverse their action. Saying “Pull your hand back; that’s dangerous.” gives the child a positive action to take.

I can’t measure.
When you want a child to pour a glass of milk or juice and you hand him or her a full pitcher, expect the child to pour all the milk into the glass, even if it pours all over the floor or table. Young children do not understand that all of the milk will not fit into the glass and so keep pouring until it’s too late.

I can’t tell you the truth when you set me up.
If you see a child do something inappropriate, and you ask if he or she has done it, the child will probably deny it. Don’t ask the child if you know what happened. That only sets them up for failure.

Dan Hodges writes from Flint, Michigan, where he is coordinator of the child development program of Mott Community College.

What Children Can’t Do… Yet
Earlychildhood NEWS / THE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS EXCELLENCE – © 2006 Excelligence Learning Corporation, All Rights Reserved.

Experiences with Games

Published 03/19/2023

Playtime is the best time to help your little ones grow! One fun game for toddlers is "I Spy." Here's how to play:

1. Choose an object in the room and say "I spy with my little eye something that is [color/shape/etc.]."
2. Encourage your toddler to guess what you are looking at by pointing to different objects in the room.

3. Once they guess correctly, switch roles and let them choose an object for you to guess.

This game helps with color recognition, vocabulary building, and observation skills.

Another fun game is "Simon Says," where you give your toddler simple commands like "Simon says clap your hands" or "Simon says jump up and down." This game helps with following directions and gross motor skills.