Reading is very important

We usually have books available if parents just want to read to their children. Reading is a bonding time as you sit your child on your lap and read or just have the child look at the pictures. You should have books that are age appropriate for the age of the children . Children learn a number of skills while reading : listening skills ,language pattern, culture,vocabulary,memory skills  and a number of other skills.

Daseta Gray on air now talking about Transition... first 2000 days and beyond

Listen to Daseta Gray​ now on Gospel Vibes Radio as she speaks about transition from the First 2000 days and beyond. The transition is for your child and you as the parent. Listen in now 1-605-477-2804 or online http://www.gospelvibesradiofm.com/

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Play

Play is very important and providing quality age appropriate toys is very important . Children learn many of their social/emotional skills during play.

There is power in play..

Good day,

I wanted to give you information to think about.  There is power in play.

The elimination of recess within public schools across the country to provide more time for instruction and to raise test scores have more drawbacks than benefits. Students need an opportunity to break from the constant instruction during the day.                

           Play develops a child’s social skills, their ability to take turns, problem solve, self regulate, build self confidence, and develop their creativity. With the absence of recess several challenges take place, obesity. When children have recess they can focus because they are not as fidgety; their cognitive skills are being developed, their memory skills; their brain cells are also able to regenerate “take a mental break” (“Recess…”, 2009).

    There are a few benefits in the elimination of recess. The amount of playground injuries has decreased. Removal of recess also decreases conflict amongst the students.

    After reading this article I realize there is a major disparity, according to the research 39% of African American students vs 15% of White students no longer received recess across the nation. In fact according to the United Nations

“We believe that recess is a right,not a privilege. Article 31 of the U.N.Convention on the Rights of the Child(www.unicef.org/crc) recognizes.The right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recre-ational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts” (“Recess…”, 2009).

The next time you say your child is playing too much take a step back and remember there is power in play, there are more benefits than drawback.

If you would like to view the full article post a comment or send an email SabreeEducationServices@gmail.com.

Reference

Recess-- it’s indispensable! (2009). Young Children, 64(5), 66-69.

Raffle winners

These families won a kindergarten success basket at a community fair  event that we participated in . They were very excited I know they will enjoy the items .

Transition

It is getting to the end of summer and children will be going back to school for the young children it may be their first school experience  with daycare or public school. For  young children you should begin speaking with them about this transition . If possible take them and show them the building explain that there will be teachers in the space  and they will make new friends. Have them learn how to go to the bathroom on their own ,remind them to was their hands to prevent germs. It is also important that you dress them in clothing that they can manage, example put belt on boys that they can manage and if they cannot put elastic waist pants on him and give him a belt on the week-ends. Do not over dress children  because you do not want them to focus on keeping them self clean instead of  enjoying the experiences .
Giving children the right tools help to build self-esteem, confidence and competence and that is an important skill that is needed.

Stem begins durning the infant/toddler years

This is Ajani's project .He also learns vocabulary ,seed,roots ,stem, grow,tall,taller, yesterday,today etc. He is learning observation skills . He is learning that plants need water and sun light.You can also measure the root and the stem.

Science-

Look I got the chicken.
Experience is the best teacher

Social skills -Diversity

 It is important to introduce your toddler to different cultures and different spaces. All of these different experiences contribute to brain development .Having lunch in Tai Garden.

Social skills-Adapative Social behavior in diverse setting

This is a wonderful experience for this young child.He is on a farm and he is seeing geese up close. He also added a new word to his vocabulary (Geese) . The geese were in the pond and came out making a sound . I have never been so close to them either it  was a wonderful experience.

Science on the road

Ajani and his buddy having an experience. It adds to your book/picture experience .Building language skills.

Reading is a special moment-- reading with twins too

 Reading is a very special time for infants and toddlers. Reading  is a time for bonding and cuddling.
When you are reading to an infant/toddler you should sit the child in your lap with the book this allows the child to touch the book,see the words and pictures close up. When the child begins to speak she will point to the pictures and say what is happening.


Bed time stories are the best but what if you have twins. I would recommend that you sit them on the couch or two pillows on the floor and have them lay on your lap while you read to them. It is  fine if one is walking around. She  is still listening plus she is developing her ability to multi-task. Young children need constant affection because that will teach them empathy.

Language Development

It is very important that you help your toddler to understand language. Learning how to communicate is the first step in becoming literate. I am sure that you have ben reading to your baby and speaking.

Now your toddler should be able to answer simple questions such as:
What are you doing ? If your toddler is not able to respond . Give her the words . O I see that you are playing with you car. You should spend a few days asking that  question . It may take weeks before your toddler 's brocas area (responsible for language development) process that information.
Here are some other  questions:
What are you eating?
Where are going?
What is your favorite animal when you are reading a book
What is your name /mothers etc
How are you doing ?
Are you ok ?
Did you have a good day
What did you do today


These are few questions that you need to ask your toddler .The average 3year old should be able to answer these. You should make sure that she understands and is able to respond appropriately before you introduce new concepts.

Trips are a part of brain development

It is very important for you to take your infant/toddler on trips to the zoo . Try not to let their first experience be a class trip. If it is then hopefully you or someone from your family can attend the trip.

This also helps them to not be afraid. Also, the books on animals you have been reading now come alive.

Attachment styles

When you understand the different attachment styles you can be more mindful of how you engage your infant and address their needs.

We covered this on our radio program and wanted to share it here with you to review and decide what you want to develop. Keep in mind they type of attachment will be reflected later in their life.



On August 13, I will be hosting a CE Webinar with Dr. Phillip Shaver on “Secure and Insecure Love: An Attachment Perspective

(link is external).”You can start to identify your own attachment style by getting to know the four patterns of attachment in adults and learning how they commonly affect couples in their relating.

Secure Attachment – Securely attached adults tend to be more satisfied in their relationships. Children with a secure attachment see their parent as a secure base from which they can venture out and independently explore the world. A secure adult has a similar relationship with their romantic partner, feeling secure and connected, while allowing themselves and their partner to move freely.

Anxious Preoccupied Attachment – Unlike securely attached couples, people with an anxious attachment tend to be desperate to form a fantasy bond. Instead of feeling real love or trust toward their partner, they often feel emotional hunger(link is external). They’re frequently looking to their partner to rescue or complete them. Although they’re seeking a sense of safety and security by clinging to their partner, they take actions that push their partner away.

Dismissive Avoidant Attachment – People with a dismissive avoidant attachment have the tendency to emotionally distance themselves from their partner. They may seek isolation and feel “pseudo-independent,” taking on the role of parenting themselves. They often come off as focused on themselves and may be overly attending to their creature comforts.

Fearful Avoidant Attachment – A person with a fearful avoidant attachment lives in an ambivalent state, in which they are afraid of being both too close to or too distant from others.  They attempt to keep their feelings at bay but are unable to. They can’t just avoid their anxiety or run away from their feelings. Instead, they are overwhelmed by their reactions and often experience emotional storms. They tend to be mixed up or unpredictable in their moods. They see their relationships from the working model that you need to go toward others to get your needs met, but if you get close to others, they will hurt you. In other words, the person they want to go to for safety is the same person they are frightened to be close to. As a result, they have no organized strategy for getting their needs met by others.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/compassion-matters/201307/how-your-attachment-style-impacts-your-relationship

Play -Pretend play helps to focus

Play is critical for young children. Ajani is cooking,  he is also focused. Many children get to school and cannot focus. It is very important that young children are given the right tools that will allow them to learn certain skills before they get to a formal school setting. It is important that young children are given quality care, giving them the right tools and allowing them to learn through discoveries.

This gives the toddler an opportunity to learn how to play alone also.You are actually teaching your young child how to make decisions. He is 3 years 8 months.

Self confidence--in school

Helping to develop self confidence is very important. When your child is in school they should be able to do things for themselves. For example,

-Place their items in their cubby
-try to put on their shoes (even if it's on the wrong foot, the teacher will fix them)
-wash their hands
-ask for help

Many times as parents we want to help our babies not realizing we could create "learned helplessness" and then their favorite phrase is "I can't".

Allow them to try to do things at home. Little things, like washing their hands, asking you for help before you rush over to do things for them (not to worry that doesn't mean they don't need you. It means they are developing the self confidence which you will love as they get older).

Please share with others 

HavinG BUBBLE TEA

Ajani went on a road trip took a pause for bubble tea in North Hampton.July 2015. This is a part of social emotional development being exposed to different spaces.

Social Skills-Appreiciating diversity

On Sunday July 20th we attended Summer Stage for a Hip-hop show old timers. It was a wonderful concert . Ajani had a chance to meet and greet people for other cultures. It is important that you expose your toddler to a variety of experiences. This helps him when he gets to pre-K.

Selecting clothing--creating success

Parents when picking clothing do you ask yourself "when my child is in school will they have a hard time?"

When your child is in school you want to dress them in comfortable clothing most important clothing they can manage. Don't put them in a one piece romper they will have a hard to taking off to use the bathroom, they may have an accident before they get the romper off.

Accidents do happen but don't let it be because you dressed them in an outfit they could not manage on their own.

They should also be able to take off and put on their clothes when it is time put on their water clothes and go to the sprinklers. Don't put a too cute outfit on your daughter with too many strings.

Remember you want to create success and build self esteem. If they are going out with you then sure put the complicated outfits on.

I share this to help the toddlers and their teachers.

Experience is what builds abrain Summer stage 7/26/2015

Social skills : Language development children learn multiple skills in the same space

Helping your toddler to be ready for pre-kay

A few weeks ago I met this couple and their three year old. The child was sucking a pacifier . I told the mom that the child's speech cam be delayed as a result of it. The father said that he keeps telling her but she does not listen. I asked if they read to the child "they both said the baby sitter does"  I asked do you have books at home for the child "No". The parents are not young the father had a full head of gray hair and the mother may be in her late thirties. I mention this because it is often said "those young parents".
Here is another child that will be needing services that could have been avoided. It is very important that families have access to parent education when they are pregnant.

Fine motor-Pre writing skills

Three years and 8 months . Having access to writing materials very early (10 months) will help to develop the finger muscles. Young children put every thing in their mouth but that is how they learn their world. The items for children are non-toxic (will not hurt when placed in the mouth).
This child is getting ready for writhing letters . He is making straight lines ,circles and dots.

Social skills-The ability to play

These three boys  are at summer stage meeting for the first time . They began to have a conversation . Many adults do not have this skill . This a a very important part of social,emotional development . You need confidence to start playing with a child that you are not familiar with . This skill have to given during the 0-3 years. It is funny how young children have no problem playing  with each other but as they grow something happens ?.....

Social skills-Interacting wirh peers cooperation

 Enjoying a pony ride at his classmate's pony party

Waiting his turn .








 Waiting his turn in a diverse setting with his peers.Waiting is a skill that takes a while for young children to learn.

5th Annual Private School Kindergarten Admissions Panel & School Fair 8/11/15

Sharing a friend's event

We are proud to be putting this event on for the 5th year in a row up here in Harlem. For the first time this year, we’ve added a school fair component to the evening so parents can get information on even more schools. Directors of Admissions will be on-site to provide information and to answer your questions. The main panel discussion will cover topics such as:

- screening tests (AABL and KRT). They changed drastically last year and there are changes this year too
- the difference between tours and open house and what to expect
- financial aid and affording an independent school education
- how admissions decisions are made

Date: Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Ephesus Church 101 W 123rd Street (Corner of Lenox Avenue) New York, NY
Open to the public. Registration is required. We have a limited capacity so be sure to purchase your tickets early to reserve your space.

Early bird tickets $20/person https://lts2015panel.eventbrite.com
Limited financial aid available. Contact info@letstalkschools.com for details

If you have a four year old who will be applying this September to enter kindergarten in 2016 you don’t want to miss this! 

Science

Wow a tomatoe

One challenge that shows up when our children arrive at school is academic literacy. If you start to share the vocabulary before they get to school and continue when they are in school that will really help them build on prior knowledge an experience.