Activity : Recognizing Shapes

Hi Moms,

Looking for some activity for your kid. Want to let him know about shapes.

Start with three basic shapes. Starting with more than one shape will give him idea to compare and know the difference in the shapes. Go on with Circle, Triangle and Square.

The easiest way is to show these shapes in the picture book.

Then go in little realistic way. You can show your bangle or circular toy ring to make him realize what circle looks like. Similarly show a triangular cap or square table top for triangle and square . Take help of some toys as well.

You may have to repeat this for a few days, showing different objects.

Once you know your child is able to recognize them you can plan the activity mentioned.

Sample drawing

The picture contains different shapes, help your child recognizing them and then coloring with appropriate recognized colors. You can use this or you can draw similar one.

For bigger kids you can extend this activity a bit further. You draw/print the shapes used in this image on paper. Help your kid to color them and then cut it separately. And then paste it on a card board or hard paper to build this image.

Your child's first day in school or day care

Its the first day of your child to pre-school / kindergarten / daycare, so how do you feel? Excited, nervous, frightened.... Don't be frightened, think positive, every thing would work out. But yes, don't presume what will happen.

Take it easy. Start preparing your child in advance. Let him know that all children go to school, they enjoy, play, study and come back. Let him know how exciting it would be for him to go to a new place, play with new toys and make friends . Mention him about the entertaining activities he would get to do there.

If you have already chosen the daycare, fix an appointment with the teacher and let her know the details about your child. This would help her understand your child better.

Before getting your child to his regular routine, take your child to the place so that he is acquainted to the environment and surrounding.

Keep patience. Give some time to the caregiver and your child. Slowly they will come to know each other and will enjoy each others company.

On the very first day, don't expect that your child would comfortably settle down. Give him some time. For the first day leave your child there for an hour or so, and then slowly increase the time.

May be for a few days your child might cry, but don't worry, this is normal with most of the children. Make sure that you don't stay back with the kid, even when he is crying. Let the teacher handle this.

While dropping your kid to the daycare make shortest possible conversation with the teacher. This would allow the teacher to give her full attention to the children and it would be easy for the child to interact with other kids.

Make sure your child had a good breakfast. Keep in mind that you don't feed just before starting. Chances are that if the child had immediate breakfast while crying he might throw up every thing

Pack the necessary things your child might require there like a pair of clothes, some snacks and toys.

Suppose your child does not leave you while dropping, get him engaged in some activity and move away from there. Staying back to check the comfort of your child would trouble you more.

Avoid making too many calls to the daycare to inquire about your child, this would waste the time of the teacher, which she would have used to look after the kids.

Later after picking up your child from daycare, do take a feedback from the teacher.

Discuss with your child about his day. If he is still uncomfortable explain him once again.

Be patient and calm. Keep faith and confidence on the teacher. Let both of them go by their own pace. Definitely every thing will work out and your child would be more independent.

Tips to choose right day care for your child

Being a teacher, I have spent a lot of time with children of varying age. In India I used to run a home day care and all my clients were very much satisfied. Mostly both of the parents work so there's a lot of demand in this field., as the parents need a responsible person to take care of their child.

After all nothing is more important than your child, and you are the one to make selection and take proper decision for them. A good child care service will not only supplement your parenting but will also improve the life and thinking of your child.

Its a tough process to decide where to keep your child. No matter what ever you decide just keep in mind, your child should be comfortable. Infants and toddlers need more care and attention, so a few things to keep in your mind before you enroll your child.

• The location should be near your house or office. This would save your time and money. At the same time you will be easily accessible at the time of need.
• What is the ratio of staff or teacher to the kid? This varies with the age of the kids and potential of the teacher.
• How qualified or certified is the teacher? But this is not the only criteria to judge a teacher, experience matters too.
• What age range they take?
• How safe is the place? Check out, if it has open balcony or lawn, it should be grilled or fenced.
• Check out the cleanliness and hygiene of the place.
• How spacious, ventilated and lightened the place is?
• Do they have enough toys for the number and different age group of kids they handle? Make sure they don't have toys with sharp edges or the ones which makes them violent.
• How often do they wash the toys?
• Do they have adequate number of beds for kids to relax or sleep?
• The language they use.
• Are they flexible in working hours? Can they help you if you require extended hours?
• Activities they conduct. Both indoor and out door.
• Do they have enough collection of books, audio, video materials?
• Do they potty train?
• Is the provided food healthy and hygienic?
• Do not go just by name or brand.
• You should even inquire and check the references.

It is necessary to visit the day care and interview them, to take correct decision. Discus with them and let them know about your child, which would help him settling down your child better and faster. Spending long duration of time it would be the kids second home. He would start grasping things faster and would become socialized.