Want to get your PRESCHOOLER to LISTEN? Learn HOW from EXPERTS!

“My child zones out in the middle of any conversation!”

“Sirf wahi sunta hai jo use sunna hota hai!”

“My child doesn’t listen to me! What should I do?”

If you are one such parent who can relate to these comments and don’t know how to get your child to listen, this blog is for you! To start with: DON’T WORRY. We all have moments when trying to get a child’s attention feels like talking to a brick wall.

At home, this inability to listen can be infuriating and at preschool, it can get in the way of their learning.

The experienced educators at the best preschool in Bopal, Ahmedabad understand that this inability to listen can get in the way of a child’s learning. Here are some tips and secrets straight from the expert’s desk:

How parents can nurture good listening skills

At the best preschool in Ahmedabad, every teacher is constantly working on developing a child’s listening skills through different activities, but there are things that parents can do at home to help them even more:

1) Be a good listener yourself:

For young children everything starts and ends with their parents. You might not have noticed but every child observes and analyses their parents and unconsciously integrates the parent’s habits into themselves. They may copy gestures or internalize words learned from their parents. Children can easily tell if their parents are being attentive or not by the way parents reply or not to their words.

Hence, as parents, try setting a good example by showing children how to be a good listener by being one. Keep your phone aside or stay away from any kind of distraction and show your interest. Maintain eye contact, stop what you are doing and show your children that they have your undivided attention. No matter how irrelevant you find your child’s talk, make sure to respond and react to them.

Wait there’s more! It’s not just with your child, model positive listening skills with other people too, especially when your kids are around.

2) Be very clear while giving tasks

According to child experts, a reasonable attention span to expect of a child is two to three minutes per year of their age. That means, 2 years old would have an attention span of four to six minutes, 4 years old would have eight to 12 minutes, and so on. That is why it is very important to avoid over-explaining to young children. Moreover, they struggle to multi-task, so rather than expecting them to follow a long list of instructions, be short and crisp while talking to them.

For instance, rather than telling your children, “Brush your teeth, take a bath, comb your hair, pack your bag, wear your shoes.” Break it down for them. Give them one or two tasks at a time. Tell what’s expected of them and ask them to repeat everything you’ve said to make sure that they are listening and understanding everything.

Always remember, the way you talk also matters, so don’t just shout your request from the kitchen or the living room. Maintain eye contact while talking to them.

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Why Does Your Child Need Play Therapy?

You might be surprised but playtime can be much more than a recreational activity for children. Sure, children can unwind and have fun while they play. The most evident benefit of children’s play being that it fosters joyous emotions. This means that unstructured play, when encouraged by parents, can result in happier children.

But that’s not all. The trained child care specialists at one of the leading children’s play centres in Bopal, Ahmedabad share that through Play Therapy the benefits of playtime can go even further beyond.

First things first, what is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy or counselling that makes use of play to diagnose and address psychological issues in both children and sometimes adults as well. Growing scientific evidence suggests that using play therapy can be successful in treating a range of behavioural and mental health concerns.

Children often express themselves and understand the world through play. And the skilled professionals in our team at Little Wings, the best preschool in South Bopal, take advantage of play therapy to get children who might have trouble expressing themselves to do so through play therapy. A therapist or counsellor can observe play to learn more about the child and their mental and emotional issues. Once the issue has been identified, the therapist can assist the child in navigating their feelings and dealing with underlying trauma. Children can also learn new coping skills and how to correct incorrect behaviour through play.

Now that you know about play therapy, let’s dig in a little deeper…

What are the benefits of Play Therapy for children?

According to Play Therapy International, up to 71% of children who are referred to play therapy may see positive improvement. Although some children can be hesitant at first, confidence in the therapist usually grows over the period of play. The child may become more imaginative or talkative in their play as they feel more at ease with the therapist and their attachment grows.

Through play therapy at Little wings, one of the leading children’s play centres in Bopal, Ahmedabad, children learn to take responsibility for their actions, build empathy and self-respect, learn to recognise and express their emotions in a healthy way. This leads to an increase in self-confidence and improved interpersonal skills. Eventually leading to children picking up new social skills and even putting problem-solving techniques into practice in their daily life.

Because verbal and physical expression is such a major part of play therapy, it also encourages language use and the growth of both small and large motor skills. If a child has been diagnosed with a mental or physical ailment, play therapy does not replace medication or any other necessary therapies. However, it can be utilised in education institutes such as preschools in Ahmedabad or children’s play centres in Bopal, Ahmedabad and beyond, either on its own or teamed up with other therapies to chart a path for a child’s holistic development.

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Day Care Experts on Delayed Child Development

Developments, such as physical, emotional, social, and cognitive, occur throughout the lifespan of a human being. These developments occur independently at times while going hand in hand sometimes. However, in some young children, some of these developments take place a little late.

In this post, our psychologists and expert educators at Little Wings Preschool, one of the best day care centre in South Bopal, Ahmedabad, share why this kind of delayed development happens in a child, and how to resolve it.

Developmental Delay!

According to data, developmental delay is very common in childhood, as it occurs in 10% to 15% of preschool children. But what exactly is it?

When young children are comparatively slower to develop physical, emotional, social, and communication skills than is expected, it’s called developmental delay. These skills may be as basic as taking the first step or learning how to wave a good bye. These delays show up in the way children communicate, think and learn, move or even play with others. And when a child shows delay in more than two areas of development, it is known as global developmental delay.

Is developmental delay & developmental disability the same?

Developmental delay is short term but sometimes it might be the first sign of a lifelong problem. Long-term developmental delays are known as developmental disabilities. Learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, all the above fall under developmental disabilities.

Children can outgrow or catch up on developmental delays. However, developmental disabilities are lifelong, although people can still overcome these disabilities later in life and thrive. Conditions that can cause developmental disabilities include Down syndrome, autism, foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and brain injuries.

Sometimes it’s hard to determine if a young child has a developmental delay or a disability. Even when it’s not clear about what’s causing the delay, early intervention can often help children catch up.

The causes…

Some developmental delays have an identifiable cause. But in many cases, the cause is not clear. Factors that may lead to short-term developmental delays in children include physical illness, long periods in hospital, genetic or hereditary conditions like Down syndrome, any serious infections, food deprivation etc. These can occur before a child is born, during the birthing process, and after birth as well. Exposure to certain toxic substances like prenatal alcohol exposure or premature birth can also be a cause.

The types…

1) Cognitive delay or delay in learning

Cognitive skills are skills used by the brain to think, read, learn, solve problems, and remember. A delay in cognitive skills may affect a child’s intellectual functioning, and that can cause learning difficulties at school and otherwise. This is why Little Wings, the best day care centre in South Bopal, Ahmedabad, has experts on campus to help children facing any such issues.

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Ensuring Holistic Growth & Development of Every Preschooler

The formative years in a child’s life are the most crucial period, where the foundations of lifelong learning, health, attitude and behaviour sets in. The conditioning and experiences that children have in their early childhood shape their mindset and capacity to learn, cooperate and respond to daily challenges as they grow up.

And in the 21st century, academic excellence alone won’t guarantee success nor happiness in life, hence it is important that your child gets holistic development through education. This is something we at Little Wings, a preschool in South Bopal, Ahmedabad, believe in and put into practice in our education system for the students and guide parents too so they can play an important role in it.

But, what exactly is Holistic Development?

In simpler terms, Holistic Development in preschoolers refers to a child’s growth in all aspects, physical, intellectual, emotional and social. These abilities, when developed and nurtured early in life, help children become well rounded professionals upon growing up. What makes it different from the conventional methods is that it imparts knowledge through experiences and not just textbooks. It makes children an active participant in charge of their own learning, while the parents and teachers play the role of a guide.

How can you, as a parent, encourage holistic development in your preschooler?

The educators at our preschool in South Bopal, Ahmedabad, have always guided the parents on how to be a mentor to their child without being dominant or intrusive. Nurturing holistic development in your child means…

Letting them explore

One of the most natural traits of children in their formative years is their curiosity about anything and everything under the sun. Let it thrive in your child, let them ask questions about matters outside their textbooks, about the people they interact with outside their day care centre, about the food they eat, the sounds they hear. But, refrain yourself from answering their questions right away, make it a fun and rewarding experience for them to find out the answers themselves through conscious learning or by looking for the answers together.

Letting them experience

This majorly involves the physical aspect of holistic development outside the day care centre. It includes the development of gross motor skills such as walking, climbing, and sprinting, all activities where the child uses her whole body for movement. Plan fun and engaging activities with your child which will help in improving their hand-eye coordination, strength, mobility and balance.

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How to Calm Hyperactive & Nervous Kids

Most children have difficulty paying attention, listening to and following directions, sitting quietly, or waiting their turn at times. However, dealing with a hyperactive child is a whole different story. A hyperactive youngster may appear unsteady, leaping from one activity to the next with seemingly boundless energy. He or she may appear to have trouble listening or following instructions. They may struggle in school, receiving below-average marks, sometimes even displaying behavioural issues. This is especially true for children who have ADHD.

But, what is ADHD?

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a medical condition where attention, the ability to sit still, and self-control are impaired, due to abnormalities in brain growth and activity. ADHD can have an impact on a child’s studies, home life, and friendships. Inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness are all symptoms of ADHD in children.

There isn’t an easy answer on how to care for a nervous, tense and hyperactive child. But the experts at Little Wings Pre School, considered to be the best play school and preschool in South Bopal, have come up with a few tips for parents on the best way to raise a hyperactive child.

Channelise Their Energy

Find a way for your child to release her pent-up energy and relax her brains. This could be running, playing or some other form of physical activity. You may also get her an activity box to help focus on soothing games and activities. This will help improve  memory and concentration, as well as, help in overall skill development.

Break Down Complex Instructions

A child with ADHD may find it challenging to follow and remember a long list of instructions. Break the assignment down into smaller bits instead. When you’re teaching, make sure she maintains eye contact, and break down the information into small, digestible parts. Have her repeat each step back to you.

Writing down instructions might also assist the child in complying with them. A written step-by-step list can help a hyperactive child concentrate on one small step at a time. She can use the list to refresh his recollection of what she was instructed upon, and can then mark off the tasks as they are completed.

Create a To-Do List

Having a list of tasks created by the child herself can aid in the development and reduce dependency. A written list also provides a visual reference for her, in case she becomes distracted or forgets what was to be completed. Teach the child to consult the list whenever she is bored or uncertain about what to do next.

Do not reprimand herif the to-do list is not completed within a certain amount of time. Use positive reinforcement to encourage the child to perform the things she is able to. Allow her to execute tasks in any sequence she wants rather than starting at the top and working her way down.

Lists are an important tool of teaching at Little Wings Preschool and Childcare Centre too.

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Why Your Child’s Daycare Needs a Child Psychologist

According to UNICEF, as a child’s brain develops, the quality of early experiences makes a critical difference. It either provides strong or weak foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life. It is the time when most of the physical and mental changes occur in a child, more than any other stage of life.

Sometimes they might have a condition that affects their learning, which they might not know about themselves, and they need someone who can understand this without having to verbalise it. Hence, it is very important to ensure that they are provided with the best possible environment for holistic growth. Preschools provide children with a safe and comfortable space to learn in a high-quality facility and have a smooth transition into primary schooling. But teams at the best preschools and daycares know that you need a trained health professional or child psychologist who has studied human behaviour and is an expert in the ways children think, feel, behave and learn.

So, one of the best daycare schools in South Bopal, Ahmedabad, is here to share why having a child psychologist is a must for any day care.

Conducts assessments

Child psychologists are trained to empower children to make sense of what happens in their minds and lives. They help children in a way that they understand. Hence, experts in the best preschool near Bopal, Ahmedabad conduct psychological assessments or tests to get a better understanding of a child’s developing mind. The tests reveal specific strengths and weaknesses of the child, positive and negative stimuli, environmental problems, along with all the other factors that influence the child’s learning process. With this they can also develop an individualised treatment plan for different children in order to help them learn a little better.

Now, when it comes to psychological assessment, most of the parents conjure an image of their children lying on a couch, talking about their feelings to a person who is taking notes across from them. But this is not the case. This assessment is a series of measures that is different for every child. It helps the expert to provide information on how the child learns the best.

Special attention to emotions

Childhood depression, anxiety or stress is a thing. Though the idea of a little child getting stressed may be difficult to fathom as people consider this age as the happiest phase. Others think that such young children lack the developmental maturity to experience the core cognitions associated with depression. The study, conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), found that between 2016 and 2020, the number of children ages 3-17 years diagnosed with anxiety grew by 29% and those with depression by 27%. The age group of preschoolers falls under this category.

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The Power of Play-Based Learning in Preschool

When it comes to their children, Indian parents do not leave any stone unturned. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, Indian parents spend the most time helping their children with homework. All over India, 95% of parents help their children with their studies. This shows how most Indian parents bury their heads in textbooks to work on the endless projects given by the school to their kids, instead of the kid learning through new projects.

Choosing a preschool or a children’s play centre where rote learning or memorising is encouraged to get good grades or to get into good primary is perhaps not the best idea. This will just lead to preschoolers with poor learning skills.

So how exactly should you encourage healthy learning patterns in children? Play-based learning is the answer! Play means an enjoyable activity for children, with no end goal. In simple terms, play-based learning means children learning through playing like hiding, building, searching, games etc. Given the importance of play, the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, also recognizes play as a right of every child.

Little Wings, one of the best play schools and preschools in South Bopal, emphasises play-based learning to lay the foundation for a child’s holistic growth & development.

Communication skills

While playing, children talk and listen to others, which polishes their communication skills and enhances their vocabulary. In these early years of education, when teachers in children’s play centres encourage conversation in a natural way, it can be especially effective as young children receive information and connect it with what they already know or with what they have just learned. Even singing or playing word games with their classmates can help the preschoolers increase their vocabulary and become more confident

Sometimes children play alone and talk with their toys or narrate an imaginary story while playing. “Hey my train is about to leave the station, cho-cho,” or something to that effect is what you might have overheard your child say. When they enact these multiple sides of the conversation, it encourages communication growth.

Motor skills

Young children have more than 600 muscles in their body and they actively use these muscles while climbing, running, playing ball games, jumping, throwing and dancing. Play based learning helps children enhance their hand-eye coordination, control over their muscles and helps them become more flexible.

On the one hand, activities like running, skipping, jumping, help children develop strong gross motor skills, activities like colouring and painting help them develop fine motor skills. When you see your child playing on a slide in the preschool or hopping on a monkey bar, it may seem like they are just enjoying themselves. However, their little body is doing a lot of work and strengthening their muscles. It makes children physically active from a very early stage.

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Why Parent-Teacher Collaboration Is a Must for the Holistic Development of a Young Child

Watching a kid grow up feels magical. From the day you hold them in your arms to the day they leave for college, the journey is filled with innocent love and loads of laughter.

When kids overgrow their parent’s laps, they have to get out of the protective shadow of their parents and enter the world of learning. And teachers, no doubt selected from some of the best preschools, are the first people who help in making this transition smooth for both the parents and the child.

However, this does not mean that the parents do not have any more role to play in the growth and learning of their child. Children have a lot to learn and this never-ending learning process is successful only with the teamwork of parents and teachers! When they work in tandem, it helps little ones achieve important learning milestones quicker, as parents and teachers are the two groups of people with whom children spend most of the time.

As the best preschool near Bopal, Ghuma and South Bopal, we have decoded the how and why of parent-teacher partnerships.

Benefits for parents

Parents are the first teachers to their child. They have an opportunity to nurture their child and advocate for their education. From having conversations with teachers during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up to monthly and weekly functions at school, there are various ways for a parent to communicate and establish a good relationship with their child’s teachers.

And what happens when parents have clear communication and strong partnership with teachers?

1. They understand the school’s academic programs better.
2. They gain insights into their kid’s growth and development at school.
3. They get ideas from teachers on how to support their kids in a better way, even after school.
   
4. They get to establish a bond of trust and support, if their child needs extra care.
5. Parents also gain confidence in their parenting skills after helping their kids at school.
6. Having an open channel of communication with the teachers means parents can confidently voice their important concerns.

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5 Things to Look For While Selecting a Preschool Post-Pandemic

“This looks good but is it the best for my kid?”

This is a common question that pops up in the minds of parents while taking important decisions for their little ones.

And when it comes to picking the first ever school for their child, it is not as easy as searching Preschool and Childcare near me on Google. In this post-pandemic age, many parents are still apprehensive about sending their children anywhere outside the safe confines of their homes, fearing the spread of Covid-19.

To answer the most commonly asked question of how to pick a preschool that is safe for my young one and near me? Here’s a checklist for every parent to follow and choose the right preschool or childcare for their little ones.

✓ Child safe space

The safety of their kid is of paramount importance to every parent and even more so in a post-pandemic era. So while finalising a preschool for the kid, a parent should check out every little detail about the preschool. For that, a parent should know what is important in current times.

Ask the following questions to make sure the campus is safe for your child:

• Are all areas in the school including washrooms, well-kept and sanitised?
• Are all the staff members vaccinated?
• What are the safety measures taken in the school in case of an outbreak?
• Is the school fully equipped with not only age-appropriate toys but also with smoke detectors & first-aid kits?
• How does the staff ensure that the guidelines by the government are being followed? Be it social distancing, wearing masks or sanitising hands?
• Does the school have a response mechanism for different pandemic scenarios?

If you as a parent think that the preschool or childcare centre has left no stone unturned to keep the above points checked, you have your answer right in front of you.

✓ Holistic learning environment

According to NIEER director W. Steven Barnett, PhD, children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills & richer vocabularies. Quality education in the formative years is also important because the first five years of kids are the most important years as during this period their brain grows to 90 percent of its final adult size, which means it is nearly full grown. And good quality, early learning can be achieved with holistic play-based learning.

Holistic learning basically implies that the child gets to develop physically, personally, socially, emotionally and spiritually as well. A preschool that prioritises holistic learning and growth provides kids with multiple opportunities to explore how things work & helps them enhance their skills. It has dedicated teachers who teach a well-structured curriculum in a fully equipped space.

When it comes to the current scenario, a preschool should also teach kids about the importance of sanitisation & should promote hygiene. It should help kids build self-confidence after being cooped up in their homes for almost 2 years. A preschool should also make sure to teach the kids to be independent and help them discover that they are capable enough to do things for themselves.

✓ Parent involvement

For almost two years, kids spent ALL their time with their parents. Hence, they somewhat have a habit of seeing their parents around all the time. Parents surely are overwhelmed with sending their kid to preschool but it is equally upsetting for the kid to leave his/her home & go out.

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School’s back! Here’s How to Prepare Your Preschooler as the World Goes Offline

“No more pencils, no more books,

No more teachers, dirty looks.

Out for summer, out ’til fall,

We might not come back at all. School’s out!”

With the start of the pandemic, these lines by Alice Cooper felt true to a great extent. This song was written to be sung on the last day of school. But to everyone’s disappointment it turned out to be true for a much much longer time for kids who were about to start their journey; the preschoolers!

Schools, day care centres, public spaces, businesses, everything was shut. The pandemic affected each one of us equally, leaving us cooped up in our home. Parents of preschoolers had the most daunting of all tasks, to ensure their kids studied while being at home.

But the drop in covid cases in 2022 led to the reopening of schools and the start of preschool admissions as well. So these same parents are now facing the opposite and equally challenging problem of preparing their little ones for extended periods outside their home, and at school. And while this might be tough, but it is extremely important for parents to provide their kids with opportunities for social interaction & physical activities in their formative years.

After approximately 2 years of isolation & schooling from home, let’s get all of you parents ready for an unprecedented school year.

Introduce proper time management

Because of the stay-at-home regimen, studying, sleeping and eating schedules went haywire. When kids were attending classes online, they were not expected to get up early, dress up and leave for school. They were able to eat or play according to their wishes.

But now with the schools opening up, kids need to be more in control of their team. Hence, parents need to encourage consistency & establish a daily wake-up, getting dressed, breakfast, and family time routine for their kids.  Moreover, they need to monitor their television & internet timings after & before school.

Educate them about the new normal

Playing with friends, sharing lunches with them, will not be the same even after the reopening of schools. It is very crucial for a healthy preschool or day care experience that he/she understands the new school environment.

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