Sedentarism in Children: How to Identify it and What Causes It

Prevent Sedentarism with the Best Preschool in Boynton Beach, FL

As insecurity grows and more at-home entertainment options emerge, children spend more time in sitting or reclining positions instead of running, jumping, and playing around. As parents, reversing this phenomenon can be hard. 

Sedentarism in children is a growing problem. In addition to signing them up for the best preschool in Boynton Beach, FL, here are some tips for healthier development for your children. 

Best Preschool in Boynton Beach, FL Explains Sedentarism

Sedentarism in Children: A Growing Concern 

The definition of sedentary behavior is any waking state—that is, not sleeping—where less than 1.5 metabolic energy equivalents are used. Watching television or using computers excessively are examples of sedentary behavior that harms kids’ health and well-being. 

Nonetheless, this behavior is common among younger generations, particularly with new technologies. Children worldwide watch TV for over two hours every day, and their use of phones and laptops is growing significantly each year. 

Children also participate in various other sedentary activities, such as sitting in class and doing their homework, in addition to screen time. According to US and European studies, kids are sedentary for about eight hours every day. 

This can be very damaging to their health long-term. It has been established that these kinds of actions are significant risk factors for the emergence of diseases like high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease.  

What Causes Sedentarism in Children? 

Understanding the underlying factors that correlate with children’s sedentary behavior is essential to help curb this growing trend. The causes are multifaceted and include environmental, sociocultural, and geographic elements. 

Increased Screen Time 

One of the most widely recognized causes of sedentarism (in both children and adults) is the rise of digital technology. Children are spending more and more time on screens, including TV, video games, and computers, which greatly reduces opportunities for physical activity. 

Social media has also contributed to the increased screen time. Children may be diverted from physical activities by online interactions, choosing to interact with peers virtually instead of playing sports or outdoor games. 

Lack of Outdoor Spaces 

Limited access to safe and engaging outdoor play areas can discourage children from being active. Urbanization and development often result in fewer parks and recreational facilities. 

Safety concerns add up to this. Children in insecure areas tend to spend much more screen time as parents may restrict outdoor play due to fear of traffic, crime, or environmental hazards.  

Structured Schedules 

Busy family schedules filled with academic, extracurricular, and social commitments can limit free time for physical activity. Overscheduling may leave little room for play and movement. Many schools also emphasize academic performance over physical education, reducing opportunities for active play. 

Overscheduling can also lead to stress and lack of motivation, reducing their physical activities as children may not feel interested. 

Peer Influence 

Social dynamics can play a significant role in children’s activity levels. If their friends prioritize sedentary activities, children may follow suit, leading to a cycle of inactivity. Similarly, children often model their behaviors after their parents, so children are more likely to adopt similar habits if caregivers lead a sedentary lifestyle. 

However, this also means that peer influence can successfully reverse sedentary habits. In fact, according to statistics, parental support and shared activities helped decrease children’s sedentary behavior. 

Health Issues 

Chronic health problems or disabilities can limit a child’s ability to engage in physical activities. Conditions such as obesity, asthma, or joint problems may discourage movement. 

Best Preschool in Boynton Beach, FL Explains Signs of Sedentarism

Signs of Sedentarism in Children 

As sedentary behaviors become more widespread, identifying the signs of sedentarism can be hard. Moreover, there isn’t a clear line between what’s a normal amount of sitting still for a kid and what begins to become a worrisome state. 

However, identifying potential sedentary habits early can help parents and caregivers encourage more active lifestyles. Some indicators to look out for include: 

  • Excessive Screen Time: Kids using computers, tablets, or smartphones for several hours daily are likelier to be sedentary. It is advised to limit recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day. 
  • Physical Inactivity: Sedentarism may be indicated by a conspicuous lack of involvement in school sports or physical education programs. Children who are not involved in any form of regular physical activity may be at risk. 
  • Weight Gain: A sedentary lifestyle may cause sudden or gradual weight gain. Children who are not active burn fewer calories, which can raise their body weight. 
  • Coordination Issues: Children who spend much time sitting still may have trouble balancing and coordinating their movements. Limited movement can hinder motor skills development, making activities requiring coordination more challenging. 
  • Fatigue and Low Energy: Feelings of fatigue can result from a lack of physical activity. Sedentary children may complain of fatigue more frequently because inactivity can lower stamina and energy levels. 
  • Social Withdrawal: Sedentary kids can also exhibit social withdrawal symptoms. They might rather play video games alone than participate in team sports or outdoor activities with friends. 
  • Bad Posture: Sitting for extended periods, particularly in front of screens, can cause bad posture. Children who are overly sedentary may exhibit slouching or other postural problems, which parents may observe. 
  • Academic Performance Decline: A sedentary lifestyle can also impact cognitive function. Given that physical activity is associated with better brain health, children may show a decline in focus and general academic performance. 

By being aware of these indicators, parents and other adults can proactively encourage physical activity and help kids lead more balanced lives. 

Dangers of Sedentarism According to a Best Preschool in Boynton Beach, FL

Foster a Healthier Life for Your Child with the Best Preschool in Boynton Beach, FL 

Sedentarism, or a lifestyle characterized by prolonged periods of inactivity, can significantly impact children’s physical and mental health. While it’s common for children to spend a lot of time sitting, like when they’re in class, for example, it’s important for parents to look for ways to foster more active lifestyles outside class. 

Here at Neighborhood Kids, we strive to teach children positive habits since they are young. If you’d like to learn more about our classes and extracurricular activities to prevent sedentarism, reach out! 

Extracurricular Activities: Why Joining a Club Can Be Crucial to Your Child’s Health

Sign In Your Kid to a Daycares in Lake Worth FL with ECAs

When your children are around the age of five, they’ll have the discipline and motor skills to start participating in organized tasks. For that reason, it’s the perfect moment to start considering signing them up for extracurricular activities, be it outside school or at daycares in Lake Worth, FL. 

Participating in these kinds of activities can benefit your child’s health in more ways than one. To help you help them make the most out of their infancy, we’ll cover some of them. 

Daycares in Lake Worth FL with Extracurricular Activities

What Are Extracurricular Activities? 

There is no widely accepted professional definition of extracurricular activities.  

According to UNESCO, extracurricular activities, also known as ECAs, are a variety of events planned outside of the regular school day, curriculum, or course to pursue students’ interests. 

Many schools and community organizations give kids numerous chances to participate in after-school programs, sports, and interest groups because they believe these activities help develop soft skills like resilience and self-worth and help them become engaged community members.  

ECAs can be broad and include a variety of extracurricular activities that are available beyond the required curriculum, including: 

  • Individual and team sports 
  • Clubs based on cultural backgrounds or interests 
  • Visual arts 
  • Performing arts 
  • Martial arts

Exploring the Benefits of Extracurricular Activities 

Because there’s no unique definition of what ECAs entail, there’s not much research on its specific benefits to children. However, among the fragmented studies, the one agreement seems to be that extracurricular involvement can help school-age children in the following ways: 

Physical Development Benefits 

Oftentimes, ECAs help children engage in physical activities, fostering their development and encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle. Activities like team sports or dancing teach children coordination, motor skills, and body awareness. Over time, this can increase their flexibility, agility, and endurance. 

More importantly, fostering physical fitness from an early age can discourage sedentary behavior, a big problem for today’s children, and support a healthier lifestyle. 

Cognitive Development Benefits 

Participation in extracurricular activities also positively impacts children’s cognitive development. Tasks like solving a puzzle, making art, or taking part in a debate offer opportunities for decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving. 

Through them, children can improve their cognitive abilities while learning to think creatively and use their imagination. 

Social Development Benefits 

One of the bigger benefits of extracurricular activities is that they offer an ideal environment for social development. 

Children who participate in group activities develop their ability to collaborate and work as a team as they learn to work toward a common objective. They hone their interpersonal and communication skills by engaging with peers with similar interests.  

Additionally, these activities give them the chance to meet new people, broaden their social network, and foster enduring bonds. These interactions and encouragement from their peers can help children grow confident and feel self-assured. 

Emotional Development Benefits 

Besides the positive result of social interactions, ECAs can positively impact children’s emotional well-being. These activities allow kids to express their feelings healthily and productively, like painting, playing an instrument, or performing on stage. 

This creative outlet can help release pent-up emotions and reduce stress and anxiety. Children who participate in extracurricular activities also gain coping mechanisms and resilience, which empowers them to face obstacles and failures head-on. 

Character Development Benefits 

Extracurricular activities often help children develop character and independence by encouraging discipline. Kids who participate in clubs actively learn time management skills, balancing school with their club’s commitments. 

ECAs also foster perseverance, teaching children to keep on trying even when the results aren’t as expected. Children who participate in leadership roles or show initiative during group projects can also grow in their empathy, responsibility, and decision-making capacity. 

Career and Future Benefits 

The benefits of extracurricular activities can go well beyond infancy, even influencing children’s future career paths. ECAs give children an opportunity to explore their interests, passions, and talents, discovering hidden talents early on and developing skills that may be crucial for their desired career paths—like decision-making, problem-solving, and collaboration. 

Even future college applications can benefit from involvement in noteworthy extracurricular activities, which show a well-rounded personality and a dedication to personal development. 

Benefits of Daycares in Lake Worth FL with Extracurricular Activities

Finding the Right Extracurricular Activity for Your Kid: Our Tips 

As you can see, extracurricular activities are crucial to a child’s development. However, choosing the best options for your child can be difficult and stressful because there are so many options. 

To help you, here are some tips for picking the right ECAs for your kid: 

Understand Their Interests and Strengths 

When selecting extracurricular activities for their kids, parents often make the mistake of forcing their interests on them. Instead of pressuring them to engage in activities that are popular or traditional or ones that you enjoy, concentrate on their strengths and interests. After all, they won’t be committed to something they do not like. 

If they seem unsure about their preferences, too, you can enroll them in various classes so that they can experience different activities. By exposing them to different environments, you can work together to find one they’re passionate about and comfortable in. 

Balance School and After-School Life 

When choosing extracurriculars, don’t overwhelm your child’s (and your) schedule. Make sure you and your partner have the time to drive them to and from activities and that you can handle the added tasks beforehand. If not, you could end up asking them to drop their ECAs once they’re involved and committed to them. 

Pay attention to their state and ensure that they’re not overwhelmed with their activities, too. Sometimes, a preschool with an all-inclusive curriculum that encompasses ECAs can be the best course of action for families. 

Involving Your Child in the Decision-Making Process 

Your child must be included in the entire selection process. Even though very young children might not benefit from this, your grade-schooler will value that you include them in the choice of activities.  

Encourage honest conversations with your child and reassure them that their viewpoint is valued. 

Daycares in Lake Worth FL with ECAs

Foster Your Children’s Growth with Engaging Daycares in Lake Worth, FL 

Extracurricular activities are more than a way to keep your children engaged while you rest: They’re a source of knowledge, mental and physical stimuli, and long-lasting friendships. As children age, their chances of joining clubs and student organizations will increase. It’s important to support them as parents to help them make the most of them. 

Be it by driving them back and forth or simply giving moral encouragement, your attitude can help a lot in allowing them to enjoy all the benefits of extracurricular activities. If you’d like to learn more about all that we have to offer your children here at Neighborhood Kids, reach out! 

Traveling with Kids? A Preschool’s Tips for a Successful Outing

Safe Travel with the Best Infant Care in Delray Beach

As a parent seeking the best infant care in Delray Beach, you want your child to have the best experiences, often involving traveling. Trips to new places are unique opportunities for children to get to know new cultures, open their minds, learn about the world, and, more importantly, have fun. However, traveling with children can be chaotic unless you are well-prepared.

Trips can be stressful for kids, from being in new and unknown places to adapting to different cultural standards. To help you ensure a fun experience and guarantee your child learns a lot, we created this guide on how to travel with kids!

Best Infant Care in Delray Beach Travel Tips

The Importance of Traveling for a Child’s Growth

We live in an era of tremendous global openness. Nowadays, traveling is more accessible, making it possible for children of all ages to learn about the world around them, understand cultural differences, and explore new, unseen ways of life.

Children now have access to opportunities that were previously only a pipe dream. However, there’s a common misconception that waiting until a child is old enough to fully enjoy a trip is best. Traveling can have several benefits for toddlers and young children.

What Can Traveling Do for Children?

  • Foster responsibility by making them pack their clothes
  • Cultivate curiosity by showing them new places
  • Build flexibility by allowing them to adapt to sudden changes
  • Help develop empathy and increase their interest in the surrounding world
  • That being said, traveling with kids can also be challenging, especially if it’s your first time.

Whether you’re flying to the other side of the world or simply taking a road trip to the next town, the change in locations and new emotions of vacations can stress your child out, making them grumpy and moody throughout your trip. To prevent that and ensure they have a positive experience, here are some recommendations:

Prepare Your Kids Mentally for the Journey

The importance of preparing your child for a trip beforehand is often overlooked, but it can make all the difference.

Make sure to discuss the travel plans with your child ahead of time. Tell them about the interesting sights they will see or the unique cuisine they will savor. To make the prospect of sleeping somewhere new an adventure, show them photos of the hotel before the trip.

This will make it easier for the less enjoyable parts of the journey, such as long car or plane rides in uncomfortable seats. By piquing their curiosity, you can adjust their expectations and reduce anxiety about the upcoming journey.

If possible, include them in the planning process. Show them different destinations and let them pick. Older children may also enjoy taking charge of navigation, leading the way with paper maps or apps.

Pack Smart and Light

When it comes to packing for children, efficiency can save you a lot of trouble later.

Packing cubes can organize clothes by day or activity, which is very helpful when grabbing pajamas for a late-night hotel check-in. Pack entire outfits, including socks and underwear, in separate bags for easy access for younger children.

If you have multiple children traveling with you, use different pillowcases for each child or color-code the bags. These pillowcases can also double as laundry bags on the return trip.

Best Infant Care in Delray Beach Packing Tips

Book Kid-Friendly Accommodations

Selecting suitable lodging is crucial if you’re traveling with kids. After all, you don’t want to be stuck in a hotel filled with young adults partying until 4 a.m. every night!

Seek out lodgings that offer amenities like:

  • Child-friendly meals
  • Babysitting services
  • Family-friendly kits with toys, strollers, and highchairs
  • Proximity to parks or playgrounds for active children

Try to Maintain Familiar Routines

Children thrive on routine, and travel can disrupt their sense of normalcy. Make an effort to stick to mealtime and bedtime routines. If you travel across time zones, gradually modify your schedule to reduce jet lag and irritability.

Additionally, aim to schedule outdoor activities in the morning. Natural light can help reset your child’s internal clock.

Create a Kid-Friendly Itinerary

Don’t overbook your days. While adults may appreciate historical sites and cultural attractions, children can quickly become tired and bored. Instead, tailor your plans to their interests. Incorporate frequent breaks at playgrounds, quirky roadside attractions, and ice cream or frozen yogurt shops.

Use local travel apps to find unique stops that cater to children’s curiosity and engagement.

Prepare for Delays

Delays and changes are inevitable during long trips. To manage potential stress for you and your child, prepare beforehand for any changes.

Have a surprise bag on hand with their favorite toys to pull out when they are bored. This can have items such as small LEGO sets, reusable sticker books, or fidget toys. For lengthy international flights, download a few episodes of their favorite shows on your tablet. Make sure to bring a range of snacks, like crackers, fruit slices, and granola bars. Hungry children can easily become grumpy! Bring a reusable water bottle for each family member.

Remember to check customs laws and food restrictions when traveling abroad.

Staying Safe and Healthy

When traveling with kids, safety and health should come first. Look for hotels with services like 24-hour security, child-proof amenities for rooms, and doctors on call. Lifeguards at swimming pools are also a must.

Additionally, well-kept, secure play areas can provide you with peace of mind while your kids have fun.

Travel Tips from the Best Infant Care in Delray Beach

Learn About Children’s Care from the Best Infant Care in Delray Beach

Taking children on a trip can be both an adventure and a challenge. Whether you’re taking a road trip or flying, planning will make the journey much smoother. Obstacles are to be expected, but with preparation and creativity, you can turn them into opportunities for connection and fun.

Here at Neighborhood Kids, we always aim to ensure positive experiences for your kid. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about education and best practices for infants!

Children and Music: A Healthy and Beneficial Link

Music at the Toddler Preschool in Boyton Beach FL

Did you know music is one of the few activities that use both sides of the brain, logical and creative? It helps build important brain connections, helping children learn numeracy, literacy, and emotional skills. Incorporating music into play in the early years positively influences your child’s early development, so we always foster music at our toddler preschool in Boynton Beach, FL.

Most importantly, music is fun! If your child is having fun, their brain is open to learning. Here is a guide to help you foster your children’s growth with music while understanding what we do to encourage them.

Toddler Preschool in Boyton Beach FL Explains Benefits of Listening to Music

How Music Affects a Children’s Brain

Music is humanity’s universal language, allowing people from different cultures and languages to connect, communicate, and express their feelings. While everyone has their preferred music genre, it’s hard to find someone who dislikes music entirely.

Besides being a worldwide source of connection, music can also be a highly beneficial educational and therapeutic tool for children. Music activates and stimulates a child’s early-developing brain in several ways.

Building connections through external input is the primary goal of early brain development, and music offers a rich and additional input source for developing brains. It can trigger the limbic system, which controls memory and emotional management processes. Moreover, music helps release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases feelings of well-being.

What Are the Long-term Benefits of Music for Kids?

  • Skill development
  • Enhanced language skills
  • The ability to learn foreign languages
  • Better mood and emotional regulation
  • Memory and concentration
  • Increased self-confidence

Some other ways in which music helps developing children include:

Music and Physical Health

Music can benefit your child’s physical health by motivating them to be physically active.

For example, music can encourage dancing, which helps reduce muscle tension, improve coordination, and foster overall physical abilities. It is also a beautiful way of incorporating healthy habits for your child.

Additionally, research has demonstrated that music influences the neurochemicals in our bodies, strengthening the immune system, preventing infection, and reducing the risk of obesity.

Besides listening to music, making music is also beneficial. Playing an instrument has been shown to help with posture, balance, and physical control. In particular, playing drums and action songs can improve gross and fine motor skills, hand independence, and dexterity.

Toddler Preschool in Boyton Beach FL Explains the Importance of Music

Music and Stress

It has been demonstrated that music improves well-being and supports a child’s healthy development by reducing stress and anxiety. Researchers have found that listening to music can lower cortisol levels, the “stress hormone.”

Listening to, singing, and creating music can also impact children’s emotions. These activities can help activate the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, such as oxytocin and endorphins. This can boost their spirits, assist them in resolving issues, and give them a way to express their emotions.

For that reason, music is one of our biggest aids in soothing overstimulated kids or those who have trouble regulating their emotions.

Music and Learning

Besides fostering a healthier lifestyle, music is a key tool during learning.

According to research, music can enhance memory, focus, and overall well-being at any age by stimulating the brain. This can help children learn to read and speak while improving their memory and attention skills.

Many children’s songs are made to teach ideas like counting, pairing, and problem-solving. Additionally, by connecting facts with a melody, music can be used to teach science and other age-appropriate subjects.

Music and Creativity

Whether it is playing an instrument, writing down lyrics, or just making a racket, it all counts. The act of creating music requires focus and often collaboration with others. This experience can encourage a child to be more sensitive and conscious of their feelings while also creating something of their own in the process.

Music and Social Connections

Social development is more important than ever in today’s world. When incorporated into educational settings, music can be highly effective in fostering healthy and constructive social development and preventing and resolving social problems.

Some studies have shown that including music in the curriculum strengthens social ties and promotes better social adjustment. In those studies, music generally made children’s attitudes more positive.

Additionally, music fosters a sense of community or camaraderie. Young people can connect their emotions to something else when they listen to their favorite musicians, making them feel more understood and less isolated from their feelings. Along with improving empathy and self-esteem, creating music with others can also enhance cooperation skills.

Tips for Supporting Children’s Well-Being with Music

Music is a potent instrument that has an impact without the listener’s awareness. However, there are some pointers to optimize its advantages to promote kids’ growth and welfare.

  • Play Music Every Day: Play a range of musical selections and discuss with kids their feelings before and after listening. Offer songs in different languages, including ones that incorporate noises they can recognize daily.
  • Dance: Move to music in the backyard or throughout the house, enjoy getting active, and encourage kids to express their feelings through various body parts. Share different music styles with them so they can express themselves in many ways.
  • Don’t Be Afraid to Sing Along: Children are often less inhibited than adults when it comes to singing. Break the ice by singing along to music. Your child looks up to you as a role model, and your singing can encourage them to try new things and express themselves.
  • Create Your Own Music: Get creative and let children experiment with music. If you have instruments, that’s great! If you don’t, you can create your own instruments with a food container and a pair of chopsticks.

Why the Best Toddler Preschool in Boyton Beach FL Encourages Music

Encourage Your Children’s Growth with our Toddler Preschool in Boynton Beach, FL

Singing, writing, or listening to music can be incredibly empowering. It gives kids and teens a platform to express their emotions without us even realizing it. Music can help them find the right words to express their feelings.

Here at Neighborhood Kids, we want to become an institution you can rely on to foster your children’s early development. Contact us today to learn more about our curriculum!

Making the Most of their Infancy: Understanding How Toddlers Learn

Ensure the Best Toddler Education in Royal Palm Beach FL

While mandatory schooling begins around age 6 in the United States, there’s no age for learning. From the moment they’re born, babies start looking at the new world that surrounds them with curious eyes, and if you’re a parent dedicated to their education, there are several things you can do to foster their knowledge—like finding them a preschool with the best toddler education in Royal Palm Beach, FL. 

However, to start fostering your baby’s growth and take action to help them discover the world around them, understanding how toddlers learn is key. After all, a 5-year-old brain is different than a 2-year-old, and so on. This guide explores how toddlers learn to help you understand your baby and their little heads better. 

What Is the Best Toddler Education in Royal Palm Beach FL

Their First Steps into a New World

As babies begin to move from crawling to walking, they enter what’s known as the toddler stage. This important milestone marks the beginning of a new period of their lives, filled with new funny experiences, interesting discoveries, and painful bumps. 

Being able to toddle around the home on their own opens the door for babies to start learning more and more about their environment each day. Toddlers are very curious, and they will be very keen to explore their surroundings to learn key skills and information—much to their parents’ dismay, sometimes. During these times, remembering to leave the outside door closed is key. 

Each child’s growth and development will occur at its own pace, but in some cases, the desire to try and learn new things can manifest as anger. After all, this age is often referred to as ‘the “terrible two’” for a reason. 

As children reach the age of two, they’ll attempt to become more independent, which may translate into more frequent mood swings and impatience when things don’t go as they expect. It’s important for parents to understand a toddler’s need to try and do things on their own and support them. 

So, How Do Toddlers Learn?

Toddlers learn constantly and in many ways.  

They gain a better understanding of their surroundings by watching and observing what is going on around them, both at home and when out and about. They also learn to understand and speak language by listening to conversations between family members. 

Moreover, by asking lots of questions about things they don’t understand or want to learn more about, they satiate their curiosity while building a bond of trust with their caregivers (that’s you!). 

Learning Through Play

All children love playing, and it is very enjoyable. It has the bonus of helping children learn, too. According to UNICEF, play is an important part of your child’s learning and growth, as it allows them to explore their environment, practice developing skills, and bond with others. 

Key skills such as problem-solving, physical skills, reading, number skills, and social skills can be learned through activities as simple as playing house, mimicking adults, or making up new worlds with other children. 

Playtime will change as your baby gets older, depending on their developing skills. However, it is beneficial to promote play from an early age; different forms of play are ideal. Some games to encourage toddlers to learn are: 

Provide the Best Toddler Education in Royal Palm Beach FL

Household Helper

Ask your toddler to assist with age-appropriate housework, such as serving lunch or organizing clothes. Try making it into a game and letting them know how helpful they are! 

  • How your child benefits: By demonstrating to your child that they are an important family member, you may help them develop independence and self-worth. 

Budding Artist

Create simple art projects with your toddler, such as drawings, finger paintings, or arranging items found outside, such as shells or pebbles. When they are finished, place them where your child can see them. 

  • How your child benefits: Allowing your child’s imagination to run wild through art encourages creativity and independence. 

Tower Tumbler

Build a tower with blocks or other safely stackable objects, then let your toddler knock it down. 

  • How your child benefits: Your child will enjoy watching their creation fall down, and they will also be working on their fine motor skills by using both hands together. 

Talk, Talk, and Talk!

Experts recommend that you narrate your day to your child. Talk about what you are doing while you are doing it; this is an excellent way to expose your toddler to various new words throughout the day. 

  • How your child benefits: Between 18 months and two years, most children learn one new word per week and can say 50 to 100 words by the age of two. The more you communicate with your toddler, the more words they will learn. 

A Game of Opposites

Show your toddler a series of basic pictures, one at a time. Let’s say the first one depicts the sun. When you show it to your child, ask them to say ‘night’ rather than ‘day.’ 

  • How your child benefits: This particular type of play emphasizes self-regulation and impulse control. The goal is to teach your toddler to stop, think for a moment, and override the response that comes first. 

Share the Bible

If you’re Christian, you’ll probably want to share your beliefs with your toddler. While there’s no set age to introduce a child to religion, sharing the Bible can be a great way to show them the world and improve their language skills.  

  • How your child benefits: Bible readings—using age-appropriate Bibles, of course—can give your child an opportunity to learn about God, practice reading, improve their language skills, and even share a special moment with you! 

Best Toddler Education in Royal Palm Beach FL

Give Your Baby the Best Toddler Education in Royal Palm Beach, FL

Once a toddler learns to walk, there is no turning back. They will want to continue moving and honing this newfound ability. As they gain control of their bodies and learn about their own skills, your child will be running, jumping, and climbing in no time. 

This development is natural, but we can always do things to foster it and ensure it takes place in a safe environment. By fostering a love for learning, curiosity, and resilience from a young age, you’ll give your children valuable tools and prepare them for what’s to come. 

Once your child is old enough, Neighborhood Kids is here to help you ensure your child receives the best education. If you want to learn more about our curriculum or are interested in our extracurricular activities, reach out! 

What Is Model Behavior and Why Does it Matter?

Model Behaviour at a Preschool Education in Royal Palm Beach FL

Monkey see, monkey do. It is no one’s surprise that children learn by watching and imitating others, a practice known as observational learning or model behavior. Finding the best preschool education in Royal Palm Beach, FL, is fundamental to ensure your child is only subjected to the best examples.  

Television, the grocery store, school, and home can all become behavioral models, and here, we’ll explain why they’re important and what you can do to ensure only the best ones affect your child’s growth.  

Preschool Education in Royal Palm Beach FL How Tablets Impact Your Child

What Is Model Behavior and How Does It Work?

Modeling is the process of learning new knowledge, abilities, or behaviors by observation instead of firsthand experience or trial-and-error. The terms “modeling,” “imitation,” “social learning,” “observational learning,” and “vicarious learning ” share similar meanings. Each of these ideas highlights a distinct aspect of this kind of education. 

Children are watching and learning wherever they go and with whomever they are with. You have noticed that your kids came back from school imitating a superhero they had never heard of before. Or, after a family reunion, he may’ve picked up a new, not-so-child-friendly vocabulary. All of these are examples of observational learning. 

What Influences Observational Learning?

It is not always the case that a child will engage in a particular behavior after witnessing it; for example, your child may not start destroying things just because they see someone break a toy. They are simply learning new information about the behavioral choices of others and what consequences these behaviors could have. 

Children’s imitation of modeled behaviors is partially determined by the type of reinforcement those behaviors receive. When people receive positive reinforcement for a behavior, they are more likely to copy it. For instance, a child may pick up new words but not necessarily use them if he hears another child swearing. 

However, an observing child may be more likely to imitate the behavior if the child receives some kind of reward for using profanity, such as approval or encouragement from an adult. Remember that laughter can also be an unintentional source of positive reinforcement. 

The same is true if someone observes a form of negative reinforcement, like being reprimanded for using profanity. After that, a child might be less likely to copy the behavior. 

Avoid Angry Behaviour at a Preschool Education in Royal Palm Beach FL

The Dangers of Observational Learning

Children can observe aggressive behaviors and learn them through modeling. While direct experiences and live models can occasionally cause this, watching television and other media that depict aggressive behavior is more likely to cause it.  

Children may copy these aggressive behaviors and carry out aggressive acts if reinforced. In this environment, the dangers of unsupervised screen time for children are even more prominent. 

Without supervision, children may encounter violent, explicit, or otherwise inappropriate content that they are not ready to process or understand—even on platforms designed for kids. 

Numerous times, violent videos have been found on these platforms that sort out all the filters and reach your children’s screens. While the platform always tries to eliminate them, these videos continue to emerge. Children observing aggression, disrespect, or risky behaviors may internalize these actions as acceptable. 

To mitigate these risks, parents and caregivers must set limits, co-view content, and engage in discussions about what children are watching. This can help guide their understanding and encourage critical thinking about media consumption. 

How to Build Up Positive Reinforcements?

Model behaviors can teach your child some unwanted practices. However, in the same way, children can learn prosocial behaviors through observation.  

Children can learn to cooperate, share, take turns, and act philanthropically by witnessing others exhibit these traits. To encourage that, here are some pointers from Michigan State University Extension: 

  • Pay attention to your child’s environment. Make every effort to provide your kids with positive role models and environments that reward good behavior. If people, places, or activities set an example of bad or concerning behavior, try to find more positive situations for your child. 
  • Take note of the bright side. Encourage positive behaviors in your child and other people, give them praise, and have a conversation about them. By encouraging positive behaviors, you’re teaching them to repeat them! 
  • Reduce or eliminate exposure to harmful influences. Violent television programs, films, games, or activities may teach your child violent or aggressive behaviors. Your child may even learn bad modeling behaviors from interactions with adults and other kids. Limit or stop these experiences, and try to give your child more positive role models.  
  • Have a conversation about it. When circumstances are unavoidable, take advantage of the chance to learn. You can discuss with your child what constructive and acceptable behavior looks like and why bad behavior is unacceptable. 
  • Take your own advice. The first and most significant teacher a child has is you. Whether you plan to teach them or not, they constantly observe and learn from you. Be kind and loving to them, set an example of compassion and helpfulness, and teach them constructive ways to engage with others and the environment. 

If you are unsure whether a certain attitude is positive, try to picture your child acting in the same way that they are watching and consider whether you would be pleased with that behavior.  

If the answer is “no,” you might be teaching your child a lesson you do not want them to know. 

Kids Learning at a Preschool Education in Royal Palm Beach FL

Provide Your Children with the Best Preschool Education in Royal Palm Beach, FL

From friends and teaching to what they see on TV, children learn by example. Oftentimes, this idea is conveyed as a restriction to tell parents how important it is to limit certain types of content and attitudes their child may enjoy. However, model behavior is also an opportunity for you to start reinforcing positive habits. 

Discuss attitudes with your child; reprimand negative attitudes led by the example! You’re the first and most important example for your child. By doing what you say, you put them on the right track of a healthier and happier lifestyle. 

The preschool you choose also plays a big role in the models they take. Here at Neighborhood Kids, we aim to provide a safe and happy learning environment where your child can develop their abilities. If you’re interested in learning more about our curriculum, contact us! 

The Benefits of Daycare for Early Childhood Development

Best Daycare in Florida

Selecting the right daycare in Florida for your child is one of the most impactful choices a parent can make for their child’s future. An exceptional daycare is more than just a safe environment—it’s a place where children develop foundational skills in communication, emotional awareness, and cognitive growth.

Finding a daycare that provides both a nurturing environment and learning opportunities is invaluable for families. Below, we explore the qualities that define a beneficial daycare experience and how they contribute to a child’s development.

What Your Child Learns at our Daycare in Florida

What Defines a Quality Daycare?

A high-quality daycare has several important features that help children grow and develop. Professional staff and a well-rounded curriculum are key parts that create a nurturing and stimulating environment.

1. Professional and Caring Staff

One of the defining features of a quality daycare is its team of professional and caring staff. Caregivers who are genuinely invested in children’s well-being and deeply understand early childhood development foster trust, safety, and growth.

These professionals build a strong rapport with children through friendly and approachable attitudes. Their training in child development and early childhood education ensures they provide the highest standard of care. Additionally, they engage in continuous education to stay updated on best practices, keeping their skills sharp and their knowledge current.

2. Safe and Clean Environment

Equally important is the daycare’s commitment to maintaining a safe and clean environment. Safety and hygiene are critical in creating a space where children feel secure and free to explore. This includes secured entry points with strict visitor protocols to protect against unauthorized access.

Daycare centers prioritizing cleanliness have regularly cleaned and organized spaces, with shared toys and play areas sanitized daily to reduce the risk of illness. These measures help parents feel confident in their choice of daycare.

3. Structured Routine with Flexibility

Another hallmark of quality daycare is a structured routine with flexibility. Consistent daily schedules that include set times for meals, naps, and activities provide children with a sense of stability and security.

Within this structure, flexible opportunities for exploration allow children to pursue their interests, promoting independence and adaptability. Organized playtime encourages social interaction and creativity, while structured learning activities are balanced with free play to promote self-discovery.

4. Social and Emotional Development Opportunities

Daycares also play a crucial role in promoting social and emotional development. Interacting with peers helps children build essential social skills, emotional awareness, and empathy.

Group activities teach collaboration, sharing, and turn-taking, while play-based learning cultivates patience, problem-solving, and emotional resilience. Caregivers provide gentle guidance, helping children navigate their emotions and develop effective communication skills.

5. Quality Curriculum and Engaging Learning Activities

Lastly, a quality daycare offers a robust curriculum and engaging learning activities to support intellectual growth. Through age-appropriate educational experiences, children develop cognitive and motor skills that prepare them for future learning.

Activities like storytelling, singing, and art projects enhance creativity and language development, while hands-on learning strengthens fine motor skills. These carefully curated experiences stimulate curiosity and equip children with the tools they need for success in school and beyond.

Daycare in Florida

Why Daycare Benefits the Whole Family

Daycare provides a safe and supportive environment for children. Knowing their child is in a good place gives parents peace of mind. Many parents find that daycare helps them manage their responsibilities. It allows them to focus on work or other commitments while their child enjoys structured learning and social interaction.

Parent-Child Bonding and Support

Daycare settings not only benefit children but also provide valuable resources and support for parents, fostering a sense of community and partnership in the journey of raising a child. Experienced caregivers and educators in daycare environments can offer valuable insights into a child’s developmental milestones, behaviors, and individual needs, helping parents better understand and support their child’s growth.

Regular communication between daycare staff and parents ensures that both parties are aligned in nurturing the child’s progress, creating a consistent approach to learning and behavior management.

Building Independence in Children

Children who attend daycare gain valuable opportunities to develop essential self-help skills that foster their independence and prepare them for future responsibilities. Simple daily activities, such as feeding themselves, putting on their shoes, tidying up after playtime, and managing small tasks, help build their sense of autonomy and capability.

In a supportive daycare environment, children are encouraged to try new things, make decisions, and solve problems on their own, which promotes self-confidence and a can-do attitude. These experiences are crucial for developing a sense of responsibility and accountability, as children begin to understand their role in contributing to a shared space.

Additionally, learning to navigate routines and follow structured guidelines in a group setting lays a solid foundation for the expectations and responsibilities they will encounter in school and beyond. This early focus on independence helps children grow into confident, capable individuals who approach challenges with a positive and proactive mindset.

Lifelong Friendships and Social Skills

Children attending daycare have the unique opportunity to form meaningful friendships beyond their immediate family circle. These early social connections provide a foundation for developing essential interpersonal skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

In daycare settings, children learn how to share, collaborate, and resolve conflicts, all of which contribute to building strong communication abilities. They also gain exposure to diverse perspectives and personalities, helping them develop empathy and adaptability.

Through group activities, playtime, and guided interactions, children practice patience, turn-taking, and teamwork, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence. These early relationships often evolve into cherished lifelong friendships and provide a supportive network that enhances their social development both now and in the future.

Benefits of Daycare in Florida

Are You Looking for the Right Daycare in Florida for Your Child?

When selecting a daycare for your child, it’s essential to find one that aligns with your family’s values and prioritizes your child’s overall development and well-being. A quality daycare should provide a nurturing environment where children feel safe, loved, and encouraged to explore their interests and abilities.

At Neighborhood Kids, we take pride in fostering each child’s growth through engaging educational programs, creative play, and individualized attention. Our dedicated staff is passionate about supporting children during these critical early years, ensuring they build a strong foundation for future success. Contact us today to learn more about our daycare programs, take a tour of our facility, and discover how we can partner with your family to meet your child’s unique needs and help them thrive.

 

 

 

When Do Kids Learn How to Read, and What Can You Do to Help Them?

Importance of Reading in the Best Preschool Curriculum in Boyton Beach FL

Even as babies, kids build reading skills that set the foundation for learning to read. Hearing and responding to the sound of a human voice and learning from the best preschool curriculum in Boynton Beach, FL, can help them acquire the ability to comprehend and communicate through reading and writing, unlocking opportunities for their future.

Every kid develops their reading skills at their own pace. However, there are certain milestones you can expect depending on their age. We developed this informative article to help you understand this crucial time and learn how to foster it.

Best Preschool Curriculum in Boyton Beach FL Recommends Reading with Your Child

When Do Kids Start Learning How to Read?

Even as babies, kids start building the reading skills that will set the foundation for learning in the future. While each kid develops at their own pace, there are some milestones you can look out for, like:

Babies

Kids only respond to the pictures and feel of books during their first year of age. Even so, introducing books at this time of growth can help them get used to these mysterious objects that carry unique stories.

There are soft-covered books specially designed for babies with no pointy edges, unique textures to touch and experience, cooing or making sounds—and plastic-based paper that holds against baby drool.

They will still need help turning pages and pressing buttons that trigger unique sounds.

Toddlers

At ages 1 to 2, kids can now look at pictures and name familiar items, like dogs, cups, foods, and clothing. They will even answer questions about what they see in books and recognize the covers of their favorites. If they’re passionate about a particular book, you might notice them turning pages and making up stories. This indicates that your baby is eager to decipher that mysterious code.

Preschoolers

Once they’ve reached 2 to 4 years old, kids can hold and handle a book correctly. They’re already going to preschool, so they’re regularly getting an influx of information and being encouraged to learn how to understand and recite letters.

They are aware that pages are read from top to bottom and words are read from left to right. They can begin correlating letter sounds to letters, repeating stories, and knowing around half of the alphabet. In print, they could even recognize their name.

Kindergartners

Kindergarteners can now associate each letter with the sound it stands for. They can begin to link words they hear to words they see on the page and recognize the beginning, middle, and ending sounds in spoken words like “dog” and “sit.”

They can respond to questions about a tale and recount it chronologically if you ask them who, what, where, when, why, and how. They will now begin reading or requesting books for pleasure.

When Do Kids Learn to Read with the Best Preschool Curriculum in Boyton Beach FL

Younger Grade-Schoolers

Between ages 6 and 7, kids will start learning spelling rules. The number of words they can recognize keeps increasing, along with their reading speed and fluency. Moreover, they’ll begin to use context clues to learn to understand unfamiliar words.

If a sentence doesn’t make sense, they’ll go back and re-read it, which is known as self-monitoring. They’ll slowly learn how to connect what they read to their personal experiences and feelings and other books they’ve read.

Older Grade-Schoolers

Now, at ages 8–10, children transition from learning to read to reading to learn. They can correctly read words with several syllables and begin understanding things like root words, prefixes, and suffixes.

They will gradually begin reading for new, different reasons, including pleasure, education, and even determining directions. They will try out new genres and learn to explain a story’s location, characters, problem/solution, and storyline.

Additionally, kids will learn how to draw conclusions—also referred to as “reading between the lines”—and compare and contrast data from other sources. Your child will eventually be able to comprehend metaphors, similes, and other descriptive techniques.

Middle-Schoolers and High-Schoolers

As children begin reading increasingly difficult literature during these crucial years, their vocabulary will continue to grow.

They can now evaluate how characters grow, engage with one another, and progress the plot. They can identify the concepts being addressed and comprehend how the main narrative and its subplots evolve throughout the text.

As their studies become more challenging, they will learn how to employ textual evidence to assist text analysis. They will comprehend irony, humor, sarcasm, and understatement and analyze, synthesize, and assess ideas from the text.

How to Teach Your Kid to Read the Bible

If you’re Christian, one reason literature is especially important for you is that it opens the door to reading and understanding the Bible for your kids. While there may be various years to come before they can read the sacred text on their own, various resources can help introduce them to it, even at an early age.

  • Read with Them: The Bible is a big and rich book. You can schedule regular 15-minute Bible readings during which you explore the passages together. Afterward, ask them which one was their favorite and what they liked about it, and give them a space to share their feelings.
  • Start with The Book of Proverbs: A common worry about parents is about the less “child-friendly” parts of the Bible. From wars to crimes, the sacred scriptures cover topics that may feel a little bit harsh for a young child. If that’s your case, you can start with proverbs. These more accessible parts can get them close to the word of God while providing timeless wisdom for your child.
  • Apply the Knowledge: Encourage your kids to think about ways to apply what they’ve learned after reading. Whether it’s helping others by donating toys or taking extra chores at home, give them space to figure out how they can apply the teachings of the Bible in their own daily actions.

Girl Learning the Best Preschool Curriculum in Boyton Beach FL

Foster Your Kid’s Education with the Best Preschool Curriculum in Boynton Beach, FL

Literacy, the ability to comprehend and communicate through reading and writing, is one of the most important things your kid will learn throughout their life. This journey begins as babies and will continue throughout their lives as they learn new words and explore more ways to use the written word.

By then, they’ll be beyond your influence—but you can do all you can to introduce them to books while they’re kids. Here at Neighborhood Kids, we understand how crucial this is. That’s why we’re always encouraging our students to read and learn. If you’d like to learn more about our curriculum, reach out!