The Ghost of Summer Holidays: 10 Ways to Keep Your Child Entertained

Summer Camp at the Best Preschool Programs in Royal Palm Beach, FL

When you think about your childhood summers, you probably remember those warm days with a hint of nostalgia. You rode bikes until sunrise, splashed in pools, endured sunburns from ignoring your parents’ sunscreen advice, and enjoyed camps from the best preschool programs Royal Palm Beach, FL.

Summer is a wonderful time to be a kid. As a parent, you probably want your children to experience the same joy and laughter you once did, away from screens and filled with activities. To inspire unforgettable summer memories for your family, we came up with this list of 10 fun activities for children during the summer!

Children Playing in the Pool with the Best Preschool Programs in Royal Palm Beach, FL

10 Strategies to Keep Your Child Entertained During Summer Holidays

Summer holidays can be both a wonderful and challenging time for parents. No school means extra opportunities to spend time with your children – while maintaining work, chores, and everything else on your plate!

If you think about it, you have only around 13 summer holidays with them as little kids – a precious, limited time. To make the most of these fleeting summers, here are ways to balance creating fun memories with your children while maintaining your daily responsibilities.

1. Neighborhood Kids’ Summer Camp

When you think about your favorite summer memories, what’s one of the first things that comes to mind? That’s right – summer camp with friends!

One of the best ways for kids to enjoy summer holidays is by spending time with their friends in a safe and controlled environment at summer camp.

Preschool summer camps offer unique experiences like arts and crafts, field trips, water day activities, and more – all under the supervision of a certified professional. For instance, here at Neighborhood Kids, our summer camp follows the guidelines provided by Florida VPK standards.

We believe that with teachers and parents working together, summers can be safe and fun!

2. Encourage Physical Activities & Sports

Did you know that extracurricular activities teach children important life abilities like teamwork, perseverance, and responsibility? If your child didn’t have the time to join a sport or club during the school year, the summer is a wonderful opportunity to start.

Outdoor activities like football, badminton, or softball allow kids to stay active, have fun with their friends, and learn important lessons that will accompany them throughout their adult lives.

3. Plan A Cooking Day with Kids

Do you hate cooking on your own? Summer is the perfect time to hire a little helper!

Organizing a cooking day is great for introducing basic chores to your child while allowing them to have fun. Start with safe and easy recipes, like cookies or cake – no knives involved! The good thing about sweets is that you can also motivate your little ones with the promise of enjoying a treat afterward.

4. Organize a Backyard Campout

Use pleasant summer evenings to turn your backyard into a paradise for camping!

There’s nothing better than making a campfire, assembling sleeping bags, and setting up a tent. Together, you can do various camping activities like stargazing, telling stories, and toasting marshmallows. It’s a great way to have fun while enjoying the outdoors!

5. Set Up A DIY Indoor Obstacle Course

No backyard? No problem! You can design a basic obstacle course challenge to keep your kids active while at home. Children love competition, and obstacle courses are excellent for training their motor skills.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Paste easy-to-remove painter’s tape on the floor to mark the course’s path
  • Use tables and tunnels made from cardboard boxes for children to crawl through.
  • Set up tape lines, pillows, or low hurdles for kids to jump over.
  • Use furniture for climbing challenges, such as couches or chairs (with cushions added for safety).
  • Place a line of tape on the floor, a narrow board, or low beams to test their balance.
  • Include tasks like rolling over pillows or soft mats.
  • For extra points, incorporate tasks like hitting a target with a soft ball or throwing a bean bag into a bucket!

This will keep them active and help them avoid sedentarism while developing their motor skills!

Let Your Child Explore Camping with the Best Preschool Programs in Royal Palm Beach, FL

6. Create an Artistic Haven

Is your child drawn to doodling, painting, or crafting? Setting up a dedicated art station this summer might be the perfect creative outlet.

Designate a corner of your home as their personal art space and give them a variety of art supplies, including clay, paints, and colored pencils. In addition to having a great time, children can express themselves and grow their imagination through artistic endeavors.

7. Organize A Summer Reading Challenge

When the Florida heat becomes unbearable, reading can be a nice way to stay fresh and indoors while stimulating the imagination.

Organize a summer reading challenge to get your children interested. Select engaging reading material and set achievable goals for them. If your child struggles with motivation to finish a whole book, offer a reward after reading three chapters.

Reading helps them learn and grow their imagination while avoiding heatstroke from playing in the sun.

8. Explore Nature with Outdoor Adventures

Summer is a wonderful time to explore the outdoors with your children, especially in a nature-rich state like Florida!

You can use this time to go on nature walks with your kid, have picnics in parks, or attempt birdwatching. This will teach them the beauty of nature and help them gain a better understanding of the world around them. As David Attenborough once said, “If children don’t grow up knowing about nature, they won’t understand it. And if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it.”

9. Start A Family Puzzle or LEGO Challenge

Indoor games for kids are another great way to bond as a family while challenging your child intellectually. Family puzzles, LEGOs, and other problem-solving activities create opportunities for fostering creativity, intellect, and safe competition!

It’s a screen-free way to spark imagination and bring the whole family together.

10. Plan A “Kindness Mission”

Why not use this time to teach your child the importance of giving?

Help your child identify small ways to help others, like assisting an elderly neighbor who needs an extra hand with a certain chore. Go through their belongings together and look for old toys and clothes they no longer use to donate. You can also make thank-you cards together to add to the gift.

Organizing a kindness mission together can positively impact your kids and teach them about sharing and compassion.

Best Preschool Programs in Royal Palm Beach, FL Summer Activities

Fill Your Child’s Summer with Laughter at the Best Preschool Programs in Royal Palm Beach, FL!

Summer break is an ideal time for your child to relax and learn about their world in a fun way. From morning nature walks to solving puzzles together, the memories you create during the summer holidays aren’t just for your child: they’re unforgettable moments for you, too.

Make the most of this special time with Neighborhood Kids and create lasting summer memories that you’ll look back on with fondness. Contact us today to learn more about our summer activities!

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! 

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!