Walking is healthy! It’s not only a great way to explore the child’s surroundings – be it indoors or outside – but it also helps relive stress and keeps children active.
According to the Childrens Safety Network (CSN), there are nearly 3,700 unintentional drowning-related deaths recorded annually in the U.S. Over 24% of those (more than 900) involve children and adolescents between ages 0 to 19. These are scary numbers, but they’re even scarier for caregivers of younger children.
Independent play is vital for all children as part of a healthy growing-up process. This activity, of solitary play, stimulates creativity and builds persistence in youngsters.
As a parent, what do you think constitutes play for your toddler? Take a moment to think about that. Playtime is essential for preschoolers, and here's why:
Kids of all ages, from toddler and preschoolers, to school-age children and beyond, need to get outdoors as often as possible. Outdoor fun and games offer both mental and physical benefits, and that’s why kids at our daycare in Rockville, MD experience scheduled activities outside of the classroom.
If there’s one thing common about kids of all ages, it’s toys – and kids enrolled at our Olney daycare have access to a lot of them! At home, you can get creative too.
Kids are fussy eaters – and Olney daycare staff are likely the first ones to admit that! However, these dedicated and trained child care professionals know that feeding healthy snacks is also critical. While child care professionals have the advantage of training and experience to guide them in making healthy snacks, here are some great ideas for parents to try at home. Kids will eat healthy…and they’ll love it!
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an area of childhood development where young kids grasp how to interact with others. They also learn (consciously and subconsciously) about various emotions, and how to control them and respond to them. While the SEL development process begins at birth, preschoolers attending our daycare in Rockville, MD benefit from an environment that also helps develop their various social and emotional aspects. By focusing on all developmental areas, the Creative Curriculum® targets developing the “whole child”.
There’s no greater satisfaction for a young child, than to accomplish something that they’re responsible for. Staff and teachers at Silver Spring preschool know that discharging those responsibilities successfully, and consistently, is vital for building self-confidence in children. And knowing they’re responsible for doing something – even something as small as leading a group of youngsters out of class and onto the playground – can be a huge morale booster. The challenge for parents, teachers and home caregivers, however, is how to teach preschoolers about responsibility.
Participating in simple chores, whether it’s around the home, when living with grandparents or family as part of family homecare support, or in a Bethesda daycare center, is critical for young kids.
It’s hard for adults to cope with the day-to-day vagaries of life, with many adults feeling stressed-out, burned-out, and mentally depressed. The recent health crisis has also added a significant burden to that coping stress. But, professionals at the Rockville daycare center know, that trying to cope in today’s world isn’t just an “adult thing”.
There’s an age old saying that goes: “All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl!”. While that might seem quaint, in some respects today, the trained staff at daycare in Olney know the wisdom of that saying well.
Most young children progress from preschool-age through primary, post-secondary schooling, and into adolescence and adulthood without any significant behavioral challenges. However, the faculty and staff at day care in Silver Spring have also encountered children who exhibit concerning behavior that challenges their care at the center, and pose significant risk to their academic and social growth.
Cultivating healthy food habits, early in a child’s life, can have a major impact on the rest of their lives. Because diets directly impact other aspects of their lifestyle – learning, exercising, socializing, concentration, focus etc. – staff and administrators at Bethesda daycare consciously encourage children to eat healthy snacks and meals. For those healthy habits to bear fruit, however, it’s important for parents and home caregivers to continue encouraging kids to make healthy eating choices.
Kids are great at communicating their pleasure and displeasure about most things: Ask a parent of a 3-year-old, who tries to get their child to eat their veggies, or allows them to take their favorite toy to school, and you’ll know what I mean. But when it comes to articulating their passion for specific activities, subjects or skills – that’s a whole different ball game. Childcare specialists at daycare in Silver Spring MD, however, know a thing or two about spotting a child’s passion, and tapping into their full potential.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.
