“Playful learning” refers to an approach to education that combines the power of play with intentional learning experiences. It recognizes that play is a natural and essential way for children to explore, experiment, and make sense of the world around them.

In playful learning, the emphasis is on creating an environment where children can engage in purposeful play that promotes learning across various domains, such as cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. It involves designing activities and experiences that are both enjoyable and educational, blending playfulness with intentional teaching and learning goals.

Playful learning recognizes that children learn best when they are actively involved and interested in what they are doing. It harnesses children’s natural curiosity, creativity, and intrinsic motivation to foster deep and meaningful learning experiences. Playful learning can take many forms, including imaginative play, hands-on activities, games, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative projects.

Some of the Benefits of Playful Learning

• Engagement

Playful learning captures children’s attention and engages them in active participation, making learning enjoyable and motivating.

• Creativity and Critical Thinking

Playful learning encourages children to think creatively, solve problems, and explore different possibilities, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Social Skills

Playful learning often involves collaboration, communication, and cooperation among children, promoting the development of social skills, teamwork, and empathy.

• Language and Communication

Through play, children naturally engage in language-rich experiences, expanding their vocabulary, developing communication skills, and enhancing their ability to express thoughts and ideas.

• Emotional Development

Playful learning provides opportunities for emotional expression, self-regulation, and understanding emotions in oneself and others.

• Motor Skills

Many playful learning activities involve physical movement, which helps develop fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness.

• Positive Attitude Towards Learning

By associating learning with positive and enjoyable experiences, playful learning nurtures a love for learning and a lifelong curiosity in children.

Playful learning can occur in various settings, including classrooms, early childhood programs, and home environments. It acknowledges the importance of play in children’s overall development and leverages it as a powerful tool for meaningful and effective learning.

Transitioning to a new daycare can be a challenging experience for both parents and children, whether you are moving from a different daycare center or are trying one for the very first time. 

Check out 7 ways to help your child–and yourself– adjust to a new daycare!

7 Ways To Help Your Child Transition Into a New Daycare

1. Visit the Daycare With Your Child Before Their First Day

Take your child on a tour of the new daycare and introduce them to the caregivers and other children. This can help familiarize your child with the new environment and ease their anxiety.

 

2. Talk to Your Child About the Transition

Explain to your child what to expect at the new daycare and answer any questions they may have. Talk about the positive aspects of the new daycare, such as new friends to make and new activities to try.

 

3. Bring Familiar Objects

Consider bringing familiar objects such as a favorite toy or blanket to the new daycare. These items can help your child feel more comfortable and secure in the new environment.

4. Maintain a Routine

Maintaining a consistent routine can help your child feel secure and settled. Stick to your usual routine as much as possible, such as meal times, nap times, and bedtime.

5. Stay Positive

Stay positive and upbeat about the new daycare experience. Encourage your child to have a positive attitude and be open to new experiences.

6. Communicate With the Caregivers 

Communicate with the caregivers at the new daycare about your child’s needs, routines, and preferences. Ask them for updates on how your child is adjusting and what activities they are participating in.

7. Provide Support

Be available to support your child during the transition. Offer hugs and reassurance, and check in with them regularly about how they are feeling.

Remember that it can take time for both you and your child to adjust to a new daycare, so be patient and supportive. With time and support, most children will eventually feel comfortable and happy in their new daycare environment.

Lego blocks are not only great for building structures and fostering creativity but they can also be used as a tool for math activities. Check out some fun Lego activities that you can do with your kiddos that will also help boost their math skills!

Math Activities You Can Do with Lego Blocks

 

• Counting and Number Recognition 

Use Lego blocks to help your child practice counting and number recognition. You can have them count the number of blocks in a tower, or create towers with a specific number of blocks, and have your child identify the number.

• Addition and Subtraction 

Use Lego blocks to teach basic addition and subtraction concepts. You can create simple math problems by combining or taking away Lego blocks from a group, and have your child solve them by physically manipulating the blocks.

• Patterning 

Use Lego blocks to create patterns and help your child understand basic patterning concepts. For example, you can create a pattern using different colored blocks (e.g., red, blue, red, blue) and have your child continue the pattern.

• Measurement 

Use Lego blocks to introduce measurement concepts, such as comparing the size or length of different Lego structures. You can have your child measure the height or length of a tower using other Lego blocks as units of measurement.

• Fractions 

Use Lego blocks to introduce fractions by dividing a Lego structure into equal parts. For example, you can create a tower using different colored blocks and have your child identify the fraction of each color in the tower.

• Geometry 

Use Lego blocks to explore basic geometry concepts, such as shapes, symmetry, and spatial reasoning. Your child can create structures using different shapes of Lego blocks or build symmetrical structures.

• Problem-Solving 

Encourage your child to use Lego blocks to solve math problems or create their own math challenges. For example, you can give them a specific number of blocks and ask them to create a structure that meets certain criteria, such as using all the blocks or creating the tallest tower possible.

 

Remember to adapt the math activities to your child’s age and level of math skills, and make it fun and engaging by incorporating their interests and creativity. Lego blocks can be a versatile and enjoyable tool for hands-on math learning!

 

Great childcare teachers possess a range of skills and qualities that are essential for creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children. The difference between great childcare workers and mediocre ones can make all the difference, so here are some of the key skills that good childcare teachers have that you can keep an eye out for when daycare shopping.

What Skills Do Great Childcare Workers Have?

 

Patience 

Childcare teachers must be patient and understanding as they work with children who may have different needs, personalities, and behaviors. 

Creativity 

Good childcare teachers are creative and able to develop fun and engaging activities that help children learn and grow. 

Communication 

Effective communication skills are crucial for childcare teachers to build relationships with children, parents, and other staff members.

Organization 

Childcare teachers must be well-organized and able to manage multiple tasks, such as lesson planning, record-keeping, and communication with parents.

Flexibility 

Childcare teachers must be adaptable and able to respond to changing situations, such as unexpected events or children’s changing needs.

Empathy 

Good childcare teachers are empathetic and able to understand and respond to children’s emotional needs.

Knowledge of Child Development 

Childcare teachers must have a strong understanding of child development and be able to create age-appropriate activities that support children’s learning and growth.

Problem-Solving 

Childcare teachers must be able to identify and address problems that arise in the classroom and develop solutions that benefit all children.

Positive Attitude 

Childcare teachers should have a positive attitude and be able to create a warm and welcoming environment that promotes learning and play.

Teamwork 

Good childcare teachers are collaborative and able to work effectively with other teachers, administrators, and support staff to provide the best possible care for children.

These are some of the skills that great childcare workers possess. This is what makes them so amazing–they truly care about the children they are looking after and don’t see if as a burden or task; they take joy in caring for your children. What are some key skills of great childcare workers that mean the most to you as a parent?

Many children deal with separation anxiety when it comes to getting left at daycare regularly. This can make it very difficult for both parents and children every day when it comes time for drop-off. 

There are some things that parents can do to help their children feel better with separation anxiety, though. Check out some of the tips below that you can start using to help your child feel more comfortable and work through their separation anxiety.

How To Help Your Children with Their Separation Anxiety

Create a Separation Plan with Your Child

Creating a separation plan with your child can really help alleviate their separation anxiety. A separation plan is just about how you and your child will say goodbye. This could be as simple as deciding if you will hug, give a kiss, or even a high-five. Making this time into a special goodbye routine can make it fun and take the nervousness out of the goodbyes.

 

Use a Visual Schedule

Children are often great visual learners, so creating a visual schedule can be a great way to help your children get ahead of their separation anxiety. They can look at their upcoming day and know what is happening when taking any surprises out of the day.

Make sure the most important things to your kiddos are on the calendar, like being picked up from daycare or coming home.

If you are able to make this tangible and portable for your kids as well, that is even better. It is something they can reference whenever they start to get a little nervous.

Books

Reading certain books can help kids learn how to work through different life situations as well, so reading a variety of books about going to school, playing with friends, or trying new things can help your child learn how to react when they encounter these kinds of situations.

The Step Ladder Approach

The step ladder approach is a step-by-step system to helping children with anxiety. This research-based anxiety treatment used by mental health professionals involves breaking down your child’s fears into smaller steps and helping them work through them in the order of easiest/least scary to the hardest/most scary.

Your child gets to decide how long they want to stay at each step of this ladder; the idea is that they can stay at each step until their anxiety starts to ease. Even if they have to repeat this process over and over, that’s okay. The most important part of it is that they keep trying and working at it.

These tips can help you and your child work through their child’s separation anxiety. This is a team effort between you and your child, so keep that in mind. What are some ways you help your children with their separation anxiety?

Have you been on the lookout for an amazing childcare center for your child in Lyndon, KY, or the larger Louisville area? 

Trying to find the right childcare center for your family can be a tough process–there are a lot of factors to consider when you are daycare shopping. One of the biggest factors that can help you determine what childcare center is right for you is by looking at parent reviews on all childcare centers you are considering.

If you are looking for a great, quality childcare center in the Lyndon, KY or surrounding Louisville area, then you should definitely check out Lyndon Learning Childcare’s parent reviews! We have become a staple in this community and would love to help take care of your children as well!

Parent Reviews for Lyndon Learning Childcare in Lyndon, KY!

“I am a former employee with close to 20 years teaching experience in early education. Due to Covid, I stepped away from preschool to focus on home-schooling my own kids. My time at Lyndon was above and beyond my expectations. The owner, Derek and director, Amy, treat their staff and students with the utmost dignity and respect. The food is cooked with love and handled with care. They are the only Preschool that offers healthy, home cooked meals that I have ever personally worked for. Their chef is a legitimate pro; though extremely humble about his success. This is a play based learning facility that understands a healthy balance at a preschool age between learning and play. The cherished sensory garden is a favorite of students and teachers. The love and patience that is given to each child is compared to none I have seen at a preschool level. They encourage positive redirection and calm areas instead of time out. A technique that is very effective at that age. The staff are considerate and professional. This is a real family feel kind of place. Lyndon Learning is a fantastic option if you are looking for a high quality daycare. Their hours are extremely beneficial for parents looking for flexibility.” –Christy Holt

“I have seen a big difference in both of my 1 & 3 year old boys since switching to Lyndon Learning. They are happy every day at pickup and are excited to go each day. They do a great job with sending pictures and updates to let us know what they are learning each day as well. We are SO happy there!” –Brittany Littles

“Words can’t describe how wonderful they have been to our family. Our daughter has been in great hands from day 1. The level of education she receives along with a great balance of play time has been wonderful. I am also impressed with the food they serve each day! You will never find a heavily-processed meal, rather home cooked meals that encourage the kids to try new foods they might not always eat. For the rate we pay for the service and love our Daughter receives, this place is a great investment.” –David Littlejohn