Dear Dr. Day Care, I enrolled my four year old daughter in a new day care. During the tour, the administrator of the program suggested I should follow the philosophy of the school - teaching my child through play. What does that mean? I didn’t want to ask at the time for clarification, but now I am doubting myself. Don’t children play all the time? Am I doing it wrong? Signed, Love to Play with my Daughter Dear Love to Play with my Daughter, Many child care centers are embracing the idea of learning through play, sometimes referred to as purposeful play. This simply … [Read more...]
Kindergarten “Baby”
Dear Dr. Day Care, My husband and I have four children- three daughters and our youngest son. Our oldest daughter is eleven and our son is five years old. He is entering kindergarten this year and is refusing to go to school. I asked him why and he said it is because his sisters told him kindergarten is for babies and he isn’t a baby! What should I do? Signed, Baby Boy's Mom Dear Baby Boy's Mom, Explain to your son that kindergarten is not for babies. Let him know that babies are only months old and he is five years old. Reassure him that he will be learning many concepts such as the … [Read more...]
PreK Graduation – Dear Dr. Day Care
Dear Dr. Day Care, I recently attended my niece’s preschool graduation. Don't you think preschool age children are too young for a graduation ceremony? Don’t we have too many ceremonies and “achievements” that they are losing importance? Signed, A Great Aunt Dear Great Aunt, I am a big fan of the ceremony behind a preschool (or PreK) graduation. A preschool graduation ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate learning and recognize an important milestone! Hopefully the first of many milestones. I have certainly had people question why my early childhood … [Read more...]
