WHEN YOUR CHILD COMES HOME MESSY

Red paint in the hair? Blue paint on the jeans?

Sand in the shoes? Food on a favorite shirt?

White socks that look brown? Sleeves a bit damp?

YOUR CHILD PROBABLY….

• worked with a friend
• solved a problem
• created a masterpiece
• negotiated a difference
• learned a new skill
• had a great time
• developed new language skills

YOUR CHILD PROBABLY DIDN’T….

• feel lonely
• become bored
• do a repetitive task that is too young for him/her
• do worksheets that are too easy
• do sit down work that is discouraging

YOU PROBABLY….

• paid good money for those clothes
• will have trouble getting the red paint out
• are concerned the caregiver isn’t paying enough attention to your child

YOUR EDUCATOR PROBABLY….

• was aware of your child’s special needs and interests
• spent time planning a challenging activity for the children
• encouraged the children to try new things
• was worried you might be concerned

Young children really learn when they are actively involved in play…

not when someone is talking to them.

There is a difference between “messy” and “lack of care.”

Your educator made sure your child was fed, warm, offered new skills and planned messy fun things to do because that’s how your children learn!

Send your child in clothes that can get dirty!

Keep extra clothes at the site for the times when the child gets really messy.

But remember, your children need time to be kids.  

It’s INTERNATIONAL MUD DAY soon! Get messy! Get muddy! HAVE FUN!

How did this fabulous day come to be? Click here to find out!

Need ideas on how to celebrate? Here you go!

“I’m a big girl now!”

Last night marked a (long awaited) milestone for my littlest (3 year old) girl. She has been toilet trained for over a year with wees but I could not for the life of me get her to do no.2’s.

Last night, I sat in the bathroom with her and we sang songs (distraction) until – AMAZING – she used the toilet. Last night when ‘the event’ occurred we danced, we sang, we ate chocolate and high fived until our hands were sore – big sister joined in the festivities and Daddy ran the victory lap around the house with Miss 3 on his shoulders. She is STILL, almost 24 hours later, telling me what a ‘big girl’ she is and is so proud of herself.

Such a small thing, but such a BIG deal.

Personally, when it comes to toilet training success, I don’t think you can make a big enough deal about it – if that means forming a conga line around a potty, then so be it!

Another ‘big girl’ moment in this house today – Miss 5 took it upon herself to pull the vaccuum cleaner out of the cupboard. She then proceeded to vaccuum through the ENTIRE house! I had to withold my “Who are you and what have you done with my child?” remark and instead asked her why she decided to vaccuum. “Well, Mummy… the floor looks a bit dirty and I am growing up. I’m a big girl so I thought I should vaccuum!” She then told me that it was usually ‘Daddy’s’ job to vaccuum, but he is at work today. 😉

Miss 3 joined in on what has been the most enjoyable experience I have ever had with housecleaning – she pulled out her little toy vaccuum cleaner and together the sisters have made our home ‘sparkly’.