Play: Zero to Four Years
It’s only mid-January and so many of our younger students can barely remember what they received as presents over the holidays. While it’s fun to both give and receive gifts we at Shine think the best presents at any age are less about the cost and packaging and more about giving something that lasts far beyond the moment. Whether it’s books and reading together, instruments and music, costumes, art supplies, cooking and baking together, or hitting the town on a City Adventure, the best gifts are the ones that provide experience, community and togetherness.
In our blog article this week, Kristin Michaelson, M.Ed, president of Advantage Development, provides some helpful at home play tips for children under 5. All of her suggestions continue to support ideas of connection and creativity while reinforcing important developmental stages.
Continue to shine your light –
Aaron Goldschmidt, founder & director
After the holidays, parents are faced with an amazing amount of new toys and games in their home. Instead of these new acquisitions causing clutter without sustained periods of play by your children, use the below ideas to inspire your at-home play. Note: while these activities or toys do not stop being helpful to development at the end of the given period, this is when introduction can be most beneficial.
Birth to 12 months: Using new instruments and CDs
Interacting with your child, and acknowledging your child’s attempts at interaction, is essential during this period for development and bonding. One of the ways that parents often choose to play with their baby is by singing. Try leaving a few words out when singing a familiar song, instead pausing for a moment. Even if your child cannot yet speak their little brains are working on figuring out the word that you left out. This exercises their memory and allows your child to participate in the song. Use those new instruments and CDs, along with waving around winter scarves, to sing and move with your child. Repetition of songs and movements will cement them in your little one’s brain. Read more
You don’t need to go far to participate in some easy ways to give back to your community. Even very busy families and children can use some of the ideas below to create charitable opportunities at home (and have fun too)!
what the dentist thinks of the holiday. As a pediatric dentist, I love children and their happiness is paramount. I believe children should dress up as their favorite characters and walk their neighborhood with friends and family. Children should happily fill their bags with candy as they declare “Trick or Treat!”
For those families seeking admission to private schools for the 2014-2015 academic year, the summer is the time to start your preparation. 
Pablo el pato only speaks Spanish, so we need to all greet him by saying, “Hola Pablo!”
New York, NY 10036
