During this pandemic, young families have wondered about the safety of child care centers during COVID-19. They often have to make difficult decisions on whether to bring their child to childcare center or keep them home.  With fear of exposing their child to COVID19, it makes sense that parents struggle with what is best for their child.

Since March 2020, there have been several studies and research conducted by Yale University, Brown University, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and others, which concluded child care facilities are one of the safest places your child can be at.

The early childhood community is the back bone of the economy.   As a vital member of economic success of this country, this community early on, implemented higher standards of safety measures in facilities, such as cohort groups, frequent hand washing, wellness checks of Educators and children, disinfecting of equipment, high level air filtration systems, limiting outside vendors in the facility and many more factors.  These measures have shown children and staff are less likely to contact COVID-19.  Towerlight Child Care participated in the Yale and Brown studies, which surveyed around 57,000 child care providers throughout June, July, and August 2020.  These studies outcome proved reassuring data that sending your young child to child care DOES NOT add a higher risk of contracting the virus.

These studies did not say that children and workers cannot contract COVID-19, but states they are less likely to contract it. It is also important to note that, according to NAEYC, when these studies began, “many states still had stay-at-home orders in place, and about 18 percent of child care centers and 9 percent of in-home programs were closed”.

Research and data are helpful information for young families.  This information is pointing to minimal COVID-19 risk and can give reassurance to parents on sending their child to Towerlight Child Care.

Here at Towerlight Child Care, we have a partnership with Fairview Health Systems; this partnership helps to be on top of the ever changing information on COVID-19.   Being in the forefront of knowledge, it allows us to adapt best practices in our classrooms to continue to provide the safety environment for the little ones in our care.

Our child care center is here to help families feel secure while their working.  We look forward to continuing in providing a warm, safe, secure environment for all who attend Towerlight Child Care.

Contact us today to learn more about how we’re keeping Towerlight Childcare kids healthy as well as their families.

The post The Safety of Child Care Centers During COVID-19 appeared first on TowerLight Child Care.

Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family and contains almost 90% water! It is also a great source of vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, iron, calcium, phosphorus and fiber. Add in some raisins or dried cranberries for a little sweetness. Using Greek yogurt instead of all mayonnaise increases the protein content while keeping fat content lower!

Summery Broccoli Salad

(adapted from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics)

Ingredients:
2½ cups chopped raw broccoli
¼ cup non-fat Greek yogurt
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar
¼ cup raisins, currants or dried cranberries
¼ cup chopped nuts (cashews, pecans, almonds)

Directions:
1. Wash and chop the broccoli and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, raisins and nuts.
3. Throw in the broccoli, and mix well until evenly covered with the dressing.
4. Chill and serve.

Here’s a fun coloring sheet for your little ones too!
(Click on the image then right-click on the zoomed in image and choose “Save Image As”)

The post Fresh flavors for summer appeared first on TowerLight Child Care.

Although babies sometimes do things that appear and feel aggressive (like grab our hair), they do not yet have the thinking skills to act hurtfully on purpose. So if your 6-month-old bites you on the arm or your 12-month-old takes a whack at you, it is not because they are trying to “get you”. They are not yet able to control their feelings or use words to communicate their thoughts. Over time, they learn right from wrong when you are clear and consistent with rules.

Starting at about 18 months, toddlers are learning that they are separate from their parents and are eager to act as independently as they can. But they have limited self-control and have not yet learned to wait, share, and take turns. And while they are learning more words everyday, they still rely heavily on their actions to communicate. When they are angry, frustrated, tired, or overwhelmed, they may hit, push, slap, grab, kick, or bite to tell you, I’m mad! Or, I’m exhausted! Or, I’m over my limit and need a break.

First, Consider Your Family

No two children or families are alike. Thinking about the following questions can help you apply the information below to your own child and family.

• What kinds of situations usually lead to your child acting aggressively? Why do you think this is?
• When your child acts in ways that seem aggressive, how do you typically react? Do you think this reaction is helpful to your child or not? Why?

Respond in Age Appropriate Ways

Help your young child begin to develop self-control and rely less on aggressive behaviors to communicate needs and feelings.

From Birth to 12 Months:

Set the limit in a clear, firm voice (without anger). Then, redirect your baby’s attention. If she’s pulling on your hair, hold out a toy instead. If she is playing with the TV remote, offer her a toy with buttons to push.

From 12 Months and On:

When toddlers are aggressive, it usually means they are out of control and need help to calm down before any learning can take place. The following strategies can help you help your child learn to manage her feelings and develop self-control:

• Stay calm. The calmer you are, the more quickly your child will calm down.
• Recognize your child’s feeling or goal. Let your child know that you understand what he wants to do: You want to stay longer at the playground, and are mad we have to leave. It’s okay to be mad, but it is not okay to hit Mommy. Hitting hurts.
• Use gestures along with your words to communicate with your toddler. Use a calm, firm (not angry) voice. At the same time, use a “stop” or “no-no” gesture. You might say, No hitting, hitting hurts, as you take his hand and hold it by his side, firmly but not angrily.
• Offer alternatives. Give your child acceptable ways to reach his goal. Instead of throwing balls in the house, offer your child a soft sponge ball to toss inside, or take him outside for “pitching” practice.
• Try a distraction. Ignore your child’s tantrum and, instead, do something she doesn’t expect: point to a bird outside, start to read a book she loves, or pick up an interesting toy and start to play with it. The bottom line is that young children want attention, and lots of it. When you ignore the tantrum, they tend to give it up much more quickly and accept one of the activities you are offering.
• Suggest ways to manage strong emotions. When your child is really angry, suggest that he jump up and down, kick a ball, rip paper, cuddle with a teddy bear, or use some other strategy that you feel is appropriate. This teaches your child to express strong feelings in healthy, non-hurtful ways.
• Help your child take a break. Some children calm more quickly when they can be by themselves in a safe, quiet place. This is not punishment. It helps children learn to soothe themselves and regain control. When your child pulls herself together, tell her what a good job she did calming herself down.

The post Coping With Aggression and Teaching Self-Control appeared first on TowerLight Child Care.

The fact is that learning to express one’s self begins in the early years by using actions. Some are totally appropriate, like the 12-month-old who raises her arms up to show mom or dad that she wants to be picked up. Others can be distressing, like hitting, kicking, and biting. But they are all efforts on the part of the child to communicate. In this case, we can hypothesize that your child is mad that she is not getting something she wants. She cannot say, Mom, I am so mad that you won’t let me have that fourth cookie! (Or, as my teenagers now simply say, I HATE YOU!)

Read the rest here: https://www.zerotothree.org/resources/327-my-17-month-old-has-started-to-swing-at-me-when-she-doesn-t-get-her-way

The post My 17-Month-Old Has Started to Swing at Me When She Doesn’t Get Her Way appeared first on TowerLight Child Care.