First Step Group Daycare Centre

First Step Daycare Centre is one of Surrey's largest and most exceptional daycare centres with a unique curriculum and a large modern updated facility! 7475 135 Street Surrey, BC Canada V3W 0M8 [phone] www.firststepdaycarecentre.com

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Ever heard of the terrible twos? The nickname may have something to do with the fact 2-year olds tend to be more active now than they will ever be again.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

We make it our passion to nurture a sense of discovery, joy, and wonder in every child.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Your child will develop language following 4 basic stages, starting with babbling, then using a single word, followed by two words, and finally multi-words. Your child’s development is fairly predictable in more than just language, this is why developmental milestones can be used to identify if your child is on track for proper growth and development.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Not only are 2-year olds quick moving but also they are fast learning. The average 2-year old will add 5 new words to their list of vocabulary every day.  

[firststepdaycare-blog]

TEN FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS THAT NURTURE SMART KIDS

How do you become a smart family? Eliminate the “I” versus “you” attitude in your home, and you’re on your way to raising higher-achieving kids with whom other people want to work and play. You won’t be perfect at this smart family routine. No family is. Even the best intentions slip now and then, which is perfectly normal. Just strive toward making these ten qualities of smart families your goal.

See more here! 

[firststepdaycare-blog]

How to get a kid to put away toys.

1. Reduce your child’s toys and belongings.

It’s very difficult for parents to not buy another cute stuffed animal or another educational toy for their children. It’s downright impossible for grandparents to resist the urge. And all the cute animals and educational toys add up to fill entire rooms that you, the parent, has to clean, organize and put away. Make it easier for your child to put away their things by reducing the amount of things they have to manage. The fewer toys your child has, the faster and easier they can keep their room, and the house clean.

2. Add it to their chore list.

A chore list is a way for your child to manage their responsibilities and understand what you expect of them. If you don’t already have “put away toys and things” on your child’s chore list, then now would be a great time to do so.

3. Use a reward system.

A reward system can be as simple as a sticker chart or more complex using an app. Keep track of every night your child puts away their toys and things. After five times, they get a reward. Just try not to use more toys as their reward.

4. Pick up as you go.

Instead of waiting until the end of the night to pick up every single item your child dragged out, start encouraging your child to put away things immediately when they are finished. Remind them to not get anything else out until they’ve put something away. This way there won’t be so much to put away at the end of the day.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Ready to teach your kids about money?

Make a game out of counting loose change into a piggy bank or jar. How many coins can they count in 10 seconds?

Recommended Time: Weekends when you can relax for a few minutes.

Why?

Preschoolers may be too young to understand the concept of money, but they are learning to count, and have a basic knowledge of quantities.

"Know what this is? It’s a quarter."

Teach kids how to identify bills and coins by talking to them as they handle money. Once they are comfortable with various denominations, make a game out of identifying coins and bills.

Recommended Time: Each time you get change at the checkout counter.

Why?

At this stage, children are interested in shapes and colors. Handling money can help them learn about it.

“How many dimes in a dollar?”

Demonstrate how the value of bills and coins relate to each other. For example, put a looney on the table and put 10 dimes under it.

Recommended Time: Weekends when you can relax for a few minutes.

Why?

Knowing the value of each bill and coin is as important as being able to identify them. At this stage, children can understand basic concepts about value.

"It’s Savings Day"

Start teaching the importance of saving by creating a special Savings Day. Instead of an allowance, give them some money that they put in a piggy bank for later and talk about the value of saving for a future goal like a special toy.

Recommended Time: The first Saturday of every month.

Why?

At this age, children are developing a sense of time. Even though they don’t understand the idea of “next month”, they can learn how putting money away now means there’s more for later on.

"Want to help plan our next shopping trip?"

Have your child help with grocery shopping by cutting out discount coupons or using a price comparison app together.

Recommended Time: When making a shopping list.

Why?

At this stage, kids are easily attracted to new products and packaging but might not yet understand what’s involved in paying for them.

"So what do you want to do with your birthday money?"

Discuss putting an automatic amount each allowance, birthday or "pay day" into a separate envelope or bank account.

Recommended Time: When your child gets money.

Why?

Either through allowance or money for extra chores, kids at this stage are often introduced to their first earnings. This is the ideal time to introduce the concept of “paying yourself first”.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

5 TIPS FOR MAKING TEETH BRUSHING A BREEZE!

MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM

Eventually the goal is for your kids to learn to brush their teeth without your help- no child wants to go off to college needing mom to help brush their teeth!!! In order to help your kids to learn to brush on their own is to set them up for success by making it easy for them. Be sure your child can reach everything with he help of a stool and has easy access to the faucet, their toothbrush, toothpaste and a hand towel. Little things like the Firefly Spider-Man Anticavity Fluoride Rinse with it’s simple pump and own cup, makes it easy for kids to get the right amount of mouthwash for them all by themselves!

MAKE IT FUN FOR THEM

Making teeth brushing fun will make this daily chore feel less like a chore and more an activity that your child looks forward to doing. Picking products with their favorite characters on them and toothbrushes that are bright and fun colors and ones that light up will have your kids begging to brush their teeth! We love the Firefly Kids Star Wars Kylo Ren Light Saber Toothbrush since it not only lights up and blinks but also talks to you. Who wouldn’t want to brush with a mini light saber??

GET THEM INVOLVED

The ADA recommends kids and adults brush for at least 2 minutes twice a day so be sure to use some of that time is used to let them brush and also partly for you to be sure they did it well. I like to let my kids start brushing and then I finish- this way, they feel involved but I am sure they are not missing spots that can cause cavities or problems later.

PLAY DENTIST

Your kids probably don’t realize that their teeth brushing technique doesn’t work, simply because they haven’t seen it done in front of them. By letting them practice on a doll or stuffed animal they can see the right way to brush. Playing dentist can help teach them the right way. Grab a favorite toy (preferably one with hard, plastic teeth) and a clean toothbrush and pretend the doll is going to the dentist for the first time. While the doll lies back on a pillow, you can pretend to examine its teeth and talk about proper toothbrushing. The ADA recommends using short back-and-forth strokes directly at the gumline, so start there. Give your child the chance to “play dentist,” reminding him or her to brush the fronts and backs of the doll’s teeth. Practicing good technique on a teddy bear’s teeth will encourage them to use the same method on their own.

USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

One of the biggest challenges to getting your kids to brush on their own is they don’t realize how LONG to brush for. By using toothbrushes that light up or by using an app on their tablet, you can teach them to brush for two minutes so they don’t miss any spots in their mouth!

By using fun products that star characters they love and teaching them the right technique, your kids will be well on their way to learning to brush on their own without fighting you- or hopefully without a major mess.  For your chance to win some of these super fun Firefly products, stop by their Facebook page where one lucky grand prize winner will win a trip for a family of four to the movie capital of the world: Hollywood!

[firststepdaycare-blog]

What's Going On In Your Child's Brain When You Read Them A Story?

I want The Three Bears!"

These days parents, caregivers and teachers have lots of options when it comes to fulfilling that request. You can read a picture book, put on a cartoon, play an audiobook, or even ask Alexa.

A newly published study gives some insight into what may be happening inside young children's brains in each of those situations. And, says lead author Dr. John Hutton, there is an apparent "Goldilocks effect" — some kinds of storytelling may be "too cold" for children, while others are "too hot." And, of course, some are "just right."

Read more here! 

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Over 70% of children in Canada are in some kind of child care arrangement and this number is similar in other countries. Usually, children are placed in child care because both parents are working. However, sometimes, parents are advised by a professional to enroll their child in child care because this environment will promote their child’s development.

Parents have many questions about child care and we thought it would be helpful to identify some common assumptions about the effects of child care and report on what the research actually shows. The first few assumptions relate to typically-developing children, and the final three assumptions relate to children with special needs.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

We pride ourselves on allowing children to grow and develop in a hands-on, literacy enriched environment. We are committed to providing kids with a home-like environment filled with love, care and nurturing as we respect the uniqueness of each family's customs and beliefs. Our belief is that every child is unique. Our program works to promote the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of each child.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

First Step Day Care is committed to exceptional childcare & early childhood education. We believe that a strong academic base, curated through purposeful exploration and positive guidance from highly qualified teachers,  will build an important foundation for future success. We believe that a balance of teacher-directed and child-directed learning develops the child as a whole and is therefore an essential aspect of your child's first school experiences.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

First Step Daycare Centre is one of Surrey's largest and most exceptional daycare centres with a unique curriculum, and a large modern updated facility. We are committed to exceptional childcare and early childhood education.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Your kids understand a lot more than what you give them due credit for! We understand this and our approach involves treating them as young, smart people whom we consider as equals.

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Checklist if you are traveling with your baby!!

Click here for more! : https://t.co/bkGypsgpf6

[firststepdaycare-blog]

Happy 4th of July Family and Friends!

[firststepdaycare-blog]

10 Things All Kids Deserve