Talking to Your Kids About Germs and the Benefits of Good Hygiene

 

As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children the importance of good hygiene and how germs can spread. It has become more important than ever to talk to our kids about germs and the benefits of good hygiene. 

This guide will provide you with essential tips on how to talk to your children about germs and the importance of maintaining good hygiene. We will also discuss some of the best practices for teaching kids about germs and why it is important for them to stay clean and healthy.

What are Germs and Why Do We Need to Talk to Our Kids About Them?

Germs are tiny organisms that can cause illnesses and infections. They are so small that we can’t even see them with the naked eye, yet they have the power to make us sick. 

As parents, it is important for us to talk to our kids about germs and how to prevent them from spreading. By teaching our children the basics of germ prevention, we can help them stay healthy and safe from germs that could potentially make them ill.

Explaining Germs and the Importance of Good Hygiene in an Age-Appropriate Way

We all know that germs can cause illnesses, but do you know how important it is to practice good hygiene to keep them away? 

Germs can spread from person to person through contact, such as shaking hands or sharing food and drinks. Good hygiene is key to keeping germs away. This includes washing your hands regularly with soap and water, covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough, and avoiding touching your face.

It’s important for children to learn about germs and the importance of good hygiene from a young age so they can protect themselves from illness-causing germs. Teaching them how to properly wash their hands and cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough is a great start!

Reinforcing Good Hygiene Habits at Home and at School

Good hygiene is an essential part of staying healthy, both at home and at school. It is important for us to reinforce good hygiene habits in our children from a young age, as this will help them develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

By teaching our children the importance of good hygiene, we can ensure that they are able to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. This can be done through simple steps such as washing hands regularly with soap and water, covering one’s mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding contact with people who are sick. We can also help children learn how to properly use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

In addition to teaching our children about good hygiene practices at home, it is also important to reinforce these same practices in the classroom. Schools should have guidelines in place for proper handwashing techniques as well as other measures such as wearing face masks when appropriate or using hand sanitizer stations.

How to Make Practicing Good Hygiene Fun & Rewarding For Kids

Good hygiene is an important part of staying healthy, but it can be a challenge to get kids to practice it consistently. 

Fortunately, there are some creative ways to make good hygiene fun and rewarding for kids. From using rewards and incentives to making the process more interactive, these strategies can help encourage children to stay clean and healthy.


Fun, Safe, & Educational Winter Activities For Kids 

 

While the parents are busy worrying about their driveways, groceries, and toiletries ahead of a wintery mix, kids are just excited for the prospect of playing in the fresh snow.

While there may be cause for concern with extremely low temperatures, bundling up properly and limiting outdoor time will keep your little ones safe, while still enjoying the snowfall.

You can always break up outside time in smaller blocks as opposed to one longer session, to ensure more opportunities for fun, while also keeping them safe.

Fun Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids

Heading outside right after that fresh snowfall is what every kid dreams of on those winter days. Building snowmen, sledding, and making snow angels include the benefits of: 

  • Strengthening motor skills.
  • Improving overall health and muscle strength.
  • Promoting the use of their senses.
  • Encouraging independence.
  • Allowing the use of creativity and imagination.
  • Opportunities to learn about nature.

You can use everyday household items or even repurpose items made for the beach to make snow forts and snow castles. 

Expanding creativity with new tools promotes learning and growth at all ages.

Staying Warm Inside

Sometimes the wintery mix and snow can be a bit too intense, or perhaps the thermostat reads well below freezing, to the point of unsafe. 

When that’s the case, you can always resort to fun indoor activities, just like a rainy day.

Heat up some hot cocoa and get creative with paper crafts. Make some simple paper snowflakes (of course if scissors are involved, opt for safety scissors and always use adult-supervision). 

Get some cotton balls and make miniature snow-men, or have snowball races. Of course the activities don’t always have to be snow themed either. Maybe go the complete opposite route and craft some fun, tropical and warm weather crafts. 

There’s always options available for simple, indoor crafts and activities, and you don’t have to risk going out in the bad weather for specific supplies. Get creative with household items and allow your children’s imagination to bloom.

Wrap It All Up With A Story

After all the fun and energy spent from the days activities, it’s time to wind down. There’s no better way to get ready for nap time or bed than with a story. 

Make the most of the snow day and pick up one of your kid’s favorite winter books about snowmen, penguins, the north pole, and much more! 

There’s plenty of great fun that can be had on a snow day. Always make sure your children are bundled up and limit outdoor time, especially in the much lower temperatures. Encourage their growth and development with fun indoor and outdoor activities.


The Best Learning Apps for Young Children and Students

 

As parents and teachers, we are always looking for the best learning apps for young children and students. Technology can be a great way to engage kids in learning, and there are so many different apps to choose from that are tailored to pre-K, elementary, and secondary students. 

But which apps are the best learning apps for children? We have done the research and found the best learning apps for pre-K, elementary, and secondary students that are fun and educational.

Keep Screen Time Educational

Screen time can be beneficial for young children when used properly. It’s important to use highly rated and reviewed apps for childhood development, helping them to learn the foundational skills they need to succeed in life. 

Apps are a great way to engage kids and teach them important skills like reading, counting, and problem-solving. While it’s important to limit screen time, when your child does have access to screens, it’s beneficial to focus their attention on educational apps. 

This type of technology can boost cognitive development, improve motor skills, and increase concentration in kids. Apps can also help kids develop new language skills as well as work on math, science, and social studies concepts. 

Many apps focus on specific areas of learning and can be tailored to the age and skill level of the child. In addition to educational apps, there are plenty of opportunities to use tech tools to engage in creative activities like drawing and music. 

Kids can use their imaginations while learning valuable skills. Making sure that screen time is educational is essential for young children to get the most out of their tech experiences.

Learning Apps for Kids Ages 0-5

Today’s children are growing up in a world where technology plays an integral role in their everyday lives. To make sure that your child is getting the most out of their tech experiences, it’s important to use apps for childhood development. 

These apps can help your young one learn basic skills like counting and reading, while also providing them with plenty of fun. 

Here are some of the best learning apps for kids ages 0-5:

  • ABCmouse: ABCmouse is an award-winning app designed to provide young children with a comprehensive early learning experience. It has 10 levels of curriculum that cover reading and language arts, math, science, social studies, art, and music. Each lesson includes interactive games, puzzles, and books that are tailored to your child’s age and skill level.
  • Endless Alphabet: This app is designed to help young children learn the alphabet and new words. Kids can explore the app by interacting with the characters and words that come alive on each page. As they explore the colorful visuals and sounds, they will learn about letters, words, and their meanings.
  • Sago Mini Babies: For toddlers and preschoolers, Sago Mini Babies is a great way to introduce them to basic problem solving skills. In this app, kids have to help the baby characters complete tasks like feeding a pet or helping them get ready for bed. Along the way, they’ll develop skills like problem solving, following directions, and creativity.
  • Peekaboo Barn: Peekaboo Barn is a great way to introduce your toddler to animals and the sounds they make. Through vibrant visuals and engaging sounds, kids can learn the names of animals, their corresponding noises, and even count along with them.
  • Toca Boca: Toca Boca offers a series of apps for kids ages 0-5 that are designed to foster creativity and problem solving. Kids can explore different worlds through the apps, which include everything from creating a colorful farm to caring for a pet dragon.

By using these apps for childhood development, you can ensure that your little one is having fun while developing essential skills. While screen time should always be balanced with other activities such as outdoor play and physical activity, these learning apps can give your child a great start in life.

Learning Apps for Kids Ages 6-8

At this age, kids are developing their basic literacy and math skills, and parents can find a variety of apps for childhood development to help support them. There are plenty of apps that focus on reinforcing basic concepts such as shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. 

Other apps use stories and puzzles to get kids to practice their counting, language, and reasoning skills. As children grow older, there are also more educational apps that can teach kids about history, geography, science, and even coding.

When it comes to education for kids ages 6-8, it’s important to find balance between learning activities and free play. Apps such as BrainPOP Jr. offer animated videos and quizzes on a variety of topics and makes learning fun for children. 

Similarly, PBS Kids offers age appropriate shows that will keep kids engaged while teaching them valuable skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and social emotional development. 

Reading apps such as Epic! allow children to read hundreds of books, comics, and quizzes in an interactive and exciting environment.

Other apps such as Khan Academy and Duolingo provide excellent opportunities for children to practice their math and language skills. Khan Academy also offers courses in science, engineering, history, art history, economics, computer science, and much more for children of all ages. 

All of these apps can help kids explore various topics in a safe and engaging way.

Maintain A Balance For Learning & Playing

It’s important to remember that apps for learning, playing and creativity can all be beneficial for childhood development. While parents can feel reassured when their children are using educational apps, it is important to keep in mind the value of balance and moderation. 

It’s important to make sure that kids are not spending too much time in front of screens, whether those screens are phones, tablets, or computers.

Parents should limit screen time for young children and students and use the time for more hands-on activities such as reading, playing games, crafting and sports. There is also great value in spending time outdoors exploring nature and getting exercise. 

Keeping a good balance of learning and playing will help children gain skills from apps as well as develop their own creativity and other skills by engaging in traditional activities.

When using apps for childhood development, there are a few things to consider. First, what type of apps are best suited for the age range? Some apps are targeted at specific ages, so it’s important to find ones that match the child’s level. 

Second, be aware of how much time the child is spending on the app and look for signs that they may be growing bored with it or have mastered the content. It’s important to rotate apps every few weeks to keep children engaged and prevent boredom. 

Finally, ensure that the app is appropriate for the child’s age group, both in terms of difficulty level and content.

Apps can be a great way to supplement learning and provide a different approach to developing new skills, but parents should remember that balance and moderation are key. 

With a combination of traditional activities and carefully chosen apps, children can gain valuable skills and knowledge while still having plenty of time for play and exploration.


The Teacher Shortage and How It’s Affecting Early Childhood Learning Centers

 

The teacher shortage in the United States has been increasing since 2019, and it is expected to become even more severe by 2023. This has created an alarming situation for early learning centers and daycare providers across the country. 

With fewer qualified teachers to fill positions, there is a growing concern about how this shortage is impacting the quality of care and education being provided to young children. The shortage is directly affecting early learning centers and daycare facilities.

What is causing the teacher shortage?

The current teacher shortage in the US is an issue that is impacting early childhood learning centers and daycare centers. The main cause of this shortage is due to a lack of funding for higher wages for childcare workers. 

There is a demand for better pay at all levels. The general issue for teachers at pre-K and elementary levels is the misconception that lower age = lower pay. This shouldn’t be the case. 

Furthermore, these workers are often not recognized for their hard work and dedication. These professionals work with infants and toddlers every day, helping to create nurturing, loving, caring environments. 

These are people that should be considered for some of the highest wages that we should have. Unfortunately, without proper recognition and compensation, the teacher shortage continues to be a problem for childcare centers across the country, including cities such as St. Louis and other parts of Missouri.

How is the teacher shortage affecting early childhood learning centers?

The teacher shortage is having a major impact on St. Louis early childhood learning centers. A recent survey of these centers revealed that 80% of them reported difficulty in finding qualified teachers to staff their classrooms. With fewer teachers available, the student-teacher ratio has risen significantly in St. Louis childcare centers.

This has caused some childcare centers to lower the amount of students they can accept and limit the number of classes they offer. This, in turn, affects parents who are now struggling to find enough open spots for their children.

The shortage also means that schools must invest more money into recruiting and retaining teachers. To this end, many early childhood learning centers are now offering higher salaries, more flexible hours, and other incentives to attract new teachers. They are also providing more professional development opportunities to help current teachers stay up-to-date on their skills.

At Mary Margaret Early Learning Center, we’re doing our best to ensure that our student-teacher ratio stays at a manageable level. We’ve taken measures such as hiring additional assistant teachers and paying our teachers competitive salaries. We’re also investing in professional development so that our educators can continue to provide the highest quality education for our students.

We understand how important it is for children to have an excellent learning experience, especially during the critical early childhood years. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to support our teachers and ensure that St. Louis childcare centers remain vibrant and successful despite the current teacher shortage.


We Are Open for First Responders!

If you are a first responder or health care employee working in response to COVID-19 and are in need of childcare, Mary Margaret’s Day Care can help. 

We are committed to helping our community during this uncertain time. We’re happy to report that our location at 3800 Watson Road has received permission from St. Louis City to provide childcare for first responders and health care workers. 

Our hours are 6:30 am to Midnight, Monday through Friday, and we serve ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Please note that these hours are for parents needing care for daytime or evening shifts, not an extension of the day. 

At Mary Margaret’s We Take Precautions to Keep Your Children Safe 

  • Drop Offs: Each parent is allowed to enter the building in the entrance area. We take each child’s temperature before admitting them. Temps below 100° will be allowed to stay. Parents will then sign their child or children in. 
  • Pickups: When parents arrive in the evening, staff will pick up their child from their classroom and bring them outside. 
  • Toys are being used in a rotating manner, where sets are sanitized and switched out on a daily basis. Surfaces are cleaned regularly. 
  • We offer healthy food to all children, including breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and an evening snack. 

We Are Committed to the Health and Well-Being of Your Children

At Mary Margaret’s we offer learning enrichment to all of our children, while building self-esteem in a secure environment. We also offer lots of opportunities for fun and play. When you pick up your child at the end of your shift, you’ll receive a daily report outlining how their day went. Our teachers are very open to suggestions. They are always available to answer your questions or concerns. 

Call us to sign up: (314) 752 – 2965. We look forward to meeting your kids! 

Tips to Help Your Newborn Sleep

Of all the exhausted, hard-working parents in the St. Louis MO area, few are likely as sleep-deprived as the parents of newborns. It makes sense, after all. For one thing, infants usually eat every two to three hours around the clock plus they can’t tell a difference between day and night. Sleep loss can negatively affect just about every area of life. Getting extra sleep is best achieved by helping the baby sleep all night, something that really is doable! Here are some tips to help your newborn sleep through the night.

Establish a Bedtime Routine for Your Baby

A recent study of mothers with infants discovered that some succeeded in getting their 6 to 8-week old baby on a bedtime routine that led to sleeping through the night. A bedtime routine for your baby can involve any combination of regular bedtime activities that you choose. The following are secrets to success:

  • Make it a habit of having active playtime with the baby during the day, which can result in her feeling sufficiently tired at night. In the evening, always have quiet play and avoid anything that gets your baby overly excited when it’s close to bedtime.
  • Repeat the nightly activities in the same order every single night.
  • Adding bath time to the nightly routine is highly recommended. The bath alone has a calming effect. Use lavender soap and lotion on your baby to further increase relaxation.
  • Make the bedtime schedule something your child looks forward to. Save your baby’s favorite activity for last and do it in her room so that doing something she enjoys is associated with time to go to sleep.
  • Maintain consistent conditions in your little one’s bedroom. After your baby wakes up in the night, establish the same lighting and sounds as when she went to sleep.

Lay Your Sleepy Baby Down

Tips to Help Your Newborn Sleep, mom with sleeping baby

It can encourage unwanted behavior if you continue holding your child as she is falling asleep and while she sleeps. Babies can get accustomed to being held while sleeping and struggle to give it up later on. When your baby is showing signs of drowsiness, lay her in her bed. She will get used to soothing herself instead of needing to be rocked and cuddled when she wakes up at night.

Ensure Good Sleeping Conditions

Always put your baby to bed with a fresh diaper so she doesn’t soak it through and become uncomfortable in the middle of the night. Keep a nightlight in the room and use it for nighttime feeds. Turning on bright lights can be disruptive to sleep. If your baby sleeps in your room, keep a white noise machine going so that your bedtime preparation won’t wake her up.

Visit Mary Margaret’s Day Care

When it’s time to put your precious little one in a trusted daycare in St. Louis, visit Mary Margaret’s Day Care. We provide nurturing care and have several locations in the area for your convenience. Mary Margaret’s Day Care proudly delivers the best childcare services. Visit the location nearest you today or contact us today to learn more about our caring daycare facilities!

7 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s with Your Small Children in Saint Louis

As the holiday season is coming to a close, we still have New Year’s to look forward to!
With the myriad of late night, non kid-friendly events around town, getting out and about with your small children on this holiday can be difficult. Fortunately, there are plenty of options in Saint Louis that also don’t require a ton of money to enjoy! Below, we list 7 ways you can ring in 2020.

Inexpensive, Family-Friendly New Year’s Events in Saint Louis 

Ice Skating at Steinberg Rink

The Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park is perfect for your whole family. If you haven’t been before, it’s a Saint Louis tradition you won’t want to miss. Enjoy party favors and noisemakers as a great addition. Visit from 10:00 am New Year’s Eve day until 12:30 am New Year’s Day. Reservations aren’t required but make sure to have cash on hand.

Family-Friendly New Year’s Events in Saint Louis

Dave and Buster’s Family New Year’s Eve Bash

Dave & Buster’s will offer a fun New Year’s Eve package, which includes food, face painting, a balloon artist, a live DJ, a $30 power card with unlimited video play, and more. All of this for $37 per person before tax, gratuity and fees. This family-friendly event will run from 5 pm to 8pm New Year’s Eve!

New Year at Painting with a Twist in Brentwood

Kids 12 and under are welcome to participate in painting a 16×20 canvas at Painting with a Twist in Brentwood. Note that children under 7 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Group reservations are acceptable. Ticket prices are more expensive at $25 per seat, but it will be worth it! This event occurs December 28 from 1pm to 3pm.

Concord Lanes New Year’s Eve Party

Give your family a fun experience at Concord Lanes for their New Year’s Eve Party from 4pm to 7pm! This event is reservation only at $75 per lane. Reservation-holders will receive a drink ticket good towards a large soda, domestic beer, wine or rail liquor. Feel free to bring in your own food if you wish, but no outside drinks.

Noontime New Year’s Eve Celebration

This Magic House in Kirkwood is an interactive children’s museum that never disappoints. On New Year’s Eve from 10am-2pm, visitors are invited for a countdown, ball drop, music, and dancing. Kids will create noisemakers and wish wands, and pose in a photo booth with fun 2020-themed props.​ The event is included with regular museum admission.

Time Capsule Workshop at Yucandu Art Studio

On December 31, 2019 from 10am to noon, you and your family can celebrate the new year by making a time capsule at Yucandu Art Studio in Webster Groves. This family-friendly New Year’s events in Saint Louis will also offer lemonade & popcorn with a countdown to Stomping of the Bubble Wrap. Ticket prices are $35 per person.

First Day Hike at Missouri State Parks

On January 1st from 9am to 4pm, start a new family tradition and stroll through Missouri State Park on a guided hike through parks and historic sites. Joining you for this free event will be hikers from all 50 states. Visit their website to find a state park near you that’s hosting this event: here.

What Will Your Family Be Doing This New Year’s?

When we compile these lists, we know we’ll inevitably miss an event. What is your family looking forward to this year? If you have ideas we haven’t mentioned, please let us know! Comment here or on our Facebook page.


Whatever you do this New Year’s, everyone here at Mary Margaret Day Care wishes you and your family love and happiness in 2020. For more information on our daycare facilities contact us today.

Car Seats & Child Safety

The weather is getting colder and that means more layers for your kiddos. Puffy coats, scarves, hats and blankets all help to keep your child cozy as the temperature drops. A fluffy coat may not be the best option for keeping your child safe in the car, however. Today we are going to take a look at car seats and child safety in the winter time, and offer you some tips on how to ensure your kiddo is safe getting to and from school.

This kiddo may look cool, but a bulky coat in a car seat may not be a good idea.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has offered a warning for parents this winter, big coats and car seats don’t mix. The gap created by the extra fabric can lead to injury in the event of an accident when is is flattened during impact. This has lead to children being ejected from their carseats, which is never a good thing. Instead the straps should always be fastened firmly against your child’s body.

To see just how much room your child’s coat offers you can try a simple experiment. Place your child in the car seat with their coat on and adjust the straps. Then, remove the coat and place your child back in the seat. Take a look at how much room between the straps and your child body exists, and make a note of where the buckles have shifted. Is the chest buckle still in place? Are the straps still snug? If not, you need another option.

How To Stay Warm & Safe

If you find that the coat is too bulky to be worn with your car seat, there are other ways to keep your kiddo safe and warm.

  • Start by dressing your child in warm base layers.
  • For smaller children, put a blanket or two over them; after they have been buckled into the car seat.
  • Look for aftermarket car seat covers to fit your make/model seat. These are specifically designed to add a layer of warmth to the seat without compromising safety.
  • For larger children, once they are buckled into the seat safely, turn the coat around and put it on backwards. This will allow the seat to do its job, while the coat acts as a warm layer on top.

Always remember, when in doubt most local fire departments are trained to install and check car seats to ensure that they are positioned properly in your vehicle. This is a great resource for parents, grandparents, and anyone who may need to install a car seat in their car.

At Mary Margaret Daycare, we believe that every child is precious. We want all of our families to be safe on the road, on the way to school or anywhere your travels may take you. If you would like to learn more about our facilities, contact us today to schedule your tour.

A Guide To Free Parenting Resources In Saint Louis

Parenting can be hard. It can be rewarding, awe inspiring, funny, silly, ridiculous, and amazing at the same time too. But it can also bring on challenges that you may have never expected. As you work to raise your little bundles of joy into amazing little people, it is important to know that you are not alone! There are many places, both online and in St. Louis, committed to helping you tackle all of the challenges of parenthood. Today we are going to feature some of our favorite free parenting resources in Saint Louis.

Educational Resources For Parents

Little Girl Indoors In Front Of Books. Cute Young Toddler Sitting On A Chair Near Table and Reading Book. Child reads in a bookstore, surrounded by colorful books. Library, Shop, Shelving In Home. The Library is one of many free parenting resources in saint louis.

Parenting can be hard. It can be rewarding, awe inspiring, funny, silly, ridiculous, and amazing at the same time too. But it can also bring on challenges that you may have never expected. As you work to raise your little bundles of joy into amazing little people, it is important to know that you are not alone! There are many places, both online and in St. Louis, committed to helping you tackle all of the challenges of parenthood. Today we are going to feature some of our favorite free parenting resources in Saint Louis.

The Saint Louis Public Library: Many people know that the library is a free tool for gaining access to a world of books, magazines, and other resources. Did you know that the library also puts on programs and events for people of all ages? From craft projects to story time, the library has a LOT going on!

NASA: Are you looking for some out of this world education opportunities? NASA has a free kids corner, dedicated to providing fun and informative content and games for kids.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis: Did you know that the Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis has a number of educational tools for kids of all ages? These are geared to help children understand money, banking, and history.

Free Health Resources For Parents

The Missouri Poison Center: Parents across the state have relied on the Missouri Poison Center to help with urgent poison related questions, from bug bites to accidental ingestions. The center is fast, free, and open 24/7.

The Nurse Family Partnership: For many first time parents, babies can be a little overwhelming. It is hard to know all of the answers to your questions. The Nurse Family Partnership is a free parenting resource in Saint Louis to help families with their pressing questions.

The Teen Helpline: For parents with older children, the teen helpline can be a lifesaver. Between raging hormones and outside peer pressure, teens can feel like a completely different child. The teen helpline is a free resource for parents to help them navigate the ins and outs of having a teenager at home.

These are just a few of the many free resources available to help parents in the Saint Louis area. Do you have any favorites? Share them with us and we will feature them in on our social media pages! Or drop us a line to let us know your thoughts. We love to chat with our parents.

Summer Safety Tips

summer safety
Make this summer the best ever with our safety tips.

Summer in St. Louis means grilling pork steaks in the backyard, going to festivals in the park, or hitting the pool. To make this your best summer ever, keep these safety tips in mind.

Safety Around the Pool

First of all, adult supervision is a must. We can’t emphasize this enough: watch your kids around water! Have life jackets or floaties nearby for the kids, check the water depth before they dive, and make sure they wear sunscreen!

Insect Bites and Bug Spray

Wet springs mean more mosquitoes, ticks, and other nasty bugs. If your kids are stung, they may experience redness, itching, swelling, and maybe a little pain around the bite. A store-bought anti-itch cream will do the trick, but there are home remedies you can use as well. Baking soda, oatmeal, or ice can help relieve the itch.

Before you go to a park or walk in a wooded area, spray your kids down with bug spray. Follow the instructions on the label and be careful not to get spray in kids’ eyes. After any outing in the great outdoors, check your kids for ticks!

Firework Safety This Independence Day

Every kid loves fireworks, and if parents are around and kids are careful, everyone can enjoy them! Always use fireworks outside, and have a bucket of water or hose nearby, just in case. If your kids play with sparklers, make sure they keep them away from their hair or clothing. Tell your children never to point fireworks at another person, even as a joke. This is another situation where parental supervision is key. Don’t hold fireworks in your hand to light them, and only light one at a time.

Stranger Danger and Amusement Park Safety

Hitting Six Flags or another public amusement park this summer? Keep an eye on your kiddos! They should know to avoid strangers and keep in sight of trusted adults. Establishing a meeting place, in case your family gets separated, is a good idea to help your child feel safe. Teach your child to follow the park rules, especially the weight and height limits on dangerous rides. Don’t forget the sunscreen, and make sure you’ve got water bottles or other drinks available so your kids don’t get dehydrated.

Need a Break, Mom and Dad? Mary Margaret’s can Help!

Mary Margaret’s Day Care has a number of summer programs available to keep your kids learning all summer long. If you have questions about any special activities coming up, be sure to let us know!

Expert Led Early Education Programs
Designed to Bring Out the Best in Your Child