School aged kids are back to school and fall is here for most of us. What can we do as Parents, Early Childhood Educators and Home Care Providers?

Get the children in to a "school" like routine. This will help our children learn routine, and help to better equip them when they start grade school.

If you work at a day care chances are the center has a routine to work for them including scheduling for breaks, lunch breaks, etc. If you are at home or looking for a change to the daily schedule, here is a sample idea.

Sample Schedule:

Morning

6:30-8:30 Parent drop off, free play, clean up (7:15-*bathroom routine)

8:30-9:00 Snack, clean-up, books and puzzles

9:00-10:00 Outside free play, and games

10:00-10:15 *Bathroom Routine

10:15-11:15 Circle time, Art, Sensory, Dramatic Play, Science, Blocks, etc, Clean up

11:15-11:30 Wash-up/*bathroom and sit for lunch

11:30-12:15 Lunch time, wash-up

Afternoon

12:15-2:15 Nap time and/or quiet time activities

2:15-3:30 Wake-up, *bathroom routine, clean up quiet activities, snack

3:30-4:30 Outside free play

4:30-5:30 free play, parent pick up

* These bathroom routines are set up throughout the day for all children to go to the bathroom to avoid so many children having to go at different times all throughout the day, of course though, if any child had to go to the bathroom in between those times they would be given the time to go.

This schedule can be changed to what seems easiest for you and your group that is in your setting, but the main point here is that when these routines and schedules are followed closely everyday, children become familiar with routines and structure and will thus have an easier time when entering grade school.

Even if you are a parent at home with only your own children, scheduling your day is a great thing to do with your children as it will benefit them in the same way.

Fun Food Tasting Ideas:

With fall approaching, some wonderful foods to talk about and taste are:

Apples (cut up and served with different dips with snack)

Apple Cider (Let the children experience it warm and cold)

Maple Syrup (take a class trip to see how it's made, can have waffles and syrup for a snack, or try maple syrup cookies for a treat)

Pumpkin/seeds (as a circle activity, cut top off and seed pumpkin, wash and roast seeds to show children the process, allow children to handle pulp as a unique sensory experience)

Sweet Potatoes (can try at lunch)

Cranberries (can try in cookies or plain)

Squash (can try at lunch)

Chili (great warm lunch idea with homemade biscuits)

Biscuits (can be made as a cooking activity and served with lunch)

Creamy Soups (great lunch idea with side of garlic bread or sandwiches)

*For some great fall recipes using these foods be sure to visit our websites under the Healthy Snacks section.

Looking for some great daycare lunch menu ideas http://www.preschoollearningonline.com/HealthySnacksforkids.html & healthy snacks for kids?

Perhaps you are just needing some preschool learning ideas http://www.preschoollearningonline.com/ and curriculum ideas for children.

If you want to give your preschool child and educational advantage, be sure to visit us for some great preschool education & learning ideas.