Make It Fun

Make sure reading is fun for your kids

If you make reading seem like a chore, your child is likely going to treat it like a chore. Reading should be another form of playtime. Show your child that reading is a special time for you to spend together. Choose a special place like a cozy chair or hammock to cuddle and read a book. Read stories in exciting voices to make the characters come to life and enhance your child’s experience. Kids today are used to videos and apps, so anything you can do to make the story more exciting is a plus!

Discuss and Extend

After you have finished the book, have a discussion with your child. Talk about parts they did or did not like. Analyze choices the characters made. Ask your child questions about setting and the plot. Kids love to share their opinion and getting them to talk about what they read will help with comprehension. Once you have finished a story, see what connections you can make. If the characters in the book baked cookies, make cookies. If they created an art project, let your child do a similar project. Making connections with the book strengthens comprehension. It also gets your child excited about what happens in the story.

Choice

During the toddler and preschool years, your child is beginning to show preference for everything. This includes food, characters, clothes, and even books. Let your child choose the books that interest them. At this age, the most important thing is to develop a love of any type of reading, so let your child pick books on any topic. If your child has a choice, they are more likely to want to spend time reading. Take your child to the library or bookstore to see what is available. Let them browse the books and pick a few which sound or look appealing.

Variety

Try to encourage your child to read a variety of books. At this age, kids tend to have favorites, and books are no exception. Your child may have a book they want to read over and over (and over!). Repetition of a favorite book is actually a good thing.  It helps your child learn important reading skills like text direction, sight words, and prediction. Reading a variety of books is also beneficial as it allows your child to learn about new situations and topics. Help your child to choose books from many genres, both fiction and nonfiction. If your child only wants to read their favorite book, compromise by agreeing to read it first then a new book after.

Think Outside the Book

Keep reading interesting for your child

Reading does not have to be limited to only books. Encourage your child to find text everywhere. If your child asks a question, look up the answer on the internet together. By making reading and learning into a game, your child becomes even more engaged. Read the back of the cereal box and signs on the street. Look for things to read in stores. Visit a zoo, or museum, or aquarium. These places have a lot of information to read and learn. Your child will have a fun visual experience to go along with their reading.

Set a Good Example

Children imitate their parents. If your child sees you reading, they’ll know it is important to you, and will want to copy you. Show your child that you are dedicated to reading and learning. Curiosity should not end with childhood. Set aside time each day for yourself to read and learn. Encourage your child to read alongside you and discuss what each of you are reading.

Developing a love for reading and learning in your child is simple. You can start during National Book Month and continue through the rest of the year. Children are born wanting to know more about the world around them. Show them that reading is a gateway to anything and everything they could want to know!

Socialization

Children get to meet other children at preschool

It is important that children are given the chance to socialize and interact outside of the home in a safe environment. It is up to you as a parent to introduce your child to other children so that they can learn to create friendships. If your child tends to be shy, early socialization can help. Early socialization can also help your child gain self-confidence. If you wait too long to put your child in social situations, it can impede their social development. Preschool is the perfect social situation.

Learning Cooperation

Before children enter kindergarten, they are expected to understand cooperation concepts. This includes taking turns and sharing. If you only have one child, they’ve never had to share with siblings, so they need to learn this before kindergarten. Early childhood education programs offer a safe learning environment with trained professionals to help.

Learn Basic Skills

Preschool is more than a place for kids to play all day. There is a curriculum in preschool and real learning takes place. With one year of preschool, they understand numbers, letters, and shapes. Children who don’t attend preschool don’t have the benefit of this first year of school. This can put them behind when they start kindergarten. It is up to you to close the preschool achievement gap early. If your child is already behind in kindergarten, it will lead to frustration and low self-esteem.

Enthusiasm for Learning for a Lifetime

The love of education takes root when children are still in preschool. This is the place that they learn about reading, math, and nature among other things, in fun and exciting ways. Early childhood education is important because it encourages a child to want to learn. They are eager and enthusiastic when they are being taught in the right environment. Preschool is the right environment.

Learn Respect and Manners

Children are taught very early on to respect their parents. Most are also taught to say please and thank you. But, respect goes further than this. They need to learn to respect their belongings and other people’s belongings. They also need to learn to respect other people besides family and outside their normal environment. A preschool is a great place for your child to learn these lessons. This is an environment where everything is shared by all the children. In a hectic preschool class, respecting everyone, and the items in the school, is taught organically. It is not forced upon the children.

Teamwork

If a child is going to be social and employable when they get older, they need to be able to work as a team. This is why many preschool activities are centered around teamwork. Children with no siblings or whose siblings are much younger won’t have the chance to understand the concept of teamwork at home. It can be first learned while in preschool. Children should learn to respect opinions, cooperate, and listen before kindergarten.

Exposure to Diversity

Preschool exposes children to new experiences

It is very important for a child’s early development to value diversity in other people. When a child is at home with their family, they may not see diversity. It isn’t until they are in a preschool classroom that they will learn a person’s ethnicity, beliefs, or culture make them special. These are lessons which will not only help your child later in life, they will make society better as a whole.

Early childhood education is important because it prepares a child for kindergarten and the rest of their lives. As a parent, you need to bridge the preschool gap so your child is prepared for what is to come. If you want your child to reap the benefits of schooling, and you need to find a trustworthy preschool in Reno, contact us.

September is National Courtesy Month. The American culture is so fast and impersonal these days that it is easy to forget the rules of politeness that once governed our society. Take advantage of this month’s focus on courtesy as a chance to teach your children skills that will let them reap lifelong benefits.

You’re their First Teacher

Make sure to teach your child about courtesy

Children aren’t born knowing how to hate. They aren’t inherently rude. In fact, children are born with an innate need to please their parents. That being said, bad habits are often learned from their environment.

The good news? You are your child’s first teacher. Encouraging good habits and manners from day one can set your child up for success. Even before your child says their first words, they are observing the customs of their environment. If you want them to say “please,” “thank you”, and “excuse me”, do so in front of them. Be courteous to others.

National Courtesy Month is also a good time to reflect on your own habits. Hold open doors and hand out compliments.

Courtesy is Contagious

Kids learn by example and adults can learn this way too. When you are on your best behavior, others will pick up on that. If you compliment a stranger, that person will wear a smile all day, and they might pass the courtesy on to others. Likewise, when you are courteous to your children, recognizing their good behavior, they will return the favor.

Teach Good Deeds

One of the best things you can do for your children, and the world, is to teach them how to give back to the community. Take a Saturday to show your kids what community service looks like. Clean out your closets and help them go through their toys to give to others. Volunteer at your local food pantry or shelter. Get involved in a church project. Your kids are never too little or too old to help out.

National Courtesy Month is also National Literacy Month. You might read to your child’s class about community service. Take a trip to your local library to learn how you can help combat the national literacy crisis.

Don’t Bribe

Make it a point to never pay bribes

Children should learn that good deeds are rewarded by good deeds. Please don’t offer your children treats or money for doing what is right. If you do, they’ll come to expect a reward for behavior they should present regardless of reward. Bribes result in children who feel entitled and may refuse to exemplify good manners without a reward.

Go on an Outing

As a society, we now put less focus on proper public behavior. Parents in France don’t worry a bit about taking their small children out to fancy restaurants or stores. They expect their children to conduct themselves properly. Too often, we feel that we are too busy to correct behavior that is inappropriate.

Take the time this month to teach etiquette (age appropriate, of course). If your children are old enough to hold their own utensils, teach them a bit about proper table manners then go out to lunch. Have some fun showing them place settings. When your child has a tantrum or speaks loudly at the table, try pulling them aside and explaining in a way that they’ll understand that their behavior disturbs other people. If it doesn’t help their behavior now, it will help them later on.

Continue Teaching

Every day you will experience teaching moments. Try to remember, even when you are completely at nerve’s end, that when your children act up or are disrespectful, you have a teaching moment at hand. Rather than yelling or scolding, take a deep breath. Here are a couple of options.

First, tell your child that you disapprove of their behavior. Then, you can either tell them why, or you can enforce without explanation. For example, if your child hits their sibling, you can say “Don’t hit your sister,” or “Don’t hit your sister, because it hurts and you wouldn’t like it if she hit you.” Either way, be sure to be consistent and praise good behavior. Teach your children to politely solve differences and seek help when they are struggling to do so.

The Future of America

Our children are America’s future. Let’s teach them to be the good people that you want to see in the world. Lead by example. Courtesy is something that children learn at home. Children’s good behavior will be contagious to their peers.

Get to Know the Teacher and Classroom

Make sure your child is familiar with the Teacher

Many preschool programs have a family night during the summer so kids and parents can meet their teacher and see the classroom. Take advantage of this time to introduce your child to a new environment. Your child will feel more confident on their first day if they’re familiar with the people and school. If your preschool doesn’t offer a meet and greet, try to arrange a brief email or phone introduction with the teacher. Be sure that your child knows the teacher’s name and what they look like. Also, remind your child that teachers are there to answer questions and help with any problems.

Have Fun Choosing School Supplies

One of the best tips for preschool students is to involve them in choosing their school supplies. If your preschool has a supply list, plan a shopping trip with your child so you can find the items together. If your child has never used things like glue sticks or scissors, give him a chance to practice at home so he will be more confident using these supplies at school.

Establish Plans and Routines

Discussing plans and routines are important back-to-school ideas for families. Talk about what your child can expect each day. Will they be eating lunch and snacks at school? Will they have special classes like music or gym on certain days? Also, you can create a schedule for morning and evening routines. Your child can help prepare their lunch or pick their outfit the night before. If your child will be taking the bus, make sure to practice waking up and getting ready on time so that you don’t have to rush out the door!

Don’t Stress about What Your Child Doesn’t Remember

If you are too focused on how to get ready for school after a break, you could cause unnecessary stress for your child. It’s a good idea to practice skills like counting and coloring over the summer, but don’t worry if your child forgets a few things before school begins. Most children catch up once they are in a classroom surrounded by their peers. If you are still concerned about something specific, don’t hassle your child about it. Instead, talk to your child’s teacher first. The teacher will probably have good insight and perspective. They can also help you find the most productive way to address the issue with your child.

Be Calm and Confident

Be positive about your child being in school

Even if you are worried about your child’s transition to preschool, try to remain calm and confident! Children are easily influenced by their parents’ mood. Your stress could make this time more difficult for them. Try to be honest but optimistic about your feelings. For example, you could say, “I’m going to miss you during the day when you are at school, but I can’t wait for you to tell me all about it when you get home!”. Give your child space to express any fears and try to address them in a positive way. You can tell your child that it is normal to feel nervous. Also, mention that the other children in the class will probably be feeling the same as they are.

Help your child identify several things to look forward to so they can think of these when they feel anxious. When the first day of school arrives, be brief and calm when you say goodbye. Let your children see that you trust them, their classmates, and their new teacher! If you have chosen a trustworthy preschool in Reno, you and your child should have a wonderful experience.

The beginning of preschool is a huge transition time for children and parents! With these helpful back-to-school tips for preschool parents, you can help your child get ready for an exciting year filled with learning and fun.

As a child’s body grows, their eyes go through changes. Sometimes, these changes are gradual. So gradual, that the child gets used to the change without noticing it. Your child may not have any problems with blurry vision or headaches. An annual back to school eye exam will ensure your child’s health, development and school performance. In the spirit of National Eye Exam Month. Here is how eye health affects your child.

School Performance

Make sure your child has an eye exam before school starts

The most obvious reason to have an annual exam is to ensure your child can do well in school. If your child cannot see at a distance, they will miss out on critical information presented on a board or screen. For kids who cannot see things close up, reading and written assignments become a challenge.

You may only detect a problem when your child’s grades start to slip. Having an annual exam will detect eye issues before school even starts. It should become a normal part of your back-to-school routine.

Eye Problems Cause Other Problems

Children who have eye problems often have other physical symptoms. Eye strain can trigger headaches. They may start out as mild but if the vision problems get worse, the headaches will get worse as well. This can interfere with the child’s school performance, sleep patterns and other daily tasks. Tired eyes are another physical symptom. As the child squints to clarify their vision, the muscles around the eyes will grow tired. This only adds to the problem by causing blurry vision and eye irritation.

Intellectual and Social Development Suffers

If left untreated, eye problems can start to affect more than the physical part of your child’s life. Their intellectual development will start to slow down as school work becomes more of a problem. Your child will start performing below their potential. This can snowball if not treated.
Social development can also suffer with eye problems. Kids use their eyes to pick up on non-verbal social cues. If the kids cannot pick up those social cues, they may experience embarrassing social situations. For some kids, it may cause social withdrawal.

Frustration with Learning

Eye problems can make learning difficult

Children can experience intense frustration if they cannot keep up with their peers. It can severely hinder the child’s desire to learn new things. This can cause major problems in both the short and long-term. Short-term the child may start refusing to complete homework, assignments or tests. They may leave reading and writing assignments undone. Long-term, the child may develop the mindset that, if learning is so hard, why do it? It only causes frustration. That kind of mindset is very difficult to change once it’s learned.

Some Eye Problems are More Serious than Others

Near and farsightedness are serious issues for anyone. However, they are not the only eye problems that your child may experience:

• Amblyopia is often referred to as “lazy eye” It occurs when poor vision develops in only one eye. The stronger eye overcompensates and the other eye gets weaker.
• Strabismus refers to misaligned eyes. Some misalignments are quite noticeable, with one eye being strongly turned away from the other. Some misalignments are more subtle and may be harder to detect.
• Ptosis happens when the eyelid droops over the eye, blocking part or all the vision in the effected eye.
• Cataracts can occur in children as well as older adults.
• Blocked Tear Ducts can cause eyes to be constantly teary or have a chronic infection.
• Chalazion appears as a lump on the eyelid. It’s caused by a blocked oil gland.

Schedule Your Child’s Eye Exam Today

To avoid all these issues, you need to get your child in for a pediatric vision test. All it takes is a quick call to set the appointment. The back to school vision exam will only take a few minutes and is time well spent. If the children’s eye doctor says everything is fine, you can let them go to school without worry. If there is a problem, you can get it treated immediately. That way, your child won’t have to deal with the side effects and can concentrate on doing well in school. And that’s a great way to celebrate National Eye Exam Month.

1. Try Low Calorie Ice Cream

You don’t have to pack on the calories to enjoy your favorite icy delight. Many brands offer low-calorie versions of your favorite flavors. These alternatives aren’t always so healthy, though. They’re often loaded with artificial sweeteners and preservatives. After all, you have to replace the fat and calories with something else, right?

Eat This, Not That ranked Halo Top Vanilla as the best diet option out there. One pint contains 240 calories. You don’t have to challenge yourself to stop when you’re halfway through. Plus, it contains healthy fats, has no fake sweeteners and is low in sugar. Your kids won’t know the difference. Neither will you.

2. Go For Low Sugar Ice Cream

When you cut back on sugar, you may end up consuming fewer calories. Plus, keeping sugar away from your kiddos can prevent them from turning into hyper little monsters.

So Delicious No Sugar Added Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert is sweetened with natural stevia. It contains healthy fats from coconuts. You can feel good about feeding this to your family.

3. Make Your Own

Opt for healthier home made options

When you make your own frozen treats, you can control the ingredients that go into it. A quick internet search will deliver lots of options for homemade recipes.

Here’s one to try:

Ingredients 3 ripe peaches, diced ¼ cup cream or coconut cream ¼ tsp vanilla extract Stevia to taste

Directions

• Freeze the peaches for four hours.
• Blend the peaches with the cream in a high-powered blender.
• Add the stevia if you want more sweetness. You might not need it.

This produces a soft dessert that you can eat right away. Stick it in the freezer for another hour if you want a harder treat.

4. Turn Bananas Into Frozen Deliciousness

Did you know that frozen bananas can be whipped up into a creamy snack or dessert? Slice bananas and freeze them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Transfer them to plastic bags or an airtight container, and store them in the freezer. Whenever you want some frozen goodness, place some bananas in a high-powered blender. Add cocoa or peanut butter for an added punch. Blend them until they become smooth.

5. Try Strawberry Banana Frozen Lemonade

Experiment with natural ingredients

Ditch the dairy altogether. Make a refreshing indulgence without using milk or yogurt. In a blender, combine strawberries and bananas. Mix them until they’re smooth. Add them to your ice cream maker along with some lemonade. After about 30 minutes, you’ll have a combination that tastes like a snow cone. You can also make these into frozen treats using molds.

6. Make Themed Play Clay

Purchase or make dough for your kids to play with. Provide utensils and options for them to pretend that they have their own sweet shop. Make your own ice cream play clay by mixing one can of pre-made frosting with one cup of cornstarch. This recipe is great for toddlers. It’s edible, and it won’t harm your child if he or she makes the mistake of eating it. However, it won’t taste as good as the real thing.

Materials you need to make your own faux sundaes:

• Play clay or dough
• Small bowls
• Cones made of paper or cardstock
• Large scoops and spoons
• Small spoons
• Glitter or confetti for sprinkles
• Beads, pebbles and buttons for chips and cherries
• Straws
• Wooden sticks for making “frozen” dessert bars

7. Print Out Some Coolness

Use paper and scissors to celebrate the month without making your kids crazy or worrying about your weight. Print out images of cones and scoops, and have kids glue them onto paper to make their own creations. You can also make 3-D popsicles and other colorful delicacies. The best part is that these won’t melt in the summer heat.

You don’t have to fill up on fat and calories to celebrate National Ice Cream Month. Get creative. Buy something new from the store. Purchase fresh ingredients to whip up healthier options at home. Use your art supplies to make a cool dessert that won’t melt.

You should always, look into the validity, reputation, and value of preschool programs you are interested in. Sending your children to programs meant to generate money or employ felons is often worse than keeping them at home. However, not many preschool programs fit this bill, although the possibility is very real. Here are a few ways that a trustworthy preschool in Reno may help your child get ready for kindergarten.

Calms children down

Children are notorious for being loud, rambunctious, and talkative. Placing your young children in Kindergarten prep can make them tired and less likely to be boisterous at home.

Can reduce anxiety associated with the first day of school

Summer school can reduce separation anxiety

Everyone has experienced being nervous, butterflies, and straight-up anxiety before new, important events. School is often the first place kids feel anxiety in life. They worry about how they will make friends, meet the demands of classwork, and be comfortable away from home. Summer school will help your children stave off anxiety in the upcoming kindergarten school year.

Gives them a sense of purpose

Humans should have purposes in life… working and learning for parents, spouses, communities, and children. If you don’t do something meaningful, you’re less likely to lead a fulfilling, rewarding life. Sending your kids to summer Kindergarten preparatory programs is certain to drive a sense of purpose within them.

It’s great at developing social skills

Being around others is the only way to develop social skills. Without interacting with others in social situations, there’s no place for community strengths to grow.

Familiarizes kids with the learning process

Many parents often think, contemplate, and worry about what children need to know for kindergarten. Getting them familiar with formal learning processes will get them one step ahead of other students.

Helps them become better people

Schooling is not only meant for learning more about math, reading and science. A large part of formal education is growing character, poise, and morals. Great teachers in summer preschool programs can help your kids become better people.

May reduce the likelihood of obesity

Smartphones, tablets, and computers have given rise to more kids leading sedentary lifestyles. Students of summer programs may use these devices a bit less, resulting in more time spent being active. In summer programs, they usually spend most of their days playing, talking, and doing social activities. This helps lower the risk of obesity, increasing the healthiness of your children.

Emotions are better regulated around others

Life itself is often thought of as your best teacher, providing many lessons. Unfortunately, you often fail tests of life before being given “study guides” to live by. How you and your kids act around others is most effectively taught through trial and error. Sending your children to summer programs is a great way to help them understand and regulate their emotions.

Learning early may encourage kids to enjoy learning

Summer school helps kids socialize

The earlier kids are encouraged to do something, the sooner they enjoy it. This sentiment is true with learning, as well. The earlier you get your kids in school, the more likely it is they enjoy learning throughout their lives.

Grows self-confidence around others and in school

People often lack confidence in activities, behaviors, and situations when they haven’t done them before. When children are educated in formal summer prep programs, they grow confident of being in school.

Preparing your child for kindergarten is difficult to take on by yourself. Enrolling them in a reputable kindergarten prep program held in the summer will help them prepare for school. Seek out a quality, trustworthy preschool in Reno to help your child grow.

1. Read to Them Every Day

Read to your children constantly

Most children love it when their parents read to them. This enjoyment is particularly the case for a preschool student. Find some of their favorite preschool reading books and read to them every day. This activity engages their imagination and helps bring them closer to you.

2. Encourage Them to Read

Give your preschool student some preschool reading books to practice their skills every day. This way, they can stay on top of their reading demands. Reward them if they read a certain number of books by taking them out to their favorite restaurant or buying a toy.

3. Create a Scrapbook

Scrapbooks are a fun preschool enrichment activity that encourages reading skills, physical movements, and reasoning in a constructive and fun way. Focus on activities that you’ve done together as a family to engage them in the process.

4. Storytelling Time

Your preschooler probably has an awesome and vivid imagination. This enrichment activity requires getting them to tell you fun stories in a way that keeps them thinking about reading. It also helps them better understand ideas like sentence construction.

5. Play Reading Games

This summer enrichment activity is perfect for a preschooler who loves to go with you everywhere. Play fun reading games when you’re out visiting the town, such as reading words they understand on grocery items or other products you are buying at a store.

6. Visit the Library

Visiting a library once or twice a week is a great preschool enrichment activity. Children will experience many fun activities and even get reading tips from skilled childcare workers at the library.

7. STEAM Activities

STEAM activities are designed to challenge your child in a variety of different ways. While they aren’t always heavy on reading, they keep your child’s mind active and force them to think of interesting solutions to difficult problems.

8. Perform Small Plays

Build or buy puppets and hold a fun play with your preschooler. Have them come up with a story idea, write down the script, and ask them to read it back to you. This way, you can creatively challenge their reading skills.

9. Cook Together

Cooking with your child at a young age has many benefits. First, it introduces them to basic cooking skills as soon as possible. Even better, getting them to read the recipe to you helps keep their reading skills at a high level.

10. Watch a Foreign Movie

Watching a foreign movie with subtitles will give your child a chance to try out their reading skills in a more fast-paced environment. Pick a fun cartoon movie that they will enjoy. While the film is running, read the subtitles out loud with them to increase their comprehension.

11. Practice Letters

Children love the early stages of learning their alphabet because it teaches them stronger communication skills. Boost their abilities by having them write one letter multiple times a day and then brainstorming words that use that letter.

12. Go to a Reading Camp

Make reading a habit

Many different reading summer activities can profoundly benefit your child. For example, reading camps will challenge their abilities and encourage them to learn more about reading. They’ll also get the chance to meet new children and have a fun time.

13. Enroll in a High-Quality School

There are many summer schools that your child can join as a way of improving their reading skills. These schools focus on boosting a child’s reading skills by providing them with early education lessons that are informative and challenging. You can find a reputable preschool in Reno to enrol your child.

1. Take Advantage of Your State Park’s Programming!

Playing outdoors is great fun

Your local state park is a treasure trove of fun, family-friendly activities. Consider going to a Firefly Walk! June is a particularly active season for fireflies, known for dancing through the night air with their magical twinkling. If your family plans to go firefly-spotting, plan ahead! Some parks, such as the Smokey Mountain National Park, are in such high demand that you must enter a lottery for admission to the perfect viewing ground. If parks strike your fancy, be sure to pick up a “Park Passport” from the park gift shop. Your child will not only be able to keep memories from your trip, but will delight in collecting unique stamps in their passport from all the parks you visit.

2. Find Treasure….Go Geocaching!

Any child can tell you that there is a thrill in searching for buried treasure, but who would have thought that it could be educational experience? Geocaching is the perfect fusion of technology and nature. Using a downloadable phone app or GPS-supported device, your task is to navigate your way to a hidden box containing a “treasure” left by the last Geocacher. If you decide to take the treasure you find home, you must leave something of equal value for the next group to discover. And who knows where your hunt may lead you? Cache boxes may be hidden anywhere from a friendly suburb to a mountain summit! When home, you and your little adventurer can log your finds on geocaching.com together.

3. Unplug with a Creative Camping Experience Your Kids Will Love.

Throwing the good ‘ole tent and cooler into the back of the car can be the start to the perfect family weekend. There is a reason that traditions like eating s’mores with sticky fingers are passed on through generations — they’re too good to let go of! There’s plenty of variety in the camping scene that can add color to this classic summer staple. For starters, think about trading out the tent! If your family become guests at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia, for example, you have the option to stay in a cozy furnished yurt. Yurts typically accommodate up to six guests and include access to your own personal fire ring and a shared bath house. Or if riverside is more your fancy, stay in a family-sized “treehouse” over the Edisto river in South Carolina.

4. Teach Your Child Your Favorite Outdoor Pastime.

Nothing beats seeing your child enjoy something that, as a child yourself, used to create dirt under your nails and laughter for days. Were you an avid kayaker in your youth? Rent a two-person kayak and teach your novice paddler under the safety of your gaze. Are you keen to hit a forested trail? Have fun building your own personalized trail mix with your little ones, then strap on your hiking boots together. What could be better way to foster a love of nature in your kids than by introducing them to your favorite way to get out there and play?

5. Start in Your Own Backyard.

Backyard play is awesome

Though this commemorated time comes but once a year, you can feed your child’s love of outside play all year long. Even if you don’t have much space to create a garden, buy a few washtubs or large planters. Tomatoes, cucumber, and squash are great starter plants you and your child can grow, even in confined space. And as a bonus, you can break out the paint and decorate the planter pots together for a sweet memory that will last well after summertime.

There you have it, five ways that you and your children can soak up the sun and build appreciation of Mother Nature this June. May this fuel your inspiration to get out and go! Whether you enjoy PB&J sandwiches on the front lawn or drive hours to explore a new-to-you state park, you won’t regret embracing National Great Outdoors Month with your great kids.

1) Little One Swim

Swimming is a fun activity for Kids

Little One Swim is an excellent summer enrichment opportunity for your preschool student and provides fun for the entire family. Little One Swim’s main goal is to teach children pool and water safety and swimming, through customized swimming lessons. Help your preschooler learn valuable life skills while having fun at this affordable facility during your summer in Reno!

Here are some of Little Swim’s top key features:

• Swimming Lessons tailored to the individual’s age and skill.
• 4 to 1 ratio for small group lessons helps to provide focus on problem areas your preschooler is having.
• Preschool lessons begin at age 3 up to Age 5
• Water safety classes teach safety to both parents and children.

  This gives the parent opportunities to learn how to interact with their child in the water. Little Swim is sure to be an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

2) Animal Ark

Animal Ark is the perfect place to visit for the animal-loving preschool student. The ability to view wild animals up close in a safe environment is great for the preschool enrichment of your child. Open since 1981, The Animal Ark has been a sanctuary for animals whose homes no longer exist. Get to the Animal Ark early and you may get a chance to see some of the nocturnal animals that share the habitat as well. You can watch your favorite animals roam over 38 acres of land. Exciting exhibits such as the Cheetah Run help make learning fun.

3) Jump N Shout Sports

Jump N Shout Sports is a great summer enrichment experience for the active sport-loving preschooler. The facility features a Preschool Tumbling class which would add to your preschooler’s summer enrichment experience. The six-week class is for preschoolers age 3 to 5 and requires no prior experience. The Preschool Tumbling class aims to build the young preschooler’s tumbling skills while helping to build the children into better people. Words of encouragement, led by Dr. Robyn Silverman of Good Morning America, help children not only develop their tumbling skills, but help to build strength and confidence in a safe and nurturing environment.

4) Jump N Shout Sports Summer Camp

Jump N Shout Sports also offers three different camps during the summer that will help aide the summer enrichment experience of your preschooler. The three camps that are available are as follows:

• Safari Week – A week that allows the preschoolers to interact with animals in nature is June 26th – 30th
• Ninjas and Nerf Wars – A week that will feature Nerf wars, ninja courses, gaming, trampolines, bounce houses, and other great fun will be July 4th – 28th
• Water Fun – A week dedicated to fun water related activities will be July 31st – Aug 4th

Jump N Shout Sports is sure to keep your preschooler occupied and entertained during their summer experiences.

5) The Playful Potter

Art is good for encouraging creativity

The Playful Potter is the favorite spot to visit for all the art-loving preschoolers! The playful potter provides an atmosphere that encourages families to take advantage of the quality time that they have together. It is affordable and has a variety of tasks that are sure to increase their summer experience. Some of the activities include the following:

• Pottery Painting
• Glass Fusing
• Canvas Painting
• Hand & Footprint Art

The Playful Potter is the perfect combination of learning and fun, which is sure to enrich your child’s summer experience.

There are tons of activities available to take advantage of that support the enrichment for your preschooler in Reno! Whether it is swimming, camps, animals, or art that interest your preschooler, it is all available in the lovely city of Reno. When looking for a place that provides an awesome summer enrichment experience for preschoolers be sure to put Reno, Nevada on the top of your list.