Cleanliness and safety are critical in healthcare facilities today, especially when children are involved. This does not mean that your waiting room can’t have any engaging waiting room toys. There are ways you can make children comfortable and entertained as they wait while also keeping the health and safety of children and parents a priority. Here are some tips on keeping your waiting room toys safe and clean.
When you add or replace waiting room toys to your collection, choosing the right type of waiting room toys and games is the foundation for a safe and clean waiting room. This is not a time where staff members should donate old toys and books. Instead, choosing durable and quality furniture and toys designed for waiting rooms is the best option.
Another thing you should look for in waiting room toys is they should have easy to clean surfaces. Can you easily spray and wipe down the surfaces of the toys? This will save time in the cleaning process. In addition, you’ll want to consider the amount of waiting room toys your waiting room has and the time it takes to clean all the toys. If your staff has limited time, consider larger waiting room toys, such as play cubes or play tables that are easy to wipe down. This keeps your staff’s cleaning routine efficient and effective.
The durability of your waiting room toys is just as important. You want durable waiting room toys for both safety and cleanliness. Toys that fall apart or are easily knocked over aren’t safe for multiple children to interact with on a daily basis. Waiting room toys that are durable and high quality can also withstand strict cleaning procedures. You can expect this safety, durability, and quality from toys designed for medical and hospital waiting areas.
Avoiding choking hazards might seem like a tip everyone is aware of, but it’s critical to point out. Even if your waiting area is mainly geared to older children and adults, you should take note of your waiting room toys and if there are any potential choking hazards. For waiting rooms that might hold many toddlers and babies, don’t include any small toys or toys with pieces.
There are several options of waiting room toys that safely engage children of all ages. Include wall-mounted toys that are securely fastened to the wall, maze tables, an interactive game table, and more. Your youngest visitors will be able to explore the waiting room area safely and have fun simultaneously.
Now that we’ve discussed the foundation of keeping your waiting room toys safe and clean let’s dive into some additional tips. These other helpful tips are easy to maintain and greatly help the cleanliness of your waiting room.
Waiting room toys are a great addition to your waiting room. They give kids entertainment and comfort during stressful times. Medical offices are rightly concerned about the cleanliness and safety of waiting room toys and the spread of germs and illnesses in waiting rooms. Choosing the right toys and having a solid cleaning routine can help keep your visitors safe and is efficient for your staff to complete.
Kindermark Kids offers developmentally-appropriate furniture, toys, and decor for waiting rooms. Whether your children’s waiting area is small or large, we have durable and quality products that will last for many years. Contact Kindermark Kids today to learn more about our waiting room toys and furniture.
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Sensory activities have grown in popularity recently because of all their benefits to a child’s learning ability. Whether a child is six months old or six years old, everyone can benefit from sensory activities. If you have a daycare or childcare facility, these sensory activity ideas will help you keep your children engaged, learning, and having fun. So gather the right equipment and find the developmentally appropriate sensory play for your group’s age below, and your class will be on the way to a great time of play and learning!
For babies just learning to sit and hold their body up, sensory activities that can happen on the floor or sitting in a caregiver’s lap are ideal. These sensory games will still engage your class of infants.
Fill a clear jug or bottle with shiny, colorful, or stimulating objects and secure the top firmly. The babies can shake, hold, and turn the bottle around to stimulate their senses. Some ideas for fillers could be glitter, marbles, beads, sequins, and feathers. A sensory bottle is an easy activity that is easy to sanitize between children and no mess to clean up.
Gather items with different textures and safely secure them to a board. The babies will fully engage their sense of touch with feeling different types of things. Get creative and include items like cotton balls, feathers, rocks, leaves, felt, string, and sponges.
Young toddlers just learning to walk and stand can begin their sensory play at a sensory table. Older toddlers and preschoolers also thrive with activities at their level at a sensory table. A sensory table is like a blank canvas that you can fill with many different activities that can work with your lesson plan or free playtime.
Use the season, upcoming holiday, or time of year to select items for your sensory table activities. For example, in the fall, use leaves, pinecones, and acorns. Around Valentine’s Day, you can find red and pink items. For summertime, maybe include water, beach balls, or sand. The options are endless! A seasonal sensory activity is an excellent opportunity to introduce colors, numbers, weather, holidays, etc.
Fill your sensory table bins with anything that’s scoopable and not a choking hazard for young toddlers. Children love to scoop and pour, plus it engages their minds and senses. Sand and water are often used in sensory tables, but think out of the box! Rice, small beans, and macaroni noodles are other unique ideas to fill your sensory table. To minimize spills and mess, use a sensory table with a deep bin.
Sensory bags are great activities for classrooms because they are versatile, mess-free, and individual for each child. Fill a zip-locked bag with paint and a small amount of oil, then secure it shut with painter’s tape. The oil allows the color to move around the bag freely as the toddlers press on it. You can also add small pieces of bubble wrap to really watch the paint move when the bubbles pop!
With kindergarteners and older children, there are still benefits to sensory play! Sensory play for big kids can still engage their minds and be a time for relaxing open-ended play. In addition, you can get more advanced with mixing items, incorporating measurements, cause-and-effect, math, and more.
Fill your sensory table with items like cups of vinegar, baking soda, shaving cream, and dish soap. Include droppers, squirt bottles, and measuring cups and spoons too. Then either as a group activity or individual play, experiment with how each substance reacts with the other. The kids will equally learn and be wowed at the results!
Kinetic sand is a fun substance that you can buy or make homemade. It’s less messy than traditional sand, but you still get the benefits of scooping and forming. Add in some toys, measuring items, and trucks to get the imagination going. Include different colors of the kinetic sand to make it extra fun.
This list of sensory activity ideas is just the beginning of what you can do with any child. Sensory play doesn’t require a large budget or amount of supplies. A simple sensory table is a great foundation. Kindermark Kids offers sensory tables and play items in all sizes that you can include in your daycare, school, or childcare facility. Find all the developmentally-appropriate toys, furniture, and care items you need for your school, nursery, or daycare at Kindermark Kids. We are here to provide quality and durable products that will engage children for many years. So start building memories of play and learning today!
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When it’s time to furnish a new classroom or refresh a current one, storage furniture is necessary. Many classrooms serve multiple purposes or are limited in size, so using every square inch is vital. When selecting classroom storage furniture, it should be versatile and accessible to students when in use. Here are four types of classroom storage furniture that are must-haves for any classroom.
Cubbies and trays can serve multiple purposes, come in a variety of formats, and can teach children how to organize classroom items. Another bonus to cubby trays is they keep toys and items hidden to help maintain a clutter-free classroom. In addition, cubby trays are a great solution to store arts and crafts, small toys, game pieces, paper, and more. There are cubby tray options for both big and small classrooms.
A cubby tray can be only tray shelf storage like this Jonti Craft 10 Tub Mobile Storage or include open shelving options to store other items like the Rainbow Accents Mobile Storage Island. Many of the cubby tray options at Kindermark Kids have either colored or clear bin options. Clear bins allow children to see what’s inside the containers easier, whereas the colored bins keep a more clutter-free aesthetic. No matter if your classrooms are filled with toddlers or elementary-aged students, cubby trays are a must-have classroom storage item.
Storage shelves might seem like an obvious pick for storage in a classroom, but there is so much versatility these days to classroom shelving. There are open shelves, puzzle shelves, and shelves in all sizes. You may prefer for your teachers and children to have complete visibility of classroom toys and items, and storage shelves make for easy playing and cleaning up.
This Low Single Storage Shelving Unit is the perfect size for children to grab a toy off the shelf and features different size shelves so teachers can store other-sized items. This Mega Straight Shelf allows for extended shelving storage for books, games, toys, and more if space allows. Classroom storage shelves are the foundation of classroom storage and should be the first piece of furniture to add. At Kindermark Kids, we have classroom storage shelves that fit a variety of needs and classroom types.
Classroom storage cabinets are great additions to the classroom when you need shelving and cabinet doors to close them away. Some storage cabinets have lockable cabinets too. These storage cabinets are perfect for teachers to store extra supplies or media items that children shouldn’t have unsupervised access to. Classroom storage cabinets can be mobile or permanent too!
This Supply Cabinet moves on wheels to allow teachers and staff to take supplies or needed items with them wherever they go. This Rainbow Accents Presentation Cart for classrooms that have presentations is mobile, lockable, and allows for easy access to cords and cables. If your school or facility has limited storage closets, options like this Rainbow Accents Classroom Closet gives teachers a large amount of lockable storage in the classroom. Classroom storage cabinets can serve multiple purposes for teachers and staff with various size and mobile options.
You can’t think of classrooms without also thinking of books. These two always come hand-in-hand, so book storage is essential in all classrooms. Bookcases in classrooms could be used as a book display or just simply book storage. For younger children, book displays are often necessary to encourage them to find a book and read. Classrooms with many books could benefit from a bookcase like this Mobile Adjustable Bookcase.
Book displays could be like a revolving tower that takes up less floor space but still displays books inviting to children. They can also come in a display shelving format like this Jonti-Craft Flushback Pick-a-Book Stand. Using both bookcases and book displays is helpful because you can put certain books on display and switch them out throughout the year to keep them fresh for students. Kindermark Kids offers creative solutions for book storage that also engages children and encourage their minds to prosper.
Classroom storage furniture doesn’t have to be boring additions to classrooms. In these modern times, classroom storage furniture is designed to be flexible, serve many needs, and engage children in play and learning. Whatever your school or classrooms need for storage, Kindermark Kids has the perfect solutions that will keep teachers and students happy.
Kindermark Kids provides toys, accessories, and furniture designed for classrooms, childcare facilities, and waiting rooms. From play equipment to diaper changing stations to classroom storage furniture to waiting room decor and everything in between, Kindermark Kids has what you need. Our goal is to feature developmentally appropriate furnishing and toys that provide both function and engagement. Contact Kindermark Kids today to see how our products can help!
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Dramatic and pretend play is essential for children’s development. Kids also develop necessary social and problem-solving skills from playing independently and with peers through pretend play. Many preschools and daycares choose pretend play furniture to help encourage dramatic pretend play. We all know that children are easily distracted, so how do you keep kids engaged in these activities longer? These tips below can lead to more fun learning experiences with dramatic and pretend play with young children.
A simple way to encourage more dramatic and pretend play with small children is to have a dedicated space for these activities. Pick an area of your classroom for dramatic pretend play and take time to consider furniture, toys, and props that complement the furniture. For example, a dedicated corner could be set up as a play kitchen. A perfect furniture set for this space would be the Jonti-Craft 4 Piece Culinary Creation, including a refrigerator, stove, sink, and cupboard. Another example would be to set up an area with a Jonti-Craft Imagination Station with chairs ready to watch the show.
Sometimes, just setting up a dedicated pretend play space for kids is all they need for extended play and learning time. If your classroom space allows, set up multiple areas of your classroom dedicated to dramatic play. Then, when you have open playtime during the day, kids will take advantage of the various options to use their imagination.
When setting up a pretend play area, it’s essential to have quality and realistic pretend play furniture. Your classroom play furniture should be easy for a child to use, built with quality, and look realistic to keep children interested. Durable play kitchens and other dramatic pretend play furniture will hold up strong to fast-moving children and not get in the way of their imagination.
Think about cleaning and storage when considering your dramatic play furniture. Now more than ever, cleaning and sanitizing are crucial in classrooms and preschools. Our play kitchens and pretend play furniture are crafted with a durable wood or laminate that’s easy to wipe down. The shelving and cabinets incorporated in the play furniture can also act as storage for any props or small toys. While children’s play is most important, it’s equally as important for the play furniture to be easily maintained.
Play furniture that is on the child’s developmental level and selected with purpose will open the door for engaging role-play and interactive play for all kids. With Kindermark Kids’ selection of dramatic play furniture, you can rest assured they will last for many years.
Most people know to include play food with play kitchens and puppets with a puppet theatre, but we encourage you to get creative. Consider other props and toys you could include to extend the dramatic pretend playtime. This variety of props will give kids the opportunity to experience new stories and play.
For play kitchens, include different types of play food and unique cooking utensils. Offer dress up costumes on the Dress Up Island Costume Storage that feature unique careers like an astronaut or zookeeper. The options are truly endless to keep pretend play fun and exciting for children.
Diverse toys and props allow you to encourage more engaging pretend play cost-effectively. Your play furniture can always serve as the foundation, and smaller items can bring new experiences. If space and storage are limited, there’s a way you can still offer variety.
The last tip to help keep kids engaged in dramatic pretend play specifically helps keep pretend play new and exciting. If you have the resources, rotate your dramatic pretend play themes out every so often. You can utilize the same dramatic play furniture for several activities. When children have new items to choose from, it can reignite their imagination and keep them interested longer.
An example would be using your Jonti-Craft Imagination Station as a puppet show theatre filled with different dolls and puppets for children to choose from. After some time, switch out the puppets for play food and play money to complete a pretend store. The children will love acting out the role of a store owner and customer with their peers. For items not in use, we offer flexible storage options for your classroom.
With these tips in mind, you are on your way to providing exciting times of play in your classroom! Kindermark Kids offers more than just pretend play furniture. We offer a variety of collections of everything your classroom or childcare facility may need. It’s our mission to provide developmentally appropriate furniture and toys that serve both the teachers and children. Find more tips for classroom furniture and play on the Kindermark Kids Facebook and Twitter.
]]>For pediatrician offices, dentists, and hospitals, a kid-friendly waiting area is a must. Even for healthcare facilities not specialized in pediatric care, it’s still wise to have kids waiting room furniture and items geared toward children. Kid furniture and games will help keep both the children and parents at ease while waiting for an appointment. Whether you just have a dedicated corner of your waiting room or are looking to design the entire waiting area, these four kid-friendly items are essential for every waiting room.
Kids love anything that’s fit for their size. It immediately puts them at ease and invites them to get comfortable. These kids tables and chairs are small enough to fit in a designated kids corner of your waiting room, or you can place several sets around your pediatric waiting area. A kid-sized table and chairs are perfect waiting room furniture because it allows the child to interact with any items they brought from home and any books or activities you offer.
Whether you have a design theme or prefer a neutral concept, there are table and chairs sets that meet your needs. For example, the Seascape Friends Table works perfectly with an ocean theme. In addition, the Brentwood Curved Back Table and
Wall panel toys are a great addition to your waiting area because it keeps children entertained while not occupying any floor space. If you are a minimalist in waiting area furniture, wall panel toys are the best of both worlds. They are built with high quality and stay secure to your wall, even with small rough hands!
If you’re unfamiliar with wall panel toys, they are simply sensory, maze or magnetic games securely attached to the wall. Kids use problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they interact with these engaging games. A significant bonus to wall panel toys is they are effortless to clean and sanitize. The Amazer Wall Activity comes in multiple color schemes and entertains kids of all ages. You can even provide an entire sensory learning experience in your waiting area for young children.
A play table differs from the previously mentioned kids table and chairs because this table provides some games that are attached. You can find play tables that are both standing height and work with kid chairs. For example, the Flower Wire and Beads Table features a bead maze that toddlers can easily stand and play with. The SeaScape Magnetic Play Table invites kids to pull up a chair and interact with the magnetic maze.
These play tables work well as waiting room furniture because they provide kids more focused entertainment while waiting for an appointment without any small pieces. In addition, you can wipe down play tables easily and be confident they are sanitized. Just like with other waiting area furniture, you can find play tables that follow a theme, like ocean and safari, or general play tables that work in any waiting space.
Even with various toys and games available, you should include technology in children waiting rooms. A simple solution is to stream videos on a TV mounted to the wall. This is a low-maintenance option for your waiting room that serves children and parents who may be too sick or anxious to interact with other waiting room play tables.
The PLAY Interactive Game Table is the ultimate piece of technology to include in your waiting area that will undoubtedly be the most popular with both kids and adults. It’s a 32″ interactive touch table loaded with games people of all ages can enjoy. This interactive game table is built to last and is easy to wipe down. In addition, interactive technology and videos are great additions to your waiting area for patients, parents, and other family visitors.
Your waiting room doesn’t have to be complicated or filled with furniture. Take note of the space of your waiting area you will dedicate to kids and plan from there. These four items make the waiting and transition time for any type of appointment a little bit easier for both kids and parents. Children may go back into the exam areas feeling more comfortable after experiencing seats, games, or technology designed for them.
Kindermark Kids provides various toys, playspaces, and children’s furniture for your waiting rooms, schools, daycares, libraries, and more. We focus on delivering high-quality and engaging solutions that are carefully chosen to be developmentally appropriate for children. Our Kindermark Kids team can help you select the right waiting room furniture for your space and budget. Contact us today with any questions and visit our website to get started.
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Teachers, want to set up your classroom efficiently and start off your school year well for students? Here are my top 3 tips for classroom success that every teacher should know. From furniture set up to communicating expectations- here's what I've learned works best as you begin a new year.
It’s hard to believe that the summer has gone and a new school year is quickly approaching! As a first grade teacher, I am sad to see my break coming to an end, but I’m also so excited for the opportunity to start fresh with a new year, new students, and new ideas. Here are my back-to-school tips for starting the school year off well.
Over the years, I’ve learned it is so critically important to start the year off on the right foot, so I am sharing three tried and true tips I always consider before the children arrive to help make it a great year.
Tip #1 - Plan Your Classroom Setup for Functionality and Efficiency
Classroom setup includes a variety of areas. Desk arrangement, wall/bulletin board displays, whole group seating, teacher desk placement, reading nooks, and so much more! Here are just a few things to consider when setting up your room:
-Desk arrangement
To begin, let’s talk about student desk placement. For some reason, this is always a challenge for me! I tend to arrange and rearrange over and over again . . . even after the children arrive! You will want to find a formation that works for you and your teaching style and allows for easy access to all your students.
Consider whether you plan to do a lot of cooperative learning (thereby grouping desks together) or prefer having students spaced apart for more independent work.
Additionally, it is sometimes difficult for kids to pay attention and learn when they are not forward facing. Keeping as many student desks facing front as possible is ideal.
While physical arrangement does not have to be permanent (nor should it be!), putting some thought into a functional arrangement from the get go is beneficial for both you and your kids!
-Wall displays
Beyond desk arrangement, it is important to be purposeful as to what is on display at the front of the room. Students will spend most of the day facing the front (hopefully!) and you do not want them to be distracted by items or information that may keep them from learning. Having rules, objectives, and learning tools (ie. number line, vocabulary/spelling words, etc.) visually accessible without too much clutter will increase student learning and engagement.
-Whole group meeting area
Finally, consider having an area for whole group meetings/learning. In primary classrooms, this may look like a carpet or classroom rug with individual sections for each child. You could also use individual carpet squares which can help spread kids out.
In upper grades, you may want to consider pulling chairs into a tight circle or if social distancing is needed, use stools or our serf tables. However you set it up, this area can help build community and provides a method for everyone to see and be seen. We love the Spectator Seat and the Serf Desk for older kids during group time or learning outdoors.
Tip #2 - Set Clear Expectations
Imagine beginning a new job, receiving only one day of training, and then being expected to perform successfully for the remainder of your employment. I imagine it would be both daunting and overwhelming to be given so much information at once and then no opportunity to practice it without the fear of failure! Our students are in a similar situation . . .we inundate them with new information, procedures, and expectations on the first day of school and they are expected to come back on day 2 and remember it all!
To support your students, spending time practicing even the simplest of procedures will benefit both the kids and the flow of your classroom in the long run. For example, my first graders have an extensive set of procedures I expect them to follow when they enter the classroom each day.
They begin by greeting me at the door, squirt their hands with Purell, move their attendance place card to the appropriate location, put away their lunchbox on the shelf, hang their backpack on their hook, turn their homework into the basket, place their weekly communication sheet on their own desk to be checked, and begin their bellwork. Whew! This is a lot to remember for anyone, let alone a six-year-old!
If there is any hope of my kids following these procedures, I MUST model for them again and again ... and again. As silly as it sounds, after talking my students through these procedures the first day, I literally have them line up in the hallway outside my classroom door and reenter with their backpacks on their back as though it were first thing in the morning! They find this pretty amusing, but it certainly makes an impact and helps them to remember for day 2!
Additionally, asking your students to model behaviors and expectations (instead of you!) can be a very powerful tool. Seeing a classmate demonstrate and be praised for their actions can go a long way! My students especially love it when I ask them to demonstrate a procedure the wrong way! Getting to perform a task in a manner in which they know is silly and inappropriate without the risk of getting in trouble . . . that’s the best! And it certainly helps their classmates remember what is and what is not permissible and safe.
Finally, be sure to take the time to review expectations each day for the first week or two until your students can perform them flawlessly. While it is certainly tedious at the beginning, you are setting yourself up for a much higher rate of success for the remainder of the year.
Tip #3 - Get to Know Your Students
This seems like an obvious one, but often times the beginning of the school year can become so hectic that we forget to take the opportunity to really get to know our students and to allow them to get to know us!
Building rapport can happen in a variety of ways and you will have to decide what works best for you and your teaching style.
One very simple and non threatening method of introducing each student (without the fear of having to stand in front of their peers) is to ask the parents to send in a fun fact before the first day of school.
This is a great tool for three reasons:
1. It assures you that the parents are receiving your email.
2. The kids love hearing about their classmates (and themselves!).
3. You begin to learn about your students as individuals.
I usually compile all of these facts on one sheet and will read 3 or 4 at a time at various points throughout the first week. For example, a fun fact might be read as follows: “This person just got a new puppy this summer and they love playing ball in the backyard together!” The kids then raise their hands and have to use their classmate’s name when guessing. “Is it Sarah? I think it is Michael!” When the person is revealed I typically follow up with one or two other simple questions if they choose to share more. “What is your puppy’s name? Do you like to do other things together?” So simple, so fun, and I learn so much about them! Don’t forget to include a fun fact about yourself in the mix!
One other strategy that really helps my class to bond together as a first grade family is starting and ending our day with a ‘family circle.’ In the morning, this is a time where we sit on the floor in a big circle, greet one another, share a positive message, discuss the upcoming day, and sometimes even sing a song or tell a joke. At the end of the afternoon, we meet in our circle again and share our favorite part of the day. The procedure is up to you, but just as it was mentioned above, it is important to take the time to practice the procedure and review your expectations in order for it to be successful.
Of course there are many other strategies that are a part of making your classroom great, but so much depends on you, your students, and your teaching style. However you choose to begin your year, don’t be afraid to make changes. Throughout the year, your desks may move formation and your procedures and expectations may need to be altered, but the ability to see the need and make alterations are markers of a great teacher!
Have a wonderful school year!
Kindermark Kids, A Brentpoint Company
Helping to create environments for children to learn, grow and play in.
1-888-840-0025
customersupport@brentpointllc.com
One method of providing students more opportunity for movement is through the use of flexible seating. Flexible seating is becoming increasingly popular both in the primary and secondary classrooms. It can look different in every classroom, but typically includes allowing students to choose from at least a few of the following: student sized rocking chairs, core wobble stools, standing desks, ball chairs, bungee bands for chair legs, inflatable wiggle seats, or carpet squares/mats.
Flexible seating has many benefits!
Of course anytime anything new is introduced to the class, it is a novelty and will need some guidance as to how to use it properly.
In my classroom, I begin the year with everyone in a typical desk chair. It just gives me a day or two to acclimate my students with classroom expectations before adding one more component.
Usually by the end of the first week, I pull out one of each type of flexible seating and place it at the front of the classroom. I then proceed to demonstrate the proper way to use it and, maybe more importantly, how NOT to use it! (Note: The kids find this very entertaining to see their teacher spinning in circles or bouncing in the air, but they certainly don’t forget the lesson!)
The day that the seating is introduced, I also send home something called a Flexible Seating Contract. (I use one I found on the internet. I’m sure there are many variations!) The contract is designed to be discussed at home and signed by the child, a parent, and the teacher. It outlines the expectations for the proper use of the seating and the understanding that, should these guidelines not be followed, the use of the flexible seating will no longer be permitted. It may seem a little silly, but I have found it helps my students understand that using flexible seating is a privilege, not a right. Also, by signing the contract, it helps the seating seem less like toys and more like tools for learning success.
After giving my expectations and explaining the contract, I call the students up a few at a time to try out each type of seating. I even encourage a few to demonstrate for the class the ‘right’ way and the ‘wrong’ way to use it. They LOVE this opportunity to do something they know is inappropriate without the risk of getting into trouble!
Once everyone has had a turn on everything, I distribute the seating around the room randomly.
My kids are usually seated in groups, so I try to put a variety of flexible seating at each group. I encourage the kids to try what they have for about half a day and then trade it with a classmate.
Keep in mind, not everyone will have a special seat, but I remind the students that not everyone needs flexible seating all the time. One child’s brain may work better with the movement and/or input while another child’s brain may be distracted and require a traditional chair to focus. I also remind them that their needs may differ from day to day and, therefore, it is important to listen to their bodies and what they need. Finally, I always tell my students that I reserve the right to switch the seating if I feel it is not being used appropriately or if it is becoming a distraction vs. a tool for learning.
After swapping seating for a week or two, the novelty usually wears off and, incredibly, the seating almost always lands with the children who need it most! In my classroom, the students are allowed to switch their seat in the mornings and during independent learning time, but typically they learn quickly what ‘feels good’ and what helps them to be successful. I rarely have to intervene and love to see what the children choose!
The use of flexible seating has been a game changer in my classroom! I can think of countless children who were unable to stay seated in a ‘normal’ chair that have regained focus and confidence through the use of flexible seating. There are so many different ways our students learn. Flexible seating provides an opportunity for choice and an opportunity for kids to take some control of how they learn best!
See our Flexible Seating Collection on Kindermark Kids to see what you can add to your classroom!
Kindermark Kids, A Brentpoint Company
Helping to create environments for children to learn, grow and play in.
1-888-840-0025
customersupport@brentpointllc.com
With virtual teaching, the thought of teaching all of the subject areas can be completely overwhelming. Disseminating all of the important information students need for the following year may seem impossible, but it isn't. There is a world of possibilities waiting for you as an online teacher to enrich and empower your students. This process can be made more invigorating for yourself. Here is a list of the top 5 ways I enriched my students when the possible seemed impossible.
]]>By Katie Corrao, 3rd Grade Teacher, Florida.
We are teaching in a new era. You have made history. With virtual teaching, the thought of teaching all of the subject areas can be completely overwhelming. Disseminating all of the important information students need for the following year may seem impossible, but it isn't. Once the adventure is underway, you begin to adjust to this new way of teaching and thinking. There is a world of possibilities waiting for you as an online teacher to enrich and empower your students. This process can be made more invigorating for yourself. Here is a list of the top 5 ways I enriched my students when the possible seemed impossible.
I am a true believer in the STEAM process. The students get hands on experiences learning how to think critically, communicate, collaborate, and be creative. These are all important areas that modern day careers are looking for in their potential employees.
I call STEAM projects “challenges” because they are a challenge of the student’s abilities to think, communicate, collaborate, and creatively create and manipulate the items they are presented in the project. To introduce a STEAM challenge, I either use a picture book or connect it to a skill or concept we are learning in class. Books are incredibly easy to access virtually. YouTube is an excellent resource for read-a-louds. Additionally, this can help your students earn AR points.
Think outside of the box with what curriculum resources you already have available. There are so many wonderful stories in your reading curriculum that can be incorporated into a STEAM challenge. If your students are learning about the Golden Gate Bridge, have your students create a bridge. Your Social Studies book is a remarkable tool to introduce STEAM challenges into the classroom. For example, if you are learning about monuments, have your students create monuments using index cards and tape. If your students are learning about Native American tribes create a Native American structure using only natural resources that the students collect from outside their homes or communities.
Once you introduce the subject matter and engage the students, you have the students conduct the STEAM challenge while on Zoom, so they can share and collaborate with their peers for ideas and solutions with problem solving situations may present themselves. I would demonstrate my critical thinking process during this virtual STEAM challenge as the students worked, I even involved my family in the challenges. On Zoom, you can distribute the students in breakout rooms in Zoom so they can collaborate and work as a team, just like they would at school. If time is a concern, you can have the students work on the challenge at home and present their final product on Zoom with you asking follow up questions.
It is hard to fit all the requirements of your grade level in so why not combine subject areas. I found art activities were the simplest to support what the students were learning in the classroom. My students created characters and settings from our stories used mixed mediums. They created artwork to show what they learned from the story using only natural resources from their backyards. We read a story about a little girl saving the world by recycling so they made new products using recycled materials. Each week, I worked with my art teacher in creating the assignments and grading the final products.
I don’t know about you, but grading assignments while virtually teaching can be taxing. I decided to go an unconventional direction and I had my students make videos to show what they learned as a substitute of completing their reading comprehension assignments. My students read a story about how the Hawaiian Islands were created and what can be found on the islands. My students then created videos about why I needed to visit Hawaii using story details. Let me tell you, the videos were amazing. Each of the student’s personalities shined in their videos and you could witness the amazing facts and details they learned from the story. Another example is when my students created videos persuading a friend why they should join them on an expedition to Mount Everest. The kids had a blast making the videos, they included props and siblings. I enjoyed watching them, and you can instantly see the fun they had in learning.
This is a free app that you can post questions and assignments. The students or participants can upload videos that answer your question. In the beginning of virtual learning I used this app as a way to connect my students together since they were unable to interact. One they became familiar with this new virtual communication tool, I began posting questions that went with our assignments. The assignments on the app were ones that had the students verbally express or demonstrate their learning through videos. The class was able to chat with one another and engage through written expression on each video post. This was also a great way to incorporate other subject areas such as music, PE, and art. It may also be used to display student work virtually.
I used Zoom daily to teach my students, but I also used it for social reasons. My class would have “lunch bunch” sessions on Zoom. We would have our lunches and just chat. We watched education movies and listened to books. My students would use the website to share their pets, lives, and their favorite things. Engaging with your students on a personal level is sometimes more helpful and beneficial to their learning than sitting in the classroom. Although it is virtually done, the connection is still there.
Virtual leaning can be a valuable experience and a great way to think creatively in meeting the needs of our students in a new world. Embrace it and use it to guide you in this new way of teaching.
Kindermark Kids, A Brentpoint Company
Helping to create environments for children to learn, grow and play in.
1-888-840-0025
customersupport@brentpointllc.com
Tips from a classroom teacher on adapting to virtual teaching and how to balance your new responsibilities without burning out.
Whether you are in the classroom or remote teaching, this year continues to look very different from the norm and teachers are forced to adapt. Fortunately, teachers are real live superheroes when it comes to going above and beyond the call of duty and, if anyone can adapt and make the best of a tough situation, it is a teacher!
Below are my top three tips to help adapt to distance learning:
]]>Written By Kate Matson, 1st Grade Teacher in FL.
Last March, the world as we knew it was turned on its head and every teacher, no matter the level of experience, was placed on an even, albeit completely unfamiliar, playing field. Virtual teaching. Distance learning. Remote instruction. Regardless of what you called it, it. was. hard. Hard on the kids, hard on the families, and so very hard on the teachers.
The last three months of the school year was stressful and exhausting and, even though teaching was done from the comforts of home, it was without question more work, time, and effort than was ever needed before.
Whether you are in the classroom or remote teaching, this year continues to look very different from the norm and teachers are forced to adapt. Fortunately, teachers are real live superheroes when it comes to going above and beyond the call of duty and, if anyone can adapt and make the best of a tough situation, it is a teacher!
Below are my top three tips to help adapt to distance learning:
While the actual act of teaching remotely is a challenge in itself, planning for remote learning may be an even greater task. My husband once used the analogy of a duck paddling across a pond. Above the surface, things look polished and graceful, but underwater, that little bird is paddling furiously and trying to stay afloat.
I am sure I would have sunk had I not had the support of an amazing team to help ease the burden. Together we formulated a general plan that we would use to cover the necessary instruction for the week and then delegated the responsibilities.
One person detailed the plans for reading and language arts, while another covered math, science, and social studies. A support person stood watch over the copy machine feeding it additional paper as the packets of instruction and necessary resources were printed for the week. (Note: We later became more resourceful and learned how to scan documents and email them to parents so they could print from home!) You get the idea.
I learned quickly that we were all in this together and relying on each other was a necessity.
I don’t know about you, but being a teacher has caused me to be a little bit of a control freak. I like to plan my day and I like for things to go as I have planned. A worldwide pandemic that resulted in distance learning was definitely not in my plans.
I quickly discovered that I had to give up some control and become more flexible. For example, I began to ask my parents to grade some of their child’s work and submit the grade to me on an online survey I had created. While I knew that the scores may not be an accurate representation of the child’s knowledge or ability, it did save me tons of time grading, limited paper exchange, and most importantly, it allowed me the time to Zoom individually with some of my students that I knew needed the added support.
Bottom line, this was a year like none other and I needed to be flexible enough to make the adjustments necessary that would help my students to be successful.
At the risk of sounding like Captain Obvious, teaching from home means you are teaching from home. There is no getting away from it. I found myself turning on the computer with my morning cup of coffee to set up the resources I needed for my daily Zoom lessons. Hours were spent on the couch planning and researching resources that would engage my students. There was a constant flood of parent emails that needed responses throughout the day and well into the evening.
I learned quickly that burn-out was going to happen if I didn’t set some boundaries. I began to give myself a set time to ‘turn things off,’ rest, relax, refresh, and step away from the virtual classroom. This became not only a benefit for me, but also for my students as they had a much happier, more balanced teacher!
This year, I have been fortunate enough to be in an area which has allowed me to return to the classroom (with many safety precautions in place, of course), but I am still teaching remotely for those students that were unable to safely return. While I may not often feel like a superhero, I am so very grateful for my experiences from last year. They have helped me to not only enjoy this year, but I feel my students are more successful too!
Kindermark Kids, A Brentpoint Company
1-888-840-0025
customersupport@brentpointllc.com
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A portable sink is a self contained sink unit that does not use traditional plumbing. It operates using a fresh water and waste water tank that are inside the cabinet underneath the sink. Most units we sell have a pump and heater that run on electricity for warm water so the sink will need to be plugged into an outlet.
]]>Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Our experienced team is happy to answer questions via a phone call, email or live chat.
A portable sink is a self contained sink unit that does not use traditional plumbing. It operates using a fresh water and waste water tank that are inside the cabinet underneath the sink. Most units we sell have a pump and heater that run on electricity for warm water so the sink will need to be plugged into an outlet.
Here is an image of the inside of one of our child height sinks:
As you can see, the tanks are connected with tubing that is easy to connect and change when the tanks are full. The waste water tank is usually larger than the fresh water tank to accommodate other liquids that may be poured down the sink. When the fresh water tank is empty, you change both tanks, emptying the waste water tank. We sell extra tanks and fill kits to make it easy to change and move tanks and allow you to have an extra set on hand. Many of our sinks will allow you to get 30 or more 20 second hand washings on a full tank.
We have sinks categorized in two height options: child height and adult height. The child height sinks will have a counter height of 20"-26" and the adult height sinks typically have a 36"-38" counter height. For preschools, we recommend a child height sink. There is a toddler height 20" sink but most are 26"-28". You can purchase a step stool for classrooms with very young children that works well with the 26"-28"H sinks. We also offer a changing table that has a built in sink on the side for those preschool classrooms that still have children with diapers.
For elementary classrooms, the child height will be the best fit for the younger grades and the upper grades can use an adult height sink with a step stool to make sure all students are able to access it.
High School students should be able to easily use an adult height sink and you can purchase an optional step stool as needed.
Portable hand washing sinks come in many different styles. The basins can be made of stainless steel or ABA plastic and the counter tops an be made with laminate, stainless steel or ABA plastic. Our classroom sink basins are made with either ABA plastic or Stainless Steel. Cabinet bases can have an aluminum or steel frame with melamine, laminate, wood or plastic sides. The best selling self-contained sinks for schools are the ABS and Stainless steel basins with melamine or specialized birch cabinets created for school use. We recommend checking with your local codes so you choose approved materials. If you call us, we can recommend the best sink for your needs.
Below you will see a photos of 2 of our classroom sinks. The white Lil' Premier ABS sink by Ozark River Manufacturing and the Clean Hands Helper 38" sink by Jonti-Craft with black ABS counter and stainless steel basin.
We have sinks that are created specifically for outdoor use so we suggest purchasing a nature/outdoor sink for an outdoor classroom or garden since they are created with materials that are better suited for outdoor use. For sinks that will be used in a classroom, consider the amount of students who need access. We offer sinks with more than one sink basin like the Double Basin Lil' Deluxe sink pictured below. If space is an issue, we can help with compact solutions. If they will be used within a classroom temporarily, all units are on locking casters so they can be stored when not in use. Our Kiddie Station is a changing table with portable sink that helps provide a clean safe environment for little ones and staff in daycare facilities and preschools that have children in diapers.
We also carry specialty sinks for specific high school classes. These include a lab table with attached portable sink, a culinary cart with portable sink attached to a cooking unit and a portable sink with emergency eye wash for chemistry classrooms.
As mentioned above, we have a variety of accessories that make use and care of the sink easier. Step stools will be helpful when the portable hand washing sink is used for students varying ages. Fill kits include specialized tubing and a small roller cart to help you move and refill water tanks. We also offer a hands free automatic sensor that you can attach to the faucet so it turns on with a sensor instead of having students touch the handle. The accessory we recommend the most is an extra set of tanks so that you can have a filled fresh water tank and extra waste water tank on hand to quickly change the sink as needed. In high traffic areas like schools, this limits down time in sink use.
We are dedicated to helping you find hand washing solutions for your school so students have adequate access to hand washing sinks in order to lessen the spread of infections. We can help you find the best sink for your school's needs and budget. We accept purchase orders and offer volume discounts.
Contact us with any questions you have about portable sinks.
Kindermark Kids, A Brentpoint Company
1-888-840-0025
customersupport@brentpointllc.com
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General Learning
Scholastic:
Each day Scholastic is offering grade specific themed activities with engaging science, social studies and literary activities, videos and readings.
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Khan Academy:
Most of us know about Khan Academy's educational videos on a variety of subjects and grade levels. To help parents, they have created daily schedules for each grade range to help you structure home learning time. It's a great resource if your school does not provide their own specific version. Check it out here:
Free Printable Worksheets
K5 Learning offers online learning that is subscription based. On their home page they have a link to an extensive library of free printable worksheets. You do not have to sign up for anything and do not have to put your email address in to print. Just look up the grade level, find the subject area and then print the worksheets that would be best for your child.
https://www.k5learning.com/free-worksheets-for-kids
Free Virtual Tours
The Louvre Museum in Paris offers some online virtual tours where you can navigate through the space and read descriptions of what you are looking at. You can see Egyptian antiquities, paintings and the remains of the original fortress built in 1190 by the French king Philippe Auguste. Travel to Paris and visit the museum here: https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
While on your virtual trip to Europe, visit the Roman Forum and surrounding area in this comprehensive, informative video. See all of the old structures and learn about ancient Rome here: https://www.il-colosseo.it/en/visita_virtuale_foro_romano.php
You can have kids color a picture of the Roman Colosseum by printing out this coloring sheet from Coloring Only: https://www.coloringonly.com/pages/Colosseum-Of-Rome
Smithsonian
You can tour some of the Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. by visiting their website here: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour
Zoos
Enjoy learning about animals live via Facebook! The Cincinnati Zoo will offer Home Safari via Facebook live from their page everyday at 3pm est. Great for the animal lovers in your family.
Tune in via their Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/
The SanDiego Zoo also has live cams and live streaming events. Check out their Facebook page for more details or to watch videos of their streams: https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoZoo/
You may have seen the viral video of penguins roaming freely in the Shedd Aquarium. They are also trying to find creative ways to keep the public engaged and entertained. You can find more on their facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/sheddaquarium/
Story Times and Art
Best-Selling Children's book author and illustrator, Mo Willems is offering "Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems" through the Kennedy Center website. Kids can doodle along with Mo, author of popular children's books series including the Pigeon Series and Knuffle Bunny.
https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
Want to listen to "Olaf" actor Josh Gad read a children's book? He live streams story times from his twitter and Instagram feeds. Indiana parenting website, Indy's Child has a page with all the videos and will add to it so you don't have to sift through all of the other things Josh may have on his social media feeds. See these videos right from their website page here: https://indyschild.com/josh-gad-olaf-reads-books/
Art For Kids Hub
We love the Art For Kids Hub Youtube channel. Your kids can draw along with Rob and his family of 6 in his engaging art lessons! New lessons are posted daily M-F. Get kids creating at home! https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtforKidsHub
Met Museum Website for Kids
Older kids who are interested in art will have fun exploring the #metkids website created by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. You can navigate by map or choose a specific time period, style and subject matter to explore. They can learn about specific works of art, the history surrounding that pice, listen to audio and read an art prompt to get them creating their own work of art.
Explore #metkids here: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/
Stay safe have fun exploring new things along with your kids while you learn at home.
www.kindermarkkids.com
1-888-840-0025
Helping to create environments for children to learn, grow and play in.
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The Holiday season can be a stressful time for teachers and administrators as they add holiday events, projects and concerts to their list of academic demands while also trying to prepare for their own family celebrations. A study done by the National Foundation for Educational Research in the UK found that 20% of teachers are stressed about their jobs, which is greater than other professions. Polls in the U.S. show much higher rates. At Kindermark Kids, we care about teachers and staff and want to help you be successful in and out of the classroom. As a former mental health counselor, I am familiar with helping others reduce stress and anxiety levels. Here are 8 tips that might be helpful this holiday season and throughout the year.
1. Deep breathing
This may sound simple but did you ever notice how shallow your breathing is throughout most of the day? When you’re stressed it can get even shorter. We need more oxygen to our brains during stressful times and deep breathing also helps us to relax our muscles. You will see a difference in your shoulders and chest as you breathe deeply. Count to 3 as you inhale then count to three or four as you exhale slowly. Try to increase the length of each inhale and exhale as you repeat this two more times. You may also add a positive phrase you think in your mind as you inhale and exhale like “I am calm” or divide words describing a place you love or something you enjoy into two short words and say one half while you inhale and one half while you exhale. An example might be “summer, sunset” or “beautiful, beaches.” Try this at the beginning and end of your day and during a lunch break.
2. Watch the sugar
This time of year it seems everyone is bringing teachers sweet treats. Parties and meetings have tempting goodies galore. While you may not feel it bothers you, if you are feeling stressed you may want to watch how much sugar you are eating as it’s easy to go up and down and feel lousy before you know what hit you. Sugar can limit the body’s ability to respond to stress, can increase mood swings and cause brain fog or lowered brain functioning. Set a limit for yourself or a certain day of the week that you indulge in a sweet treat. Watch the sugar content in beverages too because those add to the total. Fancy coffee drinks and sodas are high in sugar. We know you appreciate all those parents thinking of you, but don’t eat it all at once! Share as much of the sugary treats as you can with others and balance it with healthy eating. When you are craving sugar, try to eat an apple, berries or even roasted sweet potato as an alternative.
3. Write it down
This may seem silly, but when you are feeling overwhelmed jot down a list of a few things you have accomplished already that day or week. Be sure to add caring for the emotions of your students, prepping for holiday events and parties and responding to emails. The to-do list gets out of control this time of year and it actually helps the mind to be reminded that you are accomplishing a lot and don’t need to get to everything.
4. Walk or stretch
A short, brisk walk or 5 minute stretching session can really help your brain release stress-reducing chemicals. If you can’t walk around the block, walk up and down a flight of stairs to get your blood pumping faster and endorphins flowing. Stretching helps too. Raise your arms straight above your head and then stretch them a bit higher. Stretch your arms out over to one side, then the other and each time try stretching a bit further than your initial position. Squats and lunges can help increase energy and arm circles and shoulder shrugs can help to ease next tension.
5. Gratitude journal
Keep a small notebook next to your bed or on your desk at work and keep a list of things you are thankful for. When I was a therapist I had clients with anxiety do this nightly and it helped with sleep when done regularly. Write down 3-5 things you are thankful for, even simple things like sunshine, willow trees, tulips, running water or chocolate in addition to friends, family, sweet things a student has said or done or getting something accomplished. The act of writing these things down, rather than just a fleeting thought, improves our mindset, slows us down and can reduce stress. You may notice that your focus shifts as you do this and you may take a few less important things off your to-do list.
6. Get enough Sleep
It’s not news that sleep is important for our bodies but it’s equally important for our minds and emotions. During this busy time of year it’s easy to stay up later and later getting a little more accomplished. It’s good to stop and think about how many hours you are getting each night. If your’s feeling stressed, try to keep a bedtime that is closer to normal for you and cut screen time 1-2 hours before in order to sleep more soundly during the night.
7. Ask for help
We know that teachers are clever and resourceful and often think of the best ways of doing things. However, with all the activities at school, holiday events and shopping, now is the time to delegate or ask for help. Wether it’s asking a teenage child to pitch in a prepare a meal (even if it’s sandwiches or cereal!) or asking for help from staff or parents prepping for classroom activities, taking something off your plate will make a difference. Delegate tedious tasks to those who are available at your school or home so you can focus on the important aspects of interacting with kids, completing grades and leading your classroom.
8. Reflect and reduce your list
Finally, reflect on all the great things you have helped your students do this semester. You’ve had some good days and bad days but focus on the ways you’ve impacted your young learners. Think about 2-3 words that would describe your teaching style and what you like about your classroom. Reflect on your overall goals for the year and remember it’s not about perfection. There are no perfect teachers or people (even though it might seem that way on social media). There’s only one you. You are uniquely gifted to impact others. Focus on these things and try and reduce the long to-do list if you are finding it overwhelming. As a mother and former therapist I have realized that those around me would much rather have my calm presence than all the presents.
Now everyone can join in the fun of learning the alphabet with this bright, cheerful rug designed especially for circle time or any other group activity. This oval shaped rug comes in two sizes: 6’9” by 9’5” or 8’3” by 11’8”. It is also available in a 6’ circle rug.
Start your engines and cruise around the town with this fun and colorful rug. Children can play with their cars, driving down the roads and exploring all the sites that this rug has to offer. It’s perfect for keeping children entertained in waiting rooms or learning in the classroom. This carpet comes in three different sizes: 3’10” by 5’5”, 5’5” by 7’8” or 7’8” by 10’10”.
This colorful multifunctional rug is ideal for imaginative and cognitive play. Use this rug along with our calendar kit to allow children to learn about the days of the month. This rug comes in two different sizes: 7’6” by 12’ or 8’4” by 13’4”.
The KIDply rug is a soft, durable classroom carpet with a lifetime abrasive wear warranty. These rugs are great for schools, waiting rooms and spaces that get a lot of traffic. They come in 6 different colors: Demin, Midnight Blue, Grass Green, Red Velvet, Brown Sugar and Lilac. The rectangle carpet comes in 3 sizes: 6’x9’, 4’x6’ or 8’4”x10’.
Have fun with the animals on the farm while learning the alphabet and animal sounds with this fun and colorful rug! The Alphabet Farm Carpets come in three different sizes: 4’5” by 5’10”, 5’10” by 8’4” or 8’4” by 11’8”.
With the end of the school year upon us, it’s time to start thinking about re-ordering for the 2018-2019 school year. Could your classroom use some new rugs next year? Maybe you want to invest in some new sleep cots or educational toys. Whatever you may need for the next school year, Kindermark Kids has you covered! In addition, our carpets, rugs and other products are also great for waiting rooms at auto dealerships, doctors’ offices and more! Browse our website today to find everything you need!
Not only will your preschooler have fun participating in these activities, but he or she will be able to learn new things along the way. These activities are also a great way for parents to bond with their children. They need that interaction with adults just like they need the interaction with other children.
Kindermark Kids is here to help you with fun summer activities by offering a variety of educational toys that aren’t just for the classroom, but that can also be used at home. Check out our science equipment or our trikes. Our selection of play items will help you make the most of the summer season with your preschooler, and help prepare them for the next school session when it comes back around. Have a great summer!
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability. Signs of the disorder typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. Behaviors associated with autism can include delayed learning of language, difficulty making eye contact or holding conversation, difficulty with executive functioning, narrow, intense interests, poor motor skills and sensory sensitivities.
With an increasing population of individuals with autism, it’s important for teachers to be well-versed on those students’ needs. In today’s blog, Kindermark Kids wanted to offer some tips for working with students with autism.
1. Get to Know the Student’s Needs and Interests.
The most important tip for teachers working with students with autism is to build a relationship. Start off by getting to know them, understanding both their needs and their interests. By developing a friendship with students on the autism spectrum, you are able to prepare them to be open to learning in your classroom. Once you get to know the student, you’ll begin to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and then can adjust your teaching methods accordingly.
2. Avoid Sensory Overload.
Many students on the autism spectrum have sensory sensitivities. Therefore, it’s important that you ensure their senses aren’t overloaded. Fluorescent lights, unique smells and noises from other students can make it difficult for students with autism to concentrate. Avoid covering the classroom walls with too many posters and other distractions. Some students will also benefit from having their own center, where they can spend time away from any distractions. Consider one of our room dividers to create a quiet space. Sensory overload can lead to negative behavior, fear, anxiety, withdrawal, increased repetitive behavior, tantrums or complete meltdowns.
3. Teach Social Skills Directly.
While many children that are thrown into a classroom setting make friends easily, those with autism can struggle with social skills. As the teacher, it’s important that you show support for their needs and directly teach them how to be social. Not only do you want to model appropriate social skills, but you’ll need to discuss how our behaviors make others feel. In addition, you need to help build their confidence in interacting socially.
4. Use Concrete Language.
Those students on the autism spectrum can have a difficult time with language, especially figurative language. These students interpret things very literally. Try to use concrete language, using as few words as possible. Be direct and get to the point. If you get a blank stare after asking a question or giving an instruction, try rewording it. In addition, asking a student to repeat what you said helps clarify that you’ve been understood. You’ll also want to avoid using sarcasm and idioms.
5. Offer Positive Feedback Before Criticism.
Students with autism often take things very personally, and can have difficulty handling constructive criticism. Be sure to offer positive feedback whenever possible. For example, when grading papers offer positive comments at the beginning and end to offset any negative comments. In some cases, you may want to ask the student to come discuss the paper with you rather than marking it up. Also consider using a different color pen than red for corrections. Students often associate red ink with failure and negativity. When a student is putting forth effort, be sure to reward them and offer praise.
At Kindermark Kids, it’s our mission to advance the business and professional goals of our customers and team members, while promoting the well-being of children and families. We do so through offering carefully chosen toys, classroom accessories and children’s furniture. Every product that we offer was designed and build with public play areas in mind. Be sure to visit our website for all your classroom needs!
Create a children’s seating space in your classroom, waiting room, etc. with Club Seating from Children’s Factory. Choose between a chair, sofa or set that includes both! The Club Chair and Club Sofa are both made of sturdy foam with no hard edges. They are covered with easy to wipe clean material. The furniture comes in either primary colors or cozy woodland colors. Keep reading to learn about some different ways to use this furniture.
The Club Seating is perfect for creating a reading nook in your classroom. Pair the furniture with one of our book shelves to create space for students to enjoy their favorite books. The chairs and sofas allow for students to take a break from their desk and enjoy a more comfortable space while they read. Students can learn about taking turns by rotating who sits on the furniture each time.
From doctor’s offices to dentist’s waiting rooms, business owners can create a comfortable space for children to wait. Child-height seating combined with some toys and books will help keep children entertained while they wait. This will cut down on temper-tantrums and bad behavior as a result of being bored waiting for long periods of time.
Churches that offer children’s ministry need to provide a comfortable and safe place for children to learn and play while their parents attend church service. Our club seating is the perfect addition to these children’s ministry rooms at your church.
The best part is that this new club seating is part of our Seating Sale happening now! For a limited time, you can purchase our club seating at a discounted rate. There’s no better time to invest in some comfortable, safe, child-height seating for your classroom, waiting room or church!
What child doesn’t like play dough? Not only is it fun, but it’s great for working little fingers to start to practice fine motor skills that will be used later when writing. However, little learners tend to put thing in their mouth, so you might be concerned with the play dough recipes you use with them. With Easter less than two weeks away, there’s no shortage on peeps! For an easy, edible play dough recipe, all you need is peeps, corn starch, vegetable oil and water. Check it out here: http://www.stillplayingschool.com/2014/03/peeps-play-dough-recipe.html.
During this activity, children will get to learn about bunny rabbits while also getting some exercise. Rabbits hop in a zig zag when they are trying to get away from their prey. Have children practice jumping like a bunny rabbit by using masking tape to create a zig zag on the floor for them to hop along.
Turn your classroom Easter egg hunt into a craft project and math lesson! All you need for this activity is some empty egg cartons, acrylic paints, ribbon and a hot glue gun. Start by cutting the tops and tabs off. Then let the children decorate the cartons with the paint. Once they’ve had a chance to dry. Glue a piece of ribbon to the carton to create a handle. Voila! Now the children have Easter baskets with individual spaces, so they can practice counting to 12.
Sensory activity meets craft project with this contact paper chick activity. For the project, you will need a piece of contact paper large enough to fit two eggs, a bag of yellow feathers, two pieces of white cardstock, a pair of scissors, masking tape, two large googly eyes, a piece of orange construction paper and an orange marker. Find the instructions and pictures here: http://www.houseofburkeblog.com/2013/03/contact-paper-chick.html. Make sure the children have plenty of table space for these Easter crafts and other activities throughout the year by investing in some of our child-height table and chair sets!
Bunny’s love vegetables, and they make the perfect healthy snack for children! Add to the Easter fun by providing carrots, celery and lettuce with ranch dressing for the children to enjoy during snack time. Let the children help you prepare the snack by allowing them to help wash the veggies. Our child-height portable sinks work perfectly in the classroom for activities such as this!
To help with reading and sounds, consider an Easter egg hunt that allows children to match the objects they find with the letters of the alphabet. Find the free downloadable Easter basket mat here. Once you’ve printed that, you can fill it in with whatever letters you want your students to work on. You can even customize it for each child if there are certain letters or sounds that they have been struggling with. Find small items that go with each letter that you can place in Easter eggs. For example, you might use a button for the letter “B” or a toy snake for the letter “S”. Then hide the eggs and once the children have found them, they can work together to match the items with the letters on their mats.
Kindermark Kids is here for all your classroom needs, from furniture to storage options and portable sinks for easy clean up. Visit our website to browse our wide selection of products to help make your classroom more organized and efficient. Happy Easter from Kindermark Kids!
It’s important for students to have the opportunity to engage in conversation in a variety of different ways, for example in a group of peers, with adults, and one-on-one. Using everyday opportunities, you can engage children in meaningful conversation as they listen carefully, build on what others say, model responses and observe. Not only is it your job to create and encourage these opportunities, but remember to lead by example. Children are always watching your interactions with other children, as well as with adults.
To engage students in rich conversations, you don’t necessarily need to create entirely new lesson plans and activities. You just need to be aware of what’s going on in your classroom and encourage communication throughout everything you do. Rather than just telling children what is going to happen next, get them involved. Use circle time, snack time, story time, nap time, etc. to engage meaningful conversation that sparks learning. For example, instead of just saying it is nap time, ask the children what do we do during nap time? There are so many opportunities for engaging children in rich conversation during the activities you already partake in each day. The challenge is recognizing those opportunities.
Be sure to arrange your classroom in a way that supports each type of instructional activity and promotes effective communication. Include an area for circle time, setup different learning centers where children can work together on activities and be sure to engage children outdoors as well. Keep changes to this environment to a minimum. This will provide structure and routine for the children so that they can learn which activities take place in various parts of the classroom. The physical environment will then cue them as to what they are to do and how they are to behave in that area, including what type of communication to use. Predictable classroom routines allow children to anticipate what will happen each day and the type of language they will use for each activity.
One of the most effective strategies for exposing children to rich language input is for the teacher to provide an ongoing commentary on activities that are taking place in the classroom. This exposes children to language associated with the immediate context. Give detailed descriptions, using different words and grammar. In addition, teachers can use props, introducing objects that spark conversation. You can also use books to introduce new language and engage children’s participation. Then read those books over and over so that they learn the words and their meanings. Songs and videos can also be used to effectively introduce new language and ideas.
When engaging in conversation with children, make sure to ask open-ended questions rather than yes or no questions. This will challenge the children to think deeper as they express their ideas. For example, instead of asking “Did you think that would happen?” ask “Why do you think that happened?” You want to prompt the children to use as many words as possible when they express themselves. By doing so, you are helping them not only express their thoughts effectively, but conversation also helps them get what they need, resolve conflict, ask for help and learn from others.
Kindermark Kids is here to help support you in engaging your students in rich conversation by providing quality learning products. From educational toys to children’s furniture and organizational storage for organizing your centers, we’ve got your classroom needs covered!
Conversation hearts are more than just a fun snack; they can be used in a variety of learning activities and experiments. These candies can be used for counting, sorting and creating patterns. The hearts can also be used for science experiments. Gather a variety of liquids such as water, vinegar, soda, rubbing alcohol, etc. Then have the students drop the conversation hearts into each liquid to see which one dissolves the candy the fastest. This is a fun way for preschoolers to explore the scientific method.
In preparation for this craft, teachers will need to cut out paper hearts to use as pages for the book. Use a red or pink heart for the front and back covers, and use regular white paper for the interior pages. On the front, write “I Love by [student’s name]”. Ask each student what they love and write that on the white pages. Then let them draw pictures and color on the hearts to make it their own. Once the children are finished “writing” and decorating their books. You can staple the pages together and they have something to take home and show their families.
Creating mosaic hearts is both fun and educational. This craft helps students develop their fine motor skills. Learning to cut it tricky, and this craft allows them to practice with scissors. Hand each child a heart shaped piece of white paper (you want to use some thicker paper for the hearts). Then give them some scrap paper or tissue paper in red and pink colors. Let them cut the colored paper into pieces. (To make the cutting easier you might pre-cut the paper into strips so they only have to make one cut to create a small piece.) Then have them glue the pieces inside the heart.
Creating homemade slime in Valentine’s Day colors is a fun and easy science activity to do with your students. You can make it with red glitter, confetti hearts or just a simple pink color. The possibilities are endless. While there are several different slime recipes you could use, a common one is just water, glue and liquid starch. In a bowl, mix half a cup of water with half a cup of clear or white Elmer’s glue. (Use white glue for pink slime, but clear works better for the glitter or confetti ones.) Stir together until completely combined. Now add your color, glitter or confetti. Once that’s mixed completely, add half a cup of liquid starch. You will see the slime start to form immediately. Mix with your hands until the majority of the liquid is incorporated into the slime.
Sensory bins are easy to put together and provide an awesome hands-on learning experience for preschoolers. Sensory play may calm a child, focus a child and/or engage a child. Sensory bins allow children to explore, discover and create through dumping, filing and scooping. This activity also helps them understand their senses better. Put a Valentine’s Day twist on your sensory bin by filling it with some of the following items: pink and red water beads, cellophane grass, colored craft sand, artificial rose petals, feathers, shredded paper, buttons, and/or pink and red pompoms.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Kindermark Kids! We hope you enjoy some of these fun and educational Valentine’s Day activities with your preschoolers. To help you keep all your craft supplies organized, we offer a variety of storage units and shelving. Our children’s furniture helps create a workspace for children to both play and learn, while our child-height sinks make clean-up after these activities a breeze. We’re here to help you setup an organized and functional classroom with great quality products!
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Before attempting to organize your students, make sure the space they are in is organized. Not only will a strategic room help you avoid chaos, it can help ensure that effective learning is happening. Separate noisy areas of the room from the quiet areas. As an example, the building blocks shouldn’t be right next to the reading center. Bonus Tip: Stay organized both physically and emotionally by tightening up time management.
Transitioning from one activity to another presents an opportunity for chaos. Find an effective way of transitioning and use that to help children avoid distractions. Guide them through these moments, so that you keep their attention and can move to the next activity without a bunch of wasted time. Try announcing how much time they have left at their current station, or creating a fun countdown to help students prepare to move on to the next thing. Bonus Tip: Get students engaged and actively involved to avoid disruptions.
Consistency is important, especially for children of a young age. When students are aware of the routine, they start to feel a sense of obligation to follow that routine. It gives them a sense of ownership over the routine and eventually you won’t have to keep reminding them what comes next. Bonus Tip: Consistency is important for not only your routine, but also for expectations and discipline.
More rules does not lead to better behavior. Make sure to set rules early on, but in a way that doesn’t create an atmosphere of rebellion. Rules and routines are great for communicating expectations, but not necessarily the only way to “manage” your classroom. Bonus Tip: Always have a plan in mind for handling misbehavior.
If you’re dealing with a child that’s misbehaving, speak to them away from the other students. Take them out into the hallway or wait until class is over. Having confrontations in front of peers can not only impact the child’s self-esteem, but the situation can escalate quickly. They will likely be more quickly to defend themselves when in the public eye. Public shaming is never a good way to set an example. Bonus Tip: Pick your battles wisely.
What usually happens when you tell a child not to do something? They are tempted to do it. Avoid using negative language and focus on positives. Try “Be prepared” rather than “Don’t forget your pencil” or “Shut the door quietly” instead of “Don’t slam the door.” Bonus Tip: Use the word “consequences” instead of “punishments.”
From classroom organization and storage to engaging your students in interactive learning, Kindermark Kids is here to provide you with quality products for your classroom. We offer everything from educational toys and child height furniture to storage units and portable sinks. Browse our website to see what you could use in your space to make managing your classroom easier.
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Not only do sinks come in handy for a variety of children’s activities, they are required. One or two handwashing sinks is required for every 10-20 children in a Head Start program. In the event you want to expand the size of your Head Start program, additional sinks are needed. That’s where the mobility of Kindermark Kid’s portable sinks becomes your solution. Our sinks create the ability for added handwashing stations, without the need for traditional plumbing.
When working with toddlers and young children, it’s important to have a sink in the diaper changing area and a separate sink for food preparation. In buildings that only have one plumbing source, a portable sink is your solution. We offer both adult and child-height portable sinks for use in these types of businesses. Check out our Changing Station Sinks for a two-in-one diaper changing table and hot/cold water sink! For larger facilities, a portable hot water sink can also be used as a backup sink to offer an extra, sanitary handwashing station when the primary sink is already in use.
A portable sink is essential for promoting day-to-day hygiene in preschool classrooms. Young children are known for making a mess, so having a convenient portable hot water sink comes in handy for quick cleanup between activities. These sinks can be easily moved around for use during arts & crafts time or snack time. For classrooms with limited space, easily roll the portable sink into a storage room. Be sure to check out our sink accessories too, like the Ozark River Li’l Step Booster to help those smaller children reach the sink easier.
Kindermark Kids is excited to be able to offer these convenient portable sinks in addition to our children’s furniture and educational toys. You can view all the varieties of sinks available on our website. Fill all your classroom needs with the help of Kindermark Kids!
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There’s nothing more perfect for a pediatric dentist’s waiting room than this wall panel toy! The frame features positive dental health images – toothpaste and brushes, floss, smiles and tooth fairies – identified in both English and Spanish. The heat sensitive panel responds to the warmth of your hand and changes color.
Eating healthy foods is an important part of caring for your teeth. This cute child-height table and chair set promotes healthy eating through vibrant images of fresh fruit. Perfect for a waiting room, this table and chair set provides a place for children to sit and play while they wait their turn to see the dentist.
Bring fun into your waiting room, while also teaching children about health, with the MyPlate Island Play Cube! Build a better plate, make half your plate fruits and vegetables, be aware of portion sizes and increase your daily activity are all healthy messages promoted through this fun activity cube.
Enhance your waiting room with toys that provide more than just fun! This fruit stacking toy is a fun-filled, sensory exploration toy. It teaches counting, shorting and shape selection. The surface of each of the fruits is textured to provide sensory stimulation and help develop fine motor skills.
A waiting room just wouldn’t be complete without books! Use this health and nutrition themed book holder to keep all those children’s books organized. The colorful MyPlate graphics on the sides help to re-enforce education about healthy eating habits.
These are just a few of the amazing items from Kindermark Kids that you can use to enhance your waiting room! Visit the Waiting Room tab on our website to browse the variety of other choices we offer for educational toys, children’s furniture and more. We’re here to help you create a relaxing, inviting waiting room for your clients!
While an apple or banana by itself seems like a pretty boring snack, fruit kabobs can make healthy eating fun! They are a delicious, easy-to-eat treat that kids will love. Cut up various types of fruit, from apples and bananas to strawberries and pineapple. Place them on a stick and you’ve turned a simple snack into a fun, new way to eat fruit.
Packed with protein, cheese has always been a go-to choice for a kid’s snack. Instead of just handing out some slices of cheese with crackers. Make snack time fun by sticking mini pretzel rods into cheese cubes or using cookie cutters to cut the cheese into fun shapes! If you want to get really crazy, add the cheese shapes to your fruit kabobs.
Take a delicious, calcium-rich cheese quesadilla and add some protein. Throw some chicken in there or black beans. Children can easily pick up the triangles; it’s the perfect finger food. Leave the salsa on the side, as some picky eaters may not like tomatoes, onions or whatever else could be hiding in the salsa.
Popcorn is sure to be a hit with the kids, and it’s whole grain. As long as you don’t drench it in butter, popcorn is quite nutritious, with 4 grams of fiber per 3-cup serving. You can even add your choice of topping such as grated cheese or nutritional yeast.
Frothy cold drinks are a great way to disguise fruit as a tasty treat! Kids go crazy over these nutritious, sippable snacks. Use non-fat vanilla yogurt, 100% orange juice and a banana for the smoothie base. Then experiment with different flavors such as strawberry or peach. Smoothies are a great way to sneak several servings of fruit and fiber into a child’s diet.
What child doesn’t love PB&J? Unfortunately, these sandwiches are usually packed with a ton of sugar. For a healthier option, make a peanut butter strawberry wrap. Instead of jelly or jam, substitute real strawberries. Instead of bread, use a tortilla to help hold the strawberries in. The peanut butter not only makes the wrap delicious, but adds a bit of protein.
Trail mix is a tried-and-true snack option! You can add whatever you want to the mix. From whole grain cereal and pretzels to dried fruit and chocolate chips, the possibilities are endless. Make sure none of the children in your daycare have a nut allergy before adding peanuts, almonds, etc. to your trail mix.
Make snack time much easier with some amazing products from Kindermark Kids. Our child-size tables and chairs make sitting down for snack time a breeze. Our child-height sinks make cleaning up after snack time easy as well. Check out all our classroom furniture, portable sinks and more online, and start designing your snack time area today!
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Handprint crafts are a great way for children to make something unique and memorable. For the Christmas season, why not use handprints to make a Santa ornament! Items you will need for this craft are white paper, black and red markers, googly eyes, small white pom poms or cotton balls, ribbon, glue, scissors and a hole punch. Start by tracing the child’s hand on the white paper. Then cut the handprint out. Use the markers to draw santa’s hat in the thumb area. Add a pom pom or cotton ball to the tip of the thumb/tip of the hat. Add pom poms or cotton balls to all the remaining fingers to create Santa’s fuzzy beard. Glue googly eyes to the center of the face, and use the markers to create a nose and mouth. Use the hole punch to punch a hole in the top of the hat. Then tie a circle with ribbon to create a way to hang it on the tree!
For this game, all you need is a piece of plastic or silk mistletoe! Have the children sit in a circle. Then have them pass the mistletoe around the circle as Christmas music plays. When the music stops, everyone blows kisses to the child holding the mistletoe.
Puppets are a fun way for children to express their emotions or explore new ideas in a safe way. Students can easily make their own puppets with paper bags. During the holiday season, what’s more fun than creating reindeer puppets? Teachers can find free printables online here or create their own. Have children find a seat at one of the child-size tables and pass out the supplies. Children can cut out antlers, eyes and a nose from the printable template. Once the children have glued their reindeer parts to the paper bag, let them use crayons, markers (and glitter if you’re feeling adventurous) to decorate their puppets.
Music is an important part of learning that helps with memory and language. Studies have shown that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. Singing Christmas carols is a fun activity for children to participate in this time of year! Songs like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman are good choices to sing with little children. Make it even more fun by choreographing some actions to go along with the words or letting the children dress up. Get them up and moving, and interacting with the song in more than one way!
Duck, duck, goose has always been a fun and easy game for young children. Put a Christmas twist on this classic game by playing Santa, Santa, Reindeer. Have the children sit in a circle and choose one child to start. That child will walk around the circle tapping the other children on the head saying Santa. Then when the child chooses someone to call Reindeer, that child gets up and runs around chasing the first child back to that spot. If the second child doesn’t make it back to the spot before the first child, that child becomes the one to say Santa, Santa, Reindeer.
Kindermark Kids offers a variety of items to assist in your classroom crafts. From child-size tables and chairs to child-height sinks for clean-up and storage units to keep craft supplies organized, we’ve got everything you need to create a safe and fun environment for learning. Happy Holidays from Kindermark Kids!
The worst thing about a waiting room, is a crowded waiting room with people coughing and sneezing on top of each other. When designing your waiting room from scratch, consider the size. Think about the number of patients you see in an hour’s time, and don’t forget to include those they bring along that will be waiting for them, such as a spouse or other family member. Be sure to consider the children as well; they need room to move around and play or they will get bored, which can lead to unruly acts and temper tantrums.
No one really wants to go to the doctor or dentist, especially those with little children. Therefore, it’s important that you create a welcoming entrance. Make them feel comfortable with being there and create a good first impression. Keep the entrance clean and clutter-free. Visible grime is a universal turnoff and you don’t want that to be how patients remember your practice. Consider placing a board with pictures of the staff at the entrance so that patients know who they will be interacting with from the beginning.
From the moment patients arrive, they should be aware of where they need to sign in. In addition, there should always be someone there to greet the patient. One of the simplest ways to make people feel welcome is simply by acknowledging them verbally as they arrive. Treat your patients like they are in a fine dining restaurant rather than a doctor’s office waiting room.
When it comes to seating, you want to provide something that’s both stylish and comfortable. People don’t want to wait for long periods of time in uncomfortable chairs. Be sure to consider who will be in your waiting room as well. If your practice sees a lot of children, you’ll want to add special seating for them as well. Making the children comfortable is just as important as catering to the parents. Check out our variety of kid’s tables and chairs on our website.
Most people that come to the doctor are not feeling well and are not in the best mood. The lighting and décor that you use can help set the mood of your office, so be sure it’s uplifting, happy and inspirational. Make sure your waiting room has the right amount of overhead lighting, lamps and wall fixtures to create a well-lit, appealing room. For the décor, incorporate a combination of wall art, vases and greenery. Keep it simple and unobtrusive, while creating a warm and welcoming environment that people will enjoy sitting in.
Both children and adults need to be entertained while they wait. Aside from the typical magazines you always see in a waiting room, consider adding some books in an organized book shelf. Children’s books are a great way to pass the time for both the children and the parents. When your practice caters primarily to children, having some educational toys available is also a must. Our online store offers a variety of educational toys and games that could be perfectly incorporated into your waiting room design. Televisions are not recommended, as they add noise and insinuate you’re going to be there for a while.
From seating and storage to toys and more, Kindermark Kids offers everything you need to make a fun environment for both children and their parents to wait. When designing your waiting room, be sure to check out the wide selection of waiting room furniture and toy items we can have shipped straight to you. There’s no need to run to the store and pick it up!
Going from high intensity play straight to laying down, being still and quiet doesn’t usually work too well. Help students move from high energy activities to low energy activities. Winding down is an important step in helping children take full advantage of naptime. Ask the children to start getting ready for naptime by arranging their cots or mats on the floor, but don’t have them lay down just yet. Bring them back together to read a quiet book. Slowly the children will start to relax, being better prepared for when naptime begins.
Dim the lights and play quiet music or other white noise to create a calm and soothing environment. This helps set the tone for resting, and lets the children know it’s almost naptime. As you move around the room helping children get ready for nap time, do so quietly and slowly. Be sure to use a hushed voice to encourage children to settle down and do the same.
Preschoolers thrive on consistency. Be sure to make nap time a routine by having it at the same time every day. Most of the time, naps are taken in the afternoon. By keeping a regular schedule, their bodies will learn the routine and begin to trigger their natural clocks. This helps make nap time even more successful. Keep naptime a set length as well; 90 minutes is the suggested maximum naptime length for young children. Too long of a nap can cause crankiness, and even often difficulty with bed time that night.
If you’re new to teaching and you expect your preschoolers to just lay down and be quiet without a fuss, you’re in for a treat. Be sure to set realistic expectations for not only the children, but for yourself. You don’t want nap time becoming all about discipline. Keep your voice calm rather than raising it when I child gets up or speaks during nap time. Assess your reactions, adjust and keep calm. Have a plan of how you will handle situations during nap time before they arise.
Some children just do not nap well. You don’t want to force them to actually sleep, only to be quiet while others sleep. Plan quiet activities that can occupy those children while the others take their naps. This could be looking at a book, coloring or working on a puzzle. You just want to make sure they are staying quiet and not bothering those that are sleeping.
Bonus Tip: Refer to nap time as quiet time, toddlers will begin to associate the term “nap time” and will start to naturally resist it. Chances are most of them will end up falling asleep on their own.
Kindermark Kids offers a variety of products to help make naptime in your classroom a success. Be sure to check out our stackable rest cots and rest mats. Both items make creating a rest area easy, without taking up too much storage space. Our cots offer the latest technology to provide a safe, clean cot for the children in your care. Our mats are made with long lasting, easy to clean materials that will keep children safe and comfortable. Visit our website to learn more!
Sensory activities play an important role in development. They facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore. Sensory tables provide children with a variety of sensory input experiences including tactile, vestibular, prospective and visual processing. In addition, scooping things is a fun way to strengthen fine motor skills. Kindermark Kids offers a variety of sensory tables to choose from. Then just fill them with your choice of items for the children to play with. During the fall season, you can use orange, yellow and red dyed pasta or rice, pine cones, sticks and leaves. You could even incorporate the sense of smell by adding some pumpkin spice seasoning in when dying the pasta or rice.
Preschoolers love to paint! Not only is it a fun activity, but it’s also a way for children to communicate their emotions or feelings. During the fall season, get rid of your typical paper and paint on pumpkins instead! How fun is that? Now their painting will become 3-dimentional. You can also teach children how to mix colors of paint to create new colors. Painting aids children in developing mobility skills too. Their hand muscles are being used, which allows them a scope to develop both mentally and physically. Letting them finger paint allows them to feel the textures of the paint as well as the pumpkin. Then you can teach them how to clean up using a child height portable sink for your classroom!
The best part about fall is that the leaves start changing colors. Exploring the outdoors and collecting different types of leaves is a fun way to get preschools moving and learning at the same time. You could start the activity by reading a book about the seasons changing and leaves falling. Then head outside for a nature hike. Once you’ve collected leaves, you can use them to create a collage to frame and display on the wall for some seasonal decoration. Another option is to use the leaves as stencils. Place the leaves under paper and let the children color over it. Not only does this leave a leaf shape on the paper, but it creates texture.
Kindermark Kids is here to help you make your preschool classroom a place where children can both learn and have fun. From our unique educational toys to our convenient storage solutions, we have everything you need to create an environment where your preschool students can thrive! Happy Fall Ya’ll!
Kindermark Kids is a family owned and operated company dedicated to outstanding service to our valued customers. We provide a wide range of products for young children in day care centers, early learning centers, Head Start classrooms, children’s waiting areas, churches and home settings. Items you will find in our online catalog include children’s furniture, storage, portable sinks, carpets, décor, educational toys, blocks, games and more! All of our products are commercial quality. They meet the highest standards for durability and will stand up to vigorous play over long periods of time. They also meet national safety standards, assuring superior quality materials and construction.
Kindermark Kids offers a wide variety of products, from classroom furniture to games and toys. Here’s a list of some of our favorite items:
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For over a decade now, Kindermark Kids has been providing carefully chosen toys, accessories and furniture to allow you to create amazing play spaces in your classrooms, daycares, Sunday schools, waiting rooms and more. We take pride in both the quality of our customer service, and we stand behind what we sell. We will do everything possible to ensure total customer satisfaction.
We are excited to be bringing you new, relevant information each month through this blog and our other social media channels. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to keep up with everything happening at Kindermark Kids. If you would like more information about products for your business or organization, we would love to talk with you!
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