Greetings.

Hello everyone, welcome to Charlestown East Educational Pre-School’s April newsletter, our first for a while!

 

Every issue we aim to update parents on happenings within the centre and our little community, as well as some useful child development resources and a few arts and craft ideas for you and your child to enjoy. These parenting tips and fun-filled activities have been hand-selected to guide your child’s development.

 

In This Issue

Charlestown East Educational Pre-School’s April Newsletter

Greetings.

Topic of the Month- Hello Easter!

Moral Development in Children: What are its Stages and What Should You Do?

Why you should learn your kid’s love language?

What is the latest in childcare? Election Special Labor Promises $500 Million to Fund Early Learning for All 3-Year-Old

NSW Liberal/National Party announce additional 2,300 community places for preschoolers

Childcare Development

0-12 Months Development

1-2 yrs Development

2-3 Yrs Development

3-4 yrs Development

4-5 years Preschool

Development Development of Boys

Development of Girls

Craft Corner: Easter Version

Easter Egg Candles

Lolly Pop Bunnies

Easter Cootie Catchers

Bunny Easter Basket

Read more in our website!

 

Topic of the Month- Hello Easter!

April is finally upon us. For kids, this means one thing, Easter!

 

For kids, Easter is one of the most exciting times of the year. After all, the Easter Bunny is coming to visit! Traditionally, this day marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

However, this festive celebration is now enjoyed by many faiths, bringing joy to all Australian children. At the end of the day, who doesn’t enjoy chocolate treasure hunts.

 

For this issue, we summarised articles covering child development, as well as some fun Easter activities.

 

Moral Development in Children: What are its Stages and What Should You Do?

Author: Sudipta Jana

The concept of morality is a very tricky topic to discuss with kids, for many parents and teachers alike. Morality is simply one’s ability to understand what is right and what is wrong. For parents, teaching this is crucial because it helps children understand that their thoughts, actions and behaviours have consequences. But, how does one teach this complex concept to kids in such a way that they understand?

The following article discusses everything you need to know about moral development and how to help your kids develop moral values.

Why you should learn your kid’s love language?

Author: Chelsea Dolan

Everyone expresses love in a unique way. According to Gary Chapman, author of the book “The 5 Love Languages”, there are 5 love languages people use to build emotional relationships with each other.

However, for kids, expressing love and their other emotions is not easy because they do not yet completely understand what they are feeling. Regardless of this, there are cues that reveal what they are feeling. So how can we identify and read these cues, helping us connect with our children emotionally?

This article should answer that question, discussing the different love languages and how you can respond to your child’s unique love language?

What is the latest in childcare? Election Special

Upcoming federal elections, what this means for childcare

It has just been announced that, on the 18th of May, we will go to the ballots for our federal election.

But what does this mean for childcare? We have summarised the childcare proposals put forward by the country’s two major parties – Labour and the Liberals.

If Labour is elected, they have promised to provide extra care 700,000 children between the ages of 3 and 4. Across Australia, children benefitting from this scheme will receive a minimum of 15 hours of care per week.

This is estimated to cost $1.75 billion and will be funded, in part, by the states. The remainder will be funded by funds raised by tax arrangements.

On the other hand, the Liberal Party has maintained its current policy aimed at making care more affordable for a million Australian families. It has pledged to save a typical family around
$1300, saving them 10% in the scheme’s first 6 months.

0-12 Months Development

It’s science: babies as young as 6 months old are already connecting words

Author: Heather Marcoux

 

A recent study published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” reveals that babies as young as 6 months old can understand and connect words. Researchers from Duke University used

eye-tracking software and baby hats to observe if babies can understand certain words and understand how they relate to one another. They discovered that while there are words that babies cannot pick up easily, they can relate words if they see what object it is related to.

 

The full article will explain everything you need to know about the study.

 

 

1-2 yrs Development

An abundance of toys can curb kids’ creativity and focus

Author: Laura Sanders

 

Toys are often the most popular gifts given to kids, no matter what age they may be. Toys come in all shapes, sizes and functions to match any child’s preference. However, a study conducted by researchers from the University of Toledo in Ohio said that parents should regulate how many toys their child possess and how long they play with each toy. In their study, they observed that the quality of a child’s play is affected when they are around a lot of toys.

 

The full article explains the study’s findings, as well as the limitations that it failed to account for.

 

2-3 Yrs Development

Who am I? Developing a Sense of Self and Belonging

Author: Kathy Reschke

 

Have you ever wondered what goes through your child’s mind as they grow up, from the time they are born to the time they start exploring what is around them? An article reprinted from the “Zero to Three Journal” explains how every child develops thought patterns regarding the things around them. They use several cues to gather data, learn new skills and master various abilities. Names and memories also play a role in helping children discover themselves.

 

The full article explains the stages of a child’s journey to self-discovery.

3-4 yrs Development

How imaginary friends could boost children’s development

Author: Paige Davis

 

Between the ages of 3 and 5, children often have imaginary friends who act as playmates, companions or fallbacks. Psychologists have, since the early 19th century, been fascinated with this topic, continuously studying why imaginary friends exist. Studies have revealed that each imaginary friend created are unique, depending on their creators’ desires. These friends benefit children socially, mentally and emotionally, and can sometimes survive up to adulthood.

 

The full article takes a deeper look at imaginary friends, covering their benefits and how parents should deal with their child’s imaginary friends.

 

 

4-5 years Preschool Development

A Sneak Peek Into The Mind of a Four-Year-Old

Author: Stefanie Wilder-Taylor

 

At wit’s end when it comes to dealing with your four-year-old? Their emotions are volatile, sometimes driving adults insane. Fortunately, even though their emotional state can change so quickly, you can use cues from their actions to identify what they are feeling.

 

Don’t know where to start? The full article details what these kids think every hour or minute of each day.

 

Development of Boys

The unexpected way Disney princesses affect little boys

Author: Danielle Paquette

 

When we talk about Disney princesses, one usually associates them with little girls. On the other hand, if boys show an interest in princesses, they are often ridiculed as being ‘girly’.

 

A study conducted in 2016 indicated that Disney princesses can actually help young boys. While the girls who participated in the study showed the usual “stereotypes” when exposed to these princesses, the boys became more balanced in their outlook towards gender roles and body image.

 

Read more about the study and the analysis given about its results.

 

 

Development of Girls

Do Fathers Treat Toddler Girls Differently Than Boys?

Author: Chaunie Brusie

 

Fathers often treat their daughters like a treasure and sometimes, they spoil them rotten. When it comes to their sons, fathers are often seen as stoic and not that closely involved with their life. A study examined how different fathers treat their young sons and daughters. The researchers from Emory University discovered that fathers were very attentive to their daughter’s needs and were particularly careful with their interactions. On the other hand, their interaction with their sons are more active and their language also reflected the notion of achievement.

 

The full article discusses how the study was conducted its results, as well as advice on what fathers should do to treat their kids equally.

Craft Corner: Easter Version

Here are four craft and adventure ideas you and your child can do this Easter:

 

Easter Egg Candles

 

When we say Easter eggs, we normally think of normal eggs which are painted with colourful patterns. It can even be chocolate-made eggs which are wrapped in colourful foil. Why not give Easter eggs a different twist by transforming them into mini candles?

 

Check out how you and your child can create this one-of-a-kind Easter egg.

Photo: Hello Glow

 

Lolly Pop Bunnies

 

Lollypops are colourful to look at on their own. However, you can improve their aesthetics by creating special lolly-pop bunnies for Easter?

 

Check out how you can make one by heading to One Little Project.

 

Photo: One Little Project

 

Easter Cootie Catchers

Want to help your child create the best animal puppets for this Easter? Why not help them create cute cootie catchers?

 

Easy Peasy and Fun’s Easter Cootie Catchers guide details every step of the process.

 

Photo: Easy Peasy and Fun

 

 

Bunny Easter Basket

No Easter celebration is complete without the Easter Egg hunt! If your child is going to attend one, why not give them a unique Easter Egg basket?

 

My Sister’s Suitcase has the complete guide to making your very own bunny easter basket.

Photo: My Sister’s Suitcase