
See the latest information, news and announcements from Parks’ Place from Infants to Threes and VPK!
See the latest information, news and announcements from Parks’ Place from Infants to Threes and VPK!
See the latest information, news and announcements from Parks’ Place from Infants to VPK and Summer Camp!
Temper tantrums are a normal part of your toddler’s development. They usually occur between the ages of 1 and 3 and lessen by age 4. A tantrum is one way a child can express himself. He is not feeling bad.
See the latest information, news and announcements from Parks’ Place from Infants to VPK and Summer Camp!
Summer is a great time for families. The days are longer and the weather is warmer giving us the opportunity to spend more time outdoors and get fresh air and exercise. When spending more time outside it’s important to teach kids how to stay safe and healthy when doing summer activities.
Jacksonville residents can now recycle more items than ever, and there’s no need to pre-sort or remove labels from bottles and cans. Set out recycling no later than 6 a.m. on collection day and no earlier than 5 p.m. the day prior.
Although the program doesn’t start until August, they can register now to avoid the last minute rush for certificates. Don’t wait until summer! To be eligible, a child must be 4 on or before September 1, 2019 (birthdate from 9/2/2014 through 9/1/2015).
February was a month filled with love and excitement. We had a great time at Parks’ Place. The children had a fun time celebrating Valentine’s Day. Our children enjoyed hearing stories and learning about Black History Month. Through a visit from the dentist we heard about the importance of good dental health.
Read the latest information, news and announcements from Parks’ Place from Ones and Twos to Threes & VPK’s as we celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day!
See the latest holiday information, news and announcements from Parks’ Place from Infants to Threes and VPK!
A list of Thanksgiving themed books for you and your little ones.
Here is the October Early Learning Parents’ Pages Newsletter. This newsletter has several links to helpful resources and activities for you and your child.
See the latest Fall information, news and announcements from Parks’ Place from Infants to Threes and VPK!
The Voluntary Prekindergarten Program – or VPK – is a free prekindergarten program for 4- and 5-year-olds who reside in Florida and were born on or before September 1 of each program year.
Your child may be starting childcare at a new provider or starting child care for the first time. You may be preparing your child for their first day of VPK or kindergarten, or even first grade. Starting care can be challenging for you and your child if they have difficulty separating from you. Anything new can be scary for your child, and the fact that you will not be there to help them adjust to their new surroundings may make it scary for you, too.
Home–to-school worries regarding transitions may be caused by your child not understanding that she will be safe and have fun in her new environment. She may worry that she has never been away from you and fears being without you. Separation anxiety is common in young children and parents as well.
Before the first day at a new school or with a new teacher, ask the school staff or program director what they do at the beginning of the year to help make the first day go smoothly. Find out the name of your child’s teacher and other adults who may be supervising your child.
Talk to your child about what she can expect. Let her know that you will always come back for her. Remind her that you love her, have never left her, and you will continue to be there as you always have.
A routine is when you complete specific tasks regularly. Children thrive with routines because it creates structure. A child must have the routine and tasks explained and see it modeled by you to follow the routine regularly.
A few weeks before the first day, tell your child that “We’re going to practice getting ready for school!” Make sure to sound excited and happy about it. Choose two shirts, two pairs of pants, and two pairs of socks and set them out. Ask your child, “Would you like this shirt or that one? These pants or those?” Offering your child a choice gives them a sense of control and will make them more cooperative with the getting dressed process.
Establishing cooperation as part of your morning routine will make your life easier. Remember to praise your child for getting dressed and being so cooperative. Praise reinforces the desired behavior and increases your child’s confidence.
Once everyone is dressed, it’s time to grab your bags and go. Get buckled into the car and drive to the school. Park and explain that this is the part where you would typically walk your child to her class and kiss her goodbye.
Tell her that she will get to do fun activities, make new friends, and play outside, and at the end of the day, you’ll be there to pick her up. She’ll probably want to get out and play on the playground, but let her know she’ll have to wait until the “big day” when school starts. On the drive home, you might assure your child that you were nervous about your first day, but it turned out well for you.
You may not wish to make the “practice run” to school every day before the big day, but it’s best to practice getting dressed each morning. Make sure that you are up with lunches packed and dressed by the time you will typically need to get out the door.
Encourage family members to show their support. Tell them to ask your child if she is excited about school. Have them remind her that she will get to play and make new friends. Bring up the topic at dinner time, when the family is together and can share their experiences.
When the big day arrives, be sure to get up a little earlier to allow extra time to offer reassurance. Follow the routine you have established, offering choices in clothing and getting dressed. Write a love note to tuck in her lunch. Small children may wish to bring a comfort item such as a stuffed animal or blanket on the first day. Just be sure to check with the care provider or teacher about their policy about this.
When it’s time to leave, remind her again that she will get to play and make new friends. Let her know that the teacher or care provider is there to help her if she needs anything. Remind her that you will be back at the end of the day right on time to get her. Keep your voice and energy upbeat and excited for her!
While you may be excited for your child, sending them to care or school for the first time may bring you sadness. This is only natural. Children pick up on how we’re feeling, and if you let your fear and despair come through, it will only add to your child’s nervousness. Remind yourself that your child’s care provider or teacher works with children because she loves them and has been doing this work for years. Make sure to reach out to friends who you can talk to about how you’re feeling. Friends with children will no doubt identify with you.
This is an exciting time for both you and your child. Your child is gaining independence, and you are acquiring a bit of autonomy. Don’t be afraid to talk to your child’s care provider or teacher about your concerns. She is there to support you. Enjoy this new time in your life. One day you will look back on it as one of your fondest memories.
History is often reduced to a handful of memorable moments and events. In Black history, those events often include courageous stories like those of The Underground Railroad and historic moments like the famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But these are only a few of the significant and important events to know and remember.
Please join us for FREE Summer VPK!
June 8, 2020– August 7, 2020
All Day Class: 8:00AM – 4:30PM
Sign up Now!!
Classes begin June 8, 2020
Also offering FREE Fall VPK – August 2020
August 10, 2020 – May 28, 2021
IMPORTANT:
In accordance with CDC guidelines, Parks Place will not be providing childcare services for the week of September 21st.
Parks Place will reopen for business on Monday, September 28, 2020. Read More
Research shows that all children benefit from the time they spend in positive interactions and activities with a dad or other male role models. The relationship between a father and his child has a deep impact on all areas of the child’s healthy development: language, thinking, physical, and social-emotional. Children with dads who are actively involved in their education have fewer discipline problems and perform better academically. These children grow up to be more responsible adults.
The Florida Department of Education(FLDOE) encourages dads to participate in Dads Take Your Child to School Day on September 25, 2019. Dads can take children of all ages to school. Dads, take a moment to speak to your child’s teacher.
Let your child see that you appreciate the people who work at their school. Your child is proud of you and will want to have teachers and other children see you at the school. In families without a dad present, other significant male role models are invited to participate. Although the event is focused on dads, mothers and other family members are invited to participate also. Check their the school’s websites and parent newsletters, or talk with your child’s teacher about special events planned for Dads Take Your Child to School Day.
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