Kindergarten Readiness

Raise your hand if your child is ready for kindergarten.
Now, raise your hand if you can't believe how quickly time has gone!
For those of you with new little ones just hug them tight and treasure these moments because unfortunately, time will fly by!
Success in school begins at home and reading to your child EVERY DAY is the best way to prepare them for a lifetime of learning. 
But there are more skills your child will need:

• cutting with scissors
• washing hands
• blowing nose
• dressing self
• playing with other children
• following routines

For a full list go to the Kindergarten Readiness Checklist at the Ohio Department of Education

Look at pictures and tell a story

Recognize some site works like “STOP”

Identify some of the alphabet

Identify rhyming words

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Amazing Newborn

When you get to hold your baby for the first time it will be a magical moment. You will count the tiny fingers and toes. Rub your hand over the soft tufts of hair and gaze into his or her eyes. From the moment of birth, newborns have amazing abilities. They can see, hear, smell, taste and feel.

• Sight – baby will blink at bright lights and follow a moving target. They can focus on objects about 8 inches away but will fully develop their eyesight by age 2.
• Hearing – baby has been able to hear your voice as a fetus at 5 months. Baby can locate the source of a sound, discriminate between mother’s voice and others.
• Smell – baby can discriminate between mother’s breast.
• Taste – baby can tell the difference between salty and sweet (they prefer sweet).
• Touch – Newborns respond to touch, especially on the hands and mouth.

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Family Fun

Every budget should have a little bit of money set aside for family fun.  If you need a larger amount of money for a trip or day at a theme park then saving money over time can make that happen without disrupting your budget.

Try to find some things that cost little or no money:

• Swimming
• Zoo
• Movies
• Museums
• Playing board games, cards
• Renting movies
• Library story time or summer reading programs
• Take walks in the metro parks
• Go to a park with playground equipment
• Make a play date with other children
• Get family & friends together for a cookout
• Go camping in the backyard
• Winter activities (snowman, sledding)

Recreation is important for families

and brings everyone closer together.

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