Vision Screenings

We will be conducting vision screenings at Wee Care Daycare & Preschool on Tuesday, May 27th.  This is a very simple screening where a picture is taken of your child's eyes and then that photograph is sent off and evaluated.  If any concerns result from the photo, then you will receive a letter suggesting further evaluation by an optometrist. If you wish for your child to receive this free screening, then please fill out the paperwork in the front hall before Friday, May 23rd.  This has been very helpful to many of our children at Wee Care in the past as we have identified several children and been able to help them receive early intervention to correct vision problems sooner than later.

Pre-Literacy Skills

Wee Care Daycare & Preschool values pre-literacy skills such as learning to hold a book properly, turning pages to go through a book from beginning to end, going on picture walks and discussing what we see, and pointing to pictures and naming things to increase vocabulary.  Having children mimic what the teacher does during reading time is such an interactive way to learn about reading instead of having to sit quietly and listen to someone else read all the time.  Our 2 year olds have learned so much and clearly enjoy "reading" books themselves.

100 Ways to Show Kids They Matter

100 Ways To Show Kids They Truly Matter.

1.     Give them a sincere hug.

2.     A special kiss on the cheek.

3.     A special day of celebration.

4.     Buy a special new toy.

5.     Take a trip to the movie theater.

6.     Buy them a new outfit.

7.     Take a trip to that special grandparents’ house.

8.     Have lunch at their favorite restaurant.

9.     Have a slumber party.

10.  Buy or make a personalized book.

11.  Spend quality time reading books together.

12.  Get a special ice cream treat.

13.  Have a fun day at the park.

14.  Make a special craft together.

15.  Create a holiday to celebrate the child all day.

16.  Take treats to school.

17.  Eat lunch at school with your child.

18.  Fill the child’s room with balloons.

19.  Cook their favorite meal.

20.  Bake their favorite dessert.

21.  Do a science project together.

22.  Go on a class field trip as a chaperone.

23.  Take a walk together.

24.  Make time for a conversation.

25.  Listen to your child.

26.  Tell the child how special they are.

27.  Take a special photo.

28.  Give the child a camera for a day and make a scrapbook with them.

29.  Go fishing.

30.  Make a t-shirt in their honor.

31.  Go bike riding.

32.  Do relay races.

33.  Color a picture of your child’s favorite thing… butterfly, superhero, firetruck…etc.

34.  Invite the child’s friends for a small party.

35.  Play a board game.

36.  Go shopping together.

37.  Let them spend a little extra time on the Play Station (I like limits).

38.  Get down in the floor with them and spend time playing cars, Barbie’s…etc.

39.  Take a trip to the zoo.

40.  Visit a museum.

41.  Play ball.

42.  Go to a sporting event.

43.  Play miniature golf.

44.  Teach new tasks like shoe tying.

45.  Play dress up.

46.  Go to the batting cages.

47.  Do hair and nails.

48.  Have a pizza party.

49.  Do face painting.

50.  Redecorate their room.

51.  Spend quality one on one time with them.

52.  Tell them stories of your childhood.

53.  Give them stickers.

54.  Write a story about them then read it to them.

55.  Tell them you love them.

56.  Brag about them to your friends in front of them.

57.  Let them go first in that day’s events.

58.  Spend time building something with them out of Playdough, Lego’s, or Lincoln Log’s.

59.  Go bowling.

60.  Swing together.

61.  Smile and laugh with them.

62.  Allow them to choose that day’s activities.

63.  Let them go to their friend’s home for a sleepover.

64.  Schedule a special play date.

65.  Make a video together.

66.  Create a fort with blankets in your living room.

67.  Go on a scavenger hunt.

68.  Plant a garden together.

69.  Listen to their favorite music.

70.  Dance together.

71.  Go kite flying.

72.  Have a water balloon fight.

73.  Go walking through puddles after a rain.

74.  Tell jokes.

75.  Make paper airplanes.

76.  Have an ice cream party.

77.  Go swimming.

78.  Go on a picnic.

79.  Shoot water guns at each other.

80.  Bake cookies.

81.  Do sidewalk art.

82.  Switch roles; let the child be a parent and you be the child for a while.

83.  String beads into necklaces, bracelets, and key chains.

84.  Visit a fire station.

85.  Catch lightening bugs together.

86.  Have a tea party.

87.  Pitch a tent in the backyard and camp out.

88.  Visit the public library.

89.  Get a big cardboard box and play house.

90.  Play hide-n-seek.

91.  Make instruments out of household goods and form your own band.

92.  Pick out cloud shapes.

93.  Go outside and see who can hear the most sounds.

94.  Visit a water park.

95.  Go bird watching.

96.  Paint a family portrait.

97.  Jump rope.

98.  Spend computer time searching for things that interest them.

99.  Blow bubbles and chase them.

100.                  Go exploring the neighborhood.

Graco Car Seat Recall

(CNN) -- In one of the biggest such recalls ever, Graco has agreed to recall 3.7 million child car seats manufactured in recent years -- even as it officially contests a government request to recall nearly 1.8 million more -- over a buckling issue.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Tuesday that Graco is voluntarily recalling 11 of 18 model seats that the government agency had asked it to recall.

"NHTSA's investigation will remain open pending its evaluation of the Graco recall and until the agency's consideration of the review of the 7 remaining sea models is completed," the department said.

The 3.7 million seats alone makes this recall the fourth biggest ever for car seats, according to the federal agency. If all the seats the NHTSA was asking to Graco to recall are added in, it would be the biggest.

In a statement, Graco said the voluntary recall affects "harness buckles used on all toddler convertible car seats and harnessed booster seats manufactured from 2009 to July 2013."

"This is not a new issue for us," Graco spokeswoman Ashley Mowrey said, noting that all products sold since July don't have the same problem. "We've been working to help consumers for some time now."

At issue: the red release button in the center of the harness, which the NHTSA said can become difficult to unlatch, or can become stuck. That can make it difficult or impossible to remove the child quickly in an emergency.

Graco explained that it found "that food and dried liquids can make some harness buckles progressively more difficult to open over time or become stuck in the latched position."

The children's products company added that it was offering a "new and improved replacement harness buckle to affected customers at no cost." People can obtain one by calling 800-345-4109 or emailing consumerservices@gracobaby.com.

Until they get such a replacement, Graco believes that parents should continue using their seats for their children.

"This does not, in any way, affect the performance of the car seat or the effectiveness of the buckle to restrain a child," the company said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, meanwhile, said it "encourages parents and caregivers to consider acquiring an alternative car seat for transporting children until their Graco seat is fixed."

Graco reports no injuries associated with this issue on seats, which sold for between $99 and $400.

According to Graco's website, the recall models include these toddler convertible car seats: the Cozy Cline, Comfort Sport, Classic Ride 50, My Ride 65, My Ride 65 with Safety Surround, My Ride 70, Size4Me 70, My Size 70, Head Wise 70 and Smart Seat.

The harnessed booster seats that are part of the recall are the Nautilus 3-in-1, Nautilus Elite and Argos.

According to the government, the seven models that Graco isn't recalling despite being asked to do so by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are all infant seats. Specifically, they are: Snugride, Snugride 30, Snugride 32, Infant Safe Seat-Step 1, Snugride 35, Tuetonia 35, and Snugride Click Connect 40.

Asked about these models, Graco's spokeswoman said that any customers with those or other car seats can still call and get a new harness buckle sent to them for free.

"They are not officially recalled; however, customers experiencing any difficulty with their harness buckle can still get a new one," said Mowrey.

It has been a long time since Wee Care has posted to our blog!  Now that we have had so many snow days I have found the time to do so!
Just  a reminder that Danny Steckler - Pediatric Dentist will be visiting Wee Care Daycare & Preschool tomorrow!  Don't forget to ask your little one what they learned!
http://www.kykidsdentist.com/