6 Benefits of Daycare for Children

kids having fun at day care

Sending a child to a good quality daycare is an excellent decision for working parents. But if you are worried about leaving your child in a childcare center, it will help to know the impact of daycare on young children. Several studies have shown that day care offers a plethora of benefits for kids. Find out how your little one can benefit from a daycare by reading the points below.

Academic readiness

The transition to kindergarten can be difficult for both parents and children alike. However, sending a child to a daycare can help ease the transition. A high-quality childcare center provides young children plenty of opportunities to grow and develop mentally, socially, physically and emotionally. It also provides them opportunities to experience new things that help them prepare for future academic endeavors. According to scientific studies, kids who are sent to day care centers learn important skills that are crucial for learning. Evidence has also shown that teens who have spent time in daycare as young children had higher academic achievements.

Regular schedule and activities

Young kids can immensely benefit from following a consistent routine and schedule in their day. And these things are something they can learn in a daycare. In a childcare center, your child will enjoy the structured periods of activities, storytelling, singing and playing. And while having fun, they learn about the concept of time through consistent schedules. They will learn that there is a time for meals, napping, playing and other activities.

Social interaction

Kids who stay home only experience interaction with their family members, relatives and neighbors. If not they are not given adequate social exposure, it can be difficult for them to be involved in group interactions at a later stage. Daycare provides children the opportunities to interact with other kids and adults, which is crucial to their social development. Kids in daycare not only learn how to work with and make friends with children in a similar age group, they also learn how to solve problems together and make themselves heard in a group while in a safe and supervised environment. All these are important experiences that contribute to their growth while their personalities are developing.

Better behavior

The experiences young children gain from attending daycare shape them into better individuals. Because they are given opportunities to work with others, play and work with them, they develop better behaviors in a social setting. They learn how to become team players. A good daycare program run by teachers with strong educational background, teaches children not just skills, but also values that mold them into becoming better adults.

Interaction with other adults

Fun time with the teacher

Because most children only interact with their parents and other adult family members, sending them to a childcare center would be a good option if you want your child to have healthy interactions with other adults outside the family. In a daycare, kids will learn to see other adults as authority figures who can provide positive guidance.

Smoother transition into kindergarten

Children who skip daycare and preschool find it more difficult to start school. Attending kindergarten becomes an ordeal for both the child and parents. Separation anxiety can kick in and kids may dread going to school in the morning. When you send your child to a daycare, you won’t have to encounter scenarios like this because daycare helps make the transition a lot easier. Introducing young children the idea of school at an early age will help eliminate the worries and anxieties when they finally have to begin formal schooling. They can seamlessly adapt to the new environment with less or no behavioral issues at all. In addition, they won’t have a difficulty adjusting to the academic structure because they also learn the fundamentals of the alphabet and counting in a daycare.

With these benefits available for your child, it would be safe to say that sending children to daycare is indeed an excellent decision for any parent to make. And if you’re looking for a good quality childcare center for your little one, please consider Creative Learning Academy.

The post 6 Benefits of Daycare for Children appeared first on Creative Learning Academy.

from Creative Learning Academy https://ift.tt/2Dor7Sw
via IFTTT

4 Recipes for Celebrate National Potato Month with the Family

Being an integral part of the food supply of many countries, a world without potatoes is unimaginable! This month, we have more reasons to take in our favorite vegetable and make wonderful recipes because September is National Potato Month!

To help you get started, here are some great potato recipes that you can make at home to celebrate National Potato Month with the entire family!

Chicken and Potato Pot Pie

Chicken and Potato Pot Pie is an excellent meal for when everyone’s already starving and you’re running short on time. It is a fast and easy comfort food for both kids and adults alike. The following are the ingredients you need.

• 2 medium sized potatoes or 3 to 4 small potatoes
• 1 can of cream chicken soup
• 1 chicken breast
• 1 cup frozen vegetable blend
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 package refrigerated pie dough

Directions: Cut potatoes in half lengthwise and the chicken breast should be cut into small cubes. Mix the potatoes, vegetable, chicken, soup and a soup can of water together in a 1-quart microwave-safe dish. Top the mixture with pie dough. Brush the dough with egg. Microwave for 20 minutes or until chicken and potatoes are completely cooked.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes don’t have to be boring. Just when you thought you have tried every possible variation, this recipe introduces you to mashed potatoes with a twist. The ingredients for the roasted garlic mashed potatoes include:

• 5 pounds of russet or Yukon gold potatoes
• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 1 and ½ sticks salted butter
• ¼ cup half-and-half
• Heavy cream
• 3 to 5 heads roasted garlic
• Salt and black pepper

Directions: Prepare your oven and preheat it to 350 degrees F. Cut the potatoes into cubes and boil it for about 30 minutes until tender. Drain and mash the potatoes for 5 minutes while allowing steam to escape. Then add the cream cheese, butter, cream, half-and-half, roasted garlic, salt and pepper. Mash and mix them together.  Once done, spread the potatoes into a large baking dish and leave a slice of butter at the top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until heated thoroughly.

Potato Salad Cha Cha Cha

Potato Salad Cha Cha Cha is going to be your next family’s favorite potato recipe. Why? Because aside from offering a good mix of flavors, this recipe is also healthy. So, without further ado, here are the ingredients and steps to make this dish.

• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 2 and ½ tbsp lime juice
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 and ½ tsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. bottled mild jalapeno sauce
• 15 oz black beans
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 7 oz can vacuum packed kernel corn
• 1 and ½ cup sliced green onions

Directions: Cook potatoes in 2 inches of boiling water for 12 minutes or until tender. Once cooked, drain it and allow to cool. Meanwhile, whisk together the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. Add salt if desired.

Twice baked potatoes

Twice baked potatoes is a recipe that your family will surely love! It features an explosion of flavors including fresh green onion, crispy bacon bits and gooey cheddar on top of hollowed out potato halves. Check the list of ingredients below.

• 8 baking potatoes
• 2 sticks salted butter
• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup bacon bits
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 2 tsp seasoned salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 green onions

Directions: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Rub the potatoes with canola oil and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for an hour or until they are well cooked. In a large mixing bowl, place slices of butter in and add the sour cream and bacon bits. Then, remove the potatoes from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 degrees F. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides and add them in your mixing bowl. Make sure not to tear the shell. Then, place the hollowed out potato halves on a baking sheet. Meanwhile, mash the potatoes into the mixture of butter, bacon and sour cream. Then add milk, cheese, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper. Fill the hollowed out potatoes with this filling and top each potato with more cheese. Pop them into the oven for 15 minutes and they’re ready to eat!

Now that you have these exciting potato recipes, you’re on your way to having a blast this National Potato Month! So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get messy in the kitchen and enjoy a wonderful meal with the family!

The post 4 Recipes for Celebrate National Potato Month with the Family appeared first on Creative Learning Academy.

from Creative Learning Academy https://ift.tt/2QDVuXs
via IFTTT