October is often considered the lead-in month to the holiday season. Kids may be planning to trick-or-treat or participate in a harvest festival, but already holiday lights and merchandise are being stocked in stores. October usually means ideal outdoor weather, fall breezes, and sporting opportunities galore. Think bike rides, nature walks, pumpkin painting, apple eating, and even leaf-raking fun!
Small hands can help just like big ones, and encouraging kids to donate their time to help those in need. October is the month for the annual Make A Difference Day, which is designed to promote volunteerism and community involvement. (Local communities may observe the occasion on different days and ways this month, so check around!) Young children often show genuine work ethic and enthusiasm like no others when asked to help make a difference, and often help inspire others (including their own parents) to become involved.
Fall is a great time for teaching kids to think green. Environmental efforts such as composting, trash pickup days, and switching to energy-efficient electricity are great projects for children, and awareness will be especially advantageous as we approach the coming holiday season.
Today's tough economy means that about everyone is feeling the impact of higher prices and the need to budget more carefully. Parents and early educators should help raise awareness with kids--even young ones--about how things cost money, and what higher food prices and gas costs means to a family. It's never too soon to start teaching some money basics, and why not now?
October is National Fire Safety Month, and there's no better time than right now to teach and remind kids about fire safety and what to do in the unlikely event of a fire. Kids should not only know about what to do if they catch fire, but how to check for a fire, how to leave their home or daycare safely, and where the designated "safe place" is. Fire safety doesn't have to be a grim activity; there are lots of ways to keep the lessons fun and age-appropriate, whiel driving home the important message!
Fall is the prime time for outdoor enrichment activities, and many parents lament that they feel they are on-the-go every night of the week, with dinners on the run, homework done in the car, and kids being shuffled from one activity to another. While noone suggests that kids shouldn't participate in some things, parents should put a foot down on when it gets to be too much and keep in mind that unscheduled fun with the family should always come first!
"Character Counts" is officially celebrated in October, but character traits or virtues are often celebrated in daycares and schools across the country year-round. Some programs recognize children for demonstrating good character such as sharing, honesty, caring, friendship, compassion, and respect. Kids love being told they are caught "doing something right" and the praise helps for us to raise a future with responsible and caring adults!
Dressing up and pretending to be a fairy, witch or alien is part of the enticement behind Halloween or harvest festival fun nights. But before you send you goblins out for a night of imagination and scary fun, keep safety in mind with these tips.
Many organizations are getting a jump start on holiday charity drives. Schools and daycares nationwide are planning coat drives for the upcoming season's cold weather along with recycling gently-used gifts to give to the needy. Having kids give used toys and stuffed animals to kids is a great way to help teach kids to care, but parents need to make sure that toys and clothes are worth receiving. Nothing is more frustrating to receive a children's puzzle only to find that many of the pieces are missing! Keep in mind safety standards and recalls as well.
With November's election on the horizon, it's hard not to notice campaign signs, news, and visuals everywhere. Kids notice this too. Many daycares and schools are turning the political season into a learning experience by conducting mock elections to teach about the voting process (often with imaginary characters such as Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse) and how every vote counts!
Red Ribbon Week is always observed Oct. 23-31, and schools and daycares are joining in this national effort that reaches out to millions of youngsters each year on saying no to drugs. The literature that is given out is presented in a positive and empowering way, and can be tailored to be age appropriate. It's a great cause and another reason to have a heart-to-heart talk with your kids!
