Tir Na Nog Childcare Blog, Natick MA Daycare

After-School Snacks

2012-02-17T18:21:00.000-08:00

It's a scene that plays out daily in homes everywhere. Kids come in from school and head straight to the kitchen looking for something to eat. How can you can make sure your child gets nourished but still has room for a healthy dinner? Read on.

Though kids need less frequent snacks as they get older, it's not surprising that most are hungry after school. Many kids eat lunch early — 11:30 or even before — and then have an afternoon of classes and maybe even an after-school activity before their next chance to eat. It's no wonder the snack food vending machine looks so appealing at the end of the day.

Depending on your child's age and after-school routine, you may not always be able to control what he or she eats in the late afternoon. But don't throw in the towel just yet. Take these steps to guide your child to good after-school snacks that will be satisfying and still leave room for a nutritious dinner.

Figure Out the Timing

Put yourself in your kids' shoes and consider their eating schedules on a normal weekday. Some younger kids may have a mid-morning snack, but most older school-age kids won't. Get the answers to these questions: When is lunchtime? What and how much do they eat at lunch? Do they ever skip lunch? Does the after-school program serve snacks? This will help you figure out how hungry kids will be when they get home.

You'll also want to think about what time you normally serve dinner. A child who gets home famished at 3 and eats a large snack probably won't be hungry if dinner is at 5:30. Likewise, it may not reasonable to expect a child whose parents work late to go until 7:30 with nothing to eat since lunch. Think about your kids' schedules and plan accordingly.

Create a List of Healthy Options

Next, talk about which snacks kids would like to have at snack time. Come up with a list of healthy options together and be sure to include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. While a slice of cake or some potato chips shouldn't be forbidden foods, such low-nutrient snacks shouldn't be on the everyday after-school menu.

If you can, take your kids along to the grocery store and spend some time reading the nutrition facts labels and comparing products. Pay attention to the amounts of protein, fiber, calcium, and other important nutrients, and don't miss the chance to talk about portion sizes. Together, choose snacks that are low in sugar, fat, and salt. Being involved in the process makes it more likely that kids will learn to make healthy food choices.

Make Healthy Snacks an Easy Choice

Don't expect kids — even teens — to cut up their own veggie sticks. It's just too much bother, especially when they're hungry. Kids are more inclined to eat what's handy. That's where you come in. Make healthy snacks easily available by packing them in their lunchboxes or backpacks or by having them visible and ready-to-eat at home.

If you're at home after school, your youngster might enjoy helping you make a creative snack like ants on a log (celery topped with peanut butter and raisin "ants"), egg boats (hard-boiled egg wedges topped with a cheese sail), or fruit kabobs. Older kids may enjoy a fruit smoothie, mini-pitas with hummus dip, or whole-grain crackers topped with cheese and pear slices.

Older kids often like making their own snacks, so provide the ingredients and a few simple instructions. If dinner is just around the corner, consider allowing a "first course," such as a small salad or side vegetable while you finish preparing the family meal.

For those nights when dinner is hours away, you could opt for a more substantial snack such as half a sandwich or a quesadilla made with a whole-wheat tortilla, low-fat cheese, and salsa warmed in the microwave. Nothing too complicated, though. A good snack should take more time to eat than it does to prepare!

If your child goes to an after-school program or to a caregiver's house, find out if snacks are served. If so, what's typically offered? If you don't like what you hear, suggest alternatives or just pack an extra snack your child can eat after school. Easy-to-pack snack options include trail mix, nuts, low-sugar whole grain cereal, whole-grain pretzels or crackers, fresh or dried fruit, and cut-up vegetables.

What if your child comes home to an empty house? Again, the best strategy is to leave something healthy front and center on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator. A hungry child, like a hungry adult, is likely to take the path of least resistance.

Infant Daycare / Baby Childcare Natick MA

2012-01-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

Looking for infant daycare / baby childcare services in the Natick area of Massachusetts?

Our infant program consists of two classrooms. Our younger infants are ages 8 weeks to approx. 6 months and our older infants rooms are for ages 6 months to 12 months. Each classroom has seven children with two teachers.

Our transition room is for children transitioning from infants to toddlers. The ages in this classroom are 12 months to 15 to 18 months. This classroom has nine children with two teachers.

Please call us at (508) 651-1711 to schedule a tour of our facility which is located at 19 Willow St. in Natick.

Looking for Childcare / Daycare near Wellesley MA?

2011-12-11T07:21:00.000-08:00

Looking for top quality childcare / daycare near Wellesley Massachusetts?

Tir Na Nog Childcare brought new life to an old warehouse…our space is filled with many bright colors resembling a traditional street you might find in a village in Ireland. Tir Na Nog is an Irish tale about a place called “The Land of the Young”. It is a beautiful, colorful place where everyone is young and happy and you never grow old.

We welcome children between the ages of 8 weeks and 6 years old. We have seven classrooms, a kitchen, a conference room, an indoor playspace for rainy days and an art room. We are open 5 days per week from 7am until 6pm, also offering an early pick up option of 3:30pm.

Our outdoor play space has child safe playground covering and is surrounded by a six foot wooden privacy fence. We have toys, climbing structures and swings for all age groups. There is water play on hot days in the summer months and outside picnics on warm beautiful days.

If you are looking for top quality childcare, daycare in the Wellesley, MA area please call (508) 651-1711 to schedule a tour of our facility.

Eating Healthy

2011-11-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

Parents and caregivers play a key role in not only making healthy choices for children and teaching children to make healthy choices for themselves. But in today’s busy world, this isn’t always easy. So Let’s Move! offers parents and caregivers the tools, support and information they need to make healthier choices while instilling healthy eating habits in children that will last a lifetime.

Nutrition Information

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, put forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provide science-based advice for individuals over the age of two to promote health and reduce the risk of major chronic diseases. The current Dietary Guidelines, encourage most Americans to eat fewer calories, be more physically active, and make wiser food choices.

MyPlate

USDA's new food icon, MyPlate, serves as a quick visual reminder to all consumers to make healthy food choices when you choose your next meal, built off of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for all Americans. MyPlate can help prioritize food choices by reminding us to make half of our plate fruits and vegetables and shows us the other important food groups for a well-balanced meal: whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy.

Empower Consumers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently deliberating on how to enhance the usefulness to consumers of point-of-purchase nutrition information. This includes information on the main display panel of food products, called "front-of-pack" labeling. The new labeling provides 65 million parents in America with easy access to the information they need to make healthy choices for their children.

Pediatricians as Partners

The American Academy of Pediatrics, in collaboration with the broader medical community, is educating doctors and nurses across the country about obesity to ensure that they regularly monitor children’s BMIs, provide counseling for healthy eating early on, and, for the first-time ever, write a prescription for parents laying out the simple things they can do to increase healthy eating and active play.

Eating Healthy on a Budget

Eating healthy doesn’t have to cost more. Use these tips and materials from USDA to help you make choices that are not only healthy but also economical.

The 3 P’s ― Plan, Purchase, and Prepare Food on a Budget (pdf), these reminders help you stay within your food budget.
Smart Shopping for Veggies and Fruits (pdf), get the fruits and vegetables you need without breaking the bank.
Sample 7 Day Menu (pdf), this sample weekly menu meets all nutritional needs at a cost below current average food costs.

The Dangerous Habit that Makes Babies Fat

2011-10-14T18:39:00.001-07:00

By the time babies reach their first birthday, they’re typically getting one third of their calories from snacks a dangerous eating habit that can put them at high risk for childhood obesity, according to the Nestlé Feeding Infants & Toddlers Study (FITS) presented at an Obesity Society meeting on October 3. The researchers also reported that cookies, candy and crackers are the most popular snacks among toddlers and preschoolers—and as kids get older, their eating habits only get worse.

What’s more, two and three year olds aren’t getting enough vegetables and whole grains and their diets include too many calories from fats and sugar (just like those of older kids and adults). The alarming result is that 10 percent of little kids between the ages of two and five are already obese, putting them in danger of developing a wide range of short-term and long-term health problems. The good news, however, is that simple changes in kids’ menus can dramatically reduce these risks. Here’s what you need to know to help your children get a healthy start in life.

What Are Parents Doing Wrong?

They’re not paying enough attention to dietary guidelines for children. For example, the USDA’s Daily Food Plan emphasizes grains, fruits and vegetables in portion sizes calibrated for a child’s age. The FITS study showed that in addition to the lack of vegetables and whole grains in kids’ diets, by age four, fruits and vegetables make up only five percent of their total daily calories compared to 15 percent from sweets. Also, most preschoolers drink whole or 2 percent milk, which makes up about 30 percent of the saturated fats in their diets. In any given day, the study found that 75 percent of preschoolers get too much saturated fat (found in meat and dairy products).

What Health Problems Can These Eating Habits Cause?

Overall, one third of American kids are overweight and 17 percent are obese. And the earlier obesity starts, the more likely it is to become a lifelong problem, taking a toll on health in a wide range of ways. Fat kids are more likely to have bone and joint problems, develop diseases like prediabetes and sleep apnea (bouts of interrupted breathing during sleep), and experience social and psychological problems. Scarier still, 70 percent of obese 5 to 14 year-olds have already had at least one risk for cardiovascular disease, the CDC reports. You can find out if your child is overweight with this online BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator for children and teens.

Are There Quick Fixes?

Yes. The study included these nutritional recommendations that can boost the quality of children’s diets:

Think of snacks as “mini meals” that should consist of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, low fat yogurt and dairy products and whole grain foods such as whole grain bread, brown rice instead of white rice and whole grain cereals like oatmeal.
Give kids water to drink instead of sugar-sweetened beverages.
By age two, youngsters should be drinking one percent or skim milk instead of whole or 2 percent milk.
Limit foods that are high in unsaturated fats. These include cheese, and high fat meats such as hotdogs and bacon. Healthier fats come from foods like avocado and fish and those made with canola, safflower and olive oils.

What About Exercise?

Even little kids aren’t getting enough exercise for good health. In fact, new British guidelines advise parents to make sure that babies get exercise even before they can walk. The guidelines urge parents to minimize the amount of time little kids spend restrained in infant carriers or seats and discourages the use of walkers and baby bouncers on the grounds that limit free movement. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which is a supporter of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign against childhood obesity, advises at least one hour of physical activity a day (that doesn’t have to be consecutive) for kids, and that parents limit children over age two to no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of watching quality TV shows, while kids under age two shouldn’t watch TV at all.

What is the Study’s Takeaway Message?

“Parents and caregivers need to know that eating patterns are set early – between 12 to 24 months,” said Dr. Kathleen Reidy, DrPH, RD, Head, Nutrition Science, Nestlé Infant Nutrition. “It’s crucial to establish the foundation for healthy diets early in life when eating habits and food preferences are being formed.” And because kids mimic what they see the rest of the family do, to prevent childhood obesity, parents need to be good role models by choosing healthy foods for their own meals, cutting down on high-calorie snacks, and making exercise a family priority.

Why Music Makes Kids Smarter

2011-09-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

Tune into your child's inner Mozart

Will your child receive a sound education? Schools with a strong musical program may give students an academic edge, Long Island University researchers say. They found that second-graders taking twice-weekly piano lessons at school performed significantly better on vocabulary tasks than those who didn’t play a note. “The piano students improved their listening skills with music, and that may have helped them hear and store vocabulary words more efficiently for future use,” says study author Joseph Piro, Ph.D. While private lessons should do the trick, Piro believes that children may be more eager to learn an instrument if the instruction occurs in a group setting, such as in a class or at school.

How to Fight Trend of Preschool Obesity

2011-08-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Institute of Medicine Calls for New Policies to Promote Exercise and Healthier Eating

A growing number of preschool-age children in the U.S. are overweight or obese and greater efforts are needed to address the problem, the health policy group Institute of Medicine (IOM) says.

In a new report, an IOM committee outlined policies designed to reduce obesity by promoting healthy eating, exercise, and sleep habits among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

But instead of focusing solely on what parents can do, the report highlighted ways federal and state regulators, doctors, and childcare workers can help prevent obesity in very young children.
One in 10 infants and toddlers in the U.S. and one in five children between the ages of 2 and 5 are overweight.

"Contrary to the notion that chubby babies are healthy babies and that young children grow out of their baby fat, it is looking like children who are overweight early may be more likely to be overweight and obese later on," committee chair Leann L. Birch, PhD, tells WebMD.

Limit TV Time

Birch, who directs the Pennsylvania State University Center for Childhood Obesity Research, says addressing the problem in very young children is critical because obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are occurring with greater frequency among older children, teens, and young adults.
The IOM report included these recommendations for state and federal regulators:

Requiring day care centers and preschools to provide the opportunity for at least 15 minutes of physical activity per hour to toddlers and older children, while allowing infants to move freely at times with appropriate supervision.
Limit TV and other screen time to no more than 30 minutes for half-day day care programs and one hour for full-day programs.
Day care centers and other child-care providers should be required to promote healthy sleep times during the day.

Kids Need More Sleep, Exercise

Birch says just like their parents, very young children appear to be sleeping less overall these days. Studies show that insufficient sleep time is a risk factor for obesity.

It is recommended that children age 2 and under get 12 hours or more of sleep each day and children between the ages of 2 and 5 get at least 11 hours of sleep.

Keeping TVs out of bedrooms, creating environments that promote naps and nighttime sleep, and establishing sleep routines are all important to promoting healthy sleep habits, IOM committee member Debra Haire-Joshu, PhD, MPH, of Washington University in St. Louis tells WebMD. The report stressed the importance of giving young children plenty of opportunity to be active during the day.
"We know that children in many day care settings are not getting enough physical activity during the day," Birch says. She says several states now require day care centers to provide the opportunity for at least two hours of physical activity during an eight-hour day. "Children tend to be active in short bursts, so if they have the opportunity for activity throughout the day they are likely to expend more energy," she adds.

Studies have found that many parents don't realize that overweight infants and toddlers are at higher risk for obesity later in childhood. For this reason, the IOM committee is calling on pediatricians to measure infant weight, height, and body mass at every well-child visit to identify those at risk and help educate parents about healthy eating and exercise habits. The IOM committee called on health care providers to encourage new moms to breastfeed exclusively for six months, and the group called on federal officials to establish clear dietary guidelines for children under the age of 2. "This is the period of life when children are establishing food preferences and eating patterns," Birch says.

Dr. Oz's Favorite Health Tips For Parents

2011-07-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Besides heart surgery, my great professional passion is working with a group called HealthCorps—a program that places energetic, healthy young people in high schools, where they help students live better, healthier lives. Its message stresses mental resilience and the notion that even kids have the power to control their bodies and the world around them.

My wife, Lisa, and I have tried to impart that message to our own four children—the true joys of our lives—and I stress it to my viewers on The Dr. Oz Show. We parents have to be role models. I've distilled what I've learned along the way into these five ultimate health tips for kids.

1. Play with your food.

Child obesity is a devastating health crisis. But so often the message for kids is strictly negative: "Don't eat junk food!" "Don't watch too much television!" Don't. Don't. Don't. The message about food needs to be positive if you want your kids to eat right for a lifetime. You've got to offer healthy foods that are fun, colorful, and interactive. Remember that kids want to discover, not to be told, so let them seek out their favorite colorful fruits and vegetables—foods that are packed with flavonoids and carotenoids to keep them healthy.

2. Eat that fat.

The human brain is about 60 percent fat, which is one reason I encourage people to include healthy fatty acids, especially omega-3's, in their diet. These are wonderful brain boosters for kids. Nuts and certain types of fish, such as salmon and mahi-mahi, are great sources. If your kids aren't into fish, try Kids' Krill Oil, which is packed with choline and DHA, nutrients essential to the developing brains.

3. Be a copycat.

Research shows that children are quick to pick up on their parents' inconsistencies. If Dad is a couch potato, then telling the kids to go play outside is a lost cause. Mirror neurons will activate in your child's brain and he'll model those bad behaviors himself. Don't just say it, do it: Live. Right. Now. Your kids will follow. Start by getting outdoors. More than half of Americans, including kids, may be deficient in vitamin D. Make sure the whole family is getting their daily dose, either through supplements or roughly 15 minutes in the sun.

4. Put down that homework.

And turn off the TV—especially after bedtime. Kids need about 10 to 11 hours of sleep per day between ages 3 and 12. Young children who don't get enough quality sleep have more academic and behavioral problems, including oppositional behavior, defiance, and hyperactivity. I tell my kids that they can always do homework tomorrow, but getting back growth-promoting sleep is impossible.

5. Talk back.

Focus on your kids during a conversation. I believe the most important predictor of success and happiness as an adult is whether you know that your parents loved you. Not whether your parents loved you, but whether you knew it. Make that clear in what you say and how you act. It increases oxytocin levels, so your kids will feel safe and can learn better.

For Childcare, Daycare, Preschool services in Natick, MA, Framingham, Wellesley, Needham, Dover, Sherborn and and surrounding Metrowest areas call (508) 651-1711 or visit http://www.tirnanogchildcare.com/

Choosing Child Care

2011-07-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

Natick, MA: More and more, research tells us that our children's healthy development depends on safe and positive experiences during the first few years of life. If you are a parent who works during these early years, choosing good child care is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for your child.

To help you make the right choice for your child, researchers have identified 13 research-based guidelines to think about when choosing a child care program.

You might want to visit several different child care programs, either centers or family child care homes, before you decide which one is best for your family. Call each child care program and schedule an appointment for your visit. Once you are there, stay for at least an hour to watch activities, check the surroundings, and ask questions. The checklist below provides a place for you to note which guidelines are met. Research shows that if a program follows guidelines, it is more likely to be a safe and healthy place for your child. Your state or county may have other guidelines to help ensure health and safety in child care programs.

Considering these guidelines can help you find a place where you feel comfortable leaving your child.

Supervision

Are children supervised at all times, even when they are sleeping?
How do the caregivers discipline children? (Hint: Discipline should be positive, clear, consistent, and fair.)

Handwashing and Diapering

Do all caregivers and children wash their hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom or changing diapers?
Is the place where diapers are changed clean?
Do caregivers always keep a hand on the child while diapering?
Do caregivers remove the soiled diaper without dirtying any surface not already in contact with stool or urine?
Do caregivers clean and sanitize the surface after finishing the changing process? (Hands should be scrubbed with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds and then rinsed and dried. The water faucet should be turned off with a paper towel.)

Director Qualifications

Does the director of a child care center have a bachelor's degree in a child-related field?
Has the director worked in child care for at least two years?
Does the director understand what children need to grow and learn?

Lead Teacher Qualifications

Does the lead teacher in a child care center have a bachelor's degree in a child-related field?
Has the teacher worked in child care for at least one year?
Does the teacher give children lessons and toys that are right for their ages?

Child:Staff Ratio and Group Size

How many children are being cared for in the child care program?
How many caregivers are there? (Your child will get more attention if each caregiver has fewer children to care for. The younger the children are, the more caregivers there should be. For example, one family home caregiver should only take care of two infants.)

Immunizations

Is your child up-to-date on all of the required immunizations?
Does the child care program have records proving that the other children in care are up-to-date on all their required immunizations?

Toxic Substances

Are toxic substances like cleaning supplies and pest killers kept away from children?
Has the building been checked for dangerous substances like radon, lead and asbestos?
Is poison control information posted?

Emergency Plan

Does the child care program have an emergency plan if a child is injured, sick, or lost?
Does the child care program have first-aid kits?
Does the child care program have information about who to contact in an emergency?

Fire/Emergency Drills

Does the child care program have a plan in case of a disaster like a fire, tornado, flood, blizzard, or earthquake?
Does the child care program do practice drills once every month?

Child Abuse

Can caregivers be seen by others at all times, so a child is never alone with one caregiver?
Have all caregivers undergone background check?
Have the caregivers been trained on how to prevent child abuse, how to recognize signs of child abuse, and how to report suspected child abuse?

Medications

Does the child care program keep medication out of reach from children?
Are the caregivers trained and the medications labeled to make sure the right child gets the right amount of the right medication at the right time?

Staff Training/First Aid

Have caregivers been trained how to keep children healthy and safe from injury and illness?
Do they know how to do first aid and rescue breathing?
Have they been trained to understand and meet the needs of children of different ages?
Are all child care staff, volunteers, and substitutes trained on and implementing infant back sleeping and safe sleep policies to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, crib death)? (When infants are sleeping, are they on their backs with no pillows, quilts, stuffed toys, or other soft bedding in the crib with them?)

Playgrounds

Is the playground regularly inspected for safety?
Is the playground surrounded by a fence?
If there is a sandbox, is it clean?
Are the soil and playground surfaces checked often for dangerous substances and hazards?
Is equipment the right size and type for the age of children who use it?

Visit our website at http://www.tirnanogchildcare.com/

USDA Food Pyramid is Out, Food Plate is In

2011-06-05T10:42:00.000-07:00

A two-decade old icon of healthy eating--the food pyramid—is now ancient history. In what the US Department of Agriculture calls a “monumental effort” to improve the nation’s diet amid the obesity epidemic, the government has dished up a new plate-shaped graphic:

Read more here: USDA Food Pyramid is Out, Food Plate is In

Just Playing

2011-06-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "Just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play,
About balance, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "Just Playing."
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He is Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I just might be a Teacher someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "playing" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Play."
I'm learning to follow directions and see the differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I just played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.

http://www.tirnanogchildcare.com/

Tir Na Nog Childcare yelp page

2011-05-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Do you love Tir Na Nog Childcare and want to tell the world? Please share your experiences with a review on our yelp page (link below):

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tirnanog-child-care-natick

http://www.tirnanogchildcare.com/

About Us

2011-04-20T19:13:00.001-07:00