Meet the Teachers: Samantha
Samantha Scott is the Infant Curriculum Coordinator at our West Cobb campus. A passionate educator who loves children, Samantha has been with Parker-Chase for five years. It’s a job she loves and says she is meant for.
“I’ve always loved kids and knew that I wanted to work with them, especially younger children,” Samantha says. “Working with infants has always felt like something I was led to do.”
During her time with Parker-Chase, Samantha has become a leader in her role as the Infant Curriculum Coordinator, and she inspires other teachers with her dedication to early childhood education and commitment to seeing every child prosper. Samantha is an example of how Parker-Chase provides newer teachers with experienced mentors who share their passion and knowledge for teaching so that all our teachers can become caring nurturers and great educators.
“It’s nice now to be able to help lead and teach my teachers to then be better leaders for their students,” Samantha says. “And I get to hug and love on babies all day, so that’s a plus!”
Watch the video below to meet Samantha!
Parents Experience ‘Night in Their Child’s Shoes’ and Learn About Conscious Discipline
Earlier this month, Parker-Chase Sprayberry invited families in for a special “Night in Your Child’s Shoes” event. Families were able to experience the school the way their children do as they explored their classrooms with a quick sample schedule of the day. This was a great opportunity for families to learn more about our curriculum and enrichment programs.
We also had a special information session on Conscious Discipline, in which families got to practice “I love you rituals” and learned ways to work out conflicts!
What is Conscious Discipline?
Conscious Discipline is an important part of the Parker-Chase Preschools curriculum. Developed by Dr. Becky Bailey during the 1990s, conscious Discipline is a comprehensive social and emotional learning framework that prioritizes building safe and connected relationships as the foundation for optimal development. Rooted in neuroscience and child development research, this approach views challenges not as disobediences to be punished but as opportunities to teach self-regulation and critical life skills.
In early childhood education, Conscious Discipline plays a pivotal role for several reasons:
- Brain Development: Young children are in the crucial stages of brain development. By understanding the three primary brain states (survival, emotional, executive), educators can tailor their responses to better support children transitioning from reactive to more regulated, problem-solving states.
- Safety and Connection: Children learn best when they feel safe and connected. Through routines, rituals, and specific interventions, Conscious Discipline helps educators create classrooms where children feel a sense of belonging, enhancing their readiness to learn.
- Skill Building: Instead of relying on external rewards or punitive measures, this approach equips children with essential life skills such as empathy, responsibility, and self-control. By focusing on internal motivation, it sets the stage for lifelong positive behavior and decision-making.
Conscious Discipline is a useful tool that helps transform early childhood classrooms into nurturing communities where educators impart academic knowledge and mold emotionally resilient, connected, and self-aware individuals.
‘I Love You Rituals’
“I Love You Rituals” are a series of intentional activities, rhymes, and games designed to foster connection, improve attention span, and enhance self-esteem in children. Rooted in the principles of Conscious Discipline, these rituals are built on the understanding that a strong bond and emotional connection between caregivers and children are foundational for optimal brain development. By employing gentle touch, eye contact, and playful situations, the rituals create moments of shared joy and intimacy, reinforcing the message that children are loved and valued.
Whether it’s through song, touch, or playful engagement, these rituals help to wire the brain for cooperation and impulse control by creating positive neural pathways. Furthermore, by emphasizing safety and connection, they help children develop a sense of belonging and significance, leading to better socio-emotional outcomes and enhancing overall development.
In essence, “I Love You Rituals” provide a toolset for caregivers to nurture and deepen their relationships with children, ensuring that the bond is based on unconditional love and trust.
Conflict Resolution Tips
One of the central tenets of Conscious Discipline is the recognition that individuals, both children and adults, may not have developed the necessary skills to handle conflicts constructively. Instead of punitive measures or authoritarian responses, Conscious Discipline teaches individuals to become more self-aware of their emotions and reactions in the heat of a conflict. By encouraging mindfulness and self-regulation, individuals can pause, reflect, and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. This helps in de-escalating conflicts and promotes empathy and understanding among all parties involved.
Here are five Conscious Discipline techniques to help resolve conflicts:
- Emotional Regulation: One of the core principles of Conscious Discipline is teaching individuals, particularly children, how to regulate their emotions. By understanding and managing their feelings, individuals are better equipped to approach conflicts with a calm and composed mindset, reducing the likelihood of escalating tensions.
- Time-In: Instead of traditional time-outs or punitive measures, Conscious Discipline encourages a “Time-In” approach. This involves providing a safe and nurturing space for individuals to process their emotions and thoughts, helping them gain self-awareness and self-control before addressing the conflict.
- I Messages: Conscious Discipline teaches the use of “I messages” to express feelings and needs. This approach encourages individuals to take responsibility for their emotions by saying things like “I feel upset when…” or “I need help with…,” fostering open and non-confrontational communication.
- Conflict Resolution Time: Designated periods for conflict resolution are established, allowing individuals involved in the conflict to come together and discuss their feelings and perspectives. This structured approach promotes active listening, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Problem-Solving Steps: Conscious Discipline outlines a series of problem-solving steps that individuals can follow to resolve conflicts effectively. These steps typically involve identifying the problem, brainstorming solutions, evaluating options, and selecting a mutually agreeable resolution.
Our staff is always available for parents who want to learn about our curriculum, including the various pedagogical techniques we utilize every day, to make children’s education a joyous and beneficial experience. If you would like to learn more, click here for contact information.
5 Children’s Books Set in Georgia That Parents Will Enjoy, Too
With a deep history, diverse population, and varied topography, Georgia has been the setting of many books, including some of the best-known classics in American literature. With such a rich literary status, it’s no surprise that many children’s books take place in the Peach State.
With September being National Literacy Month, we took the opportunity to compile a list of children’s books that take place in Georgia, one of Parker-Chase Preschools’ two home states (We’ll make a list for Texas, soon!). We found books ranging from delightful fiction to captivating biographies and everything in between. Check out the list below and find a book you and your child would like to read together for National Literacy Month! Each book is appropriate for children of all ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, pre-kindergarteners, and school-age children.
Georgia Music
by Helen V. Griffith
This book tells a bittersweet tale about a young girl’s bond with her grandfather. During the summer, her mother takes her to visit her grandfather in Georgia for the first time. While there, they grow close while working in his garden and, as the title suggests, play music together. The story then turns bittersweet when the grandfather becomes ill and must leave his home to live with his daughter and granddaughter in Baltimore. But the grandfather misses his Georgia home. Wanting to cheer him up, the girl recreates the feeling of his home through music. Published in 1986, The New York Times published a glowing review of Georgia Music at the time, describing it as “a book to treasure.”
And the Tide Comes In… : Exploring a Georgia Salt Marsh
By Merryl Alber
Written by Dr. Merryl Alber, a marine science professor at the University of Georgia, And Tide Comes In tells the story of two girls who explore the wonders of a Georgia salt marsh. Rich in information and illustration, the book fosters an appreciation for salt marshes and underscores their significance in the broader environmental context. This book is an excellent way for children to learn about Georgia’s unique natural habitats.
Draw What You See: The Life and Art of Benny Andrews
By Kathleen Benson
Benny Andrews was born and raised in rural Georgia to a sharecropper family. Despite his humble upbringing, he grew up to become one of the country’s most important visual artists whose work is considered to be a significant part of the Civil Rights era. In Draw What You See, children learn about Andrews’ life and how he overcame obstacles to pursue his artistic dreams and eventually realize his goals. Readers will also see some of Andrews’ work in the book, which Andrews himself illustrated.
The Life and Times of the Peanut
By Charles Micucci
Among Georgia’s most famous exports, the peanut is right up there with Outkast. And The Life and Times of the Peanut by Charles Micucci provides an in-depth look into the history, cultivation, and uses of Georgia’s legendary legume. With its fascinating mix of scientific facts, history, and trivia about peanuts, parents will love reading this book with their children.
Deep in the Swamp
By Donna M. Bateman
Set in the Okefenokee Swamp, this rhyming and counting book teaches children about the wide range of animals living in the storied wetlands. Bateman’s rhyming prose was set to zydeco-style music by musician Amy Miles, which helps for a fun read-and-sing-along activity.
We hope you enjoy these books. Happy National Literacy Month!
Meet the Teachers: Yessenia (North Peachtree City)
At Parker-Chase, some of our teachers discover their passion by accident. For Yessenia Rodriguez, a 3-year-old classroom teacher at Parker-Chase in North Peachtree City, Georgia, that discovery came with the help of family.
There are many teachers in Yessenia’s family, and she grew up around educators. That’s why, while deciding which career she wanted to pursue, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go down the familiar path.
“I thought I did not want to follow in my family’s footsteps,” Yessenia said with a laugh, adding: “But I thought I’d try it out, and if I don’t like it, I’ll pursue something else.”
Luckily for us, she liked it and is now in her fifth year of teaching.
“I just love working with kids,” Yessenia said. “It’s so much fun. I get to do stuff I didn’t get to do as a kid. And I just think of things that I would want to do. I love teaching, and I Iove making it fun!”
At Parker-Chase Preschool, we strive to make each day special for our children, and we can do this with teachers like Yessenia. Her passion and dedication shine through in everything she does, and we are glad she is part of our team.
Watch the video below to hear from Yesenia herself!
Traveling with Toddlers During the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, the stress of traveling is inevitable. Traveling alone can be nerve-racking but traveling with toddlers takes that stress to another level. The best way to get through a trip with your little ones with as little stress as possible is to be prepared.
Here are some tips to help you do that!
1. Plan your flights smartly.
The airline and flight time are two important factors that should be considered when you’re flying with children. If you’re looking to save money, keep in mind that certain airlines allow babies and toddlers to fly for free in the United States if they’re under the age of 2.
When it comes to traveling with children, the most optimal time to travel is overnight. Not only are overnight flights a great way to save money but it gives you the opportunity to go through airport security with less trouble. According to Skyscanner.com, these flight times can also “reduce your risk of a delayed flight, which can be a real hassle when you have a young one.” Toddlers are also most likely to fall asleep on an overnight flight, which reduces your stress on how you’ll keep them entertained.
2. Give yourself time.
Leaving the house at least 2-3 hours ahead will be your biggest advantage. Toddlers don’t understand the uneasiness that comes with traveling, and often want to do things like go to the potty or eat a snack at the most inconvenient times. The extra time allotted will give you enough time to fulfill your child’s needs before boarding your flight.
3. Pack things you might need.
When traveling, you can never be too sure of what will happen, so it’s crucial to bring along snacks, medicine, diapers and extra clothes. Many airlines don’t provide complimentary snacks for their passengers, so it’s best not to rely on them. Be prepared with a variety of your child’s favorite snacks.
Many children get motion sickness on the plane, so remember to pack medicines. According to the Mayo Clinic, children 2-years-old and up can take Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) to prevent motion sickness symptoms. And children above 6 can take the antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), approved for kids 6 and older, may also prevent symptoms.
4. Provide entertainment.
Keeping your child entertained during long trips will make the trip much more enjoyable for the both of you. Toddlers especially don’t like to sit still and like to throw random tantrums. Make sure to take a few books, a coloring book, a toy, and a tablet with apps and movies already downloaded on it.
At Parker-Chase
At Parker-Chase, we believe that traveling with your children is a great way to spark their curiosity and catch their interest in exploring the world around them. Traveling with toddlers can be fun and rewarding if you go prepared.
The Benefits of Raising a Pet
Has your child ever tried to convince you to get them a pet? As parents, especially when limited on time, we might resist because of the additional responsibilities and headaches a pet can cause. However, what may seem like headaches and havoc for most parents can turn out to be a great opportunity for children to learn and grow.
Here are the top 4 benefits of letting your child raise a pet!
1. They teach children responsibility
When children own pets, they take pride in helping to take care of a living animal. Children like to be in charge of simple tasks such as feeding or providing water to their pets and cleaning up after them. This helps children to adopt more responsible behavior and be more comfortable with doing other chores around the house.
2. They teach children self-esteem
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), pets can boost a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. Pets provide children with unconditional love, so children feel more appreciated and accepted for who they truly are. Pets can act as a great pillar of emotional support which helps improve their self-esteem because children can vent out all their frustrations to their pets.
3. They strengthen family relationships
Pets give your family an easy commonality and make taking care of them a combined effort for everyone. Families with pets usually spend more quality time when they take part in activities based around their pets. Activities can be as simple as grooming or feeding your pet together, taking them for a walk, or playing fetch. Pets can make us laugh and have a good time together.
4. They teach children to be more compassionate
Pets teach children to be more compassionate and empathetic because learning how to care and respect animals help to match that behavior with actual people. For instance, when children learn to be cognizant of their pet’s needs for food, attention, and love, they are also learning empathy.
At Parker-Chase:
At Parker-Chase, we aim at raising our students to be empathetic and kind individuals. We believe that teaching them how to learn and care about animals in our curriculum is an integral part of character education.
5 Child-Friendly Restaurants in Plano, Texas
As parents, we all understand how important it is to try new things with our children because it allows for more quality time. One of the best ways to do so is by trying different restaurants. Not only is going to new restaurants a fun pastime and great relationship builder, it also teaches your child how to act in different social settings, helps develop their social skills, and teaches them proper restaurant etiquette. Before you venture into a new spot, it’s important that you make sure that the restaurant you’re going to is child-friendly.
Here are 5 child-friendly restaurants you can take your child to near the Dallas and Plano area!
1.Paciugo Gelato and Caffe, 7201 N Central Expressway Plano, TX 75025
If your child loves ice cream but you want to watch their caloric intakes, Paciugo Gelato and Caffe is a great alternative. Although it might sound surprising, gelato is healthier and slightly more flavorful than actual ice cream. With inexpensive prices at Paciugo, you also get a bigger bang for your buck and way more options!
2. Hat Creek Burger Company, 3321 S Custer Rd McKinney, TX 75070
With several different locations throughout Dallas, Hat Creek Burger Company is a great restaurant with a family-friendly environment. Although they are known for their juicy burgers, the Hat Creek Burger Company stands out from most burger joints because of their distinctive Texas touch. The restaurant also offers an outside play area where parents can watch their children play for free while they’re enjoying a delicious meal!
3. Red Truck Café, 910 W Parker Rd #101, Plano, TX 75075
If you love home-style breakfast and want a more intimate environment, the Red Truck Café is the best option for you. This restaurant is the go-to spot for a cozy meal at a reasonable price. It’s open every day from 5:30 am to 2:30pm, and your child will love their delicious breakfast options.
4. Ferrari’s Pizzeria, 3949 Legacy Dr, Plano, TX 75023
Located in the shopping plaza off Legacy Drive and Coti Road, Ferrari’s Pizzeria is a family-owned restaurant that serves authentic New York style pizza. The restaurant offers a wide range of options from pizzas, calzones, stromboli, pastas, salads, desserts, and many more!
5. Regeneration Arcade, 17721 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75287
Located in the heart of Dallas, the Regeneration Arcade Bar and Pizzeria is a family-friendly environment that combines both the pleasures of a delicious pizzeria and a fun arcade. The pizzeria serves authentic Italian style gourmet pizzas at great prices. The arcade also offers a wide variety of games, including favorites from the 80’s and the 90’s.
At Parker-Chase
At Parker-Chase, we encourage our parents to put extra time aside to spend time with their children outside of the house. We believe that children are just like adults and they need time to adjust to new people and different social situations. Eating out at kid-friendly restaurants in the Plano-Dallas area is a great opportunity to teach children valuable life skills such as learning proper eating etiquette, creating good first impressions, and using polite manners.
Things to Consider When Dealing with Sibling Rivalry
As parents, it’s important to know that if you have more than one child, sibling rivalry is always almost inevitable. It’s normal for families to have problems because no family is perfect. The best thing to do when your children are fighting is to stay calm and neutral, minimize your yelling, avoid favoritism, encourage communication and understand and allow children to deal with their conflicts alone at times. Even though it can’t be prevented, it’s crucial to consider the key factors that can contribute to sibling rivalry.
Here are some of the key factors!
1. Parenting styles
Many parents underestimate the influence their parenting styles may have on their children. Children learn from what they see in their environment. If you, as a parent, have a more authoritarian style, your children are more likely to model your rigid and strict temperaments, which can result in more chaos, whereas an authoritative parent might have children with less aggressive behaviors. Parenting style also affects how your children might handle conflict due to the extent of how restricted they feel to express their feelings and emotions.
2. Birth order
As a parent, you may not think the birth order of your children might affect their behavior, but it does! Your first born is typically the more mature one, because they feel the pressure of responsibility for their younger siblings. Naturally, most first born children have also dealt with the most discipline. Your younger child is often more spoiled and babied than the others. They usually get their way and don’t feel as much familial pressure as their older siblings do because they don’t have as many responsibilities. Your first child was in a way your first shot at parenting, so after learning from experience, you will often change certain aspects for your next child.
3. Age
The more years apart there are between your children, the more likely they are to have differences. For example, let’s say you have a preschooler and a child that just started first grade; they’re likely to butt heads because both are in two different developmental stages of their lives. Keep in mind that your preschooler is fresh out of the terrible twos stage, which is a period of tantrums, oppositions, and mood swings, while your first grader might be starting to develop a sense of maturity and wanting to follow certain rules.
4. Gender
Children with siblings of a different gender are more likely to fight than those who have the same. Girls tend to be calmer and more sensitive, while boys are more aggressive and rowdier. Girls also often feel that their boy siblings have more freedom and flexibility than they do, which may cause them to act out.
Most parents unconsciously treat each gender differently, due to preconceived notions before each child was born. For example, as a parent, you might have wanted to have a girl or boy as your first child but ended up with the opposite. It’s normal for your parenting experience to turn out differently from what you expected because you already had specific things in mind.
At Parker-Chase
At Parker-Chase Preschool, we encourage harmony in all our students of different ages and genders. We believe that teaching your preschool child how to effectively communicate with their peers teaches them how to maintain better relationships outside of the classroom environment. Children are encouraged to socialize with each other and form lasting friendships with their peers.
4 Tips To Establish A More Active Lifestyle With Your Children
Whether you’re an adult or a child, it’s important to maintain an active lifestyle. Exercise helps us release the stress and tension that we face in our daily lives. An active lifestyle has many benefits such as improving both your physical and mental health, alleviating the symptoms of certain mental illnesses, and furthering mental development. Sports alone increase focus, reduce behavioral problems, and improve cognitive functions.
Because their brains are not fully developed, most preschoolers haven’t fully experienced and lack an understanding of their emotional development. Children naturally have a lot of energy and because they’re at an age when they want to take advantage of moving around, they can sometimes be harder to control. As a result, most children act out due to boredom, so it’s best to redirect that animosity towards being more active.
Here are 4 tips to establish a more active lifestyle with your children!
1. Prepare healthy snacks and meals.
An active lifestyle is more beneficial when it is combined with the proper nutrition. A balanced diet is key to a child’s development because it provides children with the nutrients, they need to grow.
Incorporate more fruits and veggies into your child’s diet. Starting these lifestyle habits earlier in life helps set the tone for healthy habits as an adult. It’s also important as parents that we model the right behavior and make smart food choices, because children learn by watching us. However, don’t completely throw away the unhealthy snacks; allow your child to have one every now and then as a special treat.
2. An ample amount of sleep.
The amount of sleep a child gets is crucial to their daily routine. Sleep is an important part of being active, just as much as diet and exercise are. Toddlers should be getting no less than 10-13 hours of sleep a day. Children who get the correct amount of sleep for their age have a lower risk of health problems. Sleep improves heart health, promotes growth, helps the body maintain a healthy weight, and supports the immune system by protecting it against germs.
3. Participate in sports.
The benefits of sports are plentiful. Sports provide children with regular exercise, builds their self-esteem, and makes them better communicators. Sports also have many different rules, which can greatly help foster a sense of discipline because they teach children time management and respect for others. Believe it or not, sports are also a great way to foster creativity in your child. It’s no surprise that most students who are enrolled in sports have been reported to perform better academically than those who aren’t.
4. Plan more outdoor outings than indoors.
The generation your child is in is heavily attached to technology, causing them to be more sedentary than past generations. Instead of planning movie nights or letting your child spend all of their time on tablets, make it a priority to plan mores trips to the beach or the local park! Children love to engage in physical activity where they’re free to run around, dig up the ground, ride a bicycle and much more!
At such a developmental stage in their lives, it’s crucial for your child to be active and also be getting as much sunlight as they can. Keep in mind that we need the sun to get vitamin D, which helps our bone development and protects our immune system.
An Active Lifestyle at Parker-Chase
At Parker-Chase Preschool, we prioritize time outside of the classroom just as we do indoors because we want our students to be as active as they can be. We believe unstructured time outdoors can really be beneficial to a child’s learning and development. We also make sure that our students are properly fed and get many of the nutrients they need through our chef-prepared meals.