Firemen Come to Holly Tree!

Last week, the Hendersonville Fire Department came to visit us! We got to see a really cool fire truck, they showed us all the equipment they have to use, and they showed us all the heavy clothes they have to wear! The children even got to go inside the fire truck and see how much fun it would be to drive one! Here is a recap in case you missed out on the fun:

Our Pre-K friends thought the fire truck siren was so cool!

Fire fighter Andy did a great job explaining what it's like to be a fireman! 

Our Preschool One friends got to explore a real fire truck! 

We loved learning about fire safety!

For more information about our program, please visit http://www.hollytreechildcare.com 

Fall Festival 

Yesterday, we had our annual Fall Festival! We had a Chili Bar, Pumpkin Painting, Face Painting and Tattoos, Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss, Pumpkin Bowling, Apple Bobbing, Bubbles and Chalk, Bounce Houses, and The Great Pumpkin visited us as well! The children had so much fun with all of these activities and enjoyed the weather as well! Here is a recap in case you missed all the fun! 

Our Welcome Table at Fall Festival 

Our Preschool One friends had a blast with bubbles! 

Our Toddler friends' favorite activity was Pumpkin Bowling! 

Our Preschool One friends loved painting pumpkins!

We made such colorful pumpkins! 

Our final masterpieces!

We loved being able to spend time with our friends outside too! 

Our Toddler friends had fun getting their picture taken with the pumpkin, hay, and cornstalks!

For more information about our program, please visit our website at http://www.hollytreechildcare.com 

Pinecone Decoration Station 

Last week, we had a special pinecone decorating station set up in the front building and the back building. The children got one pinecone and got to put glitter and sequins on it. They loved getting to decorate their own pinecone and take it home with them! We loved getting to see the creations they made. 

Pinecones, glitter, and sequins, oh my! 

We had so much fun decorating our own pinecones!

This friend from Preschool One put all different colors of glitter on their pinecone! 

Our Pre-K friends thought it would be fun to decorate their boxes as well! 

Decorating pine cones made us so excited that fall is finally here! 

Our friends in Preschool One loved putting silver glitter on their pinecones!

To learn more about our program, please visit our website at http://www.hollytreechildcare.com

Benefits of Baby Sign Language

Before a child can properly vocalize their wants and needs, they must master very complex actions of the muscles in their face:

• Placement of tongue 
• Formation of lips
• Shaping of nasal passage
• Controlling of vocal cords 
• Breathing regulation, etc. 

There are so many benefits for a baby utilizing Baby Sign Language, it is hard to understand why all parents are not using it! Everyone has had moments in their lives when they could not communicate their needs in a way that others could understand. The result is a level of frustration beyond compare. Babies are the same as adults in this regard. Wanting something and being unable to explain what exactly is wanted frequently results in loud crying, utter frustration, and tantrums. So the first benefit of using Baby Sign Language is it gives your baby the ability to express his or her important needs and thoughts. Other benefits include:

• Promotes the development of language skills 
• Reinforces the language skills already developed 
• Reduces frustration at not being able to express needs 
• Increases speed of spatial reasoning development 
• Develops understanding of language for communication of emotions 
• Creates feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment!
• May increase IQ 
• Increases creative thinking 
• Teaches a 2nd language that is formally and nationally recognized (ASL)
• Reduces unexplainable emotional outbursts 
• Increases early literacy skills 
• Teaches baby how to start (and participate in) a conversation. 

Sign language for infants gives babies a way to communicate what they are truly thinking, feeling and/or needing. Because they learn to communicate early, Baby's mind develops a rapid interest in increasing communication ability. Thanks to early learning of Baby Sign Language, infants learn quickly to match particular shapes or items with a particular gesture. When your baby begins to speak, the same skills are used. One gesture means one thing in infant sign language. One word means one concept in baby talk. This enhances spatial relationships and reasoning, and cognitive skills development. Baby Sign Language also increases the creative use of language. Sign language for babies teaches that proper use of a sign or gesture results in getting needs and wants met. Children at any age are creative. They will soon develop additional signs that only mean something to you or your infant. This is creative thinking and is a skill that is often not taught well once the child reaches school age. Anything that improves creative thinking skills is advantageous. Some parents encourage a child to continue practicing American Sign Language (ASL) even after they begin speaking. ASL is the third most used language in the United States. By practicing and developing ASL as a second language, your child can benefit from having this language skill later in life. Being able to express yourself is a basic human need. Even babies are more contented when it is not a constant struggle to convey a need. Even more crucial, your infant will be able to communicate important problems like being in pain. How many times have parents been stymied about why their child won't stop crying, only to find out that something hurt? As this page has stated, Baby Signing has multiple benefits for your infant- and for parents too! 

To learn more about this topic, please visit: www.babies-and-sign-language.com/baby-sign-benefits.html

To learn more about our program, please visit our website at: http://www.hollytreechildcare.com

Importance of Dental Health

Last week, we had a visitor from the health department come and teach us some really cool ways that we need to take care of our teeth. They showed us how to brush and floss properly, and ways to prevent cavities. They even brought Ally the Alligator to help us understand the importance of keeping our teeth healthy. 

Taking care of your teeth helps prevent plaque, which is a clear film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth. After you eat, bacteria go crazy over the sugar on your teeth, like ants at a picnic. The bacteria break it down into acids that eat away tooth enamel, causing holes called cavities. Plaque also causes gingivitis, which is gum disease that can make your gums red, swollen and sore, Your gums are those soft, pink tissues in your mouth that hold your teeth in place. If you don't take care of your teeth, cavities and unhealthy gums will make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be difficult. And you won't feel like smiling so much. Here are a few great tips on how to keep your teeth healthy! 

• Brush at least twice a day: after breakfast and before bedtime. If you can, brush your teeth after lunch or after sweet snacks. Brushing properly breaks down plaque. 
• Brush all of your teeth, not just the front ones. Spend some time on the teeth along the sides and in the back. Have your dentist show you the best way to brush to get your teeth clean without damaging your gums. 
• Take your time while brushing. Spend at least 2-3 minutes each time you brush. If you have trouble keeping track of the time, use a timer or play a recording of a song you like to pass the time. 
• Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles. Change your toothbrush every 3 months. Some toothbrushes come with bristles that change color when its time to change them. 
• Learn how to floss your teeth, which is a very important way to keep them healthy. It feels weird the first few times you do it, but pretty soon, you'll be a pro. Slip the dental floss between each tooth and along the gum line gently once a day. The floss gets rid of food that's hidden where your toothbrush can't get it, no matter how well you brush.
• You can also brush your tongue to help keep your breath fresh! 

To learn more about this topic, please visit: kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/body/teeth_care.html#

To learn more about our program, please visit: http://www.hollytreechildcare.com