Citations:

Amit, M. (2010). Canadian Paediatric Society, Community Paediatrics Committee, Vegetarian diets in children and adolescents, Paediatrics & Child Health, Volume 15, Issue 5, 5/6, Pages 303–314, https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/15.5.303

Zhao, Y., Wang, L., Xue, H., Wang, H., & Wang, Y. (2017). Fast food consumption and its associations with obesity and hypertension among children: results from the baseline data of the Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-cities. BMC public health, 17, 1-10.

Poti, J. M., Duffey, K. J., & Popkin, B. M. (2014). The association of fast food consumption with poor dietary outcomes and obesity among children: is it the fast food or the remainder of the diet?. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 99(1), 162-171.

Schürmann, S., Kersting, M., & Alexy, U. (2017). Vegetarian diets in children: a systematic review. European journal of nutrition, 56, 1797-1817.

Beisel, W. R. (1996). Nutrition and immune function: overview. The Journal of nutrition, 126, 2611S-2615S

Gwela, A., Mupere, E., Berkley, J. A., & Lancioni, C. (2019). Undernutrition, host immunity and vulnerability to infection among young children. The Pediatric infectious disease journal, 38(8), e175-e177.

Tomova, A., Bukovsky, I., Rembert, E., Yonas, W., Alwarith, J., Barnard, N. D., & Kahleova, H. (2019). The effects of vegetarian and vegan diets on gut microbiota. Frontiers in nutrition, 6, 447652.

Vieira, Victor Costa Alves Medeiros, Cláudia Marina Tavares de Araújo, and Sílvia Regina Jamelli. “Speech development and infant feeding: possible implications.” Revista CEFAC 18 (2016): 1359-1369.e

“Came from a plant, eat it; was made in a plant, don’t.”

 ~Michael Pollan

If you try to research the necessities for child development, the number one priority on any list will be the food that they consume. Unfortunately, we live in a society which deems healthy food to be a luxury. Some families have no choice but to feed processed meats and takeaway dinners to their children for no other reason than it being the cheapest and least time-consuming option. Whether this be due to insufficient funds or their busy schedule, it should not have to be this way. Who can blame them? On some apps like Bolt and Uber Eats, it’s far cheaper and quicker to order fast food to your doorstep rather than finding recipes, buying the food and cooking it yourself for the family. So why should we go the extra mile to make sure our children are eating correctly?

“Even in this high-tech age, the low-tech plant continues to be the key to nutrition and health.”

~Jack Weatherford

Most of us are aware that processed food (especially meats) greatly increases the risk of many diseases in children including obesity, high blood pressure and cancers. All scary stuff, but it’s true and needs talking about. More young people are suffering from life threatening heart conditions, some that we don’t know about until it’s too late. Long term heart disease is another huge risk factor, one that can be prevented by taking small steps that have a huge impact.

“Investing in early childhood nutrition is a surefire strategy. The returns are incredibly high.”

~Anne M. Mulcahy

Another factor of you and your child having a high processed and high carb diet is the affects that it has on mental illness. This topic, although it has been getting more attention in the media recently, still isn’t spoken about enough. Certainly, not everyone understands how mental health is linked to a poor diet. The reality is diet and mental health goes hand in hand. Self-esteem is so important throughout a young person’s life and this confidence can be heavily knocked down if they suffer from obesity however, depression is still caused by a bad diet even if obesity is not a contributing factor. High sugar levels are linked with poor academics since it affects our concentration. It also increases mood swings and lack of motivation to learn and prosper. This is because processed foods and fast food lack essential fatty acids including Omega-3 and Omega-6 which are a necessity, for the manufacture of cell membranes. A lack of these fatty acids is also linked with anti-social behaviour.

“Health is a relationship between you and your body”

~Terri Guillemets

Here at Cherry Tree, we provide delicious vegan lunches which are high in important nutrients and low in fat. Children can be timid during the first week of eating with us however, once they see their friends tucking in, they begin to finish their plate in no time. They’re heavily influenced by their peers, we like to use that to our advantage! 

Our lunches give you breathing space from having to think of different healthy meals every night for your children and allow you to take the easier option in cooking within moderation. In the first week of your little one experiencing our healthy option, you’ll notice your child will start to be more adventurous at the dining table which goes hand in hand with life in general. Children should be curious about food instead of fearing it and the same goes with exploring the world. It all starts with a knife and fork!

If you’re looking for a musical instrument for your child, whether it’s to improve their motor skills, or to get their seemingly endless amounts of energy focussed on something new and exciting, drums may not be the first thought that comes to your mind. The reality is that the benefits of drumming are often overlooked when compared to a piano or a violin. In fact, I would argue that these benefits go much further than the boundaries of most other instruments. 

I’ll start with the obvious. Drumming drastically improves hand-eye coordination in a person of any age, similar to the benefits of playing video games but without your child violently killing zombies, whilst at the same time turning into one as they stare at a screen for hours on end! These motor skills will also improve their abilities to draw, paint, cut and craft. 

Creativity will blossom

These activities bring me on to the creativity aspect. With any musical instrument comes endless new worlds of freedom to create sounds that are unique and mirror the personality of the performer. In other words, their creativity will blossom in the classroom, and with new and improved fine motor skills to accompany it, anything is possible!

R-L orientation

So how do we get started? In the beginning of your child’s new journey, it’s important to understand the difference between their right and lefts. Simple patterns and sequences will be introduced with the child hitting the instrument with the correct side for example, RLRR. They can create their own patterns and you will see their concentration levels vastly improve and other aspects of life. 

Like it wasn’t noisy enough?

Now, I know what you’re thinking… I must be crazy to tell you to add even more noise to your already hectic household. Don’t worry, these exercises can all be done on silent ‘Practise Pads’, when your child is ready, some amazing electric drum kits with volume control are available on the market for reasonable prices.

Sense of belonging

The past two years have made the home a safe place for your child thanks to ‘you know what’. The youth are even more anxious than ever to get outside, exercise and meet new people. The fact is, drums are not only fantastic for burning calories and strengthening mind and muscle, they also make us more sociable. I was 13 years old, I had a small group of friends however I never felt like I belonged until I plucked up the courage to start a band. I found some new friends in school who played instruments and used to social media to find other members. These have been my closest friends for the last 10 years of my life. Where did I find this courage? A lot of it came from my increased confidence in ability, not just as a drummer. I realised if I could do this, I could do anything. Talk to anyone. Find friends. Find a girlfriend. Grow up to be anyone I want. I fully believe that growing up in this way also gave me the courage to leave a small village in the English countryside and move to the busy streets of Prague.

Lastly, drumming is the only instrument which can be used to let out aggression in a healthy and creative art form. If things haven’t been going well in my life, I always knew I could count on my drums to be there for me. I would always feel better. 

Starting preschool is a very exciting time for kids and their families, and it can be just as challenging. Getting used to a completely new environment for the first time in their lives, and leaving the familiar faces, their own toys, and bed, is definitely an important, and brave step for a child – and it should be treated as such. 

Adaptation is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get

The way the adaptation process progresses depends on many factors; from child’s temperament, and his way of dealing with new situations, to family environment, and attachment styles, as well as the school environment. Some of the factors cannot be influenced and will affect the length and intensity level of adaptation. However, there are important factors which can make this transition period as calm and as comfortable for the child as it can be. An important thing for everyone to remember is that every child will experience and react to adaptation differently, and for that reason parents and teachers need to be sensitive to their emotional needs and behavior, by co-creating the adaptation process “tailor fit” to the child. Some children may cry on the first day, for some it may be longer, and the others might disappear into the classroom, eager to start their new magical journey, before their parents have a chance to say goodbye. All of these reactions are natural, and no matter how difficult they might be for the child, and the parents as well, it is a passing phase. Every child will get used to their school, create a bond with their teachers and their friends, and before parents realize, their child will know every nook and cranny of their school, as they do their home, and the school itself, the teachers, the friends, it will all become their second home, the space where they feel comfortable and safe that will offer them a whole new world of fun and discovery. 

Adaptation 101

In general, adaptation takes between one to two weeks, however, it might take longer. In that time it is advisable that parents remain available to pick up their child at any time if the need occurs. In the beginning, child’s stay in the school should be adapted to their comfort level. If a child is ready to stay for the whole day right away, that’s great, and if a child needs for the time in school to progress gradually, starting only with an hour or two, that is also completely fine. No matter the pace, the real adaptation starts once the parents leave. It is important that children get familiar with the new environment, teachers, and new friends. After the first day, when parents are invited to escort their child into the classroom, we encourage the establishment of a routine where goodbyes are said in front of the classroom, as we belive it’s best for the children to get used to the way their stay at school will be.

For some children, the second week might be more difficult than the first, when the excitement of a new environment wears off and a child realizes that it wasn’t just a vacation sort of a deal. No matter the process, everything will truly be okay (and this one is for the parents).

9 ways to make adaptation easier on children, parents, and teachers

In Cherry Tree we have created an adaptation process that makes this transition as pleasant as possible for our tiny clients and their parents. Here are our suggestions that will make parting with children as stress-free as it can be:

• Prepare your child for what’s to come

Talking to your child about the new exciting adventure, all the friends they are going to make, and all the great things they will learn, will not only prepare them better for this new chapter in their lives, but it will make them eager to learn what this “school thing” is all about. It might also help to visit the school and take some walks past it beforehand, so your child can see the building, the classroom, and meet the teachers – these walks can also be a chance for you to talk to your child about what to expect in school, and what their days are going to look like.

• The more children know about their school, and what to expect there, the easier adaptation process is going to be

It is good to use role-play as a way of practicing common situations in the school, like “snack time”, “play time”, “story time”, etc., as it provides children with an opportunity to learn about an unfamiliar environment, with different rules and schedules than what they are used to, from the comfort of their own home. 

• It helps children and teachers greatly if you tell us about your child’s routines,

what they like and don’t like, their way of coping with stressful situations, soothing techniques that work best, and any other information that you deem important. 

• Bringing a comfort item from your home, such as a favorite toy or a blanket, may help your child with an easier and calmer transition

• Keep your goodbyes short and sweet

Leaving your child, especially when they are having a hard time, can be heartbreaking, however, if done in a way that brings your child comfort, the stress can be contained.  So make sure you always say goodbye to you child, reassure them that you will pick them up right after work/an errand, and tell them at what time you will come in a way that they can understand (right after lunch for example). Then give them a hug, and a kiss, or create a special secret hand shake, and off you go. Stay strong, the force is with you.

• Children feel the emotional state of their parents

The calmer you are about your child starting school, the more confident your child will feel to take on this new challenge. If it’s really hard for you to keep calm, a quick and easy technique to trick your brain into thinking that you are completely chill about it is to take ten deep breaths – you can even practice it together with your child (to make it more fun you can pretend to blow bubbles). 

• One big change at the time

Adaptation time brings along a certain amount of stress for every child, so having a relaxed family environment is all that more important in that time.

• Adaptation is not a linear process

It’s important to remember that adaptation may resemble more the Cha Cha dance than a scenic walk up the hill. After a long break, like summer holidays or an illness, the adaptation process might start again. Be assured, it will also end again. 

• Books can be a great tool to prepare for school

Here is a list of some lovely school-starting books:

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Preschool, Here I Come! by David J. Steinberg
Sounds Like School Spirit by Meg Fleming
The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing
What to Expect at Preschool by Heidi Murkoff
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

The field of education is ever-changing and growing to adapt to the evolving environment in which people teach and learn. Consequently, the ways in which students learn and grow are continuously transitioning, as the world changes every day, and so we as teachers need to be able to adapt to these new circumstances along with our students. Students learn in a multitude of ways, and one of the ways in which educators can support multiple learning styles is by encouraging a play-based learning model in the classroom.

Teacher’s role

Play-based learning refers to the model in the classroom in which students learn primarily through playing. It is the job of both the teacher and the student to facilitate this play, (O’Leary, 2019). The teacher must support the child through their learning by allowing for play to take place, and the child must be the one who initiates the play. For example, while a student is playing with dolls or toys, the teacher can ask questions in order to encourage critical thinking within the learner. Further, children learn best through hands-on experiences. By allowing them to play, the students will be using their motor skills, their cognitive skills, communication and language skills in order to problem solve and further their own development and learning.

Are rules necessary?

When it comes to play-based learning, the students must be encouraged to play in a variety of ways. The founder of the National Institute for Play, Stuart Brown, has defined certain criteria for true play-based learning. The criteria is as follows: Play must be pleasurable, children must enjoy the activity or it is not play. Play must be intrinsically motivated, children engage in play simply for the satisfaction the behavior itself brings. It has no extrinsically motivated function or goal. Play is process oriented. When children play, the means are more important than the ends. Play is freely chosen. It is spontaneous and voluntary. If a child is pressured, she will likely not think of the activity as play. Play is actively engaged. Players must be physically and/or mentally involved in the activity. Play is non-literal. It involves make-believe.

Play based learning at Cherry Tree

At Cherry Tree Preschool, we encourage children to play as much as possible inside and outside of the classroom. We often present them with ample free-time with which they are encouraged to explore and play with their surroundings. The benefits of this play-based model of learning can be seen in our school each day, as the students work among themselves to solve problems, with the assistance and support of the teachers who are always there to help guide their thinking. It is encouraged for the children to appreciate and care for their surroundings, which breeds curiosity and imagination among them. They can often be seen playing and learning simultaneously, explaining things to one another and pondering further about their experiences. This active learning is a breeding ground for creativity, which is just one of the stepping stones needed for a successful student who truly values and loves learning.

Bibliography

O’Leary. “Play Based Learning.” Edmentum, 2019

https://blog.edmentum.com/play-based-learning-what-it-and-why-it-should-be-part-every-
classroom

White, Dr. Rachel. “MCM Research Summary.” Children’s Museums, 2012,
https://www.childrensmuseums.org/images/MCMResearchSummary.pdf.

“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” ~ Diane Ackerman

It’s no news that play is very important for children. In fact, it is so important for optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. It’s their prerogative, a most important job they have – a full-time employment in fun. And it’s the responsibility of us, adults, to let children play. We know that, we do it. However, do children really get enough of free play? 

By definition, free play means giving our children the freedom to be the leaders of their own little world of play, by choosing their own play scenarios, the tools they use, the company they pick, and the way they do it; making up their own story, their own rules, and their own timeline. It is the time where children are the captains, rulers, knights, and our role is to be there as their “not-too-eager” bodyguards, following the situation, keeping the little explorers safe, and supporting them on their quest.

Providing children with enough opportunities to play freely, without us, adults, adding structure, directions, and objective to their play, is one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids – let them be, and the growth will follow. As the developmental psychologist Lev Vygotsky wrote: “Play contains all developmental tendencies in a condensed form and is itself a major source of development.” Moreover, scientists say that free play sparks the formation of new neural connections in the prefrontal cortex (the “smarty-pants” of brain parts responsible for thoughts, emotions, and actions in relation to our goals). In addition, free play promotes:

There is something profoundly beautiful about snowy days. Winter wonderland is a magical place that creates an even playing field for everyone. All children; the sporty, the adventurous, the artists, and the performers, the bookworms, and the busy bees, can simply delight in the snowy escapades together, in pure and untethered joy. Building snow kingdoms, racing down snowy hills, or just rolling around and turning into human snowballs – the world is a blank canvas ready to be painted with their inexhaustible imagination. 

In Cherry Tree, snow-covered days are definitely among our favorites. The excitement to go out is never higher, and the little ones cannot get enough of snowy adventures. Cold is no match for our determination to make the most of this delightful time. 

Besides sledding, snow fights, and building snow creatures, here are five activities for some good quality time in the snow:

1. Look for animal tracks and play a twist on hide-and-seek that involves tracking the players

Learning about animals in winter and making a fun game out of tracking is a perfect combination of “business” and pleasure.

2. Blow frozen bubbles

For a fun science lesson, leave the bottle with a soapy solution outside for a while so it cools down. To start the experiment simply shake the wand through the air and observe closely as the bubbles fall and bounce off the ground. If you are quick and careful enough you might even catch one and see it freeze in your hands.

3. Look for a buried treasure

Seeking a secret treasure in the snow is a fun activity for all ages. All you need is something to look for, “the prize”, and friends to play with. You can adjust the difficulty, make up new rules, or add the classic hot-cold directions.

4. Make snow volcanoes

All you need for this icy volcano to erupt is a cup, some vinegar, baking soda, and red food coloring. Bury the cup into the snow to make a volcano, pour in baking soda, and food coloring, then add the vinegar… step back and enjoy the eruption (and be careful, because the floor is lava).

5. Snow painting

Make your yard the canvas for some astounding artistry. Just mix water with food coloring and put it into any kind of bottle (you can use any props you can think of for this one), then let the kids go wild and splatter it all around for a Jackson Pollock style décor.

5 activities to enjoy the outdoors

You cannot go wrong with taking your children outdoors. The possibilities for fun and learning are endless, and the benefits of spending time in nature are substantial. If you spend a lot of time with children outside, like we do, you can never have too many ideas for some good quality activities. So here are five suggestions to spice things up on your next wild adventure.

1. Go on scavenger/treasure hunts

There is literally an endless amount of possibilities when it comes to scavenger hunts. They can be done anywhere, by anyone, looking for anything one might think of – imagination is the limit. Not only that, it is a super fun activity that so beautifully connects play and learning. As Jean Piaget put it, “play is the work of childhood”, and kids take their job as Treasure seekers very seriously.

Idea: For a scavenger hunt in the forest you can use an egg box as a collecting container with the pictures of items attached to the lid. Let the children explore nature while playing.

2. Do a kind deed for nature and its inhabitants

There is no better way of teaching children about the importance of nature than to “practice what we preach”. If we, ourselves, can be kind and compassionate towards nature, than there is not much more work required for our children to adopt a similar attitude. It all starts with us. By spending time in parks and forests, observing the plants, animals, and all the living organisms, we are building a positive relationship with nature, and consequently take an active part in protecting it. There are many ways we can teach children about nature conservation; from small (but very important!) lessons about keeping the nature clean, and putting our trash into the appropriate bins, to everyday lessons about creating less rubbish – all important lessons, all easily incorporated in the outdoor time activates. However, that is not all we can do. We can try and think of activities with children that will not only help protecting nature but lend a helping hand to its little inhabitants who desperately need it, especially in the cold seasons. These activities are fun, they spark creativity, and don’t require much preparation.

Idea: You can use acorns, toilet paper rolls, popsicle sticks or anything else you can find as a base for a bird feeder. All you need is something edible that works as a glue (peanut butter for example), dip it in, and then roll it in bird seeds… and Voila!

3. Discover new pathways and trails

Children love discovering secret paths, hidden caves, and veiled trails. It is all about the mystery, finding a place of their own, which sparks their imagination to create their own stories and build their own worlds. By finding their own little spots they are constructing their individual sense of identity as well as the sense of control of their surroundings. While their imagination runs free, their world expands and they grow with it.

Idea: Why not discover new paths, steer off the beaten trails, and let children lead the way on the next forest walk. Encourage them to turn over a rotting log and discover life underneath, observe the moss on the tree, and look for any other wildlife while walking on the “wild side”.

4. Create a little world

Encourage children to create a miniature world. It can be anything they can think of: a rainforest, a dessert, a mountain, the sea, a city or even a fairy home. Let them think about what sort of plants grow there, what kind of animals live there, what is the weather like, and what is the life like – discuss it with them. This activity is not only interesting, it also promotes cognitive development. Thinking about and creating miniature worlds is a tool which helps children understand abstract concepts, and make sense of the world.

Idea: Prepare a shoe box and take the children outside. Explain the activity to them, and choose the topic for the miniature world. Encourage them to find as many materials as they can to create a miniature rainforest. Observe the process and discuss their ideas.

5. Go forest bathing

Forest bathing is one of the ways you can practice mindfulness in nature. Taking a walk in the forest while encouraging children to awaken all five of their senses will make it a new and interesting experience. There are many different techniques you can try.

Ideas:

• Try experiencing an object from nature with all of your senses. Invite children to take an acorn, a piece of bark, or anything else they might find. Instruct them to make themselves comfortable and close their eyes while awakening their other senses. What does the acorn feel like in your hands? Does it have a specific smell? Does it produce any sound if you manipulate it with your fingers? You could also include taste if the object you are using is edible (berries for example). After awakening all the other senses, children can open their eyes and take a look at the object – even seeing it might feel like a new experience.

• Walk silently through the forest, and invite children to look for anything that is in motion. It can be in the sky, on the ground, in the trees, and anywhere in between. Discuss their observations afterwards.

• While walking through the forest, instruct children to make deer ears (hands cupped around the ears) or owl eyes (hands placed on the sides of the face), and try to see if they hear/see their surroundings differently.

Having a toddler graduate from diapers to becoming fully potty trained is a tremendous accomplishment for a child (and a huge relief for parents). Parents with more than one child may see that their first child was out of diapers by two, while their second child was not out of diapers until much older. This is because potty training has little to do with age and everything to do with physical, emotional, and behavioral development. Therefore, potty training cannot happen until they are ready. 

Is it time?

A good rule of thumb is to see if the child is interested. If your child shows curiosity about the toilet, is interested in “big kid” underwear, stays dry for up to two hours, and can communicate when they need to go, then they may be ready! This doesn’t happen with every child, some children would happily stay in diapers until kindergarten and might need a little encouragement.

The power of treats

Positive reinforcement, praise, and rewards are the keys to successful potty training. The treat needs to be what your child is interested in and responds to. For example, when I was a nursery teacher, a child would love to collect stickers while another child would love stamps, and some children love a good old-fashioned high-five! As early childhood educators and as parents, it is important to hone in on their interests to make the most of this experience. 

Children typically have an easier time going pee on the toilet rather than pooping. It can be because they are intimidated, or don’t have the attention span to wait around on the toilet (what a boring place when they have adventures to go on!). It can be frustrating for parents, but it is entirely normal. 

One way to tackle this is to bring out something extra special for them. Again, this depends on the child. One of my nursery student’s mother was a pediatrician, so you can imagine candy and chocolate were sparse at home. When it came to pooping in the toilet the child had no problem when she knew there would be an M&M in her hand afterward (this tactic was parent-approved, of course). Another child had a difficult time pooping in the toilet, so his parents bought him a toy that he wanted, and said it was his when he pooped on the potty. Not even a week later he was playing with it!

Naps and Nighttime 

Diapers are typically still needed when the child is asleep. When they wake up they can take it off, then put on their underwear again. Usually, children are unable to stay dry throughout the night until 5 to 7 years old. 

Accidents happen  

         One of the most frustrating parts of potty training is accidents. They can be weekly, monthly, or right after they just used the toilet. Be patient with them, and make sure to talk with them calmly and nicely. Children get wrapped up in adventures, dance parties, or tea parties which can make them forget. Remind them that since they are wearing the big kid underwear they need to use the potty, then hug them and send them back into their magical universe for more play. 

Everybody is different! Some parents use positive reinforcement to encourage potty training, while others choose to wait until their child achieves this milestone at their own pace. There are many different ways to accomplish potty training, so the only right way is the way that works best for you and your child. 

When I wake up in the morning I yell,
Moooooom daaaaaaad. 
It's time for another day of asking questions,
My parents don’t look so glad. 
 
What makes a car go,
And why is the sky blue?
How many fingers does a T-rex have,
And why do I need to close my mouth when I chew?
 
What are we doing here,
And why do stars twinkle?
How much salt is in the ocean?
And why does grandma have so many wrinkles?
 
What happens when you die,
And why do people have different colored skin?
How are babies made?
And why does that lady have so many chins?
 
What does a pirate say, 
And why do astronauts float in outer space?
How do birds fly,
And why do flowers need water when they’re in a vase?
 
My questions are incessant,
And some are worth cherishing. 
But when we’re out in public,
They can be downright embarrassing. 
 
Deep inside my brain,
Things are changing and growing.
I’m working hard to piece together the world,
So the questions keep flowing.
 
 
Be patient with me,
 These questions can sometimes be tough.
But thorough and honest answers,
Will always be enough. 
 
Why does it rain,
And what is that juice only parents can drink?
I see it over there,
It’s in a bottle next to the sink. 
 
Goodnight question master, 
My parents said.
Another big day of asking questions,
Lies ahead.