Author: darleneweecare

ASL For All Kids

American Sign Language (ASL) is a language that is expressed by hand and facial movements rather than verbal speech. It is used by the deaf and hard of hearing communities to communicate without sound. With signs for nearly every English word or phrase, communication via ASL is extremely effective. It is common for parents of young children to teach their babies basic sign language that helps them communicate their needs long before they can speak. While most babies are taught basic words like milk, mom, thank you, and other commonly used words in their little worlds, the benefits extend far beyond the meeting of their basic needs in infancy.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, our staff is fluent in ASL and offers these invaluable language skills to all of the children who attend our daycare and preschool programs. Join us in today’s post as we discuss just a few of the benefits of ASL and why we believe all children should learn it. Connect with us online to learn more about our ASL program and special needs daycare and preschool in Upper Darby.

Inclusion of the Hard of Hearing Communities

The deaf and hard of hearing communities are forced to live in silent isolation in the general public, unable to communicate with those who do not know sign language, or they are forced to attempt to adapt in a spoken world. While most people who have been deaf since birth have learned to read lips, speak, or resort to writing their needs down, it is an extremely isolating life when you cannot freely communicate when you want or need to. Like spoken English and reading and writing, when the general population knows and uses ASL, it offers inclusion to our hard of hearing or deaf community members. And, inclusion is just the right thing to do.

Babies and Those on the Spectrum Can Communicate

Non-verbal community members including young infants and those who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often find ASL particularly useful to communicate their needs despite verbal limitations and normal hearing abilities. There is strong evidence that both babies and those with ASD can quickly and efficiently learn to communicate, as ASL is not difficult to learn. When children can communicate, and those in their lives understand, it can reduce tantrums, crying, and general upset. Because they are able to communicate their needs more efficiently, young babies who know ASL are often more easy-going and calmer than their peers. When their parents understand and react by meeting their needs, it helps enhance bonding and strengthen relationships.

Build Stronger Language Skills

Research shows that even children who can hear and speak normally experience great language enhancement by learning ASL. Learning sign language can speed up speech development and enhance the connection between words and meaning, making them more effective communicators in general. Hesitance or lack of understanding words can interrupt fluency and lead to frustration. When children know ASL, they are more confident and have higher self-esteem because they are able to effectively communicate much sooner and have their needs met.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we offer the same great childcare services to children with special needs including hearing issues, autism, and other developmental disabilities. Our staff is able to communicate with these and other children using ASL, and we offer ASL lessons to all of the children in our care. If you are interested in your child learning ASL while at daycare or you have a special needs child who would benefit from care providers who speak their language, contact the caring staff at Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids in Upper Darby today.
How to Talk to Your Kids About World Events

There is always something major going on in the world, in our country, and in your kid’s lives. As parents, we attempt to do what we can to shelter our kids from the ugliness in the world and show them unconditional love and support. 2020 has challenged everything we know as parents, by causing an extreme shift in our daily lives. With COVID-19 pandemic forcing us all inside and changing the way we interact and look at each other, to worldwide race riots and cops becoming the bad guys, you, like most parents, may be feeling a little lost in how to discuss these things with your children.

It is true, we don’t want to thrust the horrors of the world on our children, shattering their tender innocence and allowing them to see the darkness the world has to offer any sooner than is necessary. However, children are perceptive and smart. They see a lot more than most adults give them credit for, and they are capable of understanding deep things. Fear is learned, ignorance is unlearned. Join us in today’s post as we offer just a few tips on how to discuss big issues with your children.

Be Honest

There are times when fibbing to your children for the sake of offering them a sweet childhood is okay — Santa Clause, unicorns, etc. World issues do not apply here. It is okay to be vague and explain things in age-appropriate terms, but be honest about what is happening. If they don’t hear it from you, they will learn it somewhere, so it is better to give them accurate information and answer their questions as best you can before someone else does (the same applies to discussing puberty and where babies come from, but we’ll save that for a later post). It’s perfectly okay to explain that the world has changed because a lot of people are getting sick and we don’t want to get sick or get others sick without knowing it. This will also help prevent them from thinking they are being punished by not being able to go to the park or see their friends.

Use it as a Family Values Discussion

World issues are the perfect thing to bring up at the dinner table and use as real-world teaching moments. This allows you to discuss family values and show your children what is right and what is wrong and allow them to come to their own conclusions. While it is not appropriate to show your children Mr. Floyd’s video, discussing that “a police officer hurt a man because of the color of his skin,” allows your children to think about the situation and ask you the questions they have. This gives you the opportunity to discuss many different aspects. Just be sure that you are allowing your children the time to process the information without throwing too much at them at once.

Follow Up and Ask Their Take

Discussing world topics with your kids shouldn’t be a one-sided conversation, but it may also take some time to get your child’s input. That’s okay and very normal. Your kids will need some time to process and reflect the new information and put in in context of their own world and what they know. It is important to allow your discussions to marinate before following up with them. Following up will allow you to assess whether or not your child understands what is going on and address any lingering questions they may have.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we know that parenting is a challenging job and you may not always have the answers. Our staff is here to collaborate with parents and help address any concerns they may have. If you are wondering how to talk to your kids about difficult subjects, our teachers would be happy to share some tips. For reliable childcare in Upper Darby, contact us today.
How to Choose A Special Needs Child Care Facility

It can be difficult to find reliable and quality child care in general, but the process is even more challenging for parents with a special needs child. When choosing a special needs care facility, parents must be assured they are making the best decision for their beloved child and their unique needs.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we welcome and value all children, including those with special needs. On a fundamental level, every child needs the same things: play, education, and support.

In this article, we’ll give you all the information necessary to feel assured that our daycare facility provides the best care and curriculum for special needs children in the Upper Darby area.

Who We Are

Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids is the top-rated provider of childcare services for special needs kids in Pennsylvania. All of our staff are dedicated to nurturing and cherishing each and every child that walks (or crawls) through our doors. Regardless of whether a special needs child needs assistance with visual impairment, autism, a physical injury, or something else, we have the well-trained and compassionate staff needed to get the job done in a caring and effective way.

Children with deafness or hearing problems will have no trouble at Darlene’s, as one of our best teachers is trained fluently in American Sign Language and belongs to the Deaf community herself.

Kiddos with a developmental disability like autism might be nervous too, but there’s no need for this. All of our staff share a history of working closely with special needs children. They possess a strong understanding of special needs conditions and know how to communicate with your child in a way that makes them feel safe, heard, and respected.

Our Special Needs Child Care Philosophy

We believe that special needs programs are a group effort; they work best when everyone cooperates and works together. That means inclusivity and diversity in the classroom, as this encourages children to truly be themselves and to grow at their own pace.

Children struggling with developmental or educational delays (dyslexia, for one) should feel welcomed and excited to be included and engaged in our high-quality curriculum. Each child enrolled in our daycare program will receive a curriculum specifically tailored to their unique learning and developmental needs. Elements of their personalized curriculum, depending on their condition and abilities, may include language skill development, physical ability training, group play, dietary modifications, and a wide variety of sensory stimuli to get their creative juices flowing.

Parents often tell us that their children have such a great time at Darlene’s that it can occasionally be difficult to get them to come home! We think that’s a pretty good problem to have, if ever there was one.

Conclusion

Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids is proud to serve a wide range of children with unique and individualized needs. We never shy away from a challenge, and we’ll share that same beneficial philosophy with your beloved little ones. Call today to learn more about our special needs child care programs and summer camps!
Finding the Right Summer Camp For Kids

With summer just around the corner, kids are excited for the upcoming break. And with the same anticipation, if not anxiety, their parents are seeking ways to keep the youngsters engaged and entertained.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we provide top-tier summer camp programs and activities for children in the Upper Darby, Pennsylvania area. In this article, we’ll give you some information on what we have to offer. To learn more about how we can make every day of your kid’s summer a sunny, fun experience, please visit our website or give us a call today!

Education Retention

The summer is designed to give developing minds a break from the intellectual rigor of school, but that can come at a cost. Studies show that during the summer break, students can lose or become less competent with much of the knowledge they acquired in the previous school year.

At our summer camp program, we provide stimulating activities and academic support to minimize this effect and to keep kids engaged. To refine their literacy skills, we have daily designated story time or reading time. If your kiddo has a musical spirit, we can accommodate that too — we often play music, and sometimes even make it ourselves with experimental “jam” sessions!

Kids with an interest in science and nature will be pleased to learn about wildlife and biology, just as math-savvy students will be challenged with a variety of numerical puzzles and logic games. There is no shortage of ways to stay academically engaged during the summer when you enroll your child or children in a program from Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids.

Health & Exercise

When the weather is beautiful in Pennsylvania, it’s a shame not to take full advantage of it, which is why we always incorporate outdoor activities and physical education into our summer programs for kids.

Kids will enjoy entertaining, health-boosting activities like soccer, tag, baseball, kickball, and many other sports. We also provide free play periods where children can move in the ways they enjoy most, whether it’s dancing, swinging, climbing on the jungle gym, or running around in the fresh air.

On top of this, we give kids nutritious meals and snacks to keep their energy stable and their tummies satisfied. After all, you can’t have fun if you don’t fuel your body right!

Adventures in New Places

Although we have enough to stay busy and engaged at Darlene’s alone, we think it’s a lot more fun to switch up the surroundings as frequently as possible!

At our children’s summer camp, we often take field trips to new and exciting places, making every day a brand new adventure for participants. Some of our favorite locations to visit include amusement parks, movie theaters, trampoline parks, swimming pools, and natural hiking trails. We also find ways to incorporate arts, crafts, and other creative elements into our field trips and cooperative activities.

Conclusion

Choosing the right summer program for your child is of the utmost importance to ensure that they retain education, maintain physical wellness, and receive adequate amusement and entertainment. In short, a summer program can enrich your child’s time away from school — and give you the opportunity to do what lets you live your most balanced life.

Contact Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids today to get information and rates regarding our children’s summer programs in Upper Darby, PA!
How to Get Involved With Your Child’s Care

As a working parent, you fret about your child’s wellbeing while you can’t be with them and wonder how they are doing without you. Very few parents simply trust a babysitter or a daycare to simply hand their child over to without doing some investigating. And, most working parents feel guilty about being so disconnected from their child’s care for the majority of the week. At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we understand this and we want to help our kid’s parents be a little more involved in their child’s care, even when they are with us.

Take advantage of our open visit policy to drop in and say hello to your child.

We understand that this may not be practical for all parents, but if you work close, feel free to stop by on your lunch breaks. Or, if you have an appointment or offsite engagement one day, stop in and say hello, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It will help put you at ease just dropping in randomly to see that your child is doing well and your child will be overjoyed to show you all the things they do all day!

Get involved with parent committees.

Even if you can’t be involved in person, keeping up on parent communities can help establish relationships with fellow parents and help you feel more involved. Making friends with other parents in your child’s care circle can help build your network and offer opportunities for social engagements. Establish relationships with other parents and children to build your family.

Follow us on social media and interact with our community.

In a digital age, social media makes it easier to stay engaged with people and feel a part of a community. When you follow us on social media, you can get updates even when you aren’t at our facility and feel more included. Read our newsletters, emails, and updates to stay connected.

Volunteer your spare time — attend meetings or be a field trip chaperone.

We offer plenty of volunteer and chaperone opportunities and welcome parents to take the chance to get to know our staff and explore new sights with their children and the other kids in our care.

Attend our events.

Our staff offers plenty of events for parents and kids to attend. From holiday parties to presentations by the kids, you are sure to be able to find one that fits your schedule.

Talk with the staff at drop-off and pick-up.

The staff at Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids are happy to get to know the parents of our kids and share their daytime experiences at pickup and dropoff. We fully understand that some days you will be in a rush and others you are just ready to see your kiddos, but when you have time, don’t hesitate to hang out a bit and get to know the keepers of your kids!

Follow-up with your kids at home.

Our care is an extension of your care. Follow-up with your children at home by asking them questions about their day and engaging in play or reinforcing what they learned at daycare. You can even plan complementary activities at home.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we want the parents of our children to be as involved as possible in their child’s care. We understand that for many children, they may spend more time with us in a workweek than at home with their families. It is important to us that we become an extension of your family and that you feel as included as possible. For more ideas on how to be more involved in your child’s care, contact us.
Getting Your Family Ready For Back to School

Summer vacation is an exciting and relaxing time, where kids and their families get to let loose and do as they please. Summertime is filled with long days, fun activities, trips, and activities. Perhaps you are a stay-at-home parent or your kids attended summer camp or away camps. In any event, when the school year returns, it can be a big adjustment period for your entire family. Waiting until the school year begins to get life on track for the year can cause unrest in your home. Join us in today’s post as we discuss some ways that you can make the transition smoother and keep your home carefree.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we offer a wide range of childcare services including daycare, after school care, summer day camp, and academic services for our younger friends. We are heavily involved in the community and the surrounding school districts. We work with our kids’ parents and teachers to develop individual academic plans. For all of your childcare needs, contact us!

Begin talking about the upcoming school year.

Start introducing the idea of the upcoming changes now. You can simply ask your children if they are excited about the upcoming school year and what they are most interested in learning about this year. As a family, you can begin discussing goals for the coming year and how the school schedule will affect their interactions.

Start adjusting schedules.

Schedule adjustments are often the most stressful part about the beginning of the school year. To avoid a sudden shift, you can begin making small adjustments now. If you and your family have been sleeping in all summer and allowing your body the rest it deserves whenever you feel like it, begin transitioning back to the structure the school year requires. If, during the school year, you and the kids will have to awake at 6 am, begin inching closer to that over the remaining time you have. If you’ve been waking around 7:30 for most of the summer, try to wake up 10 minutes earlier tomorrow and slowly gravitate to 6:30 the week before school begins. The same thing should happen at bedtime and naptime.

Mealtimes are another area that should become a little more structured as the academic year nears. We suggest you set breakfast and lunchtimes to mimic meal times at school. Dinner time can be flexible around when you and your family will generally eat during the school year. Keep in mind daycare pickup times, work schedules and extracurricular activities you and your children participate in.

Wrap up your summer to-do list.

With the end of summer nearing, now is the time to complete your summer to-do list! Anything you’ve been wanting to do all summer long is now time to do it! Over the long summer days, they can often get away from us and before we know it, six weeks fly by. As a family, revisit your summer vacation list and make realistic plans to fit in as much as you can. While it may make the last few weeks seem busy, we only get 17 summers with our kids, so don’t waste a single one!

Go back-to-school shopping.

Back-to-school shopping is an exciting time that gets kids and their parents prepared for school. Once students have everything they need to be adequately prepared, it can help put everyone at ease, and even get kids excited about the new experiences awaiting them. Going back-to-school shopping early helps to save you money and offers you more time to find exactly what you want, rather than purchasing what remains after everyone else has picked through the school supplies.

Set up childcare plans.

If you haven’t done so already, especially if plans are changing from last school year or summer schedules, lock in your childcare plan. Finding someone to care for your children is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly or done at the last minute. Secure daycare or afterschool care and coordinate transportation to and from. If you are going to be the one to take your children to and from school and childcare, ensure that a friend, family member, or fellow parent knows all of the information and are listed on the school and daycare lists just in case something happens to you. Always have a backup plan.

At Darlene’s Wee Care 4 Kids, we provide safe and supportive childcare for the children of Upper Darby and their families. We offer services ranging from basic childcare to after school care and homework help. Our care programs include academics, meals, and field trips to keep your kids engaged and learning. For help with back-to-school care or routine adjustment, we are here to help. Contact us to get your children enrolled today.