WHAT WE ARE LEARNING AT DAWNS DISCOVERY TREE HOUSE

WHAT WE ARE LEARNING AT

DAWNS DISCOVERY TREE HOUSE!

In Our Science Center

The children are looking at a large moth and they can see how it blends in with the stick. So we learned the word camouflage.

The Moths face looks like a birds face. We talked about how some insects can look like other predators so they don't become food.

We put the moth back into its natural environment.

Tray Tasking Center

The kids build many learning skills from exploring and playing on the trays.

They learn how things fit in their environment and the difference between large, medium, and small.

The children learn to sort by color and category, this helps with math skills. Its fun to

tray task because its not about worksheets its about doing. Its about manipulating and feeling what we are learning. It makes exploring and discovering our 5 senses fun while playing and learning!

Fitting the right animal puzzles in the correct space. This is difficult for a 1 yr old but

they love to try.

Learning the alphabet with puzzle pieces.

Bugs are great because you can put them in categories and talk about differences and similarities

and learn different bug types.

This game has many discoveries. Your learning shapes, sizes,

colors and smallest to greatest in size.

Using fine motor skills to manipulate the ball into

the gumball circle. This a great game for counting too. 

Sorting by color

Childrens Personal Space

Children’s Personal Space

Children need to have and understand boundaries. Children like to have a place that is their space and under no circumstances may anyone cross over into their space without their permission. Their space can be a variety of things. It can be a room, rug, pillow case, cubby whole or a certain spot in the house and most important “Personal Space”. I also use this with the daycare children when they are playing with a toy. Each child is allowed to find a space and some toys that they are playing with and use this space to play and not be interrupted with other children grabbing toys from them. This space is also good because the children only take toys they are going to play with and when they are done, they clean their space up before they get another toy out or do anything else. This also eliminates the, “I didn’t make that mess”,” Why do I have to clean up, it’s not my mess”?  Children at any time may share their space with a friend if they have a toy or toys they want to share and play with together. By teaching the kids “Personal Space” this allows them boundaries in life of whom they will allow into their “Personal Space” and who they will not allow in their space especially from people who make them feel uncomfortable or someone who feels dangerous to them. This is why it is so important for children to have their “Personal Space” to be respected. By having a space this allows the child to go in and out of their space at any time. Their space is not to be used as a “time out” or a “confinement” but a tool for them to use it when they want their boundaries to be respected and they want to feel safe. I tell the kids that if someone steps into their space, they are to tell them, “Stop please” or “No Thank You, you are in my space and you need to step back” This gives them the feeling of being in control of their personal space and feeling safe and if someone wants to come into their space then that someone needs to get the child’s permission. This is also important when it comes to a child’s body. Their bodies are their “Personal Space” too and their bodies need to be respected and no child or adult is allowed to hit, push, bite, or touch them in any way that can bring any harm to them or make them feel uncomfortable. When we are in our homes, we only allow people who share the same values as you do and will respect your home. When you go out and about you want people to respect your personal space as well, it’s the same for children.

10 Safety Tips that Parents Need to Read to Prevent Abuse

10 Safety Tips that Parents Need to Read to Prevent Abuse

By Ronald Book

I’m often asked by parents what I wish I’d known back when we unknowingly brought a sexual predator into our home, or the things I would do differently today if I was hiring a nanny for my children.
Fifteen years ago, we brought a new nanny, Waldina Flores, into our home to help with my three children, Lauren (our oldest), Samantha and Chase. I traveled a lot for my job and my wife was ill, so when “Waldy” – as the kids fondly called her – came into our lives, it was a godsend, or so we thought.
Little did I know, however, that for the next six years Waldy would secretly physically, sexually and emotionally torture my daughter Lauren.
As a parent, I have lived with a lot of guilt since the day I learned about Lauren’s abuse as I cried at the office of Lauren’s therapist, but I’ve learned that the best way for Lauren, our family and myself to heal is by telling others about our story. By speaking out about abuse and not being afraid to expose our family’s truths it can and will prevent the future abuse of others.
Whenever people ask me what to look for to spot abuse, I tell them these 10 things.

1. Background checks. When you bring someone into your home to care for your kids, you should truly know everything about them. Be aware that simple reference checks, in which you contact people identified as previous employers, can be totally unreliable. Full criminal background checks are helpful, but also not conclusive, due to the vast underreporting of crimes against children. There are also problems with foreign nationals and the databases, or lack thereof, in other countries that might track child molesters. Consider a psychiatric test as well.
2. Cameras. Putting surveillance cameras in your home may seem excessive, but remember that 90 percent of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts. Today, cameras are not only inexpensive, but the technology allows you remote access from your car, hotels (when out of town), etc.
3. Warning signs. After you have a regular babysitter or nanny in your home, pay attention to warning signs that something is not right. Some of these are clearer in children over three, and in families with siblings. For example:
   • Predator shows favoritism of one child over others
   • Predator uses inappropriate terms of endearment
   • Child expresses sudden emotional withdrawal, depression
   • Child has trouble sleeping, nightmares
   • Child shows sudden aggressive behaviors towards peers. Make surprise visits to check on how things are going when you’re not expected home. If you see any of these warning signs, don’t be afraid to be inquisitive and pry. Always talk to your children about daily activities and show interest in their feelings.
4. Teach your children about their bodies and the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch. The Lauren’s Kids Foundation It’s Okay to Tell Curriculum offers some basic instructions in this area.
5. Don’t be afraid to investigate. Investigating your suspicions may save your child’s life.
6. Teach your children secrets are always to be shared with you – always.
7. Don’t ever allow your child, if under the age of thirteen, to be alone in a public place.
8. Know with whom your child is spending time, and be very careful about allowing your child to be in hidden places with other adults or children.
9. Listen carefully when your child says he or she has to tell you something, especially when it seems difficult to talk about.
10. Talk to your child about personal space. Let children know their bodies belong to them, and that only they can make decisions about what happens to their bodies.

Ronald Book is owner of Ronald L. Book, P.A., considered one of the premier lobbying firms in Florida, with unparalleled experience in the appropriations process. The law firm works exclusively in the government affairs arena, specializing in legislative and executive advocacy, strategic planning and general government consulting.
Book is also the President of Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent the sexual abuse of children through education, which he founded with his daughter, Lauren Book, in 2007 in response to Lauren’s experience with sexual abuse.