Alright moms, are you ready to start spring cleaning? Now is the time to tackle the basement, attic and garage, clearing out any baby or kids items you might not need anymore to sell them at iLead’s Mom 2 Mom Mega Sale Saturday, March 10 at the iLead Spring Meadows, 1615 Timberwolf, in Holland. Tables are $20 for those with items to sell. If you’re in need of baby or kids items yourself, you won’t want to miss this, either. Admission is just $1 for the 10am-2pm event, hosted by the local Facebook group Toledo Thrifty Moms.
Star Gazing
Let’s face it: We all need new activities to keep us busy during the winter months. And here’s something for your family— a chance to check out the stars, for free! Borrow an Orion StarBlast 4.5-inch telescope from the Toledo Lucas County Public library for seven days (and extend the loan, twice, for a total of 21 days). The telescopes are available at the Main Library and the Point Place Branch.
Caring for natural curls
Whether you’re a parent or a guardian to an African-American child, getting a handle on very curly, natural hair can be difficult. Learn how to manage curls, discover basic tools and products, understand common hair issues, develop a regimen and learn three basic styles during a free Natural Hair Care for Children workshop, led by Megan Yasu-Davis of The Kitchen Salon. Space is limited; please register in advance. 6-8pm. Monday, March 19.
Holland Public Library
1032 S. McCord Rd.
419-259-5240 | Toledolibrary.org
thekitchensalon.com
New trampoline park opens in Toledo
Time to put the rumors to rest— Get Air Toledo is here. Officials say they are optimistic the building will be open this summer—a 27,000 square-foot indoor trampoline park with wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts and lots of other fun features. Get Air will also have a ninja warrior course— think spider walls, a slackline, military crawls, monkey rings, a rock climbing wall and a cliffhanger. Sounds like the perfect place for kids to burn off that never ending energy.
Get Air Toledo
5055 Jackman Road, Toledo
Budgeting Basics
Start the conversation early
It’s never too early to start teaching your child about money management. Kids as young as 3 can grasp financial concepts like spending and saving. Five-year-olds can learn to recognize coins and dollar values. Elementary-aged children can start to save money in a piggy bank. Tweens and teens can manage a simple budget and open their own bank account. Every shopping expedition is an opportunity to teach your child about wisely spending and saving money.
“The sooner parents can have a conversation about money and its importance, the more likely [children] will be able to value and save it,” says Josh Adams, an economics teacher at Whitmer High school. “Successful people save their money and smart people save for a purpose.”
Adams suggests making budgeting a family affair and setting an example of never spending more than you make. He encourages his students to save 50 percent of their earnings. “Save for a purpose,” he teaches them. “Invest in your future.”
Invest your time with
tweens and teens
While it takes an investment of time and effort to teach money management, the payoff can be well worth it. Modeling fiscal responsibility by paying bills on time and planning ahead when making large purchases allows your child to see wise money management in action.
Dave Ramsey, co-author of Smart Money Smart Kids, reframes the concept of an allowance. “Don’t just give your kids money for breathing,” he stresses. “Pay them commissions based on chores they do around the house. This will help them understand that money is earned— it’s not just given to them.” Allocate the commission like a paycheck and encourage your child to save a percentage for future purchases.
Encourage your teen to get a job so he/she can learn by experience how to earn, save and spend their own income. Teach how to responsibly use credit cards and how to avoid future debt. Teens can also learn about the value of giving through contributions to a charity of their choice. With your support, donating can become a part of your child’s fiscal mentality and encourage social consciousness.
In the end, Ramsey sums it up best: “Teach your kids how to handle money now, and they won’t end up with financial regrets later on in life.”
Visit Dave Ramsey’s website, Smart Money
Smart Kids for more tips and resources.
smartmoneysmartkids.com
Preschool & Child Care Guide
Children’s Discovery
Center
Five regional locations
419-867-8570
childrensdiscoverycenters.com
Children’s Discovery Center emphasizes the importance of integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and math (S.T.E.A.M.) into an early childhood education program. CDC “teachers encourage children in science exploration to engage, explain and evaluate. Laying the foundation for these skills helps children become successful as they enter kindergarten and first grade.” Additionally, CDC follows the state of Ohio requirements for staff/child ratio, and the infant classroom has a ratio of 1:5 with a maximum group size of 12. Preschoolers are only slightly higher at 1:12 with a maximum group size of 24.
Maumee Valley
Country Day School
1715 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo
419-381-1313
mvcds.org
Maumee Valley’s Early Learning Center (ELC) offers dynamic education, a child-centered curriculum, and a small 8:1 student-teacher ratio to help children thrive in a creative environment. The ELC provides children a foundation to think critically, problem solve, learn independently, and develop sound work habits through music, art, spanish, and physical education lessons throughout the week. A variety of programs are available to best suit your child’s needs. Preschool students, beginning at 30 months old, can opt for three full days (from 8am-3pm, Monday-Wednesday), five half days (8-11:15am, Monday-Friday), or five full days (8am-3pm, Monday-Friday), with full days available for pre-kindergarten, junior kindergarten, and kindergarten students. Busy parents love The Hawks Lookout, and extended time care for ELC students, available 7:30-8am and from 3-6pm.
West Side Montessori
Toledo Campus:
7115 W. Bancroft
419.866.1931
Perrysburg Campus:
13587 Roachton Rd.
419.874.9385
montessoritoledo.org
West Side Montessori provides children with a play-based learning environment in which students can pursue their individual interests at their own pace. For children ages 13-40 months, the Little House is the best match, with flexible program options with a focus on individual education, practical life, grace and courtesy, sensorial experiences, mathematics, language and art. Preschool and kindergarten at the Children’s House (three to six years old) learn how to absorb knowledge, sort and categorize their experiences in the world, and develop the skills they need to continue learning through practical exercises, an introduction to math, science, language, and cultural concepts. Both programs are flexible, with full and half day options, as well as afternoon enrichment for half-day preschool and kindergarten students and extended day options for Little House half-day students. The Little House teacher to student ratio is 5:1 to 7:1, and the Children’s House is 12:1.
Maria Learning Center
4651 Monroe St, Toledo
419- 471-0170
mariaelc.org
If you’re looking for “a home away from home” for your child, Maria Early Learning Center may be the place for you. A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Maria Early Learning Center serves children ages six weeks to 5 years through a high-quality, faith-filled education that is offered in a fun, playful and loving manner. This center focuses on the whole child, offering programs that teach respect, honesty, empathy and much more. Maria Early Learning Center fosters community and spirit, serving the families that are enrolled here as well. The center recently added a STEM room to their learning environment, staying on top of the best practices to add value to the children who are students here. This year the center will continue to pursue accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Educare Academy
806 Starr Ave, Toledo
419- 704-2009
[email protected]
Educare Academy Child Development Centers operates 11 locations throughout Northwest Ohio. Each location has been awarded the highest “5-star Rating” available by the Ohio Department of Education for going above and beyond the state requirements to children currently served. Educare Academy offers free preschool and kindergarten readiness programs, with low child-to-staff ratios to maximize each child’s growth and learning experience. Serving ages six weeks through 12 years, Educare Academy Child Development Centers are dedicated to ensuring the health, safety, education and development of each individual child and their family. Educare Academy is currently enrolling – call today to reserve your spot!
Toledo Public Schools
Early Childhood Education is available
at 19 elementary schools.
419-671-9100
tps.org
Toledo Public Schools offers early childhood programming to children ages three through five, of all abilities, with options for families including full or half-day programming. As an integral component of Toledo Public Schools, our early childhood programs work closely with Kindergarten teachers to ensure that children are exposed to social settings, curriculum and instruction geared to prepare them for a successful career in Toledo Public Schools. In ALL Toledo Public Schools early childhood programs, you will find teachers with no less than a four year degree in early childhood education. Many of our teachers hold an Ohio teaching license, and our special education preschool teachers hold a Master’s degree in early childhood special education.