Happy Munchkins Academy

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Here at HMA believe that self-esteem is the critical component in a child’s development. In order for a child to develop high self-esteem, we focus on developing the socialization and self-help skills needed to succeed in other areas of development. Just how well children learn to get along with others depends, to a large extent, on how they feel about themselves. If the adults who care for them have helped them to feel they are valued and competent, children are likely to be relaxed and friendly with others. Play is the way children learn about their world, themselves, and others, and the way they develop the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in their lives. Every six months we do Ages and Stages Questioner with each child to help us and the parent have a better understanding of each child’s individual milestone development. This allows providers and parents to work together with the children to help them achieve new milestones and feel good about what they can do. All children learn and grow in their own special way. We care greatly about all the health and well being aspects of the children in our care and work to help promote and teach healthy life styles for children and their families. We have found that with children this works best when they are offered a balance of fun and healthy. One way we promote healthy life styles is to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations on screen time. Children under 2 should have no screen time while children age 2 and over should watch less than 30 minutes per week at child care, and less than 2 hours per day total. TV and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development. Therefore we will restrict screen time by allowing a maximum of 30 minutes total per week of educational and age appropriate screen time (television, video, and DVD). Not allowing any screen time during meals and snacks and having zero screen time (TV, video, and computer) for children under the age of two. In a world where even adults have a hard time clearing our minds due to being constantly engaged and entertained by devices and social media we find it vary important to promote to our children that imagination and free thought are just as entertaining and important. To achieve this we encourage children to free play with one another with minimal adult directed play or activities. Children in our care enjoy a daily walk and free play outdoors twice a day. This physical activity comes out to about 2 hours a day. While on our walks we engage the children in conversation about the weather, wild life and architecture. Outdoor play consist of the children practicing fine and gross motor skills including, climbing, running, jumping, playing ball, dumping and pouring to name a few. Meal times at HMA are unique. As was stated above we believe healthy life style choices come from a balance of fun and health. Here at HMA the children eat 2 healthy balanced meals a day and 2 snacks. We do have treats and special lunches that may include sweets or processed foods. When we have these it is for a special occasion like a holiday or a child’s birthday (each child chooses their birthday lunch). Other times when we may eat a treat is when we are on the go (see field trips section). Day to day you can expect your child to eat mostly a whole foods diet that follows the USDA food guidelines. HMA also puts a large amount of focus on the safety of each child in care. While we hold an open door policy our doors are locked at all times for the safety of the children in care. If you would like to utilize our open door policy feel free to knock or text one of us and we will open the door as quickly as possible. While in care no child or employee is p