Welcome

Welcome to visit us!  Redwood Shores Child Care and Preschool serve families with children 0-6 years old. We offer high quality child care and education service with specialty of Chinese English Bilingual and Montessori Education Methodology.

Please contact us 650-888-7301 or info@redwoodshoreschildcare.com to inquire more information or schedule a facility tour.

This blog page intends to provide helpful parenting tips, Chinese bilingual resources, Montessori education, bay area events for kids, child care preschool information and more.

We are looking forward to serving you and your family…

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Go Card Can Save Family Travel Cost

When you plan for family vacation in major cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angelos, San Diego, New York, Oahu…, you may consider to use Go Card to enjoy decent savings to many local attractions and theme parks.








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Ski/Snowboard Programs for Kids

Which ski place is the least expensive to get kids started? Which ski place offers programs for 2 year old? Which program has GPS unit included in rental for live tracking? Check out 2012 updates of kids ski programs. This article is written by KidMatter site.

Most of the ski/snowboard packages include full day or half day lift ticket, equipment rental, group lesson and lunch or snack.  Many of these programs require advanced reservation, particularly during peak season when classes can be filled up quickly.  All the ski resorts also offer discounted tickets if you purchase multi-day lift tickets.

Ski Resort Kids Programs Packages & Lift Rates Notes
Alphine Meadows Ski: ages 3-13
Snowboard: ages 5-12Spring ski camp for kids in 2012
Half Day: $109-$149
Full Day: $139-$179
Rental includes a GPS unit for live tracking.Current Daily Lift Tickets:
4 and under: Free
Child(5-12): $37
Adult: $84
Teen (13-18): $70
Tip: join Apline Club for savings
Often referred to as “Lake Tahoe’s Hidden Gem,” this 2,400-acre ski facility features more than 100 runs, and snowboarding parks. Tiegel Terrain Park adjacent to the base lodge is only for kids – perfect for beginners and kids of all ages.
Bear Valley Group Lessons: ages 4-12
Private Lessons: all ages
Half Day (ages 4-12): $89-95
Full Day (ages 4-8): $125-135
Lesson only: $57Current Discounted Lift Tickets:
Adult: $55 ($62)
Teen (13-19): $40 ($49)
Child (6-12): $19
kinder(1-5): $5
Bear Valley is a nice alternative to Tahoe for a weekend family or group ski trip.Tubing available
Boreal Ski: ages 4-10
Snowboard: 8 and up
Kids Club Half Day: $70/$80
Kids Club Full Day: $95/$105 (Helmet rental additional $5)
Private Lesson: $75 per hour; $65 additional hourDaily Lift Tickets:
Adult: $49-$56
Teen (13-18): $40
Child (5-12): $16
4 and under: $5Deals: $15 for all on Jan 6th; iRide: ride any 2 days get third day free
Playland Sledding area is for children of all ages. A plastic saucer is provided. There is also a designated snowplay area.Tubers for 42″ or taller: $25 for 2 hrs; Mini Tubing for under 42″: $15;Take 3 beginner lessons and get free season pass
Diamond Peak Child Ski Center: 3-7 years old.Group Lessons: ages 4-7
Private Lessons: ages 3 and up
Full Day (ages 4-7): $125
Sierra Scout All Day (ages 7-14): $105
Group lesson (ages 4-7): $70 2hours; $90 4 hours
Rental: $27Daily Life Tickets:
Adult: $54;
Teen (13-17): $43
Child (7-12): $20
6 and under: free
Beginner lift access: $25Mini pass: $35 a day when buy 7 mini pass
The Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center has a seperate learning area, powerline lift and a low instructor to child ratio of 1:5.Learn to Ski and Ride week Jan 9-13th! Beginner packages are just $29 (normally $75) for ages 7 and up. This includes beginner lesson, rental equipment and beginner lift ticket.
Dodge Ridge Intro-to-snow: 2-5
Kinder Ski/Ride: 4-5
Kids’ Club: 4-12
Intro-to-snow: $96, 2hr one on one lesson, equipment, helmetKinder Ski/Ride: $148, 4.5 hr Max 3 kids, equipment, helmet, lunchKid’s Club Full Day: $119
Kid’s Club Half Day: $96Daily Lift Tickets Only:
Adult: $64
Teen (13-19): $52
Child (6-12): $20
5 and under: free
This is the only place offers lessons for 2 year oldFamily Winter Carnival: Jan 28-29
Donner Ski Ranch Group Lessons: ages 7 and up
Private Lessons: all ages
1.5 hour group lesson:
Adult: $66
Teen (13-17): $62
Child (6-12): $52 (helmet rental $7)Daily Lift Tickets Only:
Adult: $35-$45
Teen (13-17): $28-36
Child (6-12): $10-$15
6 and under: $5 whole day
Granlibakken Resort Group lesson: 7 and upPrivate Lessons: 4 and up 1 hour ski school group lesson: $50; private lesson: $60Daily Lift Tickets Only:
Adult: $16-$24
12 and under: $10-$14
Granlibakken Resort features an intimate ski hill, perfect for beginning through intermediate skiers and snowboarders.Snowplay Area:
Perfect for families and children, Granlibakken has a machine-groomed snowplay area. Cost is $10 per person for saucer rental and use of snowplay area. (no tubes or toboggans are allowed)
Heavenly Ski: ages 4-13
Snowboard: ages 5-13
1 Day lesson: $155-$185private lessons: half-day ($425), Full-day ($620)Online discounted lift ticket:
Adult: $85
Teen (13-18): $78
Child (5-12): $49
Three Ski & Ride schools.Onsite daycare: 6 wks – 6 yrsvarious vacation deals on its web site
Homewood Ski: ages: 4-12
Snowboard: ages 7-12
Half Day: $99-$109
Full Day: $119-$129Online Lift Tickets:
Adult: $49-$57
Teen (13-18): $39-$45
Child (5-12): $10-$15
4 and under: free
Multi-day dealsall lessons include flaik GPS
Kirkwood Ski: ages 4-12
Snowboard: ages 5-12
new Mini Rippers program: ages 3-4
Beginning package: $25Skate package: $35Private lesson: $48
Daily Lift Tickets:
Adult (19-64): $69-$82
Teen (13-18): $54-$65
Child (6-12): $17-$20
5 and under: $8-$10
Dog sledding (45-min run): $45-$85
Tubing: $20 all day; $14 per hourKids Ski Free Sundays: Kids 12 and under ski FREE every Sunday on non-holiday dates with the purchase of an adult lift ticket or valid 11/12 Kirkwood Season Pass.
Mt. Rose Ski: ages 4-10
Snowboard: ages 7-10
2 hour session: $69- $74
Full Day group lesson: $79
private lesson: $60-$100 per hrLift Tickets Only:
Adult: $59-$77
Teen (13-18): $47-$62
Child (6-12): $19
5 and under: free
$10 life ticket, Jan 2-8
Northstar Group Lessons: ages 3-12 Half Day: $99-$109
Full Day: $129-$149Online Lift Tickets:
Adult: $88-$91
Teen (13-18): $81-$82
Child (5-12): $52-$53
4 and under: free
Tubing: $20-$22 first hour
Adventure ParksChild care for 2-6 yrs
Half Day: $89-$99
Full Day: $109-$119
Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski: ages 3-12
Snowboard: ages 5-12
Wild Mountain Center Program: FULL Day: $109
Half Day: $99Early Season Lift Tickets:
Adult/Teen: $49
Kids: $10Regular Daily Lift Tickets:
Adult: $74-$77
Teen (13-22): $64-$67
Kids (5-12): $19-$24
Tubing: $25 for 2 hrs
Adventure zones, $35Child care for 18 mo – 5yrsTake advantage of more great deals like 50% off private lessons, Snowplay for $20, and $49 lift tickets.
Soda Spring Group lessons: ages 7 and up
Planet Kids Moving Carpet: ages 10 and under
Beginner’s package: $69
Planet Kids: $25
Private lessons: $65, $25 additional person, $40 additional hourLift Tickets Only:
Adult: $36
Teen (<17): $25
Offer both sledding & Tubing. Tube town for 42″ and taller. Planet Snow Kids for 8 and under ($25).
Squaw Valley Group Lessons: ages 3-13
snowboarding: ages 7-12
Half day: $139-$149
Full Day: $169-$1791 hr private: $149Lift Tickets:
Adult: $64-$84
Teen (13-22): $53-$70
12 and under: $37
Tubing: $20 per hour
Mini-snow mobiles (6-12): $25
Dog Sledding, Ice skating, cable car, headwall sky jump
Sugar Bowl Ski: ages 4-12
Snowboard: ages 7-12
Bear Tracks (4-12) full day: $75-105
Black bear (7-12) full day: $185
Power cub (4-6) full day: $185
Sugar bear (4-6) full day: $145; Half day: $105Daily Lift Tickets:
Adult: $37-$82
Teen (13-22): $30-$70
Child (6-12): $5-$30
5 and under: free
Child care for 3-5 yrs: $90-$130;FREE 2 hour group lesson of any level and a FREE basic gear rental on general admission days
Tahoe Donner ages 3 and up Kids Ski School (ages 3-6): $75
Ski/Board Package: $75
Group Lesson Only: $35 and then $25
private lesson: $89 per hrLift Tickets:
adult (13-59): $32-$41
child (7-12): $14-21
6 and under: FREE
The best place to begin
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Arts Crafts for Young Children

Here is the list of great arts crafts ideas to engage young children and have quality bonding time together.  Creative, practical and lot of fun…

http://www.123child.com/act/
http://www.crayola.com/educators/index.cfm
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/activities-small.htm
http://www.kinderart.com/litles.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/toddler/
http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/
http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/kidsart.htm
http://www.childfun.com/
http://www.theideabox.com/ideas.nsf/craft
http://www.makingfriends.com/precrafts.htm
http://www.webfoundations.com/JustForKids/art.html
http://www.dltk-kids.com/

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Is Your Child Swimming?

Splash in the water, learn the four strokes, or compete in a swim meet, swimming is a fun sport that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages and ability levels. Swimming builds confidence, even stimulates a child’s appetite, so why not swimming? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids wait until they are at least 4 years old before taking formal swimming lessons, and study showed that children learn to swim well around 5 and half of age regardless of how early they started swimming. However, there is nothing wrong with taking infants or toddlers to swimming programs. Introducing kids to swimming early helps kids to overcome their fear of water and enjoy being in the water. Many aquatic programs offer “Parent & Tot” classes and it is a good opportunity to learn about water safety as well. A good place to start is the aquatic program offered by your local city recreation department. It is much less expensive than specialized swimming school program. Once your kid is ready for formal swimming lessons, it is time to pick a good program. Here are some tips: Check out the class before you sign up. Watch a session with your child together, or ask if your kid can try one class before signing up. Check the instructor’s credentials. You have to be comfortable with the instructor’s abilities. Check the teacher to student ratio. A small class will give your kid more time to learn. For beginners, you wouldn’t want the class to have more than 4 kids per teacher. Check the pool. Is the pool clean? Is the pool heated? Is the water temperature comfortable enough? Watch how the instructor interacts with your child. Is he/she patient, encouraging, and kind? If your child is visibly scared of the instructor, it is a sure sign that you should find another class or school. Check with other parents. Is the program flexible for absence and make up classes? Understand different skill levels in the program. Are they clearly defined? Is there a test to get into the next level? Does the program offer any award (a certificate or a ribbon) to encourage children to learn and move to the next level? Keep an eye on your child’s progress. Though every child is different, with the right instructor, your child should be able to show progress fairly quickly at beginning. In most classes, freestyle and backstroke are taught first. These two styles are similar and relatively easy to learn. Once your child moves on to intermediate level, breaststroke will be taught. Breaststroke is very different from other strokes and it is regarded as one of the most difficult strokes in competitive swimming. Some swim schools have the instructors teach outside the water starting intermediate level, but your child really needs the instructor in the water to correct her/him. If you see your kid struggling greatly and the instructor doesn’t help much, it’s time to find a better school. Private lessons come handy at this point, as you can ask the coach to fix certain things specifically. You will feel great sense of relief and pride once your kid can swim all four strokes. At this point, your kid can continue to take classes to sharpen the skills or join a competitive swim team. There are many advantages in joining a team. One of them is the opportunity to participate in swim meets. Not every swimmer becomes a world record holder, but they all learn from their swimming experience. Swim teams usually have very good coaches. And cost wise it costs much less than swimming lessons, provided that parents fulfill volunteering hours at swim meets. Swim teams have practices most of the week, though attendance is not required, it is more demanding time wise. If you are not sure about joining a team, try it out during summer as it is easier to manage frequent practice without school or homework. Summer is the best time to start swimming or take the existing swimming skills to the next level. Everything else aside, it is fun to be just in the water.
Credit: This article is from KidMatter.

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‘Pearls Of Wisdom’ – Inspirational Quotes For Parents

§  DON’T compare your child to a sibling or anybody else!

§  Listen more to your kids and talk less

§  ‘Men are what their mothers made them’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson

§  ‘Children are the living messages to a time we will never see’

§  Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression – Haim Ginott

§  It is better to bind your children to you by a feeling of respect and by gentleness, than by fear. – Terence

§  Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them.

§  ‘Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.’ – James Baldwin

§  Soft is the heart of a child- take care not to harden it’

§  “One of the greatest Questions to ask yourself at the end of the day is, “If I were the only example my child has from whom to learn right from wrong, what would she have learned today?”  – Dr Michele Borba

§  All children behave as well as they are treated

§  ‘Children have more need of models than of critics.’  ~ Carolyn Coats

§  ‘To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.’ ~ Anonymous

§  ‘A child, like your stomach, doesn’t need all you can afford to give it.”~ Frank A. Clark

§  “If you want your children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.”~ Abigail Van Buren

§  Talk to your child in the positive, NOT in the negative. For example, instead of saying ‘stop your whining’, say ‘use your big, strong voice’.

§  Give your child LOTS of great eye contact!

§  As we explore the world of a child, we must remember that the spousal relationship remains WITHOUT A DOUBT the most important bond in a family.  It’s effect on a child throughout his life is TREMENDOUS.  So do something special with your spouse tonight!

§  Be silly with your kids. Make funny faces. Create silly noises. Find ways to giggle.

§  Focus on what your kids are doing right and PRAISE them for it!

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Museums FREE

It’s July 4 long weekend. Parents can take their kids to some great museums free of charge. Happy Independence Day!

Description:

Free general admission to more than 120 museums nationwide on the full weekend of every month.

http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

Host/Location: various museums in San Jose & San Francisco
Event Type: Museum Program
Recurring : Monthly
Event Dates: first full weekend of every month
Cost: FREE with any Bank of America card and photo ID

San Jose:

The Tech Museum
San Jose Museum of Art

San Francisco:
Museum of the African Diaspora
De Young Museum
Legion of Honor
Contemporary Jewish Museum
Zeum

Oakland:
Chabot Space and Science Center

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Language Fair Promotes Bilingualism

Redwood Shores Child Care Volunteered at Foreign Language Fair to Promote Bilingualism

Families gathered at the Redwood Shores Library on 6/25/11 to attend the second annual Foreign Language Fair where rare books, crafts and language education opportunities were available. The fair featured Spanish, Chinese, German, French, Tagalog, Samoan, Vietnamese and many more.

Parents spoke with different companies and preschools about integrating language programs. The event was meant to promote bilingualism in households.

Redwood Shores Child Care and Preschool hosted the art and craft table. Each child got chance to make a beautiful American flag for Independence day. Many families have special interest of having their children learn Chinese mandarin at early age. They are so pleased to know there is such a great Chinese Bilingual Montessori child care and preschool (http://redwoodshoreschildcare.com) serving the local communities of Redwood Shores, Belmont, San Carlos, Foster City and San Mateo families.

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Infant Language Milestones

Here is a good summary of baby language development milestones.

Birth to 3 Months
Infants make a variety of noises, including crying, gurgling, and cooing. They recognize parents’ voices, become quiet when spoken to, and increase or decrease sucking in response to sounds.

4 to 6 Months
Babies’ noises evolve into babbling (”mamamama,” “dadadada”). They seem excited by their new “speech.” Babies move their eyes in the direction of sounds, may cry in response to harsh voices, pay attention to music, and notice toys that make sounds.

7 to 12 Months
Babies’ babbling becomes longer, and they repeat sounds, listen when spoken to, and recognize words for common items, such as “book” and “juice.” They begin responding to simple commands, and, at a year, they typically say their first word.

Over 12 months
Between 1 and 2 years, toddlers should be able point to body parts and pictures in a book and follow such commands as “Kiss the baby” and “Show me your shoe.” At 2, children usually say two-word sentences, and at 3, three-word sentences.

Resources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Offers informative publications, a help line, and referrals to audiologists and speech-language pathologists (www.asha.org or 800-638-8255)

All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL
Provides comprehensive information on recognizing and treating speech and language delays (www.helpforkidsspeech.org)

Zero to Three
Offers information on development and parenting tips (www.zerotothree.org or 202-638-1144)

Child Find
A government-sponsored organization with links to services for children with disabilities and delays (www.childfindidea.org/links.htm)

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Mealtime Solutions

Have challenge to prepare for healthy food your child loves to taste?

Here are some good books and websites addressing mealtime solutions.

  • Mealtime Solutions for your baby, toddler and preschooler
    (by Ann Douglas)
    www.motherofallsolutions.com
    http://www.parentinglibrary.com/babiesandtoddlers.html
  • Homemade Baby Food Pure and Simple
    (by Connie Linardakis)
  • The Petit Appetit Cookbook – Easy, Organic Recipes to Nurture Your Baby and Toddler (byLisa Barnes)
  • Super Foods for Children – Nutrients-dense foods for babies, toddlers and kids
    (by Michael Van Strten) 

     

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Places to Shop Kids Arts/Crafts Supply

Below is the list of recommended shops where you can purchase good arts crafts supplies for kids.

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