As summer unfolds its warm embrace, we're excited to share some fantastic, budget-friendly activities for you and your little ones. Keeping children engaged and entertained during the summer months doesn't have to break the bank. Here are five delightful activities that promise fun, learning, and cherished memories—all without spending a dime!

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Take advantage of the sunny weather and explore the great outdoors with a nature scavenger hunt. Create a list of items such as pinecones, flowers, different types of leaves, or even specific insects like ladybugs or butterflies. Head to your local park, nature reserve, or simply explore your own backyard. This activity not only encourages physical activity but also helps children develop their observation skills and learn about the natural world around them.

DIY Arts and Crafts

Get creative at home with DIY arts and crafts projects using materials you already have. Whether it's making paper plate masks, creating handprint animals, or designing recycled art from household items, there are endless possibilities. Crafting not only stimulates imagination and fine motor skills but also provides an opportunity for bonding and quality time together.

Choosing a child care program can be confounding, overwhelming, and even frustrating! People in the early childhood education field are uniquely aware of important things that you may not think about when you are making your decision. The following are 7 categories you should ask about while you are looking for care!

• Communication

• Prompt - Did you get the answers you needed promptly? Did you get a call when promised?

• Open door - What is the center’s policy on visits and volunteering?

• Finding Me Now has an Open Door guarantee, which means you can peek in the window, visit, or even schedule time to spend in the classroom helping.

• Free Day - Does the center have any trial periods?

• FMN offers a Free Stay & Play Day which allows your child to come in for a visit or stay for the day.

• Financial

• Tuition - When is it due?

• Fees - Are there any other fees like enrollment or supply fees?

• FMN does not charge any fee at any time besides tuition. Supplies and field trips are included in the tuition.

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These are the fateful words as a parent, you dread to hear when dropping your child off to a new environment. Separation anxiety is normal in an infant and toddlers development. Don’t panic Mom and Dad, you are not alone! Around the age of 2 is usually when toddlers start to notice a pattern that you may be out of sight for a while but not forever. Older children may still have some anxiety around drop off time, but there are several strategies to work through to help.

Fun family trips can sometimes be overshadowed by the anxiety of traveling with young children. Many times we as adults stress about the car or plane ride and how it will affect our children and other passengers if our children do not behave in a certain manner. Many people through time have weighed in on this subject with their opinions on both sides of the coin and have compelling arguments. However, what I believe to be correct is what is right for you and your family!

Inhibit The Achievement Gap And Promote School Readiness For Your Youngest Learner!

In a longitudinal study spanning over five decades — 1960 through 2016 — with participation from five universities including Harvard, it was observed that kids who participated in early childhood education programs were less likely to be placed in special education classes or held back a grade, as well as have a better chance graduating high-school than other children who did not attend.

At the end of the day, early childhood education oftentimes leads to success later in life!

Finding Me Now Learning Center in Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Fort Wayne is your child’s ally in early childhood education! Through The Creative Curriculum® and with NAEYC accreditation as our guide, our educators lead modern learning programs in loving classrooms.

Why Is Early Childhood Education So Beneficial?

Kids are curious — they are sponges that love to soak up every new experience, new words, and new behaviors that are coming at them at a rapid pace.

Kindness is learned, and what better way to teach it than to perform acts of kindness within your family and community! Reinforcing acts of kindness with hugs and high fives makes it even more fun! Kids of all ages can get in on the giving. Here is a list of 24 acts of kindness that you and your family can pick some from (or challenge yourself to do all 24!).

• 1. Write a thank you note to your favorite teacher, nurse, doctor, or other public servant
• 2. Choose some canned goods from the pantry to donate to a food bank
• 3. Choose a toy to purchase online for a child in need on Toys for Tots’ Virtual Donation Box
• 4. Give someone a nice compliment

Kids are generally incredibly resilient. Most kids can weather stress in their lives like pros, and some can learn to adapt to big life changes even better than adults. However, when kids are stressed out, sometimes it’s hard to spot. Without the ability to fully express their feelings, you may see physical, mood, or behavioral changes in children (especially young children) when they need some extra support.

Physical Signs

• Changing Appetite
  • Eating more, including comfort eating or complaining of feeling hungry after eating regular meals
  • Newly picky eating or insisting they aren’t hungry
• Changes in Sleep Patterns
  • Insomnia, having a hard time falling asleep
  • Frequent nightmares
  • New or renewed bedwetting
  • Sleeping too much, falling asleep at odd times, asking to go to bed earlier
• Aches and Pains
  • Frequent headaches
  • Frequent stomachaches

Mood & Behavioral Signs

• Hyperfocus on Illness
  • Keep in mind, it’s very natural for children to “play” new things in their lives like getting their temperature taken, washing hands, wearing masks, and even talking about people getting sick. Children talking, playing, or asking about these things is natural and healthy, but when a child becomes overly focused on them it could be a warning sign of anxiety.
  • Focusing too much on sensations in their body
  • Seeking reassurance from you that their “symptoms” don’t match up with Covid-19
  • Asking to have their temperature taken several times a day as reassurance they are not sick
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Today while I was thinking about what to write about for July’s blog, I was browsing through some preschool and early childhood blogs. I realized that so many of the fun and elaborate experiments and projects need some specialized material that you might only be able to get at a craft store or online. But what about a boredom emergency?? Here are a few great ideas for no-prep, fun activities that will bust that boredom!

Note: This letter is from 2020 from our chairman Michael Bundy, and we wanted to re-share his sentiments and hopes for all of us on this year's Juneteenth.

Today, Juneteenth, Finding Me Now expresses hope that the events of the last few weeks will become a seminal moment in our country’s history. May this be a time that profoundly improves the lives of black Americans. May this be a time when white Americans can hear the pain coming from the scars of slavery and the ongoing existence of discrimination. May our leaders craft new laws and policies that inspire hope. May God grant reconciliation throughout our nation.

At FMN we reaffirm our goal – Discovering and Affirming Each Child’s God-Given Uniqueness. Black lives do matter. Recently my heart was stirred following a march by the Purdue football players to City Hall in Lafayette. A video was made of the event and one player said something like, “I just hope that my children can grow up without fearing the police.” Amen.

While our company cannot address everything that is so complex in healing our land, we do encourage each of you to be a part of the change that is occurring. A recommended resource is the six-part video series (available on YouTube) from Dr. Tony Evans based upon his book, “Oneness Embraced.” Critical points that he makes are:

Finding Me Now Learning Center is working to keep every child and adult in our building safe.

We also have embraced the “unintended opportunities” to learn and grow that would not be possible without the unusual circumstances we all find ourselves in.

We have concentrated our many efforts in six areas: Concentration on Cleaning, Social Distancing, Health Checks, Family Support, Child Enrichment, and Supporting Our Staff.