At Ardent Preschool & Daycare, we partner with parents to nurture healthy habits in young children. We teach children essential skills early to help set the stage for lifelong growth and success. These foundational habits include teaching them the importance of a good routine, personal hygiene, a love of learning, strong character development, and effective communication. As we look ahead to the new year, here are five impactful ways you can support your child in developing healthier habits!
1. Establish a Routine
At Ardent, we believe children thrive with the consistency of a well-established routine. While we understand that no two days are exactly alike, we create a structured environment that helps children feel secure and understand what to expect throughout their day. A consistent routine not only supports emotional regulation but also helps children’s bodies naturally align with daily rhythms, such as knowing when it’s time to wake up, eat, and rest. This, in turn, promotes smoother transitions for the child.
2. Healthy Hygiene
When children follow a consistent schedule, it becomes easier to establish essential habits like potty time, brushing teeth, and washing hands. As toddlers begin potty training, their schedules are designed to support the development of these new habits, such as using the potty and washing their hands. In our potty-training classrooms, Ardent teachers provide regular reminders for children to try using the bathroom. To help establish this new habit, teachers use timers set to go off every thirty minutes. Parents can incorporate timers and alarms to assist in building fuss-free habits for getting ready for the day, showering, or transitioning into their bedtime routine. The goal is to create age-appropriate routines that support independence and consistency.
3. Faith Development
As a faith-based childcare program, Ardent Preschool believes that exposing children to God through Biblical stories, worship, scripture memorization, and prayer provides them with a faith foundation that cannot be replaced. As parents and educators, we are planting seeds that will grow and bear fruit in the future. We encourage parents to pray with their children and ask them about the character trait of the week and their memory verse. Ardent’s hope is that we are helping parents raise children with strong character and morals. We also aim to equip them with a spiritual foundation that will help them find peace in the trials ahead that are ahead in life.
4. Essential Learning Habits
Our top priority at Ardent is ensuring that children in our care develop essential learning habits that set them apart as they transition to elementary school. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to build upon itself as children progress through our preschool program. Each week, we communicate what your child is learning and encourage you to spend a few minutes reviewing it with them each evening. This simple habit not only reinforces the importance of studying but also fosters true mastery of the material.
Additionally, it allows you to celebrate your child’s strengths and identify areas where they may need extra support, helping you provide the strongest possible foundation for their educational journey.
5. Habits for Effective Communication
Establishing communication is a vital milestone in a child’s early years. At Ardent, we nurture these skills from the start by introducing sign language to our youngest babies, giving them simple ways to express their needs. As children grow, we focus on expanding their vocabulary and help them understand and communicate emotions effectively. Our hope is that parents are able to recognize their child’s cues and reinforce strong communication habits at home using the tools their child is learning in our care.
At Ardent Preschool & Daycare, we are committed to helping children build habits that will support their growth and success for years to come. We focus on establishing a strong foundation during these formative years, one that is often overlooked but essential for lifelong development. The skills and values children learn in their first years of life will shape their future.
If you’re seeking a nurturing environment that provides a lasting foundation for your child’s education and growth, we invite you to schedule a tour at a campus near you. Discover more about our exceptional early education experience and how we can support your family!
