Outdoor Classrooms
As parents of young children attending Stepping Stone School, you're likely aware of the importance of outdoor play in your child's early education. But do you know just how impactful it can be? Let's explore the numerous advantages that outdoor play brings to your child's learning and development. It Invites Children to Learn Science - Nature is a perfect classroom for young explorers. You don't need formal science lessons; outdoor play naturally encourages your child's curiosity. Children are born discoverers, and their questions can become group inquiry projects. Outdoor play natur...
Safety & Security at Stepping Stone School
At Stepping Stone School, the safety and security of our students and families are the foundation on which everything rests. Providing a learning environment that is safe and secure is our number-one priority! Our outstanding safety measures give parents comfort and confidence. Our safeguards include: While on campus and during events all staff wear official apparel with the Stepping Stone School logo. Video cameras in each classroom provide real-time video feed at a color monitor located in the welcome area or the principal’s office 24/7 security video surveillance at the fr...
Preventing and Helping Choking in Young Children
Infant choking is scary, but it is largely preventable. Infant and young children’s airways are smaller and easily obstructed. It also takes time for infants to master the ability to chew and swallow food, and infants may not be able to cough forcefully enough to dislodge an airway obstruction. As infants and toddlers explore their environments, they also commonly put objects into their mouths, leading to choking. Sometimes health conditions increase the risk of choking. Children who have swallowing disorders, neuromuscular disorders and developmental delays, have a higher risk of...
Halloween Safety in the Age of COVID-19
Halloween is right around the corner and all of our traditional ways of celebrating the holiday now need to be reconsidered based on the presence of COVID-19 in our communities. While traditional Halloween activities are fun, some can increase the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. Below are some ideas you can utilize to have a happy and safe Halloween this year. Wear a Mask. Make your cloth mask part of your costume. Costume masks are not a substitute for cloth masks. Also, do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask, it can make breathing difficult. Wash Your Hands. Br...
Halloween Safety
With Halloween on the horizon, consider some of the following safety tips to keep you and your children safe during this exciting time of year. Careful Costume Considerations Think visibility One of the biggest concerns about Halloween Trick-or-treating is visibility, especially after dark. Consider adding reflective tape to costumes and bags. Encourage children to use glow sticks and flashlights with fresh batteries so they can easily be seen by drivers. Think safety Ensure your child’s costume fits properly to avoid tripping. Consider face paint versus masks to improve your c...
10 Safety Tips for Independence Day
My memories of Independence Day celebrations are filled with cookouts, visits from friends and family members, and staying up late to watch the fireworks displays. My siblings and I would spend most of the day chasing each other around in the backyard and then join with our neighbors in the front yard to share in a cookout. It was always an exciting time Now with my own children in tow, the celebrations and fireworks take on a slightly different kind of excitement: keeping my children safe throughout the crowded parade routes, cookouts, and firework spectaculars. I have compiled s...
Healthy Habits for Happy Teeth!
Even if your child is only an infant or toddler, you can start now to help your child develop strong, healthy teeth and build habits that last a lifetime. Begin cleaning your infant’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a damp cloth to swab clean. When more teeth emerge, use a small, soft-bristled brush and water only. Around age 2 or 3 add a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to brush. As your child gains hand and finger control, encourage him to brush his own teeth. Supervise until around the age of 7 or 8. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpas...
School Safety: Stepping Stone School Emergency Preparedness Plan
Stepping Stone School is committed to every facet of safety and security for the children we care for each day. That’s why, in addition to all of the safety lessons incorporated into our classroom curriculum, we have developed an Emergency Preparedness Plan that is implemented in all Stepping Stone Schools. This plan details the policies and procedures for handling a variety of emergency situations, allowing Stepping Stone School to be fully prepared to protect our children, staff and families. This plan incorporates several features that allow for the highest level of se...