The Importance of Play

Playtime is not always regarded as an important part of learning. Many think of it as a time for kids to “blow off steam”, that play is “just for fun”. Play is fun, and that in and of itself is a good reason to include it into your child’s day. But play is actually much more than that.
Through play children construct much of their knowledge about themselves and the world around them. They gain both fine and gross motor skills. They are able to both test theories and come to conclusions about how things work. For example: When your toddler knocks over a block tower or your preschooler drops sticks and leaves from the top of the play structure they are constructing knowledge about gravity. Play like this helps them to familiarize themselves with different concepts so that later (perhaps in school) when these topics are discussed they will be able to understand them. Play is like the foundation upon which the tower of knowledge is built. If we do not help to make this foundation as strong as possible (by encouraging children to engage in creative play on a regular basis) than we will have difficulty building a sturdy tower in later years. After all, who could begin to understand the concept of gravity without having experienced the actions of dropping and falling?
For these reasons play is a very central part of our day here. You can be assured that much of each day will be spent in creative exploration.

Meals and Snacks

All food is included in the cost of care for all children over the age of 1 ½ to 2. I find this makes meal times easier and ceases complaints and jealousies about who has the “best” food. For babies, you are responsible for providing all necessary breast milk or formula and may choose whether to send your own choice of baby foods from home or to let your child eat the food provided at Munchkin Land.

I am a very health conscious person and I will strive to ensure that all the kids at Munchkin Land eat a well balanced diet made up of mostly organic foods including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and and healthy protein. I will be following the food pyramid when planning meals and snacks and will try to ensure that your child has at least 2 servings of both fruits and vegetables everyday while they are at Munchkin Land. On special occasions we might have treats like cupcakes or cookies but we won’t have them on a regular basis. In the summer we may often have Popsicles in the afternoon but they will be homemade Popsicles made with juice, fruits, and yogurts -not the store bought ones full of food coloring and sugar. All food served will be vegetarian. Children will be served milk at lunch time (either soy or dairy) and will be offered milk or water at snack times (or whenever they are thirsty). We won’t have juice on a regular basis as most doctors recommend only one cup per day or none at all, but may have it occasionally.

I think it's important to encourage kids to try new foods but I know not all kids appreciate variety. I myself was a very picky eater as a child (and honestly, am still a bit of one now) so I understand all about picky eaters. I will try my best to accommodate the individual food preferences of your children while trying to encourage them to try new foods as well.

When the weather gets nicer we will be starting a vegetable garden and the kids will help grow vegetables that we will eat with our snacks and meals. I find that kids not only enjoy gardening but that it also helps them learn to like new foods as they are often more likely to try a new food if it's something they grew themselves.