kt moxie

Amelia is starting in her new daycare on Monday.  This is because Weezie - her current daycare provider - is taking a two week vacation, so Amelia is going to her new daycare for two weeks, then back to Weezie's for a month, then back to the new daycare in September.  Not ideal, but oh well. 

So, I've had to write up "instructions" for the new daycare.  Yes, I think I've found "the best of the best", but they don't know my Amelia.  ;)

For your amusement, here's my notes to the new daycare...

Amelia – notes

• 19 months in July 2005
• The other kids can call her “Mia” if they have trouble saying Amelia.
• We had a nice “partnership” of raising Amelia with our last daycare and would love to continue that! Please keep an open and ongoing conversation with both John and I (Kristen) about concerns, new developments, behaviors, etc!

Usual Schedule:

• She ate breakfast at her last daycare between 8:00-8:30am. 
• Lunch 12-1
• One nap a day – approx. 2 hours from 1-3pm (sometimes shorter or longer).
• She can have her pacifier at naptime, or if she is upset, but put it in a place she cannot see it at other times.
• She often wakes herself about 1 hour into her nap. Ignoring this is usually the best approach, and she will go back to sleep on her own.

Eating:

• Amelia will eat just about anything. Loves fruits and most vegetables.
• She can use a toddler or small fork and spoon.
• She usually drinks whole milk from a sippy cup, and other drinks (sugar free, or watered down) from a covered cup with a straw.
• She likes to sit at a kid’s table to eat (she does this at home), but can also sit in a high chair if needed (she does this at her old daycare). She will need to be reminded to sit down to eat if she is sitting at a table.

Language & Communication:

• Amelia can understand and follow almost all instructions from adults. She can help clean up at the end of the day if this is part of the normal routine.
• She still prefers to communicate through pointing, gestures, head nods and shakes, but she does have many words. Shoes, again, kitty, doggy, done, daddy, mama, apple, fish, and ball are favorites.

Behavior:

• The “Good”: Amelia loves to observe other kids, and will love to watch the other, especially older, kids play. She is very good at playing independently as well. She also loves music, and will love to interact with any toy or game that is musical.
• The “Bad”: Amelia is strong willed, and will make it quite clear when she does or does not like something, wants something, or is frustrated by one of the other kid’s actions. We’ve found that re-directing her works quite well. Also, if she is not following directions, taking something away she wants and repeating the directions (telling her she’ll get it back when she starts doing whatever it is), seems to work well. If she gets very upset, she has a very hard time calming herself down. The pacifier is helpful. Holding her in a calm space is good as well.
• The “Ugly”: Amelia loves to take her barrettes out and shoes off! We just try to keep some available, and keep putting barrettes back in her hair. She knows she cannot go outside without her shoes (and she loves to go outside).

Interests:

• Dancing/music: Anything with a beat will get this little girl going.
• Wiggles: Avid fan! If you ever play videos, this will make her a dancing fiend!
• Other TV: Dora, Blues Clues
• Toys: Carts, strollers, anything to push around. Balls. Puzzles.
• Animals: She loves dogs, cats, and fish. She will want to pet any animals she sees.