Kidz International Pre-school

You have a pre-schooler, you have a car. Do you have your carseat?

As Kidz International Pre-school, we believe it's our mission to ensure that we share our knowledge with our parents, and make the best of the collaboration. We are planning to focus on this subject in March.

We can not emphasize the importance of a car seat. Car seats are vital for the children. If you do not have one yet, please put this on your to do list, for today. Buying a car seat does not have to be so complicated. Cars seats also have many kinds and brands, and it may become frustrating to choose one. We will guide you through, and make it easier for you to choose the best option for you and your child.

Budget or Luxury Seat?

You can find yourself a budget car seat, what will keep your child safe and cosy. Or you can always go with a luxury brand. You can choose both ways, as they both will keep your child safe during your trips.

In my case, we have two cars. One car is our family car, that one has a luxury one, and the other car has a budget one. My daughter enjoys them both and they both work for us. So I can tell you that it is a matter of budget, and a car seat is always better than your child being unprotected during your trips.

Watch out for appropriate usage for your child's age

The journey of a car seat starts with rear-facing, when your baby is an infant, although it is recommended by The American Academy of Pediatrics, most of the parents do not put their children rear facing, because they do not feel comfortable not to see the baby while driving. However, rear facing will be much safer if you consider a crash's pressure on the baby's neck, as long as you keep them on the rear seat.

Please read the seating information carefully and choose your child's seating position that is the most appropriate.

https://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosing-using/positioning-child-car-seats-in-cars/

Be consistent and do not give up on crying

You are responsible of your child's safety, and crying will not change this fact. Just be consistent about the carseat and do not compromise in any circumstance. Your child will understand that it is a rule that can't be broken, and crying will stop eventually.

Most of the children will understand how important a carseat is, when they face a strong break. Just let them remember that car seat is safe for them and it is a must.

When it comes to buying a carseat, there is a variety of choices you can pick from. Please go to a shop and buy a car seat for your child, it is never too late.

Where to buy the car seat from?

You can check Lulu, Baby Shop, even Mothercare for budget car seats. There is Just Kidding in the Gate Mall, if you are looking for a luxurious car seat. You will be using it for a long time, and you will be driving your car with a peace of mind, knowing your child will be safe in case of an unexpected break or a crash, which may happen anytime.

The second hand option is only recommended if the car seat has not been in any accident, and is washable.

Please see this car seat guide to have more information on your choice. However, if you feel frustrated with the wide variety, you can simply visit a shop and ask for the car seats that are available and matches your child's age range.

https://www.safekids.org/ultimate-car-seat-guide/basic-tips/buying/

Tips from us 

Choose a model that is positioned a little bit laid down at the back, so your child's head does not drop in front while sleeping. Instead, he will lay his head back and be much more comfortable. 

If there will be any cases that you want to move the car seat from one car to another, buy a seat that does not have isofix, which is attached to the car seat, in the car and not very practical to move from one car to another.

If you are travelling with taxi and you want to make sure your child is safe, you can buy a budget car seat that is attached with only the seat belt.

You can always ask us for more tips at school, we will be happy to help you out. In the meanwhile, we have found this article for you, if you would like to have more detailed information.

Check out Hamad Hospital's website for more information

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx

Check Out Hamad Medical Corporation's Awareness Campaign took place in 2017.

Hello #kipsfamily!

We would like to inform you about our Arabic Readiness Program that we have implemented as a second curriculum to our school. We thought it would be great for the children who will take their next step in their educational path, in Independent Schools.

We would like to ensure that their Arabic is excellent and they start their school with 100% confidence.

Also as a second language, Arabic would be perfect. Learning Arabic as a second language, would have many positive effects on your child. Learning a different language will enable your child to think and build up sentences and words in a different way, learn about a new culture and create a new way of thinking.

You can always contact us for more details on our Arabic Readiness Program!

Hello #kipsfamily!

We thought it has been a long time we have not posted anything about parenting, so here we are. We have found ourselves in the middle of a pandemic all of a sudden and it has surely taken longer than expected. So we are stuck with this situation and we have to get adopted to it. At least we have the weather getting nicer everyday in Qatar and we have surely learned the way to live our lives protecting ourselves and loved ones. 

Living in Qatar, we are all lucky that we have enough open space to share, many places to enjoy with being socially distance. On top of this, we have some recommendations for you to have these difficult times pass as smooth as possible. 

Don't worry, don't stress yourself. 

Please don't worry if your child is feeling stuck in this situation. As long as we are okay, they are okay. Children take the clue from you, whatever the situation is. We will make this experience a good one for them and make them feel nothing is actually wrong.

Be honest

Always be honest to your children, as this is what they expect from you. Don't hesitate to talk to your child about these times, be open and loving. Give your child a chance to understand the things going on and that these masks will not be a part of our lives forever. You can tell them that this situation is taking longer than expected, but it will be over. You can explain that the virus is going around from one person to another, but we have to be careful until it leaves. And it will leave, we will just wait.

Enjoy your times together

Always try to find a way to enjoy your life the best way you can with your child. Keep an eye on the activities we do and talk about them, do similar themed activities at home, read to your child regularly and spend quality time when you are together. Find some spots that you can enjoy outside, with a chance of social distancing.

Please don't hesitate to talk to us or ask any issue about parenting, we will do our best to help you out. We are all together in this and we support each other the best way we can!

Stay safe and blessed!

This decision really depends on your family values. It has been over 5 months now that we have been struggling with the effects of Covid-19. Because of the hot weather, our children are not able to enjoy the summer in the open areas and we have been locked inside our homes with them for a long time. You might have ran out of the activities and possibly came to a point that you do not know what to do further. If so, here is a link for you to check out the activities that you can do at home with your kids.

Before you feel exhausted, please don't worry, because our children are more capable of adapting with the changes. They get used to every circumstance easily and they do not get to think over the issues. They do not feel sad about the whole situation, even though they have a slight idea about what really is going on.

You can consider your life's standards before you make the decision of sending your child to school. Do you live with your elder? Or are you alone in the house with your child? Do you have any friends with children? How long does your child get to socialize? You can ask yourself and observe your child if he or she is having quality time at home, which affects the whole learning.

During pre-school years, it is vital that your children mingle with other kids and keep them busy with learning activities. This prepares them for the coming years and kindergarten. The pre-schools in Qatar are being strictly monitored by the Ministry of Social Affairs. We have received a list of the rules that we have to apply and we are preparing ourselves in the best possible way we can. Your child will be safe here at KIPS, have a great time with their friends, teachers and they will benefit from socializing, learning and most importantly, they will be happy.

Please consider your risk and your family values before you make the decision of sending your child to pre-school, and keep in mind that your little one needs socializing, learning, activities, seeing new things, bonding with teachers and adults other than the family.

We are looking forward to meet our little ones, as autumn is approaching and we will be celebrating it with all the beauty it brings to our lives.

Excessive use of screens among young children is becoming inevitable nowadays. Parents must be really creative in finding ways to reroute this habit and there are many activities available in our stash. This could be reading stories, doing science experiments, baking or cooking together, painting, playing with real toys, going out to a park for play, anything you could think of.

To prevent excessive screen times, you can create the habit of listening to music while playing with your children. If your child sees you enjoying music, he will also start enjoying it soon. If your child insists on watching his favorite series or movie, you can offer his favorite song instead and start playing it more and more in time. This will give him the chance of developing his music ear, whilst getting busy with activities. This will also help with the language development. Screen time is not bad, and could be effective if used properly.

You can find a show that your child enjoys and learns from, but you shall be enjoying with him, sitting with him and watching the same show, and when it's over. it shall be over. This way, your child will not be struggling for more, and he will be able to talk about the show with you, if he wants to. This leads you and your child to be connected on a subject that your child enjoys the most, and it will enhance your child's development.

Screen time is only for your child to develop and learn, so try to avoid excessive screen times, and be consistent about it. Your child will eventually get used to the idea and you will not be struggling about shortening these times.

Good luck!