Preschool & School

Some might call it a plasma or LCD, but in your house it’s “Super Nanny.” How else can you describe a device that never calls in sick or fails to keep kids blissfully occupied? Of course there’s the guilt associated with rubber-stamping all that SpongeBob and studies that suggest too much tube can lead to behavioral problems. So how do you curb the habit?

With the TV Time kit. It includes a piggy bank-like box, 15-minute sand timer and tickets good for 15-minutes worth of television or a DVD. When a child wants to watch something, she has to flip the timer and put a ticket in the box — the gig is up when the week’s allotted tickets are gone. Designed for 2 to 5-year-olds, the system can also work with older kids, especially when it comes to limiting video games and Internet surfing.

Who knows — it may even help with someone’s late-night Bravo addiction.

Available at mytvtime.com.

Before the Bell

Still deciding which preschool is best for your family? Check out the comprehensive online resource, The Savvy Source for Parents, which gives the rundown on the race for admissions. Below are some of their top tips for successful school selection:

Make sure there is some coverage of the ABCs and 123s. Look for a well-stocked bookcase, the alphabet up on the walls, tracing paper, maps, clocks, and puzzles.

Ask how “play” is woven into the day. A good school may have some direct instruction but also allows children opportunities to explore the building blocks of literacy and math through play.

Look for signs of imaginative play. For example, a costume corner, art up on the walls, pretend kitchen sets and pairs or small groups of children working together creating and collaborating.

Ask whether physical activity is a part of a typical day. Does the school have a climbing structure, tricycles, balls for children to throw?

Ask if children are able to choose some of their activities during the day. See if there are windows of time that are dedicated to play and/or if there are stations where children are able to choose what to do.

Check for positive/nurturing relationships between teachers and children. Talk to parents at the school about their experience.

Assess the match between school’s philosophy and practice with the personality of your child and your home values.