Blog | AppleTree & Gilden Woods

It’s not too late to take advantage of these last days of summer and fill them with some fun family activities!

Riding bikes with your family is a great way to exercise and spend time together. Use these tips to stay safe and have fun this summer!

Water is one of the six units of study covered in the S.T.E.M. curriculum offered at AppleTree and Gilden Woods. With the warm summer days it’s also a great way to stay cool and have fun!

AppleTree & Gilden Woods is proud to participate in UV Safety Month and help raise awareness of the risks of sun damage. During the month of July, join us in taking action to prevent skin cancer and reduce the risk of UV damage.

AppleTree & Gilden Woods was voted "Top Daycare" again for 2017 Grand Rapids Kids Grandtastic Awards! Thank you to Grand Rapids Kids for this honor and to our awesome Grand Rapids Community for your votes!

Take some time this week to eat dinner together as a family, you won’t regret it!

Do you ever ask your child a question only to get a one word response? Try these questions- they may help lead you to a meaningful conversation with your child!

Father's Day is right around the corner! Here are a few homemade ideas you can do with your little one(s).

June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month and it's the perfect time to get your kids in the kitchen!

The importance of drawing in young children's development.

“Mom guilt” comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s because you’re working outside the home, working from home, or are a stay at home mom who needs some extra “me time,” it’s time to let go of the guilt.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 14th! Here are a few ideas to help those who haven't found the perfect gift or want to do something extra special for the Mom in their life.

Teacher appreciation is May 1st through 5th and we’d like to share some cute and simple ways to shower your child’s teacher with love!

Children will inevitably be exposed to electronics and screen time, but it’s up to the parent to determine the context and parameters under which this is done.

Time-outs can often be the go-to method for disciplining children, but are they really as effective as we think they are?

In honor of The Month of the Young Child® Week 2, focusing on Social Development, we wanted to point you in the direction of some insights that share how you can nurture empathy in your child.

How to Encourage Children to Eat More Fruits and Veggies.

In case you missed it, Friday, March 31st was Crayola Crayon Day! Crayons are one of the many materials that should be available to children to encourage open-ended art.

Including your child in age appropriate cleaning tasks is an important part of their growth and development.

Are you looking for a fresh take on your child's favorite book? How about trying a story extension?

It is no secret that language and literacy skills are two key areas for children’s school and life success. Here are five ways you can help foster language and literacy skills while creating a life-long reader in your child.

To children, puzzles are a fun toy to play with. To adults, puzzles are an educational opportunity. So often children benefit from playing with puzzles without even knowing it!

One aspect of promoting children’s healthy habits that is often overlooked is oral health care. In February we celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month at AppleTree & Gilden Woods.

Make homemade valentines with your child by creating heart stamps with everyday items that you already have at home!

Selecting a preschool program for your child is an exciting milestone however, it may feel overwhelming. As a parent, you want to find the right program for your child. To help relieve some of the pressure of selecting a preschool program here are some key components to look for...

Grand Rapids Magazine readers have named AppleTree & Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool the "Best Child Care Provider in Grand Rapids."

Saturday, January 21st is “National Hugging Day!”

Setting 2017 News Years Resolution Goals as a Family.

January is National Car Seat Safety Month

Countdown to the Holiday’s Calendars make counting down the days to Holiday even more fun because they're stuffed with surprises -- and they're easy to make. Tack 25 decorated, candy- or trinket-filled envelopes to a cork board or similar surface in a tree shape; top the arrangement with a bow. Or transform a sheet metal memo board into an advent calendar by writing the numbers 1 to 25 across one side in red or green and adorning it with a pretty bow or ribbon. Add one magnet from the festive Countdown to Holiday’s Magnet Set to the front of the calendar for each day. With fun shapes such as candy canes, mittens, and gingerbread men, your little ones will delight in the countdown to the big day.

This month's Home Connection is here!

Your child's ability to make friends and work cooperatively will help make their school experience a positive one

Here are a couple of fall-themed ideas for you to try with your child - perfect for a rainy fall day.

September is National Safe Sleep Month

“The relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren is second in emotional importance only to the relationship between parent and child.”

Now Enrolling After School Club for 2016 - 2017!

AppleTree & Gilden Woods respects the right of parents to choose to immunize their child or not; however, we are providing some important information on immunizations.

The transition from August to September can be a difficult one for both children and parents

July is UV Safety Month

Have a star-spangled month enjoying the summer sun as a family!

Check out these tips to get picky eaters to have their fill of fruits and veggies!

When temperatures start to rise, Safe Kids Worldwide recommends remembering to A.C.T.

Take precautions against mosquitoes and ticks to keep your family safe and healthy

Father's Day is just around the corner - Celebrate the contribution of father and father figures this month!

Most Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables - including young picky eaters!

Make these items with your little chef this summer

Start off summer with quality time as a family trying some of this month's activities

Each May, we promote awareness of the importance of early detection of hearing difficulties

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 8, 2016

April showers have made way for May flowers!

Parents are always looking for ways for children to master new tasks and become more independent as well as promote helpfulness. The youngest of children can help with age-appropriate chores.

Week 4 of Month of the Young Child focuses on the Language & Literacy development of children

Week 3 of Month of the Young Child focuses on the Cognitive development of children

Week 2 of Month of the Young Child focuses on the Social-Emotional development of children

Week 1 of Month of the Young Child focuses on the Physical development of children

April Showers bring May Flowers - and the April Home Connection!

April is the Month of the Young Child - Each April, we celebrate play-based learning.

March 2nd is Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

Instill a love of reading in your child this month - and every month!

While you try to instill a lifelong love of reading year-round, take special care to read during National Reading Month!

It's your "lucky" day - this month's Home Connection is here!

Ever wonder what your child's teacher does on an Employee Development Day?

At AppleTree & Gilden Woods, we *LOVE* to learn and have fun at the same time - we hope the following activities will be fun ideas for you and your child to *LOVE*.

A wonderful Valentine's Day themed menu for your family this Valentine's Day

One aspect of children's wellness that is often overlooked is oral health care

What is your School Ager doing this Spring Break?

Our program is designed to help children transition to Kindergarten

Check out these ideas for your kids to show gratitude for their gifts

Focus on the holiday traditions and magic of the season

Your one-stop-shop for family holiday fun!

Keep the season merry and bright with these safety tips!

Signs to look for and how to support your child

Bring everyone together & let your children help with prep

Make the most out of the time with your child's teacher with these tips

Nearly 30 million children and adults are living with diabetes

October is National Fire Prevention Month

Budget & Family Friendly Ideas

Family & Stroller Friendly Tips

A fun, fall sensory recipe

Information to help keep your family healthy and safe

Enjoy this fall-themed scented sensory activity!

Check off these ideas as your family enjoys the fall season!

The transition from August to September can be a difficult one for both children and parents.

August is nationally recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

"Healthy children do not come preassembled. Work is required." - Kathleen Gallagher

Make the last month of summer full of fun and memories!

Summer is all about having fun outdoors. The warm sunshine seems to bring everyone outside, ready to explore and enjoy new adventures. However, along with all of those fun trips and activities comes the risk for too much sun exposure. Harmful UV rays can burn a child's skin, resulting in the painful sunburns that we all know too well. They can also raise a child's risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

With the beautiful summer months of Pure Michigan, comes the sunshine! The sun is great for when you are enjoying a day at the beach (lathered up in sunscreen, of course), but it can also lead to vehicles reaching dangerous temperatures.

Will he be left-handed? Will she be right-handed? These are questions that parents of children aged 4.5 - 6 years old may ask themselves with baited breath. The establishment of hand dominance is complex.

"Curriculum for babies?" The answer is "Yes!"

Stranded without toys or props? Remember the games that don't need anything besides a group of kids who want to play.

June is the start of summer vacation. School age children are excited to enjoy the "dog days of summer" and will be itching for activities to keep them busy and seeing the friends they have made during the previous school year.

June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month and the perfect opportunity to look into summer outdoor farmer's markets to find great deals on fresh items for your family to enjoy.

Most Americans don't eat enough fruit and vegetables. Researchers and food pyramid guidelines show most families could benefit from doubling the amount they eat each day.

Father's Day is right around the corner. It celebrates the contribution that fathers and father figures make in their children's lives.

June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month. A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health.