Category: Child Caring Tips

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How to Help Your Child with Back-to-School Anxiety

Happy schoolchildren studing and answer questions in classroom during a lesson at primary school

Few kids want to go back to school, but some may even be anxious about the idea of it. Back-to-school anxiety is completely normal. Nevertheless, it’s never fun to go through, for the child or for the parents. Here, we list some ways you can help your child deal with their back-to-school anxiety.

Remind them (and yourself) that this is common

When kids start feeling anxious about going back to school, it can be easy for them to think that they’re the only ones who feel this way. But this kind of thinking can make them feel isolated, increasing their existing anxiety. It’s important to remind your kids (and yourselves) that back-to-school anxiety is completely normal and that there’s nothing wrong with feeling nervous.

Take a day to walk them around the school or classroom

Kids become especially nervous if they’re starting a new school or simply changing classrooms. The fear of the unknown sets in, and it makes it all the easier for their minds to create catastrophic situations. To help dispel these fears, take a day during the summer to introduce them to their new school or classroom. Walk them around and show them the different rooms they’ll be taking classes in. Just make sure you get the school’s permission before you do this!

Problem solve

Ask your child why they’re so nervous about going back to school. Once you have their reasons, you can figure out ways to resolve those worries. For instance, if they’re worried that they won’t have friends in their classes, ask around to see which kids are in your child’s classes. If they’re concerned about their workload, show them that they have already handled tough workloads in the past.

Provide comfort

At the end of the day, your child may just need a hug or a comforting presence near them as they gear up for school. Try to support them as much as you can. You can even keep them entertained with some of their favorite activities to take their minds off of school.

Stuffed animals can be a great way to comfort your child when they’re nervous. Here at The Zoo Factory, we have many stuffable animals for you to choose from. Look through our online inventory today to get started!

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How to Teach Your Kids to Use Positive Self-Talk

kids having fun in the nature and smiling

Most people are their own worst critics. And this can come to hurt us. When we constantly berate ourselves, put ourselves down, and criticize ourselves, we start to believe all those negative things. However, those negative beliefs are hardly ever rooted in the truth, and it can be especially painful for parents to see their kids be so hard on themselves. To combat this negativity, many therapists and psychologists recommend using positive self-talk.

What is positive self-talk?

Positive self-talk helps people reframe their thinking and build self-esteem. It’s not just about creating a positive attitude, it’s about teaching the brain to look at both the bad and good, rather than just the bad. We all have faults, and it’s good to be aware for them. Unfortunately, too many of us only look at our faults and do not look at our strengths as well. By using positive self-talk, you can bring those strengths into the picture to help you gain more resiliency and confidence.

First, recognize negative self-talk

Awareness is key to building any new habit. If your child is overly critical of themselves, don’t expect them to flip a switch and suddenly become more positive. Instead, teach them how to recognize their negative self-talk first. Tell them to listen to sentences that start with “I can’t,” “I always,” or “I never.” Once they’re aware of this negative self-talk, they can take steps to change it.

Ask questions and turn things around

Now that you and your child are aware of their negative self-talk, start digging a little deeper. Why does your child say or think these things about themselves? For example, if your child says, “I’ll never get a good grade in math,” ask them what makes them think this. Then, work with your child to turn these phrases around to make it more realistic and positive. Here’s how that would work:

Negative Self-Talk: “I’ll never get a good grade in math. I’m too stupid.”

Question: Why do you think this? What evidence is there to support this?

Positive Self-Talk: “Math is a difficult subject for me, but with help, hard work, and practice, I can get a better grade.”

As you can see, the positive self-talk example does not simply tell your child that “they can do it.” Instead, it recognizes your child’s struggles while also reframing the situation to empower them.

Model positive self-talk

Kids copy their parents. Even if you want your child to practice positive self-talk, they won’t do so if they see you being hard on yourself or others. If you’ve been critical of yourself in the past, use this as an opportunity to practice and model positive self-talk as well.

Here at The Zoo Factory, we want all kids to feel confident and empowered. That’s why our stuffed animals are designed to bring out our kids’ true selves. Look through our shop today to find the perfect stuffed animal for your child!

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How to Keep Your Kids Busy During the Summer

group of kids on bikes smiling

School’s out and summer’s here! But now that that your kids are no longer spending their days at school, they’ll need something else to occupy them. Here, we list some ideas to help get your kids out of their bedrooms and up and moving throughout the day.

Go on a family day trip

A family day trip is the perfect opportunity to get away for a bit and have fun as a whole family. It’s especially good for families who may not have time for a full vacation. Not sure where to spend your family day trip? Then read our blog containing family day trip ideas.

Plan friend group activities

Since they’re no longer seeing their friends every day at school, you may want to plan a few group activities for your child and their friends. Coordinate schedules with the other parents to see which days during the summer months are best for everyone. You can do this as a one-off activity or make it a regular thing during the summer.

Participate in summer sports

Does your child love baseball, softball, or another outdoor sport? Then summer is the perfect time for them to give it a try! Many little league seasons extend into the summer months. Plus, if your child wants to learn tennis or soccer, many local organizations hold summer lessons.

Try new hobbies

In addition to sports, your child can also try out new hobbies. They’ll have plenty of time to experiment with different ones and take various lessons during the day. Plus, once they’ve found one to their liking, it will be something they can enjoy for their entire life.

As your child is trying new things this summer, make sure a lovable stuffed animal is by their side! Take a look at our online shop to find the perfect summer-time companion for your child.

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How to Teach Your Child to Share

children playing in living room with toys

“Sharing is caring,” as the old saying goes, but while most of us adults understand this, our children usually don’t. We often struggle to teach them the value of sharing, especially when it comes to their most prized objects—their toys and stuffed animals.

However, sharing is a vital life skill, and one that we need to teach our children while they’re still young. Here’s how:

Taking turns

The best way to introduce the concept of sharing to your child is by teaching them to take turns. If you force a child to share by taking their toy away permanently, they’ll associate sharing with something negative. Instead, by taking turns, your child will be without their toy for a shorter amount of time, teaching them that giving something away doesn’t mean they’re without it forever. To make it fairer, set a timer on your phone so that each child has the toy for an equal amount of time.

Be a role model

Our children learn most of their behaviors from us. That means if you’d like them to value sharing, you, too, have to share with others. Practice sharing not only with friends and strangers, but also with your child to drive the point home.

Praise positive behavior

It’s easy to scold bad behavior, but many parents often forget to praise good behavior when it happens. If your child just willingly shared one of their toys with a friend or sibling, use descriptive praise to let them know how happy you are. Our children want our approval, and praising their good behavior will make them want to repeat that behavior in the future.

If your child has received a stuffable animal from The Zoo Factory, make sure that they let other children in on the fun by sharing their new toys with their friends and family! For more tips, look through our site or contact us today.

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Family Day Trip Ideas for the Summer

family driving in car for day trip

Summertime is almost here, and that means our kids will be getting out of school and looking for things to do. While plenty of families will be planning summer vacations, summer break is long. You will likely have days or weekends where your kids have nothing to do. In those situations, why not take a family day trip? Here are some ideas to get you started:

Go to the park or a hiking trail

Summer is great time to spend outdoors. So, why not spend that time at a park or on a hiking trail? At a park, your kids will have plenty of access to playgrounds and open space to run around. You can even bring a football or baseball to play games. Additionally, a hiking trail is perfect for older kids who enjoy the outdoors. When you all get tuckered, grab a picnic and relax in the sun for a little while.

Visit famous or historic places

Teaching your kids a little bit about local history is not only educational but fun as well. Famous or historic locations around town can be a great adventure for your kids. Museums, monuments, and memorials are just some of the places you can visit. You can also visit attractions such as zoos, resorts, theme parks, and more. Plus, these locations often have exhibits or activities just for kids.

Go to a nearby city

Whether you already live in a city or live out in the country, there is likely another city just a couple hours nearby. This city will have other attractions that your local town or city does not have. Visit local restaurants, go to a zoo, or attend a baseball game for that city’s local sport’s team.

When you head out on your family day trip, don’t forget to bring your child’s best friend—their stuffed animal. Here at The Zoo Factory, we have plenty of stuffable animals that your child will love. Look through our shop today!

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How to Prepare Your Child for a Trip

Mother helping to put on the seat belt for child

With the school year winding down, many of us are starting to think about our summer vacations. Trips are always exciting for every member of the family. However, it can be stressful to leave home, especially if this is the first trip your child has ever gone on. Here, we list some ideas to help prepare your child for your next trip:

Let the kids help plan

To help your child get excited for the trip, let them in on the planning. Knowing that they had a say in what you do will make the trip even more appealing. Sit down with them and go through some ideas together. Not everything they suggest will be do-able, but just doing one or two of their ideas will be enough to excited them!

Make it familiar

Some kids get anxious when leaving home because they’re heading for unfamiliar territory—literally! To help reduce any nerves, educate your child about where you’re going. Show them pictures of the hotel, the city you’ll be staying in, as well as any other destinations you may visit.

Create a list

It’s important that your child brings everything they need with them. However, expecting them to remember everything themselves is asking a bit much. Start creating a list of items at least a week prior to when you leave. This way, they can add items to the list as they remember them and then check them off once they start packing.

Bring a comfort item

As excited as your kid may be, it’s normal for them to feel a bit nervous when leaving home. Bring a comfort item with them can help ease some of their anxieties. A blanket, toy, or stuffed animal will always do the trick. Plus, you can then take cute photos of their stuffed animals at different locations throughout your trip!

For more tips and tricks on how to prepare for your summer vacation, read through our blog today!

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How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health

father playing with children

As caregivers, we want the best for our kids. We support their academic careers, their ambitions, and their physical health. However, we also need to support their mental health. We live in stressful times, and supporting our children’s mental health is of the utmost importance. Here’s how to get started:

Praise their character

While our children’s accomplishments are important, they’re not the only thing that is important. Their character—how they behave and present themselves—truly shows what kind of person they are. Praising your child’s character will help them build self-confidence and instill good habits.

Don’t hold back your love

We love our kids, but sometimes we struggle to show it during our busy lives. However, showing unconditional love regularly will remind kids that they are cared for and loved. Even if your child makes mistakes, they’ll know they have a family there to love and support them.

Spend quality time together

While our daily lives are busy, it’s important to spend some quality time with our children. Not only does this show them we care, but it can also decrease isolation and loneliness. And it doesn’t haven’t to be a fancy affair. Watch TV with them, take a walk, or help them with their homework.

Have open communication

Your children should feel comfortable to talk to you about anything. Show your child that you’re open to anything by asking them open-ended questions. They may not always answer them, but simply asking the questions will teach them that they can come to you with anything once they feel comfortable.

For more parenting tips and tricks, read through our blog here at The Zoo Factory!

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How to Safely Use a Baby Swing

baby in a baby swing

A baby swing is a great item to have for your little one. It can keep them comfortable and even lull them to sleep. However, misusing a baby swing can become hazardous. To keep your baby safe, follow the tips below:

Read the instruction manual and ensure it has not been recalled

The first step is to make sure that you set up your baby swing correctly. Read through the instruction manual carefully and check that all the parts are included. If you bought the baby swing second-hand, do some research to make sure it hasn’t been recalled.

Don’t let your baby sleep in the swing

A baby swing can lull your baby to sleep. However, once they’re asleep, be sure to take them out and place them in their crib. Babies should always sleep on a flat surface to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Check the straps and harnesses

If your baby swing reclines at an angle greater than 50 degrees should have shoulder straps to keep your baby safe and in place. Before placing your baby in the swing, double-check the straps and harnesses and ensure the belts are fastened.

Keep babies under four months in the most reclined position

If your child is under four months old, make sure that the swing is set in the most reclined position. This will decrease the chance of SIDs or your baby slumping forward.

Check the weight limit

Your baby’s weight should never exceed the limit of the baby swing. If it does, find a swing that falls inside their weight range.

As your baby sits comfortably in their swing, give them some company with a stuffable animal! Look through our website today to get started!

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How to Teach Critical Thinking Skills to Your Children

young boy thinking while working on homework

Talk to any doctor, teacher, or parent, and they’ll all agree about the importance of critical thinking skills. And indeed, critical thinking skills can help kids better understand themselves, people, and the world around them. But how, exactly, do you teach critical thinking skills to your children? Read on to learn more:

Be a role model

Our kids copy what we do. We are their prime role models, so we have to act like it. If we want our kids to become better critical thinkers, modeling critical thinking in our own behavior is a great way to start. You can do so by verbalizing your thinking skills, or in other words, actually thinking through something out loud, in front of your child, can help them learn critical thinking skills.

Teach them how to solve problems

Problem-solving requires critical thinking skills. After all, when you’re faced with an unexpected problem, you need to think creatively and critically to find a solution. When children face problems in their own lives, resist the temptation to solve it for them. Instead, encourage them to find ways to solve their problem themselves, providing support when and if they need it.

Get them to ask questions

Critical thinking is all about questioning the world around us. A person with strong critical thinking skills will question how things are done and wonder if there are better ways to accomplish their goals. Encouraging our children to ask questions will help them to think more critically and independently throughout their lives.

Play with them

Did you know that games can help children learn critical thinking skills? Board games and video games help with strategic and critical thinking, but so too can pretend play. Playing with our kids can teach them valuable lessons and help them find new ways of solving their problems.

Playing with their favorite stuffed animals can help our kids learn critical thinking skills. Look through our shop here at The Zoo Factory to find a new stuffed animal companion for your child!

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How to Choose a Toddler Bed

toddler sleeping in bed with stuffed animal

If your child is finally outgrowing their crib, then it’s time to start looking at toddler beds. However, the transition from a crib to a toddler bed is not always easy. Children may be reluctant, or they may not like their new bed. But by narrowing down your choices and choosing the right toddle bed for your child, you can make the transition easier. Here’s how to get started:

Safety Features

When it comes to our kids, safety is always at the top of our minds. A toddler bed should keep your child safe and sound as they sleep. As such, any toddler bed you choose should have guardrails that resemble a crib, rather than solid plane guardrails. This will prevent pillows and bedding from getting trapped. Additionally, a toddler bed should sit low to the ground to allow easy exit and entry. Some toddler beds, known as Montessori-style beds, have the mattress at floor level to make it as easy as possible for your child.

Style

To better help your child transition from a crib to a toddler bed, it’s best to get a bed that most closely resembles a crib. This means getting the right guardrails (see above) and keeping the general look and feel similar to the crib your child has been using. However, if your child gets excited about a different style of bed, then don’t be afraid to try something new.

Making the transition

Some toddlers have a hard time transitioning from a crib to a big-kid bed. After all, their crib gives them a sense of security. Having the new bed appear and feel similar to your child’s old crib as we mentioned above can help. You can also give your child the extra comfort that a security blanket or stuffed animal can provide. Finally, be sure to keep your child’s bedtime consistent so it’s easier for them to fall and stay asleep.

The comfort of a stuffed animal can help your child sleep better even after they’re used to their new big-kid bed. Here at The Zoo Factory, we have plenty of stuffable animals that your child will love. Look through our website today to get started!