Creekside Kids

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Why Reading to Your Preschooler Every Night is a Game-Changer

In the hustle of everyday life—between work, activities, and trying to maintain friendships, it’s easy to let reading to your child slip through the cracks. But those 20 minutes before lights out? They might be the most powerful minutes of your child’s day.  Over half of today’s parents of young children are missing the boat on this critical activity.  Screen time and devices do not compare to the power of regularly reading with a loved one.

The Million-Word Advantage

Did you know that research shows that children whose parents read to them regularly hear up to one million more words by age three compared to kids whose parents aren’t reading to them? It’s true– that’s from a study at Wake Forest Pediatrics. That extra exposure builds a stronger vocabulary, sharper listening skills, and more confidence once they start preschool or kindergarten. In the words of Dr. Monica Alvarez, Early Literacy Specialist: “Books are like little word machines. They give kids three times more new words than everyday conversation.” So, yes, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” really is changing your child’s brain, and quite possibly, an appetite for communication.

Building Brains, Not Just Bedtime Routines

When you sit with your child and read, you’re doing more than storytelling. Brain scans of preschoolers reveal that hearing stories activates both language and imagination centers of the brain (Time Magazine). That means they’re not just listening—they’re picturing, problem-solving, and connecting words to ideas. It’s like a workout for their developing mind.

Emotional Bonding That Lasts

Life with little ones can be chaotic. Reading each night is a chance to slow down, snuggle in, and remind your child that they’re safe and loved. It’s not just about the book—it’s about connection. Bedtime stories aren’t just words on a page, says the Child Mind Institute; they’re glue for families. The physical connection of snuggling and reading together wires your child’s brain to associate being together and doing positive things with their parents as a way to express and receive love.  The regular rhythm of reading with a parent at night creates strong connections.  

School Readiness Starts Here

Programs like Reach Out and Read, used by pediatricians nationwide, have demonstrated that children who read to their parents at home arrive at school with stronger vocabulary, better focus, and increased confidence (Reach Out and Read). Teachers notice the difference quickly. Skipping bedtime reading, on the other hand, can leave kids behind. Without that exposure to language, some children start school already struggling to keep up.

What Happens When We Skip It?

It might not feel like a big deal to miss storytime once or twice—but over time, those missed nights add up.

  • Fewer words heard → smaller vocabulary
  • Less bonding time → weaker parent-child connection
  • More challenging transition to school → less confidence in the classroom

A recent survey found that only 41% of young parents read regularly to their kids, down from 64% a decade ago (Parents.com). Experts worry this trend could leave children less prepared for school and less motivated to read.

How to Make It Stick

  1. Create a ritual — pair storytime with brushing teeth so it becomes automatic.
  2. Use the library — the Pikes Peak Library District offers free story times, book bundles, and even curbside pickup, making it an excellent resource for fresh reads.
  3. Keep it short — even 5–10 minutes makes a difference.
  4. Let kids choose — empowering them to pick a book makes reading feel fun, not forced. The best book to read to your child is the one they’re excited about—even if it’s the same one for the tenth night in a row.

The Takeaway

Every bedtime story is more than just a cute tradition—it’s brain fuel, emotional bonding, and future school success all wrapped up in one. By reading each night, you’re giving your child the gift of words, imagination, and love. So tonight, before you turn off the lights in your Colorado Springs home, grab a book, cuddle up, and read. Ten minutes could change their tomorrow.

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Teaching Kids About the Fourth of July, Patriotism, and Everyday Courage

Image created by ImageAI

As a child, did you ever experience an injustice or had someone use their size, age, or status to take something from you, or prevent you from taking your fair turn? 

Fairness is an issue our co-learners at Creekside Kids protect as we work to ensure that all our kids know they have received fairness and, in turn, treat others with the same ethics and kindness.

As fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, we celebrate more than just a birthday. Independence Day is a chance to talk with our children about bravery, sacrifice, and the people who helped shape our nation—not just the names in history books but the everyday heroes walking among us.

From Capes to Courage: Superheroes and Real-Life Heroes

Kids love superheroes. From Spider-Man to Wonder Woman, these characters show courage, kindness, and a willingness to stand up for what’s right. But before there were superheroes in comics, there were real people who did heroic things—and they didn’t wear capes.

We’re living in an age where superheroes are celebrated and a massive part of our culture. On September 11th, 2001, Americans witnessed something so horrible and senseless, that we called back to a place where superheroes righted our wrongs, because we felt powerless in the enormity of the fall of the twin towers. We needed the superhero to right our wrongs at that moment. The legends of superheroes helped comfort us and give us a sense that someone, somewhere, would stand up for us. 

Since then, the idea of the superhero has been the dominant genre on television and film. Culturally, we forgot that it’s the everyday person, the real person, who saves the day in this world, by standing up to aggression.

Talk to your children about:

Nathan Hale was a young schoolteacher who became a spy for the American colonies. When the British captured him, his final words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Sybil Ludington, just 16 years old, rode twice as far as Paul Revere through the night to warn American troops that the British were coming. She wasn’t famous, but she was brave—and she acted when her country needed her.

Alexander Hamilton was an orphan who utilized his brilliant mind to contribute significantly to the Revolutionary War and helped shape the U.S. Constitution. He was very young, bold, and believed deeply in a better future.

Crispus Attucks, a free Black man, became the first person to die in the Boston Massacre. His courage made him the first casualty of the American Revolution—and a symbol of the cost of liberty.

John Paul Jones, a daring Navy commander who, in the middle of battle, shouted, “I have not yet begun to fight!” when asked to surrender. His bravery on the seas played a crucial role in helping America win its independence.

Even though most of these people were adults (many in their early 20’s), they didn’t have superpowers or immunity from prosecution or execution. They were ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, who risked their fortune, their freedom, and their prosperity for the sake of others. And in the case of Sybil Luddington, she was still a child when she took an enormous risk for the liberty we enjoy today– showing that courage starts early.

Patriotism Isn’t Just Waving a Flag

Patriotism comes in many different forms, but it doesn’t mean blind obedience. The founders of our country were rebels who broke the laws of the British crown because they believed in something better: freedom, justice, and representation. They put these ideas down into a constitution, effectively declaring war on King George and the British empire. It’s important to teach our children that loving your country means wanting it to be its best self—even if that means standing up when something’s wrong.

Sometimes, what’s right isn’t easy. That’s what real patriotism is: choosing what helps others, even when it’s hard. And that can be as complex as election law or as simple as a snack extorted by a bigger child from a smaller child. The United States is a society where we value everyone and seek fairness for everyone, even if that means planting trees that we’ll never enjoy the shade of ourselves. Because our children are those trees, and they will need that shade someday.

Ordinary Heroes in Everyday Life

Today, we still have heroes—police officers who protect communities, firefighters who run into danger, EMTs who respond in emergencies, teachers who nurture minds, and neighbors who assist and care for us when no one is watching. 

Ask your children:

  • Who are the helpers in our community?
  • What makes someone a hero?
  • What’s something that you don’t like about the world (litter is a concrete example) and how can you help fix it?

These questions help children understand that, while they may be small, their actions can have a significant impact on the world around them.

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Cherishing Little Moments: Creating Meaningful Memories at the End of the School Year

Photo by Kristyna Squared.one on Unsplash

As the school year comes to a close, you may find yourself experiencing a bittersweet feeling. The year seems to have flown by! This is a wonderful time to breathe in the summertime ahead, celebrate accomplishments, and reflect on how much our children have grown since those first steps into their classroom months ago. 

This season serves as a gentle reminder of the fleeting nature of time. Someday, the same child whose tiny hand you once held on the first day of school will be packing for college, moving out for their first job, or simply heading off to forge their own path—and you might find yourself wondering, “Where did the time go?”. The old saying is that ‘the days are long but the years are short’ is so true. 

As parents and caregivers, handling these emotional moments is part of the beautiful journey of growing alongside our children. The end of the school year offers an exceptional opportunity to celebrate growth and create something tangible that helps preserve the memories we’re making along the way. For some of you, that begins in the coming school year as your child begins kindergarten; why not turn the tradition of cleaning out your child’s backpack into an annual ritual with purpose?

Turn Bookbag Clutter into Treasured Keepsakes

When your little one empties their backpack at the end of the school year, you’ll likely uncover a treasure trove of their year’s work: colorful drawings, crayon-filled worksheets, encouraging notes from teachers, and maybe even a few scribbled moments of creativity that only a child could bring to life. Instead of tossing these into the recycling bin, consider creating a scrapbook that captures your child’s early school days year by year.

Collect the highlights—the assignments that made them proud, the art showing their creativity blossoming, or even the moments that made you laugh. Include photos, if you can, like their first-day-of-school picture or snapshots from field trips and classroom parties. If you’re short on time, even collecting one or two special pieces each year can create a meaningful scrapbook by the time they graduate.

And you can start now– with the artwork your child produces here at Creekside Kids.  Consider adding in photographs and locks of hair from their haircuts. This treasure trove you will transform as they transform, becoming an echo of how you experienced their childhood.

To make this process even sweeter, involve your child. For younger kiddos, let them tell you which drawings or projects they’re most proud of. Older children might even want to jot down a favorite memory to include. By working together, you’ll turn this end-of-year task into something much more meaningful: a celebration of their accomplishments and dreams and another ritual within the family as you put away the old school year and prepare for the new one. This ritual gives you a moment to reflect with your child on the things they have learned and who they are becoming in the course of their life.

A Gift for the Road Ahead

The beauty of this yearly ritual is that it puts both the past and future into perspective. When that moment arrives—years from now—and your child is ready to step into the next significant chapter of their life, you’ll already have a heartfelt gift to remind them how far they’ve come and how much you’ve cherished every step of the journey.

Imagine handing your child that scrapbook on the day they leave for college or perhaps on their graduation day. As they flip through pages filled with their younger self’s art, words, and triumphs, they’ll be reminded, in a very tangible way, of just how deeply loved and supported they’ve been all along.

Here’s a resource if you need a little help getting on step with scrapbooking: Easy Scrapbooking for the Busy Mom.

Taking Time to Soak It All In

It’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life with seasons that come and go in a flurry. The end of the school year can serve as a quiet reminder to slow down, acknowledge how far your family has come together, and treasure the simple joys of childhood while they’re still unfolding. At Creekside Kids, we know that creating meaningful moments out of the everyday builds a foundation of love, curiosity, and connection that will last a lifetime.

The years may pass us by quickly, but by preserving memories and celebrating your child’s unique story, you’ll create a keepsake worth holding onto and giving away—and a tradition that reminds you both of the incredible journey you’re sharing. Here’s to another year of growth, joy, and endless possibilities. 💕

At Creekside Kids, we love celebrating these milestones with our community because we truly believe in the importance of building joyful, lasting memories for every family. If you’d like more ideas for creating traditions that matter or celebrating the little moments in your child’s early learning years, don’t hesitate to connect with us. We’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way!

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Spring in the Springs

Image by Penny from Pixabay

Spring is here! After so many March snowstorms, it’s wonderful to see the green returning to Colorado Springs. With the return of spring comes a renewed sense of energy and the desire to get outside and enjoy the warm weather, especially for the young (and the young-at-heart). 

April is the perfect month to celebrate spring’s return with various indoor and outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking to fly a kite, enjoy a park, or find fun things to do inside, there are plenty of options available. Here’s our quick guide to some Springtime fun in the Springs!

Celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day falls in April on the 25th, and serves as a great reminder for all of us to engage in environmentally friendly activities. You can create recycled art projects, start a compost bin, or simply discuss ways to be more eco-conscious. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day, consider planting a tree.  Trees provide shade and beauty, but they also help reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide.  They also provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and will grow with your child.

Outdoor Activities

Plant a Family Garden

Gardening is a rewarding way to spend time outdoors and celebrate the growth and renewal that spring represents. It’s also an excellent opportunity to teach kids about nature and responsibility, and the cycle of life. Some delicious veggies can be planted this early in the season– check out Rick’s Garden Center for a list of plants which can be planted in April.

Your family garden can be as simple as a few pots on the patio or as elaborate as an entire plot in your backyard. It’s up to you and your kids, but be advised: some living things require a great deal more attention than you might expect!

Here are some tips to get you started: 

  • Choose a sunny spot with good drainage.  

  • If you don’t have access to a garden, consider planting in containers instead.  

  • Start small and add more plants as you gain experience.  

  • Use organic soil amendments and fertilizers whenever possible.  

  • Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Have a Family Picnic

There are great parks all around Creekside Kids and Cheyenne Mountain where you and your kids can get a little taste of nature on the verge of civilization. The Canon School is closed on the weekends, but has a playground and field that can be used for a great picnic. North Cheyenne Cañon Park offers trails and wonderful waterfalls. For those looking for a little bit less civilization, the Stratton Open Space offers wide open prairies. 

Go Fly a Kite!

April in Colorado Springs often brings consistent, moderate winds, making it ideal for kite flying. It’s a wonderful activity for both kids and adults to enjoy on a breezy day. And if you feel like making a kite as a family, there are plans for kites that are demure and mindful, and some that are bombastically huge (if you feel like attaching a GoPro to your kite). 

Our neighborhood parks provide a great escape with open spaces for running, playing, and relaxing, giving you plenty of room to get the necessary running start with your kite. 

Some recommended parks where kite flying is permitted include:

You might also be able to fly drones in these parks– but be sure to do your research on any requirements. We are near several military outposts, after all! 

And don’t forget, Easter is April 20th, so when you and your kids are out, think about where you can hide the eggs this year!

Indoor Activities

Create Spring Crafts

When April showers keep you indoors, crafting is a fantastic way to keep the spring spirit alive. Create flower arrangements, birdhouses, or other spring-themed decorations[5]. Bake cookies and look at the recipes together to learn letters and numbers and the concepts associated with print.

Have an Indoor Picnic

If the weather isn’t cooperating, bring the fun inside with an indoor picnic. Spread a blanket on the floor, prepare some spring snacks, and enjoy a meal with the family indoors.

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W. Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations for Your Family

Image by Ilham Nor from Pixabay

 

Creekside Kids’ founder and owner, Jennifer Barnes, has a wonderful ritual she carries out every year as a teacher at Mountain Song Community School. She welcomes the month of March with celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day, and allows the kids she teaches to share in the fun. Her rituals are a big hit every year, so we thought we’d share some of those same ideas, sized down for preschool kids!

St. Patrick’s Day is a fantastic holiday for children, filled with stories of leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold. At Creekside Kids, we endeavor to make every celebration meaningful and educational for our little ones. Read on for some easy St. Patrick’s Day-themed activities, crafts, and healthy treats you can enjoy with your preschooler at home. Although not everyone will value St. Patrick’s Day with the same reverence Jennifer does, for those that do, we offer these ideas for making this year’s St. Patrick’s Day a memorable event. 

Fun and Easy St. Patrick’s Day Activities and Crafts

Crafting a Leprechaun Trap

One of the most exciting St. Patrick’s Day projects is making a leprechaun trap. Jennifer does this every year in her classroom, and it’s a big hit with the kids. She has a small fairy treehouse decoration she’s built, and she adds elements to suggest a leprechaun has moved in and is asserting itself.

If you have the time, resources, and imagination, craft stores like Michaels can help you find small to tiny dollhouse elements to create a fairy home of your own. Tiny jewels, objects, and tools (including a chest for the leprechaun’s gold) are available. You can even create two-dimensional spaces off a wall that looks and feels like a leprechaun’s been living inside of it!

But to keep the effort simple, craft a leprechaun trap with your child out of simple construction materials… and then, watch their eyes light up as their leprechaun leaves behind some of the dollhouse items that they’ve never seen before! This activity sparks imagination and helps develop fine motor skills as your child cuts, glues, and assembles their trap. 

Materials Needed:

  • A small box (like a shoe box)
  • Green construction paper
  • Glue and tape
  • Markers or crayons
  • Gold coins (plastic or chocolate)
  • Shamrock stickers or cutouts

Steps:

Wrap the Box: Cover the box with green construction paper.

Decorate: Let your child decorate the box with shamrock stickers, drawings, or other St. Patrick’s Day-themed items.

Set the Trap: Place the gold coins inside the box to entice the leprechaun.

Prop it Up: Use a stick or small rod to prop up one side of the box.

For inspiration and more detailed guides, check out Little Bins for Little Hands, which offers a variety of creative ideas for leprechaun traps.

Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Treats

Healthy treats can be just as festive and fun as sugary ones. Here are a couple of easy and nutritious snack ideas that your preschooler will love:

Apple Slices with Lime Jello

Ingredients: Apples, Lime-flavored Jello powder

Instructions: Slice an apple into thin pieces. Lightly sprinkle the Jello powder over the apple slices. The dye in the Lime Jello will immediately begin to spread through the juices of the apple and turn the slices green! 

Serve immediately for a tangy, sweet treat! This healthy treat adds a burst of green color to your St. Patrick’s Day festivities. 

Rainbow Veggie Plate

Encourage healthy eating with a colorful and fun veggie plate.

Ingredients:

  • Cherry tomatoes (red)
  • Carrot sticks (orange)
  • Yellow bell peppers (yellow)
  • Cucumber slices (green)
  • Blue corn chips (blue/purple)
  • Ranch dip or hummus

Steps:

Arrange the vegetable in the shape of a rainbow on a large plate, ordered by color (tomatoes on top, then carrots, then peppers, then cucumbers, then blue corn chips). Place the ranch dip or hummus at the end to represent a pot of gold.

For more nutritious snack ideas, you might enjoy browsing Super Healthy Kids for recipes and tips.

Shamrock Stamping

You can create festive shamrock art with a simple and eco-friendly craft.

Materials:

  • Green paint
  • A bell pepper cut in half
  • White paper

Steps:

Dip the cut side of the bell pepper into green paint. Stamp it onto the white paper to create shamrock shapes. Let your child decorate the shamrocks further with markers or stickers.

This activity promote creativity and improves fine motor skills.

Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

Sensory bins are great for tactile exploration and creativity. A rainbow bin is full of color and variation.

Materials:

  • Uncooked rice
  • Food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
  • Ziplock bags
  • White vinegar
  • A large tray or tub

Steps: Divide the rice into six Ziplock bags. Add a few drops of food coloring and a teaspoon of vinegar to each bag, and shake well until the color distributes evenly across the rice. Spread the rice on a foil tray to allow the dye to dry (this may take about an hour). Pour each rice color into the sensory bin to create a rainbow effect.

Your little one will have endless fun sorting, scooping, and playing with the colorful rice.

Paper Plate Leprechauns

This craft lets children explore their creativity while learning about Irish folklore.

Materials:

  • Paper plates
  • Orange construction paper
  • Green paint and paper
  • Googly eyes
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Steps:

Paint the paper plate green; this will be the leprechaun’s hat. Cut strips of orange construction paper for the beard and glue these around the bottom half of the plate. Add googly eyes and draw a smile. Cut a rectangle from green paper for the hat band and a black square for the buckle; glue these onto the hat.

Displaying these friendly leprechauns around your home will surely make everyone smile!

Healthy and Festive Treats

St. Patrick’s Day Books for Preschoolers

Reading together is a fantastic way to teach children about the significance of St. Patrick’s Day and to bond with your child in a way that they will revisit every year.

Here are some delightful book recommendations:

The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing and Amy Wummer: A fun and engaging story that captures the anticipation and excitement of the holiday.

Jack and the Leprechaun by Ivan Robertson and Katy Bratun: Follow Jack’s adventure as he tries to find a leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day.

Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman and Kelly Murphy: A beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of a clever girl named Fiona and her encounter with the leprechauns.

How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton: this wonderful book suggests that, like the Elf on the Shelf, leprechauns are merry pranksters!

We hope these activities, crafts, and treats bring joy and cultural awareness to your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. At Creekside Kids, we treasure these moments of creativity, learning, and fun. Thank you for being a part of our wonderful community!

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

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creekside building
1201 W Cheyenne Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906  
 
6:30 am - 5:45 pm
Monday - Friday
(719) 635-9111

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