Waiting Lists/Contact Us

If you would like more
information regarding our
schools, would like to
schedule a tour of a facility,
or would like to put your
child on our waiting list,
please contact:

Teddy Bear Treehouse
Poway
(858) 748-5600
Email

Teddy Bear Treehouse
Rancho Penasquitos
(858) 538-4800
Email

Westminster Presbetarian Preschool
Point Loma
(619) 224-7403
Email

Please be sure to include
your name, your phone
number, your child's age
and when you would be
interested in attending one
of our schools

Traveling with Children: Be Resourcesful, Have Fun
by Ron Stephens, Owner

With summer coming, the chances are your family will be taking some long automobile trips with young children. Whether the trip is 50 or 2500 miles, the challenge of travel with infants and pre-schoolers (and older children, too) can test the patience of any well intentioned parent.

We believe that the key to fun trips with children is planning ahead - planning activities, diversions, interactive fun and games that can be done right from a car seat, including, believe it or not, some simple physical exercises. As a family, you can play simple games that involve looking for objects along the highway, or create simple math games, using roadside signs, addresses and numbers with the children as you travel. Treasure hunt games, searching for colors along the way can be fun and make the time spent in the car pass more quickly. Of course, make sure you plan age-appropriately.

TRAVEL WITH BABIES/INFANTS
Bring along a basket of goodies for distractions as you travel. Laminated pictures, stickers, or patterned fabrics can be attached to the seatback or the ceiling, where your baby can see them. Encourage older brother or sister to participate by having the baby find the objects. Puppets are a great way to engage older children with the infants, which has the added benefit of passing time and having fun as a family. Bring enough puppets so all the children can have one, and allow them take turns and share.

MUSIC AND SINGING
With infant children, mom may need to do the singing. Try changing the words of your child’s favorite song to fit the travel occasion. Example: Sing, “We’re off to see the Wizard” by substituting “Grandma” in the lyrics. Older children like to sing with mom and dad. Sing with them, change the words as you sing together, and the trip will pass more quickly. If your car has newer CD changer technology, you can probably create a “Name That Tune” game, utilizing several children’s favorite CD’s.

REST STOP RECREATION
Rest stops along the freeway can serve a number of useful purposes for traveling families. Try to make use of these convenient breaks to allow the children to run, jump and expend physical energy before renewing the trip. Most rest stops have small park areas with picnic benches; take the time for a snack and to play an active game or two while you are stopped. The children will be calmer travelers if they are given frequent breaks.

ALLOW ENOUGH TIME
As you prepare for a long trip, remember to allow plenty of time, and above all, remind yourself that one of the purposes of family travel is to relax together, share new sites and experiences as a family, and to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.