The UPK class is off to a very successful start. Children have become comfortable with each other and eagerly participate in our curriculum.
We started the year with both a seasonal focus on apples and apple picking as well as a supermarket study. We have cooked with apples….made applesauce, apple pie, apple cake and apple muffins and thrown in a pear cake as well. Your children have diced and sliced and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Although most of the children enjoy preparing food, not everyone is as enthusiastic about trying new foods. We encourage them but we don’t force it.
We’ve also collaged apples, sponge printed apple trees, cut paper apples and baked pretend apple pie in housekeeping. We’ve read about apples and apple picking, using a fabulous selection of children’s literature .
Our loft has been turned into a supermarket where the children may shop. Inspired by our trip to the local supermarket, Of course our children must make their own shopping lists in order to go to our supermarket and thereby gain fine motor pencil skills as they start to make important connections about the relationship of writing (or drawing, scribbling) to communication and meaning. The children loved acting out John Burmingham’s Shopping Basket
As you can see, a lot of or art, music, dramatic play, science, social studies and language revolve around our theme, but we are not limited by it.
Scissors and hole punchers are big favorites and those itty-bitty pieces of paper your children may be bringing home require dexterity and fine motor coordination. They are developing organizational skills as they decide where to place their cutouts. At this age, process is more important than product.
In addition to special projects, crayons, craypas or markers, are available almost everyday. Either sand, water, rice, cornmeal or salt or play dough is also available almost every day.
We’ve made a book called “What’s for Lunch?” where each child collaged a page with pictures of food that they like to eat. The children are able to “read” this book. It is still being passed around so that every child in the class will have a chance to share it with their family. We made another book that all the children can read with their favorite cereal boxes. They can open the flap and see who likes which one.
We have also passed around a class book with pictures of everyone who’s UPK . We hope this affords families the opportunity to open discussion about what’s going on in school and whom it’s going on with. So please, read the class books out loud with your children.
We’d like to remind families that everyone wants a turn with class books, and we’d really appreciate it if the books were promptly returned. If your child wants more time, let us know and after everyone’s seen the book, perhaps you can have another opportunity to borrow it.
In a study that will be ongoing for the year, we are raising tadpoles. With luck and some TLC we are hoping that the children will have the opportunity to witness their transformation into frogs before the year is out. We know where frogs live in the wild, because we went on a fabulous trip to the lake in Van Cortlandt, park. We were so lucky to be guided by Sarah, Oscar’s mom who is a professional Park Ranger. We will add a pond study to our themes and have already created a pond in the loft and we’re working on a book about our trip to the lake.
In the coming weeks we will be continuing our pond study, taking a look at some of the autumn happenings including falling leaves, and pumpkins, just a touch of Halloween fun and preparing for Thanksgiving.
As many of you know, we have been lucky to have a student teacher, Yahira, in our classroom this fall. The children enjoy and benefit from her presence, and we love having an extra adult in the room.
We are looking forward to an exciting year.
Minia, Kirsty, Lucy, Jean, Yasmin and Yahira.
Showing posts with label Newsletter Nov 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Newsletter Nov 2008. Show all posts
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Nursery Rhymes Newsletter - Little Hands
Fun at work! Little Hands 3 News:
Once the older children of the school have settled into the routine of their days, school begins for our Little Hands classes. This year we welcomed eleven young children into the program.
The Little Hands children begin their day at 9:15 with “work time”, where children may choose activities such as easel painting, block building, working with play dough, reading books, using the texture table or working with table toys. Following about an hour of work time, the children help with an organized clean-up, sponge off the tables and wash their hands in preparation for snack. At about 10:25 we gather together at the tables for snack. Snack time is followed by a song, finger play and story circle. The children end their morning with some all important gross motor play that has until now taken place in the big room, but we will soon be venturing out to the tire park.
We are looking ahead building friendships and feeling comfortable in school!
Happy Fall!!
Lisa, Nicole and Lynn
Play dough is a big hit in both Little Hands classes! We are sharing our secret recipe with you to enjoy at home!
2 cups flour
2/3 cup salt
3 Tablespoons cream of tartar (available in the spice dept. of the supermarket)
2 cups water
3 tablespoons cooking oil
Food coloring (color of your choice) – not necessary if you want a white dough.
Mix all ingredients into a pot and place on stove over a medium flame or heat. Stir constantly. The dough will thicken. When the mix is just about the consistency of play dough, turn off the stove and continue to mix until done. Turn onto wax paper or a heatproof surface and allow to cool a bit before handling.
Enjoy!!
Once the older children of the school have settled into the routine of their days, school begins for our Little Hands classes. This year we welcomed eleven young children into the program.
The Little Hands children begin their day at 9:15 with “work time”, where children may choose activities such as easel painting, block building, working with play dough, reading books, using the texture table or working with table toys. Following about an hour of work time, the children help with an organized clean-up, sponge off the tables and wash their hands in preparation for snack. At about 10:25 we gather together at the tables for snack. Snack time is followed by a song, finger play and story circle. The children end their morning with some all important gross motor play that has until now taken place in the big room, but we will soon be venturing out to the tire park.
We are looking ahead building friendships and feeling comfortable in school!
Happy Fall!!
Lisa, Nicole and Lynn
Play dough is a big hit in both Little Hands classes! We are sharing our secret recipe with you to enjoy at home!
2 cups flour
2/3 cup salt
3 Tablespoons cream of tartar (available in the spice dept. of the supermarket)
2 cups water
3 tablespoons cooking oil
Food coloring (color of your choice) – not necessary if you want a white dough.
Mix all ingredients into a pot and place on stove over a medium flame or heat. Stir constantly. The dough will thicken. When the mix is just about the consistency of play dough, turn off the stove and continue to mix until done. Turn onto wax paper or a heatproof surface and allow to cool a bit before handling.
Enjoy!!
Lisa, Nicole and Lynn
Beginnings -
Little Hands 2 News:
Little Hands 2 is a small class this year, but full of enthusiasm and creativity. Our daily schedule consists of play time from 9:15-10:15, clean up time from 10:15-10:25, snack time from 10:25-10:35, circle time from 10:35-10:45, and outdoor fun from 10:45-11:15.
I would like to welcome Zoe Fernandez, Nathalia Lugo, Vanessa Taylor, Carter Tomlinson, Matthew Singh and Michael Farnsworth to an exciting year ahead.
Luz, Linda and Nicole
Nursery Rhymes Newsletter - Director's Corner
Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year at the Nursery! This year our school is filled with the exception of our UPK afternoon class and Little Hands 2 class. All our classes are in full session as well as our After School Music and Movement Class and Lunch Program. We welcome back most of last year’s staff and several new staff members. Elaine Toro is our Three’s PM teacher, Luz Frade, our Little Hands 2 teacher, Lucy Kallenberg , Assistant Teacher in Room 3 and Lynn Jones, Assistant Teacher in Little Hands 3. Welcome to our new staff!! We are also very fortunate to have Yahira Caceres, a student teacher from Lehman College working with Minia in Room 3.
Our staff this year is:
Little Hands 2: Luz Frade, Linda Krell and Nicole Roth
Little Hands 3: Lisa Wenz, Nicole Roth and Lynn Jones
Room 2 (AM Three’s): Maria Gentilella, Alma Jean-Louis and Jean Rogers
Room 1 (PM Three’s): Elaine Toro, Nicole Roth and Yasmin Mohammed
Room 2 (PM UPK): Andrea Weisinger-Ilardi and Alma Jean-Louis
Room 3 (AM UPK): Minia Sas, Kirsty Lorenzo, Lucy Kallenberg and Yahira Caceres
Room 3 (Full Day Four’s) Minia Sas, Yasmin Mohammed, Jean Rogers and Yahira Caceres
Ann McCormack is our School Secretary two days a week.
Mary Copeland is our Music and Movement Teacher on Thursdays.
Vicki Solomon, our former Director and Teacher, volunteers her time and wisdom several days a week. MANY THANKS!
Early in the school year two topics often come up for discussion when speaking with families. First are separation issues and second is toilet training.
Separation is a lifelong learning skill! – as adults we experience anxiety when beginning a new job or moving to a new home, so is it any surprise that children who have less control of their own lives feel anxious also! Keep in mind that your little one's unwillingness to leave you is a good sign that healthy attachments have developed between the two of you. your child needs to be able to remember that you always return after you leave, and that will be enough comfort while you're gone. Working through these feelings gives children a chance to develop coping skills and a little independence.
Some tips:
*Make sure your child has a comfortable unhurried routine in the morning before school. Keep things predictable and calm.
*Try your best to let your child know you are confident about leaving him or her at school and you are sure they will have a good time. If you are anxious, your child will often feel your anxiety and become anxious themselves.
*Follow the teachers lead on staying with your child or leaving.
* When you do leave, always say goodbye – never break your child’s trust by sneaking out of the room.
*Make your farewell short and sweet – often the most difficult thing for a parent to do!
*If you need to leave and your child is distressed, we will always call you if your child does not settle down after a short interval. We often try to call when we can to let you know all is well.
*Pick your child up on time – the anxiety returns for children when their grown-up is late in returning. For a child just feeling good about separating, this could cause a turn around in their progress.
Early in the school year it is very typical for children to experience change in sleep patterns, eating patterns and the child who is fully toilet trained may experiences a period of regression that usually works itself out over the period of a few weeks.
As for toilet training, we do not require a child to be toilet trained to begin our school program. We believe there are physiological as well as emotional components involved in the process and that hurrying a child along for a school deadline date is not necessary. Experts agree that about 2.5 years is the average time for children to approach the milestone of beginning the process, however the time is often between ages two and 3 plus years old depending on the child. The key here is not to push or get into a power struggle with your child over toilet training.
For families seeking to begin toilet training the experts all seem to agree that it is time to begin when:
* Child’s bowel movements come at fairly predictable times (though some children never become regular)
* Children have the physiological readiness – they should be able to stay dry for an hour or two stretch at a time
* Children feel uncomfortable when they are wet.
* They show interest in wearing underwear rather than diapers.
*The child needs to associate the feeling of needing to pee or poop with the outcome and is able to communicate that need.
*The child needs to have control to hold on when they feel the urge so that they can get to the toilet.
*Shows curiosity of bathroom habits of others.
Always remember that “accidents” are an inevitable part of learning to use the toilet. Making a fuss or issue out of “accidents” will only promote resistance or diminish confidence. React casually – reassure the child that they will soon be able to get to the toilet on time. Separation anxiety, stress, focusing on new exciting events, fatigue - all common to the start of school is common reasons for a relapse in toilet training.
Remember, our school has one major draw back to home; our bathrooms are not at the child’s immediate access. Although we have scheduled bathroom times, children need to ask at other times during the morning if they need to go – and asking can be unusual for many children. They may not want to leave the activity they are involved with or may not feel comfortable yet in asking. Be assured however that we will help your child work through this period successfully.
Just as a reminder, as the weather turns cooler to dress your child appropriately for outdoors. Outdoor play is crucial to a child’s development and it is important that your child be comfortable. When it becomes cool enough, please supply MITTENS, not gloves for your child. It is very difficult to assist a class of young children into all those finger slots!!! It is also helpful to have mitten clips or another method of attaching mittens to your child’s jacket. We do go out in the snow, so please begin to get boots, snow pants ready! Pack them up in a tote bag to have on hand for that first morning of snow! Lastly, please check your child’s extra change of clothing – be sure that it is weather appropriate and complete!
Thank you all for your support to the cooperative nature of our Nursery School! It looks like a great year ahead!!
Lisa
Our staff this year is:
Little Hands 2: Luz Frade, Linda Krell and Nicole Roth
Little Hands 3: Lisa Wenz, Nicole Roth and Lynn Jones
Room 2 (AM Three’s): Maria Gentilella, Alma Jean-Louis and Jean Rogers
Room 1 (PM Three’s): Elaine Toro, Nicole Roth and Yasmin Mohammed
Room 2 (PM UPK): Andrea Weisinger-Ilardi and Alma Jean-Louis
Room 3 (AM UPK): Minia Sas, Kirsty Lorenzo, Lucy Kallenberg and Yahira Caceres
Room 3 (Full Day Four’s) Minia Sas, Yasmin Mohammed, Jean Rogers and Yahira Caceres
Ann McCormack is our School Secretary two days a week.
Mary Copeland is our Music and Movement Teacher on Thursdays.
Vicki Solomon, our former Director and Teacher, volunteers her time and wisdom several days a week. MANY THANKS!
Early in the school year two topics often come up for discussion when speaking with families. First are separation issues and second is toilet training.
Separation is a lifelong learning skill! – as adults we experience anxiety when beginning a new job or moving to a new home, so is it any surprise that children who have less control of their own lives feel anxious also! Keep in mind that your little one's unwillingness to leave you is a good sign that healthy attachments have developed between the two of you. your child needs to be able to remember that you always return after you leave, and that will be enough comfort while you're gone. Working through these feelings gives children a chance to develop coping skills and a little independence.
Some tips:
*Make sure your child has a comfortable unhurried routine in the morning before school. Keep things predictable and calm.
*Try your best to let your child know you are confident about leaving him or her at school and you are sure they will have a good time. If you are anxious, your child will often feel your anxiety and become anxious themselves.
*Follow the teachers lead on staying with your child or leaving.
* When you do leave, always say goodbye – never break your child’s trust by sneaking out of the room.
*Make your farewell short and sweet – often the most difficult thing for a parent to do!
*If you need to leave and your child is distressed, we will always call you if your child does not settle down after a short interval. We often try to call when we can to let you know all is well.
*Pick your child up on time – the anxiety returns for children when their grown-up is late in returning. For a child just feeling good about separating, this could cause a turn around in their progress.
Early in the school year it is very typical for children to experience change in sleep patterns, eating patterns and the child who is fully toilet trained may experiences a period of regression that usually works itself out over the period of a few weeks.
As for toilet training, we do not require a child to be toilet trained to begin our school program. We believe there are physiological as well as emotional components involved in the process and that hurrying a child along for a school deadline date is not necessary. Experts agree that about 2.5 years is the average time for children to approach the milestone of beginning the process, however the time is often between ages two and 3 plus years old depending on the child. The key here is not to push or get into a power struggle with your child over toilet training.
For families seeking to begin toilet training the experts all seem to agree that it is time to begin when:
* Child’s bowel movements come at fairly predictable times (though some children never become regular)
* Children have the physiological readiness – they should be able to stay dry for an hour or two stretch at a time
* Children feel uncomfortable when they are wet.
* They show interest in wearing underwear rather than diapers.
*The child needs to associate the feeling of needing to pee or poop with the outcome and is able to communicate that need.
*The child needs to have control to hold on when they feel the urge so that they can get to the toilet.
*Shows curiosity of bathroom habits of others.
Always remember that “accidents” are an inevitable part of learning to use the toilet. Making a fuss or issue out of “accidents” will only promote resistance or diminish confidence. React casually – reassure the child that they will soon be able to get to the toilet on time. Separation anxiety, stress, focusing on new exciting events, fatigue - all common to the start of school is common reasons for a relapse in toilet training.
Remember, our school has one major draw back to home; our bathrooms are not at the child’s immediate access. Although we have scheduled bathroom times, children need to ask at other times during the morning if they need to go – and asking can be unusual for many children. They may not want to leave the activity they are involved with or may not feel comfortable yet in asking. Be assured however that we will help your child work through this period successfully.
Just as a reminder, as the weather turns cooler to dress your child appropriately for outdoors. Outdoor play is crucial to a child’s development and it is important that your child be comfortable. When it becomes cool enough, please supply MITTENS, not gloves for your child. It is very difficult to assist a class of young children into all those finger slots!!! It is also helpful to have mitten clips or another method of attaching mittens to your child’s jacket. We do go out in the snow, so please begin to get boots, snow pants ready! Pack them up in a tote bag to have on hand for that first morning of snow! Lastly, please check your child’s extra change of clothing – be sure that it is weather appropriate and complete!
Thank you all for your support to the cooperative nature of our Nursery School! It looks like a great year ahead!!
Lisa
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