Christmas Holidays are Over

It was the first day back after Christmas Holidays.  Very few students attended school, today, but those who did come had fun!

We played with making shadows.

We played with some new Playdough that Mrs. W made.

We started a new Activity on the Smartboard called "Rainbow Lazy 8”.  Drawing "Lazy 8's" helps children cross the midline of their body.  The midline is an imaginary line running down  the center  of your child's body.  Children who cannot cross over this imaginary line need practice reaching across.  They need to keep their body stationary and reach across the midline.  As adults, we do this without even thinking about it.  Children who have problems crossing midline will often want to switch hands or move their body rather than reaching across. Crossing the midline developes the brain so that both the right and left brain work together.  Children who have difficulties crossing midline may have reading and writing difficulties when they are older.

Hold back from "Helping" your Child

Learning to do things for themselves is a BIG part of Pre Kindergarten.  Well intentioned adults will often rush in to "help" children with things that the children are capable of doing themselves.  This "help" is actually robbing the children of a wealth of education.  Please, take a moment to encourage children to try to do it themselves before you do it for them.  They will learn independence, persistence, problem solving, and the joy of setting and accomplishing goals.  If you have a couple minutes, read the following great post from a mother who recognizes the importance of independence. http://alameda.patch.com/groups/kate-bassford-bakers-blog/p/bp--please-dont-help-my-kids  

A smile for a job well done.  She got dressed and zipped her zipper all by herself!

Surprise Visit from SANTA!

Today, we did some Q-tip painting and we had a surprise visit from Santa!

OUTSIDE TIME!

The weather was warmer today.  A very welcome change!  We took advantage of  it and played outside.  You can view some pictures of the afternoon class playing in the snow by clicking on the following link.

http://get-puppet.com/s/2331799A-EDDA-49C1-B231-9F88ED21D336

Advent Calendar

This Advent Calendar helps the children visualize how long they need to wait for Christmas.  Mary and Joseph are on their way to Bethlehem.  When they reach the stable, Jesus is born and it is Christmas!

Wrapping Christmas Presents

Today we started wrapping Christmas presents for our mommies and daddies.  (Shhhhhh....it's a surprise!). Some students brought extra wrapping paper and were nice enough to share with their friends.  Wrapping takes plenty of time and we are not finished yet.  We have some patient children who are waiting for their turn tomorrow.

This activity is educational in many ways.  Lots of Language is used while wrapping the gifts.  Teachers expand vocabulary and comprehension by asking questions, listening and having conversations while wrapping the gifts with the children.  

Waiting patiently for your turn and sharing are important Social Skills.

 Fine Motor Skills are used tearing the tape off the dispenser and applying it to the gift.  

Another important reason that I help the children make gifts for their parents is that it is important to experience the act of giving.  Often, at Christmas, children have many experiences of receiving . By giving their parents this small gift, I really hope that the children learn about giving and begin to experience the joy that comes with it.  

Happy Birthday!

We celebrated a Birthday, today.  For birthdays a crown is worn, a Blessing made, a Birthday dance is enjoyed and a Birthday Book is chosen.  The Birthday child chooses to have "Birthday Claps" or "Birthday Bumps"...four claps or four bumps when you are four years old and five when you turn five years old.  If the child wishes, baby memories are also shared.  Happy Birthday Master "S"!  Hope your special day is great!