Hello Yellow Duck Families,
To continue on with the theme of last week’s blog about children watching us, know that you have the power to set the tone in your spaces. Kids will try to highjack the calm in our lives. All. The. Time. They might throw tantrums, jump like primates, or dig their heels in and refuse to cooperate at any given time. It’s all part of them still learning how to be a functioning human being. How we react to them is the key in teaching them how to work through power struggles and the desire to run with the wolves.
Woven throughout our day, we have times of purposeful calm and full speed movement. When we start our day we try to greet with calmness to keep our energy intentionally low. It’s one of the reasons most days you’ll find me sitting in the entry of our classroom quietly saying good morning. Ms. Carina is waiting for them on the rug to help prepare them for our circle time which starts right after drop-off.
We have plenty of center options for them to keep themselves engaged during our center time. Most of it is productive, but sometimes play can get a bit rowdy and we need to come alongside them calmly to assist. Then, poof—like. magic, their energy matches ours. Occasionally, we’ll need a brain break and we’ll head to Ascension Hall to take a spin on the scooters or chase balloons. Of course playground time is the biggest brain break of all. Everyone gets to run like a house on fire.
By the end of our day, we’re ready with a peaceful exit strategy. Reading stories, yoga, finger fiddle-faddle exercises, or the conversation game, all help deliver your child back to you in a productive way.
We try to remember that we can only control ourselves. When we control ourselves going into battle (see first paragraph), our little friends will almost always match our energy (see third paragraph). 🙂 How do you create calm in your spaces? Here are some ways that might be helpful: -routines, dim the lights, classical music, hit the swings, take 10 deep breaths, a body sock.
We are still learning about geometric solids. We’ve discussed the shapes, but the children are really enjoying holding 3D solids in their hands, seeing them out in the world, and sitting inside a square-based pyramid (t-pee). We’ve even had requests to learn more than one a week. These kids are going to rock eight grade math!
A fine example of a square based pyramid!
Are you smarter than a four-year old?
As the weather is dictating warmer clothing, we will leave you with these two thoughts:
~Labeling coats, hats, and mittens really help with anything left behind.
~Imagine 14 children needing assistance with getting their coat on. If your child is struggling to do this task, practice with them at home 😉. Thanks for your help!
We are making apple pie, CCP style the day before our break. We will make applesauce and enjoy it with a graham cracker crust and some whipped cream. Because this is a celebration of sharing, would you please send in an apple of the crisp variety (Red Delicious, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, etc.🍎) Monday the 25th or Tuesday the 26th? We will be ending our day Tuesday with this treat!
THANKSGIVING BREAK - November 27-29. No school. Eat turkey 🦃!
Please mark your December calendar…We will have our Preschool Christmas Concert on the last day of preschool before Christmas. It will be on Wednesday , December 18 at 9:30am in the Sanctuary. We will sing a few songs and tell the Christmas story. We will have our program at 9:30 and then everyone will go home with their families after the program. More details to come as we get closer, but for now, please mark your calendar for this special day.
WIPES - Cold/flu season is upon us! If you have an extra canister of Lysol or Clorox wipes or a can of Lysol spray that you could donate, we could sure put those to use. Thanks!
Stay warm this weekend!
Peace,
Ms. Shelly & Ms. Carina
“I’m a four-year-old with a six-year-old shadow!”