tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87010381954665132122024-03-05T15:59:00.952-06:00Destination KindergartenUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-222581730630848452011-03-09T11:03:00.001-06:002011-03-09T11:53:19.592-06:00World Read Aloud Day--Let's Celebrate Books!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">In honor of <a href="http://www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday/">World Read Aloud Day</a>, let's celebrate books! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvfn7Re3kckFY3H37nSXx2trgCd2Ie_Bc_aEQLXn-pwqW2uIpSGTNFdVOLLOj5EPxQQNd1LmI2h1RIvySvcfISTO6-QaCLs_0w91v8YXQy-Riau_vxEwxZTbChdB6Bu_NxmS6xwzM1oA/s1600/library21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvfn7Re3kckFY3H37nSXx2trgCd2Ie_Bc_aEQLXn-pwqW2uIpSGTNFdVOLLOj5EPxQQNd1LmI2h1RIvySvcfISTO6-QaCLs_0w91v8YXQy-Riau_vxEwxZTbChdB6Bu_NxmS6xwzM1oA/s320/library21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Last year, I had the opportunity to travel to a few schools in Ethiopia. I had prepared myself for the devastation of poverty, but I had not prepared myself for the lack of literacy. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">According to <a href="http://www.ethiopiareads.org/about">Ethiopia Reads</a>, </div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Ethiopia is home to an estimated 40 million children where 99% of the schools have no books and where 58% of Ethiopians age 15 and above can’t read.--Ethiopia Reads.</span></blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How fortunate our children are, to have been born in a country that embraces literacy and immerses children with print from birth. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.litworld.org/about/">LitWorld</a> is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making early exposure to literacy a worldwide norm. With LitWorld's development of World Read Aloud Day, we are...</div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> ...raising our voices together on this day to show the world’s children that we support their future: that they have the right to read, to write, and to share their words to change the world.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> World Read Aloud Day is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Across the globe nearly 171 million children could be lifted out of poverty if they left school with basic reading and writing skills. Quality literacy education is the difference between life and death, prosperity and despair. This is literacy for survival.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">--LitWorld</span></blockquote><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We travel back to Ethiopia in 6 days and with us we are bringing the gift of literacy to over 200 children. Thanks to the <a href="http://www.giveforward.com/promise">support of people around the world</a>, bright colorful texts in English and Amharic will be held by young hands that may have never had the opportunity to turn the pages of a book. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">That experience, has really made me reflect on how fortunate my family has been to own a personal library. Below are some of our favorite children's books. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Take a moment today, search your bookshelves, visit the library and treasure the gift of literacy that we have been given and share a book with your child! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For tips on making the most of your read alouds, visit one of our previous posts, <a href="http://destinationkindergarten.blogspot.com/2010/08/as-early-childhood-educator-with-heart.html">"Bringing the Spark Back To Storytime"</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-69667478017332583112011-02-28T20:48:00.006-06:002011-03-01T10:11:17.565-06:00Expressing LOVE to our Children<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Several years ago, as I was preparing to teach a class on the "Five Love Languages of Children," written by Gary Chapman, I came up with my ownway of expressing love by turning the word, "Love" into an acronym. My next four posts will cover each letter of this most-important word.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>L - Listen</div><div>O - Observe</div><div>V - Validate</div><div>E - Enjoy</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578945235948925186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6QAHARm9r7B7Z4n9_nMdxXHxVC5CV951A-_1IB4eJijL2HIiFUL6MtLBY8nH57ax0DdlsfZPtFQOX_95DPfffB7O98tKrw4L3aZVe4CQEHbXnjkmGU9fwjeUz2IdAWaFHEaMzJao_JsS/s200/Listening-Ear-450x378.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 168px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /><br />
<div><br />
</div><div>What is "listening?" Listening is much more than hearing; it is an active way to communicate with another person. Active listening involves validating, confirming and rephrasing. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Parents and caregivers are so accustomed to guiding children, that we sometimes forget to listen to them. Below are some examples of ways to include active listening in your relationship with your child.</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Child Says:</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Active Listening Response</span>:</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"She knocked down my tower!"</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">You sound angry that your tower fell. What can you do? Would you like to talk to _________ about it?</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"Me First!"</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Wow, you are really anxious to be the first one to have a snack. Let's think of a way to wait; do you have any ideas?</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"You like him more"</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">It sounds like you are feeling neglected. Would you like to tell me about it</span>?</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"I'm not bad"</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">You spilled the paint. It sounds like you are feeling sad about that. Let's get it cleaned up together. We</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">all make messes.</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Active listening is an effective stabilizer of emotions and it also validates a person's feelings. We can teach our children how to be mature communicators as we actively listen to them.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></div><div>Good luck working on this skill!</div><div><br />
</div><div>"It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen."</div><div>Oliver Wendell Holmes</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-60369519822414230582011-02-05T10:37:00.000-06:002011-02-05T10:37:16.594-06:00I Love You To Pieces!!!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship </b></span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>and mystery of the world we live in.”</b></span></span></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">-Rachel Carson</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEDXrO6fwkQsr_vLyNBp6CneTsBAGeH8d4wQqKdkSaI1n3GLZxY-n1rz1f5T76n0RwTZTD1F8G_HD4pM9mSPEtkxrZ8k3E7BO-k-BR6858pnyXdVGB9IVPTIzMMLkUQ00i-f7GJP6MQg/s1600/love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEDXrO6fwkQsr_vLyNBp6CneTsBAGeH8d4wQqKdkSaI1n3GLZxY-n1rz1f5T76n0RwTZTD1F8G_HD4pM9mSPEtkxrZ8k3E7BO-k-BR6858pnyXdVGB9IVPTIzMMLkUQ00i-f7GJP6MQg/s1600/love.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">This year, spend some quality time with your preschooler and make a personalized Valentine that your loved ones will treasure forever!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Materials:</b></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li> “I Love You to Pieces” sign</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Webdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Webdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Webdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Camera</li>
<li> Thick paper or cardboard</li>
<li> Old Jigsaw puzzle pieces</li>
<li> Glue</li>
<li> Any other decorations that you would like</li>
</ul><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></b></div>Directions:</span></b><div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment--> <br />
<div><!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal">1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have your child hold the sign that says “I Love You to Pieces”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dress them in their best smile and take their picture.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Develop the picture or pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make more than one and surprise all of the grandmas and grandpas.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glue the picture onto a thick piece of paper or cardboard that is a little larger than the picture. (or you can purchase matte frames from your local craft store)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">5)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decorate the border with old jigsaw puzzle pieces. These could be glued on as is or painted. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">6) Jazz it up with any other decorations that make you happy.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">7) Finally, hand deliver it to that special someone!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </div><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; width: 853px;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="background: #EEF1F6; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 843.0pt;" width="843"> <div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>"The best inheritance a parent can give to his children is a </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>few minutes of their time each day."</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "ArialMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 851.0pt;" width="851"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-M. Grundler </span><span style="font-family: "ArialMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US;">Image for "I Love You to Pieces" sign:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XuzaS_iJ0lcTzAwlb0Iq5ATEAdt5oP2PmM7Kduk-CZdl_uSDQkObKAIvv4QUxVd-6yPGs-QUlY_KwXYDwbr0fXdO4lTuIYDNYXO4M0Mx50W8eNyiL7c4r_Ke4hgbFW5__aBritb4a7Q/s1600/loveyoutopieces.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XuzaS_iJ0lcTzAwlb0Iq5ATEAdt5oP2PmM7Kduk-CZdl_uSDQkObKAIvv4QUxVd-6yPGs-QUlY_KwXYDwbr0fXdO4lTuIYDNYXO4M0Mx50W8eNyiL7c4r_Ke4hgbFW5__aBritb4a7Q/s400/loveyoutopieces.gif" width="400" /></a></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment--> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-35999761359271845772011-01-24T14:37:00.016-06:002011-01-24T16:47:32.024-06:00Sensory Awareness<div><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsuVDGnHY6LwwVEKuLoyyQjwgROMSDVNoMWJse9LMHYaa-z9fMphf5-vbZIY2VQi4yjsHbJtNbISnnWRN0rFJjERSle6taAXTB_uYXQIGpMYab9lDja64wWpskbxbkELoifbiUDgV8q8/s1600/MP900448712%255B1%255D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565883648045584098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsuVDGnHY6LwwVEKuLoyyQjwgROMSDVNoMWJse9LMHYaa-z9fMphf5-vbZIY2VQi4yjsHbJtNbISnnWRN0rFJjERSle6taAXTB_uYXQIGpMYab9lDja64wWpskbxbkELoifbiUDgV8q8/s200/MP900448712%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;"><strong>Look<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18dGWG3LqG6JkjVCpdvI8jwRiABLXzzggxQKpHG9v-_322nyUBlDDydRAlOFKyRbPFKOzib71RVY0FIsY6d5aDsbcXiBfIs1qU4m2H6N3bceOXu6pBdJB47Ln96AGPM5udZcT0b6sZdY/s1600/MP900448712%255B1%255D.jpg"></a> for your child to exhibit sensory awareness.</strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><strong>Have your child identify hidden objects in a "feely" box by touch.</strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Cut the bottoms out of two empty, square tissue boxes, and tape the open ends together. Hide objects of various textures (cotton balls, rocks, sticky tape ball, sand paper, small toys, ice cube etc.) inside the box. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Have your child use both hands to touch the objects and figure out what's inside the box. </span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">For smaller items slip an object into a sock. Have your child try to identify the object from the outside of the sock and then by placing their hand inside the sock.</span></p><br /><ul><br /></ul><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565886235246566514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOFB7a543YNUFKIIqjlGboPaj5c-Eq7T_lHnILSFt3XPqlqfnLsm4uPNxQVpqcG8z1cNzQyJ28aOEQdN1y3gkovcLlEiUdmP-mZpBHAleKQDCulpabakxSsqcNNmDsCkCggw5I2y93lg/s200/MP900314273%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></span></p><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Give your child opportunities to experience various textures such as, mushy, slimy, rough, smooth, cold, wet, dry. Using a variety of descriptive words will help your child build their vocabulary.</strong></span> </span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565875911472188466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ISiRubQed0AJLAuxrKS6T9Te2xkzI8qMkfyaOoN7SCVpLq4u8TCRRzCNeTwpDFGzta50M_1UFTR4NeGfOsjlF4TAbMP0JKvFo_Y0mTBLimVjTjcyInM-ue2MuxHRsKLj1bOOAMpP5OM/s200/MP900402886%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><ul><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Cut arm holes in a large plastic bag to make a smock. Old vinyl tablecloths or shower curtains can help protect floors and tables. </span></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Join your child in finger painting. For variety mix sand in the paint.</span></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565874353416914178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFNKYzqiWvJOMoSS1ukF5RopFtMvOMOEczGJcyAJvJmcQAp4zHbzHwjSX-0J1N0GctkFzQuIicyLpiAS5DI3U8U4TSjhPcwyDqzZhcB_HfXLszJgdM7J3zgNQGxRE5GRRd6MamfjctOI/s200/MP900305887%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Have your child guess what is in a bowl with their eyes blindfolded. Vary the texture, size, weight and temperature of the items (cold, cooked spaghetti, dried oatmeal, feathers etc.)</span></div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565887306826768178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9lHBnwmMxSzfMxgMMDsjSMDKV_Jte8XVWpj-9kYK8jlET6qMhbPi2mans1J1hFG724ExbkWL-VLsNER-zKfd0rVSO1y-ZogfCISKAxVfkO8okLBbsOh8ET3F___Putima_ofRlLxDh4/s200/MP900289631%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /><br /><ul><br /><br /></ul><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-89654023285631642222011-01-12T16:25:00.001-06:002011-01-12T16:27:02.418-06:00Staying Warm: Bring 'Snow Day' Fun Inside!!!According to WeatherStreet.com, our area has accumulated about 6 inches of snow over the past week. That sure doesn't sound like a lot, but to my kids, it's music to their ears. 6 inches of snow has equaled 3 extra days of sleeping in, 9 extra meals in the comfort of their own kitchen, and zero homework! <br />
<br />
Being an educator, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to spend these treasured days at home with my children and also feel that giddy excitement at the announcement of a 'snow day'. However, as we are in our third day of confinement, I find myself wondering how many days I can actually maintain the sanity of our household! <br />
<br />
We have now exhausted every outdoor snow activity that we could dream up and frankly my toes can't handle another frigid moment outdoors. So we're ready to try this fun recipe and bring the 'Snow Day' fun into the warmth of our own house. I'll let you know how it goes!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">EASY SNOW ICE CREAM!!!</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6CA_IHqz0FK59BzHzy95_QhHr9O150btM-vhvSSiWjih4Ywsx_q5EsQfxHai01V8JK5ZHS2bM3RI9nLJbBCc3b7KHUEJwgArsSlKmE17ldJfGBDIZoTtHtdpJD_BxT-t9CyZhaKr9LM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-01-12+at+3.40.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6CA_IHqz0FK59BzHzy95_QhHr9O150btM-vhvSSiWjih4Ywsx_q5EsQfxHai01V8JK5ZHS2bM3RI9nLJbBCc3b7KHUEJwgArsSlKmE17ldJfGBDIZoTtHtdpJD_BxT-t9CyZhaKr9LM/s640/Screen+shot+2011-01-12+at+3.40.27+PM.png" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Collect</span> 5 cups of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">FRESH</span> snow Don't <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">pack</span> it, you want it <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">light</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">fluffy</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Combine</span> the first three <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">ingredients</span> until the sugar <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">dissolves</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Slowly</span> add the snow into your <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">mixture</span> while stirring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Continue to add snow until the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">mixture</span> is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">thick</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">creamy</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Eat right away! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Good vocabulary to use with your child. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-52979534277839570502011-01-03T17:00:00.005-06:002011-01-03T17:47:39.091-06:00Indoor Snowball Fight<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Indoor Snowball Fight</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeFRRp4rolfi3pfU_wVMxWEcROaqiUbbwcbx-673TwddbgvIjulVgv5mvYClncEYm4QB-Z2YRCPF8fYObeLg2NbALg_ZJV-rBo1MUV-pVD0bLXjBxVqHF1w-kfR_qhHr6OwgOlPPLprqA/s1600/snow-ball-fight.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeFRRp4rolfi3pfU_wVMxWEcROaqiUbbwcbx-673TwddbgvIjulVgv5mvYClncEYm4QB-Z2YRCPF8fYObeLg2NbALg_ZJV-rBo1MUV-pVD0bLXjBxVqHF1w-kfR_qhHr6OwgOlPPLprqA/s200/snow-ball-fight.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558109279586254514" /></a><br />If you live in the midwest as I do, you know about cold temperatures and snow during the winter months. Children need to move their bodies throughout the year, but a park is not very accommodating during the winter. Here's an idea of a fun AND educational way to play together on a cold winter's day.<div><br /></div><div>An Indoor Snowball Fight</div><div><br /></div><div>You can make "snowballs" with various items:</div><div><br /></div><div>* White socks that have lost their mate</div><div>* White paper</div><div>* Cotton balls or pom poms</div><div>* Panty hose stuffed with paper or fake snow or anything else lightweight (you will tie off the panty hose in a knot and cut off the extra hose to create a "ball").</div><div><br /></div><div>Children receive developmental benefit in almost any sensory activity - enhanced even more with parental involvement. As you are having your snowball fight, think how you are preparing your young child for life as a learner:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Planning</span>: Involve the child in preparing for the snowball fight. They will need to think about the needed items and plan accordingly. They mig</div><div>ht want to take out blankets or sheets to cover furniture as a fort. They will also need to make an adequate number of snowballs. You might discuss how many they think they will need.</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-A_1siyUQdC2g5f9pC9efo-06YV3HQbQIsNDBIKiY6PSAhq6B4B8jLkxlxwEVVIGAsuRh7H2AX8VVZZH4xv7Yb8jWy6nTO1DBpZab71ubZOyRx45XGx2SGQZ-ERw8rcwmUW2VrIvRi-_/s200/Snowball_Fight.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558109619015362562" /><div>Simply seeing a project from start to finish will help a child understand a process, and gain the perseverance and patience to see a project to completion. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Math Concepts</span>: As you make your fort, the child will need to find the appropriate-sized covering for the table/furniture. Comparing pillow cases and sheets will give children an idea of area and a concept of size.</div><div>Additionally, while making snowballs, you can count the snowballs. You can also make snowballs of different sizes and categorize them in your forts - making sure that each competitor has an equal number of snowballs. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;"> Fine and Gross Motor Development:</span> Whether you are stuffing stockings or wadding up paper, children will need to use their hands to squeeze, stuff, rip, shred and cut. They will definitely use their bigger muscles as they run around the house throwing the snowballs. For an added element of fun and development of eye-hand coordination, you could have</div><div> children hit the snowballs with their hand or a racquet.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg3fHA9rImVlWEP9ZSLu5hkPhSLfszpqxcGcpeJ0buof01axlB2i_fUl0bHK9IEu29DVZt0jUydYUH9IPhyAcJ6MgZVFx3Jm1H94RlcIEL9yKih9I751aKJURf7H8kNHjwxfwOOeazYu7/s200/SnowballMaker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558109801425886482" /><div><br /></div><div>4. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6666;">Creativity:</span> The open-ended play of the snowball fight is limited only by a child's imagination. You could make igloos, plan creative forts, make different types of snowballs, etc. You will also be increasing your child's awareness of the world as you talk about eskimos, igloos and arctic habitats. </div><div><br /></div><div>The benefits of play are immense. Enjoy making a dreary winter day into a day of fun and learning!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-21169321377312229482010-12-11T21:42:00.000-06:002010-12-11T21:42:13.139-06:00It's the Best Time of the Year...Right?If you're like me at this time of year, you are bouncing from one 'festive' obligation to the next. Only to get home at the end of an exhausting day and realize that you haven't put a dent in your ever multiplying to-do list. All you want to do is get off your feet and take those Hershey Holiday White Chocolate Candy Cane Kisses to your warm, comfy bed.<br />
<br />
But...the kids need dinner, probably a conflict mediator and maybe a good scrub behind the ears. <br />
So tell me again, where does that quality time fit into this Holiday picture?<br />
<br />
In the essence of saving time, I'll cut to the chase...<br />
<br />
Below is a fun recipe to try with your children that will not only help prepare them for kindergarten, but also give you a much needed dose of relaxation.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Warm Vanilla Steamers</b></span><br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNWdEpsBS9AFqFQXfm0cQ0Io_RJsfMKsSkgG17wnCc3vk-rAo-WoOQfd3PvNhc2xn64iTfJB7P16AsYmmR9vL-_ihADZYME8HtsVrnNnHLBe4mKqgD15dsLpUnhXNoHldDkcbl-l-7pc/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-12-09+at+10.56.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNWdEpsBS9AFqFQXfm0cQ0Io_RJsfMKsSkgG17wnCc3vk-rAo-WoOQfd3PvNhc2xn64iTfJB7P16AsYmmR9vL-_ihADZYME8HtsVrnNnHLBe4mKqgD15dsLpUnhXNoHldDkcbl-l-7pc/s640/Screen+shot+2010-12-09+at+10.56.06+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Directions:<br />
<br />
<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Combine</span> milk and sugar in a medium <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">saucepan </span>over high heat. Stir <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">frequently </span>until sugar has <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">dissolved</span> and the milk begins to<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> simmer.</span></li>
<li>Remove from the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> burner, </span>add the vanilla and allow it to<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> sit </span>for 4 minutes.</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Whisk</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">vigorously</span> to form a thick layer of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">foam</span> on top of the milk. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Divide</span> into 4 servings, topped with a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">dollop</span> of the foam.</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sprinkle</span> with a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">pinch</span> of ground cinnamon.</li>
</ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">=Good vocabulary to use with your child.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span><br />
Besides the Social/Emotional growth that your child will gain from this bonding experience, cooking with children incorporates many different domains of early childhood development:<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Language & Literacy</span></b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Encourage your child to help you read the recipe. </li>
<ul><ul><li>If you can find recipes with pictures (like on the backs of most brownie boxes) children can confidently help you interpret the recipe.</li>
</ul></ul><li>Use vibrant language that describes what their senses are exploring.</li>
<ul><ul><li>'fragrant aroma of chocolate chips melting into the dough'</li>
<li>'the gooey, sticky marshmallows are clenching to the sides of the pan'</li>
</ul></ul><li>Use common vocabulary in context</li>
<ul><ul><li>spatula</li>
<li>sifter</li>
<li>degrees</li>
<li>whisk</li>
</ul></ul></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>Mathematics</b></span><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Encourage your child to count</li>
<ul><ul><li>Count with your child as they add ingredients</li>
<li>Ask them to give the mixture 20 stirs </li>
</ul></ul><li>Use common vocabulary in context</li>
<ul><ul><li>1/2 cup</li>
<li>dash of salt</li>
<li>400 degrees</li>
</ul></ul></ul><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Science</span></b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Point out cause & effect</li>
<ul><ul><li>Watch the cookies rise as they are heated in the oven.</li>
<li>Predict what will happen to the liquid jello when you cool it in the refrigerator.</li>
</ul></ul><li>Use common vocabulary in context</li>
<ul><ul><li>liquid</li>
<li>solid</li>
<li>mixture</li>
</ul></ul><li>Allow your child to explore with all of their senses</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>LEARNING</b></span> with your Child!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAMYRK8k211HsBO_hoOvFQZWPjbVPirCmAmIXfvqXJX_zhckf9ACZ-uTgYMgQ083m83W4ykImEgohlu4cXTTl4HqhBV4YxsODFRLjE_nXN226WeIJ0Zd8SZvuA14uBrQ_5m7bQ_9CtsA/s1600/IMG_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAMYRK8k211HsBO_hoOvFQZWPjbVPirCmAmIXfvqXJX_zhckf9ACZ-uTgYMgQ083m83W4ykImEgohlu4cXTTl4HqhBV4YxsODFRLjE_nXN226WeIJ0Zd8SZvuA14uBrQ_5m7bQ_9CtsA/s320/IMG_0594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
<div>Thank you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Ellen Booth Church</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> for the fabulous recipe:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For more of her warm drink recipes visit: <a href="http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=8063">http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=8063</a></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-11934135246775611162010-12-06T16:31:00.013-06:002010-12-08T21:06:10.205-06:00If Santa only Knew.....<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The list has been prepared and Santa is checking his bag.......just WHAT should be in Santa's sack to prepare children for the kindergarten classroom?<br />
<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547710936390574386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhslv7DSgQrcEKDNYp5ALYgVNF3Tw1cCu56x2bB4li5jnT2wPTP-zCmNfoKuyXjhPJqIOuQ9isedoKenhTocJQnRvP4qbl6Y8aXR4nnOsss5liGy5kPm8beCYDrzhbIyqnqfi5-oRfK9ou/s200/Santa+Bag.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 144px;" /></div><div><br />
</div><div>If a child's PLAY is his/her WORK, then we need to provide toys that offer the greatest learning opportunity.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>Let's look at some important characteristics of educational toys (particularly for the birth-3 child):</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. <b>90% Child/10% To</b><b>y</b> - When shopping for toys, always think about what the toy does for the child and what the child has to do to the toy. It is more beneficial for a child to have a simple toy that does very little for him/her than to have a toy that is laden with electronic appeal (lights, sounds). Toys that prepare a mind to problem-solve are toys that require the child to think. Open-ended toys allow the children to use their own creativity to bring meaning to the toy, rather than just responding to what the toy does for them.</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547709617848686786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4hTGe46qBvjgnTJCr6R9AR_ZJXiAB7s_hlzq7nLYwuTl7ILAqw6tbpwmn6MKC3ABXAjhR6DE50c1Vk000vOzp3J3XkMkwRI_JriYCDX68gJqp9F5OfHy2bwGOXmeaVpKjJGO8XCt4yXB/s320/baby_doll.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 280px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 280px;" />2. <b>Multi-Sensory</b> - There is direct correlation<br />
to the number of senses a<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOB2TFvayHkssBALha7geIvMOn3VJ4Co52v6WG7w5PtiopQmlBYtlBWJrP6ckA6_yad55MuhKctMgKJQ8MeIWL8nD0KkEhea0fsilJ3De7LMc9I1f4ci44m60KKvFchNai6Z5eFWK04Qa-/s1600/abc_blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="193" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547709539208859538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOB2TFvayHkssBALha7geIvMOn3VJ4Co52v6WG7w5PtiopQmlBYtlBWJrP6ckA6_yad55MuhKctMgKJQ8MeIWL8nD0KkEhea0fsilJ3De7LMc9I1f4ci44m60KKvFchNai6Z5eFWK04Qa-/s200/abc_blocks.jpg" style="height: 310px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" width="200" /></a></div>toy engages and the number of brain centers that are activated. When children see, hear, smell and<br />
manipulate toys, they engage both hemispheres of their brain and maximize the learning.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>3.<b> Age-Appropriat</b><b>e</b> - Toys teach the most when they are introduced at the appropriate age. Look for toys that engage the child's sense, require creativity and produce success in their play. For example, if a shape sorter is too difficult for a child, put the sorter away and make one that is simpler (with 1-2 shapes only). Neural connections and confidence are built through repetition and success and perseverance, not from discouragement. Children are naturally motivated and will let you know when they need more challenge from their toys.</div><div><br />
</div><div>4. <b>Promote Interaction</b> - Toys that promote caregiver/child interaction are the most beneficial to a child's development. Stuffed animals or dolls offer a perfect opportunity to play "picnic" or "school." With adult interaction, the child can use his/her imagination to create a scenario with toys. The adults give guidance, serve as a consultant and enrich the play with language enhancement. When the child says "cup," the caregiver can say, "Yes, rabbit wants the tall, green cup." The adult also teaches the child empathy and appropriate social interaction.</div><div>Additionally, the adult stretches the child intellectually by teaching color concepts, number concepts and other intellectual concepts throughout the play. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Below is a list of optimal toys for a baby and toddler:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Books</div><div>Blocks</div><div>Textured toys</div><div>Toys with dimension</div><div>Puzzles</div><div>Pretend play toys (pretend telephone, pretend kitchen, etc...)</div><div>Dolls/Stuffed Animals</div><div>Toys that promote movement<br />
<br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>Good luck shopping for toys that will teach and promote learning in your child. The neural pathways that are created early in life will be the ones that prepare the child the best for learning in the kindergarten classroom.</b></span></div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-62921350077572681422010-12-03T11:21:00.006-06:002010-12-08T21:07:31.665-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWpiXRcq44rUA-qwPyb7E97_vJiO4pXHXIW0HZ-bJVHv9o8cAkGpgT19h1fi4UPA6v-m-4JWXeRuOrr__Jrlnt9SNEu1vU3g0ybMy6hYM1D07g_XYx4_OKe6KC2xefyqCsdYHAT1WMl0/s1600/End+of+program+year+06-07+031.jpg"></a><br />
<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546508412889013474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7HrnNXj3cNcYe9WiSuS1PX1588A1O7ueNT-dGWhelwuRUmF9UP6baqmXw9SPBZivoqnVmvZlswCyHzg0EJMNa6xXKJdQ2vkLZRk5M4G2BVOAA3uyK3VuU3tPSx0rSQuf9weL6zYtknI/s200/End+of+program+year+06-07+040.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" /><br />
<br />
<div><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3333ff;"><b>Practices healthy behaviors through physical activity</b></span><br />
Look for your child to...<br />
<span style="font-size: 0px;"></span>Choose to participate in daily physical activity.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"> Your child may...</span></b><br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq73cp3Q4e3n53NaRzS71EvoHeaXci9hmHocn1FvnvyWZzX_BAEjyxs-YW49EsB7Vdm83ogq7MW3KRybMJu6JpRCqS06e-s_n3pCPJT7btCZD8P-cJIJazNbxF0srqJGLGdkZmnN340bI/s1600/End+of+program+year+06-07+036.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546507935210753202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq73cp3Q4e3n53NaRzS71EvoHeaXci9hmHocn1FvnvyWZzX_BAEjyxs-YW49EsB7Vdm83ogq7MW3KRybMJu6JpRCqS06e-s_n3pCPJT7btCZD8P-cJIJazNbxF0srqJGLGdkZmnN340bI/s320/End+of+program+year+06-07+036.jpg" style="float: right; height: 135px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 161px;" /></a>
<li>Play on/with outdoor equipment (e.g., slides, balls, wheeled toys).</li>
<li>Engage in active play (e.g., run, jump, chase, move to music, and play with pets).</li>
<li>Go on walks with family members.</li>
<li>Join in indoor or outdoor games (e.g., musical games, Tag, Drop the Handkerchief).</li>
</ul><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">You can support your child…</span></b><br />
<ul><li>Create a schedule for your child that includes at least one hour of physical activity each day.</li>
<li>Take your child to playgrounds frequently, and if possible, provide outdoor play equipment and riding toys in your yard. Don’t just cheer on your child from the sidelines—be a good role model and join in the fun.</li>
<li>With your child, play Tag and other games that involve running and movement.</li>
<li>Play music, and dance with your child. Use scarves and streamers for extra fun.</li>
<li>Take walks with your child. Walk in different ways (e.g., take tiny steps, take giant steps, walk very fast, walk slowly like a turtle).</li>
<li>If it’s hot outside, play games involving water (e.g., play catch with water balloons, run through a sprinkler, or “paint” each other with a bucket of water and a large paintbrush).</li>
<li>If there is snow on the ground, go sledding or ice skating, play catch with snowballs, or build a snowman or igloo.</li>
</ul></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-58893529136665699842010-11-15T18:18:00.000-06:002010-11-15T18:18:44.842-06:00Algebra In Kindergarten? You Can't Be Serious!!So, what does math in Kindergarten look like? Parents should know that unlike the developmental stages of writing, math learning does not necessarily develop in a continuum. Think of all of the concepts below as objects on the horizon that your child can reach out and grab at any given time. Generally there are some that will occur prior to others, but essentially they all intertwine together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB7rCUDwBywAWEPhNEkMZuwiQU24EGkbWENZQoV9BhXaH5gJlDCmWlfT92O7Zo0jeBc-77UjFgftXNY3orVOO0Eut4pkcDsK07vZmcour9ofz9Qy8X7tey1Ec6FXvUIo0i9ga2SAoygQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-11-13+at+11.32.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB7rCUDwBywAWEPhNEkMZuwiQU24EGkbWENZQoV9BhXaH5gJlDCmWlfT92O7Zo0jeBc-77UjFgftXNY3orVOO0Eut4pkcDsK07vZmcour9ofz9Qy8X7tey1Ec6FXvUIo0i9ga2SAoygQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-11-13+at+11.32.06+PM.png" /></a></div><div>According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, students exiting kindergarten should be able to do the following:<br />
<div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Numbers and Operations:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">rote count to 100 and recognize numbers to 31</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">recognize 1/2 of a shape</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">use concrete items to compose and decompose values up to 10</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">connect number words (orally) and quantities they represent</span></span></li>
</ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Algebraic Relationships:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">recognize or repeat sequences of sounds or shapes</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">create and continue patterns</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">model situations that involve whole numbers, using pictures, objects or symbols</span></li>
</ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b> </b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Geometric and Spatial Relations:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">identify and describe 2 & 3 dimensional shapes using physical models</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">describe, name and interpret relative positions in space </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">use manipulatives to recognize from different perspectives and orientations models of slides and turns</span></li>
</ul></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Measurement:</span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">compare and order objects according to their size or weight</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">describe passage of time using terms such as today, yesterday, tomorrow</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">identify and know the value of a penny, nickel, dime and quarter</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">measure objectives by comparison of lengths</span></li>
</ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Data and Probability:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sort items according to their attributes</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">create graphs using physical objects</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9hyrY-5Y3RbedvPJ5AC1LL6-gQGfRnVF3K48LDhLoLKOagmKLapdKuzgS1go1DuZZJje0ulbvFyowggtroDVcMasYsOskWcKl4EDvHAESyF9_WXRwdzFs8sPNh2B1aWVtL2LRv5gAgs/s1600/103_3540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9hyrY-5Y3RbedvPJ5AC1LL6-gQGfRnVF3K48LDhLoLKOagmKLapdKuzgS1go1DuZZJje0ulbvFyowggtroDVcMasYsOskWcKl4EDvHAESyF9_WXRwdzFs8sPNh2B1aWVtL2LRv5gAgs/s320/103_3540.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">So what can I do?</span></b></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Math surrounds us every day in everyday situations. Therefore, to support your child's math development there is no need to break the bank with fancy learning toys or computer games. The most important thing to remember is that 'drill & practice' is not the answer. Children learn best through meaningful hands on experiences that support their development. Below are a few ideas to get you started in each mathematical strand.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font-family: Times;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Numbers and Operations:</span></div></div></span><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Children learn best through play, therefore playing games that encourage synchronic counting will give your child a meaningful reason to use sequential counting for a purpose.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"I'll Time You" Children love to see how fast they can complete a task. Tell your child that you'll time them, then count aloud as they rush to beat their time.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Remove several number cards from a deck of playing cards. Provide a small bowl of m&m's or other small objects. Take turns with your child, choosing a card, naming the numeral shown on the card, and laying the corresponding number of objects next to the card.</span></span></div></b></span></span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you have stairs inside or outside your home, use masking tape to number them. As you climb the steps together, count the numbers aloud.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Point out numerals in their environment. ex.,signs, license plates, mailboxes, clocks, etc...</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Using a calendar, count down the days until a special event. "In four days, you get to spend the night with grandma."</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Break a cookie in half and share it. "Half for you and half for me."</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Write down grandma's phone number, have your child touch the numbers on the phone as you call.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Sing familiar songs that use numbers and counting</span></span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Change the words of familiar counting songs to make them silly or personalized for your child.</span></span></span></li>
</ul></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><ul style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b>Read books that have counting and numerals.</b></span></span></li>
</ul></b></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><ul style="display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></li>
</ul></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><br />
</span><div style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>Algebraic Relationships:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></div><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><ul style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><ul style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
</ul></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b></span></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b></span></div></b></span></span></li>
</ul></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b></span></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do a clap and tap rhythm pattern for your child to copy. As her ability to copy improves, create more complicated patterns. Let her create a pattern for you to follow. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><ul style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><ul style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><ul style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></li>
</ul></ul></b></span></li>
</ul></ul></b></span></li>
</ul></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b></span></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Create a mealtime pattern. Alternate between water, milk, juice to drink with meals. Encourage them to predict what will come next.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Make a pattern with your child's colored fish crackers and see if they can continue it.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Listen to and sing songs that have repeating patterns. The Chicken Dance is a fun patterning song to dance to.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><ul style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Read books that have patterns.</span></b></span></span></li>
</ul></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b></span></b></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b><b><b><div style="display: inline !important; font-size: medium;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><b><b><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span></li>
</ul></b></b></div></div></div></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times;">Geometric and Spatial Relations:</span></span></b></b></span></div></span></div></div></b></span></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-weight: normal;"><b><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Set up an obstacle course for your child and talk about how he is crawling under the table, through the box, over the cushion, etc.</span></span></div></b></span></li>
</ul></div></div></b></span></div></div></b></span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Play Simon Says with your child using positional words like "on your head" or "behind your back"</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="font: normal normal normal 9px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Spread a few familiar objects on the floor in front of your child. Describe an object using positional words or shape words “I spy something that is square behind the keys.” See if your child can guess the object. Take turns giving clues and guessing.</span></span></div></b></span></li>
</ul></div></div></b></span></div></div></b></span></span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have fun with making shapes. Use sand or shaving cream to write in or play dough to build with and model the correct formation of shapes.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Point out and name shapes in their environment. Look for shapes in nature, in your home, and in pictures.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Create edible shapes with pretzels or string cheese.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Going on a Bear Hunt is a great song that reinforces positional words.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Read books about shapes or positional words.</b></span></li>
</ul></div></div></b></span></div><div><b><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"></li>
</ul></div></div></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Measurement:</b></span></div><div><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have your child roll a die and build a tower using the same number of blocks as the number shown on the cube. Then you take a turn. Ask your child, "Whose tower is bigger?"</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When having to take turns to do an activity, uses size comparisons to determine who goes first. "The shortest person goes first today." "The person with the longest arm span will go first."</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Use time words with your child. "We will go to the store after we eat lunch?" or "Grandma will pick you up tomorrow."</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">During meal times, we often use the term more, "Would you like more?" Start using the word 'less' just as often. "Do you want 3 crackers or less?" This is often a difficult concept for kindergartners to grasp.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><ul style="display: inline !important;"><li style="display: inline !important;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read books using comparing words.</span></b></li>
</ul></div></div></b></span><br />
<ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a great story using comparison words.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul></div></div></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<b><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Data & Probability:</b></span></div><div><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Play tic-tac-to with your child and have her tally the wins of each player.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Take a family vote on what to eat for supper. Have your child stack blocks to graph each person's vote and determine a winner.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Using Trail Mix again, have your child sort the mix any way they choose and ask them to describe how they sorted them.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sing songs that emphasize categories, such as Old MacDonald's Farm.</span></span></li>
</ul></ul></div><div><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Simply remember that we experience mathematical situations everyday. </b></span><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><b><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; font-family: Times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><div style="display: inline !important; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Simply share these experiences with your children and be amazed as they develop into a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">mathematician</span></span> before your very eyes.</b></span></div></div></div></b></div></div></b></div></div></div></b></div></div></b></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-54300265892454167972010-11-08T14:28:00.009-06:002010-11-08T16:48:21.432-06:00The Foundation of a Classroom Community<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Creating Classroom Community</span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiymEdssX85NitpH5XC9FdpdxgWHvNTqJYu8KJGuHeczHtXgHL-EzkqZhNjQBKu89IgTvWSyP0oSKaKUgmzphnEfQqDoCwICTLtYXYwEqfd-zrLnbEU-lyHm0JYPIQQRn8GypKkn0ryfQA/s320/ToddlerClapping.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537312772214674034" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Today we are focusing on a how parents and providers prepare children for a school setting by meeting their social and emotional needs in infancy and toddlerhood. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Three areas will be discussed: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Secure attachment; Self-Regulation; Strong Sense of Self</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Secure attachment</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Healthy attachment is the most important job of parents and caregivers during infancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When a baby feels securely attached, the brain is able to grow and develop to its potential. A healthy brain means a healthy school-aged mind. Children who have not been nurtured and learned trust have more difficulty accessing the higher levels of their brain, which is the part of the brain necessary for complex thinking and problem-solving (i.e.- school success). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How do we develop strong attachment?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few ideas:</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">1.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Hold Your Baby</span> – babies who are held more cry less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their stress levels are lower and their heart rate is more regulated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You are developing your child’s sense of TRUST in the world </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Make Eye Contact</span> – Make as much face-to-face contact as the baby desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Look in your baby’s eyes, smile to her, tell her you LOVE her</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Feed your baby his/her bottle</span> – do not prop the bottle and allow the child to feed him/her self</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">4.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Appropriate Physical Touch</span> – Infant massage is a powerful way to communicate love to your baby, as well as to promote healthy circulation, digestion and sensory integration.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Use Baby’s Name</span> – Although you baby does not immediately understand her name, as you repeatedly use your child’s name, she recognizes that it is something important that SHE is something important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Self-Regulation</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Children who can wait in line, listen to a story, respect personal space and share toys have much more success in the institutional school setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>From the beginning of life, we can do things to teach a child self-regulation:</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Respond to a Baby’s Need</span>s – A child who feels safe, and whose needs have been met, will be able to calm more easily than a child who is insecure about his purpose/value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Bedtime Routine</span> – By 4 months of age, a baby is developing a sense of anticipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He can anticipate when you are going to tickle him, play with him, sing to him, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once a child can anticipate something, he is ready for a bedtime routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A bedtime routine affirms the child’s need for security while also allowing the child to learn to calm himself.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">.</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Sing</span> – You can teach a child to control impulses through song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every time a child must WAIT for something in a song, he is teaching himself patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For example, when a child has to WAIT until he “falls down” in “Ring Around a Rosey,” he is developing the skill of self-regulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can make up songs or use rhymes that you know, but focus on songs that teach the child to follow directions and wait.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Strong Sense of Self:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Children must know that they are unique and valuable, and that they have a significant role to play on this earth. When children are emotionally secure, they will be more successful in the social and academic setting of school. They can live more selflessly in community, can feel proud of their achievements, have intrinsic motivation to learn and can empathize with others.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Meet Your Baby’s Needs</span> – As you respond to your baby’s needs, you are telling your child that she is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A child cannot learn to respect others until the child has been respected herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Parents and caregivers are the first ones to teach a child she is important, valuable and unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Learn Appropriate Affirmation</span> – Affirmation and praise are different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Praise tends to focus on pleasing another party, while affirmation focuses on the pride and accomplishment of the individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Learn to AFFIRM your child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Say things such as: “You are proud of yourself,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“You tried so hard at…..” “Look how you climbed the ladder all by yourself!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Cambria;"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Give Choices </span>– As soon as a baby can comprehend a choice, allow him to make his own choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The choices can be simple, such as if he wants to eat puffs or pears, or if he wants to read one book or the other, or if he wants to wear the blue shirt of the red shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As the child becomes confident making choices, he builds his sense of self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="font-family:Cambria;mso-fareast- mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-USfont-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Good luck!</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">These ideas only represent the tip of the iceberg, but hopefully reminded you of the importance of social-emotional development to school readiness.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-72812801961717119122010-10-27T15:40:00.002-05:002010-11-01T13:45:40.452-05:00Sometimes We Just Need To Focus Our Lens!I overheard a conversation today that I can't resist the temptation to reflect on. Now I wasn't eavesdropping...okay maybe I was, but their conversation truly intrigued me. I was first drawn in by the statement, "I went to preschool with [insert child's name] today." Now I don't know if this was a mother, a grandmother, or an aunt for that matter, but her next comment hit me in the gut. <br />
She looked at her eager listener [not me] and said...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"I'm not sure they ever teach at that school! Every time I visit, the children are ONLY playing."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIxcc26fipk64r3qepvz-lONfmQ66L0TB1nQ8Rhd_EUbvpUUXejdlYKDKIEpn6J4oMhit-HzIV1zU79Pt2iQdXcNgEtEwrunexvecqhB7oACWz1jRo4kmcXHTr9ezOLQ9FrN7vXeEroc/s1600/IMG_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIxcc26fipk64r3qepvz-lONfmQ66L0TB1nQ8Rhd_EUbvpUUXejdlYKDKIEpn6J4oMhit-HzIV1zU79Pt2iQdXcNgEtEwrunexvecqhB7oACWz1jRo4kmcXHTr9ezOLQ9FrN7vXeEroc/s320/IMG_0431.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
Whoa! From that point on, every other sound in the room was tuned out so that I could, for research purposes only, listen intently just in case the conversation might let me in on what key aspects of learning she was looking for.<br />
<br />
To summarize, here is what she saw during her visit to her son's pre-kindergarten classroom...<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">"He was digging through spaghetti noodles to find grapes."</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">"He was running around the carpet playing 'Monster Mash' freeze."</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">"He was wandering around the room wearing 'monster goggles' with colored lenses."</span></li>
</ul><div>After hearing her description of the day, and thinking to myself, 'I hope she's talking about one of my classrooms because those are great lessons', I forced myself to take a moment of reflection and take off my teacher lenses. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The words that she used did not exactly paint a conventional picture of learning, learning the way that she was probably taught. I found myself wondering...'Did the teacher offer any kind of explanation for the learning that was embedded within those activities?' </div><div><br />
</div><div>I truly believe that it is our role as educators to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><b>support the parents' role as the primary influence on their child's education</b></span>. In order to do this, we must communicate with parent's regarding how young children learn!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Post reflection, my gut was telling me to do something that I was not completely comfortable with. I knew that I had to take this opportunity to 'let this lady borrow my teacher lenses.' Somehow, I weaseled my way into the conversation and together, we began a conversation about children's learning that I wish I could have recorded and mass produced to all our parents.<br />
<br />
As our conversation drew on, I realized that this woman did not need 'teacher lenses', she just needed to learn how to focus her own lens!!! I explained that<b> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><b>c</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"><b>hildhood is a time of learning and children learn from all they do, see and hear. I helped her to see the importance of early childhood teachers providing activities that encourage active engagement that is essential for learning</b></span><b>.</b> </span><br />
<br />
A 15 minute conversation made all the difference to how she now viewed her child's learning experiences. As we discussed the activities that she had observed, Sheila [I now knew her name] was immediately going home to tell her husband all that her son had learned at school today and her lens was focused and ready to watch for teachable moments with play! Because she now knew that...<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlcglSWcp5w1AiF94nyAQctImRNxwNBXdXmfGQ0gTFhw7ScGBzL7X_u5pYtVLHJSAEnRkG7VkMABLkJu1qRnI3sjsoRjFuwM12tw-aJ176j7TIcgAKN9HBUBbI3FneKxPDtu1xNdx2y0/s1600/focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtFNM8u8ivrRxQP7J_zZBnxwJS99w-b9H9lwlF24CuCRmisYA_KnulsRE0apM0htHebIIa_J2zVFg2N0lUqivKkoQfIwh0BOUCb-Z5hZZbJK6LEHHs_sfNQiu9lu635aJrw9OqDi3uZg/s1600/blur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtFNM8u8ivrRxQP7J_zZBnxwJS99w-b9H9lwlF24CuCRmisYA_KnulsRE0apM0htHebIIa_J2zVFg2N0lUqivKkoQfIwh0BOUCb-Z5hZZbJK6LEHHs_sfNQiu9lu635aJrw9OqDi3uZg/s200/blur.jpg" width="195" /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlcglSWcp5w1AiF94nyAQctImRNxwNBXdXmfGQ0gTFhw7ScGBzL7X_u5pYtVLHJSAEnRkG7VkMABLkJu1qRnI3sjsoRjFuwM12tw-aJ176j7TIcgAKN9HBUBbI3FneKxPDtu1xNdx2y0/s200/focus.jpg" width="195" /> </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">He wasn't just "digging through spaghetti noodles to find grapes."</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">This activity not only reinforced his tactile perception and manual dexterity by sorting the grapes from the spaghetti without any visual cues, h</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">e was also participating in a sensory activity that would engage his senses in a learning experience that would stimulate brain development. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">From the instant that he wa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">s born, he has been exploring his new world through his senses. As he experiences new and different textures, smells, sights, sounds, and textures, more neural connections are made in his brain, and his brain becomes a rich network of connections that will help his development for the rest of his life.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">He wasn't just "running around the carpet playing 'Monster Mash' freeze."</span></span></span></li>
</ul>He was learning self regulation by using his auditory processing skills to determine when it was appropriate to run and when he had to stop. Self regulation is a skill that will greatly influence his success in kindergarten. He was doing all this while, using his spatial relational reasoning to manipulate his body in space and not run into any of his friends. <br />
<div><br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">He wasn't just "wandering around the room wearing 'monster goggles' with colored lenses."</span></li>
</ul>By wearing the colored lens goggles, he was encouraged to 'focus his lens' on the task at hand. The teacher was asking them to find shapes in the environment. By removing the added distraction of multi-colored items, the students were able to focus on the physical attributes of the shapes that surround their everyday environment. Finding shapes in our environment, creates concrete examples for a task that can be quite an abstract concept.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>So parents...I challenge you today to 'focus your lens' and discover what learning is occurring during your child's favorite activities. </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><b>Please share your discoveries, we can learn a great deal from each other!</b></div><div><br />
</div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-65262061375684322442010-10-25T13:34:00.006-05:002010-10-25T15:13:15.003-05:00Early Reading Skills<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5gHrY7w42QmaXT7uK3nwlVcHTKhxEE_mqD6TD_woiBPsymDtjrpGFNUc-hQ-IEGzRkDt17Lsl4Eb4SDi807lljYbtaBUVRWzMSQvr1QOwe1Wm32Cuy4fx_CvSzPzRVjaFCDBhdvmcO8S/s1600/Girlsreading.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532062892033840658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5gHrY7w42QmaXT7uK3nwlVcHTKhxEE_mqD6TD_woiBPsymDtjrpGFNUc-hQ-IEGzRkDt17Lsl4Eb4SDi807lljYbtaBUVRWzMSQvr1QOwe1Wm32Cuy4fx_CvSzPzRVjaFCDBhdvmcO8S/s320/Girlsreading.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div><div><span style="color: #990000;">Look for your child to...<br />
</span>Develop a sense of story.</div><div></div><div><br />
</div><div><span style="color: #990000;">Your child may…</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Tell a story from pictures.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Recognize variations in re-telling of stories.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Predict outcomes of stories.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">“Read and re-read” stories.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Tell stories with beginnings, middles, and endings.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Dictate stories for other to write down.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Tell stories based on personal experiences, imaginations, dreams, and/or stories form books.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Recall information about stetting, characters, and events in a story.</span></li>
</ul></span><br />
<br />
</div><div></div><div><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">You can support your child...</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Encourage your child to recount experiences and describe events. Ask: “And then what happened?” to urge the story along.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Make a “story” journal to include descriptors of favorite outings. Illustrate with snapshots and drawing.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Allow your child to dictate a story to you and later “illustrate it.” Make comments: “I really like how your story began. I really like the ending of your story. It was nice that they boy found his lost dog.”</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Allow your child to share his/her day activities during the dinner meal.</span></li>
</ul></span></div><br />
<div></div><br />
<div>Get started reading today- The Saint Joseph Public Library</div><br />
<div><a href="http://sjpl.lib.mo.us/">http://sjpl.lib.mo.us/</a><br />
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Post by: Community Action Partnerships of Saint Joseph, MO.</div><br />
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<div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-35888895694761303462010-10-18T11:43:00.002-05:002010-10-18T22:29:31.453-05:00Can Play Dough Help My Child Be a Better Writer?As parents, we are told not to compare our child to others because each child develops at their own pace. Let's face it... that's easier said than done, especially with something as visible as their writing. Have you ever found yourself asking these questions wondering if something is wrong:<br />
<div><ul><li>Why is my child only scribbling when others in his preschool class are writing their names?</li>
<li>Why does my child write so big that his name can't fit on a single piece of paper?</li>
<li>Why does my child write many of his letters backwards?</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>These are very common questions asked by parents of very typically developing writers. </b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcX0dEWnKlaTjIfrRPFn2DLfwS_m2sWeYPzyNK8x-C39jGS6bJjszXQLNf-zuCw7zymLftJYawi_d-zIXvv5Sx0r0UHLM0b1kqT-MtvGlDyqdRBh3RDrIfO1xj3NKbbLdgPZA8il_bH8/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcX0dEWnKlaTjIfrRPFn2DLfwS_m2sWeYPzyNK8x-C39jGS6bJjszXQLNf-zuCw7zymLftJYawi_d-zIXvv5Sx0r0UHLM0b1kqT-MtvGlDyqdRBh3RDrIfO1xj3NKbbLdgPZA8il_bH8/s1600/photo-4.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><div>First of all let's revisit the statement, "...each child develops at their own pace." This is true from birth. When learning to walk, a baby progresses through many stages of development that strengthen his muscles in preparation for his first steps. First a baby rolls and then sits on his own. The child slowly begins to crawl, which progresses to pulling up on things and strolling along them. Until finally, they take that big step toward a loved one. A parent never would expect them to take their first steps right after they had mastered sitting up.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The same holds true for our young writers. See below, the developmental stages of writing that are typically represented in a classroom of pre-kindergartners. It is important, as a parent, to know where your child is in this continuum so that you know how to appropriately support them as a learner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzHek576O78NnJxqqR0Bh-ujeynQPMNCFjZQ8y8v60T9yhPperxXodmox_sGMus5bMqs9H25_xvi6aOw4Rg6HPv7p4r_7ZO4zz7jSlohOPXWuM3V9LDWn4kO-jyZTQs7d85pSRRYbYUc/s1600/stagesofwriting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzHek576O78NnJxqqR0Bh-ujeynQPMNCFjZQ8y8v60T9yhPperxXodmox_sGMus5bMqs9H25_xvi6aOw4Rg6HPv7p4r_7ZO4zz7jSlohOPXWuM3V9LDWn4kO-jyZTQs7d85pSRRYbYUc/s1600/stagesofwriting.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div>Now let's revisit our questions from concerned parents.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Q: Why is my child only scribbling when others in his preschool class are writing their names?</span></div><div><br />
</div><div>A: Your child is in a typical stage of writing development for preschoolers. To move to the next stage in the continuum, your child needs to develop strength and control in his fine motor muscles. To strengthen these muscles provide the following materials for your child to explore with.</div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>play dough</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: kneading play dough will strengthen the muscles that your child uses to grip and control a writing utensil. </span></span> (<a href="http://babyparenting.about.com/cs/activities/a/playdough.htm">click here for some fabulous homemade play dough recipes</a>)</li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>hole punches<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> the repetitive squeezing motion of a hole punch will strengthen your child's muscles that are used to grip writing utensils.</span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>scissors<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">: cutting objects other than paper such as straws, felt and string will promote the dexterity that your child will need to manipulate a writing utensil.</span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>broad tip markers</b></span><b>:</b> the wider grip of these are easier to control and markers take less pressure to produce an effect on paper, making exploring more appealing.</li>
</ul></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Q: Why does my child write so big that his name can't fit on a single piece of paper?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">A: Children that are merging from the Pre-Literate stages of writing into the Emergent Stages often have a tendency to write larger. Larger strokes on a paper are easier to control than smaller, more precise strokes. Now is NOT the time to try to constrain your child's writing to lined paper. This is a time for free exploration of the movement of letters and transition from a gross motor movement of utilizing their entire arm for writing to practicing moving their fingers to control the movements of their writing utensil.</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Lacing cards<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">: using a pincer grasp to manipulate a small thread in and out of holes will promote dexterity in your child's fingers that will enable him to control the strokes of his writing utensil.</span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Finger painting</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: gliding their fingers along the paint's slick surface is a fun way to practice the movement of shapes and letters.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;"><b>Crayola Pipsqueak markers</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">: these small markers encourage the appropriate placement of your child's pincer grasp that will ensure more control while writing.</span></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Q: Why does my child write many of his letters backwards?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><div>A: As children begin to explore with environmental print and attempt to write what they see on paper, often times the written representation of what they see is a skewed version of the original. Let's put their development into perspective. This is their first attempt at taking something from their 3D world and representing it with a 2D expression. <br />
Prior to their experiences with the written word, an object retained it's name independent of it's placement in space. For instance, a cup is a cup whether it is sideways, upside down, or right side up. With written print, this no longer holds true. In fact, this transition can be quite confusing until the child has a solid understanding of directionality. For some children, this is a concept that is not mastered until 6 years old. So no worries, this too is developmentally appropriate. <br />
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Our role, as parents and educators, is simply to determine where our children are and scaffold their learning to the next level...not to make them run before they can crawl. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-65039739337640848992010-10-05T11:06:00.023-05:002010-10-27T15:22:34.479-05:00Out of the Mouths of Babes<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"Out of the Mouths of Babes"</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGkkpPN7DE2nDd4lz5yELdw5bgWNQd_wcPzepg0BWC0jgaYTA50IAmW3PmDLbAkwKSnVHYZRoIhJ6uFW1nRgJAYhTMvQAorAgpueWRZkYgZfXea-Ak4mVnEw_eN3ODprvS3jmAuQY_ipd/s1600/BabyReading.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526570653634492882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGkkpPN7DE2nDd4lz5yELdw5bgWNQd_wcPzepg0BWC0jgaYTA50IAmW3PmDLbAkwKSnVHYZRoIhJ6uFW1nRgJAYhTMvQAorAgpueWRZkYgZfXea-Ak4mVnEw_eN3ODprvS3jmAuQY_ipd/s320/BabyReading.png" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Babies are Born to Learn! From the moment of conception, we are preparing our children to be lifelong learners. My name is Debbie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kunz</span>, and I am the coordinator of the Parents as Teachers program. As a contributing writer to this blog, my posts will focus on kindergarten preparation as it applies to the first three years of life. The focus of this week will be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">language development.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div>From the moment a fetus begins to hear in the womb, it is beginning to tune in to la<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nguage</span> - from the patterns of speech to the rhythms to the tonal quality. Babies learn that humans communicate their tho<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ughts</span>, feelings and needs through speech. They also learn that a healthy command of language will assist them in their adult lives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>How, then, as parents and caregivers, do we encourage healthy language development?</div><div><br />
</div><div>A few ideas are listed below:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Make time for face-to-face communication</span></span> -</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526555242900215202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v8qHWl_hhaioEvQPzzxqpbiVTpjlAbUpUU97hFHwAclIHLlpvBjcjyHcv3lurjjda_Pr6t4NZhVWOMUvQ8HuZ8TdV4JNy-HfH3I5d0VRYj0yBWIRN4-0i0WuYcqf7vHdh7tyULWaLSNs/s320/ReciprocalVocalization.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 218px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> </span>* give the baby time to respond; you are teaching her the </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">art of communication</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span>* take turns<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;">with your baby and honor what she has to say, providing plenty of </span></span></span></span>time for the baby to respond.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> * As your baby watches your mout</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">h, he will learn how to shape his mouth </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;">for appropriate speech </span></div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Sing Together!!</span></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526554553273897746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB06Lak0ZSkZLIKPjEsU_j1JQn6tNBzTuMYeAj717KK-s78AUulvvxPpGLWYiQfjFiYp3OvAB47uQp3z59nX8BaUXJGJ4VVSiKoXej7hiHxcjkxReSgKpVbsgfMn1FFEeFNLmr2Q7lHgp/s200/singingWithBaby.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 163px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></div><div><br />
</div><div>**Singing together is FUN! The baby is learning while playing, which is the essential "work" of early childhood</div><div>**Songs use repetition, which strengthens the child's neural connections.</div><div>**Songs teach the child how to communicate with gestures, an important step in expressive speech for young children</div><div>**Singing enables the child to learn the individual phonemes of speech</div><div><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526789152970251986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAK674kfe85Bsz1BxLpEGhZPgZg3tYVPm8GDEbKwF6hRh4MM6iLYmTaEFx37lJklM1PwrlP-QPLUfU8tVwjZVbCL1aVWENhAtLGqNxcKUXSf6AyOyBasHLRCwWdKLFmassZrwfRd-JXDAK/s320/PreschoolersPlayPretend.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Use "Parallel Talk" and "Stretch Talk"</span></div><div><br />
</div><div>**Tell the child what he/she is doing to make the speech relevant</div><div>**When the child says "Dog" and you say "Yes, you see a fluffy dog," you are stretching the child's speech and increasing his/her verbal competence </div><div>**As you interact verbally with the child about what he/she is doing, you are teaching the child about verbal problem-solving</div><div>**Since the child is egocentric, he/she will pay attention better to speech that is centered around what he is doing</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Read Together</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div>**The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3366ff;">most important predictor of literary competenc</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3366ff;">e, </span>reading together is critical!</div><div>**Reading brings routine to the child's world, the structure around which allows the brain </div><div>to create optimal connections</div><div>**Allow the child to manipulate the book and respond to his interest. Don't worry about reading all of the text in the book. Label pictures and tell your child what he is seeing.</div><div>**Answer any question that your child poses. Give concise answers and allow the child to continue asking questions if necessary. </div><div>**Hold your child on your lap while you read to send important messages of security, trust and affirmation</div><div>**Reading increases vocabulary, bonding, language awareness, context/knowledge of the world and empathy</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Have fun making language an important part of the child/caregiver relationship! Your efforts will reap rewards as you see your child enter school with the confidence and competence to be a lifelong learner.</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Images in order of appearance from the following websites off google images:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">www.the-essential-infant-resource-for-moms.com (first two)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">www.gettyimages.com</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">www.thelearningcommunity.us</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-51881718311598472982010-10-01T12:12:00.013-05:002010-10-01T14:55:16.992-05:00Pre-K Approaches to Learning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u88GbshMtmL0AiF0MXEimRAKzpDMuKh5ykkyDqTF-g2DX66fQAFwHEjfoTm7ZP_gDrTAt4X0sqRSEuMOj9lUbp_mr7tOPh7i5-VOFQB-leCTCi7hqITecmBkNoxqHtTY4IiEe-jzdnLs/s1600/Creativity.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523133662424909170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2u88GbshMtmL0AiF0MXEimRAKzpDMuKh5ykkyDqTF-g2DX66fQAFwHEjfoTm7ZP_gDrTAt4X0sqRSEuMOj9lUbp_mr7tOPh7i5-VOFQB-leCTCi7hqITecmBkNoxqHtTY4IiEe-jzdnLs/s320/Creativity.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 181px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 211px;" /></a><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Exhibiting creativity... </span></span></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><span style="font-family: arial;">Look for your child to...<br />
Use imagination to generate a variety of ideas.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Your child may...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><span style="font-family: arial;"><ul><li>Make up words, songs or stories.</li>
<li>Engage in pretend play.</li>
<li>Make changes to a familiar story by adding actions or characters.</li>
<li>Express ideas through art, construction, movement or music.</li>
</ul><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> You can support your child...</span> <br />
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<ul><li>Play pretend games, talk silly talk or sing rhyming songs that either you or your child make up. Make up different ending to a favorite story.</li>
<li>Act out pretend stories with your child, and let her be the teacher or the doctor or the mother.</li>
<li>Let you child take the lead in pretend play. Try to expand her activities (e.g., say “Oh, you’re a firefighter? There’s a fire here. Please come and bring your hose and ladder!).</li>
<li>When she is pretending to be someone, talk to the character she is role-playing. If she is pretending to be a waitress, talk to her in the way adults would talk in a restaurant (e.g., say, “I’d like to see a menu, please.”).</li>
<li>Many young children have imaginary friends. If your child has pretend playmates, let her talk and play with them.</li>
<li>Provide materials that encourage make-believe play. These could include dolls and doll clothing and equipment, hand and finger puppets, small plastic animals, Little People play sets (including figures of different cultures and races), empty shoeboxes, and art supplies for making play sets.</li>
<li>Use an old suitcase or box to house pretend-play supplies such as dress-up clothes, tools for various occupations and writing materials.</li>
<li>Provide child-size equipment. Include kitchen utensils and dishes, tools for various occupations, writing materials, sinks, stoves, tables, chairs, beds, etc.</li>
<li>Avoid props for pretend play that promote stereotypical behavior, aggression and insensitivity to violence. These might include realistic-looking toys guns, swords and other weapons, and action figures based on characters from violent TV shows an movies.</li>
<li>Limit the time your child spends watching television or playing video games. Encourage your child to “play the story” or “make up a new ending” to TV shows or videos you have carefully chosen.</li>
</ul></span></span><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Have Fun!! </span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande';"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-36613778079080006572010-09-21T09:44:00.007-05:002010-09-21T10:41:04.111-05:00If I knew then, what I know now!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I once had a para-professional comment to me that if she had of been working in preschool years ago, her children would have been much more prepared for kindergarten. Now, I'm sure, as all mothers are, she was much harder on herself than needed to be, but her comment made me think.<div><br /><div><div>I have had 6 years of college, 2 years of experience working with 'rock star' veteran teachers, and several opportunities for professional development on how young children learn. I realized that sometimes I take for granted the things that come naturally to me when teaching children. As an educator, shame on me... </div><div><br /></div><div>Since this para's comment, I have had ample time to reflect. I have always believed that the parent's role as an educator is invaluable, but now I realize my obligation as an educator to ensure that we as a community are equipping parents with the knowledge and tools they need.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I feel very blessed to work in a community where this has become a joint effort. Our community agencies work in tandem as we combine efforts for the benefit of our youngest learners. Below are a few of the ways that Saint Joseph is ensuring that our parents feel valued and confident that their child is prepared for school.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jFllNcofVd6i7yHCSIp4uAj5KMA5W4gYCfCrKttDZ5VMipsOkduoAqJPc8qwTms919gKwAg71ieogPZ3lOETbBUm2byFXlh386MXlZn6NZpQ-nWESqG3S-T_cLqPh6QxqTygL2UWnb8/s320/103_2016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519390465677561778" /></div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">The Saint Joseph School District provides PACT. </span></li></ul><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Each year Headstart works in collaboration with the SJSD to hold a city wide Early </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Childhood Screening. Based <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>on that screening, the SJSD services those children that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">demonstrate the most need in a preschool program. One of <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>the goals of the SJSD preschool program is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">"to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">recognize parents as the principal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">influences on their child’s education <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>and development by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">providing opportunities that reinforce the parent’s role as an educator." Parents are invited to their<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">child's classroom once a month to participate in </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">P</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">arents </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">nd </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">C</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">hildren </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">T</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ogether (PACT) day. Families </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">participate in <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>an activity with their child while teachers focus on teaching parents how that activity </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">supports their child's development <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>and what they can do at home to reinforce those skills.</span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Kinder Klub</span></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">United Way's Success by Six program is a collaboration of several community agencies including, but not limited to the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Saint Joseph School District, Community Action Partnerships and The Saint Joseph Youth Alliance. This team is in it's <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>fourth year of offering a program to 'pre-kindergarten' age students, known as Kinder Klub. At Kinder Klub, any parent <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>with a child that will be kindergarten eligible the next school year is invited to attend monthly Kinder Klub sessions. At <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>these sessions, parents and children work together during an hour long session to build a foundation of pre-academic <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>skills to work toward for kindergarten. The topics of activities include Concepts of Math, Developmental Stages of <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Writing, Fine/Gross Motor skills, Self-Help activities, Language and Literacy, and Social Interactions. During each <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>session, the parents are educated as to how to scaffold their children toward each developmental milestone and students <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>are given the supplies used during the session to support their learning at home.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Kindergarten Jumpstart</span></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kindergarten Jumpstart is a program very similar to Kinder Klub, except it is offered once a week for four weeks during <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>the summer. Parents and children attend sessions at one of several local libraries and work together on activities prepared <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>to give them an extra boost before Kindergarten begins. At the end of the four weeks, each child is provided with a <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>backpack full of kindergarten school supplies.</span></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Destination Kindergarten Blog</span></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> This blog is provided for parents as a resource and a forum to discuss topics of interest with other 'pre-kindergarten' parents.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Posts will be contributed by the SJSD and Community Action Partnerships. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In order for any of these programs to be successful, we need comments, </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">questions, suggestions and feedback. </span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We need to know:</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; white-space: pre; ">What is your biggest concern for your child starting kindergarten?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; white-space: pre; ">What times of the day work best for a parent's schedule?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; white-space: pre; ">Do you have suggestions for other avenues of kindergarten readiness that we might explore?</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; white-space: pre; ">Do you live in another community and have success stories that you can share?</span></li></ol></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><br /></span></span></div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;font-size:11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-30779777326323340282010-09-06T09:52:00.003-05:002010-09-08T17:30:07.364-05:00Avoiding the Digital Daze<div style="text-align: left;">What is a digital age learner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In an age when a computer is as naturally a household resource as our kitchen sink, children are learning and connecting in ways beyond our childhood imaginations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To the older child, the computer has become a staple in social interactions, a standard resource for unanswered questions, and a virtual portal to the otherwise inaccessible world.</div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABfMZAXT8w5xw9_IuM79pCm5GOq67YV5GfaOtZZwI8p66IC1zbU5IvMdIZ9dj263908q-pVRfcX9Y9EWHz8nXvm0DohaLHwdrQzlNY4S5ILMepMHZ2iC3N05j_kQuJev65DXvaruPkaU/s320/IMG_1337.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513841485612494034" /><p class="MsoNormal">So what does this mean for our youngest learners?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It means that upon entering school, they will be asked not only to navigate a computer, but to use one to create digital content, determine resource credibility, share ideas and construct knowledge with students around the world. That might sound like a daunting task to a parent that was not brought up in the digital age…so how can you help prepare your child?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The answer is not to teach your child how to use technology, but how to interact with technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is a difference between a child that has tuned out the world to spend three hours playing a video game and a child that is utilizing technology to take their ideas and transform them into reality. I fondly refer to the former as the 'digital daze'. It's that 'glazed over' look that your child's eyes gets when completely enthralled in a digital activity that has taken your precious cherub's brain (and subsequently, ears) captive.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Below are a few ideas that can engage your child in digital learning rather than getting trapped in a digital daze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <table class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid black; mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:.5pt;mso-yfti-tbllook:191; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid black; mso-border-insideh-themecolor:text1;mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid black; mso-border-insidev-themecolor:text1"> <tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes"> <td width="131" valign="top" style="width:131.4pt;border:solid black;mso-border-themecolor: text1;border:1.0pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>Digital Daze</b></p> </td> <td width="311" valign="top" style="width:311.4pt;border:solid black;mso-border-themecolor: text1;border:1.0pt;border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black; mso-border-left-themecolor:text1;mso-border-left-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt: solid black;mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b>Digital Learning</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:1"> <td width="131" valign="top" style="width:131.4pt;border:solid black;mso-border-themecolor: text1;border:1.0pt;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Playing Video Games</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:webdings;">4</span></p> </td> <td width="311" valign="top" style="width:311.4pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-bottom: 1.0pt;border-right:solid black;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;border-right: 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid black;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-left-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reconnect with loved ones far away. Take a moment to use your computer to allow your child to communicate with friends and family that they rarely see. There are many ways to accomplish this goal, but for now let me introduce you to Skype. <a href="http://www.skype.com/">Skype</a> is a program that with the use of your computer’s web cam and microphone, grandma that lives across the country can see your child’s toothless smile and hear all about the dollar that the tooth fairy left without leaving the comfort of your homes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:2"> <td width="131" valign="top" style="width:131.4pt;border:solid black;mso-border-themecolor: text1;border:1.0pt;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Listening to an iPod</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:webdings;">4</span></p> </td> <td width="311" valign="top" style="width:311.4pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-bottom: 1.0pt;border-right:solid black;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;border-right: 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid black;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-left-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Children love to explore with language and tend to be natural performers. Encourage your child to make up their own song and use your iPod’s voice recorder to create a one of a kind musical masterpiece. In guiding your child to become the creator of their own song, you are supporting their independence, creativity, self-esteem, as well as strengthening their oral language skills</span>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:3"> <td width="131" valign="top" style="width:131.4pt;border:solid black;mso-border-themecolor: text1;border:1.0pt;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Watching Television</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:webdings;">4</span></p> </td> <td width="311" valign="top" style="width:311.4pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-bottom: 1.0pt;border-right:solid black;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;border-right: 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid black;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-left-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Make a podcast! How many pieces of art do you have on your refrigerator? I am positive that each one tells a different story. Your child does not yet have the ability to express their thoughts in written words, but don’t let that fool you, they still have a story to tell. Take digital pictures of your child’s artwork and audio record them telling their story. You can use programs such as <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/education/teachers/guides/windows_movie_maker.aspx?WT.mc_id=moviemakerguide_google">Windows Movie Maker</a> or <a href="http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/">Apple’s iMovie</a> to combine your child’s art and narrative to design their own movie!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow:4;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes"> <td width="131" valign="top" style="width:131.4pt;border:solid black;mso-border-themecolor: text1;border:1.0pt;border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Online Gaming</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:webdings;">4</span></p> </td> <td width="311" valign="top" style="width:311.4pt;border-top:none;border-left: none;border-bottom:solid black;mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-bottom: 1.0pt;border-right:solid black;mso-border-right-themecolor:text1;border-right: 1.0pt;mso-border-top-alt:solid black;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-top-alt:.5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid black;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-left-alt:.5pt;mso-border-alt:solid black;mso-border-thememso-border-alt:.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4ptcolor:text1;"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As a parent, it is our role to determine which online games are developmentally appropriate and foster an atmosphere of learning. Below are a few links as examples to get you started on your quest for finding quality learning games.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.starfall.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Starfall</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.thisisdanielcook.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This is Daniel Cook</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.kidspsych.org/oochy.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kidspsych</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/default.htm">Count us In</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://kneebouncers.com/">KneeBouncers</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com/">Peep and the Big Wide World</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8701038195466513212.post-76034437278071453472010-08-29T16:22:00.000-05:002010-10-20T11:47:58.316-05:00Bringing the Spark back to Storytime<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA3N60ePu4tR3PDpVpsKEU29N4OK_TD30csZPQaqePEt1-37VwpxNwih2JQHv2ECdHHzcu-YVHKqg6gbrl6rYIiMEWBNEJr_ib8XDsbvgqh_Xn8ZWV20YcmtQi-WkjK-4OzligrbgEbw/s1600/library12_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA3N60ePu4tR3PDpVpsKEU29N4OK_TD30csZPQaqePEt1-37VwpxNwih2JQHv2ECdHHzcu-YVHKqg6gbrl6rYIiMEWBNEJr_ib8XDsbvgqh_Xn8ZWV20YcmtQi-WkjK-4OzligrbgEbw/s320/library12_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511223529749633890" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As an early childhood educator with a heart for literacy, I am inspired daily by the awe in a child’s eyes as they lose themselves in a simple storybook.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As the pages are flipped, we naturally alter our voice to make magical characters come to life; seizing the attentions of even the squirmiest child and enrapturing their curiosity for the written word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As you read my intro, maybe you’re asking yourself, “Have I ever seen that magic in the eyes of my child while reading?”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">If that look of complete engagement has been absent from your read alouds, try some of the tips below to put the spark back into storytime!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"></p><ul><li><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span>Take a picture walk of the book prior to reading the story.</span></span></span></b></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This activity teaches emerging readers that illustrations can be used to gain understanding of a story while captivating their attention immediately.</span></span><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;"><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"> </span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Don’t be afraid to let loose of our own imagination by using your voice as a tool for engagement.</span></span></span></b></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yes, you can give voices to characters that make their personalities come alive, but even the slightest changes in voice inflection, speed, and volume through out the story, can create an atmosphere of suspense.</span></span><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"> </span></span> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Stop to engage him/her in making meaningful connections to their own experiences.</span></span></span></b></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You may even </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">prepare activities prior to the read aloud that children will be able to draw experiences from.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Children draw on prior knowledge and experience to help them understand what they are reading and are thus able to use that knowledge to make personal connections.</span></span><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Stretch your child’s imagination by allowing him/her to make their own predictions for the climax of the story.</span></span></span></b></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This activity brings us full circle from the picture walk. Students will now have to activate their prior knowledge and combine that with what they have comprehended thus far from the text in able to make an approximate prediction.</span></span><p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;"><span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Don’t hesitate to reread the same story multiple times.</span></span></span></b></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A child can repeatedly experience a book just as you and I can watch a movie over and over again and find something new in the storyline each time. This is because each time we experience the story, we have more background knowledge and experiences to draw from, enabling us to make different connections to the storyline each time.</span></span><br /><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><b><span style="font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Remember that as your child's first and primary educator, you hold the key to shaping their perception of reading.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">You have the opportunity to foster a love for literacy in their hearts that will only continue to grow over the years.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is while on your lap, that your child may decide, “I love books.”, and from there the future is theirs for the taking.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica;font-size:14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2