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HELLO SCHOOL YEAR
It is hard to believe that we are already saying goodbye to the summer. It feels as if we were just celebrating Memorial Day, and now we are approaching Labor Day. We have had a wonderful summer and while we are sad to see it end, we are all very excited for the upcoming school year. We wish the best of luck to all of our children who will be going to kindergarten this fall!
We think that this is a perfect time to tell you that...
'WE'RE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE."
As we begin our fall program, we welcome you! We appreciate your decision to choose our center and we take the responsibility you have given us seriously. Whether you are new with us this fall, or whether you have been at the center for years, we want to say, "We're glad that you're here." We know you have hopes and dreams for your child that we can help fulfill.
We will work hard to:
- Keep your child safe.
- Maintain our environments to promote good health and sanitation.
- Love and nurture your child.
- Provide challenges that stimulate your child's development.
We're excited to watch this year unfold. Our staff looks forward to forming special relationships with you and your child. Ask any questions you have about our classroom procedures or activities. Visit anytime!!
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EFC CLOSED
EFC will be closed on Friday, September 2, and Monday, September 5, for the Labor Day holiday.
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SIGN LANGUAGE RETURNS
Sign Language will return on Tuesday, September 6. Welcome back Ms. Karen!!
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COOKING WITH KIDS
Sweet Salsa and Cinnamon Chips
What you need:
- 10 frozen strawberries
- 2 kiwis, peeled and chopped
- ½ medium mango, peeled and diced
- 1 ½ bananas, peeled and diced
- 3 (12 inch) flour tortillas
- Canola cooking spray
- 1 cup cinnamon and sugar
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Combine the kiwi, mango, and banana in a bowl. Process the strawberries in a blender until they are liquefied and pour over fruit mixture. Stir to coat and refrigerate.
Coat both sides of each tortilla with the cooking spray. Cut them into triangle-shaped wedges and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over the chips. Bake in preheated oven until golden-brown, about 10 minutes. Allow to
cool and serve with the fruit mixture.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD'S TEACHERS...
When you put your child into a childcare program, you are, in fact, entering into a new interpersonal relationship with another adult(s). Someone else important and influential is becoming a part of your child's life. As staff, we strive to communicate with you and listen to your input. We hope that by talking openly with one another we will team up to develop the best possible plans for your child's growth and development. When a child senses that his teachers and his parents are comfortable with one another, he will be able to relax, have fun, and get the most out of the experience. Please feel free to take the time to talk with your child's teacher, even about fun and exciting things that may be happening at home!
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TRANSITION TIME
Welcome to our fall program! The beginning of the school year is an exciting time for children and families. Some of your children are in their first days at Especially for Children while others are heading into fall after a fun summer program of Learning to Grow, Growing to Learn.
Autumn is often a time of transition for families, and we want you to know that we are here to support you and your child through the opportunities and challenges that transition times bring.
If your child is new to our program or moving into a new classroom for the fall, please know that our teaching staff is ready with extra hugs and moments of comfort. Older children may have questions about areas of the classroom or new routines, and our teachers are prepared for several days and weeks of everyone settling in.
Teachers will spend time setting and reviewing classroom expectations on a regular basis; this helps children understand and feel comfortable with their surroundings. Children gain a feeling of control and a sense of order when they know what is expected of the group.
When emotions-whether they be excitement, anxiety or uncertainty-come to the surface during times of transition, it is an opportunity for supporting social and emotional development. As researchers from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) write, "acknowledging a child's feelings validates emotions, teaches emotion words, and helps children learn to handle their feelings appropriately."
Through the following example of a classroom transition, they advise caregivers to:
- Acknowledge the emotion with words ("Caleb, it's hard to clean up. I can tell you're worried about leaving your castle.")
- Engage the child in problem solving ("What can we do? Would you like to take a picture? Save it in your cubbie?")
- Help the child follow through on a solution ("Let's save it on a shelf for tomorrow and go over to snack.")
Labeling emotions and identifying a solution helps children transition and teaches them appropriate ways to respond to difficult situations.
These strategies can be applied during bigger life transitions (e.g. starting a new school) as well as the daily transitions that are affected by that change.
Some additional tips that help children through transitions are:
- Give advanced warning that the child can understand ("After we read one story, it will be time to get in the car.")
- Develop rituals
- Keep your language simple
- Get down to your child's level
Please let your child's teacher or your center director know if we can be of additional help during this season of transition. We are excited for our fall program and for all of the learning, growth and development that will take place for your child this year!
Information taken from:
Beyond the Journal, May 2008, NAEYC
Parents.com
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TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS
Now-9/30 Big Bugs, MN Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen
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Sue Smith has worked for Especially for Children - Edina/Edinborough since August of 1987, making her the teacher with the second-longest tenure in the company! Read about Sue in our latest 40 Spotlight on the
Parent Blog.
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