Planning for the New Year - January 2018
January 1 is traditionally a time to make resolutions, to commit to a plan for at least the next 12 months. At TBANS, we have lots of plans that we will ask you to make for 2018 (information provided below), but first let's think briefly about what it means to make plans with young children.

How can you help children learn to stick to a plan and be flexible at the same time?
There's an ongoing tension in raising children between maintaining routines and teaching flexibility. Think: anticipated play-date, but the friend gets sick. Sticking with a routine provides children with expectations and security. Yet being flexible teaches children to "go with the flow" and accept inevitable change, or even disappointment. It is necessary but challenging to do both at the same time. I appreciate the image presented by Dr. Daniel Siegel in The Whole Brain Child of canoeing down a river with rigidity on one side and chaos on the other. The parents' job is to navigate the river with their child, staying in the middle, finding balance and well-being. Too much flexibility and inconsistency causes chaos, and too much formality causes rigidity. Dr. Siegel focuses on emotional health and cognitive resilience. The concept also applies beautifully to the need to create flexibility within routine. We all have to learn to make plans and set goals, but adapt in response to inevitable fluctuations. It's a skill many of us need to practice, and a skill our children would be lucky to learn while young. You can get Dr. Siegel's book here .
Parenting Podcasts
Many of you have mentioned the user-friendly nature of podcasts. Here are recommended podcasts for parenting guidance:
Please let me know if you try them, if you like them, and if you want more.
Make Your TBANS Plans for 2018
Online enrollment for the 2018-19 School Year opens January 8. Registration info here
Afternoon Activities and Early Arrival Registrations accepted January 9 - 22.
New session begins January 29.
Classes for children 2 and under:
Second session starting soon.
January Highlights
2 School re-opens after Winter Break
12 Tot Shabbat, 5:45 Dalet Dinner, 6:30 Service
15 TBANS Closed for MLK Day
IMPORTANT PARENT ONLY EVENT:
January 24, 7 - 8 pm
Gimels in the Making - Social Thinking
Dalets in the Making - Kindergarten Readiness

26 Community Shabbat and TBANS Alumni Day
26 Challah Tots, 10 - 11 am
28 Tu B'shevat Party by Parent Committee
29 New Session of Afternoon Activities Begins

For full calendar, click here .
Contact Jill , jaf@bethami.org , with any questions.
Wishing all our families a very Happy New Year!
From Your TBANS Teachers and Staff
Temple Beth Ami Nursery School
Dr. Paula Sayag, Director, pls@bethami.org, 301-762-5594