August 2018
Director's Corner
 

We Are Family- the well-known song and Pittsburgh Pirates 1979 theme song reminds me a lot of how UCDC is a family.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't notice parents in classrooms talking to their child's former teachers or children visiting their former teachers. There are usually big smiles all around and lots of catching up on things in the child's life.

It brings a genuine smile to my face to see that the relationship that was formed while their child was in that classroom still has value and meaning. It also warms my heart to see that teachers have loved the child just the right amount. What I mean by that is that they have supported them and cared for them while they were in their classroom. They nurtured them and developed a healthy supportive relationship so that the child felt safe and secure. They also made sure that they were giving them the tools to be able to grow and be confident in their abilities to make a successful transition away from them and into a new classroom. There is a delicate balance for teachers. They must know the child's individual personality to provide just the right amount of support and just the right amount of challenge and risk. Teachers invest a lot of emotional thought in helping children to make a great transition when the time comes and I am definitely seeing the positive outcome with the children that have transitioned over the summer months.

There are many milestone moments and big events that take place while children are at UCDC. I think that parents would agree that the move from infants to toddlers is one of those big events and approaching it the way that a family would approach a life event within the home makes all the difference.

Philosophically, our approach to this delightful and complex work that we do goes a bit like this:

An extended family concept has been adapted to provide a framework for the Center. For the working parent and the student parent, support, encouragement, and assistance are vital components helping to insure personal and professional success. For children, the extended family provides all the healthy components necessary for successful development. The dynamics of the family and their interactions perpetually serve to establish and/or reinforce the identity of self, and of that self within an ever changing, ever challenging world.
 
To all of our new families, welcome to UCDC and our extended family. To our current families, it continues to be a pleasure to support and nurture you and your children. As we move into September and the new school year, I hope that together we have a pleasant, productive and joyful season.
 
Warmly,
Mary Beth

Curriculum in the Classroom
Preschool Two - The Titanic

Many of you must be wondering why there is a giant model of the Titanic sitting on the staircase in the lobby. 

A few weeks ago, a child came into our classroom enamored and eager to share facts he had recently learned about the Titanic. His enthusiasm quickly spread to the other children in the classroom. Rapidly we were engaging in in-depth discussions about the Titanic and searching Google for pictures and videos. To build upon this interest further, we thought about how we could use this topic to enhance learning in all areas of development. We read and created our own books about the Titanic, painted a collaborative mural, listened to the Titanic soundtrack, walked the ship's length using a measuring tape (883 feet), explored boats, water, and ice in the sensory table, drew detailed pictures, created the Titanic out of Legos, and folded paper to create our own boats. 

Over the course of two weeks, the children worked cooperatively to create a giant three dimensional model of the Titanic (please look inside our model of the Titanic and observe the captain's room, gym, pool, hallways, engine room, dining room, and bedrooms). By exploring the topic of the Titanic in a variety of ways, every child was encouraged to partake in ways that felt natural and comfortable for them. For example, one child may not want to draw pictures, but may love the sensory experience of exploring ships in icy water.  After finishing building, the children worked together to write a description of the Titanic, acting as a synopsis of everything the children learned throughout this experience. 

While one may not consider this to be typical preschool curriculum, it beautifully follows UCDC's child-centered and child-initiated practices. Following a child's initiatives can lead to amazing projects, engaged children and a plethora of learning.
Community Outreach

  • We are having a very successful food drive for the Pitt Pantry.  Thank you to Cathy Baier from Preschool Three for organizing this annual endeavor and to all staff, families, parents, and children who have graciously donated.
  • Last month, the Pitt police visited with their K-9 officer and the children thoroughly enjoyed this visit. The preschoolers enjoyed it so much, they invited the officers to lunch! So last week, two officers came to have lunch with the older preschool classrooms. What a great visit!
Welcome to UCDC!

This month, we are happy to welcome a new teacher to our UCDC family. Abigail Magee is a new substitute teacher in our program who will work Monday through Friday from 1:00-6:00 pm. Since Abby is a substitute teacher, you will most likely meet her at some point as she travels between the different classes at UCDC. Abby comes to us with a background in childcare including work at a center very similar to ours. Please read on to learn more about her and please introduce yourself when you get the chance to meet her!

Hi, my name is Abby Magee and I am thrilled to be joining the UCDC's family as the afternoon floater. I have recently graduated from Kent State University with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies with a Concentration in Child and Youth Development. At Kent, I worked at the campus's Child Development Center with preschoolers and kindergartners for three years. I am happy to be back home in Pittsburgh and working with the staff and families of the UCDC. I look forward to having the opportunity of floating around to all of the classrooms and getting to know each and every child of the UCDC. When I am not working, I can be found painting, volunteering, or spending time with my family and friends. I am excited for the start of this school year!
Annual Visit from the Department of Human Services

On Tuesday August 14th , two licensing representatives visited UCDC for our annual inspection and I'm pleased to say that we were in compliance with just a few minor areas discussed.  The reps were very complimentary regarding the building upkeep and environment. They were also impressed by the curriculum and most importantly, the welcoming nature of all of the staff.  They are always impressed by our organization and how joyful and happy the children seem. Thank you to all of the classroom teachers and the office personnel that did a fantastic job!    
FYI
  • With the start of the new school, please consider the increase in Oakland traffic, and high volume times in our lot and adjust your schedule as necessary so that you can plan to arrive by 5:50 to pick up.  Also please park carefully in our lot and maintain a slow safe speed, while being cognizant of small children and adults in the parking lot.
    Keep  your children with you at all times! 
  • Thank you to the Church of the Ascension and to the Friends Meeting House for allowing our children to use their green space.  Infants and Toddlers can spend time by the church running, catching bubbles and playing throughout the week.
  • Playground work continues.  We are waiting on the final approval for the decorative cement work and once those are approved, the bike path and other concrete walkways will be poured.
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Yoga with Preschoolers

This month, we welcomed Shannon Carnemolla from Yoga Monsters to lead the preschoolers in a yoga class.  Shannon came over the course of two days and worked with each of the preschooler classrooms in 45 minute play-based yoga sessions. The children learned animal and other familiar poses as well as breathing techniques in a play-based fashion. They LOVED the experience and hopefully gained some skills they can continue to use!
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Preschool Wisdoms

With the Emmy Awards coming up next month, we thought we'd ask for our preschoolers to cast a vote for their favorite TV shows (or movies). Here are the winners according to Preschool Three:

Paw Patrol and AntMan and the Wasp - Perrin
Transformers - Markus
Shrek - Adelaide
Paw Patrol - Drew
The Incredibles - Fiona
Paw Patrol - Rowan
Winnie the Pooh - Julian
Frozen - Theo
Barbie - Amanda
Umizoomi movie - Prashant
Paw Patrol - Garrett
Frozen or Princess Charm School - Sophia
Chugginton on Amazon - Lincoln
Piggy movie - Ania
Princess Pocahontas and Aurora - Tia
Blippie the Truck - Jessie

Our Philosophy

Markers on Hands 7.11
UCDC utilizes a child centered, extended family approach that is fostered by supporting the developmental needs of all children. We foster children's self esteem, creative abilities, sense of belonging and success by implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on NAEYC and Keystone STARS standards, through a play-based approach to learning. We support families and partner with them to provide an environment that welcomes their collaboration and supports both cultural and family preferences.


University Child Development Center | University of Pittsburgh
412.383.2100 | www.ucdc.pitt.edu