First Show and Tell and Tuition is due

Every First Wednesday and First Thursday of every month we will have each student bring something from home to share and tell about in class.  Show and Tell could be really anything.   This will be something we do at the beginning of class.  After we share we will have them put their object back in their bag.  If they want to bring a pet, please let me know beforehand and we will have them go first while you wait and then you can take the pet home afterwards. 

 

The 5th day of every month is when tuition is due.  You can either have your child bring your $40 cash or check in or you can come in and give it to me.  If your bank is set up for bill pay, that could also be another quick easy way to pay as well.  I will only send monthly statements home if you have missed a payment or it is late, at which time a $2 fee will be added on to that months tuition.  

Please let me know if you have any questions.  

Class Times

Just to make sure everyone remembers
First Day of Classes for M and W classes is Monday Aug 30th   Time is 9:30-11:30
First Day of Classes for T and Th classes is Tuesday Aug 31st  Time from 9:30-11:30

You may always call me if you have any questions and you can reply to this e-mail or post comments on the blog and I will get back with you quickly.

Take Care!

1st Week of School

I'm way excited to begin school.  Don't forget to have the children bring a backpack or bag to take papers in.   I also think having a extra outfit and underwear in their backpack would be a good idea in case of an accident.  If you are interested in carpooling, please let me know and I can connect you with a parent who lives close to you.  We have only one opening left for the Mon-Wed. Class.  If you have a friend or neighbor who wants to register let them know.  Also, since their are quite a few Monday holidays we will hold class on Friday of that same week of the holiday.  I will have that on the calendar to remind you.

Here is the themes, concepts, and projects we will do the first week.
Theme:  Making New Friends
First Day we will do many things to get to know each other
We will also go over preschool rules which are:

Follow Directions

Raise your hand to speak during lesson time

Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself

Treat others and yourself kindly


We will be learning the letters M and S today--we will learn for reading and writing 
Art Project:  Making Nameplates to be used at preschool for snack-time (we'll take pictures so you can see the creativity)
Story Time:  "How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?"  and "Snoopy's Friend"

Second Day:
Learning Letter A for reading and writing
Art Project:  Making friendship bracelets
Story Time:  Mary had a Little Lamb, and Let's be Friends

During Music Time we will do a variety of songs each week to emphasis the theme, letters and various concepts.  At the end of each music time we will give the kids opportunity to choose a favorite song from the board.  You may want to sing these songs at home with your kids.  Here are the Children's Favorites


Alphabet Song (ABC song)


Bingo


Itsy Bitsy Spider


Old McDonald


I Like to Eat...Apples and Bananas


Mr. Knickerbockers


I'm in the Mood


This Old Man


The Wheels on the Bus


The Rainbow Song


De Colores

To help your child feel more comfortable identifying the letters of M, S, and A.  Point them out on signs while driving in the car, or have them find them in a magazine or book you are reading.  Have them write their name (or you write it) and see if any of these letters are in their name. Let them realize letters are all around them.
Please let me know if you have any questions.  

Open House Thank You!

For all of you who were able to come to the open house, thank you.  I think it turned out well.  The kids seemed to have enjoyed themselves.  I was happy that all of the children were able to meet at least one other classmates.  For those of you who didn't make it.  Here is what we did.
We had a craft table where the kids made Kazoos.  (thanks to all my neighbors and family who collected their toilet paper rolls!)  The children decorated their rolls with markers.  They were all very creative in their work.  Then we put a square of wax paper at the end of the roll with an elastic band.  Very easy to make and the sound is great.
We also had a cake walk.  The children walked around in a circle and when the music stopped they found a letter that was placed on the ground.  A letter was called and if they were standing on that letter they got a cupcake.
The kids had fun playing outside on the playground eating their cupcakes.
I'm way excited for preschool and I'm getting all my supplies organized and ready to go.   Please let me know if you have any questions before school starts Aug 30th for M-W class and Aug 31 for T-Th.

Why Preschool Matters

Some may ask is it really that important to go to preschool?  I say, for sure.  I'm not only saying this because I am running a preschool =)  but both my two older children and I benefited greatly from preschool. Here are some reasons I think preschool is important.  
1.  Preschool is good socially for your child.  Preschool often times is the first time child and mom or dad are away from a child for an educational experience.  I've seen Kindergarten children out in the hall for months with mom because they didn't want to leave her.  Children need to know mom and dad will come back, and preschool is a great time to practice this.  The transition to kindergarten will be much easier if practiced in preschool years.
2.  Preschool is good to learn to play with children their own age.  Learn how to share, take turns, contribute to conversations, and answer questions in a group setting.
3.  Preschool can help prepare your child to be a student.  Music, dance, and gymnastics are great but preschool teaches children how to be students.  Raising hands, not talking out of turn, sitting tall in their chair, listen to teacher, etc.
4.  Preschool can increase your child's school success.  Studies have shown early education improve chances for children's academic success.  This is why there are many state funded preschools available throughout the country.
5.  Preschool encourages independent learning and exploration.  Children learn so much from each other, through play and observation of other children their own age.  If they see one child writing their name, they start thinking, "Hey I can do that, or I want to do that."  Preschool can foster creativity and learning by just being with each other.
I found a great article online about how to choose a preschool and the importance of it here.
I'm sure there are many other reasons preschool is important.  Add your own ideas in comments if you'd like.