Newsletter and Announcements

Announcements & Newsletter

14 Osborn Way
Danville, CA 94526
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Phone: (925) 743-4187
Fax: (925) 743-4151
bxm9@aol.com

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April 2007

CALENDAR
April 2-6	Honey Bear Conferences
April 16-20	Little Bear Conferences
April 23-27	Koala Conferences
April 23-27	Week of the Young Child`
April 25,26	Grizzly field trip to Habitot

NAME RECOGNITION	CONFERENCES W/PARENTS
There are a number of families in which mom retained her maiden name. When mom writes a check from her individual account, it is difficult to figure out whose account she is paying. Please note the child’s name in the memo line of the check.	Please sign up to attend a conference with your child’s primary teacher. This is a 15 minute meeting to discuss developmental issues and progress. Please be prompt. We welcome your input.
WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD	VISION SCREENING
April 23-27th has been designated as a time to showcase the talents of our young children. We value them, and will be displaying their art and project work. Tell your child you are proud of him/her.	The Assistance League is returning on Feb.20 and 21 to take another look at our three- year olds. Please sign up to have your child screened.
"SNIPPETS" FROM THE NEWSLETTER:
CHILDREN & FRIENDSHIPS Parents play a key role in helping children build friendships with others, which provides the framework for a happy childhood. They set up play dates, drive kids to social functions, supervise activities, and in general set up the social environment. The parent’s role changes with each age and stage of development. Preschoolers are learning that is pays to share toys and to work together. It’s fun having friends—they help you build sandcastles, laugh with you, and play games with you. Social opportunities are generally plentiful during the preschool years as children join groups outside their homes and neighborhoods. INFANTS Parents are their baby’s favorite playmates. Babies are busy building… TODDLERS Parents are the peacekeepers when toddlers play, because at this age, a watchful eye is always needed. Cooperating with others, sharing, … PRESCHOOLERS Parents are the social directors for this busy group. Preschoolers are moving away from parents, often preferring to play with other children; but they still need lots of adult supervision, and mediation. Cooperative behavior is beginning to make more sense. SCHOOLAGERS Parents listen carefully and help with conflict resolution. At this age, children must learn to work through more complex social issues with their friends. A strong sense of what is fair and what is not fair is developing. They benefit from activities that are not always competitive, but they’re more interested in playing sports and group… It may be helpful to remember your own childhood friends. Are some of them still in your life? Did you need help with a bully? Did you prefer the friendship of one or two close friends, or did you enjoy a wide circle of friends? Sometimes reflecting on what worked and didn’t work in our own lives provides insights into helping our children in this very important part of growing up.	THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT Children are constantly forming beliefs about their self-worth. And parents as a child’s first teacher are constantly giving them clues. Encouragement is powerful in building a positive self-image in children. It’s not based on competition or comparison, but on effort and improvement. All of us benefit from encouragement every day. The idea is not to pile on but to be genuine and specific. Giving encouragement is a learned skill. Saying, “You did an amazing job with your baby brother when he was crying” is specific and genuinely felt. But words such as “awesome,” “excellent,” or “I love you” carry weight as well. BUILD VOCABULARY: PLAY THE WHAT-IF GAME Children acquire language faster during the first five years of life than at any other time in their development. What a great opportunity to ask questions that require more than just a yes or no answer. These questions also require a little creative thinking! What-if…? …you wore your pajamas all day? …the whole world was blue? …you were a koala bear? …there were no books to read? *…zebras could paint? Make a clean car litterbag from a paper lunch bag or recycled plastic newspaper bag. Take a look at information to help kids stay at a healthy weight: Website: www.wecan.nhlbl.gov Participate in national TV-Turnoff Week the last week in April.
Past Newsletters
February 2007 January 2007 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 February 2006 January 2006