YOUNG FRIENDSHIPS

February the month known to many as the month for love and friendship.

As a class we remind all of our kids to be kind and gentle with each other. Its not an easy task to learn , as adults we are still learning how to be kind and gentle. Here are some scenarios we experience in class. “ He took my toy away,” as teachers we assist both parties in resolving the conflict by either providing appropriate words to use with each other or assisting them in finding other options. Another option would be using a timer and taking turns with the object. You would be surprised by the outcome.

“PARTY TIME” Love was all around, valentine’s were given to each and every child and a we had a special snacks provided by our generous parents.

Throwback to Snow Days ❄️

With Winter coming to an end, we wanted to reminisce on all the fun we had during snow days! Our friends in Room 3 got to enjoy the fresh snow first thing in the morning. We rode sleds on the slide, learned how to make snow balls, colored snow, and even had a mini snowball fight with our teachers! Thank you to the office for another great year of snow exploration! ☃️🛷❄️

The Curiosity Approach: Valentine’s Week on the Patio

The curiosity approach is an early childhood teaching method that aims to ignite a child’s natural curiosity and imagination. As adults and teachers we sometimes are too quick to model how we want materials used, find ourselves leading play by making suggestions and guiding children through activities we have prepared for them. It is important to take a step back and remember just how capable children are to think for themselves, make their own choices and direct their own learning. We want to equip children with the confidence to make good choices and explore the world around them in safe and enriching ways.

Room 1 was the first to arrive at this Valentine inspired activity. With interests peaked, our older 4 year olds began picking up the materials at this table. They were wide-eyed and curiously asked, “What do we do here?” and “What do we do with this?” With no adult direction, they started picking apart the flower petals, cutting the stems–dissecting the flowers! What better way to learn the parts of a flower than to be given the freedom to do what every child instinctually wants to do–take it apart to explore it! Of course with an activity like this comes the discussion of caring for nature so things can continue to grow. But in this moment and with these roses that have already been plucked from the ground, we are the ones growing–growing in our knowledge of the world around us, growing in life science, and growing in personal discovery.

Check out the way our little ones used the petals to color the water, make observations with magnifying glasses, and discuss their step-by-step process with friends.

A very special THANK YOU to David’s mommy for donating these roses to The Patio for us to explore all week long! We LOVED them!

A Beary Lovely Tea Party

Our friends have been enjoying a Beary Lovely Tea Party on the older pod patio. We are getting the most out of our playtime by using our imagination, practicing important social-emotional skills and developing language.

How unbearably sweet to see our friends care for their teddy bears in such loving ways.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

New and Reminders 2023

FUN RUN – Friday, February 3^rd

The preschool is thrilled to participate in this year’s FUN RUN event!

WHEN: Fri., Feb. 3^rd from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM

WHERE: The PCS Field

Tuesday/Thursday, friends are welcome to join us, with a parent, for the event itself.

All the kiddos will have a special FUN RUN shirt to wear on the day of the event. To avoid any mishaps with the t-shirts, classrooms will hold onto the t-shirts and put them on the children the day of. Tuesday/Thursday friends will have the option of taking their t-shirts home on Thursday.

Parents are welcome to join us for the FUN RUN by coming to the preschool prior to the event and walking over with the kiddos or by signing in through the main campus front office and meeting us at the field. MVP Hours are available for helping at the FUN RUN.

The children will be encouraged but not required to run.

Preschool Chapel – Thursday, February 9^th

It is the month of love, and we focus on where love comes from. After all, G.O.D. is L.O.V.E. We look forward to coming together to worship and celebrate the love of God for each of us and our love for Him and each other.

1 John 4:7-12

Valentine’s Day Parties – Mon., Feb. 13^th & Tues., Feb 14^th

Each classroom will celebrate the holiday with special festivities on both Monday, February 13^th, and Tuesday, February 14^th. Please be sure to keep a look out for classroom-specific details about what they’ll be doing. This includes how each classroom will handle Valentine’s Day favors.

Here are a few quick suggestions…

♥Avoid edible treats. Instead, themed pencils, crayons, erasers, stickers, or other small items would be a great gift idea.

♥Simple and small is always best.

♥On the cards, sign – To: My Friend From: Your Child’s Name

♥Due to flux schedules, not all the kids know each other, but it makes it easier to give to everyone vs. figuring out who comes on which day. The classrooms will provide a total head count for each room.

♥Avoid the “Boy/Girl” Valentine trap. Allow your child to select the Valentine’s they wish to give vs. worrying about how many boys and girls there are. The kids get so much more out of the reflected diversity of their peers’ interests and the things they want to give.

♥There is no obligation to give out Valentine’s cards/treats, but you are welcome to participate as you see fit.

Teacher In-service Day – Fri., Feb. 17^th – PRESCHOOL CLOSED

Teacher In-service Days are crucial and provide us the much-needed time for training, planning, preparation, and cleaning that can’t be achieved while the children are on campus. We are grateful for these opportunities to grow and improve all that we do in service to the children and families.

Presidents’ Day – Mon., Feb. 20^th – PRESCHOOL CLOSED

While we don’t typically do a deep study of American history or civics as a part of the preschool experience, we are happy to celebrate two of our nation’s most influential leaders and the role presidents play in shaping and guiding our country.

Let us raise standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God. – George Washington

My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right. – Abraham Lincoln

Picture Days – Tues., Feb. 21^st & Wed., Feb. 22^nd

It is time to capture those adorable preschool smiles once again! Preschool Picture Days have arrived.

The preschool will be hosting School Pictures from Julie Lilly Photography on Tuesday, February 21^st & Wednesday, February 22^nd. Your child will be photographed only on the listed days. Please look out for more information from your child’s teachers about which day has been assigned to you.

The week prior to Picture Days (February 13^th-16^th), parents will be receiving an envelope for their child’s pictures purchases. Please complete and return to the preschool office on Picture Day.

Please let us know if you have any questions; we are happy to help!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2022

We want to wish you a blessed and happy Christmas. Let us all remember that Christmas is a time to spend with your loved ones and be thankful for the miracle of Christmas.