Author: PCSPreschool

Helping Children Calm Down

All kids can have a hard time regulating their emotions and for some it can be tougher than others. As children get older, there could be numerous causes for their emotions and at times, it may seem like there’s no one cause at all. These five calming tools can help children (and parents!) in any situation.

Count to 5

This simple tool gives young children who are learning about impulse control a chance to stop and think before they act out their anger.

Take a deep breath

 

This relaxation technique can help children calm their bodies quickly.

Acknowledge feelings

 

Children need the validation that their feelings are important as well. Understanding and listening to the cause of their emotions can help address the situation.

Listen

 

Taking the time to listen to their feelings and perspectives not only helps the child feel

better but gives you, the parent, a better insight to the person they are becoming.

Ask for a hug

 

Most of the time, it’s something as simple as a hug that can make everything better.

Author: Joyce Olaer, CSULA Child Development Intern

Wild Weeks in Room 5!

Wow! We have been working hard at having fun this summer. Weeks 5 and 6 were a ton of fun. We learned about wild animals during our “Surfin’ Safari” week, complete with an exotic animal show! This week was called, “Surf’s Up” and we totally themed out for surfing! We learned surf lingo from our silly book, “Rhinos Who Surf” and painted paper surf boards to decorate our classroom. We’ve had a radical time getting totally tubular in every activity from the sensory bin to dramatic play. The ‘surfers’ in Room 5 are really having a blast!




Next week is our “Under the Sea” theme, and it is Room 5’s turn to lead Chapel! We are so excited for our final two weeks of summer camp!

Surfin’ Safari

Room 4 had a safari inspiration, starting with our new bulletin board, which was filled with your child’s art work! We then added vines that decorated our celling, along with animals that hung upside down and stared down at you. We read many books such as: Giraffes Can’t Dance, Who Is the Beast, and A Color of His Own. To top it all off, we had a visit from Reptacular, and exotic animal show that featured animals that the children were able to touch! They learned all about the animals and where they came from. It was a “wild” week of fun and adventure!

Family Fun: Homemade Flubber

Children enjoy playing with their buddies at school, but when children are at school, they often talk about their families. Children crave time with their parents and siblings and enjoy quality time with them. Playing together creates a bond that will last forever and will create a childhood that will be filled with a lifetime memories.

Family activities are great for the whole family. A fun family activity to do with your child is to make your own homemade Flubber. Children love to be part of the process of making Flubber. Flubber is similar to prefabricated “slime”, but the texture is a little different. Making your own flubber gives the child the opportunity to increase their sensory skills by feeling the texture: molding, squishing, and squeezing it between their fingers. Playing with Flubber also increases finger strength and dexterity, which helps with future writing strength. Children can play with flubber for hours! Not only will it be fun for your child, but you’ll probably find yourself playing right along with them! To make this awesome homemade flubber recipe you will need:
• 1/3 cup water
• 3 tablespoons of borax
• 2 cups of water
• 2 cups of white school glue
• Food Coloring

WHAT TO DO

• Add 1/3 cup water to bowl, then add the borax and stir until dissolved
• Next add the food coloring or Kool-Aid and set aside (be careful…food coloring stains)
• In another bowl, add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of school glue and stir until thoroughly mixed
• Add borax mix to the glue mix
• Next you will knead with your hands for approximately 5 minutes until the water is completely adsorbed. You will be able to tell when it is done.
• Make sure to ask your child open-ended questions while playing with the Flubber. For example, ask about the texture, the color, smell, how does it feel, compare it to different textures, etc.
• But most importantly, HAVE FUN!
• You are able to save the Flubber in a zip bag

Author: Cristina Gomez, CSULA Child Development Intern

Reptacular Friday! 

Room 3 had an amazing time during safari week. Everything from the water play to the “Jungle Book” movie to the reptacular animal show was amazing. To add to all the excitement, the Room 3 teachers had the pleasure of leading Chapel this week. The topic was the Baptism of Jesus. To end the week, the children were able to look at and pet different exotic animals; in addition, they were able to enjoy pizza during lunch!

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Rrrroaring Good Times in RM 2

This week the children in Room 2 had some wild adventures! Monday we started out with a fun cooking activity (see previous post). Tuesday, the children gathered to play around a watering hole (swimming pools).


Wednesday’s chapel was about Jesus’ baptism and Mr. Timmy taught the children how to jump up on a surf board. Throughout the week the children enjoyed different safari themed activities.


Thursday was “Movie Day” and the children enjoyed popcorn and Disney’s The Jungle Book.

Friday we got to see exotic animals!!!


The children were so brave! We ended our week with a pizza party. It was a WILD week!

Derby Madness!! 

Although the week was short, it was still packed with tons of fun and excitement for both children and teachers alike! During our derby madness, we enjoyed activities such as water play in pools on the big field, going to Chapel, making ice cream and having our very own petting zoo! Consisting of an alpaca, a goat, chickens, bunnies and ducks, the petting zoo was an awe-inspiring activity that the children loved. 

Derby Days

This week we have had an exciting time with Derby Days! Each day had a different event and each one was full of fun. 

On Tuesday we had Snow Cones right before we did water play! The Snow Cones were perfect on such a warm day.

After Snow Cones we did water play and everyone was soaking wet!



On Wednesday we went to chapel and got reacquainted with our pal Snappy! Room 4 taught us all about Baby Moses and how God helps us when we need him.


On Thursday we dressed up like Cowboys and Cowgirls and had lot of fun with waterplay on our own yard! We even got to put on temporary tattoos. We watched a movie about trains and Cowboys and had lots of popcorn! 


Friday came and with it came a trip to the Big Field yet again but this time instead of water we got to play with animals! We got to pet ducks, rabbits, chickens, a goat and an alpaca!


Derby Days went racing by! It was a blast and we look forward to our next week and all the fun it brings.

Two Fantastic Fridays!

Last week we ended our dive into island life with an enormous obstacle course bouncy house. This derby-licious week came to a culmination with an adorable petting zoo trip! We walked all the way to the BIG school to see a hen, a rooster, ducks, fluffy bunnies, a sassy goat, and an gigantic alpaca! It was awesomely furry and clucky! We of course threw in lots of sand, water and bubble play into the mix. Have a blessed and relaxing weekend!