It’s hard to believe that our school year is almost at an end!  The month of April was spent learning about Earth Day and recycling, caterpillars, disabilities and celebrating differences, and NAEYC Week of the Young Child.  It was such a wonderful month and we felt that the children learned so much.

May will be devoted to spring, Mother’s Day, and getting ready for the end of the school year and providing the children with closure.  We will end the year, as usual, with our parties and graduations.  Please refer to the Little Ones’ calendar for your child‘s party/graduation date and time.  As in the beginning of the year, we may again be dealing with an issue of separation.  This time, instead of separating from parents and home, it is separation from teachers and friends who have become important in your child’s life.  In the beginning of the year, we carefully think through integrating children into our programs.  At the end of the year, we need to give thought into leaving the program, as well.  Many of you will be returning to Little Ones in the fall.  Others will be going on to other schools and the new world of kindergarten.  In any event, change is taking place.  Children often feel some anxieties, along with excitement, about saying good-bye to what they know and meeting new experiences.  Often these anxieties are not on a conscious level – that is, the child cannot verbalize what s/he is feeling.  Instead, s/he may just begin to act differently, clingy, wild, or aggressive, etc.  In class, we will be talking about these feelings.  It will help your child if you, too, let him/her be aware that you understand that saying “Good-bye” is both a happy and sad experience.

Closure is an important process for children and adults alike.  In many cases, children are making end of the year projects or having a good-bye party.  Children may also like to make a picture or card at home so their “special” teachers will remember them.  If it is possible, parents can take a picture of their child with his/her teachers so that the child can look at the picture and remember the happy times at Little Ones.

We feel privileged to have spent this year with your family and to have shared in your child’s development. Our very best wishes for a healthy and happy summer.                                                                                                                   Love, Sheree and the Little Ones Staff

Important Reminders

(1) Registration for Fall 2012 Adult/Child classes, as well as Fall 2012 Lunch Enrichment classes, is taking place now.  Don’t miss out on ensuring your child a spot, as registrations are coming in very quickly.  If you need more information, don’t hesitate to ask.

(2) Check the calendar now for your child’s last day of school and end of the year party/graduation.

(3) End of the year picnics are coming up at the end of the month.  Please send your child with a bagged lunch.   Please do not send peanut butter, as we have children with severe nut allergies.       

March proved to be a very exciting month at Little Ones.  The month was devoted to Community Helpers.  We enjoyed visits from a flight attendant, a dentist, a vet, and a doctor. The children had the opportunity to learn about flying, taking care of their teeth, taking care of animals and taking good care of themselves.

April will be full of more wonderful activities.  We will be moving into our units of spring, celebrating differences, earth week and recycling.  Our Celebrating Differences unit will culminate with our Hop-a-thons April 12^th and 13^th.  Our celebrating differences unit is a great opportunity for the children to learn how we are all the same and yet how each of us is different.  It is very important for us as adults to surround children at an early age with an environment that teaches children to respect each other and respect differences.  We will also be incorporating real caterpillars into the classroom in order for the children to experience their change into butterflies.  We will culminate that unit with the classes releasing the butterflies in the playground so that they can be free.  Also NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child is the week of April 22^nd, and what better way to celebrate our children through all of the wonderful activities that we do each and every day at Little Ones.

We are looking forward to a great month!

Love, Sheree

Important Reminders

1)    There is no school on Friday, April 6^th due to Good Friday. 

2)    Our Hop-A Thon’s are Thursday and Friday, April 12^th and 13^th.  Please help us to teach our children to help those less fortunate than them by supporting our hop-a-thons. 

3)    Parent Teacher Conferences are April 19^th and 20^th.  There are no regular preschool classes on those days.

4)    NAEYC’s Week of the Young Child is the week of April 22^nd.  We will be acknowledging our work with young children just like we do each and every day.

Thank-you’s

1)    A special thank-you to Allison Christensen for coming in to talk about being a flight attendant.

2)    A special thank-you to Randy Barr for becoming the Dentist and teaching the children about good dental health.  A special thank-you to Sandy Barr, Randy’s husband, for donating toothbrushes for every child to take home.

3)    A special thank-you to Dr. David Cohen and Dr. Daren Mayer for coming in to talk to about being a vet and how to take care of animals.

4)    A special thank-you to Dr. Brian Edelstein and Dr. Sigal Klipstein for coming in to talk about being a doctor and how to take good care of their bodies.

Announcements

Congratulations to the Riccardi family on the birth of their new baby boy, AJ, on March 1^st.