It’s finally that time of year…FALL! With Fall comes three of our favorite events in the month of October: Picture Day, the Fall Festival, and Trunk or Treat. Parents Night Out and the Fire Department visit are also honorable mentions.
If this is your first picture day with us, this little disclaimer is for you. We hold two picture days a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. You can choose an outfit and 2 backgrounds in which you can coordinate with one another. After a few short weeks, you will receive three poses with a total of 10 sheets including the class photo. You pay for whatever you want to keep and then return the rest back to us. Simple! What we like about this is that you actually get to see them before you buy them! Please pay special attention to the calendar to see which day is your child’s picture day.
Our Fall Festival is scheduled for October 17th! We hold two big Saturday events a year and we are super excited for this one which is based off of the book, The Runaway Pumpkin. Each classroom will be focusing and reading the book during the week leading up the Fall Festival so the kids will be ready to play hands on games related to the book they have studied all week! In addition to games and prizes there will be a chance for the adults to win a week’s worth of free tuition and there will be a petting zoo for the kiddos. Costumes are encouraged.
Our Trunk or Treat is one of our favorite events. This day invites parents to open the trunks of their car and allow kids to trick or treat from the safety of our parking lot going car to car. There will be a sign up sheet available at the front desk for those that are interested in participating. The more the merrier!
We are so looking forward to spending a wonderful windy season with our students this year and we can’t wait to see those adorable pictures of your special little ones! Happy Fall!
Exploring Community Helpers & the Roles They Play
This month, our students are gaining a greater understanding of community helper occupations, such as police officers, mail carriers, medical professionals and firefighters. The children have a lot of fun imagining themselves in these important roles, and incorporating toy versions of the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that go with them.
In addition, October is National Fire Prevention Month, so we place a special emphasis on the importance of fire safety and the role of firefighters. Our classroom activities help the children become more comfortable around emergency responders in uniform, and teach them basics about what to do in case of an emergency.
Here are some ways children learn about community helpers in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers are fascinated with dressing up as doctors, police officers and firefighters, because they have distinct uniforms and roles that children can easily understand. During dramatic play, our teachers provide students with costumes and props, and encourage them to choose the role they want to play.
At home: Continue dress-up play by providing your child with various props and costumes. Ask him, “Who do you want to dress-up as?” and “What does that person wear?”
Recommended reading: Whose Hat is This by Sharon Katz Cooper
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students learn about the special vehicles that community helpers use, by playing matching games, reading books, and building vehicles using cardboard boxes.
At home: Go for a drive with your child. Point out vehicles that belong to community helpers, such as a fire truck and a police car. Ask, “Who drives that vehicle?” and “Where might it be going?”
Recommended reading: The Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: During fire safety lessons, many of our schools invite local firefighters to visit. Students explore the tools firefighters use, learn “Stop, Drop and Roll,” and may have the opportunity to tour a fire truck.
At home: Continue exploring fire safety by practicing “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your child. Ask him, “Who puts out fires?” and discuss what he should do if he hears a fire alarm at home.
Recommended reading: The Fire Engine Book by Tibor Gergely
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers introduce situations when it might be necessary to dial 9-1-1. Students practice finding 9-1-1 on different keypads, such as cell phones and landlines.
At home: Show your child photos of various community helpers and the buildings where they work. Ask him to identify the helpers and their workplaces, and describe the roles the helpers play in our community.
Recommended reading: The Berenstain Bears: Jobs around Town by Jan Berenstain
We provide many opportunities for students to learn about community helpers. By setting this foundation, they become more familiar and comfortable around the people that make their neighborhoods a better place.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
October News
It’s finally that time of year…FALL! With Fall comes three of our favorite events in the month of October: Picture Day, the Fall Festival, and Trunk or Treat. Parents Night Out and the Fire Department visit are also honorable mentions.
If this is your first picture day with us, this little disclaimer is for you. We hold two picture days a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. You can choose an outfit and 2 backgrounds in which you can coordinate with one another. After a few short weeks, you will receive three poses with a total of 10 sheets including the class photo. You pay for whatever you want to keep and then return the rest back to us. Simple! What we like about this is that you actually get to see them before you buy them! Please pay special attention to the calendar to see which day is your child’s picture day.
Our Fall Festival is scheduled for October 17th! We hold two big Saturday events a year and we are super excited for this one which is based off of the book, The Runaway Pumpkin. Each classroom will be focusing and reading the book during the week leading up the Fall Festival so the kids will be ready to play hands on games related to the book they have studied all week! In addition to games and prizes there will be a chance for the adults to win a week’s worth of free tuition and there will be a petting zoo for the kiddos. Costumes are encouraged.
Our Trunk or Treat is one of our favorite events. This day invites parents to open the trunks of their car and allow kids to trick or treat from the safety of our parking lot going car to car. There will be a sign up sheet available at the front desk for those that are interested in participating. The more the merrier!
We are so looking forward to spending a wonderful windy season with our students this year and we can’t wait to see those adorable pictures of your special little ones! Happy Fall!
Exploring Community Helpers & the Roles They Play
This month, our students are gaining a greater understanding of community helper occupations, such as police officers, mail carriers, medical professionals and firefighters. The children have a lot of fun imagining themselves in these important roles, and incorporating toy versions of the uniforms, equipment and vehicles that go with them.
In addition, October is National Fire Prevention Month, so we place a special emphasis on the importance of fire safety and the role of firefighters. Our classroom activities help the children become more comfortable around emergency responders in uniform, and teach them basics about what to do in case of an emergency.
Here are some ways children learn about community helpers in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Toddlers are fascinated with dressing up as doctors, police officers and firefighters, because they have distinct uniforms and roles that children can easily understand. During dramatic play, our teachers provide students with costumes and props, and encourage them to choose the role they want to play.
At home: Continue dress-up play by providing your child with various props and costumes. Ask him, “Who do you want to dress-up as?” and “What does that person wear?”
Recommended reading: Whose Hat is This by Sharon Katz Cooper
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students learn about the special vehicles that community helpers use, by playing matching games, reading books, and building vehicles using cardboard boxes.
At home: Go for a drive with your child. Point out vehicles that belong to community helpers, such as a fire truck and a police car. Ask, “Who drives that vehicle?” and “Where might it be going?”
Recommended reading: The Little Fire Engine by Lois Lenski
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: During fire safety lessons, many of our schools invite local firefighters to visit. Students explore the tools firefighters use, learn “Stop, Drop and Roll,” and may have the opportunity to tour a fire truck.
At home: Continue exploring fire safety by practicing “Stop, Drop and Roll” with your child. Ask him, “Who puts out fires?” and discuss what he should do if he hears a fire alarm at home.
Recommended reading: The Fire Engine Book by Tibor Gergely
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers introduce situations when it might be necessary to dial 9-1-1. Students practice finding 9-1-1 on different keypads, such as cell phones and landlines.
At home: Show your child photos of various community helpers and the buildings where they work. Ask him to identify the helpers and their workplaces, and describe the roles the helpers play in our community.
Recommended reading: The Berenstain Bears: Jobs around Town by Jan Berenstain
We provide many opportunities for students to learn about community helpers. By setting this foundation, they become more familiar and comfortable around the people that make their neighborhoods a better place.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education