Monday, May 9, 2011

May 2011 Newsletter

April Reflection


"April showers bring May flowers,"that is an understatement!  Now that our child and family colds/other illnesses have surfaced and hopefully died out, we are residing in the delicious month of May.

Enduring all the elements, the wee ones found deep gratitude in their daily routine that has created great harmony among the group.  No matter what the weather is doing or how someone is feeling that day (fatigue, teething, ect.), the daily routine has created a wonderful and healthy sense of dependability and safety in our environment and each other.  Please read the "Daily Routine" for a greater  understanding of how your sweet child's school day feels.

May Topics

Now that our class sizes have grown and everyone has officially begun, we are in the throws of introducing the environment to our new classmates (Alden, Ella, Mabel, Shane and Zelda!) while balancing the needs of every one's interests and social/emotional/cognitive needs.

Yet again, the snack table and music roots everyone to a unified class community.  Many times during the first round (because there are many eating rounds throughout the class session) of snack I will sing some welcome morning songs as well as name games.

Fun suggestion: Please begin (if you have not already done so) naming the children of the school to your own child.  Great times are during meals that you share or bath time.  This is a tender and intimate exchange of asking how your child's special world is.  The class has it's own world feel where we have all personalities and styles represented and asking about the other children by simply naming them offers your own child the space of respect that he/she has special space outside of the family home.

We are continuing our fun experience of baby/toddler circle time.  Circle time last for 15 minutes before pick-up and is a very special time for us all.  This is when I can introduce new themes (insects, plants, ect.) while dancing and exercising memorization of poems and finger-plays.  The soon-to-be-3 year-olds are creating a space for the babies to be introduced to circle time and teaching them (as they learn and are guided) on how to sing, dance and listen in a group.  I wish dearly you all could be flies on the wall during that precious time!

Reminders


  • Because we have more children/families pick up is trickier.  PLEASE PICK UP ON TIME & SWIFT!  Your child is super fatigued from a very long (for all children this age) concentration session at school and all he/she wants at pick up is to get in the cozy car and head to bed.  You will still receive a swift notice of if your child ate, quick "how day went," diaper/toilet situation.  If you have additional questions please call or email me between 12:30-2pm Monday-Thursday.
Please park in the lower driveway until the upper driveway is complete (should be the beginning of next week).  

Or...

Feel free to park in the South driveway as well.
  • Thursday June 16 5:30pm-7pm: Montessori In Your Home: Practical Tips On Peaceful Living In Your Home.  Please get childcare for this time and come on your own or with partner to learn about how you can create a more functioning environment for greater family harmony as well as space to check-in and ask questions/ feel support from our school community.  Light refreshments will be offered.