First Day of School and Separation 5 Tips

August 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The first day of school is upon is and with this comes a time of separation for children and parents. Here are some tips for handling this time:

  1. Visit the preschool ahead of time. We have an open yard at LCP, where you can come by one the weekends as a family and have a visit.
  2. Talk about how you will be back soon. We sing a song, Mommy comes back, Daddy comes back, your nanny comes back and we all come back.
  3. Keep the drop off routine consistent: No Changes: Children need routine and for transitions to be handled in the same way: this builds trust and security
  4. Check out your own emotions. Children will look to you as their emotional barometer. If you can be strong, they can be strong.  Be sad away from their view, as it is confusing when you ask them to be happy about preschool and you appear sad.
  5. Be sure to communicate your concerns with the preschool director. Find out how they handle separation, how are the children comforted, and ask for feedback as to how your child doing each day at preschool.

Separation Sadness is normal, healthy and in no way an indicator of future success. Be compassionate to yourself if you are sad, and know that this is just another piece of the parenting  journey.

Filed Under: Featured, Notes From Debbie, Uncategorized

Five Things to Do with your Preschooler during Spring Break

March 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

Spring Break is upon us, and I can hear parents in the preschool talking about what are we going to do with our children for a week. It seems our children are happy when we plan activities that are engaging and fun. Here are my recommendations for  enjoyable Spring Break:

1. Organize a park day. Get out the preschool roster and ask your child who they would like to have come to the park. Invite away. Pack a lunch, bring a chair, and be prepared to watch your child run around, have fun, and it’s free!

2. Create Art. This can seem like a lot of work, so I will give you some options> You can go to my favorite school supply store in Pasadena, Angels School Supplies on Colorado Blvd. Have a budget in mind, and let your child pick out the supplies. This can give a child empowerment, spark creativity, and keep them busy at home. If you want to attend an art class, I recommend PaintBox Kids in Pasadena. They have many options for classes where your child can be an artist for the day.

3. Take a hike: within our beautiful foothill community there are many options to be in nature with your child through hiking. I love Eaton Canyon as well, as the Lower Arroyo in Pasadena. Keep it simple, and you may set the tone for a live long love of hiking.

4. Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Echo Park is a local landmark and treasure, where for $15.00 you can take your child to see a live puppet show. Please make reservations and support this special place.

5. Make a Fort. If you do not have outside room, put a sheet over the dining room table. Create it with whatever you have, and let your child have a special place to hide, think and be.

Our children a with us for such a short time. Embrace Spring Break as a time to enjoy and bond with your children.

Filed Under: activites with children, All School, AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Kindergarten Entrance Date : A new law that makes sense

March 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It has been confusing when parent’s ask me, “What is the date of entrance for kindergarten?”.

 There is a new law in the state of California that takes effect in 2012. The law states that children need to be 5 years old by November 2, 2012; then by October 2 in 2013 and finally 5 years old by September 2, 2014.

While this seems like a long time off, it has the potential to confuse parents who have not heard of this change, as well as prolong the time your child you be attending preschool.

Think about it this way, with the riogorous schedule of kindergarten, where we want children to be able to conform at a certain level, it can only help for your child to be older. Plus we are giving them another year of preschool, where they can grow, develop, and learn through play.

In Europe children are taught to read when they are seven, and they learn in two months. Here we teach children to read at five and many struggle for two years, until at seven, when their brains become developmentally ready to read and comprehend.

Let’s celebrate this new law in that makes sense. Finally instead of thinking about the tax dollars that will be lost, because that is one of the outcomes of this law, we are thinking about giving children more time to grow. Another year to be a princess or a pirate, to paint with your hands and experience in the magic of make believe. Thank you State of California.

Filed Under: AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie, Pre - K Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Preschool Registration: What have we created?

December 2, 2010 By 2 Comments

It is that time of year when we begin the registration process at LCP. We work at keeping it simple. Right now all our current families are turning in their forms. Then in January we will be accepting registration from new families. It is first come, first serve. No waiting list, no interview, no stress. How can this be I am asked? Every other school in Los Angeles has a list you need to be on when you child is three weeks old in order to get in. Or we have the lottery system, where you put your name on list, and hope you are hand picked in a lottery for a placement.
It seems we have created a culture of fear when it comes to getting your child into preschool. Here at La Canada Preschool we are refusing to be part of this trend. When you contact our school, you can be emailed information, come in for a tour, and be guaranteed a place by turning in a form on time.

So what have we created by making parents feel they have to fight for a placement in a preschool? My thoughts are fear; fear that if you are not on top of it you child will fall behind. fear that it is hard to get into the best schools, and fear that you may be not doing your job if you are not aware of these facts. What happened to supporting families, giving them a simple process that is sensible and secure. Why is it a competition to get your child into a preschool?

At La Canada Preschool I believe it setting the tone that we are here to support your family, beginning with a registration process that is respectful, simple and secure. With the world we live in families need to feel that a school wants them, as opposed to the feeling that they are lucky to be chosen to be in a school. Come on by La Canada Preschool: we’ll be waiting for you.

Filed Under: All School, AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Candy Fairy Theory

November 5, 2010 By 7 Comments

Children have been coming to preschool this week telling me about the Candy Fairy. This is someone who they give all their Halloween Candy to, and in return they receive a toy for their donation. It struck me as this new trend is on the scene, what are we teaching ? Is it a good alternative, or are we not giving children to chance to be immersed in their obsession for candy?

To me the goal of control is self control, which I know it not an easy behavior to learn. Children need small lessons in learning how to master the desires we all have for pleasure in life. As a child to be able to go to someones house, say a few words while dressed up in a costume, and recieve free candy is like a dream come true. With  a bucket full of sugar you are given the chance as a parent to teach how to have the candy and moderate the amount that is eaten. If a gift is given to deter us from all of our obsessions does that negate to lesson of self control, taking away the chance for a learning experience? Or are we just all to fearful of what will happen if children eat too much candy.

My concern is that we are taking away from the children the opportunity not only to indulge but to regulate. Life is about continual regulation. Don’t eat too much, don’t watch too much, don’t do anything too much. So how do we teach this for the moments when we are not there to be the Candy Fairy?

Filed Under: All School, AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie, Parenting Class, Pre - K Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Pre School Starts Tuesday September 7

August 26, 2010 By 2 Comments

Pre School starts at La Canada Preschool on Tuesday September 7 at 9:00 a.m. for the morning students and 12:30 p.m. for the Pre-K class. Please drop your child off in front of the school where we will greet them and help them settle, then park and come to the front lawn of the preschool for our Orientation Meeting. Here you will get to meet the other parents and get any questions answered you might have.

 If you child attends MWF morning they will begin Wednesday September 8. Please come in for your orientation on thier first day. The orientation lasts about forty five minutes, after which we ask you to return at 12:00 noon for pick up in the morning and 3:30 p.m. for the Pre-K.

We will have lunch bunch for the morning available the first day of school. Lunch Bunch for the morning children is from 12:00 p..m. until 2:00 p.m. and we charge $10.00 an hour. Pre-K Lunch Bunch is from 12:00 noon till 12:30 p.m. and we charge $5.00.

The staff and I are looking forward to seeing your children soon:)

Filed Under: All School, AM Pre Schoo, Back to School, First Day, Notes From Debbie

What to look for in a Preschool: The 4 E’s

June 13, 2010 By 1 Comment

When looking for a private preschool the choices can be confusing. There are different philosophies of early childhood education, with many time schedules, tuition costs, and fees. Here is what you need to consider when looking for a preschool we will call the Four E’s.

Energy: what is the energy of the school say? Are there lots of rules, is it quiet or loud, does it feel open or closed?Spend a few minutes observing the feelings you get.

Education: What is the education of the staff, as well as the director of the preschool? Some directors have a Masters degree while some have taken as few as 12 units in early childhood education.

Environment: It has been said that environment dictates behavior. Are children allowed lots of freedom, are they moving freely though a relaxed setting, are there lots of materials? Observe the environment quietly for a few minutes.

Eyes: look in the eyes of the children. Are they engaged, connected and communicating?

Energy, education, environment and eyes of the children. That is a good place to start:)

Filed Under: All School, AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Teacher Appreciation Week=true validation

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and the true validation that our staff is feeling is a gift to behold. Today we had a beautiful luncheon, where parents not only brought in food but came in to watch the children so that the teachers could eat together. We have had flowers and chocolates, along with homemade cards by the children that put Hallmark to shame.

When we feel this type of outreach from the parents we serve, educators are inspired and rejuvenated. It reaffirms why we come to out little school every morning. Suddenly the work is more meaningful and again we are reminded why we are valued. None of my teachers make enough money for the work they do, yet when we feel the love of the parents it lets us know why we choose this profession; because it is more than just a job. It is an extension of the families we work with, and a collaboration in child development with the parents at the helm and the teachers as partners.

Thank you to everyone who reaches out and thanks a teacher. It sustains us.

Filed Under: All School, AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Learning through Play

March 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

Everyday that I sit in the yard at La Canada Preschool I believe that our children are learning best by playing and following their own curiosities, by solving real problems such as how to balance a stack of blocks or how to negotiate to have a turn holding the hose. Children need to feel it to learn it, they need to interact to feel they belong and they need to feel accepted for who they are.

When children can paint freely they are learning to develop their imagination, eye to hand coordination, relationships to space and size, and concepts of symmetry.

When we play with play dough we learn to see shape against the background of a table, which is a pre-reading skill. We see negative shapes when we use cookie cutters in the play dough, and the amount of substance remains the same even when the shape changes.

When we draw with crayons we are learning to hold a drawing implement, exercise creativity, that my ideas have value as well as concepts of color, size and shape.

Make time to play at home. Pretend you are a waiter in a restaurant and serve your child from a play menu, pretend you are the patient and your child can be the doctor, and just sit on the floor and see what happens.

Maybe if we all played a little more the world when be a better place. When was the last time you played?

Filed Under: All School, AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie, Pre - K Tagged With: , , ,

The Importance of Dads, Grandpas, Friends and Neighbors

March 8, 2010 By 3 Comments

Everywhere I look I see amazing men with children. Dads who take the time to teach their children songs, grandpas who bring their grandchildren to preschool, as well as male friends and neighbors who take an interest in children.

This past Saturday we had Donuts with Daddy Day at the preschool. It was touching to watch men who were able to get down on the floor and build Legos with their child. There was the grandpa who came to be a part of his granddaughters day. A neighbor came to support the two boys who lived next door as thier Dad had to be at work.

Gloria Steinen once said, “Most American children suffer too much mother and too little father.” There, someone said it. As an educator and a mom I must concur. What is best for children I believe is to be influenced by men as well as woman.

Men teach our children that it is okay to be strong, to say how we feel and to be loving.

We need to encourage and nurture the men who love children. They have become so rare in the busy world we live in.

I want to thank every man who made the time to be at La Canada Preschool for our special day, for turning off thier cell phones and being present with their child. When the children came to school today they spoke about how much fun it was to have Daddy with them, how fum it was to play with Daddy, and how much they liked the donuts:)

Keep loving these men, giving them praise for being the fathers they are, or the grandpas they are, or the friends they are. Children need these amazing men more they we know.

Filed Under: All School, AM Pre Schoo, Notes From Debbie, Pre - K Tagged With: ,
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