Hey it’s Mr. Tony again. I love doing dictations with the children which is an activity I do with the children on an almost regular basis. It’s also a step towards literacy. It shows children that a story has a start, middle and end. In writing with the children we show that we write from left to right. And now the fun stuff. I sat down with the children today and asked some questions about their mom. I asked how old their mom is. What their favorite food is. How tall their mom is. What work she does and what they like to do with their mom. And now some of their answers. Survey says! How old is your mom? I got answers like, 60, 3, 30 and a half and 1. And one little boy just said “She’s just very old”. Next question was “What is your mom’s favorite food?” “Gorilla munch”. “Lettuce.” ” Spicy pizza.” And of course there was “crab salad”. I love a child’s concept of tall someone is. “How tall is your mom?” Their height ranged from 1 inch to 7 feet. Their response to what job their mom does was also very cute. Apparently it’s the job of some moms to just clean their rooms, go make money and last but not least, “Measure the bouncy”. The most endearing answer came from the question “What is your favorite thing to do with your mom?” “I love to color and cuddle with my mom”. All their answers were great and all of their answers are what makes my job and this particular activity so fun. Take the time to sit with your children and talk to them about anything and just listen to their ideas about life. You’ll have a lot of fun and get a lot of quality fun. Enjoy.
Bubble Ball Painting
With the La Canada Preschool Arts Fair vastly approaching, I worked with the children on painting using bubble balls. It is a fun way of dipping a bouncing plastic ball into paints of different colors to create unique and different designs such as snowflakes and raindrops. The children dipped the bubble balls into orange, red, green, and blue colors of paints. It was a fun day had by all as the children got to create and show their imagination in a fun and different way of painting.
(Posted by Mr. Scott for Debbie)
Blow Dryer Art
Okay so I’ve got a new art toy to use at the preschool. I picked up a blow dryer at the CVS in La Canada and oggled it and I thought of the wonders I’d do with it. I experimented with four colors. I plopped four different colors on top of each other and pulled out the blow dryer. I turned it on and went to town. The effect was similar to watching a flower blooming in slow motion. After I finished playing with it 20 minutes later I finally got it ready for the kids. Upon taking it out and showing it to the kids I immediately had a long line of kids waiting for their turn. The outcome was proof that it truly is the process and not the product that’s important. Watching the paint being blown around was similar to watching a flower bloom in front of your eyes. Once the kids were gone I preceded to have some fun on my own again. Yep once again I’ve discovered a new toy.
(Written by Mr. Tony for Debbie)
UTube for Preschool Parents: Weigh In
In the world of technology I want to invent a new way to connect with the families at LCP. My computer guru, Steve, suggested that I post video of the activities at LCP on UTube, maybe even creating my own network. Wow, that sounds inspiring, and I want to do this, with your approval.
Please send me feedback, and say how you feel about this. I want to take it on, with the goal of posting viedo everyday for a month. Everyday I am in the classroom at our school I witness moments that make me realize the amazing experiences each child is having and how I want to share this with parents.
At the same time I want to be respectful as a child development educator to each family I work with. There are not any preschools to my knowledge that do this, and part of me wants to be the first.
Weigh in, share and thank you.
5 Snack Menu’s at LCP
One of the best things we do at La Canada Preschool is snack. We serve a mini-meal, one that always includes fruit and protein. Here is a week’s menu:
*Bagels and Cream Cheese w/strawberries
*Cereal and Oranges
*Pasta and Applesauce
*Cheese and Crackers and Applesauce
*Chicken Nuggets and Pears
You may also smell cookies baking in the over or banana bread, thanks to Miss Rosemary, who had taught at our preschool for 28 years. Where do you find this in the busy world we live in?
Children love to have snack, sitting around the table, passing food. Miss Pammy’s group sits around the table some days for up the half an hour, talking, smiling, making eye contact, looking closely at each other. There are lively discussions about food, what is healthy food, and what we like to eat.
Studies show that when people eat together they make a deeper connection that without this experience. At preschool as well as at home let’s bring back places where children have the time to slow down, enjoy food with others, and watch what happens.
Five Things to Do with your Preschooler during Spring Break
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.
Meet Miss Jamie
Miss Jamie Howard is a new teacher at La Canada Preschool. She has grown up in the La Crescenta/La Canada area, and loves this community. Currently Jamie is attending Cal State Northridge pursuing a double major in child development and family studies. Jamie has volunteered for many years at the Crescenta-Canada YMCA as a youth director. She has also work for the YMCA as a camp counselor and program director.
When not working Jamie enjoys relaxing with friends and family. She loves going to the beach, especially Carpinteria. Jamie is approachable and enjoys feedback from the parents we work with.
Any questions for Miss Jamie are welcomed:) She will be happy to respond, and wants everyone to know how much she enjoys all the children at La Canada Preschool.
Kindergarten Entrance Date : A new law that makes sense
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.
Meet Mr. Scott
Meet Mr. Scott, our newest teacher at La Canada Preschool. He lives in Glendale, and is originally from Connecticut. His Mom, Dad, younger sister and brother still live there, and he has an older brother that lives in Tokyo. Scott has a bachelors degree in business, with 41 units in child development. When he is not at preschool Scott enjoys watching and playing basketball, baseball, as well as running. His favorite food is fried chicken. Instead of TV, Scott likes watching DVD’s, including Field of Dreams, Rudy and all the Star Wars trilogy. Scott wants everyone to know he loves his work at La Canada Preschool and is grateful to be here.
Do you or your children have any questions for Mr. Scott? Post them and he will answer them!
Next week, look for Miss Jamie:)
Meet the Teachers
Do you ever wonder who the teachers are when you come to a school? While our teachers love to talk parents, it can be hard to visit when the children are present, as they need our attention every minute, and expect us to be there for them first and foremost.
Over the next few weeks I will be interviewing a different teacher for you all to get to know.
I would like for you and your children to submit questions for the teachers to answer. Please have fun with this, feel free to read the blog with your child, and get to know these amazing, hard working and talented educators who make up our team at LCP.