Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered, donated and joined us for our Halloween festivities! Trunk or Treat was a huge success! We are now gearing up for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon, which will be held on Friday, November 20th, at 11:30am. All families are invited to come celebrate all that we are thankful for and enjoy a wonderful meal. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss it!
Once again, we will be partnering with Housing Families First for the holidays. We will be collecting items to make family packs for the residents who are currently housed there. Donation boards will be displayed in the lobby for you to choose a tag for any item you would like to purchase and donate. The holiday drive will begin on Monday, November 9th and end on Friday, December 11th. Our goal is to get enough items to make at least 10-12 family packs. Please help us in making the holidays a little brighter for a less fortunate family.
Upcoming Events
11/7 Open House for inquiring families
11/9 Spirit Week
11/9 Holiday drive begins for Housing Families First
11/11 CBA Closed for Professional Development Day
11/20 Family Thanksgiving Luncheon @ 11:30
11/23 Holiday Pictures @ 8:30
11/26 Closed for Thanksgiving Day
Vacation policy – Please remember that we require a two week written notice for any vacation requests.
Outside food policy – Please refrain from bringing outside food into the building. There are children in our care with severe allergies and it is our duty to provide a safe, healthy environment for them.
Extra clothes – it is important that you check your child’s cubby periodically to ensure he/she has a weather/size appropriate change of clothes.
4 Ways to Instill Thankfulness in Young Children
It’s never too early to teach your child about thankfulness. By learning concepts of generosity and compassion, children strengthen their connection to their community and become sensitive to the feelings of others.
The holiday season is quickly approaching, so now is a great time to reinforce the importance of thankfulness and giving back to those in need.
Below are age appropriate activities that we implement in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS: Be a good role model
In the classroom: Our teachers introduce “please” and “thank you” to our toddlers by using sign language and verbal communication. Students practice good manners with their dolls, stuffed animals and each other.
At home: Modeling positive behaviors is a great way to teach your child good manners. Say “please” before asking him to do something, and always follow with “thank you.”
Recommended reading: Little Critter® I Am Helping by Mercer Mayer
BEGINNERS: Share your gratitude out loud
In the classroom: Our teachers encourage our Beginner students to name a few of their favorite toys and games, and bring one in from home to share with friends. By sharing their belongings, children nurture connections with their classmates, and build necessary problem-solving skills.
At home: Talk with your child about the things in your life for which you are thankful, and ask him to name a few as well. Extend the discussion beyond physical possessions. For instance, if he is thankful for a favorite toy, say “Grandma bought you that toy, and we are thankful for her.”
Recommended reading: Spot Helps Out by Eric Hill
INTERMEDIATES: Show appreciation through actions
In the classroom: By age three, children begin to understand the concept of appreciation. They create birthday cards for their teachers, make art projects for friends, and write thank you cards for classroom visitors.
At home: Go shopping with your child, and buy a small token of appreciation for a friend or family member. Ask your child to draw a picture or write a thank you note to accompany the gift.
Recommended reading: Clifford’s Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell
PRE-K/PRE-K2: Give back to those in need
In the classroom: During the holidays, many of our schools host donation drives for organizations in need. Our older preschoolers discuss why they are participating, count the items donated, and sometimes have the opportunity to deliver the donations.
At home: Donate canned goods to a local food pantry, and allow your child to choose the food that he would like to donate. Explain to him that you are thankful to have good food to eat, and that you want to make sure that others have the same.
Recommended reading: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to develop thankfulness and show gratitude towards others. By setting this positive foundation, your child will be more appreciative and generous as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
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November News
Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered, donated and joined us for our Halloween festivities! Trunk or Treat was a huge success! We are now gearing up for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon, which will be held on Friday, November 20th, at 11:30am. All families are invited to come celebrate all that we are thankful for and enjoy a wonderful meal. Mark your calendars now so you don’t miss it!
Once again, we will be partnering with Housing Families First for the holidays. We will be collecting items to make family packs for the residents who are currently housed there. Donation boards will be displayed in the lobby for you to choose a tag for any item you would like to purchase and donate. The holiday drive will begin on Monday, November 9th and end on Friday, December 11th. Our goal is to get enough items to make at least 10-12 family packs. Please help us in making the holidays a little brighter for a less fortunate family.
Upcoming Events
11/7 Open House for inquiring families
11/9 Spirit Week
11/9 Holiday drive begins for Housing Families First
11/11 CBA Closed for Professional Development Day
11/20 Family Thanksgiving Luncheon @ 11:30
11/23 Holiday Pictures @ 8:30
11/26 Closed for Thanksgiving Day
Vacation policy – Please remember that we require a two week written notice for any vacation requests.
Outside food policy – Please refrain from bringing outside food into the building. There are children in our care with severe allergies and it is our duty to provide a safe, healthy environment for them.
Extra clothes – it is important that you check your child’s cubby periodically to ensure he/she has a weather/size appropriate change of clothes.
4 Ways to Instill Thankfulness in Young Children
It’s never too early to teach your child about thankfulness. By learning concepts of generosity and compassion, children strengthen their connection to their community and become sensitive to the feelings of others.
The holiday season is quickly approaching, so now is a great time to reinforce the importance of thankfulness and giving back to those in need.
Below are age appropriate activities that we implement in the classroom, as well as activities for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS: Be a good role model
In the classroom: Our teachers introduce “please” and “thank you” to our toddlers by using sign language and verbal communication. Students practice good manners with their dolls, stuffed animals and each other.
At home: Modeling positive behaviors is a great way to teach your child good manners. Say “please” before asking him to do something, and always follow with “thank you.”
Recommended reading: Little Critter® I Am Helping by Mercer Mayer
BEGINNERS: Share your gratitude out loud
In the classroom: Our teachers encourage our Beginner students to name a few of their favorite toys and games, and bring one in from home to share with friends. By sharing their belongings, children nurture connections with their classmates, and build necessary problem-solving skills.
At home: Talk with your child about the things in your life for which you are thankful, and ask him to name a few as well. Extend the discussion beyond physical possessions. For instance, if he is thankful for a favorite toy, say “Grandma bought you that toy, and we are thankful for her.”
Recommended reading: Spot Helps Out by Eric Hill
INTERMEDIATES: Show appreciation through actions
In the classroom: By age three, children begin to understand the concept of appreciation. They create birthday cards for their teachers, make art projects for friends, and write thank you cards for classroom visitors.
At home: Go shopping with your child, and buy a small token of appreciation for a friend or family member. Ask your child to draw a picture or write a thank you note to accompany the gift.
Recommended reading: Clifford’s Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell
PRE-K/PRE-K2: Give back to those in need
In the classroom: During the holidays, many of our schools host donation drives for organizations in need. Our older preschoolers discuss why they are participating, count the items donated, and sometimes have the opportunity to deliver the donations.
At home: Donate canned goods to a local food pantry, and allow your child to choose the food that he would like to donate. Explain to him that you are thankful to have good food to eat, and that you want to make sure that others have the same.
Recommended reading: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to develop thankfulness and show gratitude towards others. By setting this positive foundation, your child will be more appreciative and generous as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education