A Note from Our Principal
Dear Families,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year. Thank you so much for your generosity last month. Our teachers, administrative team, and I truly appreciate all the thoughtfulness and care we received. We also thank you for your participation in our AWA Holiday Giving initiative. Because of your contributions, we were able to donate over 40 items to our furry friends at the AWA. The AWA staff were also very appreciative of the holiday cards and posters the children made them. The Voorhees Sun also wrote an article about our giving campaign. You can read it here:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https:**Asouthjersey.media*voorhees-news*students-bring-holiday-cheer-to-local-animal-shelter*&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTY0MTQ5MjMwMDk5NzAyNTk3MzEyHDhmYzhhZmRiNzJlMmRjOTI6Y29tOmVuOlVTOlI&usg=AOvVaw0FAKtPcH9TJ7gmsjxQKsSu__;Ly8vLy8!!E4z5CuPDl6TP!J1X75cZ_DOq2v-guQXizqoIdJhnezfzkx6YZQtCW6rmFZHkXtMwHwZIHYQrIQ5gLFQxnB9E4gAwcJBBRq2i-19YxUX_mi9tEcQ$
Sincerely,
Kim Cantermen
School Principal
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
We are excited to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. this month as part of our ongoing exploration of diversity and inclusion. We have many meaningful activities planned, including reading inspiring books and having thoughtful discussions about acceptance, belonging, and making a positive impact in the world. We’re looking forward to these important lessons, and we’ll be closed on Monday, January 20th, to honor MLK Day.
Open House
We’re hosting three Open House events in January! Spread the word and invite your friends and family to join us on:
Thursday, January 9th from 9:30 – 11:00 AM for an inside look at our curriculum in action
Thursday, January 9th from 6:00 – 7:30 PM for story time, crafts, and s’mores
Saturday, January 11th from 10:00 AM – 12 PM for a weekend walkthrough
Family Referral Bonus
Do you know a colleague who has recently had a baby, a friend in need of care who just relocated to the area, or a family member who is seeking a new preschool for their child? When you refer a friend and they enroll, you’re eligible for a free week of tuition. Ask us for details!
Important Dates
January 1 – School CLOSED for New Year’s Day
January 9 – Open House 9:30 – 11 AM & 6 – 7:30 PM
January 11 – Open House 10 AM – 12 PM
January 20 – School CLOSED for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 31 – End-of-month folders go home
New On Our Preschool Blog
How to Create Learning Spaces at Home
Creating an inviting and supportive home learning environment is important for your child’s development. A well-designed space helps children explore, be creative, and learn on their own. Here are some tips for how to best create learning spaces at home from Dena Christensen, a member of our Education Team. Dena joined our team in 2003 as an ECE Principal. She has over 30 years of experience working with children and is now the Manager of Educational Services for Early Childhood Education. Dena stays current on the latest research to bring new ideas and best practices to our school.
Hi Dena! How would you define a learning space, and can you share some tips for creating them at home?
Sure! A learning space is a place in your home that encourages exploration and learning. It should be easy for your child to access and have a clear purpose. Here are some ideas:
Create a reading nook for kids in your child’s room. Make it cozy with pillows, a comfy floor cushion, a soft rug, and blankets. Add good lighting and easy-to-reach books. This space helps build literacy skills and sparks imagination.
Set up an art station. This can be a table in the kitchen or living room with materials like paper, crayons, markers, glue sticks, and collage items to encourage creativity. Avoid using coloring books or workbooks to give your child more room for self-expression. This space can also be used to practice writing by providing writing utensils, paper or journals, and visual text.
Consider creating a sensory play area. Fill it with playdough, squishy toys, and materials with different textures. This space helps your child explore through touch, sparks creativity, and can provide a calming effect when emotions run high. You can also add visual aids like feelings cards to help them identify and name their emotions, promoting emotional literacy and self-awareness.
Set up a small play kitchen in your kitchen. Children learn a lot from watching adults. Give your child measuring spoons, cups, large bowls, and cookbooks. As they measure and pour along with you, they will practice math skills, like counting and volume.
Create a nature corner or garden center as part of your home learning environment. Choose a sunny spot in your house or yard to fill with plants, rocks, and natural objects to encourage curiosity and a love for nature. Involve your child in caring for the plants. An herb garden or strawberry plant is an easy way to start. This hands-on experience teaches about plant care and the importance of nurturing living things.
Are there any rules for designing these spaces?
Yes! Place quieter activities in calm rooms, like bedrooms, and noisier activities in livelier spaces, such as the kitchen. It’s hard to focus on art or a book with a TV on in the background! Make sure the space is comfortable and child-friendly with age-appropriate materials and child-sized furniture to promote independence. Keep things organized and labeled so your child can easily find and return items.
Do you have any other tips?
Keep things simple and clean. A neat space is more inviting. Use neutral colors to create a calm feeling. Choose places with plenty of natural light to help your child focus. While it’s great to have a reading nook in the bedroom, I also suggest placing books throughout the house. Also, rotating toys, books, and writing materials keeps things engaging and fresh for your child.
January Newsletter
A Note from Our Principal
Dear Families,
I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year. Thank you so much for your generosity last month. Our teachers, administrative team, and I truly appreciate all the thoughtfulness and care we received. We also thank you for your participation in our AWA Holiday Giving initiative. Because of your contributions, we were able to donate over 40 items to our furry friends at the AWA. The AWA staff were also very appreciative of the holiday cards and posters the children made them. The Voorhees Sun also wrote an article about our giving campaign. You can read it here:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https:**Asouthjersey.media*voorhees-news*students-bring-holiday-cheer-to-local-animal-shelter*&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTY0MTQ5MjMwMDk5NzAyNTk3MzEyHDhmYzhhZmRiNzJlMmRjOTI6Y29tOmVuOlVTOlI&usg=AOvVaw0FAKtPcH9TJ7gmsjxQKsSu__;Ly8vLy8!!E4z5CuPDl6TP!J1X75cZ_DOq2v-guQXizqoIdJhnezfzkx6YZQtCW6rmFZHkXtMwHwZIHYQrIQ5gLFQxnB9E4gAwcJBBRq2i-19YxUX_mi9tEcQ$
Sincerely,
Kim Cantermen
School Principal
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
We are excited to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. this month as part of our ongoing exploration of diversity and inclusion. We have many meaningful activities planned, including reading inspiring books and having thoughtful discussions about acceptance, belonging, and making a positive impact in the world. We’re looking forward to these important lessons, and we’ll be closed on Monday, January 20th, to honor MLK Day.
Open House
We’re hosting three Open House events in January! Spread the word and invite your friends and family to join us on:
Thursday, January 9th from 9:30 – 11:00 AM for an inside look at our curriculum in action
Thursday, January 9th from 6:00 – 7:30 PM for story time, crafts, and s’mores
Saturday, January 11th from 10:00 AM – 12 PM for a weekend walkthrough
Family Referral Bonus
Do you know a colleague who has recently had a baby, a friend in need of care who just relocated to the area, or a family member who is seeking a new preschool for their child? When you refer a friend and they enroll, you’re eligible for a free week of tuition. Ask us for details!
Important Dates
January 1 – School CLOSED for New Year’s Day
January 9 – Open House 9:30 – 11 AM & 6 – 7:30 PM
January 11 – Open House 10 AM – 12 PM
January 20 – School CLOSED for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 31 – End-of-month folders go home
New On Our Preschool Blog
How to Create Learning Spaces at Home
Creating an inviting and supportive home learning environment is important for your child’s development. A well-designed space helps children explore, be creative, and learn on their own. Here are some tips for how to best create learning spaces at home from Dena Christensen, a member of our Education Team. Dena joined our team in 2003 as an ECE Principal. She has over 30 years of experience working with children and is now the Manager of Educational Services for Early Childhood Education. Dena stays current on the latest research to bring new ideas and best practices to our school.
Hi Dena! How would you define a learning space, and can you share some tips for creating them at home?
Sure! A learning space is a place in your home that encourages exploration and learning. It should be easy for your child to access and have a clear purpose. Here are some ideas:
Create a reading nook for kids in your child’s room. Make it cozy with pillows, a comfy floor cushion, a soft rug, and blankets. Add good lighting and easy-to-reach books. This space helps build literacy skills and sparks imagination.
Set up an art station. This can be a table in the kitchen or living room with materials like paper, crayons, markers, glue sticks, and collage items to encourage creativity. Avoid using coloring books or workbooks to give your child more room for self-expression. This space can also be used to practice writing by providing writing utensils, paper or journals, and visual text.
Consider creating a sensory play area. Fill it with playdough, squishy toys, and materials with different textures. This space helps your child explore through touch, sparks creativity, and can provide a calming effect when emotions run high. You can also add visual aids like feelings cards to help them identify and name their emotions, promoting emotional literacy and self-awareness.
Set up a small play kitchen in your kitchen. Children learn a lot from watching adults. Give your child measuring spoons, cups, large bowls, and cookbooks. As they measure and pour along with you, they will practice math skills, like counting and volume.
Create a nature corner or garden center as part of your home learning environment. Choose a sunny spot in your house or yard to fill with plants, rocks, and natural objects to encourage curiosity and a love for nature. Involve your child in caring for the plants. An herb garden or strawberry plant is an easy way to start. This hands-on experience teaches about plant care and the importance of nurturing living things.
Are there any rules for designing these spaces?
Yes! Place quieter activities in calm rooms, like bedrooms, and noisier activities in livelier spaces, such as the kitchen. It’s hard to focus on art or a book with a TV on in the background! Make sure the space is comfortable and child-friendly with age-appropriate materials and child-sized furniture to promote independence. Keep things organized and labeled so your child can easily find and return items.
Do you have any other tips?
Keep things simple and clean. A neat space is more inviting. Use neutral colors to create a calm feeling. Choose places with plenty of natural light to help your child focus. While it’s great to have a reading nook in the bedroom, I also suggest placing books throughout the house. Also, rotating toys, books, and writing materials keeps things engaging and fresh for your child.