Dear Parents,
This has been such a wonderful summer so far. Full of great adventures and lots of learning. This month we will continue as we learn about the Rain Forest, experience the Junior Olympics, pay it forward as we learn about random acts of kindness and experience more camping towards the end of the month.
We will end our fabulous summer with a big Western Family BBQ. We want to say Thank you to all of our families for choosing Merryhill and letting us be a part of your family. This evening will be fun for everyone. We will have BBQ hotdogs, do a little dancing, visit w/ friends and make new friends. Please look for more details soon, but mark your calendar for Friday, August 28th from 5:00 – 7:00pm.
Don’t forget, we will be closed on Friday, August 14th for a Professional Development Day. On this day, all of the Merryhill Preschool teachers from this area will get together and will attend workshops such as: Literacy WOW, art and artists, customer service, Writing, Portfolios, Infant activities, Introduction to Links to Learning and STEAM. This day offers a great way to refocus our energy, learn new techniques and network with new preschool friends. We always return full of energy and ready to try new ideas.
WELCOME to all of new families, many have already started but more will be starting with us this month. We are happy that you have chosen Merryhill.
Please, as always, do not hesitate to email, call or come visit anytime – my door is always open.
Ms. Susan – Principal
________________________________________________________________________________
School Calendar:
Week of August 2nd: Rain Forest or Nature Gone Wild (summer camp)
Wed., Aug. 5th: Field Trip – Elk Grove Water Park (summer camp)
Rain Forest obstacle – Preschool / kindergarten camp
Week of August 9th: Jr-Olympics – Preschool / Kindergarten camp
Sports Academy – Summer Camp
Wednesday Aug. 12th: Olympic Games – Preschool / Kindergarten Camp
Field Trip – Round Table Pizza – Summer Camp
Friday, August 14th: School Closed – Professional Development Day
Week of August 16th: Pay it Forward / Campers today, Leaders tomorrow
**Random Acts of Kindness
Wednesday, Aug. 19th Fire Fighters Visit – Preschool / Kindergarten Camp
Field Trip – Aerospace Museum – Summer Camp
Week of August 23rd: Camp Adventure
Wednesday, Aug. 26th: Field Trip – Nugget Market – Summer Camp
Friday, August 28th: Western Family BBQ – Everyone Welcome – 5:00 – 7:00pm
Week of August 30th: Summer Mash up
Wednesday, Sept.2nd: Field Trip – Folsom Zoo – Summer Camp
Monday, Sept. 7th: School Closed – Labor Day
_________________________________________________________________________________
News from the Education Department
As we reach the end of summer, now is a great time to reestablish comforting routines for your preschooler. Routines help children build self-confidence and independence, cope with transitions, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Our Links to Learning curriculum promotes students’ social and emotional development, which is necessary for following directions and demonstrating self-control. Our teachers focus on the importance of healthy living and safety routines in the Wellness component of our curriculum.
Here are some examples of ways we establish routines in the the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Naptime gives children an opportunity to recharge and reboot. Our toddlers transition from napping in cribs to napping in cots. Teachers schedule naps at the same time and in the same area of the classroom every day. Soothing music is played to help toddlers wind down.
At home: Talk with your child’s teacher about the naptime routine at school. Minimize naptime battles by attempting to maintain the same routine at home.
Recommended reading: Naptime by Elizabeth Verdick
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to learn basic self-help skills such as dressing themselves. Our Beginner students practice snaps and zippers, and are encouraged to complete basic sequences like putting on socks before shoes.
At home: Offer your child a choice during routines in order to increase his interest in the activity. For example, lay out two outfit options for him to wear. Allow him to choose the outfit he prefers. Give him ample time to dress himself before offering assistance. Praise every attempt.
Recommended reading: Let’s Get Dressed by Caroline Church
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Teachers focus on the importance of sleep in the Wellness component of our curriculum. Students read and act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. They discuss why the bear was sleeping, and why sleep is important.
At home: Create a bedtime routine for your child. For example, bathe, brush teeth, read a story, go to sleep. Follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
Recommended reading: The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older students follow an arrival routine at the start of every school day. They sign themselves in, say goodbye to their parents, and put away their belongings. Students learn rhymes and songs to help remind themselves what to do when they enter the classroom.
At home: Mornings are critical for setting the tone for a successful and positive day. Establish a morning routine for your child with a maximum of four steps. For example, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, eat breakfast.
Recommended reading: Waking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield
Following routines helps children develop the habits of responsibility that will be crucial for their future success and well-being. Kindergarten students are expected to follow instructions, listen to their teacher and complete specific tasks. By setting routines in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
August News
Dear Parents,
This has been such a wonderful summer so far. Full of great adventures and lots of learning. This month we will continue as we learn about the Rain Forest, experience the Junior Olympics, pay it forward as we learn about random acts of kindness and experience more camping towards the end of the month.
We will end our fabulous summer with a big Western Family BBQ. We want to say Thank you to all of our families for choosing Merryhill and letting us be a part of your family. This evening will be fun for everyone. We will have BBQ hotdogs, do a little dancing, visit w/ friends and make new friends. Please look for more details soon, but mark your calendar for Friday, August 28th from 5:00 – 7:00pm.
Don’t forget, we will be closed on Friday, August 14th for a Professional Development Day. On this day, all of the Merryhill Preschool teachers from this area will get together and will attend workshops such as: Literacy WOW, art and artists, customer service, Writing, Portfolios, Infant activities, Introduction to Links to Learning and STEAM. This day offers a great way to refocus our energy, learn new techniques and network with new preschool friends. We always return full of energy and ready to try new ideas.
WELCOME to all of new families, many have already started but more will be starting with us this month. We are happy that you have chosen Merryhill.
Please, as always, do not hesitate to email, call or come visit anytime – my door is always open.
Ms. Susan – Principal
________________________________________________________________________________
School Calendar:
Week of August 2nd: Rain Forest or Nature Gone Wild (summer camp)
Wed., Aug. 5th: Field Trip – Elk Grove Water Park (summer camp)
Rain Forest obstacle – Preschool / kindergarten camp
Week of August 9th: Jr-Olympics – Preschool / Kindergarten camp
Sports Academy – Summer Camp
Wednesday Aug. 12th: Olympic Games – Preschool / Kindergarten Camp
Field Trip – Round Table Pizza – Summer Camp
Friday, August 14th: School Closed – Professional Development Day
Week of August 16th: Pay it Forward / Campers today, Leaders tomorrow
**Random Acts of Kindness
Wednesday, Aug. 19th Fire Fighters Visit – Preschool / Kindergarten Camp
Field Trip – Aerospace Museum – Summer Camp
Week of August 23rd: Camp Adventure
Wednesday, Aug. 26th: Field Trip – Nugget Market – Summer Camp
Friday, August 28th: Western Family BBQ – Everyone Welcome – 5:00 – 7:00pm
Week of August 30th: Summer Mash up
Wednesday, Sept.2nd: Field Trip – Folsom Zoo – Summer Camp
Monday, Sept. 7th: School Closed – Labor Day
_________________________________________________________________________________
News from the Education Department
As we reach the end of summer, now is a great time to reestablish comforting routines for your preschooler. Routines help children build self-confidence and independence, cope with transitions, and gain a better understanding of the world around them.
Our Links to Learning curriculum promotes students’ social and emotional development, which is necessary for following directions and demonstrating self-control. Our teachers focus on the importance of healthy living and safety routines in the Wellness component of our curriculum.
Here are some examples of ways we establish routines in the the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: Naptime gives children an opportunity to recharge and reboot. Our toddlers transition from napping in cribs to napping in cots. Teachers schedule naps at the same time and in the same area of the classroom every day. Soothing music is played to help toddlers wind down.
At home: Talk with your child’s teacher about the naptime routine at school. Minimize naptime battles by attempting to maintain the same routine at home.
Recommended reading: Naptime by Elizabeth Verdick
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Around age two, children begin to learn basic self-help skills such as dressing themselves. Our Beginner students practice snaps and zippers, and are encouraged to complete basic sequences like putting on socks before shoes.
At home: Offer your child a choice during routines in order to increase his interest in the activity. For example, lay out two outfit options for him to wear. Allow him to choose the outfit he prefers. Give him ample time to dress himself before offering assistance. Praise every attempt.
Recommended reading: Let’s Get Dressed by Caroline Church
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Teachers focus on the importance of sleep in the Wellness component of our curriculum. Students read and act out We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury and Michael Rosen. They discuss why the bear was sleeping, and why sleep is important.
At home: Create a bedtime routine for your child. For example, bathe, brush teeth, read a story, go to sleep. Follow the same sequence of events at the same time and in the same order every night.
Recommended reading: The Going-to-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Our older students follow an arrival routine at the start of every school day. They sign themselves in, say goodbye to their parents, and put away their belongings. Students learn rhymes and songs to help remind themselves what to do when they enter the classroom.
At home: Mornings are critical for setting the tone for a successful and positive day. Establish a morning routine for your child with a maximum of four steps. For example, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, eat breakfast.
Recommended reading: Waking Up is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka & Howard Greenfield
Following routines helps children develop the habits of responsibility that will be crucial for their future success and well-being. Kindergarten students are expected to follow instructions, listen to their teacher and complete specific tasks. By setting routines in the preschool years, your child will be better prepared as he enters elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education