From the Principal’s Office
It’s hard to believe that fall is almost upon us! The upcoming months at Merryhill are sure to be busy ones. This month we will host our traditional Grandparent’s Lunch/Social on Friday, September 11th. Be on the lookout for more information coming your way soon.
Fall portraits will be taken on Monday, August 31st & Tuesday, September 1st, and will include class pictures. Bring your smiles and wear your fall colors for a beautiful picture! Please make sure you check the days for your child’s portrait day located inside this issue of our newsletter.
Our Scholastic Book Fair will also make it’s way here this month. Check out our teacher Wish Lists and remember that the holidays are right around the corner and books make great gifts!
Our annual Trick or Trunk will be held on Friday October 30th. If you would like to be a part of this very special event and volunteer, please save the date! This year, Trick or Trunk will be even more Spooktacular! Our classrooms will have very special activities going on, we will have a scarecrow contest, and we will hold our Fall Raffle! Trick or Trunk will be held during our morning hours and we would love to have all of our parents join us!
Have a great fall season!
Lisa Norris – Principal
Calendar of Events
8/31-9/1 Portrait Days
9/7 Labor Day – School Closed
9/10 Soccer Starts!
9/11 Grandparent’s Lunch/Social
9/14-18 Scholastic Book Fair
9/23 Fall Begins at Merryhill
9/25 Johnny Appleseed Day
Coming Up!
Grandparent’s Day Celebrations
On Friday, September 11th we will be honoring all of our Grandparents! Our Infants & Toddlers will host a dessert social in our afternoon hours at 3:30 pm. Our Beginners, Intermediate, Pre-K & Pre-K 2 classes will host a lunch at 11:00 am. Please check with your child’s teacher for all the details!
Scholastic Book Fair
It is once again time for our Scholastic Book Fair. The book fair will run from September 14th – 18th. As usual, our teachers will pick out their “favorites” and will place those on their wish list for you to purchase for their class. These books are a wonderful addition to our classroom libraries. The funds raised will be used to add books to our libraries and curriculum materials to our classrooms. We hope that you will take this opportunity to purchase these high quality books for your children. And don’t forget that they will make the perfect holiday gift.Thanks for your support!
Johnny Appleseed Day
On Friday, September 25th we will celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day. Join in the fun by wearing your favorite overalls or apple picking clothes. A small pot for your head will fit in just perfect, so bring one to school. The children will taste test a variety of apples and apple recipes, while learning all about Johnny Appleseed.
Labor Day
As a reminder, Merryhill will be CLOSED on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Fall Portraits
Monday, August 31st
Intermediate – Pre-K2
Tuesday, September 1st
Infants, Toddlers, Beginners
Class pictures will also be taken at this time!
Mini-Kickers Soccer
There is still time to sign up for the fall session of Mini-Kickers Soccer! Sign up at minikickersoccer.com
Class space is limited!
Soccer is held everyThursday morning.
September 10th – October 29th
Fall at Merryhill!
Fall will arrive this month and our classrooms will be exploring the textures of the season! Please help our teachers by bringing in items for your children to explore.
Items needed are:
Fall Leaves
Gourds (different shapes and sizes)
Indian Corn
Small, Medium & Large Pumpkins
Links to Learning End of the Month Folders
Be on the lookout for your child’s first Links to Learning End of the Month Folder that will be coming your way at the end of September. Please remember to return the folder to school the following day.
From the Education Department
Developing Balance Skills in Young Children
From Tummy Time to Bike Riding
Balance is a fundamental skill necessary for maintaining controlled positions, such as sitting in a chair, or engaging in physical activities like running or riding a bike. Having balance makes motor skill development easier, reduces the risk of injury, and helps children focus on academic tasks.
Our Nobel Learning Education team stays up to date with the latest research to ensure that our Links to Learning curriculum exceeds childhood learning standards. The Links to Learning curriculum was enhanced last fall to include a greater focus on balance, a building block for skills such as hand-eye coordination, muscular strength and body awareness.
Here are some ways we help improve balance in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Tummy time promotes neck, back and abdominal strength needed for infants to eventually push up, roll over, sit up and crawl. Teachers keep infants engaged by using activity mats or plush blocks.
At home: Place your baby on his stomach and shine a flashlight near him. Once you have captured his attention, shine the light in a rhythmic pattern. For older infants, encourage your baby to move or crawl toward the light.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: During the toddler years, children make major strides in balance and coordination. Teachers play music and encourage students to move their bodies in different ways while maintaining their balance.
At home: Push and pull toys require children to use core balance and arm strength, which can be difficult for new walkers. Place a small wagon or toy shopping cart and a pile of blocks on the floor. Show your child how to fill the cart with blocks. He will enjoy pulling or pushing the blocks around the room.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Sitting cross-legged, or as we say with the children “criss-cross applesauce,” is an important developmental skill for two year olds. Teachers encourage children to sit criss-crossed anytime they are playing on the floor. Sitting in this position strengthens a child’s core muscles and helps improve body control. We discourage “W-sitting,” with knees together and feet on either side of the hips, because it puts strain on knees and hips and fails to engage core abdominal muscles.
At home: Provide your child with a sit-and-spin toy. Ask him to sit on the toy with his legs crisscrossed. As he turns the wheel to spin, he will gain a better understanding of cause and effect.
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Around age three, children learn to maintain control of their upper body while moving their lower body. Our Intermediate students practice pedaling a tricycle, bouncing on hopper balls, and walking on a balance beam.
At home: Have your child practice running and stopping with control by playing the traffic light game. Shout out the color green, yellow or red. Have him move quickly when hearing “green,” move slowly when hearing “yellow,” and completely stop when hearing “red.”
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers encourage children to practice balance and coordination by jumping on their non-dominant foot, walking on a line or beam, or jumping rope. Children also practice balance by crouching down to tie their shoes.
At home: Ask your child to tell you about the games and activities played at school. Include these activities at home and during family events such as birthday parties and vacations. Scooters and pogo jumpers are great toys for children at this age.
Good balance helps children maintain appropriate and controlled body movement during important tasks. By building balance skills 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
September Newsletter
From the Principal’s Office
It’s hard to believe that fall is almost upon us! The upcoming months at Merryhill are sure to be busy ones. This month we will host our traditional Grandparent’s Lunch/Social on Friday, September 11th. Be on the lookout for more information coming your way soon.
Fall portraits will be taken on Monday, August 31st & Tuesday, September 1st, and will include class pictures. Bring your smiles and wear your fall colors for a beautiful picture! Please make sure you check the days for your child’s portrait day located inside this issue of our newsletter.
Our Scholastic Book Fair will also make it’s way here this month. Check out our teacher Wish Lists and remember that the holidays are right around the corner and books make great gifts!
Our annual Trick or Trunk will be held on Friday October 30th. If you would like to be a part of this very special event and volunteer, please save the date! This year, Trick or Trunk will be even more Spooktacular! Our classrooms will have very special activities going on, we will have a scarecrow contest, and we will hold our Fall Raffle! Trick or Trunk will be held during our morning hours and we would love to have all of our parents join us!
Have a great fall season!
Lisa Norris – Principal
Calendar of Events
8/31-9/1 Portrait Days
9/7 Labor Day – School Closed
9/10 Soccer Starts!
9/11 Grandparent’s Lunch/Social
9/14-18 Scholastic Book Fair
9/23 Fall Begins at Merryhill
9/25 Johnny Appleseed Day
Coming Up!
Grandparent’s Day Celebrations
On Friday, September 11th we will be honoring all of our Grandparents! Our Infants & Toddlers will host a dessert social in our afternoon hours at 3:30 pm. Our Beginners, Intermediate, Pre-K & Pre-K 2 classes will host a lunch at 11:00 am. Please check with your child’s teacher for all the details!
Scholastic Book Fair
It is once again time for our Scholastic Book Fair. The book fair will run from September 14th – 18th. As usual, our teachers will pick out their “favorites” and will place those on their wish list for you to purchase for their class. These books are a wonderful addition to our classroom libraries. The funds raised will be used to add books to our libraries and curriculum materials to our classrooms. We hope that you will take this opportunity to purchase these high quality books for your children. And don’t forget that they will make the perfect holiday gift.Thanks for your support!
Johnny Appleseed Day
On Friday, September 25th we will celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day. Join in the fun by wearing your favorite overalls or apple picking clothes. A small pot for your head will fit in just perfect, so bring one to school. The children will taste test a variety of apples and apple recipes, while learning all about Johnny Appleseed.
Labor Day
As a reminder, Merryhill will be CLOSED on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Fall Portraits
Monday, August 31st
Intermediate – Pre-K2
Tuesday, September 1st
Infants, Toddlers, Beginners
Class pictures will also be taken at this time!
Mini-Kickers Soccer
There is still time to sign up for the fall session of Mini-Kickers Soccer! Sign up at minikickersoccer.com
Class space is limited!
Soccer is held everyThursday morning.
September 10th – October 29th
Fall at Merryhill!
Fall will arrive this month and our classrooms will be exploring the textures of the season! Please help our teachers by bringing in items for your children to explore.
Items needed are:
Fall Leaves
Gourds (different shapes and sizes)
Indian Corn
Small, Medium & Large Pumpkins
Links to Learning End of the Month Folders
Be on the lookout for your child’s first Links to Learning End of the Month Folder that will be coming your way at the end of September. Please remember to return the folder to school the following day.
From the Education Department
Developing Balance Skills in Young Children
From Tummy Time to Bike Riding
Balance is a fundamental skill necessary for maintaining controlled positions, such as sitting in a chair, or engaging in physical activities like running or riding a bike. Having balance makes motor skill development easier, reduces the risk of injury, and helps children focus on academic tasks.
Our Nobel Learning Education team stays up to date with the latest research to ensure that our Links to Learning curriculum exceeds childhood learning standards. The Links to Learning curriculum was enhanced last fall to include a greater focus on balance, a building block for skills such as hand-eye coordination, muscular strength and body awareness.
Here are some ways we help improve balance in the classroom, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS:
In the classroom: Tummy time promotes neck, back and abdominal strength needed for infants to eventually push up, roll over, sit up and crawl. Teachers keep infants engaged by using activity mats or plush blocks.
At home: Place your baby on his stomach and shine a flashlight near him. Once you have captured his attention, shine the light in a rhythmic pattern. For older infants, encourage your baby to move or crawl toward the light.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: During the toddler years, children make major strides in balance and coordination. Teachers play music and encourage students to move their bodies in different ways while maintaining their balance.
At home: Push and pull toys require children to use core balance and arm strength, which can be difficult for new walkers. Place a small wagon or toy shopping cart and a pile of blocks on the floor. Show your child how to fill the cart with blocks. He will enjoy pulling or pushing the blocks around the room.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Sitting cross-legged, or as we say with the children “criss-cross applesauce,” is an important developmental skill for two year olds. Teachers encourage children to sit criss-crossed anytime they are playing on the floor. Sitting in this position strengthens a child’s core muscles and helps improve body control. We discourage “W-sitting,” with knees together and feet on either side of the hips, because it puts strain on knees and hips and fails to engage core abdominal muscles.
At home: Provide your child with a sit-and-spin toy. Ask him to sit on the toy with his legs crisscrossed. As he turns the wheel to spin, he will gain a better understanding of cause and effect.
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Around age three, children learn to maintain control of their upper body while moving their lower body. Our Intermediate students practice pedaling a tricycle, bouncing on hopper balls, and walking on a balance beam.
At home: Have your child practice running and stopping with control by playing the traffic light game. Shout out the color green, yellow or red. Have him move quickly when hearing “green,” move slowly when hearing “yellow,” and completely stop when hearing “red.”
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers encourage children to practice balance and coordination by jumping on their non-dominant foot, walking on a line or beam, or jumping rope. Children also practice balance by crouching down to tie their shoes.
At home: Ask your child to tell you about the games and activities played at school. Include these activities at home and during family events such as birthday parties and vacations. Scooters and pogo jumpers are great toys for children at this age.
Good balance helps children maintain appropriate and controlled body movement during important tasks. By building balance skills 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