October has come and gone and given us a small taste of Fall. We have turned our clocks back, the weather is cooler and the days are shorter. With the change of seasons, the weather can be unpredictable. Please make sure that your child’s extra change of clothes is switched out from summer to winter. Also, we do go outside every day that the weather permits. You may want to begin sending a light jacket with your child for those days that don’t warm up as expected.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and/or attended our Halloween Extravaganza. The weather cooperated and the event was a huge success. The evening was filled with ponies, trains, and so much fun. We saw some very creative costumes, from a family of monsters to the Three Bears. After a unanimous vote, the winner of our Family Costume Contest is the Marek Family, with their costumes representing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The Marek Family will receive free admission to our Annual Art Festival in the Spring. Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our October Free Dress Day to benefit Alzheimer’s research. Our November community outreach will be a coin drive to benefit Juvenile Diabetes research. Anytime between November 2nd and November 20th, all coins that are brought in will be donated.
We will also be hosting a food drive from November 9-20. Please bring in nonperishable food items during this time for our Kindergarten students to donate.
Pizza Friday will be November 13th. If you have not already signed your child up to participate, and are interested, please stop by the front desk.
You will soon be receiving an invitation to join us for our Annual Family Thanksgiving Feast. Please fill out and return your RSVP to the front desk by November 19th. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for this delicious meal and family time.
Our annual Toy Drive will begin on November 30th. For all of you Black Friday shoppers, this is a great time to pick up an extra toy at a great price to donate.
The school will be closed on November 11th, 26th and 27th. Please note this on your calendars.
We would like to welcome the Woodward Family, Ypil Family, Slocum Family, Fieldstad Family,and the Bratton Family; and welcome back to the Bianco Family and to Grayson Riggott. We are so excited to have all of you joining our Merryhill Family.
Thank you for entrusting your beautiful little treasures to us everyday. It is an honor to have you as a part of our Merryhill Community.
Mrs. Luther-
_________________________________________________________________________
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
November Niblits
October has come and gone and given us a small taste of Fall. We have turned our clocks back, the weather is cooler and the days are shorter. With the change of seasons, the weather can be unpredictable. Please make sure that your child’s extra change of clothes is switched out from summer to winter. Also, we do go outside every day that the weather permits. You may want to begin sending a light jacket with your child for those days that don’t warm up as expected.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and/or attended our Halloween Extravaganza. The weather cooperated and the event was a huge success. The evening was filled with ponies, trains, and so much fun. We saw some very creative costumes, from a family of monsters to the Three Bears. After a unanimous vote, the winner of our Family Costume Contest is the Marek Family, with their costumes representing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The Marek Family will receive free admission to our Annual Art Festival in the Spring. Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone who participated in our October Free Dress Day to benefit Alzheimer’s research. Our November community outreach will be a coin drive to benefit Juvenile Diabetes research. Anytime between November 2nd and November 20th, all coins that are brought in will be donated.
We will also be hosting a food drive from November 9-20. Please bring in nonperishable food items during this time for our Kindergarten students to donate.
Pizza Friday will be November 13th. If you have not already signed your child up to participate, and are interested, please stop by the front desk.
You will soon be receiving an invitation to join us for our Annual Family Thanksgiving Feast. Please fill out and return your RSVP to the front desk by November 19th. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for this delicious meal and family time.
Our annual Toy Drive will begin on November 30th. For all of you Black Friday shoppers, this is a great time to pick up an extra toy at a great price to donate.
The school will be closed on November 11th, 26th and 27th. Please note this on your calendars.
We would like to welcome the Woodward Family, Ypil Family, Slocum Family, Fieldstad Family,and the Bratton Family; and welcome back to the Bianco Family and to Grayson Riggott. We are so excited to have all of you joining our Merryhill Family.
Thank you for entrusting your beautiful little treasures to us everyday. It is an honor to have you as a part of our Merryhill Community.
Mrs. Luther-
_________________________________________________________________________
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