Fall is in the air! In this month of thankfulness, we would like to express our thanks to all of you for entrusting your most precious possession in our care, your child.
During the month of November, the children will enjoy talking about what they are thankful for. They will also have the opportunity to share family traditions and learn all about the joy of friendship.
Our Trick-or-Trunk was a great success! Thank you to all our parent volunteers who helped make it wonderful. Our events would not be successful without you, thank you.
This month, in addition to our weekly skills, we will focus on friendship with our “acts of kindness.”
Stephanie Gill/Principal
Dates to remember in November
Nov. 1 Celebrating Friendship begins!
Nov. 5 Life Touch Portraits for Infant & Toddler classes
Nov. 6 Life Touch portraits for Intermediate and Pre-K classes
Nov. 7 Open house for prospective parents
Nov. 11 School Closed
Nov. 9-13 Parent Appreciation week begins!
Nov. 20 Friendship Feast
Nov. 26-27 Closed for Thanksgiving
For Parents…
Life Touch Portraits- Infant, Toddler and Beginner classes will be taking their Holiday portraits on Thursday November 5th.
Intermediate & Pre-K classes will be taking their Holiday portraits on Friday November 6th. Please bring your child dressed in their picture day clothes.
*If you would like your children to take sibling pictures, please let us know what day you chose …either Thursday or Friday
Parent Appreciation Week- During the week of November 9-13 we will be celebrating all of our wonderful parents. We would like to take this time to honor all of you. Your support and donations with fundraisers, classroom parties, and school events is greatly appreciated. We are so happy to have each of you as part of our Merryhill Family! Enjoy this special week full of treats for you!
Friendship Feast- Join us on Friday, November 20th from 11:00am-12:00pm for our Annual Friendship Feast. Please check your child’s classroom door for potluck sign-up sheets. All friends and Family are welcome!
A note from the Education Department…
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 Newsletter
Fall is in the air! In this month of thankfulness, we would like to express our thanks to all of you for entrusting your most precious possession in our care, your child.
During the month of November, the children will enjoy talking about what they are thankful for. They will also have the opportunity to share family traditions and learn all about the joy of friendship.
Our Trick-or-Trunk was a great success! Thank you to all our parent volunteers who helped make it wonderful. Our events would not be successful without you, thank you.
This month, in addition to our weekly skills, we will focus on friendship with our “acts of kindness.”
Stephanie Gill/Principal
Dates to remember in November
Nov. 1 Celebrating Friendship begins!
Nov. 5 Life Touch Portraits for Infant & Toddler classes
Nov. 6 Life Touch portraits for Intermediate and Pre-K classes
Nov. 7 Open house for prospective parents
Nov. 11 School Closed
Nov. 9-13 Parent Appreciation week begins!
Nov. 20 Friendship Feast
Nov. 26-27 Closed for Thanksgiving
For Parents…
Life Touch Portraits- Infant, Toddler and Beginner classes will be taking their Holiday portraits on Thursday November 5th.
Intermediate & Pre-K classes will be taking their Holiday portraits on Friday November 6th. Please bring your child dressed in their picture day clothes.
*If you would like your children to take sibling pictures, please let us know what day you chose …either Thursday or Friday
Parent Appreciation Week- During the week of November 9-13 we will be celebrating all of our wonderful parents. We would like to take this time to honor all of you. Your support and donations with fundraisers, classroom parties, and school events is greatly appreciated. We are so happy to have each of you as part of our Merryhill Family! Enjoy this special week full of treats for you!
Friendship Feast- Join us on Friday, November 20th from 11:00am-12:00pm for our Annual Friendship Feast. Please check your child’s classroom door for potluck sign-up sheets. All friends and Family are welcome!
A note from the Education Department…
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