Happy New Year! What a wonderful holiday season. The children had a great month. It is the one time during the year we too can be childlike, and enjoy the simple things. Thank you to everyone for your participation and support with our Holiday festivities, CHIP’s Toy Drive, fundraisers and potlucks.
The time to register for the 2015-2016 school year is quickly approaching. Be on the look out for more information on how you can reserve your child’s spot for the upcoming school year. We are looking forward to all the upcoming events the new year brings us; Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Week of the Young Child celebrations, Easter Egg Hunts and much more.
Happy New Year!
Stephanie Gill/Principal
Dates to remember in January
Dec. 31 Closed 12:30
Jan. 1 School Closed
Jan. 1-31 All School Occupation Month
Jan. 15 “I Have A Dream” pajama party!
Jan. 18 School Closed
Jan. 31 Pick up your child’s Links to Learning Folders
All School Occupation Month! –The classrooms will be talking about the different types of careers that people may have. Please be on the look out for sign-up sheets on the classroom doors for parents who would like to come in and talk to their child’s class about their jobs!
All School “I Have A Dream” Pajama Party –Everyone is invited to wear their pj’s to school in honor of our Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrations. The students will be learning about Martin Luther King Jr during this month and how is dream changed the world.
Once again…Merryhill Harbour Point Preschool is proud to offer Challenger Sports MiniKickers Program in association with the Challenger Soccer Academy. –MiniKickers is a new and exciting program that teaches basic soccer skills while developing strength, balance, coordination, listening skills and team work. Our professional, qualified British coaches will ensure your child has a positive soccer experience. The MiniKickers curriculum has been devised by soccer experts, child development professionals and experienced coaches. There will be Weekly 30-45 minute soccer classes for a period of 8weeks starting February 19th.
JOIN US TODAY and become a part of our TEAM CUBS and TEAM LIONS as you learn new Skills and have fun with our fantastic Challenger Sports Soccer Coaches.
Please go to the website to see the Promo Video and More info. Space is limited to 10 kids in each class, so SIGN UP TODAY!
Minikickersoccer.com
MINIKICKERS 2/19/16 – 4/8/16
Fridays : 9:45am-10:15am Ages 2
Fridays : 10:30am- 11:15am Ages 3-5 (will be split into 2 classes) $125 for 8 weeks of classes
From our Education Department…
The Value of Visual Art Activities for Your Preschooler
Visual art experiences help children develop skills such as critical thinking, self-expression, problem-solving, communication and collaboration. Our teachers focus on process-based art education, in which the experience of creating art is valued over the end product.
In our classrooms, teachers integrate art into many aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum. After reading a book about polar bears, teachers might ask students to create their own polar bears using sponges, paint, markers and paper. They encourage students to talk about their art, providing a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary, particularly words related to colors, shapes, textures, and emotions.
Our students are also exposed to and inspired by famous artwork. In order to cultivate that fascination, we discuss famous artists and art works and ask students to create replicas of well-known paintings and sculptures. For example, after learning about Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, teachers mimic the activity in the classroom. They tape paper underneath tables, and students practice painting a masterpiece while lying down.
Below are visual art activities you and your child can do at home, as well as recommended reading.
At Home:
Provide your child with finger paint, a large piece of paper and a smock. Let him create a masterpiece. Talk about how the paint feels and what colors and shapes he creates on the paper.
Start a journal with your child. Have him draw a picture of something that happened during the day. Avoid giving direction. Instead of saying “Draw a picture of your teacher and classmates,” encourage him to experiment using different colored markers or crayons. If age appropriate, ask your child to write a few words to describe the picture.
Give your child a piece of paper and a box of crayons or markers. Show him how to use the materials to make dots, lines and swirls on the paper. Let him take over and have fun. Encourage conversation about your child’s art by saying, “Tell me about what you made” or “I see you used a lot of blue in your picture. Why did you choose that color?”
Ask your child to decorate a sign for his bedroom door using various art materials. Have him write his name on the sign.
Recommended Reading:
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Art by Patrick McDonnell
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
Mix It Up by Herve Tullet
It is wonderful to share the joy that children naturally take in using art materials. Giving children extra opportunities to connect art to the world around them, contributes to happiness and future success in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
January Newsletter
Happy New Year! What a wonderful holiday season. The children had a great month. It is the one time during the year we too can be childlike, and enjoy the simple things. Thank you to everyone for your participation and support with our Holiday festivities, CHIP’s Toy Drive, fundraisers and potlucks.
The time to register for the 2015-2016 school year is quickly approaching. Be on the look out for more information on how you can reserve your child’s spot for the upcoming school year. We are looking forward to all the upcoming events the new year brings us; Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Week of the Young Child celebrations, Easter Egg Hunts and much more.
Happy New Year!
Stephanie Gill/Principal
Dates to remember in January
Dec. 31 Closed 12:30
Jan. 1 School Closed
Jan. 1-31 All School Occupation Month
Jan. 15 “I Have A Dream” pajama party!
Jan. 18 School Closed
Jan. 31 Pick up your child’s Links to Learning Folders
All School Occupation Month! –The classrooms will be talking about the different types of careers that people may have. Please be on the look out for sign-up sheets on the classroom doors for parents who would like to come in and talk to their child’s class about their jobs!
All School “I Have A Dream” Pajama Party –Everyone is invited to wear their pj’s to school in honor of our Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrations. The students will be learning about Martin Luther King Jr during this month and how is dream changed the world.
Once again…Merryhill Harbour Point Preschool is proud to offer Challenger Sports MiniKickers Program in association with the Challenger Soccer Academy. –MiniKickers is a new and exciting program that teaches basic soccer skills while developing strength, balance, coordination, listening skills and team work. Our professional, qualified British coaches will ensure your child has a positive soccer experience. The MiniKickers curriculum has been devised by soccer experts, child development professionals and experienced coaches. There will be Weekly 30-45 minute soccer classes for a period of 8weeks starting February 19th.
JOIN US TODAY and become a part of our TEAM CUBS and TEAM LIONS as you learn new Skills and have fun with our fantastic Challenger Sports Soccer Coaches.
Please go to the website to see the Promo Video and More info. Space is limited to 10 kids in each class, so SIGN UP TODAY!
Minikickersoccer.com
MINIKICKERS 2/19/16 – 4/8/16
Fridays : 9:45am-10:15am Ages 2
Fridays : 10:30am- 11:15am Ages 3-5 (will be split into 2 classes) $125 for 8 weeks of classes
From our Education Department…
The Value of Visual Art Activities for Your Preschooler
Visual art experiences help children develop skills such as critical thinking, self-expression, problem-solving, communication and collaboration. Our teachers focus on process-based art education, in which the experience of creating art is valued over the end product.
In our classrooms, teachers integrate art into many aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum. After reading a book about polar bears, teachers might ask students to create their own polar bears using sponges, paint, markers and paper. They encourage students to talk about their art, providing a great opportunity to learn new vocabulary, particularly words related to colors, shapes, textures, and emotions.
Our students are also exposed to and inspired by famous artwork. In order to cultivate that fascination, we discuss famous artists and art works and ask students to create replicas of well-known paintings and sculptures. For example, after learning about Michelangelo’s painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, teachers mimic the activity in the classroom. They tape paper underneath tables, and students practice painting a masterpiece while lying down.
Below are visual art activities you and your child can do at home, as well as recommended reading.
At Home:
Provide your child with finger paint, a large piece of paper and a smock. Let him create a masterpiece. Talk about how the paint feels and what colors and shapes he creates on the paper.
Start a journal with your child. Have him draw a picture of something that happened during the day. Avoid giving direction. Instead of saying “Draw a picture of your teacher and classmates,” encourage him to experiment using different colored markers or crayons. If age appropriate, ask your child to write a few words to describe the picture.
Give your child a piece of paper and a box of crayons or markers. Show him how to use the materials to make dots, lines and swirls on the paper. Let him take over and have fun. Encourage conversation about your child’s art by saying, “Tell me about what you made” or “I see you used a lot of blue in your picture. Why did you choose that color?”
Ask your child to decorate a sign for his bedroom door using various art materials. Have him write his name on the sign.
Recommended Reading:
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Art by Patrick McDonnell
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
Mix It Up by Herve Tullet
It is wonderful to share the joy that children naturally take in using art materials. Giving children extra opportunities to connect art to the world around them, contributes to happiness and future success in elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education