BRIGHT BEGINNINGS PRESCHOOL
MAY 2023 - NEWSLETTER
THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL YEAR!
On behalf of the Bright Beginnings Staff, we would like to thank our wonderful families for sharing your children with us this year.
We take great pride in being able to provide a safe, play-based preschool experience for all learners. Students were able to learn from our exceptional staff, in a classroom setting that is nurturing and fosters a life-long love of learning. We could not have done this without the continued support of our families. Thank you!
For those students and families moving to kindergarten next year, we hope that you
have enjoyed your time in preschool. We know you are ready for kindergarten and will have a successful school year next year. We will miss you, but look forward to seeing you as a kindergartener!
For those students and families that will be returning to Bright Beginnings preschool next year, we are eagerly awaiting your return and can’t wait to see how much you grow over the summer. We will see you soon!
Thank you!
Jane Helgestad, Bright Beginnings Coordinator and John McDonald, Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
May 10: Wear Rainbow Colors for Character Counts
May 11: 2023-2024 Kindergarten Open House 4:30-6:30 PM
May 29: No School - Memorial Day
June 6: Last Day of School
BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH - MAY 2023
With speech and language disorders among the most common conditions that young children experience, local speech-language pathologists are encouraging St. Michael- Albertville School families and caregivers to learn the signs of communication disorders—and seek interventions now if they have any concerns. The message is a timely one, as May is national Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM).
It’s especially important to be vigilant now, as some children who traditionally would have been recommended for speech and language services by a daycare provider or pediatrician may have been missed due the pandemic. Now is the time to act on any concern.
Here are some signs of a speech or language disorder in a young child (age 3 and under):
· Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
· Does not babble (4–7 months)
· Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (7–12 months)
· Does not understand what others say (7 months – 2 years)
· Says only a few words (12–18 months)
· Says words that are not easily understood by others (18 months – 2 years)
· Does not put words together to make sentences (1.5–3 years)
· Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2–3 years)
Here are some of the key benefits of early treatment:
Maximizes a child’s success. Treatment at any age is worthwhile, but earlier is usually most effective. Early treatment can reduce the need for school-based services later.
Saves time and money. It can take less time to treat a communication delay or disorder when families act on the early warning signs. Fewer treatment sessions can also mean fewer out-of-pocket expenses. Many early intervention programs offer free or low-cost services to children ages birth to 3 years and their families. They also can link you to other community supports.
Prepares a child for kindergarten. What happens between birth and age 3 lays the foundation for kindergarten readiness. Strong speech, language, cognitive, and social skills are necessary for reading, writing, and academic success—as well as all the other demands of school.
Sets a child on a course to school, social, and life success. All families want what’s best for their children. Acting early can have positive, long-lasting effects on your child’s communication, social relationships, learning, and daily life activities well into adulthood.
Learn more about the benefits of early identification and treatment at www.IdentifytheSigns.org.
Families Should Seek Help If a Child Shows Signs of a
Speech or Language Delay or Disorder