Turtle Times
Mary Kay McNeill Early Learning Family Newsletter
Friday, January 13th, 2023
Message from Ms. Barkley, Coordinator of Early Learning
Happy New Year ELC Families!
This week we began our Water Unit of Study. Most preschool children love playing with water and are drawn to its many uses. From splashing water in the sink to filling up and pouring out cups of water at the sand and water table, children enjoy exploring water in different ways. During our water unit of the children will be learning the different ways people use water, how water can change from one form to another and how it helps people and the environment.
At home, you can talk with your child about how water is used during daily routines, such as when brushing teeth, washing hands, and cooking. Take a walk around the neighborhood and notice the different sources of water, such as fire hydrants, water fountains, sprinklers and garden hoses. Offer you child opportunities to observe and discuss water in its different states (solid, liquid, gas), such as when they see steam on the bathroom mirror or ice in the freezer. This will help develop your child's observation skills and help them make connections between what they are learning at school and the things in the community and home.
This month we are also working with and teaching the students about self-control. Self-control means being able to resist immediate temptations and avoid acting on impulse in order to achieve more important goals, such as learning or being kind. When kids have better self-control, they do better in school and get along better with others. One way we teach students to have self-control is by changing their thinking. This strategy involves addressing what kids pay attention to and how they interpret situations. Planning and perspective can guide kids toward better choices. Another strategy we teach students is changing their response. Coping when they find themselves in a frustrating, scary, upsetting, or very exciting situation is the most difficult type of self-control. In these heated situations, it’s easy for kids to lash out, burst into tears, or refuse to cooperate. Having a plan that spells out what to do instead can help them hold onto self-control.
Additional resources and activities that align to the learning at school are available for you to use to support your child's learning at home.
Sincerely,
Ms. Barkley
At Home Resources and Activities
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale : Focus on Self Control
Water Activities
Parent Education and Engagement Opportunities
Language and Literacy- Raising a Reader
This presentation will teach family members what is meant by literacy development, why it is important, that family involvement matters, and how they can foster their children’s literacy development at home. We’ll discuss many ways families can weave literacy into their daily activities, and support their child’s learning at school. Participants will receive helpful tip sheets and resources for literacy activities at home. Parents that participate in this workshop will have the option to register for childcare for their preK child during the duration of the workshop.
Please click on THIS LINK to register for the event.
Friday, Jan 27, 2023, 01:00 PM
Mary Kay McNeill Early Learning Center
Role Model Students
Michelle
"Michelle plays well with her classmates, helps her peers and teachers, and has a smile on her face when she arrives every day. She works hard at her academic skills and is always engaged during group time!"
- Mrs. DeShasier
Grayson
- Mrs. Ginny
Opal
"Opal sits during whole group activities and listens to the speaker. She demonstrates concern for her peers when they are hurt or sad. Opal has a great sense of humor."
- Mrs. Weider
Jemma
"Jemma has been a great helper to our new student. She is very positive and friendly, including him in the school routine."
-Mrs. Hanrahan
Charlotte
"Charlotte works very hard in the classroom and tries her best. She loves to be creative and make lots of projects and artwork. She has been a good helper with new friends in the classroom showing them what to do during the day and help them be successful also. She has shown growth and maturity and we are very proud of her!"
-Mrs. Dempski
Oscar
"Oscar is a great leader in our classroom. He is always helping friends follow classroom rules and is very welcoming to new friends."
-Mrs. Maybrun
Mary Kay McNeill Early Learning Center
Email: mbarkley@antioch34.com
Website: https://www.antioch34.com/MKMELC
Location: 817 Main Street, Antioch, IL, USA
Phone: 847.838.8901