VPS Early Learning Newsletter
April 2020
VPS Translations available of this newsletter:
If you would like this newsletter read to you in Russian, Spanish or Chuukese, please use the following contact information:
Russian:
Если Вы хотите, чтобы Вам прочитали этот документ, пожалуйста, позвоните по телефону:(360) 936-9574 или (360) 313-4956.
Spanish:
Si desea que le lean este documento en español, favor llamar al:
Señora Avila, 360-313-1252.
Chuukese:
Iká pwe ke mochen epwe wor emén epwe ánea ngonuk masowen ei taropwe nón fóósun fénúomw ren ómw kopwe weweiti, en mei tongeni kéri Juanita Yasu, 360-771-5343.
Dear Early Learning Families,
I had a newsletter ready to send at the beginning of April, but then with changes due to CoVID 19, I decided to start over. As you know, we are in a time where things are ever changing. In my original newsletter, I shared events focused on early learning in our district. Now, with our stay at home order, we can still focus on early learning; but it will be activities and lessons in our own homes.
In this newsletter, you will find fun, hands-on projects, tips on homeschooling (my favorite being "be forgiving of yourself and your kid"), a focus on gross motor development and, finally, social emotional learning.
I hope you are all staying healthy, finding time to enjoy the outdoors and taking time for yourselves. If you have questions, photos of your activities or just want to say, "hello", please feel free to email. We are in this together.
Hang in there!
Kendra YamamotoEarly Learning Teacher
Chunky Crayon recipe
- Set your oven at 275 degrees.
• Get out old crayons, take off the paper and break them into smaller pieces.
• Spray a muffin tin with vegetable spray and place the broken crayons into each section.
• Place the muffin tin into the preheated oven.
• Watch them carefully as they will melt fast. Bake for about 7–8 minutes.
• Once melted, carefully remove from the oven.
• Stir them with a toothpick for a “swirly” look.
• Let them cool completely (they can be placed in the freezer to speed up the process.)
• Once cooled, the crayons can be popped out of the muffin tin (tap the back to help them get out.)
• Get out some paper and you are ready to color!
Glimmer Paint recipe
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup water
- food coloring
Mix together the salt, flour and water.The mixture should be about the consistency of pudding. Add food coloring until the desired shade is reached. Use a funnel to transfer paint to a squeeze bottle or ziplock bag (you can snip a corner of the bag to use as an applicator instead of a bottle). Paint on construction paper or cardboard. Allow paintings to store overnight. Store leftover paint in the refrigerator in airtight containers. Stir or share before using again.
Play dough recipe
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp cream of tarter
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 tbsp cooking oil (olive oil or vegetable oil)
- 1 cup water
- food coloring (optional)
- Mix food coloring with your water first. In a large bowl, combine all of your dry ingredients (flour, salt, cream of tartar) and mix well. Then add the vegetable oil and water (with food coloring) to a large pot. Mix together. Add the dry ingredients to your pot and mix well. Cook over low to medium heat until the dough starts to form and becomes dry. Once it starts to form into a ball and looks fully cooked, turn off the heat. Let the dough cool first before touching. Once cool, knead the dough for 5 minutes to make the dough soft.
Tips for Homeschooling
As I attempt to work from home and home school my three kids, let me just share - it has not been easy. My hope is it will get easier. We shall see! I am taking it day by day. The other day, while taking a much needed break from the world of homeschooling, I came across an article titled, "Tips for Homeschooling During Coronavirus" (https://www.npr.org/2020/03/23/820228206/6-tips-for-homeschooling-during-coronavirus).
- Know your kid: different kids will do best in different learning environments. If you know your student does best in bursts, try ten minutes of homeschooling and then take a break.
- This is a good time for passion projects: use this time for kids to pursue interests they haven't had time to focus on in the past. If it's something they're truly interested in, you won't have to bug them to do it.
- Online resources are amazing but just the beginning: luckily, VPS is providing lessons to all enrolled preK-12th grade students. If you are looking for other online lessons, the authors share, "...find a couple of resources that work and build from there. Prioritize your kid's greatest need and then their biggest interest or passion."
- Set up designated space and time for learning.
- Be forgiving of yourself and your kid: this is a very stressful time. If you need to take a break, it's okay. Do what you need to do to get through the day.
The Five Fundamentals of Early Literacy:
These activities help your child get ready to read!
Talking
Singing
Playing
Reading
Writing
3 month old Motor/Movement Milestones
3 year old Gross Motor Milestones
6 year old Gross Motor Milestones
Social Emotional Learning
The preschool years are a fundamental time for kids to learn about emotions. It is crucial for kids to learn about their own emotions and also what to do with those big emotions. Start by helping your child identify emotions, such as, "I see you are feeling ______ (fill in the emotion such as sad, upset, frustrated, etc.)" Supporting kids through their emotions is not always easy, but very important.
Some tips and tricks to support your child when he/she is overcome with emotion:
Deep belly breaths
Blow on a pinwheel
Blow bubbles
Pretend fingers are candles and have child "blow out birthday candles"
Hug a stuffed animal
Watch a glitter jar settle
Create a calm down cave with blankets, pillows, etc.
- Kelli Nye, VPS Special Services
-Edutopia
Grow and Learn groups are now LIVE
Join us each Monday
for Live Grow and Learn Classes!
Click this Link to Register
We will be hosting daily classes at 10am. You will need to register one time, then should be able to access the class every day! We are so excited to have you come read, sing, grow and learn with us!
Things to know:
1. You need a free Zoom account. Do this now, so you're ready for Monday!
· Phone- Download Zoom App.
· Computer- Download zoom by going to www.zoom.com
2. After installing Zoom. Click this link to register.
3. Monday join us by clicking the link in your confirmation email or clicking here.
4. If you have questions….please do not hesitate to email us. We are here to help!
What to Expect from our online classes:
1. For privacy, we are hosting a webinar. That means we won’t be able to see or hear you. However, there is a chat box and a Q&A box, where we can talk back and forth.
2. ALL of the teachers will be at each class!
3. We will follow a modified format from our in person classes. Singing, stories and fun activities.
4. Join us as often as you would like. We are taking turns teaching, so everyday will be a little different.
5. At the end of class a survey will pop up. Please fill it out so we know how to better tailor our class to suit your needs.
Questions?
Contact Julie Jacobson at Julie.Jacobson@esd112.org
Contact Jennifer Fowler at Jennifer.Fowler@esd112.org
Contact Lorie Henderson at Lorie.Henderson@esd112.org
Contact Erin Maher at Erin.Maher@esd112.org