Preschool Publication
April 29, 2016 Ms. Ronda & Ms. Lisa
A Glance into Room 325
This week, we have been talking about metamorphosis and symmetry in caterpillars and butterflies. We have read stories, observed our caterpillars changing into cocoons and soon into butterflies, created patterns with Froot Loops for caterpillars, played a butterfly memory game, and have drawn a butterfly. Here are just some of the Desired Results Developmental Profile Indicators we used this week:
- responsible conduct as a group member
- using and understanding language (receptive and expressive)
- literacy
- emergent writing
- patterning
How Do I Help My Child With Disappointment?
Disappointment is a difficult emotion to handle. All parents ultimately want children to be good sportsmen, take responsibility for their actions rather than blaming others, and be able to stand tall after their falls in life (both literal and metaphoric). Here are some essential guidelines to help children with this type of pain:
First, your goal must be to help them deal with the emotion, not “happy them up.” “Happying them up” comes in many forms. It could be a distraction, a promise to buy a toy or taking them out for ice cream. This attempt to take away the pain can lead (in many years) to adults who unconsciously graze through the refrigerator or use shopping sprees to deal with disappointment.
Instead, we can provide empathy to help ease their pain and teach them that they can handle all that life brings to them.
“You seem _____________.” (Put your best guess of the feeling in the blank… disappointed, frustrated, sad, etc.) If you guess their emotion correctly, their body will relax. If you guess incorrectly, they will tense up, pull away or correct you. If this happens, simply try to describe the feeling again.
“You were hoping ______________” or “You wanted____________.” Describe the disappointment or hurt.
“It’s hard when ___________________.” Validate their feelings.
“You can handle it.” Offer assurance.
“Breathe with me.” Take a deep breath together, and then physically connect in some way.
Example: A child does not make a football team.
“You seem disappointed. You were hoping to make the team with your friends. You wanted this more than anything. It’s hard when things turn out differently than you wanted. You can handle this. Let’s take some deep breaths together.” Then hug or hold your child.
I’ve posted a great video on YouTube that explains how empathy helps children take responsibility for their upset in a compassionate, healthy way. My Conscious Discipline(educators) and Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline (parents) books also provide extensive information about ways to offer and benefits of empathy.
Donations Needed!
We are in need of girls and boys underwear for our nurse's closet. If you have any new underwear you could donate, it would be appreciated. We need donations in the following sizes: 3T, 4T, 5T, 6 or 6x Thank you!
Fruit and Veggie Sign-up
There is still one slot to sign up for sugar snap peas on May 5th in the morning. If you would like to donate to our class, the signup is at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044ea9ae23a75-fruit I truly appreciate all your help with this important project. I think it provided great experiences for the kiddos; there may even be a few new favorite foods!
This week, we tried blueberries! We LOVED them! Thanks for sharing these items with us to try.
Thumbs Up for Blueberries!
Health Benefits of Blueberries
Blueberries taste great just eaten out of hand, or added to cereal, baked and frozen desserts, fruit salads, and more. The antioxidants and vitamins contained in these little berries can help you live longer and look better. Packed with nutrients, blueberries contain: potassium, zinc, copper, vitamins A, B complex, C, and E, manganese, iron. Anthocyanin, which gives these berries their blue hue, is a powerful antioxidant.
Fiber and fitness
One cup of blueberries has 4 grams of fiber, which is 15% of the recommended daily dose. Fiber, aside from aiding in digestion, can help fight cancer and bad cholesterol. Fiber also helps with weight loss, another advantage of blueberries, because it helps your body feel fuller longer.
Weight and blood sugar levels
Don’t think of blueberries as “diet food,” but they can aid in weight loss, especially in losing abdominal fat. Combined with a sensible diet, they may increase your metabolism and lose weight. Blueberries have a low glycemic index, which helps control your sugar levels and insulin.
Blueberries and brain function
Blueberries help your brain in a few different ways. They improve your brain function and help your memory. Studies have shown that daily consumption of blueberries will help halt the start of or advancement of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Blueberries also help heal damaged brain cells, improve learning capabilities and basic motor skills. They may help those that have suffered minor strokes.
See things better with blueberries
These little berries prolong vision loss and problems that come with age. The antioxidants (carotenoids and flavonoids) along with all the vitamins in blueberries help decrease loss of vision, eye strain and keep your retinas healthy.
Boost your immunity
With all the vitamins and nutrients blueberries are full of you can keep your body healthy in order to fight off colds and infection. Of all fruits, blueberries have the highest volume of antioxidants to fight free radicals that lead to disease and aging in the body. These antioxidants also help fight colon, liver and ovarian cancers. Like cranberries, blueberries can also keep your urinary tract health in check by preventing infection and clearing out bacteria.
Read more at http://www.vegkitchen.com/nutrition/5-top-health-benefits-of-blueberries/#ryuUu6hv7scB8lZI.99
MEET ME TO PLAY OUTSIDE AT THE ECC
***Weather permitting***
(Early Childhood Center 9600 NE 79th ST, KC)
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
ATTENTION!!!!
Bring your child(ren) and explore the wonderful Early Childhood Center outdoor playground. Your child will have the opportunity to use their senses, develop language and build motor skills. You and your child will have a chance to engage in social time with others.
This PAT Group Connections is for families with children birth through pre-Kindergarten.
For more information call 736-7020
***Activity will be cancelled if heavy rain.***
Looking Ahead....
- May 9th (Monday)--Kindergarten Celebration 5:45 p.m. for AM Class; 7:00 p.m. for PM Class (Invitations came home on Thursday, April 21st.)
- May 11th (Wednesday)--Meet Me To Play Outside at the ECC at 10-11 a.m. (see above)
- May 12th (Thursday)--Our Class Participates in Outdoor Fun Day--more info to come
- May 17th (Tuesday)--Last Day of School for Liberty Preschoolers
- May 18th-20th (Wednesday-Friday)--Parent Teacher Conferences (see link below)
Bus Safety
The LPS Transportation Department would like to invite all incoming 2016-2017 Kindergarteners who will attend Summer School to come take a ride on a school bus and practice safe loading and unloading at a ‘pretend’ bus stop in addition to practicing what to do when crossing a
RR Track
Parents will also have the opportunity to complete informational paperwork regarding their child
We will meet at the Support Services Building
801 S. Kent St.
(Corner of 291 Hwy. & Kent St. across from City Park)
Wednesday June 1, 2016 9:00AM or 1:00PM
The ride along program will take approx. 30 minutes
Please call Transportation @ 736-5360
if you have any questions. Siblings are welcome; children must be 4 years old to ride on the buses.
Every Child Together....
Ronda Ruckman
Email: rruckman@liberty.k12.mo.us
Website: ecc.liberty.k12.mo.us
Phone: 816-736-5324