VPS Early Learning Newsletter
October 2017
Early Learning Families,
As we enter the fall season, the topic of "sleep" has been an area of focus at my house. Like my children, I have been struggling to adjust to an earlier bedtime and an earlier morning alarm. I know, as all parents know, that sleep is important; however, I often forget just how many hours are recommended. Below, I listed the sleep recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. I hope this helps as you transition to your "back-to-school" schedule. I know that my kids will not be in bed every night at my desired time, but here's to trying!
Happy Fall!
Kendra Yamamoto
Early learning teacher
Dates to Calendar
10/9/2017 - One-hour early release
10/13/2017 - No school (In-service Day)
10/18/2017 - Two-hour early release
10/19 - 10/20/2017 - Teacher/Parent Conferences - No school
10/23/2017 - One-hour early release
11/10/2017 - No school (Veteran's Day)
Sleep Guidelines
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Kindergarten Readiness Skills (Focus: Literacy)
Children enter kindergarten with varying skills. They learn in different ways and at different rates. This list suggests ways you can work with your child to gain skills to prepare for kindergarten.
- My child knows 5-10 children's songs/rhymes
- My child knows if words start with the same sound (example: flower, fish, friend)
- My child can hear parts of words (example: pa-per)
- My child recognizes 10 (or more) capital letters and 10 (or more) lower case letters
- My child is familiar with parts of a book (cover, title, pages, etc.)
- My child reads with an adult or listens to a story daily
- My child "writes" a story by drawing pictures and/or using letters
- My child can write his/her name and identify the letters
- My child can say/sing the alphabet
Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Check with your student’s teacher to see if he/she prefers that your student attend as well.
Write down any questions you have before the conference and take them with you.
Show up a few minutes prior to your assigned time.
Understand that even though your allotted conference time may be over, your child’s teacher is always open to hearing from you.
Trust your teacher. Teachers have your student’s best interest at heart. If he/she has something to share, he/she is sharing out of love and/or genuine concern for your child. Please listen.
Enjoy.
Social Emotional Learning
And finally...
Early language skills, the foundation for reading ability and school readiness, are based primarily on language exposure - resulting from parents and other adults talking to young children.
- Reach Out and Read