VPS Early Learning Newsletter
July 2018
Dear Early Learning Families,
Dear Early Learning Families,
I hope you all are finding time to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors! Quiet moments are rare for me, but when I find them, I immerse myself in reading. While browsing through a magazine, I came across a recent article with a title that piqued my interest: “3 Easy Steps for Kindergarten Success.” Too often, I come across informative, yet wordy articles regarding early learning. This one, however, was written in a direct, concise manner. I read it and found myself agreeing with (and appreciating) the simplicity of the study. In summary, the Center of Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning at the University of Virginia, found that although fact-based knowledge is important, teachers really want kids to have “self-regulatory skills” such as the ability to pay attention, follow directions and take turns. How can parents help teach these over the summer? Here you go:
1. Practice taking turns: Get your little one into as many group settings as you can. Allowing him to interact with others will then help improve his ability to share and wait his turn. If conflict occurs, it’s okay; see if he can navigate and handle it on his own. An added bonus: kids benefit from hearing a range of words from a variety of voices.
2. Give complex directions: Give your 4/5 year old multistep instructions a few times a day. They can be as simple as “walk backward to your sister, give her a high-five, crawl into the bathroom and grab me the blue hand towel.”
3. Sharpen attention: Just the simple act of listening to stories boosts focus. If you are able to read to your child for 20 minutes a day, you are greatly supporting her attention skills. While reading, stop a few times and ask what she thinks will happen next; it’s a great way to keep her engaged.
Smiles,
Kendra Yamamoto
VSD Early Learning teacher
Dates to Calendar
Wednesday, August 29th - First day of school
Monday, September 3rd - No School (Labor Day)
VPS Kindergarten Supply List
1 box of crayons
4 large glue sticks
1 pair of metal blade scissors
1 backpack (child's name inside)
1 package yellow #2 pencils
1 set of watercolor paints (basic 8 colors)
1 box of 10 nonpermanent markers
1 box of tissue
Kindergarten Readiness Movemement Skills
Here are skills to work on with your child aged 4 -6:
____ Jump off a step and land on two feet
____ Jump, gallop and skip
____ Throw a ball
____ Trap a ball
____ Kick a ball forward by stepping or running
up to it
____ Hold a pencil properly
____ Use different supplies correctly (such as crayons, glue and scissors)
____ Connect puzzle pieces together
____ String beads
Jump Start Kindergarten
Kindergarten Jump Start is a free program for incoming kindergarteners that takes place a few weeks before the school year begins. Students participate in a variety of math, literacy and hands-on activities; learn school routines; and become familiar with their new surroundings.
Data shows that students who attend Jump Start are better prepared for kindergarten than children who do not participate. They also gain confidence, leadership skills and enthusiasm for school. For more information, click on the Jump Start link below.
Social-Emotional Learning
Model the behavior you seek. Whether it's apologizing when you're in the wrong or treating others with respect and kindness, children learn a great deal about relationships from observing the behavior of their parents.
- edutopia.org
And finally...
75%
the amount of information students retain when they learn new material in a hands-on way
- National Training Source