VPS Early Learning Newsletter
December 2019
Dear Early Learning Families,
At my house, my kids have been thrilled over the anticipation of Winter, as well as the upcoming holidays. I encourage them to get outside and play every day, but when it gets too cold and rainy, I try to creatively busy them indoors. This is not always easy. If my kids had their way, they would spend the day playing video games. Instead, I try to get them to join in on some fun games that do not require a console.
Here are a few of our favorite activities:
Play dough (see box below): I have tried many recipes. The "snow play dough recipe" below never fails!
I Spy: “I spy with my little eye something (enter the color of the item here).” This guessing game helps children learn colors, observation and questioning skills. See if your kids can get it right in 10 or less questions.
Hang the Spider (Hang Man): This is a favorite among kids in my class and my kids at home. It is just like “Hang Man”, but a little more child-friendly. Rather than add a piece of a “man” for each incorrect letter guessed, instead add a piece of a spider (reminder: a spider has 8 legs!)
Tic-Tac-Toe: Not only does this game teach strategy, it teaches even the youngest of kids the letters, “X” and “O”. To add a twist, instead of using “X” and “O”, have each player use the first letter of his/her name (Sarah would use an “S” and Mom would use an “M”).
Hide and Seek (Mom’s Phone): Hide your cell phone with a song playing at a low volume. Challenge your child’s listening skills by having him/her find the phone before the song ends.
If you have any fun, indoor activities, please email me. I would love to hear from you! From our home to yours, I wish you a very happy holiday season!
Kendra Yamamoto
Early Learning Teacher
VPS Dates to Calendar
12/9/2019 - 40 minute early release
12/16/2019 - 40 minute early release
12/23/2019 - 1/3/2020 - No School (Winter break)
1/6/2020 - 40 minute early release
1/13/2020 - 40 minute early release
1/20/2020 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr. day)
1/24/2020 - No School (Semester break)
1/27/2020 - 40 minute early release
Writing Fun
Turn the light off and have your student practice “writing” with a flashlight by beaming the light onto a ceiling or wall.
Use tape to make letters on the floor and drive toy cars on the letter path while reciting the letter.
Write letters and ask your child to trace them with his finger (while reciting the letter).
Have her finger paint letters in shaving cream or uncooked rice on a cookie sheet.
Help him shape play-dough into letters.
Write on windows and glass doors with window markers (available at most big box and craft stores) to draw, write and create.
Kindergarten Readiness Skills: Language
These guidelines highlight some of the skills children need to be prepared for kindergarten. The list below suggests ways to work with your child to help him/her be ready for school.
- My child can use words to express his/her thoughts and needs.
- My child can name and describe familiar things in his/her world.
- My child uses new words everyday.
- My child speaks clearly and is understood by most people.
- My child can speak in 4-6 word sentences.
- Using details, my child can talk about things that happened in the past.
- My child can have a conversation on topic with another person.
- My child can take turns in a conversation.
-PreK-3 Cross District Coalition
Snow Playdough Recipe
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
2 cups water
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
Directions:
In medium saucepan, and with burner OFF, combine dry ingredients and stir. Add liquid ingredients and stir again.
With burner on LOW, stir until the mixture is VERY thick, about five minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool a bit. Knead dough until smooth. Store in Ziploc bag or plastic dish with lid.
VPS Winter Weather Information
How to find out about schedule changes:
- District website (https://vansd.org/weather-information/)
- School website
- VPS mobile app
- Or you can call 360-313-1401
If no information is posted, schools are operating on a normal schedule.
Did You Know?
And finally...
Research shows that reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do to help a child prepare for reading and writing.
- Readaloud.org