School for Young Children
Inquiring Minds April 2018
School for Young Children at The University of Saint Joseph
From the Director: Sue O'Donnell
Last month I shared explanation of RULER, the social emotion curriculum developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. The following link ,
www.ei.yale.edu/ruler/ruler-overview/ provides a well-developed overview of the ideas conveyed through RULER. Children's daily interactions with peers and adults provide multiple opportunities for them to explore and develop their social emotional skills. After identifying, expressing and self-regulating their emotions-an even more complex skill is having empathy for how others feel. Preschool children are still very egocentric and the ability to understand how others feel is often a skill that develops over time into the elementary school years. SYC Teachers utilize actual classroom experiences to illustrate how children's words and actions affect others. At the lunch table you might hear children say, "Yuck, I don't like what you are eating for lunch!". The teacher often uses this as an opportunity to have children reflect upon how those words affected the other child. They may look at the child's facial expression or have him/her express how she feels. These foundational skills will continue to develop and grow as children's understanding of their world matures. It's a lifelong process!
Within the next few week, you'll receive an invitation for an evening workshop at SYC for parents in May. A staff member from Mary's Place in Windsor will share a presentation about how to help children understand the concept of death. Mary's Place is a non-profit organization that provides a safe place for children, teens and families who are grieving to share their experiences, receive support, and find comfort. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn ways to offer support and guidance during what is often a new experience for children.
April Events:
Spring Break PRESCHOOL CLOSED/BACKPACK OPEN
Monday, Apr 9, 2018, 07:45 AM
238 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT, USA
PAC Annual Auction Fundraiser
Saturday, Apr 28, 2018, 06:00 PM
238 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT, USA
Respecting Differences: Everyday Ways to Teach Children About Respect
Now more than ever, people are aware of the importance of teaching children to respect people of various sizes, abilities, ethnicities and ages. When children respect themselves and others, they feel good about who they are. When children learn to value people who are different from themselves, they are better prepared to live peacefully in a diverse world.
Because children learn during everyday moments, it is important that adults remain aware of what we say and do. Children can learn that people are more alike than different, and that all people (no matter what color, size, ability, or age) want love, joy and security. It all depends on the messages they're hearing and behaviors they're observing.
We can model respect in our everyday interactions, so that our children learn to value all people. Let's teach all children by pointing out positive messages in stories, television programs or advertisement.
Messages play an important role in how children learn. Children today are getting multiple messages from media and society. By becoming more aware of the messages our children are faced with each day and by focusing on the positive ones, we can influence the messages or stereotypes, we can use those as teachable moments to discuss what we're seeing.
There is a sign that says, "Words can either hurt or heal. What did your words do today?" This sign is a reminder that every word can send a powerful message to children about respect.
- Choose language that focuses on individuals, not their disabilities or differences. The words adults use to describe other people are important because they reflect how we think. Using words that describe a person and not his disability reminds children that a person's disability is only one part of who that person is. Carlos may only see shadows, yet he is a child much like any other. It is more respectful to speak of Carlos as a "child who is blind" than as a "blind child," because he is a child first and foremost. Instead of calling Angela "a cripple," you can show more respect by saying that she" uses a wheelchair to move around." This is called "people first" language and it is a simple, yet powerful, way of showing our respect for others.
- Avoid making jokes about others. Names CAN really hurt. Children learn respect by listening to how adults talk about others. When adults tell jokes about people, it sends a message that it is okay to make fun of others. Children can learn that there is nothing funny about name-calling or telling a joke about a person who walks, talks, dresses or learns in a way that is different from them.
- Teach children to handle anger constructively. Anger is a natural emotion that both children and adults feel, but even when we're angry, we should respect those around us. We can teach children different ways to handle anger, such as deep breathing, writing in journals, creating pictures or poems, or talking to someone who cares. If children do harm to something or someone, we can teach them how to apologize and how to better handle their anger next time. (For more information on handling anger, go to Mad Feelings from Mister Rogers.) Yoga is another effective way to show children how to handle their emotions. For more information or how to get started, read Let's Practice Yoga.
by Elizabeth Erwin, Ed.D. and Leslie Soodak, Ph.D. Pace University
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PAC NEWS
A reminder that preschool will be closed for Spring Break April 9th-13th. Backpack will remain open during Spring Break.
The Auction is coming soon and we are getting very excited as all of the details are falling into place. The Auction is Saturday April 28th at 6pm at the school. The theme for this year's events is Fiesta. Invitations have been distributed. Please RSVP by April 14th. It's going to be a great night with lots of incredible items to bid on in both the silent and live auctions, as well as great food, an open bar and live music, to name a few. We encourage people to dress in festive attire and bright colors! Please also continue to solicit local businesses, friends, and family for auction items.
A sincere thank you to everyone who has already put numerous hours and lots of effort into planning such a great night. If you would like to volunteer to help, there is still time. We are looking for an additional greeter at the beginning of the night and people to assist with check out at the end of the evening. Please email us at paccochairs@gmail.com if you would like to help. We will also post a sign-up sheet for set- up and clean- up.
Collection of classroom raffle basket items for the Auction have begun. Please continue to contribute to your classroom's raffle basket (contact your Room Pals with any questions). Raffle ticket sales for these incredible baskets will begin two weeks prior to the Auction.
Note: There will be NO PAC meeting on April 4th. Please keep an eye out for upcoming events in the next couple of months including Staff Appreciation Week. Check out the PAC bulletin board for more information on these events and more. Thank you!!
Emily Safino and Melissa Bowman, PAC Co-Chairs
West Hartford Cultural Celebration
Monday, Apr 23, 2018, 05:30 PM
West Hartford Town Hall
Keefe Bruyette Symposium
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!
Summer Camp brochures went home in your child's picture pocket at the beginning of March. Please see Kharisha or Jackie in the Main Office if you need additional information.
Camp Session Dates:
Session 1 Let's Get Creative! June 18th-29th
Session 2 Mix It Up! July 2nd-13th (no camp July 4th)
Session 3 Open the Door, Let's Explore! July 16th-27th
Session 4 On the Move! July 30th-August 10th
Looking Ahead...
- May 2: PAC meeting 6:30-8pm
- May 14-18: Staff Appreciation Week
- May 28: Memorial Day, Preschool and Backpack Closed
- May 29: Family Conference Day, Preschool and Backpack Closed
School for Young Children at The University of Saint Joseph
Website: schoolforyoungchildren.org
Location: 238 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT, USA
Phone: 860.231.5560
Facebook: facebook.com/schoolforyoungchildren