OPEN SHUT THEM!

 OPEN! SHUT THEM! Learning about all the different types of locks is important for students. Not only will they need to know how to close different doors/clasps in real life, but this task of learning is helping their minds and little fingers learn to work together. This small motor activity reinforces pinching and grasping which is a very important prewriting skill. Students need to practice grasping to prepare for writing with different tools. Starting young is important as it helps lay a very fundamental foundation for writing in the future. Plus, who doesn't love taking turns to unlock a door only to discover together what is behind it!



SNOW STONE CRYSTALS

SNOW STONE CRYSTALS

Students are excited to start a new exploratory science project. Snow Stone crystals (donated by Gage's family) from the famous cliffs of Dover, England and the Rock of Gibraltar are made of the same rock as Snow Stone. The crystals that form on Snow Stone occur naturally in many places in the world. By adding vinegar to cover the stone for the next 3 weeks we will observe it evaporate. The vinegar liberates carbon dioxide and water trapped in the rock. Through chemical reactions, beautiful and delicate calcium acetate crystals form.  

DAY 1 Students observed the reaction to vinegar, although not much change occurs.

DAY 3 Already crystals are beginning to form and the rock has expanded. The crystals form "peaks" and are beginning to take shape. Students discuss the changes in the rock formation and predict growing patterns for the crystals.

We will chart and observe the crystals daily. Make sure to come check them out yourself and we will continue to post pictures of the developing crystals. Thanks again to Gage's family for such a great science project!

GROWING UP

We are always so proud yet sad when a little one from HO4K graduates and moves on to kindergarten! Our sweet friend Lidia spent her last day having fun with friends out in the sun, playing a few more times in the water and sharing with us a special book. Lidia and her mom gave the book "One" by Kathryn Otoshi to add to our school library. This wonderful book teachings about always having the courage to stand up for what's right, even if you're the only ONE. We always loved reading with Lidia's mom and will miss her morning visits! We know Lidia is going to be one FANTASTIC kindergartner, just like all the amazing kids from HO4K. We are always grateful that you share your kids with us and miss them when they leave!

 

OPENINGS!!!

CURRENTLY THERE ARE 2 OPENINGS AT HO4K! WE HAVE 1 FULL TIME AND 1 PART TIME OPENING AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY. CONTACT JOANN FOR MORE DETAILS AND PLEASE TELL FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALL ABOUT HOW FUN HO4K IS!

NUTRITION

Exploring vegetables can be so much fun. Students used descriptive language to describe the feeling, taste, smell, appearance and sound of corn. They took turns examining they vegetable and shucking the corn. We talked about the different parts of the corn, those parts that are edible compared to the parts that are not. We talked about the different things we eat that are made of corn; tortillas, cornbread, popcorn, etc. Learning about how corn grows was fun as it is very different than other vegetables.

Students had fun learning more about a less familiar fruit called a Tomatillo. This small fruit looks like a small green tomato with a papery husk as a cover instead of skin. Students had the opportunity to compare the sizes of several Tomatillos and loved taking the husk off. Those who wanted tasted the very tart flavor of the Tomatillo. We love trying new things.

LIVING LOVE AND LOGIC TIP #10

Are You Remembering the Empathy?Weekly Tip from the Love and Logic^® Experts

If you're familiar with the Love and Logic approach, then you're familiar with the critical importance and the tremendous power of empathy. As a child I witnessed it transform our family. I watched as my mother and father began to understand the following:

Consequences provided with anger result in resentment.

Consequences preceded by empathy build personal responsibility.

My parents' journey from anger to empathy was not without its occasional potholes, wrong turns, construction zones, and fender benders. It's been the same for me as I continue to learn how to be an effective parent, husband, business manager, and consultant.

The truth be told, we all struggle with this skill in one way or another. That's why it's helpful to use a few little tricks to keep ourselves headed in the right direction:

• Remember that it’s okay to delay consequences.
  When you're too angry to think straight or to be empathetic, give yourself a gift by giving yourself some time to calm down, think, and get some help from others.

• Post your "empathetic statement" around the house.
  Memorize your empathetic statement by posting it all over the house on little "sticky notes."

• Don't be afraid to take care of yourself by setting and enforcing solid limits.
  Many parents have problems with getting angry because they haven't set enough good, solid limits with their children. One of my favorites sounds like, "I do___________ for kids when they are treating me with respect."

• Resist the urge to remind.
  The more warnings or reminders we give our kids, the more stressed and frustrated we become. Take care of yourself, and your child, by replacing words with actions.

Thousands of parents worldwide have learned how to replace anger with empathy by studying our CD, Keeping Cool When Parenting Heats Up. You'll love it, and it's less expensive than therapy.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay

BEACH BLAST

SPLISH SPLASH! ITS A BEACH BASH!

Part of building our children's creativity, is giving them opportunities to explore with their imagination. We have had a blast learning more about the beach! Students have been actively participating in all the fun things we can do at the beach; play in the water, build in the sand, read books on blankets, eat a delicious picnic and more!  

We have categorized and talked about the appropriate things you would take to the beach (buckets, food, sunblock, swimsuit, etc.) versus the things that you would not see/use at the beach. Students had many conversations about personal past experiences and visualized things that they would love to do in the future. We even made a class collage of the beach using pictures provided by our little ones!

Engaging in dramatic play to convey experiences, feelings, stories or ideas is a standard for preschoolers. Using previous experiences, and learning about the beach across the curriculum, has made it that much more fun to "play at the beach" this week!

We love using our bodies to build and destroy! Building sandcastles together helped us practice our social skills. Patience, cooperation, negotiation, teamwork and sharing are all important when building such masterpieces! 

It has been so much fun to play at the "beach" in Mrs. Joann's backyard. We are the luckiest kids to be able to play in the water and sand. Everyday is a new adventure and we love to use our imaginations!

LIVING LOVE AND LOGIC #9

END THE BEDTIME BLUES

Parents don’t need to force kids to go to sleep
By Jim Fay

 

     Bedtime is a time of frustration for many parents. They wish it could be a magical time to reconnect with children and share fond memories. Here are some easy ways to make those dreams come true:

Bedroom Time vs. Bedtime

     The journey to bedtime bliss starts with renaming bedtime. Kids need to think of this time as “bedroom time.” It’s a time for them to be in their rooms, but not necessarily with their eyes closed. Wise parents never try to control the uncontrollable. “You get in your bed and go to sleep, right now!” creates a power struggle over something parents cannot control. A skillful child can keep a parent engaged with this argument for hours.

Slowdown Time

     Bedroom time is a journey in itself. It starts with “slowdown time.” A slowdown routine is essential. Children’s brains operate at a high pitch and don’t shut down as quickly as adult brains. Parents should announce the beginning of slowdown time about 40 minutes before bedroom time.

   Slowdown time includes turning off stimulating activities such as television, exciting music, and family games. It also is a wonderful time to give kids choices:

“Do you want to go to bed right now or in 10 minutes?”

“Do you want to brush your teeth in the kitchen or the bathroom?”

”Do you want a story first or your bath first?”

“Do you want a drink in the kitchen or in your room?”

“Do you want a piggy back ride or walk on your own?”

“Do you want the light on or off?”

“Do you want to get tucked in or do it yourself?”

“Do you want to go to sleep right away or try to keep your eyes open as long as you can?"

     There is magic in choices. They speak directly to the human need for control and  can produce amazing results. Be sure to offer choices you like. Never give one choice you like and one you don’t. The kids are given no more than 10 seconds to make their decisions. If it takes longer, make the decision for them. Kids become quick decision-makers when they know their parents will be making the decision for them if they don’t act quickly. Some children like to negotiate in the face of choices. Resist the temptation to argue or reason at this time. Use Love and Logic: "I love you too much to argue about that, maybe you’ll like tomorrow’s choices better.” Repeat this phrase as often as necessary without sarcasm or anger.

     Remember there is nothing more contagious than a yawn. Experiment with yawning and acting sleepy during story time. It’s great fun to watch the drooping eyelids.

 Parent Time

     Once the kids are in their room, that’s where they stay. Announce that “kid’s time” is over and it is now “parent’s time.” Stick to your guns on this. Kids have been known to resort to, “It’s scary in here. There’s monsters in my room.” Just remember kids take their emotional cues from their parents. The best solution is to respond in a firm, yet loving way: “Well, sweetie, my advice is to make friends with them. See you in the morning. I love you!”

WONDERFUL WRITING

There are several different stages to writing that develop along a continuum. First, children learn that they can make a mark on a piece of paper. Wow, what fun! Next the notice that others write around them differently and for specific reasons. They begin making letter-like formations and real letters. As they continue to gain phonological awareness, they use inventive spelling to create words. Through this process they learn that writing is for communication.

We have added a new writing center where students are further developing their own writing skills. Students look through magazines and catalogs for pictures of interest to them. They clip them out (fine motor skills) and make a story up to go along with the picture. First students write their own version of the story. This "scribbling" is their first examples of being an author! Next, students dictate the story to a teacher who serves as an example and correctly writes their version of the story. The last step to this writing center is asking the student to share and "read" the story for others. It is so important for our little ones to feel validated as writers and as readers. Have your child share their books with you at home, this is just another extension and a great way to reinforce these new skills.

Being a good audience is important. If you can't listen to your child read their writing, find a sibling, friend, family member, or stuffed animal! We continue to use Brody the Bear as a friend in our class. Look for him to visit your house! When Brody visits another writing adventure begins!

CREATIVE ART!

Something all preschoolers need to know is how to use a variety of media, techniques, and processes is art activities that are of their own creation. Of course, using your hands to paint is so much fun! The messier the better! Using our sense of touch while creating is such a great experience!

Another important standard addressed is recognizing various different forms of art work and respecting the work of others. Students love to show off their work and talk about it with one another. HO4K is colorfully decorated with hangings of beautiful work created by our students! Come in and ask a child to tell you all about their masterpiece. They love to use descriptive conversational language to help you understand their imaginations!

Students have used finger paints to explore texture, lines and mixing of colors. Below students are exploring what colors and shades they can make while mixing. Not only is this a great review of our primary colors and mixing techniques, but is a great small motor activity as students use droppers to mix with.

Students practiced taking turns and working together to find new colors. What great cooperative learning.



MONEY MADNESS!

There are many important skills that students can learn by using coins. Several of the activities we practice at school can be repeated at home to reinforce comprehension. To start, students need to demonstrate an understanding that money is exchanged for goods and/or services. Have your child help you pay at the store, show how you write a check, pay your child for "extra" chores done at home, etc. Include your child in everyday exchanges with money. Below students practice exchanging and trading money. What a great way to practice our communication skills!

Students demonstrate an understanding of money when involved in dramatic play associated with payment. An example would be when children play cashier. They know that when we pay for food we get to keep the food.  Even before a child knows the value of a coin, they understand that a coin HAS value.

Sorting coins by similar attributes is a simple start to recognizing the different coins. Learning and talking about the different colors, size, texture and pictures on the individual coins helps a child to compare them. This is the first step, knowing and sorting into the four major groups. Here a students sorts with our classroom buddy, Brody the Bear!

COMPOST EXPERT

 

To learn more about what is best for our compost, we invited compost expert Maya to share with us her knowledge and experience. It is important for students to learn to listen to a presentation for a variety of purposes. Here students actively participated in discussion about the compost and appropriate things to add to it. Using our new information about appropriate compost materials, students helped complete a graph listing what is good and bad. Make sure to look at it with your student and have them show you what they learned!

To learn more about what is best for our compost, we invited compost expert Maya to share with us her knowledge and experience. It is important for students to learn to listen to a presentation for a variety of purposes. Here students actively participated in discussion about the compost and appropriate things to add to it. Using our new information about appropriate compost materials, students helped complete a graph listing what is good and bad. Make sure to look at it with your student and have them show you what they learned!

Students discovered using their senses more about vegetables, fruits and other vegetation that is used to make soil healthy. Students explored the vegetables with their sense of observation, taste, smell and touch!

Being a good scientist requires a lot of observation. Students love checking the compost bin everyday to see what changes have occurred. We remove the "soil" to see the new dirt and check our helping worms! This investigation is really a lot of fun!

LIVING LOVE AND LOGIC TIP 8

WHY BOREDOM CAN BE A GOOD THING

If you've ever spent time around kids, you've certainly heard, "This is boring!" or "I'm bored. There’s nothing to do."

In days gone by, most parents had extremely simple, practical, and effective responses to such whining:

• "Here’s a rake."
• "Here’s a dust cloth."
• "There are a lot of weeds that need to be pulled."
• "I guess I haven’t given you enough chores to do."

Is that really legal? Could it really be so simple? Is it really okay for us to expect our children to assume personal responsibility for coping with dull times?

Absolutely! Since life is sometimes boring, doesn't it make sense that we allow our children to practice handling it, instead of constantly rescuing them by providing exciting and fun activities?

In our book, Love and Logic Magic: When Kids Leave You Speechless, we show how to give our children the gift of knowing how to turn boredom into industry. Yep! Boredom can lead to creativity and achievement when we respond to complaining about it in some of the following ways:

• "What are you going to do about feeling so bored?"
• "Some kids decide to go out in the yard and clean up after the dog."
• "Some kids decide to dust the furniture."
• "Some kids decide to read a book."
• "Sadly, some kids decide to go to their rooms and stay unhappy about it."
• "I love you. Good luck."

Do you want your children to grow up believing that it is somebody else's job to keep them entertained and happy? Or would you rather raise youngsters who know that the best way to feel good is to do something good?

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay

PLAYING IS HARD WORK!

Playing is hard work! At HO4K we recognize and value the imagination of each child. In dramatic play it is the process rather than the end product that is most important, since children experience and learn many skills through the process.

Creativity is particularly supported through play, when children use imagination, experiment with roles, and use a wide range of tools/props. As we continue to practice safety each month students have taken a particular interest in fire safety and firemen. Here students imitate the important role of a fireman through the different learning experiences we have had about fire safety. Observing dramatic play is a great way to assess their comprehension while allowing them to freely play.

SUPER SOIL PROJECT

The planting of our new plants and vegetables has helped us realize how much desert dirt we have to replace with rich "soil". This has lead us right into our next project we are calling "Making Super Soil"...Composting. Composting is a natural fertilizer and as part of the planting process, provides nutrients to create a rich soil.

Students have learned that by providing food scraps and yard waste, they can help the compost provide more nutrients to the developing soil. Several students have already brought in things from home to add to the compost bin! Feel free to bring by your recycled food and yard waste, but please no dairy or meats!

Here students used their small motor/pre-writing skills to cut the cantaloupe into smaller pieces that are faster and easier to decompose in the bin. We practiced taking turns and talked about other foods that students might want to use in the compost bin to help our soil get "healthy". 

Worms are beneficial to gardening as they aerate the soil and help bring nutrients and moisture to the dirt. So naturally we needed some "science" time with worms! What a BIG HIT! Students practiced using descriptive expressive language with one another as we used some of our senses to talk about these slimy creatures! We compared the lengths of worms, counted them and compared differences and similarities. Although some students liked this more than others, this hands on lesson was so much fun! 

Along with talking about our wiggly squiggly worms, students have been learning all about insects. We have learned about the different parts of insects, compared and observed several examples and practiced sorting bugs. There is just too much fun to have with BUGS!

We will continue to learn about the natural environment around us and would love to share it with you!
Feel free to donate yard waste and food scraps to help in our "Super Soil Project", or better yet come look at all our hard work!