ANNOUNCEMENTS

Just a few announcements!

*Mark your calendars...Graduation this year will be held on Friday, August 26th from 6:30-7:30pm at HO4K. Our graduates this year are Brace, Dayton, Lidia, Nevy, and Tanner. All students will be participating in a program and are encouraged to bring friends and family. We can't wait to celebrate how wonderful all our children at HO4K are!

*HO4K is thinking about offering a "NIGHT OUT" for parents once a month. This service would be supervised activities at HO4K while parents go out! Although we are throwing around ideas, we are thinking about 1 time a month on a weekend night, for a few hours. We are interested in any feedback from you! What do you think would be a reasonable fee? What time would work and for how long? Please leave a comment below by clicking on comment, or talk with JoAnn yourself. The more feedback, the more we can address your needs!

LIVING LOVE AND LOGIC TIP #12

When Kids Bring Home ProblemsWeekly Tip from the Love and Logic^® Experts

Connor was having trouble making friends. "None of the cool kids will play with me. Only the dopey kids will," he complained.

"Oh, no," Dad said with a wrinkled forehead and sadness in his eyes. "That sounds rough. What do you think you can do about that?"

"I don’t know," Connor whined. "The teachers won't help me."

"Hmm," Dad paused. "Would you like to hear what some other kids have tried?"

Connor grunted, "Guess so."

"Well," Dad continued, "some kids decide to forget about having friends. How would that work for you?"

"Not good. I'll never have people to do stuff with."

"Yeah, good thinking," said Dad. "Some kids decide to pick out some cool - or maybe just nice kids and try to be super friendly to them. They go out of their way to say nice things - stuff like that. How do you think that would work for you?"

Connor thoughtfully frowned. "I guess I could try that. But what if it doesn't work?"

Dad replied, "It'll be interesting to see, won't it? That's all the ideas I have right now. Thanks for telling me about this. Good luck, buddy."

Connor's dad gave him the gift of struggling with a problem. Many Love and Logic parents have enjoyed empowering their kids to solve problems using this five-step process:

1. Respond with empathy: "That's a tough one."
2. Send the power message: "Would you like to hear what some kids have tried?" 
3. Offer ideas: "Some kids decide to…" 
4. Ask about the expected results: "How do you think that would work for you?" 
5. Give permission to solve the problem: "Let me know how it goes. Good luck."

Have fun experimenting with this technique next time your child brings home a problem regarding friendships, or just about anything else.

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

Staying Fit!

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association nearly half of American children are overweight or obese. These staggering statistics point out a major concern for the immediate health of our children and their future. At HO4K, we implement music and movement everyday as we learn across the curriculum. As you can see from past posts, students are actively engaged in the learning process and use their bodies and minds together to form connections between knowledge and skills. Click HERE  to read an article that provides 10 tips to keep your child fit! Now is the time to establish healthy habits! Get outside and have some FUN!

RADIO FUN

The Nevada Preschool Standards state that "Pre-Kindergarten children learn science concepts through active play and exploration of their environment.  Responsive adults facilitate discovery by inviting questions, asking open-ended questions, encouraging hands-on experiences, and providing opportunities to experiment and observe the world through a variety of media and realia (McGraw-Hill, 2003)."

At HO4K, children explore everyday problems and questions around them. So when the classroom radio broke after extensive use, the children tried their best to "repair" the problem. After failed attempts and many conversations of what to do next, students helped to take the radio apart. To encourage discovery, the students had the opportunity to explore the many different components of the radio.  The children have found great satisfaction as they continue to observe and discover the components and electronic parts inside. Cool!

1, 2, 3, 4...

Math is all around us and because young children are natural mathematical learners they are constantly investigating and learning.  Children naturally count objects, look for patterns and shapes, make comparisons, and explore relationships within their environment. The activities at HO4K focus on children's natural curiosity and exploration. Often children initiate their own learning. Below students are counting out crackers into groups. This simple step towards division, helps students learn about equal groups as they distribute the same number of crackers to classmates.Of course we want everyone to have the same amount of goodies! This simple activity enables a student to expand their understanding of numbers and the distributive property. This activity is one that can be repeated throughout the day easily at home!  

 Another engaging learning opportunity for children is games. Here students are playing UNO. Besides the obvious social and emotional skills that students develop and mature through games, often math concepts are reinforced. With UNO students are working with numbers, patterns, relationships, counting, etc. Playing games at school and at home help children to think about strategies, compare and solve problems, work comfortably with numbers and have fun!

READING BUDDIES

It is always more fun when we have someone to share a good book with! Brody the bear is part of our reading program at school that connects with the home. Students take turns bringing Brody home to spend a few days with them and their families. The student documents Brody's visit with pictures, illustrations and written stories. Then these experiences are shared with the class. It is so much fun when a student gets a turn with Brody because they can revisit and read about all of fun stuff he has done in the past with others.

This project alone meets almost all the language state standards located at http://www.doe.nv.gov/Standards/Pre-K/prekcont.htm. It is important to incorporate language skills throughout the curriculum as it is such a fundamental building block in our children's academic growth. Be sure to check out the standards so that you can see what Nevada requires from our early learners. Any extra practice at home is so beneficial to your children!

Using Our Imaginations!

By expressing and appreciating the arts, one develops thought processes and communication skills (Althouse, Johnson, & Mitchell).  According to the Nevada Standards, Early childhood curriculum should not be taught in isolated segments, but integrated across content areas.  The arts connect the content areas, and give children a means of developing new ways of understanding their world. 

         Having had the fourth of July recently, students have been learning about patriotism and discussing what it means to them. When asked about different ways to show their appreciation for our country, a student came up with the idea to create Statue Of Liberty Costumes. Students explored different art materials and worked hard at their creations. Here two students show off their patriotism and Statue Of Liberty Costumes!

  Another state standard that is addressed frequently at HO4K is when students create works that express or represent experiences, ideas, feelings, and fantasy using various media. Above you will see 2 students experimenting with bath sponges covered in paint. Students predicted what kind of shape or "splat"  would  form at different heights. Students took turns standing and dropping the painted sponges from high, higher and highest locations. Observing the different art created was fun as we compared and talked about their art pieces. Lastly, students were able to sprinkle glitter onto the paint and their masterpieces became beautiful sparkly "fireworks"!

Snow Crystals Day 6

We are watching as our snow crystals continue to grow. The picture above shows the crystals on day 6.  As we observe each day we collect data on the growth patterns, the changes in form and compare data from day to day. As you can tell the crystals are growing large and are visible both above and below the water line. Check out the crystals as you visit and ask your little one to share what they have learned!

LIVING LOVE AND LOGIC TIP #11

Remember the basics for placing your child in Thinking-Time!

• TT is a time for your child to compose themselves then to think about how they can better solve a particular problem. It is most effective when it is used for problem solving and not as a form of punishment. This is a teaching opportunity.
• The amount of TT should average between 3-5 min and is controlled by the child. "When you are sweet and calm, I'll set the timer."
• TT must be prefaced with an empathetic statement. "This is so sad, thinking-time for Randy. You can walk yourself or I can help you."
• TT doesn't have to be a place but a "thinking-area" might be helpful. When a child needs some TT, the child could pick the place. You can suggest some options such as a chair or a swing (if outside). If the child is out of control and will not cooperate then removing them from others to a designated "thinking-area" is appropriate. An out of control child that is disruptive to the environment and/or others needs to be removed to an isolated area.

Remember, TT is a great opportunity for children to learn how to problem solve. Sometimes adults need TT too!

MAKING MUD

At HO4K we want our students to express their own ideas of interest and initiate activities that are of exciting to them! When students wanted to challenge themselves to change our grey play castle brown, we allowed them to explore their options and methods to this process. Students of course LOVED every minute of the muddy experience. They worked cooperatively together and communicated with each other step by step as they piled on the mud and played in the water.

   Students love to see how different objects react when placed in water. Its amazing to see the "goopy muddy water" that is created when mud is combined with water. Listening to students try to express the feeling between our toes and fingers was priceless! Children need the opportunity to explore and investigate their natural world while using their five senses, even if its playing in the mud!

Don't worry! Its just as much fun to clean up as it is to get dirty! WOW what fun we have at HO4K!

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.