FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
Summer is here and summer camp has begun! July is also the start of our new school year! It is a very busy and exciting time for us! Last year wrapped up without a hitch and we have so many great memories! We want to congratulate all of our graduates again and wish them well as they slowly venture off to kindergarten!
And summer camp so far has been AWESOME! The school aged campers have enjoyed all of their fun field trips, building their way across America (proudly displayed in the front lobby) and have made some new friends as well! Our junior campers have also enjoyed field trips as well as continuing to learn and grow through our LTL curriculum! And finally, our preschoolers have had a BLAST with water play,, all of our different vendors, and the ice cream truck! And we’re still learning everyday!
As a quick reminder, we will be applying sun screen and bug spray to your child in the afternoons. They will go outside in the morning but we are asking parents to put sun screen on in the mornings. Also, we will apply bug spray if you have indicated for us to do so, however we do have Mosquito Guard come out every 21 days to spray for mosquitoes and their work is guaranteed. I have had several parents tell me NOT to apply bug spray because we are not seeing the bugs and they don’t want this applied unnecessarily. So, let me know if you do not wish for us to apply bug spray!
Summer camp calendars have gone home for July (more are available at the front desk) and we will send home August soon as well. Please note that water play day and ice cream truck day alternate so that our part time children will be able to still participate in these activities. For water play, please send your child to school dressed in a bathing suit and shoes that can get wet. Please also send a towel and we will bag everything up to be take home until the next week.
If your child is not currently enrolled in Soccer Shots, JumpBunch, MusIQ, or Music for Little Ones, and you would like them to be, please let me know! These programs run all year (some will have small breaks between sessions) and it’s never too late to get signed up!
If you have not completed and returned your updated emergency forms, please do so ASAP. This is vital information we need on file in case of an emergency! Let me know if you need another copy!
Here’s to another wonderful month!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
——————————————————————————-
Fun Recipe
Chocolate Pretzel and Cherry Popcorn Balls
What you’ll need:
- 6 heaping cups popped corn
- 1/4 cup agave nectar (see Note) or honey
- 1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter or almond butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dark chocolate-covered pretzels
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped dried cherries
How to make it:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Prepare a medium bowl of ice water. Put popcorn in a large bowl.
- Combine agave (or honey) and peanut butter (or almond butter) in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently but constantly. As soon as the mixture starts to lightly bubble, cook, stirring constantly, for 15 seconds more.
- Immediately pour the mixture evenly over the popcorn; gently mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until well coated. Gently stir in dark chocolate-covered pretzels and finely chopped dried cherries.
- Dip both hands in the ice water. Working quickly, press small handfuls (heaping 1/4 cup each) of the popcorn mixture firmly into 2-inch balls. (Make sure each ball gets a little bit of the pretzels and dried cherries.) Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet. If they seem too fragile, rinse hands with cold water and press and squeeze each ball again to help keep it together.
- Let cool completely before storing. To store, individually wrap in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
——————————————————————————–
DATES TO REMEMBER
1st- Ice Cream Truck 3pm
1st- Latta Splash Grounds (SA campers)
2nd- Water Play Day 9:30-11:30 (preschool and junior camp)
2nd- Freedom Park bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
3rd- CLOSED in celebration of Independence Day
7th- Blue Moon Puppet Show (Intermediate – Pre-K) (preschool and junior camp)
7th- Beauty and the Beast CPCC bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
8th- Water Play Day 9:30 – 11:30 (preschool)
8th- Stallings Splash Grounds bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
9th- School Ice Cream Day 3pm
9th- Sun Valley movie Theater- The Penguins of Madagascar 10am (SA campers)
10th- Wear a crazy hat!
10th- Theater Charlotte- Wizard of Oz bus departs at 9am (junior campers)
14th- Water Play Day 9:30 – 11:30 (preschool and junior campers)
14th- Anne Springs Close Greenway- Creek Exploring (SA campers)
15th- Ice Cream Truck Day 9:30- 11:30
15th- Ray’s Splash Planet bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
16th- Fish the Magish 10am (preschool and junior campers)
16th- Squirrel Lake Park bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
17th- Dress up like a Super Hero
21st- Mad Science Lab- Sweet hear 10am (preschool)
21st- Discovery Place Kids bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
22nd- Water Play Day 9:30- 11:30 (preschool)
22nd- Latta Splash Grounds bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
23rd – School Ice Cream Day 3pm
23rd- Dan Nicholas Park Bus departs at 8:45 (SA campers)
24th- Movie Morning- Rio (rated G) (preschool)
24th- Noah’s Art (junior campers)
28th- Water Play Day 9:30 – 11:30 (preschool)
28th- Sea Life Aquarium bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
29th- Ice Cream Truck Day 3pm
29th- Ray’s Splash Planet bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
30th- Chocolate Bar in a Car (beginners – pre-k) (preschool and junior campers)
30th- Colonel Francis Beaty Park bus leaves at 9:30am (SA campers)
31st- Carolina Place Mall- Build-A-Bear workshop bus leaves at 9:15 (junior campers)
31st- End of the Month Folders go home! (preschool)
——————————————————————————–
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Why spend your evenings and weekends driving to and from practices and programs when your child can participate in there right here at school? Please see the front desk for more information on any of these wonderful programs!
TUESDAYS: Soccer Shots @ 3pm
Soccer Shots has three rules: Score a goal, be a team player, and HAVE FUN! This is a great way to get some extra physical fitness in and have a blast doing it! Spaces are still available so sign up today!!
WEDNESDAYS: MUSIC FOR LITTLE ONES @ 3
Weekly music classes with Music For Little Ones will be lots of fun!! Each week the children will participate in different songs, and activities with music. They will even get to try different musical instruments. They will receive a CD of all songs learned that session. It is a wonderful, musical experience!
THURSDAYS: JUMP BUNCH @ 10:00am
Jump Bunch introduces sports and fitness to your child in a hands-on setting. It builds coordination and interest in sports, teaches through constant praise and encouragement, offers a safe, non-competitive environment, and promotes healthy fitness and nutrition!
THURSDAYS: MusIQ @3pm Is a piano based music program for children ages 3 and up. Classical music and keyboard skills are taught. Please see us for more details.
——————————————————————————–
SICK POLICY
The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among children and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school. We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children. We reserve the right to send home any student who shows signs of illness at school. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up from school. A parent must pick up the ill child within one hour of notification. A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below. In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. These symptoms are as follows:
•A fever of 100 degrees or more
•Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period
•Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school)
•A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection
•A constant cough or sore throat
•Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself
•A skin rash, excluding diaper rash
•Head lice
•Symptoms of a communicable disease
Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested.)
——————————————————————————–
A POWERFUL CONNECTION TO A LIFE FULL OF LEARNING
The perfect balance of learning and play!
We are so excited to announce that you will see our Links to Learning improvements starting in September! Please see Mrs. Lindsey or Mrs. Melissa for more details!
Children are expecting the perfect balance of learning and play in a safe, nurturing environment. Our Links to Learning curriculum helps to create life long learners. Introducing concepts in reading, math, art, music, science, and much more. You will receive professional updates, as well as ideas to continue the learning process at home. Our pre-k program is also in line with the Common Core Standards so you child will be well prepared for Kindergarten!
OUR PROGRAM
LINKS TO LEARNING (LTL): Links to Learning is an integrated series of programs for children ages six weeks to five years that engages the young learner’s senses, mind and body. The components of each program build upon each other as children grow and develop, ensuring an excellent preparation for elementary school. Links to Learning takes advantage of a child’s readiness to learn with activities that are fun, challenging, easily understood – and meaningful. The curriculum gives a child the freedom to discover in a supportive, loving and nurturing environment. It is truly the perfect balance of learning and play!
BABY SIGN: In our infant and toddler classrooms, baby sign language is taught to our students to help teachers better understand the needs of our children! Each month two new signs will be taught- including the basic “need” signs of more, all done, mommy, daddy, diaper, milk, tired, and many many more!
SPANISH: From the ages 2 to 5, children display an amazing capacity for learning language. By integrating Spanish throughout the day at an early age, children get a head-start on acquiring a second language. They develop listening and speaking skills while honing conversational skills, as well as explore music, clothing and activities from another culture right in their own classroom.
SPORTS, PLAY & ACTIVE RECREATION FOR KIDS! (SPARK): Spark promotes physical activity in ways that are creative and fun. It teaches social skills and enhances personal skills with maintaining high activity time.
SECOND STEP: Our character education program is designed for our Pre-K students but may be appropriate for our intermediate students in some cases. This wonderful program helps teach children how to recognize feelings of others, how to handle conflict on their own, how to take turns, share, and wait patiently for their turn to talk- to name a few! Parents will get ideas to take home as well to help with this program!
LETTER BUDDIES: This wonderful program is a supplement to our already amazing Links to Learning Language and Literacy component. This is for children who are ready to start with sight words and reading in our pre-k program. This will not be for every student, however it is a great resource for children who are ready to begin reading!
——————————————————————————–
PARENT REMINDERS
~ Please remember that tuition is due on Fridays for the next week. There will be a $25 late fee assessed to your account if payment is received after noon on Mondays.
~ Parents, please join us for all of our exciting events this month! Calendars are still available at the front desk!
~No outside food or drink should be brought to school unless your child has allergies or food restrictions. If they are bringing food from home for these reasons, please see me to sign our food waiver. Please see me with any questions.
~Please make sure you are signing your child in and out each day! This is essential as we use the sign in and out sheet to make sure all children are accounted for at fire drills or in case of a real emergency evacuation situation.
~ Please make sure all children are washing their hands upon entering the classroom each morning. This will help us prevent spreading germs!
~Please make sure there is a weather appropriate change of clothes (or more if potty training) in your child’s cubby!
~ In the event of inclement weather, there are a few ways in which we will communicate this to you. You can call the school and it will be on the voice mail message. We will also send an email. I believe I have everyone’s correct email- if I don’t, please get it to me ASAP! You can also check the local news station, WSOC, as well as their website, www.wsoctv.com, or even our school website for information.
——————————————————————————–
FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
Fun Ways to Keep Your Child
Engaged in Learning this Summer
Summer offers unique opportunities for children to learn through fun, multi-sensory experiences. Our teachers continue to use our Links to Learning curriculum to help children develop new skills throughout the summer.
Here are some examples of types of activities we will be doing this summer, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS
In the classroom: Our teachers provide numerous opportunities for multi-sensory exploration. Infants spend tummy time in the grass, splash their hands at the water table and feel and taste summer fruits.
At home: Fill a small bowl with water and place it in front of your child. Allow him to splash his hands in the water. Practice hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill development by adding toys and encouraging your child to retrieve them.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: In the toddler years, children begin to play together with their peers. They practice sharing toys and cooperating in learning centers. Research shows that by nurturing connections with others, toddlers learn how to form friendships, communicate their emotions and deal with challenges.
At home: Encourage sharing skills by taking turns blowing bubbles with your child, doing the Hokey Pokey, or drawing pictures using sidewalk chalk.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students use math and science while participating in fun outdoor activities. For instance, they predict and test the buoyancy of toys at the water table, and count how many will float and how many will sink.
At home: During bath time or in a baby pool, continue the exploration of what sinks and what floats. Bring a small assortment of toys and ask your child to guess which items will sink or float.
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Intermediates take advantage of the warm summer weather by strengthening their gross motor skills. They practice pedaling on a tricycle, throwing and catching balls, playing hopscotch and walking on balance boards.
At home: Play follow the leader around your neighborhood or at a nearby park. Have your child try skipping, galloping, hopping, marching and jogging.
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers make reading and writing more engaging and fun by moving learning outdoors. For example, our older preschoolers go on a nature walk, write about their experience in their journals, and share their journal entries with the class.
At home: Increase your child’s interest in writing by bringing various writing materials outside, such as crayons and paper or colored sidewalk chalk. Ask your child to draw and label what he sees.
During the summer months, we provide many opportunities for students to explore their interests, learn to their full potential, and express themselves creatively. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as children transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
July News Letter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Chesterbrook Parents,
Summer is here and summer camp has begun! July is also the start of our new school year! It is a very busy and exciting time for us! Last year wrapped up without a hitch and we have so many great memories! We want to congratulate all of our graduates again and wish them well as they slowly venture off to kindergarten!
And summer camp so far has been AWESOME! The school aged campers have enjoyed all of their fun field trips, building their way across America (proudly displayed in the front lobby) and have made some new friends as well! Our junior campers have also enjoyed field trips as well as continuing to learn and grow through our LTL curriculum! And finally, our preschoolers have had a BLAST with water play,, all of our different vendors, and the ice cream truck! And we’re still learning everyday!
As a quick reminder, we will be applying sun screen and bug spray to your child in the afternoons. They will go outside in the morning but we are asking parents to put sun screen on in the mornings. Also, we will apply bug spray if you have indicated for us to do so, however we do have Mosquito Guard come out every 21 days to spray for mosquitoes and their work is guaranteed. I have had several parents tell me NOT to apply bug spray because we are not seeing the bugs and they don’t want this applied unnecessarily. So, let me know if you do not wish for us to apply bug spray!
Summer camp calendars have gone home for July (more are available at the front desk) and we will send home August soon as well. Please note that water play day and ice cream truck day alternate so that our part time children will be able to still participate in these activities. For water play, please send your child to school dressed in a bathing suit and shoes that can get wet. Please also send a towel and we will bag everything up to be take home until the next week.
If your child is not currently enrolled in Soccer Shots, JumpBunch, MusIQ, or Music for Little Ones, and you would like them to be, please let me know! These programs run all year (some will have small breaks between sessions) and it’s never too late to get signed up!
If you have not completed and returned your updated emergency forms, please do so ASAP. This is vital information we need on file in case of an emergency! Let me know if you need another copy!
Here’s to another wonderful month!
Sincerely,
Lindsey Soban, principal
——————————————————————————-
Fun Recipe
Chocolate Pretzel and Cherry Popcorn Balls
What you’ll need:
How to make it:
——————————————————————————–
DATES TO REMEMBER
1st- Ice Cream Truck 3pm
1st- Latta Splash Grounds (SA campers)
2nd- Water Play Day 9:30-11:30 (preschool and junior camp)
2nd- Freedom Park bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
3rd- CLOSED in celebration of Independence Day
7th- Blue Moon Puppet Show (Intermediate – Pre-K) (preschool and junior camp)
7th- Beauty and the Beast CPCC bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
8th- Water Play Day 9:30 – 11:30 (preschool)
8th- Stallings Splash Grounds bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
9th- School Ice Cream Day 3pm
9th- Sun Valley movie Theater- The Penguins of Madagascar 10am (SA campers)
10th- Wear a crazy hat!
10th- Theater Charlotte- Wizard of Oz bus departs at 9am (junior campers)
14th- Water Play Day 9:30 – 11:30 (preschool and junior campers)
14th- Anne Springs Close Greenway- Creek Exploring (SA campers)
15th- Ice Cream Truck Day 9:30- 11:30
15th- Ray’s Splash Planet bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
16th- Fish the Magish 10am (preschool and junior campers)
16th- Squirrel Lake Park bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
17th- Dress up like a Super Hero
21st- Mad Science Lab- Sweet hear 10am (preschool)
21st- Discovery Place Kids bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
22nd- Water Play Day 9:30- 11:30 (preschool)
22nd- Latta Splash Grounds bus leaves at 9:30 (SA campers)
23rd – School Ice Cream Day 3pm
23rd- Dan Nicholas Park Bus departs at 8:45 (SA campers)
24th- Movie Morning- Rio (rated G) (preschool)
24th- Noah’s Art (junior campers)
28th- Water Play Day 9:30 – 11:30 (preschool)
28th- Sea Life Aquarium bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
29th- Ice Cream Truck Day 3pm
29th- Ray’s Splash Planet bus leaves at 9am (SA campers)
30th- Chocolate Bar in a Car (beginners – pre-k) (preschool and junior campers)
30th- Colonel Francis Beaty Park bus leaves at 9:30am (SA campers)
31st- Carolina Place Mall- Build-A-Bear workshop bus leaves at 9:15 (junior campers)
31st- End of the Month Folders go home! (preschool)
——————————————————————————–
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
Why spend your evenings and weekends driving to and from practices and programs when your child can participate in there right here at school? Please see the front desk for more information on any of these wonderful programs!
TUESDAYS: Soccer Shots @ 3pm
Soccer Shots has three rules: Score a goal, be a team player, and HAVE FUN! This is a great way to get some extra physical fitness in and have a blast doing it! Spaces are still available so sign up today!!
WEDNESDAYS: MUSIC FOR LITTLE ONES @ 3
Weekly music classes with Music For Little Ones will be lots of fun!! Each week the children will participate in different songs, and activities with music. They will even get to try different musical instruments. They will receive a CD of all songs learned that session. It is a wonderful, musical experience!
THURSDAYS: JUMP BUNCH @ 10:00am
Jump Bunch introduces sports and fitness to your child in a hands-on setting. It builds coordination and interest in sports, teaches through constant praise and encouragement, offers a safe, non-competitive environment, and promotes healthy fitness and nutrition!
THURSDAYS: MusIQ @3pm Is a piano based music program for children ages 3 and up. Classical music and keyboard skills are taught. Please see us for more details.
——————————————————————————–
SICK POLICY
The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among children and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school. We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children. We reserve the right to send home any student who shows signs of illness at school. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up from school. A parent must pick up the ill child within one hour of notification. A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below. In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. These symptoms are as follows:
•A fever of 100 degrees or more
•Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period
•Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school)
•A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection
•A constant cough or sore throat
•Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself
•A skin rash, excluding diaper rash
•Head lice
•Symptoms of a communicable disease
Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested.)
——————————————————————————–
A POWERFUL CONNECTION TO A LIFE FULL OF LEARNING
The perfect balance of learning and play!
We are so excited to announce that you will see our Links to Learning improvements starting in September! Please see Mrs. Lindsey or Mrs. Melissa for more details!
Children are expecting the perfect balance of learning and play in a safe, nurturing environment. Our Links to Learning curriculum helps to create life long learners. Introducing concepts in reading, math, art, music, science, and much more. You will receive professional updates, as well as ideas to continue the learning process at home. Our pre-k program is also in line with the Common Core Standards so you child will be well prepared for Kindergarten!
OUR PROGRAM
LINKS TO LEARNING (LTL): Links to Learning is an integrated series of programs for children ages six weeks to five years that engages the young learner’s senses, mind and body. The components of each program build upon each other as children grow and develop, ensuring an excellent preparation for elementary school. Links to Learning takes advantage of a child’s readiness to learn with activities that are fun, challenging, easily understood – and meaningful. The curriculum gives a child the freedom to discover in a supportive, loving and nurturing environment. It is truly the perfect balance of learning and play!
BABY SIGN: In our infant and toddler classrooms, baby sign language is taught to our students to help teachers better understand the needs of our children! Each month two new signs will be taught- including the basic “need” signs of more, all done, mommy, daddy, diaper, milk, tired, and many many more!
SPANISH: From the ages 2 to 5, children display an amazing capacity for learning language. By integrating Spanish throughout the day at an early age, children get a head-start on acquiring a second language. They develop listening and speaking skills while honing conversational skills, as well as explore music, clothing and activities from another culture right in their own classroom.
SPORTS, PLAY & ACTIVE RECREATION FOR KIDS! (SPARK): Spark promotes physical activity in ways that are creative and fun. It teaches social skills and enhances personal skills with maintaining high activity time.
SECOND STEP: Our character education program is designed for our Pre-K students but may be appropriate for our intermediate students in some cases. This wonderful program helps teach children how to recognize feelings of others, how to handle conflict on their own, how to take turns, share, and wait patiently for their turn to talk- to name a few! Parents will get ideas to take home as well to help with this program!
LETTER BUDDIES: This wonderful program is a supplement to our already amazing Links to Learning Language and Literacy component. This is for children who are ready to start with sight words and reading in our pre-k program. This will not be for every student, however it is a great resource for children who are ready to begin reading!
——————————————————————————–
PARENT REMINDERS
~ Please remember that tuition is due on Fridays for the next week. There will be a $25 late fee assessed to your account if payment is received after noon on Mondays.
~ Parents, please join us for all of our exciting events this month! Calendars are still available at the front desk!
~No outside food or drink should be brought to school unless your child has allergies or food restrictions. If they are bringing food from home for these reasons, please see me to sign our food waiver. Please see me with any questions.
~Please make sure you are signing your child in and out each day! This is essential as we use the sign in and out sheet to make sure all children are accounted for at fire drills or in case of a real emergency evacuation situation.
~ Please make sure all children are washing their hands upon entering the classroom each morning. This will help us prevent spreading germs!
~Please make sure there is a weather appropriate change of clothes (or more if potty training) in your child’s cubby!
~ In the event of inclement weather, there are a few ways in which we will communicate this to you. You can call the school and it will be on the voice mail message. We will also send an email. I believe I have everyone’s correct email- if I don’t, please get it to me ASAP! You can also check the local news station, WSOC, as well as their website, www.wsoctv.com, or even our school website for information.
——————————————————————————–
FROM THE EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
Fun Ways to Keep Your Child
Engaged in Learning this Summer
Summer offers unique opportunities for children to learn through fun, multi-sensory experiences. Our teachers continue to use our Links to Learning curriculum to help children develop new skills throughout the summer.
Here are some examples of types of activities we will be doing this summer, as well as ideas for you and your child to do at home.
INFANTS
In the classroom: Our teachers provide numerous opportunities for multi-sensory exploration. Infants spend tummy time in the grass, splash their hands at the water table and feel and taste summer fruits.
At home: Fill a small bowl with water and place it in front of your child. Allow him to splash his hands in the water. Practice hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill development by adding toys and encouraging your child to retrieve them.
TODDLERS (ages 1-2):
In the classroom: In the toddler years, children begin to play together with their peers. They practice sharing toys and cooperating in learning centers. Research shows that by nurturing connections with others, toddlers learn how to form friendships, communicate their emotions and deal with challenges.
At home: Encourage sharing skills by taking turns blowing bubbles with your child, doing the Hokey Pokey, or drawing pictures using sidewalk chalk.
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginner students use math and science while participating in fun outdoor activities. For instance, they predict and test the buoyancy of toys at the water table, and count how many will float and how many will sink.
At home: During bath time or in a baby pool, continue the exploration of what sinks and what floats. Bring a small assortment of toys and ask your child to guess which items will sink or float.
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Intermediates take advantage of the warm summer weather by strengthening their gross motor skills. They practice pedaling on a tricycle, throwing and catching balls, playing hopscotch and walking on balance boards.
At home: Play follow the leader around your neighborhood or at a nearby park. Have your child try skipping, galloping, hopping, marching and jogging.
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Teachers make reading and writing more engaging and fun by moving learning outdoors. For example, our older preschoolers go on a nature walk, write about their experience in their journals, and share their journal entries with the class.
At home: Increase your child’s interest in writing by bringing various writing materials outside, such as crayons and paper or colored sidewalk chalk. Ask your child to draw and label what he sees.
During the summer months, we provide many opportunities for students to explore their interests, learn to their full potential, and express themselves creatively. These hands-on experiences lead to growth in all areas of development as children transition into elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education