Dear CBA Families,
We are so excited that spring is officially here! This month we are looking forward to discovering all of the changes that spring brings forth. This season provides a great opportunity for children to learn and grow as they discover new things in their environment. Our teachers are planning lots of fun outdoor adventures and lessons. Our students have already begun to engage in activities related to spring time weather and holidays. This month we look forward to celebrating the Week of the Young Child and Earth Day.
Week of the Young Child, April 6-12, recognizes young students, their teachers, and their families for all their hard work. This annual event, sponsored by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), allows us to showcase the importance of early childhood education, our Links to Learning curriculum, and everyone who makes it possible. We have many fun activities planned for Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. More information can be found on our monthly calendar on our website and additional information will be sent via Links 2 Home.
Earth Day is Monday, April 22nd! Our classes will be creating fun activities centering around the importance of protecting our planet. We will also be participating in our annual Ladybug Release during morning outside times that day.
Please take a moment in the upcoming week to look through your child’s cubby. It is important that they have at least two weather appropriate changes of clothes that fit. All rest items should be washed weekly as well. We also wanted to remind our families to label all water bottles with your child’s first and last name before drop off.
In an effort to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible we want to remind you that if your child is sent home sick, they cannot return until they have been symptom free for at least 24 hours without medication. Please make sure students are washing their hands upon entering the classroom in the morning as well.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful April!
Sincerely,
Kristie Salmon
Lindsey DeLair
From the Education Department:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Spark Creativity and Ignite Imagination
Did you know that some of the best ways for children to engage in play and get their creative juices flowing is by using everyday materials in new ways? Our teachers are always adding recycled materials to all the centers in their classrooms in hopes of planting new ideas, helping students develop an understanding of how things work, increasing their language skills, and learning about the world around them.
Research shows that children who play with recycled materials are more likely to engage in open-ended and imaginary play, have better storytelling skills, and are more creative. So, before you throw away used items, check our list below for ideas on how your child can reuse them.
Creative Expression Paper scraps, leftover wrapping paper, paper tubes, old newspapers, popsicle sticks, egg cartons, milk bottle caps, and more can all be used to create collages, sculptures, and dioramas. Simply provide your child with these items and some glue or tape and watch them go! Add safety scissors for some cutting practice as well.
Dramatic Play Use large cardboard boxes as playhouses, forts, and barns for stuffed animals. Medium-sized boxes can be transformed into boats, race cars, spaceships, or puppet theaters. Use smaller boxes for stacking and building to create towns. Add cars to drive through the city.
Music Have any old pots and pans? Old coffee tins? Plastic containers from take-out food? These all make perfect drums! For the drumsticks, your child can use their hands or wooden spoons.Transform an old tissue box into a guitar by wrapping rubber bands around the opening.
STEM Gather all sorts of loose parts – spools, cardboard tubes, nature items, plastic bottles, straws, large buttons, old phones, and calculators. Use these items for sorting, counting, building, and more!
Sensory Take any of the STEM or art materials listed above and gather them into a bin or adhere them to a wall for a sensory experience.
Scientific Exploration Use milk cartons, soft drink bottles, and ice cream containers as planters. Decorate the containers and add them to your garden. Tend to the plants and observe the changes with your child.
Closing tip! Don’t forget to talk with your child about how reusing items helps our earth. Be sure to engage in
conversation about reducing waste, reusing items in new ways, and recycling materials. As your child works with random items in new ways, say “Isn’t it great that instead of throwing that away, you found such a great way to use that!”
April 2024 News
Dear CBA Families,
We are so excited that spring is officially here! This month we are looking forward to discovering all of the changes that spring brings forth. This season provides a great opportunity for children to learn and grow as they discover new things in their environment. Our teachers are planning lots of fun outdoor adventures and lessons. Our students have already begun to engage in activities related to spring time weather and holidays. This month we look forward to celebrating the Week of the Young Child and Earth Day.
Week of the Young Child, April 6-12, recognizes young students, their teachers, and their families for all their hard work. This annual event, sponsored by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), allows us to showcase the importance of early childhood education, our Links to Learning curriculum, and everyone who makes it possible. We have many fun activities planned for Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. More information can be found on our monthly calendar on our website and additional information will be sent via Links 2 Home.
Earth Day is Monday, April 22nd! Our classes will be creating fun activities centering around the importance of protecting our planet. We will also be participating in our annual Ladybug Release during morning outside times that day.
Please take a moment in the upcoming week to look through your child’s cubby. It is important that they have at least two weather appropriate changes of clothes that fit. All rest items should be washed weekly as well. We also wanted to remind our families to label all water bottles with your child’s first and last name before drop off.
In an effort to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible we want to remind you that if your child is sent home sick, they cannot return until they have been symptom free for at least 24 hours without medication. Please make sure students are washing their hands upon entering the classroom in the morning as well.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful April!
Sincerely,
Kristie Salmon
Lindsey DeLair
From the Education Department:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to Spark Creativity and Ignite Imagination
Did you know that some of the best ways for children to engage in play and get their creative juices flowing is by using everyday materials in new ways? Our teachers are always adding recycled materials to all the centers in their classrooms in hopes of planting new ideas, helping students develop an understanding of how things work, increasing their language skills, and learning about the world around them.
Research shows that children who play with recycled materials are more likely to engage in open-ended and imaginary play, have better storytelling skills, and are more creative. So, before you throw away used items, check our list below for ideas on how your child can reuse them.
Creative Expression Paper scraps, leftover wrapping paper, paper tubes, old newspapers, popsicle sticks, egg cartons, milk bottle caps, and more can all be used to create collages, sculptures, and dioramas. Simply provide your child with these items and some glue or tape and watch them go! Add safety scissors for some cutting practice as well.
Dramatic Play Use large cardboard boxes as playhouses, forts, and barns for stuffed animals. Medium-sized boxes can be transformed into boats, race cars, spaceships, or puppet theaters. Use smaller boxes for stacking and building to create towns. Add cars to drive through the city.
Music Have any old pots and pans? Old coffee tins? Plastic containers from take-out food? These all make perfect drums! For the drumsticks, your child can use their hands or wooden spoons.Transform an old tissue box into a guitar by wrapping rubber bands around the opening.
STEM Gather all sorts of loose parts – spools, cardboard tubes, nature items, plastic bottles, straws, large buttons, old phones, and calculators. Use these items for sorting, counting, building, and more!
Sensory Take any of the STEM or art materials listed above and gather them into a bin or adhere them to a wall for a sensory experience.
Scientific Exploration Use milk cartons, soft drink bottles, and ice cream containers as planters. Decorate the containers and add them to your garden. Tend to the plants and observe the changes with your child.
Closing tip! Don’t forget to talk with your child about how reusing items helps our earth. Be sure to engage in
conversation about reducing waste, reusing items in new ways, and recycling materials. As your child works with random items in new ways, say “Isn’t it great that instead of throwing that away, you found such a great way to use that!”