Spread the word!  Stay & Play will be moving this summer and we are now accepting registration for all programs.  We will start offering a pre-Kindergarten class for children ages 4-5 as well as our beloved mixed age group program for full and part time children.  Other great news we will be extending our hours by opening at 7:30 a.m.  Hopefully this makes us more accessible to the working parents who travel across the bridge or are in the school system.

Anna & Laura attended the NHAEYC conference in Plymouth.  We had workshops on the Extinction of Childhood, Rough & Tumble Play, Fairy Houses Connect Children with Nature, Back Pocket Games, The Basics of Playground Design, and Kids & Clay.  If you are interested in any further information on these topics let us know and we will share more with you.

Our school year will officially end Wednesday June 20th.  Stay & Play will be closed June 21st & 22nd for packing and cleaning.  Our summer program will start June 25th.  If you plan to change your weekly schedule for summer programming please let Laura know no later than May 18th.  I know that summer vacations might not be planned yet.  Please let us know as soon as you have them planned so we can staff accordingly.

SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday May 9th (9:30-11)- Field Trip to Stepping Stones- Please let Laura know if you can drive.  We will  need rides for 6 children.
Friday May 18th- Trike-A-Thon 10:30
Friday May 18th- Summer Schedules Due
Monday May 28th- CLOSED

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
James will be 2 on May 7th
Marlo will be 3 on May 31st

TRIKE-A-THON to SUPPORT ST. JUDE’S HOPSITAL
Stay & Play is sponsoring the annual St. Jude’s Hospital Trike-A-Thon to help raise funds for the internationally recognized hospital.  These funds will help St. Jude’s in its ongoing fight against childhood catastrophic diseases.  St. Jude’s is recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other diseases.  St. Jude’s freely shares its discoveries with the scientific and medical communities around the world.  St Jude’s is financially supported by ALSAC and fund raising events such as this Trike-A-Thon.  For more information please visit www.stjudes.org.

Our Trike-A-Thon is open to all Stay & Play families on Friday May  18th, 10:30-11:15.  Children will have time to ride bikes and riding toys, eat snack, and color a bike safety book.  Children are encouraged to bring bikes and helmets from home; we will also provide riding toys.  Sponsor sheets will be in your child’s cubby Thursday May 3rd and should be returned no later than May 25th.

CURRICULUM CORNER
This month we will be concentrating on two new mediums of art.  For two weeks the children will experience weaving both individual pieces and a large group piece that can be continued throughout the rest of the month.  Weaving is an appropriate art technique for young children.  It teaches patterns and textures, helps to improve concentration, develop fine and gross motor skills and enhance creativity and visual /spatial abilities.  The larger loom can help to improve coordination.  Please donate, by May 4th, any old belts, ties, ribbons, scarves, fabric, rope, raffia, thin flexible twigs, crepe paper, long field grasses, twine, etc.
We will also start to explore natural clay with the children.  Clay engages both the mind and body when manipulating and forming objects.  The group will learn the basics of making balls and rope shapes and simple pinch pots.  We hope to have a local potter fire the pieces the children make.
This month we will also be learning about farms and farm animals.  Hopefully our trip to Stepping Stones in Barrington will spark the children’s imagination and curiosity about what they want to learn about on a farm.  We will introduce familiar farm animals, sounds, and machines.

CURRICULUM CORNER

This month we will be exploring modes of transportation and
signs.  Through experiences children may
learn about kinds, use,  and parts of
vehicles.  We will discuss the difference
in sizes, who can use certain vehicles and what is needed.  Children will have the opportunity to make a
variety of vehicle using different mediums.
We will also be discussing our Earth, in celebration of Earth Day on April
22nd. Children will may learn about biodegradable items, reusing, reducing and
recycling.  Children will be able to make
sculptures  and necklaces reusing
recyclable materials.  We will also plant
some grass to take home.

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday April 5th- Walking Field Trip to the Library

Tuesday April 24th- Visit from Nature Wonders Pat Ritter

Friday April 27th- Walk around the neighborhood

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HENRY TURNS 5 ON APRIL 5TH!

ART SHOW

The Children’s Room of the Dover Public Library has invited
Stay & Play children to display their artwork.  This year the children worked with oil
pastels to experiment with color mixing and drawing a still life of daffodils
and tulips.  Our artwork will be on
display from March 30th- April 13th. 
Visit with your family and friends.

SNACK SHARE

The children are loving the fresh fruits and vegetables we
are serving for morning snack.  If you
are interested in contributing to this healthy habit please sign up for snack
share.  Involve your children in picking
out or making a healthy snack for their friends.

DONATIONS

We need large boxes for the children to use as different
types of vehicles.  Big enough so one or
two child(ren) can fit.  Also, any old
keys or maps we can add to our Dramatic Play Area.
We are collecting materials for our recyclable sculptures.  Any type of recyclable is helpful. We do not
need baby food jars or individual yogurt containers.  Vegetable packaging, paper rolls, large
containers, covers, milk container caps, textured paper, etc.
We will also start a weaving project in May. 
Some great materials we could use include old ties, belts, strips of
fabric, long ribbon.

Laura just attended a training on the national initiative of Let’s Move! Child Care.  First Lady Michelle Obama and others are working to fight childhood obesity.  The four  goals we hope to concentrate on here at Stay & Play include: Physical Activity, Screen Time Limits, Food Choices, and Beverage Choice.  It is recommended that children get 1-2 hours of physical activity a day.  Stay & Play will provide these opportunities at circle time, yoga, during transitions, indoor movement and at least 30-60 minutes of outdoor time.  It is recommended that children under the age of 2 have no screen time and children 2 and older are limited to no more than 30 minutes of quality screen time.  Here at Stay & Play we typically never use any.  We encourage you to follow these guidelines in your own home.  Screen time includes TV, movies, computers and hand held devices.  It is suggested that children receive a serving of fruit or vegetable at every meal and meals are eaten family style.  Stay & Play will begin to introduce more fruits and vegetable during morning snack and encourage older children to serve themselves.  We ask that parents provide a fruit or vegetable serving in prepared lunches.  It is recommended that children have access to water throughout the day and juice is limited to 4-6 ounces.  We already limit juice intake and hope to make water a first choice and more accessible for all children.   We hope to evaluate our progress quarterly to ultimately reach the highest goals.

Laura received  variety of resources and will compile a list for parents to start working on these goals within their own families.

SAVE THE DATE

                Wednesday February 8th- Please bring in postage paid envelope (see below)   
                Friday February 10th- walking Field Trip to Post Office at 10 am
                Monday February 13th- Field Trip to Tri-Star Gymnastics (drivers needed) 8:50-10:15
                Friday February 17th- Visit from Dentist
                Monday February 20th- CLOSED

                Yoga switches to Tuesdays at 10.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
 Grady will be 4 on Feb. 7th!

SNACK SHARE

This month we ask parents that when parents sign up for snack share they provide a fruit or vegetable.  We are trying to promote healthy eating and by offering a variety of choices over again, children are more likely to try healthy foods.  It can take up to 10 to 15 tries for a child to accept a new food.  Some suggestion include grapes, bananas, berries (fresh or frozen), melon, shredded carrots, fresh beans, sliced or stick vegetables (cucumbers, peppers, zucchini, etc.), and canned fruits .  I can prepare fruits and vegetables if brought in whole.  Great additions include hummus, yogurt, cottage cheese and dip. 

CURRICULUM CORNER

We are going to be very busy this month.  We hope to introduce new and old concepts to the children to spark their interests.   This month we will discuss shadows, magnets, Valentine’s day and love, shapes, dental health, and the color purple. The children will learn about Groundhog’s Day and what it means if the groundhog sees its shadow.  We will also introduce simple hand shadow and paper puppets.  Our Discovery Area will offer items for children to try magnetic wands with and make predictions about whether items in the area and around the class are magnetic.  For Valentine’s Day the children will make valentines to send home or someone they love. Please bring in a pre-postage envelope (or more) with the address of the person your child wants to send a valentine to.  We will mail these Friday when we walk to the post office.  Children are encouraged to bring in photos or drawings of people they love to hang on our wall. Finally, we will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special snack.  Children are welcome to bring in valentines for their friends.  Please remember we are trying to encourage healthy friendships and foods.  We will also start to discuss various shapes going beyond the basics.  Children will be encouraged to trace and/or cut shapes.  We are working on cutting skills and will introduce straight lines and then curves throughout the month.  Older children are encouraged to write the word s of the shapes they make.  February is national Dental Health month.  We hope to get a professional in to discuss the importance of tooth brushing and show us some of the tools.  We will also be making toothpaste!  Finally children will be able to explore the color purple and mixing red & blue at the light table and with finger paints.  I would love to continue to make color baskets for our color wall.  Encourage your children to find purple items around the house they want to donate.

PROGRAM NEWS

Stay & Play has completed and received Licensed Plus status again.  This status is recognized through the Child Development Bureau for exceeding licensing requirements.  Stay & Play exceeds over 16 regulations concentrating on Administrative & Business Practices, Learning Environment, Family Involvement, and Professional Development.

Whoops, I never sent out surveys!  They should be in your child’s cubby soon.  Thank you for understanding, December flew by.  Please return them at your earliest convenience.

SAVE THE DATE

Friday January 13th- Scholastic Book Orders Due
Monday January 16th- CLOSED
Friday January 20th- Hibernation Party

Yoga continues on Mondays at 10 through January
TBD- Field trip to Tri-Star Gymnastics (a Tuesday or Thursday)

CURRICULUM CORNER

This month we will continue with our measurement activities.  The children have really enjoyed using the measuring tapes.  We will expand on this material by finding objects that are a specific size and comparing small and large items inside and outside,  Older children will be encouraged to record their findings and practice writing numbers.

We will also be focusing on winter, hibernating bears, snowflakes, and the color white.  Children will have the chance to make predictions about ice, paint with colored ice, and explore animals frozen in ice.  We will also concentrate on circles and size sequencing when reenacting flannel stories and making snow people.  Children will also learn about winter clothing and why we need so many items.  We will work with the younger children on getting dressed and with the older children on gloves and zippers.  We will also be focusing on the color white.  We want to add to our 3D color basket wall.  Please have children search for white items around their environment.  Children can bring these items in to donate to our color wall.

Our quick lessons on hibernating animals will focus on bears.  We hope that some of the children will be able to name a few others to generate more learning experiences.  Children will feel what it is like to be a bear with blubber and how it keeps them warm.  We will do several bear art activities including coffee and sandpaper bears.  Finally, we will have a Hibernation Party on Friday January 20th.  Children are invited to bring in a stuffed hibernator animal and wear their pajamas.

Family Snowflakes
To start the winter off we want to bring families together to make snowflakes.  Bags will be sent home January 19 & 20th with some materials.  Every family member should add something to the snowflake.  This activity reminds us that each snowflake is different.  Children can share their snowflakes at circle and add them to our class winter decorations.  We encourage you to find items that are recyclable, natural, and/or  in cool colors.  Any form or size is great as long as there is a way to hang it.  Please bring snowflakes in the week of January 23rd.

Show & Share
This month we will do a show and share during our circle time. Show and share is a chance for children to share something special from home with their friends and teachers.  It also gives the children a chance to express their likes. It can be a picture, favorite book, collection, family vacation item, etc.   One child a day will have the chance to share a special item from home.  Please remember to only bring items from home on your child’s given day.  This helps to make it feel like a special treat for everyone.  Please let teachers know if there are any special directions to go along with item.  If your child is nonverbal or shy, a short description is helpful.

Please check the calendar in your email or on the bulletin board. Of course, cuddlies for nap and books to share are always welcome.

Stay & Play just completed the licensing renewal process.  Small adjustments were made to the environment based on inspections from city health and fire inspections.  The Child Care Licensing Coordinator visited our program and found no violations.  She was very pleased with the organization of files and the programming we offered.  I thank the staff and families for helping to keep things straight and add value to the program.

The fall has gone by quickly and has been very busy.  As the end of the calendar year approaches there are a few items that need to be addressed.

Each year the Child Development Bureau requires child care centers to update registration forms.  Please review the information on your current registration form and initial and date the back of the form.  I will leave forms in cubby to review, please initial no later than December 16th.  Do not remove these forms from the center, they are my only copy.

Along with registration forms we are asking parents to fill out a parent survey.  This allows us to monitor the services we are providing and make changes as we see fit to better serve you and your families.  Please return surveys by January 6th.

We will be closed for Winter Break Friday December 23rd at 3:00 through January 2nd. Tuition is still due for holidays and winter breaks.  Vacation credit is offered to families who have had continual enrollment for six months.  Please contact Laura if you would like to have your account credited for Winter Break.

Tax statements for child care payments will be available the first week of January.

Parents have talked with me about apple juice consumption and concerns for arsenic.  We currently serve Juicy Juice 100% apple juice.  It is watered down 50% and children receive less than 4 oz. per eating time.  We serve water for second choice.  Based on Consumer Reports’ test findings, Consumers Union is urging the FDA to set a more protective standard of 3 ppb for total arsenic and 5 ppb for lead in juice. At this time it seems that the juice we use is safe with a total of 2.04 ppb arsenic and 2.17 ppb of lead before watering down.  If you do not want your child to drink the apple juice please let Laura know.

PORTFOLIO TIME

The first five years of life are very important to your child because this time sets the stage for success in school and later life.  During early childhood many experiences should be gained and many skills learned.  The Stay & Play staff use age appropriate assessment tools and observations to build on individual and group needs.  We will combine assessment with documented observation, samples of work, and photos of your child in a portfolio to review in January and again in June.

For children under the age of three we use the well known assessment tool: Ages & Stages (ASQ).  This tool is also used by the Early Support Services in our county. We rely on ASQ for the best developmental and social-emotional screening for children from 18 months to 3 years. Highly reliable and valid, ASQ looks at strengths and trouble spots in a child’s development.

For our preschool children, ages three to five years, we use the Developmental Continuum in conjunction with the Creative Curriculum.  The Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum Assessment is a strength-based approach assisting staff in analyzing children’s progress, demonstrating program outcomes, and planning program improvements. Its goals and objectives are fully aligned with state standards, and they cover all the developmental areas, domains, and indicators for this age group.

The importance of assessment has many facets.  Most importantly to summarize what we have learned about each child to share with families so we can plan together how best to support the child’s learning.  Also to aid staff in understanding what the children want to learn, how they learn best and what we should incorporate into our curriculum.

Teachers will determine the best time to meet with parents beginning in January.  If you have any questions regarding this process or the tools we use please feel free to contact Laura.

CURRICULUM CORNER

After observing the children’s play and offering a variety of choices we polled the children on three choices for our next project.  It was a close race but dinosaurs won.   We will work with the children on learning facts and identifying the most notable dinosaurs.  We will discuss size, the difference between meat and plant eaters, extinction and paleontologists. 
This month we will also explore measuring.  Children will start measuring items in the Discovery area with pieces of string.  They will be encouraged to find other items throughout the building that are similar sizes. We will continue to introduce measuring items throughout the month, including paperclips, rulers and tape measures.  If you have a tape measure we can borrow for the month please drop it off with Laura. 
Children will also be talking about and preparing for the holiday season.  We will discuss Hanukkah and the Jewish traditions as well as Christmas and the traditions that surround it.  If your family celebrates any other holidays or shares a special family tradition we would love to incorporate it into our program.

We will have a field trip to the Dover Public Library on Friday December 9th and will leave Stay & Play around 10:00.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

Alex will be 5 on December 18th!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 

Friday December 9th– Field trip to Dover Public Library 10:00-11:30 

Friday December 23rd- Closing at 3:00 

Friday December 16th– Registration forms updates due 

December 24– January 2nd– Winter Break 

Tuesday January 3rd– School resumes

SCHOOL CLOSURES

We will make every effort not to close due to weather conditions.  However if we do need to close for the day, have a delayed opening, or close early it will be announced through WMUR-TV (Channel 9) and the home page of our website www.stay-play.com/dover.  A message on the voicemail will also state any changes.

OUTDOOR GEAR

After our mild November the temperatures are sure to start falling. We will continue to get fresh air if the temperature is above 20.  We suggest children have snow gear, including snowsuit or pants, boots, hats and mittens.  Markers are available on counter for labeling.

As the seasons change we prepare for weather and health issues.  The staff would like to provide a healthy, pleasant atmosphere for all children who enter Stay & Play.  In order to protect your children and other children, we follow the State of New Hampshire’s guidelines. Please keep your child home if s/he has:

• Oral temperature of over 100.5.
• Conjunctivitis.  An eye infection referred to as “pink eye”.
• Croup, bronchitis, or constant cough.
• Diarrhea and/or vomiting.
• Rashes that have not been diagnosed by a physician.
• Severe cold with temperature elevation, sneezing, and nose drainage.
• Continuous nose drainage that is other than clear.
• Any contagious diseases such as measles, chicken pox, or roseola.
• If a physician diagnoses an ear or throat infection and places the child on an antibiotic, the child must be kept home for 24 hours after treatment has started.
• Any symptoms that prohibit the child’s participation in regular child care activities, such as extreme fatigue or lethargy.

Children must be free of fever, diarrhea, and/or not have vomited, without medication, for 24 hours before returning to Stay & Play.
Please understand that when a child exhibits symptoms of illness, staff will contact parents and have the child picked up.  Children attending Stay & Play are expected to participate in daily activities.  We are not able to honor requests to keep mildly ill children inside.
When a reportable communicable disease has been diagnosed among child care staff or children, the staff will notify parents within 24 hours and will display, on the parent information bulletin board, a notice which includes the name of the disease and common symptoms.
According to the National Center for Disease Control, one of the best ways to keep children healthy is proper hand washing.  Children and staff will wash their hands thoroughly with soap and running water before and after eating, after changing diapers or toileting, after wiping a nose, sneezing or coughing in hands.  We would appreciate it if you encourage your child to do the same at home.

Stay & Play will make every effort not to close due to snow or weather conditions.  Occasionally, however, we may have a delayed opening or early closure.
Tuition is still charged if the center is closed for the full day due to weather.  In the event the center must close early, we will make every effort to contact you by telephone with as much advance notice as possible.

All closures and delays will be announced through the following media outlets:

• WMUR-TV (Ch. 9) Currently listed as Stay & Play at the HUB (I am in the process of changing it)
• www.stay-play.com/dover

A message on the voice mailbox will state specifically that Stay & Play is closed.

Winter snuck up on us quickly with an unexpected October storm.  We go outside for an hour as long as the temperature is above 20 degrees.  Please provide labeled hats, mittens, and a warm jacket.  I also suggest children have layers in case the weather changes during the day.  I will be sending home your child’s extra clothes so parents can pack appropriate clothes for the weather changes.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

• Monday November 7th- Walk around the neighborhood
• Tuesday November 8th- Field trip to Children’s Museum 9:40-11:30
• Thursday November 10th- Book Orders Due
• Friday November 11th- CLOSED
• Tuesday November 22nd- Harvest Luncheon 11:15-12:00
• Wednesday November 23rd- Closing at 3:00
• Thursday & Friday November 24-25- CLOSED
• Mondays November  7th,14th, 21st, 28th Childlight Yoga 10:00-10:30

FIELD TRIPS 

Our first field trip this month will be a walk around the neighborhood.  We hope to observe the changes fall has brought to the area and collect nature items.  Our field trip to the Children’s Museum will take place Tuesday November 8th.  Chaperones are welcome and needed.  We will leave Stay & Play at 9:40 and should return by 11:30.  Children will have the opportunity to explore the various areas set up in the museum including the yellow submarine, pattern place, music matrix, and the post office.

HARVEST LUNCHEON 

On Tuesday November 22nd we will celebrate our friends, families, and cooking efforts with a harvest feast.  Children who attend on this day are invited to stay for lunch, being served at 11:30.  All family members are also invited to join.  Please sign up on the bulletin board if your child will be eating lunch and how many family members will be attending by Tuesday November 15th.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GAVIN! He will be 3 on November 25th!

CURRICULUM CORNER

This month we will be working on studying leaves, their different shapes and colors and the trees they have come from.  The children will have a chance to cut leaves in the sensory table, mix colors to make leaf art, and do leaf rubbings.  Our Discovery Area will include a variety of fall items including gourds, nuts and leaves.  The children can weigh the different objects, make observations and hypothesize.  
This month we will also take the opportunity to talk about Thanksgiving, family and food.  The children will start to prepare for our Family Harvest Luncheon by making the meal week by week.  Older children will be encouraged to write recipes and make invitations and decorations for the event.
Science this month will include making goop and play-do, predicting how far popcorn will pop, and experimenting with coffee sand.
Finally, we have combined Dramatic Play with the Block Area to make a wood working station.  Children can build items using blocks, dowels, floor samples, and real tree pieces. 

We encourage families to donate items that might be helpful in this month’s areas.  Some ideas include leaves, nuts, wood, sand paper, and toy tools (we can return toys at end of month).

LET’S BE THANKFUL

Let’s be thankful for this day
For our friends and our play
Let’s be thankful; let’s be glad
For our food and the things we have
Let’s give thanks for you and me
And our home and family.

We are starting to collect natural items for our indoor and outdoor classroom.  In hopes that children will get to venture out with their families and share familiar and new natural items, we ask families to start a small collection.  Families are asked to focus on one specific item and bring in enough items to add to several different areas of our class (about half a shopping bag, depending on size).  Let the children use their imaginations, but here are things that are suggested through Nature Explore:

• Large smooth rocks (bigger than hand)
• Small rocks (smaller than hand/bigger than thumb)
• Tree nuts (acorns, walnut, chestnuts, etc.)
• Pinecones
• Leaves (anything but maple)
• Flower seeds
• Plant pods
• Dried flowers
• Small logs (smooth cut)
• Ferns
• Hay
• Feathers
• Gourds
• Uninhabited nests of insects and birds

SAVE THE DATE

• Wednesday October 12th- Field Trip to La Festa
• Monday October 10th- CLOSED
• Wednesday October 26th- Field Trip to Emery Farm
• TBD- Halloween Celebration

FIELD TRIPS

On Wednesday October 12th we will take a walking field trip to La Festa.  We will get a chance to check out the menu, brick oven, watch chefs toss dough and make pizzas, and get a sample of dough to work with.  We will start our walk around 9:40 and return around 11.
On Wednesday October 26th we will take a trip to Emery Farm.  We will have a chance to ride the tractor hayride through the woods, collect a small pumpkin and go through the tricky Bee corn maze.  We welcome chaperones for this trip, please let Laura know if you plan on attending and want to drive.  We will leave Stay & Play at 9:30 and should return around 11:30.  Those families who do not attend on Wednesdays are welcome to meet us there at 10.
We will celebrate Halloween on a date to be determined.   Children are invited to wear their costumes to school.  We will have a special snack and walk to city Hall for Trick-or-Treating.  We invite all families to join us on our walk at 10:30.  Please remember that costumes should be fun and carefree. No weapons or scary costumes.  Also, keep in mind that the children will be walking three blocks so they should be able to maneuver and see easily and not have any extra accessories that they need to hold.

CURRIUCLUM CORNER

This month we will continue our pizza project, with the hopes that our trip to La Festa will spark some new ideas in the children.  we will be going with their ideas to plan future activities.  A dessert pizza will be made for snack.
The children have also shown an interest in treasure maps and pirates. We will add some accessories to dramatic Play and make some friendly pirate crafts.
Of course with fall comes apples and pumpkins.  The children will have a chance to explore both in art, cooking, and discovery areas.
This month we will also introduce journals.  Journals give children the opportunity to have a special place to draw, reflect on experiences, and work on prewriting and writing skills. It also introduces the concept of storytelling and writing.

FAMILY PHOTOS

We are still collecting photos of families for our display.  The children love looking and talking about them.  Get out your cameras, get the family together and capture a moment!

FAMILY TIME

Parents and children are talking and asking about television, movies and video games.  I have posted a question on facebook in hopes to get a discussion started.  I also found this article I wanted to share.

Screen time and children by Raising Children Network

Screen time is the time you spend watching TV or DVDs, using the computer, playing video or hand-held computer games, and using a mobile phone. A healthy family lifestyle includes limits on daily screen time.

How much screen time for children?

Not much is the simple answer. Children under two should steer clear of the screen altogether. Children aged 2-5 years should have no more than an hour a day. And children aged 5-18 years should have no more than two hours.

A wide range of activities is important for children’s development. These activities include active physical play, creative and imaginative play, hands-on fun, and anything that involves relationships and interactions with real people.

Developing healthy screen time habits 

Developing healthy screen time habits while they’re young will help children and teenagers make better choices about how to use their free time when they’re older.

You can help by:

• setting screen time guidelines according to the ages of children in your family
• leading by example, limiting your own screen time
• offering variety, making sure you have a range of activities and objects to entertain and stimulate your children so they don’t look to the screen so much
• being choosy about what your younger children watch or play on the computer, and taking an interest in what your older children are doing online
• keeping TVs and computers in family spaces and out of children’s bedrooms
• turning the TV off before school and at dinnertime.

Full article: http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/screen_time.html/context/480

Congratulations to Shalome for receiving her state credential as an Early Childhood Teacher Level 2.  Laura also received her credential as an Early Childhood Administrator.  Credentials designate professionals with specific knowledge and experience in early childhood and a commitment to continuing skills through ongoing trainings.

Shalome & Laura also attended a conference put on by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Research Foundation.  Nature Explore concentrated on two areas: Learning with Nature and Using Your Outdoor classroom.  Many factors in today’s world are keeping young children from making positive connections with the natural world. Connecting with the natural world promotes a sense of wonder and is motivation for future learning.  By offering visual spatial activities, observation skills, can help children make positive connections, while at the same time enhancing a variety of foundational learning skills.  Using Your Outdoor Classroom honed in on the importance of using nature to support all domains of learning.  Children benefit from using nature as an integral part of daily learning.  Well designed outdoor space provides an ideal setting for many activities.  Learning activities that take place in a natural world can support all children’s interests and needs and strengthen skill development in all academic areas.  We hope to incorporate more areas into our outdoor space turning into a true outdoor classroom.

Taking this all into consideration, I came to realize that this needs a small parent group to help.  There are several ways to help including donating natural collections, helping to build supplies for the outdoor space and being a part of the Families Nature Club.  I will post an interest sign up sheet in hopes that we can meet as a group and dedicate time and energy into making Stay & Play a positive outdoor natural learning program.

Some resources for you
Nature Explore
World Forum Foundation
Arbor Day Foundation
Children in Nature
Dimensions Educational Research Foundation

CURRICULUM CORNER

We will start the month out offering experiences in which the children will learn about Me & My Body.  Experiences will include topics such as naming & pointing to body parts, using body parts to make art, recognizing and drawing themselves using mirrors and writing utensils and what our bodies are capable of doing.  We will move into family and friends concentrating on who is in our family, where we live, and playing parallel and cooperatively in small groups and interactive games.
Our hopes are that after a few weeks we will see the interest of the group and plan further experiences to start our longer investigations and projects.  We look forward to interviewing the children on what they want to learn and observing them in conversation and play to plan further.  As always we will do weekly cooking activities and have center choices to promote all domains.

SAVE THE DATE

                September 5th- CLOSED

                September 9th- Activity fee due

                September 16th- PICTURE DAY  For those children who do not attend on Fridays please be here by 9:30 for individual pictures and to take part in the class photo. 

                 September 12th- ChildLight yoga starts

                September 16th- Scholastic Book Orders due

Please remember to check the calendar on the website for important dates.  It is updated with school closings and scheduled field trips.

ACTIVITY FEE

Our Activity Fee helps with the costs of field trips, enrichment programs, and events.  This year we will continue with our favorite local field trips to Emery Farm, Fire Station, Children’s Museum, etc.  We hope to invite some new guests and have return visits from Zoo Encounters and Nature Wonders.  Please pay the fee of $45 by September 9th

ENRICHMENT PROGRAM & FIELD TRIPS

ChildLight Yoga will be joining us again this year.  We are very pleased to have Miss Sharon return.  Last year the children looked forward to her visits and this year we have extended the contract for the full year.  The beginning of the year will fall on Monday mornings and the second half will be on Tuesdays.

Yoga classes are meant to stimulate the imagination, stretch the body and focus the mind.  Sharon does a great job bringing games music and movement to introduce yoga. ChildLight Yoga

We already have booked field trips to Emery Farm & The Children’s Museum.  Check the calendar!

BOOK ORDERS

We will continue to offer Scholastic Book Ordering every other month.  Each book you order for your family and friends will help Stay & Play to earn more books and educational resources for our program.  Scholastic offers a variety of books at a very reasonable price.  Some great books offered this month include Five Little Pumpkins, Down by the Station by Jennifer Riggs and the Llama Llama Pack by Ann Dewdney.  Order forms are in your child’s cubby.  Please return book orders by September 16th.

FAMILY PHOTOS

Children love to share pictures, especially those of people they love.  Please bring in a photo of you family for a display.  I can copy photos or print them if they are sent via email.  This display is a great conversation piece and makes children feel comfortable seeing their families at school.

SNACK SHARE

Children love to share their home cooking experiences or any type of food with the group.  This also helps in promoting trying new foods with peers.  Signing up for snack share is optional as we always have snack for the group on hand.  You can bring in enough for the day (14 children) or a box that will have leftovers.  Some suggestions include:  fruit, crackers, baked breads or muffins, yogurt, applesauce, cheese, bagels, English muffins, frozen waffles or pancakes.  Please remember we are promoting healthy foods.

FACEBOOK

We are now on Facebook.  Join the group and Like us.  This is new to Laura, if you have any additional thoughts on how to make our page more enjoyable and engaging let Shalome know.

BIG BODY PLAY

This has been the topic of the summer for both parents, the staff at Stay & Play and early childhood professionals nationally.  NAEYC released the book Big Body Play (available for loan from Laura) and an article Rough Play One of the Most Challenging Behaviors both by Frances Carlson.  Article 
Quickly summarizing these materials it is evident that big body play and rough play are essential to a child’s development.  Children learn physical skills  of how their bodies move and how to control their movements.  They also develop language skills through signals and nonverbal communication.  Social skills develop through turn taking, negotiating, and developing and maintaining friendships.  Some misconceptions about rough play is that it will lead to aggression, real fighting and injury.  With close supervision and rules it can actually be a fun outlet.
Stay & Play staff are working on a policy and rules for staff and children regarding rough play.  We will have a quick training with staff and go over the rules during circle time with children and before play starts.  If you have any concerns or would like to be part of this process please let Laura know.

Laura will be out of the office from Wednesday June 15th to Friday July 1st.  I will be checking email on Monday June 20th if anything arises.  Please note that weekly tuition will still be due but not deposited until Friday July 1st.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Vivian turns 3 on June 6th
Akmal turns 3 on June 12th
Evan turns 3 on June 20th
Maisie & Norah turn 5 on June 28th

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Thursday June 2nd- Family Celebration Night- CANCELLED
Tuesday June 14th- Field Trip to Wagon Hill
Thursday June 23rd- Field Trip to Dover Public Library

TRIKE-A-THON to SUPPORT ST. JUDE’S HOPSITAL
Stay & Play raised over $1,000 for St. Judes!  Thank you to all the families that helped raise money. The children truly look forward to this event and we had a wonderful turn out.  T-shirts and other prizes should be in within the month.

CURRICULUM CORNER
This month we will be continuing our Early Sprouts curriculum with the children.  Continuing the curriculum includes planting the sprouts or seeds in the garden, discussing the roots, fruits and leaves of the plant.  Finally we will cook new recipes using the familiar vegetables.

Unfortunately, with last month’s weather we did not get to explore the garden and insect community, we will continue to do so this month.  The children have been observing the caterpillars and are now making guesstimates about when they will be butterflies.  We will incorporate activities and exploration activities to introduce and further their knowledge of local plants and the insects we find and see outside. 

We will continue to mix primary colors to make secondary colors this month. We will also explore mixing transparent colors at the light table to make new colors.   Please have your children bring in purple, green and/or orange items this month.

FAVORITE BOOKS
Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
Grow Flower, Grow by Lisa Bruce
Llama Lama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods by Saxton Freymann

FREE BOOKS
We are cleaning our books out and offering them to families.  They will be on the counter on Thursdays and Fridays as we accumulate them.  Enjoy!

Shalome and Laura attended a full day workshop, put on by Lesley University, at The Advent School in Boston.  In this one day workshop, we became familiar with the principles and practices of the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education. We spent time in a Reggio-inspired classroom, listened to a presentation, and discussed the approach. This workshop highlighted how the principles and practices are implemented in an early education and preschool classrooms, the teacher workspace, and the school environment. 

The fundamentals of the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education
The image of the child
Every child is:

•  rich in potential
• motivated to form relationships within their natural and social world
• capable of constructing knowledge
• an active participant in his/her learning
• a valued member of the community

The role of the teacher

• Partner- to engage with children in learning, discovery, and negotiation
• Facilitator- to support children in short and long term investigations, creating and sustaining relationships, forming hypothesis, and representing their ideas
• Researcher- to listen, observe, question, document, collaborate, and reflect upon experiences of children to further the learning process

Environment as the third teacher

• The space is aesthetic, thoughtful, welcoming, personal, and clearly valued
• The environment is organized to evoke interest, promote open-ended experiences, and facilitate group learning
• Such an environment encourages communication of ideas, fosters relationships, and extends investigations

Stay & Play plans to incorporate these fundamentals by allowing the children more involvement in their learning.  Children will have the opportunity to decide their long term projects with the assistance of the teachers’ observations.  We also plan to spend more time observing and documenting the learning and relationships of the children.  Finally, we will slowly add more items to the environment that will bring in the natural world and offer more open ended investigation.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Henry turns 4 on April 5th

SAVE THE DATE-

More information is available in the calendar section of the website

• Thursday April 7th- FIELD TRIP- Atlantic Gymnastics 10:00-11:00
• Monday April 11th- SPECIAL VISITOR-Zoo Encounters 10:00
• Thursday April 21st- SPECIAL VISITOR- Pat from Nature Wonders 10:30
• Tuesday April 26th- FIELD TRIP- Walk to the Library

CURRICULUM CORNER

This month the children will learn about zoo and jungle animals.  We will learn names of the animals, how they move differently and the differences in size.  We will also celebrate Earth Day by making recyclable art and talking about reducing, reusing, and recycling.  We will also continue making our color collage wall.  Please bring in BLUE items to add to our wall.  This month we will explore wire and it’s attributes.  The children will have opportunities to explore wire, make letters with it and finally make wire sculptures.  Letters this month are: R, Y and Z.

We added some new items to the block area.  In hopes to get the children to explore cause and effect the children have started using cove molding and hollow blocks to build ramps and pathways.  We also added pictures of some familiar areas of Dover.  The children can dramatize their drives to school and walking around town. If you know of places you visit often with your child or are of particular architectural interest, please let me know or email me a picture.  We would also like to add pictures of the children’s homes.  Please email them to me.

SUMMER SCHEDULES

As summer approaches please think about your Stay & Play needs.  Families that have been here for 6 months may use their vacation credit for time taken  anytime during the year.  Please return Summer Schedule form no later than May 13th.

SHARES

This month’s share topic is favorite books.  Children may bring in a book they wrote, love to look at or enjoy listening to.  We will share books at circle time.  The share schedule is posted on the bulletin board and will be sent via email.

Families may also sign up for snack share.  Please bring in a healthy snack for 14 children.

DONATIONS

If you have these items please donate them this  month

 Wire (floral, bailing, galvmonth.anized, beading, or pipe cleaners). 

Blue spray paint (we just need a little & will return when finished).

Paper (copy, colored copy, photo, and tracing).

Paper towel tubes

Tin cans

The 3, 4 and 5 Year-Old Child: Changes in Social Behavior

The preschool years are exciting times for children. Each day preschoolers discover more and more about themselves and their world. During these years children gain new skills, abilities and knowledge. This fact sheet will help you understand preschool children. It’s important to remember that the information in this fact sheet is only a guide. Children grow and develop at their own rates.