Solstice Stroll Around the Corner!
That's right, our annual winter celebration is drawing near. Join us on Friday 12/18 at 6pm. This year we will meet in the center of town at the Akeley Memorial Building (67 Main Street).
And, to help your children prepare for the big event, we've been practicing the two songs we'll perform for you. But it couldn't hurt to get a little musical at home as well.
"The Winter Song" (tune: Farmer in the Dell)
Let's sing a winter song, Let's sing a winter song,
The days are short, the nights are long.
Let's sing a winter song.
The winter wind is cold, The winter wind is cold,
It freezes noses, ears, and toes.
The winter wind is cold.
Winter now is here, Winter now is here,
Put on your coat, your hat, your gloves,
Winter now is here.
And new this year, "This Little Light of Mine."
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
I'm gonna take this light around the world and I'm gonna
let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
I won't let anyone blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Every day, every day, I'm going to let my little light
shine.
Solstice Stroll Lantern Construction Well Underway...
The Importance of Routines at the Holidays and All Year Round
It had to have been the height of summer, August perhaps, when I noticed something very unsettling in the drugstore: Halloween candy. Now, that terrifying moment didn't seem all too long ago, and suddenly there's just a few more nights left of Hanukkah, and the Solstice Stroll is approaching. Next we'll be cutting out paper hearts...
It seems there is always a celebration to be had of one type or another, decorations to prep, and travel to embark on. Holidays and special occasions of any and every variety can and do bring tremendous joy, especially when shared with children. However,to risk sounding a little Grinch-like, I also find this time of year specifically to be rather exhausting. Holidays, by their nature, cause any number of disruptions in the day to day routines of our lives, and that can certainly lead to stressful times.
The parallel I'm making here is in considering the impact of daily routines for young children, and not just at the peak of holiday festivities, but throughout the year. If we think about the stress that can accompany the disruptions of our own schedules, then one can imagine how a lack of routine can feel for a young child.
What exactly do we mean by routines? According to Linda Gillespie and Sandra Petersen in their article, "Ritual and Routines Supporting Infants, Toddlers and Their Families," routines are, " the repeated, predictable events that provide a foundation for the daily tasks in a child’s life." For example, this can take the shape of a step by step order of how your child gets ready for bedtime, or it can be in the way the table is set for a meal. The key is the consistency and repetition.
So why are these routines so important? Routines help children to feel safe and secure. There is a lot of reassurance in knowing what is coming next and how adults will interact with you. That predictability helps children to trust in the environment and people around them. A little trust can go a long way in allowing a child to be open enough to interact with peers, explore their surroundings, or engage in a conversation where they share their ideas. In other words, to grow. Additionally, routines benefit young children in a whole host of other ways. Zero to Three, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families reports that routines also help infants and toddlers to:
With routines in place, the expectations are known, and that can help decrease challenging behaviors. When it comes to things that are unknown there is a higher chance for "acting out" (even for adults!). So in establishing routines, it's important to stick to the limits and not really deviate from them all too much.
Here's an example of this. Often times at school when the children are getting dressed to go outdoors, they can become distracted by a peer, a toy, or something fascinating in their cubby. At those moments, they need the adult to stick to the expectation and remind them of it. "I see that you're having fun jumping, but now it the time to get dressed. Please put on your coat." Imagine a teacher deviating from that routine...we'd all end up bouncing around, and would never get outside! Funny as that image is, you can maybe envision a more realistic situation unfolding as a child asks for cookies before dinner or begs to watch another movie before bed. It's not about eliminating choice for the child, but it is about acknowledging their feelings/request and then helping them to understand what happens when and why. "I know you'd like a cookie now, but first we eat our meal, then we can choose a cookie, or a piece of chocolate."
So while schedules can get turned upside down, and the height of the holidays can lead to excitement and high energy, a real gift that we can pass along to children are the reassurances that come along with routines. And with the commitment of sticking to those routines, you help your child to be happier, calmer and more in control. Let's call that the gift that keeps on giving.
Classroom Happenings
Infant I: We have a new room arrangement the babies have been exploring. Most recently the children have enjoyed spending time in the open area near the cribs and looking out the back window. There continues to be a lot of peer to peer interactions, especially as the children watch and mimic each other specifically with their body movements. The oldest four children are now mirroring the schedule of Infant II as closely as possible.
Infant II: The mild weather continues to allow us to spend extended periods of time outdoors, something we are all really enjoying. We especially liked exploring the smell and feel of the pine trimmings in the outdoor sensory table. We also welcomed a new student this week and are happy to have a new classmate!
Toddler I: We have been talking a lot about friendship in our class lately, specifically when it comes to including others. We are trying to move away from objects or people being "mine" and are thinking about the concept of sharing. Also along these lines, we are trying to discourage a lot of the growling that is occurring between children. Since we aren't dogs or lions, we can say "Hello!" These are the social skills we are trying to foster in our class. The class has been full of lighthearted and energetic play this week, especially outdoors, so we have not yet started our Solstice lanterns, but we will begin crafting them next week!
Toddler II: We focused on the upcoming solstice and the changes that occur as a result. We have been exploring our shadows in these ongoing conversations about light, and as you can see from the photos above, have been hard at work with our lanterns. Our book selection this week has been T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, a classic. We are showing our growing independence in many ways. We have been doing a lot of cleaning with spray bottles and rags, as well as other tidying in the room. We now are all able to zip our coats independently as well. We are working on on being kind and gentle and keeping our hands to ourselves.
Pre-K: This week we had a lot of conversations about Hanukkah, both in lighting the candles and in receiving gifts. We are also revisiting some of our conversations about kindness and what it means to be kind to others. In fact one book we've read this week is called just that: What Does it Mean to Be Kind? We've been working on Solstice lanterns and practicing our songs. And to further celebrate the Solstice, the Pre-K will have a pajama party on the 21st to anticipate the longest night. Parents: We please ask that all toys from home stay at home. We've been having problems with having them here at school. Thanks!
As Seen at MVS
Thanks for Reading
-Sam
That's right, our annual winter celebration is drawing near. Join us on Friday 12/18 at 6pm. This year we will meet in the center of town at the Akeley Memorial Building (67 Main Street).
And, to help your children prepare for the big event, we've been practicing the two songs we'll perform for you. But it couldn't hurt to get a little musical at home as well.
"The Winter Song" (tune: Farmer in the Dell)
Let's sing a winter song, Let's sing a winter song,
The days are short, the nights are long.
Let's sing a winter song.
The winter wind is cold, The winter wind is cold,
It freezes noses, ears, and toes.
The winter wind is cold.
Winter now is here, Winter now is here,
Put on your coat, your hat, your gloves,
Winter now is here.
And new this year, "This Little Light of Mine."
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
I'm gonna take this light around the world and I'm gonna
let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
I won't let anyone blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. (x3)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Every day, every day, I'm going to let my little light
shine.
Solstice Stroll Lantern Construction Well Underway...
The Importance of Routines at the Holidays and All Year Round
It had to have been the height of summer, August perhaps, when I noticed something very unsettling in the drugstore: Halloween candy. Now, that terrifying moment didn't seem all too long ago, and suddenly there's just a few more nights left of Hanukkah, and the Solstice Stroll is approaching. Next we'll be cutting out paper hearts...
It seems there is always a celebration to be had of one type or another, decorations to prep, and travel to embark on. Holidays and special occasions of any and every variety can and do bring tremendous joy, especially when shared with children. However,to risk sounding a little Grinch-like, I also find this time of year specifically to be rather exhausting. Holidays, by their nature, cause any number of disruptions in the day to day routines of our lives, and that can certainly lead to stressful times.
The parallel I'm making here is in considering the impact of daily routines for young children, and not just at the peak of holiday festivities, but throughout the year. If we think about the stress that can accompany the disruptions of our own schedules, then one can imagine how a lack of routine can feel for a young child.
What exactly do we mean by routines? According to Linda Gillespie and Sandra Petersen in their article, "Ritual and Routines Supporting Infants, Toddlers and Their Families," routines are, " the repeated, predictable events that provide a foundation for the daily tasks in a child’s life." For example, this can take the shape of a step by step order of how your child gets ready for bedtime, or it can be in the way the table is set for a meal. The key is the consistency and repetition.
So why are these routines so important? Routines help children to feel safe and secure. There is a lot of reassurance in knowing what is coming next and how adults will interact with you. That predictability helps children to trust in the environment and people around them. A little trust can go a long way in allowing a child to be open enough to interact with peers, explore their surroundings, or engage in a conversation where they share their ideas. In other words, to grow. Additionally, routines benefit young children in a whole host of other ways. Zero to Three, the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families reports that routines also help infants and toddlers to:
- Develop self control.
- Reduce power struggles and strengthen their bonds with parents/caregivers.
- Guide positive behavior.
- Support social skills.
- Help cope with transitions.
With routines in place, the expectations are known, and that can help decrease challenging behaviors. When it comes to things that are unknown there is a higher chance for "acting out" (even for adults!). So in establishing routines, it's important to stick to the limits and not really deviate from them all too much.
Here's an example of this. Often times at school when the children are getting dressed to go outdoors, they can become distracted by a peer, a toy, or something fascinating in their cubby. At those moments, they need the adult to stick to the expectation and remind them of it. "I see that you're having fun jumping, but now it the time to get dressed. Please put on your coat." Imagine a teacher deviating from that routine...we'd all end up bouncing around, and would never get outside! Funny as that image is, you can maybe envision a more realistic situation unfolding as a child asks for cookies before dinner or begs to watch another movie before bed. It's not about eliminating choice for the child, but it is about acknowledging their feelings/request and then helping them to understand what happens when and why. "I know you'd like a cookie now, but first we eat our meal, then we can choose a cookie, or a piece of chocolate."
So while schedules can get turned upside down, and the height of the holidays can lead to excitement and high energy, a real gift that we can pass along to children are the reassurances that come along with routines. And with the commitment of sticking to those routines, you help your child to be happier, calmer and more in control. Let's call that the gift that keeps on giving.
Classroom Happenings
Infant I: We have a new room arrangement the babies have been exploring. Most recently the children have enjoyed spending time in the open area near the cribs and looking out the back window. There continues to be a lot of peer to peer interactions, especially as the children watch and mimic each other specifically with their body movements. The oldest four children are now mirroring the schedule of Infant II as closely as possible.
Infant II: The mild weather continues to allow us to spend extended periods of time outdoors, something we are all really enjoying. We especially liked exploring the smell and feel of the pine trimmings in the outdoor sensory table. We also welcomed a new student this week and are happy to have a new classmate!
Toddler I: We have been talking a lot about friendship in our class lately, specifically when it comes to including others. We are trying to move away from objects or people being "mine" and are thinking about the concept of sharing. Also along these lines, we are trying to discourage a lot of the growling that is occurring between children. Since we aren't dogs or lions, we can say "Hello!" These are the social skills we are trying to foster in our class. The class has been full of lighthearted and energetic play this week, especially outdoors, so we have not yet started our Solstice lanterns, but we will begin crafting them next week!
Toddler II: We focused on the upcoming solstice and the changes that occur as a result. We have been exploring our shadows in these ongoing conversations about light, and as you can see from the photos above, have been hard at work with our lanterns. Our book selection this week has been T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, a classic. We are showing our growing independence in many ways. We have been doing a lot of cleaning with spray bottles and rags, as well as other tidying in the room. We now are all able to zip our coats independently as well. We are working on on being kind and gentle and keeping our hands to ourselves.
Pre-K: This week we had a lot of conversations about Hanukkah, both in lighting the candles and in receiving gifts. We are also revisiting some of our conversations about kindness and what it means to be kind to others. In fact one book we've read this week is called just that: What Does it Mean to Be Kind? We've been working on Solstice lanterns and practicing our songs. And to further celebrate the Solstice, the Pre-K will have a pajama party on the 21st to anticipate the longest night. Parents: We please ask that all toys from home stay at home. We've been having problems with having them here at school. Thanks!
As Seen at MVS
-Sam
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