81 Clintonville Road
at the Faith United Methodist Church
North Haven, CT 06473
ph: 203-500-7806
alt: 203-239-7778
info
Did you Know?
Imaginations at Work..............
Some Fun Ways to Develop Eye-Hand Coordination can be found right in the Kitchen?
All Children love to imitate the grown ups in their life! And the kitchen provides a wonderful opportunity to get the kids using both hands together in a coordinated manner, strengthening fingers and wrists in preparation for crayon, pencil and scissor skills. Simply
filling and pouring various size cups of water will delight any toddler or pre-schooler and begin to teach the math concepts of volume and capacity. Add some dish detergent for bubbles and you've brought science into the mix! Other kitchen tools to try, egg beater, sifter, baster, scoops/spoons. If you are ready for some good messy fun - check out the Home Made Playdough Recipe Below.Home Made PlayDough
Let the kids enjoy helping you mix the dough while strenghening their fine motor skills - The secret to this Playdough is the Cream of Tartar - it provides a smooth texture without the "crumble", making clean up a breeze.
3 cups flour 3 cups water 1 1/2 cups salt 3 tbs cooking oil 6 tsp cream of tartar food coloring
In a small bowl, mix together flour, salt, and cream of tartar. In a separate bowl, mix water, oil and food coloring. Combine contents of both bowls in a saucepan and cook over low heat until thick. With floured hands (very important) and a floured surface, knead dough while warm. Keeps well for long periods of time in an airtight contianer.
Full recipe, I usually cut it in half and it still makes a lot. Enjoy!
Back to School Time - Tips to Help Children Adjust
Back to school time often means changes for children and families; the first day of Kindergarten or first grade, new preschools or child care settings; new classrooms and new teachers. Making smooth transitions between home, programs and schools can help children feel good about themselves and teach them to trust other adults and other children. Helping children adapt to new situations can ease parents' minds and give them a chance to become involved in their children's education.
Transitions are exciting opportunities for children to learn and grow. Parents and early childhood professionals share a role in making children feel safe and secure as they move to new educational settings. Of course, such milestones in children's leives can cause anxiety, too. Strenghening the ties between programs and families will help create smooth transitions for adults and children both.
Some Helpful Tips for Parents:
- Be enthusiastic about the upcoming change. If you are excited and confident, your child will be too!
- Prepare yourself. Take note ofhowyour child reacts to separation. If possible, visit the new setting with your child Introduce your child to the new teacher in advance.
- Start daily routines that will add to continuity. Let your child become involved with packing lunch or laying out clothes. Begin an earlier bedtime several weeks before school starts.
- Put aside extra time particularly on the first day, for chatting and preparing. But remember not to prolong the Good-Bye! If your child whines or clings, staying will only m make it harder.
- Always say Good-Bye to your child. Be firm but friendly about separating. Never ridicule a child for crying. Instead, make supportive statements like,
"It's hard to say Good-Bye and I know you will be fine".
- At the end of the work day, find some quality time to hear about your child's day and share in their excitement.
* Information adapted from the National Associationthe Education of Young Children.
81 Clintonville Road
at the Faith United Methodist Church
North Haven, CT 06473
ph: 203-500-7806
alt: 203-239-7778
info
