Back to School Nerves? Check out some tips!

I have had a great summer so far.  I hope you have been enjoying the time you get to spend with your child.  I want to give you some back to school tips that might help as you and your child prepare for a new year. 

These are to make the school experience more positive and stress free.

1. Go shopping together for a special back to school outfit.
2. Have them pick out a very special folder and full size backpack. 
3. Walk them to their line and encourage them to make new friends that day.  Ask them to try to remember the name of one new friend that day.
4. Allow the teacher to take over at the door, don't insist that you walk your child in.  This is especially important for the parents of younger children.  It is TRULY easier to allow the teacher to take over at the door than to try and seperate in the classroom. 
5. When saying what time you will pick them up be truthful.  Don't say 5 mins or so just to calm your child down.  You can say "at 3pm" or "after lunch" or "after rest" or whatever you think would be appropriate.  This will help the child understand time and routine.  5 mins is A. not accurate and B. not concrete enough for them to understand.
6. When you do pick them up, especially the new young student, be specific in what you ask.  "what did you do today" is often to vague for many children.  Instead, ask things like, "What's your teacher's name? Is she nice?", "Who did you eat lunch with?", "What story did your teacher read?" etc.
7. Finally, don't push the preschool child to learn.  They will be learning their whole lives.  They HAVE been learning their whole lives.  School should be enjoyable.  A child pushed too hard too early may make a negative association about learning.  They will be learning in a variety of ways and in most ECE programs, they will be learning at their own pace.  Trust your school/teacher and don't be afraid to ask questions!!!
 
When the school year begins, I will be using this blog to continue offering support for all parents as well as provide information for my classroom parents.  It will continue to be relevant to the young learners in our lives.  Enjoy watching them grow!

May God continue to watch over you and your children. 
Tanya Boyle

What an amazing open house

I was so excited to meet so many new families tonight! This year will truly be exciting! On a side note, I hope you are staying cool. This heat is brutal.

While you are inside, instead of workbooks do fun inside learning. Let the children take cans and boxes and sort them in different ways. You can also find some yummy no bake cookies to make, like the peanut butter oatmeal balls. Don't forget that an indoor scavenger hunt can be just as fun as an outdoor one!

Thats it for now. Keep cool.
Many blessings,
Tanya

If you ever thought that baby talk or lazy vocabulary was ok for kids, please read:

http://notjustcute.com/2011/07/18/speak-up-why-we-should-use-big-words-with-little-kids-2/

Wow, July already?

I hope you are all enjoying your summer.  It seems like we are balancing staying dry with staying cool.  We don't seem to have too many of those just right days. 

Below are some fun indoor and outdoor ideas:
Don't forget that you can get free museum passes from your local library.  Most will not hold them, so be ready to run over if you call in a request.  http://www.chipublib.org/ is the Chicago public Library site and you can see who has what along with phone numbers and addresses.  We plan on hitting the Science and Industry soon.  They have a great new weather exhibit.  If you have never been to Peggy Notebart, I suggest that for an awesome experience in nature.  They also have the giant butterfly garden where a variety of butterfly species live.  It's really cool.  The Morton Arboretum is tons of fun.  The Children's Garden is a must especially when you get one of those just right days.

Here is a cute idea from another blogger that would go well with any of the above:
http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/04/nature-scavenger-hunt.html

Finally, if you know anyone looking for a well established Christ centered school, send them by me!  We are having a Preschool and Kindergarten Open House on July 21 6-7:30 pm.  Lutheran Unity School West Campus 5650 N Canfield.  Although just the 2 teachers will be present, the principal or board members present would be happy to show you around the rest of the 1-8th grade rooms as well as answer any of your questions.  There is a lot to offer at this school, so do pass along the info.

I will post pics later this week of the room progress.  I am getting very excited about this new adventure.  The room along with keeping up with J and S is keeping us quite busy!  Until next time... keep enjoying those kids!

Tanya