Preschool is the age when children start to make friends and build relationships with their peers. We know that friendship is important during the early years because this is the time they learn about the ‘give and take’ of relationships. By sharing experiences, feelings, and interacting with one another, children learn how to meet the social needs of others and of their own.

In preschool, children start to play more with others and begin to form friendships. They learn how to take turns, share, and include others at home or in their classrooms. Doing what other children may want to do, understanding the way others may feel, and playing group games and participating in group activities, are some of the first things children do when learning how to build and develop friendships.

Friendship Skills Children are Learning

Patience: When children wait for their turn, take turns and share with others.

Communication: Talk and listen to others.

Empathy: Respond to others' feelings with understanding and take the perspective of others.

Consideration: Say please and thank you, and are helpful to those around them.

Play Skills: Make suggestions for play and roles and ideas

Social Skills: Learn cooperation, communication, empathy, responsibility, and emotional control.

This week some of our classrooms focused on friends. We made friendship bracelets and friendship wreaths. Check out some of our pictures below of our kiddos being GREAT friends!

October is Fire Prevention Month

A home is often referred to as a safe haven.  This month, make sure your home is protected from (and your family is prepared for) a fire.  Here are 10 simple tips to help you avoid fires and reduce the risk of injury should one occur:

1)      Smoke Alarms – These are still a very important addition to your home.  Smoke alarms are widely available and inexpensive.  Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test it monthly.

2)      Prevent Electrical Fires – Don’t overload circuits or extension cords.  Cords and wires should never be placed  under rugs or in high traffic areas.  Avoid loose electrical connections by checking the fit of the plug in the wall outlet.  If the plug loosely fits, inspect the outlet right away.  A poor connection between the plug and the outlet can cause overheating and can start a fire in minutes.

3)      Keep Plugs Safe – Unplug all appliances when not in use.  Follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions and use your senses to spot any potential disasters.  If a plug is overheating, smells strange, shorts out or sparks – the appliance should be shut off immediately, then replaced or repaired.

4)      Alternate Heaters – Make sure there is ample space around any portable heating unit.  Anything that could catch fire should be at least three feet away.  Inspect your chimney annually and use fire screens to help keep any fires in the fireplace.

5)      Fire Safety Sprinklers – When combined with working smoke alarms, home fire sprinklers greatly increase your chance of surviving a fire.  Sprinklers are affordable and they can increase property value and lower insurance rates.

6)      Create An Escape Route – Create and practice your escape plan with your family from every room in the house.  Practice staying low to the floor and checking for hot doors using the back of your hand.  It’s just like a routine school fire drill – but in your home.

7)      Position Appliances Carefully – Try to keep TV sets, kitchen and other appliances away from windows with curtains.  If there is a wiring problem, curtains can spread a fire quickly.  Additionally, keeping your appliances away from water sources (like rain coming in from windows) can help prevent wiring damage which can lead to a fire.

8)      Clean Dryer Vents – Clothes dryers often start fires in residential areas.  Clean the lint filter every time you start a load of clothes to dry or after the drying cycle is complete.  Make sure your exhaust duct is made of metal tubing and not plastic or foil.  Clean the exhaust duct with a good quality dryer vent brush to prevent blockage & check for lint build up behind the dryer at least twice a year.

9)      Be Careful Around the Holidays – If you fill your home with lights during the holiday season, keep them away from anything that can easily catch fire.  Check all of your lights prior to stringing them up and dispose of anything with frayed or exposed wires.

10)   Conduct Regular Inspections – Check all of your electronic equipment and wiring at least once a month.  Taking a little time to do this each month can really pay off.

Following these simple tips could potentially save your life or the life of a loved one.  Pass this list on to your friends and family and make this fire prevention month count!

Pete the Cat

Literacy is so important in early education. It has been know that by the age of two children who are read to regularly display great language, comprehension, larger vocabularies and higher cognitive skills than their peers.

From the time your child is born, reading out loud is a positive influence. As your child grows, daily reading will help the brain make connections between the written and spoken word, widening vocabulary in the process.

Adding to that benefit, vocabulary knowledge equates to masterful spelling. In fact, reading, spelling and vocabulary are critically important to a child's lifelong achievement.

We were so excited to have Pete the Cat come and visit our school. He was able to show the kids how fun it is to read and just have a good time. Check out all the fun he had at our school. 

Open House 2019

Open House is the perfect way to kick off the school year. Parents and educators were able to sit down and talk about goals for the children for the school year. We love to have an open line of communication with our parents to we are able to setup each child for success. Tables were also setup to take a look at our additional curriculum and parent information. The parents were able to taste test two of the kids favorite menu items as well and cookies and milk. Thanks to everyone who was able to stop bye. Here is to a great year!

Brentwood Fire Department

This past week, in honor of September 11th, we had the Brentwood Fire Departement to visit so that we can tell them how much we appreciate them for keeping us safe and for all their hard work! Check out the excited faces for the firetruck!

                                                   

Grandparents Day

We want to thank all of our grandparents that came out. The kids were so excited to celebrate you today with special snacks, books and a sweet craft. Thank you for everything you do!