Happy Summer!

I am sure that you are all looking forward to some carefree days and hopefully a safe return of some normalcy. Despite the challenges of distance learning, I am happy to have had the opportunity to "see" the children via Zoom. It was very impressive to see how we all adapted to this new style of learning. Mrs. Hayes and I were impressed by how well the children sat and listened!

Although summer is a time for relaxing and having fun, I want to provide you with some ways to continue to improve on different skills and areas of learning in order to make their transition to preschool and smooth one. 

Social Skills:

• waiting your turn
• saying please and thank you
• looking at the person when talking to them
• being kind

Independence Skills: Trying first and asking for help is more than acceptable!

• dressing themselves
• zippering, snapping, and pulling on their shoes
• making their bed (to the best of their ability)
• cleaning their room
• picking up their toys 
• opening up their snack and drinking from a juice box appropriately
• independence in the bathroom 

Now more than ever it is important to teach your child to sneeze/cough into their elbow, covering their mouth and nose while doing so. It is also important to try and teach them to avoid unnecessarily touching their mouth, nose or eyes. 

Academics: You can use Youtube to make learning more fun!

• review counting numbers 1-20
• review the alphabet
• review nursery rhymes 
• practice independently putting on scissors and making snips/ cutting
• start a journal (write down a topic at the top of the page and have your child draw a picture underneath)
  • examples: Yesterday I..., My favorite food is..., At the park I like to..., I had fun..., Something nice I did..., I played...
• keep their printed name on display for them to recognize

Outdoor Play:

• go on a walk and have your child tell you what they see
• plant a flower or water flowers you may have daily 
  • Check out "Kids Gardening Website" for more ideas!
• work on gross motor skills (skipping, hopping, jumping, obstacle courses, motor planning, riding a bike, etc.)
• play outside 

Reading:

• read to your child daily and encourage them to "read" everyday 
• encourage your child to describe the illustrations 
• have your child recall parts of the story after you read it 

Some recommended authors:

• Eric Carle
• Mo Willems
• Maurice Sendak
• Anna Dewdney
• Dr. Seuss
• David Shannon
• Margaret + H.A. Reys 
• National Geographic for Kids
• Alison Jackson
• Eric Hill
• Jan Brett

Wishing all of you a wonderful summer, filled with blessings and God's grace. Be safe and enjoy the days ahead of rest and relaxation! Thank you for sharing your children with us! - Mrs. DiMasso and Mrs. Hayes