Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Goals Of Pre-K



Goals of Pre-K

General Attitudes/Behaviors:

1.  Be able to separate from parents in a reasonable manner.

2.  Attend for 10 minutes at a child selected task.

3.  Follow simple directions (1 or 2 steps).

4.  Have had experiences sharing and interacting with other children.

5.  Ability to verbalize needs.

6.  Positive attitude towards books and reading.

7.  Positive attitude towards writing.

Reading

1.  Have book handling experience and be able to hold book in proper reading position.

2.  Participate in conversations/discussion of books.

3.  Go to kindergarten with a rich background of literature, nursery rhymes, poetry, songs, and drama.

4.  Recognize first name and last name.

5.  Sit quietly for 5-10 minutes to listen to a story.

6.  Know that a group of letters make up a word.

Writing

1.  Have frequent experiences with scissors, crayons, markers, pencils, chalk, paper, etc.

2.  Write their own name.

3.  Draw a simple illustration and be able to describe it.

4.  Write name using a left to right progression.

Language Skills

1.  Can say whole name, parents name, and address.

2.  Can speak in complete sentences of 5 or more words.

3.  Can name common objects and body parts.

4.  Understand spatial concepts; on, over, under, in, out, up, down, etc.

5.  Tell real-life and fantasy stories.

Listening Skills

1.  Can listen to entire story.

2.  Can repeat a 3 digit sequence; i.e., 4-5-6, 8-4-1.

3.  Can follow a two command direction; touch your toes and turn around.

Fine Motor Skills

1.  Cuts with scissors.

2.  Uses paint and glue correctly.

3.  Holds crayon or pencil correctly.

4.  Has had experience coloring.

5.  Can draw a recognizable person.

Gross Motor Skills

1.  Can catch and throw a ball.

2.  Can walk on a line.

3.  Can balance on one foot for 10 seconds.

4.  Jumps in place.

5.  Hops 5 feet on each foot.

Visual Skills

1.  Can name 8 colors.

2.  Can recognize 4 basic shapes; circle, triangle, rectangle, square.

3.  Can identify same or different objects by size, shape, and/or color.

4.  Can put together an 8 to 10 piece puzzle.

Math Readiness Skills

1.  Can count orally to ten.

2.  Count from 1-10 using manipulative and demonstrating the concept of one-to-one ratio.

3.  Traces numerals from 1-10 using various mediums (shaving cream, sand, finger paints, crayons, etc.).

4.  Knows meaning of first and last.

5.  Arranges up to 4 objects in order from smallest to largest.

6.  Match, name, and repeat patterns using objects (e.g., a pattern of red-blue-red-blue).

7.  Uses size words when talking about objects (e.g., small, large, many, few, big, little).

Science Readiness Skills

1.  Describe what happens to ice when it melts.

2.  Observe and describe the characteristics of a solid (e.g., ice, rock, Popsicle).

3.  Identify plants as living things and rocks as non-living things.

4.  Aware that the earth is composed of land, air and water.

5.  Identify that plants need the energy from the sun to grow.

Reading Readiness Skills

1.  Can say alphabet.

2.  Knows the difference between a letter and a number.

3.  Knows the letters in their name.

4.  Know the sounds that at least some of the letters make.

Social and Self Help Skills

1.   Respects authority.

2.   Take turns in social situations (e.g., waiting your turn to talk).

3.   Uses “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.”

4.   Does not interrupt.

5.   Capable of interacting with other children.

6.    Is able to finish a task.

7.    Is able to use words to solve a conflict and not the body.

8.    Knows how to line up properly.

9.    Knows the difference between an inside and an outside voice.

10.  Compare daytime with nighttime.

11.  Identify school days and non-school days.

12.  Look at a picture of a person at work and tell something about the type of work done.

Our goal is to have a well-rounded program that meets the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of each child.

The following are skills that can be reinforced at home or through preschool experiences:

MOTOR SKILLS

            Run                                                Jump

            Walk a straight line                        Hop

            Throw a ball                                    Clap Hands

            Build with blocks                                    Complete simple puzzles

`            Opportunity to use scissors

LISTENING & SEQUENCING

            Follow simple directions

            Pay attention

            Repeat a sequence of sounds

            Recognize common sounds in environment (ex. Door bell)

            Repeat a sequence of oral directions

PERSONAL HYGIENE

            Wash and dry hands

            Cover mouth when coughing or sneezing

            Wipe their nose

            Administer to own needs in the bathroom

            Button and zip clothing

            Put on and take off own jacket

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

            Express self verbally

            Identifies other children by name

            Can be away from parents for 2 to 3 hours and separates easily

            Takes care of own belongings and helps put toys away

            Joins in family conversation

            Gets along with other children

            Recognizes authority

            Shares with others

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Friday, July 12, 2013

Baby Bloopers

Ethan, 7
One morning, I was brushing my teeth and didn't notice my son enter the bathroom.  When I backed into him by accident, he said,  "The eyes in the back of your head are probably still asleep."

Ciera, 2
My daughter wanted to know how her baby brother was born, so I explained that the doctor helped deliver him at the hospital.  She asked, "Did the doctor say, "Come out, come out wherever you are?"

Audrey, 4
My mother made a cake for our July 4th cookout, and my daughter asked why.  After I explained that we were celebrating America's birthday, she said, "I want to sit next to America."

excerpt from Parents Magazine


Monday, July 8, 2013

July 2013


Dear Parents,                                                                                                July, 2013

It is hard to believe we are half way though this summer.  We are having  a lot of fun with water play and more outside time.  Thank you for choosing Pee Wee for your child’s summer school.

Pee Wee will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for Independence Day.  This is a paid holiday as noted in your contract. 

Our Lost and Found has grown quite large in the last couple months.  The lost and found container is located at the front of the building outside Sharon’s classroom door.  It is Pink and White and says lost and found on it.  Please take a moment to look through it in the next week as we will be donating all items left in it on Friday, July 12th.

We are making plans for the 2013-2014 school year, we will have a few openings in our preschool classes beginning in August.  If you have friends that are ready to enroll their children, please have them come in as soon as possible.  Waiting until the end of summer may mean going on a waiting list this year. 

Have you checked out our classroom websites lately?  We have been updating them weekly with new pictures of the fun activities we are doing this summer.  I also encourage you to check out our blog at peeweepreschool.blogspot.com.  Here you will find interesting parenting articles and fun activities to do with your children.

I know many of you are looking at the Kindergarten year with as much anxiety as your child may be having (if not more).  I hope you will please feel free to stop in and ask me your questions.  I just went through the Kindergarten transition last year with my daughter and I have many connections through out the school district.  I will be happy to help with any issues you come across. 

I hope you are enjoying the summer with your family!  I have been trying to get out and do a little outdoor time camping and fishing. This is the first year since having my children that it has been an enjoyable experience due to their ages.  It is so fun how simple things like dirt, sticks and water can entertain children for hours.  It’s nice to unplug and appreciate the amazing outdoor areas we have so close to us here in Paradise.

Please feel free to call or come by the office with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Kim