My husband constantly tells me, "don't we have enough books!" My answer is always, "No!" It is true we have many, many, many children's books in our house, and I will confess that I do have a book compulsion; but in terms of books I don't think you can have too many.
Each one of our classrooms is full of books. There is a reading center as well as related books in every center. These books are also rotated out from our very own library. We are very fortunate to have some of our books donated by families when their children has out grown some books, or from when families buy books from scholastic book orders and as well as when they our bought off of a classroom wish list from our annual book fair. We have also gotten a good bulk of our books from Makeway For Books. It is a great organization who came into our school and looked at what books we needed and brought in some fabulous books to our center at no cost to us. Their website is also a great resource about reading books to young children http://makewayforbooks.org/. I am always happy see lots and lots of reading going on in our school thanks to all our many books and our wonderful teachers.
When talking to someone about my book compulsion they said me, "how are children going to learn to read without having books around?" I realize that children will probably learn to read if they aren't surrounded by books, but I think it comes more natural when those books are around you and apart of your daily routine. There are some great ways to fill your house with books without spending a great deal of money.
1. Did you know that PJ Library is another great organization that your child can receive some fabulous Jewish books. There are some great programming that goes along with this. Both my children look forward to every month when they receive their book in the mail and we look forward to reading it that night. This is a grant funded program, so the books are free to you for two years. Check them out here and sign up http://www.pjlibrary.org/communities/southern-arizona.
2. Have your checked out the scholastic book orders? You can find the book orders in your child's mailbox. There are some great books for reasonable prices. There is a $1 book in every book order. Check it out.
3. When I take my children to the pediatrician they always receive a book there through another organization called Reach Out and Read. http://www.reachoutandread.org/
4. You can always borrow books from our classrooms or school library.
5. There is always the our public library!
6. There are the bargain sections at books stores as well as bookmans.
I feel so happy that there are so many organizations that feel books our important in young children's hands. So I will continue to fill my house with books and as well as our classrooms.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
In The Car
It is no secret that we do not live real close to the school. In fact, we drive 30 minutes to school and then back every day. I feel like I am always in the car! There was a point when my oldest was a baby (and all the way until she learned to talk) when riding in the car was torture because all she did was cry the whole way. When most babies loved the car; she hated it! I would sing songs or do whatever I could to block it out because I knew she was ok and there was not much I could do. We have no choice, we have to go from here to there.
Those days are behind us and now I actually enjoy being in the car. My youngest thankfully does not mind the car and my oldest has come to enjoy the ride. Our rides are spent with stories, songs and games. Here are a few suggestions to make a longer car ride with young children manageable:
1. Have familiar songs/ Cd's in the car. You could play the same CD over and over again so it becomes more familiar to them. Don't be afraid to sing-a-long with them
2. Have a basket of toys and rotate them out on occasion. I try to stick to only what fits in the baskets or toys can take over my car. (a book, two toy animals or people; two, so they can play together, a magnetic drawing board, something cuddly, a toy phone are some good suggestions)
3. Have a water cup and a small snack.
4. A mirror for an infant is helpful; especially when they are at the age where they like to see themselves.
5. If your child uses a pacifier; have it available where they can reach it. A binky leash is always good.
6. If at all possible for an infant, have them feed and changed before getting in the car.
7. We like to change the words to songs and sing them. For example; we sing BINGO, but change the name of the dog to any dog we know. It gets to be pretty silly and fun.
8. I also like talking to my daughter about her day or what we are going to do. We also like to reminisce about things she has done in the past or when she was a baby.
9. Play Eye spy. You might have to change it a little for example; I say, "I spy with my little eye something that is real tall, it is brown on the bottom and green on top."
10. For an infant, a toy that rattles and one that they can chew on are helpful to have when they are old enough to play or grasp.
Although I really do enjoy interacting with my children. Sometimes I just enjoy the silence in the car when Ellie is zoned out and Nate is sleeping and I can just think in peace. Sometimes I even get to have a turn listening to my own music; pony music we call it.
Those days are behind us and now I actually enjoy being in the car. My youngest thankfully does not mind the car and my oldest has come to enjoy the ride. Our rides are spent with stories, songs and games. Here are a few suggestions to make a longer car ride with young children manageable:
1. Have familiar songs/ Cd's in the car. You could play the same CD over and over again so it becomes more familiar to them. Don't be afraid to sing-a-long with them
2. Have a basket of toys and rotate them out on occasion. I try to stick to only what fits in the baskets or toys can take over my car. (a book, two toy animals or people; two, so they can play together, a magnetic drawing board, something cuddly, a toy phone are some good suggestions)
3. Have a water cup and a small snack.
4. A mirror for an infant is helpful; especially when they are at the age where they like to see themselves.
5. If your child uses a pacifier; have it available where they can reach it. A binky leash is always good.
6. If at all possible for an infant, have them feed and changed before getting in the car.
7. We like to change the words to songs and sing them. For example; we sing BINGO, but change the name of the dog to any dog we know. It gets to be pretty silly and fun.
8. I also like talking to my daughter about her day or what we are going to do. We also like to reminisce about things she has done in the past or when she was a baby.
9. Play Eye spy. You might have to change it a little for example; I say, "I spy with my little eye something that is real tall, it is brown on the bottom and green on top."
10. For an infant, a toy that rattles and one that they can chew on are helpful to have when they are old enough to play or grasp.
Although I really do enjoy interacting with my children. Sometimes I just enjoy the silence in the car when Ellie is zoned out and Nate is sleeping and I can just think in peace. Sometimes I even get to have a turn listening to my own music; pony music we call it.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Parenting Styles
When I was little I always wanted to be a 'mommy.' I also had idea of how I wanted to parent. Ohh...how quickly my ideas changed as I acaully become a mother. And even parenting beliefs I had with my first child have changed with the second.
Why are things so different? I am the same person. Have a compromised anything making these changes? Is my first child better off than my second? Is my friend's child going to be a more well rounded than mine? Of course not! Every child is different and our lives are constantly changing. We need to make choices based on our children's individual needs as well as what works best for our family. As our children change and our family's lifestyle change; we should accommodate our parenting style accordingly.
We have all kinds of parenting styles at the Strauss ECE; neither good nor bad; just different. When becoming a parent, I have gained appreciation for the different styles. I realize that different things work for different families.
Today I gave a tour to a prospective family where a parent asked if we would honor her parenting style and beliefs. This got me thinking about how much we are constantly thinking about parenting. Truly we are just guessing our way through each stage and each phase and hoping we are making good choices for our children. We might read articles and blogs, talk with other parents and teachers or even our mothers. Then we take this information we have learned and go with our gut. We always want to do what we feel is right for our children and truly; in the end, if they are happy; we have succeeded.
The Strauss ECE will always support you in your parenting beliefs. We enjoy collaborating with you in helping your child succeed.
Why are things so different? I am the same person. Have a compromised anything making these changes? Is my first child better off than my second? Is my friend's child going to be a more well rounded than mine? Of course not! Every child is different and our lives are constantly changing. We need to make choices based on our children's individual needs as well as what works best for our family. As our children change and our family's lifestyle change; we should accommodate our parenting style accordingly.
We have all kinds of parenting styles at the Strauss ECE; neither good nor bad; just different. When becoming a parent, I have gained appreciation for the different styles. I realize that different things work for different families.
Today I gave a tour to a prospective family where a parent asked if we would honor her parenting style and beliefs. This got me thinking about how much we are constantly thinking about parenting. Truly we are just guessing our way through each stage and each phase and hoping we are making good choices for our children. We might read articles and blogs, talk with other parents and teachers or even our mothers. Then we take this information we have learned and go with our gut. We always want to do what we feel is right for our children and truly; in the end, if they are happy; we have succeeded.
The Strauss ECE will always support you in your parenting beliefs. We enjoy collaborating with you in helping your child succeed.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Saying Goodbye...dropping your child off at school
Recently our the new school year started at our Early Childhood Education Center. Many new families joined us, as well as children moved up in classrooms. It is interesting to observe during drop off times, especially on 'first days.' There is always a lot of excitement and nervousness all at the same time. To be honest...it seems much harder for the parent than the child.
Each child is different. Some are ready to socialize and enjoy new environments; with new toys and fun things to do, while others are more hesitant. Also if you have stayed home with your child for a while; it could be harder for both of you to separate. There are ages that are harder for a child to separate as well. These are about 9months and 18month. This tends to be a phase that will pass overtime.
I have also seen that many times a child might cry for the benefit of the parent and as soon as they are out of sight, the child is happy and playing (nice of them).
Here are a few suggestion for a smooth transition in dropping off your child at school (you may need to adapt some of these suggestions depending on their age):
1. Talk to them about going to school for a couple of weeks before they go. Always use positive words and talk about all the exciting things they might do.
2. Take the child to visit the school before they go. This will give them a picture of what it looks like as well giving them a sense of familiarity.
3. Bring all supplies and paperwork to the school ahead of time so on the first day you can concentrate on your child and not feel so overwhelmed.
4. When taking your child to school for the first day; if you decided to stay with your child; try to limit it to 30 minutes. We have found if you stay longer the child might a get the sense that you are always going to be with them at school. This can make it harder and more confusing for them when you do leave. (please note: we do have an open door policy at our school and you are welcome to come and go and you please)
4. Read the story The Kissing Hand to your child or other books about going to school.
5. Say goodbye to your child at the door; sneaking away when they are happy does not always benefit you in the future. We have windows on our doors where it is nice to touch hands through the window and say goodbye or through the gate at the playground.
6. Remind your child that you will be back to get them; or if someone else is getting them, let them know that too.
7. Make your goodbye short and sweet. Lingering most of the time does not help anything.
8. If your child seems upset, you can always hand them straight to a teacher who will comfort them as you leave until they are ready to play.
9. Drop off at the same time each day when possible.
10. You can feel free to call any time and check up on your child for you peace of mind.
11. Talk about their day after school. Don't be surprised if they don't share much with you; use their 'my day' reports or their weekly letters to talk with them about what they did or what they might be doing.
I always tell parents that the first two days of dropping off your child is the hardest and then it is down hill from there. Just wait until you have the opposite problem and you can't get your child to go home because they are having so much fun; it will happen!
Each child is different. Some are ready to socialize and enjoy new environments; with new toys and fun things to do, while others are more hesitant. Also if you have stayed home with your child for a while; it could be harder for both of you to separate. There are ages that are harder for a child to separate as well. These are about 9months and 18month. This tends to be a phase that will pass overtime.
I have also seen that many times a child might cry for the benefit of the parent and as soon as they are out of sight, the child is happy and playing (nice of them).
Here are a few suggestion for a smooth transition in dropping off your child at school (you may need to adapt some of these suggestions depending on their age):
1. Talk to them about going to school for a couple of weeks before they go. Always use positive words and talk about all the exciting things they might do.
2. Take the child to visit the school before they go. This will give them a picture of what it looks like as well giving them a sense of familiarity.
3. Bring all supplies and paperwork to the school ahead of time so on the first day you can concentrate on your child and not feel so overwhelmed.
4. When taking your child to school for the first day; if you decided to stay with your child; try to limit it to 30 minutes. We have found if you stay longer the child might a get the sense that you are always going to be with them at school. This can make it harder and more confusing for them when you do leave. (please note: we do have an open door policy at our school and you are welcome to come and go and you please)
4. Read the story The Kissing Hand to your child or other books about going to school.
5. Say goodbye to your child at the door; sneaking away when they are happy does not always benefit you in the future. We have windows on our doors where it is nice to touch hands through the window and say goodbye or through the gate at the playground.
6. Remind your child that you will be back to get them; or if someone else is getting them, let them know that too.
7. Make your goodbye short and sweet. Lingering most of the time does not help anything.
8. If your child seems upset, you can always hand them straight to a teacher who will comfort them as you leave until they are ready to play.
9. Drop off at the same time each day when possible.
10. You can feel free to call any time and check up on your child for you peace of mind.
11. Talk about their day after school. Don't be surprised if they don't share much with you; use their 'my day' reports or their weekly letters to talk with them about what they did or what they might be doing.
I always tell parents that the first two days of dropping off your child is the hardest and then it is down hill from there. Just wait until you have the opposite problem and you can't get your child to go home because they are having so much fun; it will happen!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The joy in child's face!
Today I got to witness pure joy.
This morning the Soosim children read the story of The Gingerbread Man. The children then went on a gingerbread horse (because they are the horse room) hunt. First they baked a big gingerbread horse cookie. While it was in the oven it "ran away" but left them a clue. They followed the clues until they found their gingerbread horse safely in their room.
The Soosim children came galloping into the office looking for their gingerbread horse and I got to have the pleasure of reading them their next clue, "gallop, gallop, gallop of course, you can't catch me I am the gingerbread horse." The excitement in the office with all the children gathered around was electric. Their smiles were gigantic and you could feel their energy and curiosity as they were reenacting their own story from the book The Ginger Bread Man.
It reminds me that we need to take advantage of young children's imaginations while they still have them and how a simple activity can leave a lasting impression in our children.
This morning the Soosim children read the story of The Gingerbread Man. The children then went on a gingerbread horse (because they are the horse room) hunt. First they baked a big gingerbread horse cookie. While it was in the oven it "ran away" but left them a clue. They followed the clues until they found their gingerbread horse safely in their room.
The Soosim children came galloping into the office looking for their gingerbread horse and I got to have the pleasure of reading them their next clue, "gallop, gallop, gallop of course, you can't catch me I am the gingerbread horse." The excitement in the office with all the children gathered around was electric. Their smiles were gigantic and you could feel their energy and curiosity as they were reenacting their own story from the book The Ginger Bread Man.
It reminds me that we need to take advantage of young children's imaginations while they still have them and how a simple activity can leave a lasting impression in our children.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Diversity
Tonight 25 of our teachers took a class with Rabbi Cohon on Judaism. At the beginning of the class we went around and talked about our own religious background. I was amazed to hear of the religious diversity of our teaching staff. We have teachers with Jewish, Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, and Protestant backgrounds. I am really proud that we have this diversity, yet we are a Jewish school where children learn about Judaism from this unique group.
In our school we have many Jewish families as well as a wide diversity in both religious and cultural backgrounds. It is exciting to me to know that not only all of our children graduate from our school knowing a lot about the Jewish religion and having an appreciation for it; so do our teachers (and parents for that matter).
In our school we have many Jewish families as well as a wide diversity in both religious and cultural backgrounds. It is exciting to me to know that not only all of our children graduate from our school knowing a lot about the Jewish religion and having an appreciation for it; so do our teachers (and parents for that matter).
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
My very first 'blog'
Here goes...My very first 'blog.'
In creating this blog I am in awe of technology. I can personally remember when we got our first computer. It had simple games and simple programs. My sister and I enjoyed watching all the colored lines on the computer when a page printed out. We watched for about ten minutes as it said, "printing, printing, printing." Then came the world wide web, email, chat rooms, message boards; the things we can do with computers just change and change.
I recently got an Ipod touch for a birthday present. The technology in that is amazing; although I don't use it for music. I can track my weight, look us the nutritional values from any restaurant, track where I parked my car(so I don't have to wander forever), check my email, update my facebook page, play scrabble with my mother who lives in another city, do yoga exercises (or contemplate it), look up Shabbat times all in a hand held little computer that I can carry in my pocket.
This got me thinking of what technology will be like when Ellie and Nate are in High School. There are already virtual classrooms and amazing things we can do with computers. I wish I had an eye into the future.
For now I try to limit some of that technology while I still can.
In creating this blog I am in awe of technology. I can personally remember when we got our first computer. It had simple games and simple programs. My sister and I enjoyed watching all the colored lines on the computer when a page printed out. We watched for about ten minutes as it said, "printing, printing, printing." Then came the world wide web, email, chat rooms, message boards; the things we can do with computers just change and change.
I recently got an Ipod touch for a birthday present. The technology in that is amazing; although I don't use it for music. I can track my weight, look us the nutritional values from any restaurant, track where I parked my car(so I don't have to wander forever), check my email, update my facebook page, play scrabble with my mother who lives in another city, do yoga exercises (or contemplate it), look up Shabbat times all in a hand held little computer that I can carry in my pocket.
This got me thinking of what technology will be like when Ellie and Nate are in High School. There are already virtual classrooms and amazing things we can do with computers. I wish I had an eye into the future.
For now I try to limit some of that technology while I still can.
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