may 2017 - discovery learning academy · cat has fur to keep warm. he is a member of the cat family...
TRANSCRIPT
May 2017
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 Saylor’s 3rd Birthday
2 Evelyn’s 2nd Birthday
3 4 5 Tristan’s 5th Birthday
6
7
8
9 10 Jackson’s 5th Birthday Mayson’s 5th Birthday Lincoln’s 4th Birthday
11 12 13 Isabella’s 3rd Birthday
14 15 Ms. Rachel’s Birthday
16 17 18 Ms. Amanda’s Birthday
19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 Evelyn’s 5th Birthday Jaxsen’s 2nd Birthday
27
28 29 Annaliese’s 3rd Birthday
30 31 Ms. Kendall’s Birthday
We need your help. If you do not
recognize someone, please do not
let them in the front door. Kindly
tell them you will let a staff
member know and someone will
be there to help them shortly. The
children’s needs are the first
priority. This means that there may
be times when the office staff has
to step out for a moment to assist
a child.
Mother’s Day is
May 14th.
Don’t forget to
celebrate the
mother’s in your life!
"Kids in preschool
discover that they are
capable and can do
things for themselves -
- from small tasks like
pouring their own juice
and helping set snack
tables to tackling
bigger issues like
making decisions
about how to spend
their free time," says
Angela Capone, PhD,
(Parents)
What is so important about Early
Childhood Education?
Research has shown that children enrolled in
preschool programs benefit by receiving formal
education before kindergarten. According to some
studies, children enrolled in these programs are
more behaved and have higher IQ scores upon
enrolling kindergarten than their peers without formal
education. Likewise, it was shown that children
enrolled in preschool programs learned quicker than
children not enrolled in these programs.
Children taught at an early age usually benefit in the
following ways: improved social skills, less or no
need for special education instruction during
subsequent school years, better grades, and
enhanced attention spans. Likewise, some
researchers have concluded that young children
enrolled in pre-school programs usually graduate
from high school, attend college, have fewer
behavioral problems, and do not become involved
with crime in their adolescent and young adult years.
“Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.” —Samuel Johnson
Have you ever wondered why children ask “why” so often? Even as adults, we question the “why” of many things not in our control. For children, “why” questions help them make sense of the world around them that they are just beginning to learn about. These “why” questions also help spur and accelerate learning. Our adult responses are crucial and pivotal. So, the bigger question is: What is your response to the “why” questions? Children’s innate curiosity plays a big part in their “why” questions. Their curiosity about the world around them helps to build concepts, skills, vocabulary, and understanding of the unknown. And you can help channel their curiosity and need to know why so that you help foster learning in a positive way. So, how do we support young children’s need to know? When you’re young child is asking a “why” question and you know that he or she needs to know and needs to know RIGHT NOW, my advice is simple: you should try to provide an immediate, direct answer that’s either short or detailed, depending on what you know and what your child can understand. Sometimes a simple, informational answer is all that is needed in the moment. For example, if your child asks, “Why does that cat have fur?” Your response can be brief and factual: “The cat has fur to keep warm. Almost all cats have fur.” This is a fully sufficient answer that will help your child learn about the world. But, if you know a little more about the subject and your child has a deeper level of interest and understanding, honor your child’s interest and try to offer a more detailed response, such as, “The cat has fur to keep warm. He is a member of the cat family and almost all cats have fur. Cats are mammals, just like we are, and mammals have either hair or fur. We have hair; cats have fur.” You could then make it a project to look up more information or take informational books out of the library about cats and/or other furry animals with your child. It can also deepen your child’s thinking if you turn the “why” question around so your child has to think about it and to come up with his or her own answer. For example, your first response to your child’s “why” question could be, “Why do YOU think he has fur?” Then let your child respond with an original answer. A second, higher-order question back to your child could be, “Why do you think many animals have fur? And why do you think we don’t?” Again, let your child respond with an original answer. Getting children to think about and answer their own “why” questions at this age is important because teachers are using “why” questions in every subject taught at school. Children are being asked questions that educators call “higher-order” questions. They are asked to read, think about what they read, and explain why they think certain things happen in the story. Being able to answer “why” questions is also crucial because older children and adults encounter why questions throughout their daily lives. And in our increasingly technological and global world, our children will be asked to solve problems that will require them to think for themselves and come up with their own answers. Our children’s first experiences in asking and answering “why” questions in their quest to understand the world they live in are the building blocks of deep thinking and will help prepare them for the future.
HEALTHY LUNCHES Lunch is a very important time for your child. It is important that
children have a healthy lunch that they enjoy every day. Here are
a few lunch packing tips:
Children need multiple servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
Please pack a variety of what they enjoy.
Lunch should include some sort of healthy drink. This
includes milk, juice & water. Please do not send sodas for
lunch.
Our center has a no candy policy. Please do not pack candy
in your child’s lunch.
Please pack things in your child’s lunch that they enjoy eating.
Meal time should be a pleasurable experience.
Discovery Learning Academy 4565 Commercial Dr. Niceville, Fl 32578
Congratulations to all of our
2017 VPK Graduates!
Please join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday May 4th, at the
Niceville Church of Christ to celebrate our 2017 VPK
Graduates
Kids Night
Out
Friday, May
13th
From 7 – 11
Reminder:
June’s
Tuition will
be charged
Thursday
June 4th!
Don’t forget
about our
referral
program. If
you refer a
family you
will receive
a discount
off of your
tuition.
2017-2018 VPK OPENINGS
VPK registrations for fall 2017-2018 are underway! If your child turns 4
prior to September 1st they are eligible for this FREE program. Our VPK
classrooms offer quality programs that include high literacy
standards, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and
exceptionally qualified teachers. Space for these classes is limited but
we do still have spots available! We love referrals – tell your friends &
family about our
VPK program!!!
A Lost & Found collection bin is located in the lobby. To assist with finding lost items please label ALL of your child’s belongings. Unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity at the start of each month.
SUMMERCARE
OPENINGS (Age 5 and older)
Spots are still available for our school-age
summer care program. All children that
have finished VPK thru age 10 are eligible
to attend. Remember the last day of school
for Okaloosa County is Thursday, June 2nd.
Medication must be put
in a teacher's hands with a
medication form signed by
the office...even if your child
is not taking the medication
while at school. Please do
not leave it in the bag.
DLA will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of Memorial Day. A
special Thank You to all the servicemen & women, who have served, protected
and sacrificed for our country & our freedom.
Registration for Bluewater Discovery
Learning Academy’s summer program is underway. All children attending
elementary school next fall are eligible for our summer program. $40
registration fee required. Cost is $25.00 per day. Students will participate in a
creative curriculum and have several in-house and off-site field trips throughout the summer. Don’t miss your chance to register for a fun-filled summer! Stop by
the front office for more information.
Sun Protection As the suns rays become stronger in the warmer months,
remember to practice sun safety. If your child needs sunscreen prior to outside play, please stop by the front
office to fill out a medical authorization form.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8th-12th.
Remember to tell your favorite teacher how
much you love them!
Closed toed shoes are required for all
outdoor activities. The children run
everywhere on the playground and run
the risk of scraping their toes on the
concrete with open toed shoes.