Julie's Home Day Care ~ January Newsletter
NOTE FROM YOUR PROVIDER
I would like to thank each and every one of you for making the holidays so special for us. After all the activities and the hustle and bustle, it's nice to take a breather, relax and enjoy one another by spending quality time together. Having Sarah home from College has been enjoyable for the kids and me. However, she will be heading back on the 19th of this month and the children and I will once again miss her presence here in the house. She wanted me to let everyone know she misses the children very much while she is away. She has taped the pictures that they had drawn for her on her walls at school and a batch of new ones are already building up to be brought back with her. On a good note, she is enjoying going to college, is doing well and is looking forward to going back next semester.
Just a couple of reminders:
Be sure to dress your child appropriately for the weather including warm jackets, hats, mittens, etc. We will not go outside if it is too cold, but on days when it is tolerable, the children enjoy going out and getting some fresh air playtime. I want to make sure all children are dressed comfortably for these activities. Check your child's cubby to be sure they have extra clothes that fit them.
Weekly payments are due the Friday before care is given. You are responsible for the weekly fee on your signed contract agreement. If your day falls on a Paid Holiday you are responsible for payment of that day unless prior arrangements have been made with me for alternate days of care.
You will be getting your figures for your taxes by the end of January along with a copy of your contract agreement and childcare forms. Please make any necessary changes to your forms sign the annual updates and return them to me as soon as possible. I might also need to update some medical records and with the new privacy laws that have gone into affect I will have to have you sign the medical form giving your doctor permission to send me the records.
PAID HOLIDAY CLOSURES
: New Years Day, January 1 & Martin Luther King jr. Day January 19
Community Activities:
What we will be doing this month: Monthly Theme "Taking Care of Myself"
We will be reading books written by Mercer Mayer or about self help skills each day during story time. We will sing the "Good Grooming" song throughout the month and add musical instruments and movement as we go. We will practice the signs for "eat" and "drink" using our sign language skills. I will continue to encourage the children in learning their numbers and letters by introducing different activities that include number and letter recognition and by helping the older children print their names on their final projects.
Parents and Kids Together
It's important to help and guide your child. But it is also important to help him/her develop skills he/she can do on his/her own such as dressing and going to the toilet. Mastering these self-help skills will give your child the confidence to try harder things such as cutting with safety scissors and "scribble writing".
How can you do it? First, don’t ask your child to try something new before she is comfortable with the steps leading up to the activity.
Think about what you are teaching. What does your child need to know before she starts learning the skill? Ask other parents or your child's caregiver to find out the steps that other children, who have just learned the skill, went through. We often forget the many mini-steps taken when someone is just beginning to learn.
Think about the job of tying shoes. Tying shoes is hard for most young children. What are the skills your child needs to know before learning to tie her shoe? Ask yourself if she can put on her shoes alone. Are they on the correct feet? Is she able to tighten her laces? Can she tie a simple knot? If the answer is 'No' to any of these questions, your child may not be ready to make loops and bows.
Let your child make mistakes. Children must feel free to explore and learn without being afraid of being punished or embarrassed. If you say your child's laces are dragging or she had made only one loop, she will be embarrassed. Don't tell your child that she should be able to do it. She's trying and that is all that is important.
Praise every little success. Why become independent if no one is going to pay attention to us anymore? Give your child attention by using phrases like; "Mary, I really like the way you are working to tie your shoes. Maybe we can make your laces a little shorter so you won't trip over them. Wow, you're such a big girl." By doing this you are praising her for trying to tie her shoes and helping her go the next step in learning. Helping your child develop skills that lead to independence may seem hard at times, but it is worth the effort: independent children feel good about themselves and learning new things.
HAPPY WINTER, STAY WARM & HEALTHY!