Thursday, February 21, 2013

Pajama Day!!!


Happy Pajama Day!!!

And happy almost vacation!  (remember no school 2/25-3/5...back to school 3/6)

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Autism Discussion Page on Facebook

We have found this to be a very valuable resource for working with many children in the Early Education Program.  The postings here are very educational and very  much in line with our philosophy of educating all children!  Please check it out if you have a chance.

https://www.facebook.com/autismdiscussionpage

Monday, February 18, 2013

Today at Early Ed...a special guest!

Mr. T. Explores the Back Row of the VSO

Ralph Thomas, of Arlington, has worn many hats for the VSO over the years.  He has played second harp in the full orchestra, his bassoon quartet “The Bassooniacs” wowed the crowd at a fundraiser in Newport recently, he has served as volunteer coordinator at summer concerts, he’s been a regional trustee, he has booked wedding and special event ensembles for us, and for many years he was our Musical Petting Zoo Zookeeper.  These days, sporting a tailcoat over bright yellow pants and mis-matched sneakers, he is…Mr. T.!

Mr. T. is the mastermind behind a new SymphonyKids offering.  Two years ago we realized a longtime goal of presenting family concerts, but felt that our educational outreach program was still lacking a focus on the very youngest budding music lovers, the 0-5 age group.  Working with Education Coordinator Eleanor Long, Ralph designed a program for the pre-school set which incorporates story-telling and a very basic introduction to the orchestra.  He plays an eclectic quartet of instruments most often found towards the back of the orchestra:  the tuba, the harp, the bassoon, and the triangle.

For more information about Mr. T., please contact Ralph directly.  And remember what they say, “The first three years last forever!”

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

PLAYGROUPS

PLAYGROUPS!!!!!!!
Milton Early Ed program is offering free playgroups on Thursday March 7th and Thursday March14th in room 410 from 1:30-3:00 for children ages 3-5 who are NOT currently enrolled in our program.
RVSP is REQUIRED
Call Shelley Henson at 893-3215 ext 1425 or email shenson@mtsd-vt.org
Please pass this information along to your friends who are NOT currently enrolled in our program and interested in checking out the school!
Thanks

Potty

Please please please have your child use the bathroom before coming to school.  Many children are missing valuable playground time having to use the bathroom as soon as they get to school.  And since it is snowsuit season it is taking a LONG time to have a potty break!

Thanks!

Friday, February 8, 2013

SNOW DAY!!!


40 Things to do on a School Snow Day

by JENN @ FRUGAL UPSTATE on JANUARY 8, 2010
Photo by KarmaBlue
Photo by KarmaBlue
 40 fun things to do on a school snow day.
Photo by Will Holmes
Photo by Will Holmes
Inside fun:
1.  Stay in your PJ’s all day
4.  Build a fort of old boxes & sofa cushions
5.  Build a tent with a sheet.
Photo by Chez LouLou
Photo by Chez LouLou
6.  Watch old musicals like Singing In the Rain.
7.  Have an indoor picnic.
8.  Make Bread-for extra fun let the kids “sculpt” with the dough-their creations can be baked & eaten
9.  Bake Cookies-I like these shaped gingerbread cookiesbecause they don’t have to chill, but drop or bar cookies are fun too.
10.  Make snow “icecream”
Photo by Ginnerobot
Photo by Ginnerobot
11.  Make maple syrup “candy” with snow (ala Little House on the Prairie!)
12.  Have a taffy pull
14.  Make chocolate covered pretzels (or chocolate covered whatever you have in the pantry-it all tastes good w/chocolate!)
15.  Bring a baby pool inside with snow to play and make snow castles.
Photo by Gozalewis
Photo by Gozalewis
16.  Curl up on the couch with a hot cup of tea (or hot chocolate) and read a good book. Or two. Or three
17.  Make homemade soft pretzels, like from the mall.
18.  Write letters to anyone from Grandma to your congressman.
19.  Play board games.  Maybe have a tournament.
20.  Play card games.
Photo by Superwife 2009
Photo by Superwife 2009
21. Do “Snow Art”-use small snowballs as paintbrushes with watercolors. Note-a trash bag under the paper saves you a lot on cleanup!
22.  Take a bubble bath.
23.  Make a torn paper mosaic
24.  Feed you birdy friends by stringing popcorn to hang on a tree or making a pine cone birdfeeder.
One of the Canon Printable Models.  Photo by M-oo
One of the Canon Printable Models. Photo by M-oo
25.  Make paper mache bowls. (note-this tutorial uses a pumpkin instead of a balloon. You can use the same cling wrap technique on another bowl instead)
26.  Color on some free printable coloring pages.
27.  Let the kids choose the dinner menu and have them help you cook.
28.  Have a pretend fashion shoot.
29.  Make some toys and models with free printable paper crafts from Canon. (note: trust me, there are things for teens on here-the copy of the Russian church with onion domes is gorgeous & complex)
30. Make paper beads.
31.  Make melted crayon art.
Photo by Mahalie
Photo by Mahalie
32.  Make new crayons from some old ones.
Outside fun:
33. Have a snowball fight!!!
34.  Make a snowman.
35.  Make snow angels.
36  Go snowshoeing or cross country skiing.
38.  Go sledding. No sled, no worries! Go cardboard sledding.
39.  Play some snow games.
So, what are some of YOUR favorite ideas for fun things to do on a school snow day?  

Modified  from http://www.frugalupstate.com/general-frugality/40-things-to-do-on-a-school-snow-day/

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Where We Stand: TV Viewing Time/Video Games


Where We Stand: TV Viewing Time/Video Games


The first two years of your child’s life are especially important in the growth and development of her /his brain. During this time, children need positive interaction with other children and adults. This is especially true at younger ages, when learning to talk and play with others is so important.
 
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages TV and other media use by children younger than 2 years and encourages interactive play.  For older children, total entertainment screen time should be limited to less than 1 to 2 hours per day of educational, nonviolent programs, which should be supervised by parents or other responsible adults in the home.

The Milton Early Education Program teachers strongly recommend adhering to these guidelines for screen time. We hear children talking about television shows and movies that are meant for adults. There are even instances where children are not only watching but playing video games like Call of Duty. As the adults in your children's lives, you are the people responsible for setting limits on the screen time your child is exposed to at home.
 
So the next time your child asks to play a video game or watch tv--"whip" out a board game, build a blanket fort, or get out some fun arts and craft supplies--and see what fun you can have TOGETHER!! And if they are having some 'screen time'--please just make sure it is fun material geared toward young children. It will make all the difference!






Monday, February 4, 2013

Monday Update...

*Here is a website that the teachers visit often in planning curriculum.  It offers a wide variety of fun and developmentally appropriate activities that would be fun for you to try at home.  Check it out!

http://www.teachpreschool.org/

They also have a Facebook page for you to like.

*And a HUGE THANK YOU to Sarah Metcalf for donating babies and baby supplies to the classroom!!!  They will be well used and well loved!

*Check out our "baby art", the children used q tips to paint little square of paper with baby colors.

Baby week is off to a great start!

*Thank you so much for all of the generous donations.