For some, the decision to send your child to preschool can be agonizing. How do you know when your child is ready? Will your child gain anything from a preschool program? Whether you have already answered these questions or not, one thing is certain, parents who send their children to preschool have already made a decision to invest in their future.

READY OR NOT?
There are a few sure-fire ways to tell if your child is ready for the preschool experience. Age is not always the factor to consider. Some of the most important indicators have to do with your child’s independence. Are they toilet trained? Can they change their own clothing? Are they comfortable being away from their parents? Can they go 4 hours without napping?
Some of the other ways to gauge if your child is ready for preschool have more to do with social skills. Does your child play well with others? Can they take turns and share? How does your child behave when being watched by others? Are they able to listen to a story without being disruptive?
Lastly, here are some things to consider that, while not as imperative as the aforementioned questions, are also things we actively practice in preschool in the spirit of preparing them for future years in the classroom. Is your child able to draw with a crayon or pencil? Is your child aware of or sensitive to other’s feelings? Can your child listen to and obey instructions? Recite their name, address, and telephone number? Resolve conflicts?
A parent considering preschool for their child and unsure of some of these questions should discuss it with the school's teacher or principal. The objective is to have a pleasant and productive educational environment as opposed to a distressing one for you or your child.

BENEFITS
One of my favorite news articles of last year came out in June, 2011. It was the results of a long-term study done in Chicago, Illinois, regarding the benefits of preschool. The benefits of preschool were measured over a 25-year period on 1,000 children involved in the Child-Parent Education Center Program in that area. While it’s true that the children were mostly from low-income or minority families, the findings most assuredly can be generalized over a wider population. Some of the advantages they found were that children who attend preschool;
- are more likely to attend and complete high school.
- are more likely to stay out of jail.
- are less likely to abuse drugs or alcohol.
- are more likely to attend a 4-year college.
- are more likely to earn a higher annual adult income.
- are less likely to be on public assistance as adults.

The results are not surprising to me at all. Along with learning to care and share and get along with others, the academic benefits of preschool can instill a love of learning and nurture your child’s natural curiosity, transforming them into life-long learners. Those who are educated have the power to abolish ignorance and adversity. The decision for parents to place their child in a preschool program to begin with will turn out to be an investment, not only for their child’s future, but also for society’s future.

Jar-O-Lanterns

These turned out so cute!
Above are a few of the jar-o-lanterns our class made in October.

THIS IS A TEST!

Parents, if you took the time to check out my blog, please mention it to me the next time you come into the classroom. I am curious to see if anyone visits it. Depending on how many responses I get will determine how much work I will put into it. Thanks!

Pumpkin Patch field trip October 2011

HELP PREVENT THE "SUMMER SLIDE"

Much of what children learn during the school year can be lost during the summer months. But did you know that you can actually improve you child's reading skills over the summer with very little effort? Here are some inexpensive activities that I recommend to help your child keep their reading skills sharp-
1. Visit a library! Most libraries have free kids programs all summer long. Puppet shows, movies, book clubs, reading challenges or contests, you can't go wrong in a building full of books. Your little one is bound to find something they are interested in there.
2. Go on a picnic and take a good book along. Even if it's in your own backyard, a picnic with good food can entice the most active of us to stop a moment to digest... and there's no better way than with a book. Curling up on a blanket in the shade to read books alone or together can be a very satisfying day for the whole family.
3. Create a scavenger hunt. Invite the neighbors, involve the kids in every aspect. Have some of them write clues, the others read clues. Maybe the prize can be an inexpensive or gently used book!
4. Throw a party. It doesn't need to be a special occasion. Have your child make invitations and a menu. If it's an evening movie party, have your child make a refreshment stand and label the food and drinks.
5. Keep writing materials on hand for them to create with. Pencils and paper, pens and scissors, construction paper and glue. Let them be authors of their own book. Have them write you letters about their day. Let them make a journal! You have the power to enrich your child's summer.

Earth Day 2011 Re-use/Recycle project

We enjoyed making banks out of old magazines and almond cans.

We put our names on them with letters cut from the magazines.

We mod-podged the clippings onto the can, cut a slit in the lid, and wa-la! A personalized bank.

Saving money can be fun!

EASTER STORY COOKIES

A fun family activity to be made the evening before Easter.

You will need-
1 Cup whole pecans
1 Cup sugar 
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
glass mixing bowl
cookie sheet
wax paper

Preheat oven to 300. (This is important-don't wait until you are half done with the recipe.)

Place the pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. ( Read John 19:1-3)

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into the mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. (Read John 19:28-30)

Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. (Read John 10:10-11)

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. (Read Luke 23:27)

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 C. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. (Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat with a mixer for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. (Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3)

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. (Read Matt. 27:57-60)

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. (Read Matt. 27:65-66)

Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. (Read John 16:20 and 22)

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Read Matt. 28:1-9)

                                                         HAPPY EASTER!