TRANSFORMING YOUR BEWITCHING HOUR
Most families have a time(s) within their day that things in their home get a little rough around the edges and your precious little child radically changes into someone else that displays unexplained, not so enchanting meltdown behaviors….This could be wake up time, before dinner, or bedtime perhaps. “Every family has them.” Often times we grin and bear these times and dread its re-occurrence tomorrow.
When you are surviving, it is easy to go through this unconsciously day after day. There is a way around these special moments. It is helpful to spend a few minutes observing what happens before, during and after this bewitching hour. You may even want to ask your partner or someone you trust to observe as well. Try this for a few days; Pay special attention to how you are feeling. Are you rushed, angry, in survival mode or exhausted during this crazy time? All those feelings are valid. When you recognize how you are feeling, observe how your child is reacting and feeling. Now visualize how you would like this time of the day to look, sound and feel for you and your family. Once you know how you would truly like it to be – ask yourself these questions:
*Is it the timing (perhaps rushed or i.e.; a 9:00 bedtime is way too late for a preschooler)? These of course can be changed and are in the hands of us as parents.
*Would more preparation help my child get to the next point (i.e.; a regular nightly routine so the child always knows what is expected, or saying “when we get home your job is to…”
*What is important for me? For my child? For us as a family?
I recognize this may feel hard to fathom right now but give it a try. You will be amazed by the “magic” that will occur.
CHECK OUT OUR COUNTRYSIDE MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL BOARD!!!
One of the hallmarks of a quality early childhood program is an active and supportive Parent Advisory Board (PAB). City, State and National Licensing agencies recognizes the importance of family involvement and the role a successful PAB can play in the development of a strong community of families supporting the center. One of their evaluation criteria for accreditation is the existence of a PAB, or that “The program facilitates opportunities for families to meet with one another on a formal and informal basis, work together on projects to support the program, and learn from and provide support for each other”.
As an accredited early childhood program, Countryside Montessori Preschool is proud to have an active and supportive Parent Board strengthening the community of families at the school.
The Board is the backbone of the preschool and parents input, skills, and knowledge are key components to CMP’s community approach. These are board members responsibilities:
- To give input to the parent board from the perspective of the role and from personal experience in any decision-making tasks.
- To help school events that publicizes CMP in the community.
- To oversee and support committees.
- To participate actively in making CMP the best environment it can be for children and families.
Join this wonderful group! The next meeting is this Thursday October 13th at 6:30…
INSERVICE DAY-OCTOBER 28TH
Thank you for supporting the inservice day his month! These professional development days truly do benefit your child. Research confirms that the most important factor contributing to a student’s success in school is the quality of teaching. Good teaching is not an accident.
This is especially true when it comes to your child’s first learning experience – Early Childhood Education. A teacher can never know enough about how a student learns, what impedes the student’s learning, and how the teacher’s guidance can increase the student’s learning. Professional development is the supportive means for teachers to gain such knowledge that applies to your child. Together we can take your child to the next level of learning and the foundation that is built will enable them to naturally have the love of learning from preschool onward.
COLDER WEATHER IS COMING
Please plan ahead for your preschooler.
We go outdoors at least once, if not twice a day.
Helpful clothing tips to make the transition a successful one;
* Velcro or slip on boots please
* Indoor slip on shoes/slippers for all transitions.
* No hoods with ties or scarves.
* Mittens please that are waterproof. (back ups are necessary for full day students)
* Easy pull on snow pants
Lastly- Label, label, label please.
THANK YOU!
Tara Hoff (Sevrin) – for fixing the broken lower window, planting evergreen trees in the back, repairing the dishwasher leak in the middle classroom, and being the
PUMPKIN CHAUFFEUR for our festival!
Matt Kemp (Dylyn) – for ry-barring the tree stumps on the playground!
Abby Riesen (Lux) – for being the school Picture Day Parent!
GIFT IDEAS
Looking for some good gift ideas for the holidays or a direction to point family for your children?
Montessori Services (
montessoriservices.com) is a great catalog and online resource. If you type in Countryside, (our school # is: 104170) we receive a % of each purchase towards a credit for your child’s teacher to spend on materials for the classroom.
AREAS WE COULD USE YOUR HELP
* donation of peat gravel to the front rock labyrinth
* cut down of the trees next to the parent parking lot
* branch trimming of all the trees on both playgrounds.
* CMP will be looking for a new main refrigerator soon.
If you know of one in good condition, that is white, please let Debby or Patty know.
