Friday Update December 9

It has been a great week of learning! Just a note about sick kiddos in the ELC—in all of the learning hubs we have had a lot of sick kiddos going through-there has been a tummy bug, as well as a fever/flu (coughing, runny noses etc.) We ask that parents really watch their kiddos over the next few days and keep them home if they seem unwell, really tired or are not acting like themselves. A lot of our cuties are pretty run down in this last part of the semester, so despite our vigilant hand washing, they are still picking things up. We also ask that you please do not give your child fever medication and then send them to school because around lunch time that medicine starts running out, the child is feeling horrible, and the other kiddos have been exposed. Thanks on behalf of the entire ELC. J

This week some of our learning included…

*being a part of impromptu Christmas concerts above our courtyard. The high school singers and band students have been playing, and wow do our kiddos LOVE it! We have some amazing rhythm in our class! Love watching their appreciation of the music, both singing and instrumental.

*continuing to delve into the student’s interest and passion of cats and dogs.  

*various explorations involving Christmas and winter. The students wanted to draw and paint pictures, make ornaments and play in the “snow.”

*patterning and shapes.

*much much dramatic play!  Inspired by some sparkly hats placed in the dramatic play area, there was an entire storyline about a big storm happening and the possibility of Santa not making it to all of the children. So our kiddos took it into their own hands and using their “superpowers” saved Christmas! Ask your child about this-almost every single student was involved in this at some point!

*singing holiday songs and reading holiday stories.

*getting our song books ready for the sing-along.

*writing stories

*talking about anger and ways to breathe—see Ms. Sarah’s explanation below.

*and much, much, more!

REMINDERS / UPCOMING DATES

*Thursday, December 15^th: HOLIDAY PARTY and Sing A Long 8:00-9:15- Our wonderful room parents will be organizing the party (similar to Halloween) and then we will end with a cuddly Sing-A-Long. Students are invited to wear holiday dress of some sort or alternate dress.

*December 17^th to January 8^th: NO SCHOOL-WINTER BREAK

*January 9^th: Late Start—10:00am start for school.

From Ms. Sarah, Our Pre-K Counselor:

Ms. Sarah and Carl the Counseling Cat had so much fun visiting each of the pre-kindergarten classes. We reviewed our last lesson, which focused on feelings. Ms. Sarah then introduced two of Carl’s friends to the students, Giraffe and Zebra. The students watched Giraffe and Zebra playing ball on the playground.  Carl asked to join, but Giraffe and Zebra said “no” and teased Carl about his long tail.  Carl became angry, picked up the ball and threw it at Zebra which knocked him over.  Afterwards, Carl felt bad about how he had acted. Ms. Sarah asked the students what they observed, and asked them how Carl felt when Giraffe and Zebra said he could not play with them and they teased him. He felt angry. Ms. Sarah then introduced the feeling of “anger.” She said it was okay to be angry or mad, and that we all get mad sometimes, but it is never okay to yell, hit, kick, or say hurtful words. She asked the students to show their angry faces, and she talked about how our faces and bodies feel and look when we get angry. Ms. Sarah then read the book, “I Was So Mad” by Norma Simon. The book gives several examples of what makes a little girl angry (someone knocks down her blocks, she can’t tie her shoe, her older brother gets to stay up later than her). After the lesson, Ms. Sarah showed the students three ways to calm down when they feel angry.  Breathing is a wonderful technique to calm down, and these three ways are fun as well! Ms. Sarah showed the students:

· Hot chocolate breath

· Box breathing

· Puffer fish breath

Parents, here are some tips to help you when your child is angry:

· Recognize and acknowledge your child’s feelings: By validating your child’s feelings, your child doesn’t need to defend those feelings. Avoid saying, “Don’t be mad.”

· Practise empathy: Listen without interruption, and your child will not feel defensive.  Also, by listening and speaking in a calm voice, you will allow for cortisol to drop and will model how to react less emotionally.

· Teach your child problem-solving skills:  After your child has calmed down. Talk about how they can solve the problem the next time they are triggered by a similar event/situation (going to bed, fighting with a sibling).

· Establish clear standards of acceptable and unacceptable behavior:  What are your family rules?  No hitting, yelling, breaking things, arguing?

· Teach your child relaxation techniques:  Model how you calm down when you get mad, try breathing together.

· Teach your child anger cues:  Help your child recognize when they start to get mad.  Does this happen when your child is hungry or tired? Anger often follows other emotions (shamed, rejected, stressed, misunderstood).

· Give your child lots of love: We all get angry at times, and by providing love and consistency your child will know that you will always be there for them. This will help them feel secure.

Our next lesson will be on be on the SAS Core Value of Responsibility.  Ms. Sarah and Carl the Counseling Cat will be back in the ELC after the holidays in January.

Week 17 Dec 5 to 9