What children take from us, they give...we become people who feel more deeply, question more deeply, hurt more deeply, and love more deeply.
-Sonia Taitz
It's October and Teacher Sharon from SJ Parent Participation School shares what she did this week in her 3 day class which consists of mainly 3 and 4 year olds.
"This week the children learned all about spiders; they spun webs, acted out Miss Muffett, got stuck on a spider web, learned about where spiders live and what spiders to look out for, and they created GREAT BIG spiders! On Friday, they help cut down the web they created on the play structure.
"In order for them to cut down the web, I brought out scissors and they worked very hard to cut through the web. What was interesting about this activity, it was mainly boys that where cutting away!!! I wanted to bring this to the attention of those with boys. As we know, boys love to move and to do it outdoors, but as parents, we want them to begin to work on the skills that they will need to be successful in Kindergarten.
"My suggestion is that at this age, do not ask them to sit at a table to cut, or color, take it outside to them! Do what we did at school. Buy some cheap yarn, have them spin a crazy web, then give them some scissors and have them cut it down. Have them use scissors to help you prune flowers, trees, etc. Once they have cut some items from the garden, give them some glue and paper and have them create something!
"...Give them a paint brush and a bucket of water and have them paint the sidewalk, fence, whatever! Always have chalk for boys. They can create roads to drive on.
"...All of these activities are not only fun, they help the children learn to use all tools that they will be using in a classroom."
"In order for them to cut down the web, I brought out scissors and they worked very hard to cut through the web. What was interesting about this activity, it was mainly boys that where cutting away!!! I wanted to bring this to the attention of those with boys. As we know, boys love to move and to do it outdoors, but as parents, we want them to begin to work on the skills that they will need to be successful in Kindergarten.
Question: It's October and my child was so excited to start school... I know they love it but sometimes they do not want to come... What is happening?
Reminder from Teacher Sharon: Before school started, you were (your child's) playmate; you did what they wanted to do, you did not tell them to go away, you did not push them. Now, these are the social situations that they have to deal with, and they can be tiresome, so they are looking for the comfort of play that they had not so long ago.
My suggestion is when you have the time for some one-on-one play with your preschooler, give it to them. They don't need a lot of time, what they do need is your full attention! Also make sure that your routines remain constant as well as your methods of discipline. As long as everything remains constant for your children, the easier this transition will be for them.
Teacher Sharon Malone is the Teacher and Director for SJPPNS.
After experiencing SJPPNS as a participating parent, Sharon realized her passion for children and the importance of the education of young children. Sharon has a BA degree in Art History and a Directorship Certificate in Early Childhood Education. Sharon is also a certified Music Together teacher.