This month the children will be learning about animals.  Some concepts that we will explore include big versus small animals, where animals live, sounds and movements animals make.  In addition to our daily activities, we will be reading stories, singing songs, and providing opportunities for play to enhance your child's exploration of this theme.

 

I am very excited to start our first big spring project.  This year the children will start a small garden.  Contact with this nature project will involve a deep sensory imprint of texture, smell, color and taste. Children and teachers will decide what to plant, prepare the ground, plant, water and pick vegetables.  Concepts explored will include naming vegetables, what plants need to grow, plants have green leaves and vegetables and flowers come from plants.

 

We will also be continuing our number recognition lessons.  This month we will be focusing on the numbers 4, 5, and 6.  We will also be learning about two new colors, black and white, as well as reviewing colors we've already learned.

 

Starting our Scholastic Books orders has brought happy faces to lots of children who received their first book orders last week.  Stay & Play received over 1,000 bonus points which will be put into buying new program books this month. 

Anna Newcomb and her parents brought in some caterpillars in March.  The children observed the caterpillars build their chrysalis, and emerge into Painted Lady butterflies.  Each day the used magnifying glasses to check out the metamorphosis and we released the butterflies into the wild on April 8th.  Thank you to the Newcomb family for sharing that experience with the Stay & Play program! 

Our annual Trike-A-Thon was a great success.  Thank you to the parents who came to help direct traffic and walk the lap with kids in tow.  This year we raised $296 for St. Jude's Hospital.  Any families looking to donate can still do so by turning in checks to Laura by May 15th.

Our first Literacy event in honor of WOYC, was a huge hit.  We had over 19 adults and 24 children, who enjoyed storytelling with Shawn and some short quick workshops on building literacy with your children.  We look forward to doing more evening events bringing families together for fun and information!

We strive to build positive relationships between Stay & Play staff and families.  Please feel free to offer any suggestions that might continue to make our program the best in the area.

Sincerely,