Greetings!
 Spring has finally arrived! Yeah! Yippie! I think we are all so ready for warmer weather, sunshine, getting outdoors, and seeing the blossoms and buds peeking out and growing. I know that the children are definitely ready for some spring time exploration. Here are some ways that you can help your child be prepared for the spring time classroom activities... * Clean out their cubby, take home winter clothing and bring in some seasonally appropriate clothes for back up. * Make sure your child has shoes that are safe for all the activities they may do in a day. If a day seems appropriate for sandals make sure that the sandals have back straps. It is also okay to put an extra pair of shoes in their cubby in case puddle jumping becomes the favorite outside activity. * Remember our Keep Me Home If.... Not only are the flowers blossoming, but some little spring colds and virus' are sticking their heads up. Sincerely, Royale and Shari
North Queen Anne Child Care
206-281-2919 |
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Counting
Our
Blessings |
Over the last several years, NQACC has been saving a little money each month to replace the carpeting in our classrooms. Shari and I are both so excited that we have saved enough money to make this goal a reality. The carpets will be replaced with vinyl flooring and area rugs, providing more room arrangement possibilities for the teachers as well as flooring that will be easier to clean. As we put this project together, we will keep you posted. Our goal is to change our flooring with as little impact on scheduling as possible. We will be working with the church to coordinate using other spaces in the building for our classrooms.
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We are able to do this project because of each and every one of you and your belief in our center. Your word of mouth marketing has saved us money as well as your work in fundraising to help us build the enrichment programs. When we begin to count our blessings - our families, children and staff are at the top of the list. |
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Aloha!
by Leslie Roberston, 2012 Carnival/Auction Coordinator
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 Aloha, friends. Our summer luau "Hawaiian Playground" on June 22nd is around the corner and we're moving into the planning jet stream. The luau will be our 7th annual summer fundraiser to benefit the Center and your children. We have Hawaiian-themed activities, food and silent auction planned and are hoping for a nice summer day to bring out our curious beachcombers. In the past, the silent auction has been the main driver of funds raised. We are dependent upon supportive NQACC parents helping us secure as many valuable donated items as possible. Please consider how you could help us procure things like: · Gift certificates to restaurants, spas, gyms, acupuncture, car washes and movies · Tickets to theatre performances and sporting events · Jewelry, wine and kitchen items (e.g. mixers, Nespresso, Calphalon) · Pet goodies and services · Travel related items like frequent flier miles, a boat trip, a condo or vacation home weekend · Household services like carpet cleaning, painting and handyman work Do you, or someone you know.....make jewelry, provide a consulting service, or play an instrument? Bake or make tapas? Swim or golf or do something well enough to teach others? Enjoy entertaining or having game nights? Have a photographic eye? Have season tickets to anything? These valuable skills could be donated to benefit NQACC. An auction team member will be contacting everyone at NQACC to hear what you may be able to donate. With all of us participating, our goals are achievable and our children will benefit. Please contact Leslie Robertson (or your classroom auction representative) with any questions or items to donate. Mahalo!
Classroom Auction Representatives:
Yellow ducks: Emilie Knutson
Purple bunnies: Jennifer Lehner
Orange giraffes: Erin Warren
Blue birds: Sharon Brauns
Green monkeys: Jane Rasanen
Red bears: Eileen Askew
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What Matters Most...The Soul of Parenting
by Jan Pendergrass, Pastor for children and families FFMC | |
Faithfulness is this month's Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5. We have talked about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and goodness and we look forward to completing the list in the next few months with gentleness and self control. These are the nine visible attributes that mark the true Christian life-the evidence of the Spirit's work in us and the proof that it truly is our desire to follow and be like Christ.
It is only appropriate that Faithfulness is our theme this month as we celebrate Easter. As we retell the story of God's plan of salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, we recount God's unfailing faithfulness to all of us. It is also a time for all of us reconsider our faithfulness to Him. Are we truly living the joy and peace that are ours because of what Jesus did? Are our lives evidence of God's amazing grace, daily demonstrating sincere gratitude for what Christ did for each one of us on the cross?
When we live out these characteristics of the Spirit, we are living out our individual roles in the continuing God Story. Too often we look at Easter as the final chapter. In fact, the daily living out the Fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the Holy Spirit's active participation in our life each day. We are continuing the story of Jesus as we live it and as we tell it.
As parents, telling the story of God's faithfulness to our children is one of our most important duties. The passage of scripture that has shaped my life as a mom and my career as a Children's Pastor comes from Psalm 78:4, 6-7. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done... so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
 This is our calling as faithful parents. Besides reading Bible stories to our children, seizing teachable moments in everyday life to build character, praying with our kids and bringing them to church, we can make sure these high, holy-days are honored and memorable. As a church we want to partner with parents in this effort so we joyfully invite you to our annual Easter Eggstravaganza! When you bring your child to this event and participate with them, you communicate to them that you value what Jesus did (and that Easter is not just about bunnies and candy!). I look forward to seeing you there! Please feel free to pre-register your kids by sending names and ages to me at Jan@ffmc.org.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God-he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! Heb 12:2 (The Message) |
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Hey There - Is Anybody Listening?
by Mary Ann Abbott, Parent Consultant North Seattle Community College |
 Have you ever said this? "Why won't my child listen to me? I get so tired repeating and repeating." "Is my child intentionally being obstinate and uncooperative when I speak to him? Why won't he obey? I need a firecracker to move him!" "Should I get my child's hearing checked? She doesn't acknowledge my words. I have to be really 'in her face' to get her attention." "The more I say, and the louder I get, the more he ignores me! By then, I don't even like me!" These words are the frustrations of many parents. At times, it seems to be an unending challenge for parents to get a response or cooperation from their child-especially when there's a tight schedule or deadline. Does this happen at your house? Monday morning. 7 a.m. The alarm sounds. The family "morning person" stirs. It's time to start a new day. (The names in this family are withheld to protect the guilty.) The dutiful parent drags into the child's room and utters a cheery morning wake-up call. The expectation is that the child will respond to the parent's words by getting up and starting on the day's activities. On second thought, will she just lie there and play? Maybe she'll get out of bed and continue playing with last night's project? Forty-five minutes later, the parent realizes that no progress has been made - the child is not dressed, she has not moved, no contribution to the mission to get out the door to childcare and work! So, the parent makes a fast decision and throws out the recent resolve for "independence training," grabs a set of jeans, and says, "Put your leg in." (Every parent knows it's faster to dress the child yourself!") There's a tiny seed of frustration starting... Then, there are all of the decisions about breakfast, about getting ready to leave the house and not forget anything, about which parent has which car seat today, about where to find yesterday's jacket, about taking a toy for show and share day, about snacks for the road -and on it goes. Yes, this parent knows about starting the night before. Yes, this parent knows about not leaving too much to do in the morning. Yes, this parent planned ahead. But, this parent had morning interference! This parent didn't get cooperation. This was a non-listening day. Now, the tiny seed of frustration has plumped up to balloon size. Here are a few tips for the complicated area of listening: Tip 1-Make sure to get the child's attention. When a parent's words enter a child's world, they are usually an unwelcome invasion. The child may be in a fantasy world. The child probably is having some intense feelings. The child may be just chilling---maybe daydreaming. The child is definitely not thinking about anything close to what the parent is saying. Simply put, the parent and the child have different agendas. The child will need a little time to make the transition to the parent's agenda. As the parent makes eye contact with the child and asks the child to repeat the parent's words, there is some assurance that the child understands what is needed. Tip 2 - Different children may need different styles of parent "speak." Some children rally immediately when a request is made. Another child may need something like a stuffed animal, or a designated family action to signal that really important listening and cooperation is required. Adding sign language along with the words may also help. Children can get caught up in the fun and drama when parents sing the words, use a special voice, or take on the personality of a favorite character, such as a pirate or Sleeping Beauty. Physical reassurance with a hand on the shoulder or a head pat can help with teamwork. Tip 3-Boys and girls hear differently. Michael Gurian, in his book The Wonder of Boys, writes, "Boys from very early on are reported to ignore voices, even parents' voices, more than girls do." The author's research reports that males really do hear less than females and that males hear better in one ear than the other. Girls hear equally well in both ears and are better at differentiating sounds. Boys respond more successfully to louder speaking. Gurian suggests that parents and educators "use another sense -especially the visual or movement-- to get a message through to a boy." He also recommends finding out which is the better ear. Hopefully, these three tips can serve as a foundation for more positive and satisfying communication in your family. And, less frustration! |
| Parent Partnership | |
We are so thankful for the opportunity you give us each day to partner with you in the care and development of your young children. Please remember if you have any questions, ideas, or concerns to bring them to our attention.
Sincerely, Royale and Shari Co-Directors North Queen Anne Child Care
3200 3rd Ave. W.
Seattle, Washington 98119
206-281-2919 |
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Anchors Away | |
Sailors from the John C. Stennis aircraft carrier will be visiting NQACC on April 3rd, at 9:30.
David Hankins, father of Bella (Kids Kamp) and Max (Green Monkeys) is a doctor on board this ship and is bringing some of his co-workers to the center. These men and women were recipiants of Christmas care packages sent by Max and Bella's classes, and the Red Bears. They are coming wearing various uniforms to show the children, and bringing pictures of their ship. The pre-school children will have lots of questions to ask the sailors, and we expect the toddlers will simply enjoy having them participate in their gym time. This visit will be a wonderful experience for the NQACC community and we are very thankful for David Hankins for making these arrangements.
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Reading Recommendations
by Sandy Simmons | |
Easter Sunday is April 8th this year and lots of parents are thinking about what they will put in the Easter baskets in addition to or instead of sugary treats. I know there is a bag in my son's closet with a Cars basket and a package of Cars characters in it for my two year old grandson, Isaac. Of course my inclination and tradition is to give books. So I have already browsed Barnes & Noble to see the Easter book display of beautiful books about baby animals, legends about eggs, and so forth. But my preference is to give gentle stories about the meaning of Easter. At a Christian bookstore I found a beautiful display of such books, age-appropriate at many levels. A couple of these will find their way into Isaac's basket along with the Cars because I want him to know and experience the depth of God's love in his life and these sweet stories contribute to a foundation for that.
The most simple of the Easter books is one published by Ideals Publications, a Guideposts Company. It is The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry and illustrated by Rebecca Thornburgh and it "bridges the connection between the biblical story of the holiday and today's Easter celebrations" Isaac will get this one. The other one he will get is The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story, by Jan and Mike Berenstain. I think this book also serves to bridge the biblical story and the Easter holiday. In the story the bears view a play at church that tells the story of Easter. And the book has stickers! Zonderkidz publishes this book for children 4-7, but I think younger children will enjoy it as well.
The most beautiful of the Easter books I saw was Easter in the Garden, written by Pamela Kennedy and illustrated by David Wenzel. It is a hardback book and tells the Easter story through the eyes of a fictional son of a gardener. Another hardback book is Read and Share, the Story of Easter, by Gwen Ellis and illustrated by Steve Smallman. This book breaks the story down into 2-page sections, and actually gives the Scripture reference. This would be a good book to read in sections - one a day.
I have a couple of other Easter books. One even has a little map of Jesus' last week in Jerusalem. Parents and teachers are welcome to look at or borrow these books to read to their children. Although books like these may be harder to find, they give us opportunities to affirm God's love and sacrifice for His children.
If you are looking for a Bible story book to give to your child this Easter, I recommend the Gold & Honey Bible, by Melody Carlson and illustrated by Dennis Ochsner. It is published by Gold 'n' Honey Books (called that because God's Word is "more precious than gold and sweeter than honey"), a division of Multnomah Publishers, Inc. The illustrations are really fun and the stories a good length for children 3 - 7 years old. "The Gold & Honey Bible is designed to introduce young hearts to God's awesome power, limitless mercy, and never ending love."
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| Coming Events | |
April
2 - No Chapel
3 -Visit from Navy Sailers
7- Easter Eggstravagnaza
8 - Easter
13 - 1/2 day Teacher In-Service. NQACC closes at 12:00 noon.
19 - Blue Bird Parent Meeting 5 - 6 p.m.
May 7 - 11 Teacher Appreciation Week 17 - Green Monkey Parent Meeting 5 - 6 p.m. 28 - Memorial Day - Center is Closed
June 22 - Family Luau Carnival |
Did you know?
| Recently our entire staff went though our CPR and first -aid update. We are committed to making sure that everyone is up to date and certified and thought you would like to know that in the case of an emergency...NQACC is one of the safest places to be. One of the highlights of the training day was using the new Heimlich training equipment which shoots a nerf-like pellet across the room if done correctly.
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