Issue: # 46February 10, 2014
            

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

-Albert Einstein

News
Bedtime
Those mystical words, "time to go to bed" can change a happy, playful child into a screaming ball of tantrum. Establishing a bedtime routine minimizes the appearance of that tantrum. Here are some ideas to make bedtime a little easier on everyone.
  
Create a standard bedtime. Set the time based on what is best for your family. If you need to get up early in the morning, then perhaps an earlier bedtime is needed for your child.
  
Stick to the bedtime. Even on weekends, vary the routine as little as possible. Once your child is firmly established in going to bed on time, then you can move bedtime slightly later on weekends.
  
Create an evening routine and stick to it every single night. This can be hard if your schedule varies, however, keeping the order of the routine in place will help your child prepare and adjust for relaxing and eventually sleep. Prior to bedtime, engage in a calming activity. This might be cuddling with a book or watching a mellow, short (1/2 hr) movie. 
Here's an example of a bedtime routine -
Bath time
Get into pajamas
Cuddle on the couch with a book
Move to bedroom and get settled into bed - you might read a short book here also. "Good Night, Moon" is a popular bedtime routine book.
Kiss good night
Leave room
  
One note of warning, as you start this routine, you will be introduced to the negotiator. Your child will try every excuse imaginable to get you back into the room or to get out of bed. Don't fall for it. Reassure everything will be fine and say good night.
  
If you are interested in more ideas for bedtime, here's an article with helpful hints. End The Bedtime Blues
  
Good luck and good night.
Preschool 
Reading with Friends
   
Valentine's Day

Valentine's day is Friday, February 14. In the days leading up to this holiday, we focus on loving our family and friends. Each child has the opportunity to decorate his/her own Valentine bag for use on Friday. If you would like, you may bring Valentine cards for his/her classmates. A letter was sent home last week with specific details about this special day.

 

Focus questions for the week: "What sounds do we hear at school?" and "Where do they come from?"

 

Just a reminder: upon entering the room, have your child check-in by finding his/her picture on the "Welcome" chart and moving it to the "school" side. When your child leaves, he/she can move the picture back to the "home" side of the chart.

Toddler
Toddlers wash the
dirty laundry
 
Family Fun Night

The staff at the Children's Place are Cooking Up a Good Time for Family Fun Night this semester! We hope you'll join us on Tuesday, February 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. for an evening of fun and festivities. Family Fun Night is an opportunity to gather as a school community and enjoy the company of one another as we share a meal, play games, and socialize. It's a chance to meet new friends, and re-connect with those you haven't seen in a while. It's sure to be a good time!

 

Attending school-related family functions is not only fun, but can also offer unique insight into your toddler's childcare experience. It's an opportunity to see your child interact with his teachers and peers and learn more about some of his favorite things in the classroom.  Asking your child to show you around and 'teach' you about things at school helps her know that you think she is important, and value her and what she has to share with you.


                  

Phone: (269) 387-2277                                    
Email: childrens-place@wmich.edu
Website: wmich.edu/childcare                                       
In This Issue
Bedtime
Preschool
Toddler
Important Dates
Things To Do
Scholastic Book Order
Tax Information
Important Dates 
Billing for 
Feb. 10-Feb. 21  Due Feb 11
  Late by Feb. 21
  
Book Orders Due Monday, Feb. 17

Family Fun Night
Tuesday, Feb. 18 
 
Staff Training Day Friday, Mar. 7
Center Closed

    

Free
Saturday, Feb.15 

1-4 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum

 

Create your own inventions and celebrate those made by Michigan inventors.

 

 

Scholastic Book

Orders

 

Online Ordering Information:

web address:

scholastic.com/book
clubs

 

Class Activation Code:

H72BZ

 

Deadline for ordering books: Feb. 17

Tax Season Information

Tax information is available at the bottom of your child's billing statement.

 

On each statement through April, your statement will include a line "Yr. Total 2013". This is the amount of child care tuition you were billed for 2013. Our Tax ID is also listed under this line.

 

If you need additional copies or other

information, Kathy or Anne should be able to help you.