November 4, 2010

Wow this week is flying by! We had a fun "Professional Development Day" on Tuesday.  About a week ago I surprised all of the teachers and therapists with iPads (big thanks to the building committee!).  I actually had fun doing a spin off on Oprah's Show of "My Favorite Things" when she surprises everyone in the audience with her favorite things. Well, one of my favorite things is the iPad and technology in general! I just love technology and how available it is for this generation of kids - I do however know there are good and bad points to this.  So, anyway on this professional development day we focused on "Technology in Early Childhood Classrooms" and looked at different apps (that is, applications for those that do NOT like technology and have no idea what an "app" really is- is there actually out there that does not??? Sad!) that would be appropriate for our children. Before the real fun, we had to get everyone up to snuff about how to use the ipad and the many fun uses it really has.  Now this is not an advertisement for the ipad and I do NOT suggest you run out and buy one after reading my post - I just really want to tell you about how wonderful our staff really is to think outside of the box and look at the different ways in which we can reinforce the preschool curriculum.  With the use of our technology, we are able to work on skills such as:  increase attending, turntaking, fine motor including pre-writing, answering wh- questions, language skills in general, articulation, cognition, storytelling, etc.  It is really endless to say the least. The teachers were empowered on this day to not so much bring the ipads into their classrooms and let that be their only way to address a particular lesson, but instead to enhance the wonderful job they already do! Each teacher and therapist felt they had yet another tool that would allow them to reinforce skills, including some of those that can be especially difficult for your children, and make it be even more fun. If you have not already guessed it - yes, I am one of those that needs the latest and greatest of technology toys - so it's really fun to share this enthusiasm for technology that I have, with others including our staff!  Don't be surprised if your children soon come home talking about "Talking Tom the Cat" or the train that helps them print their letters!  Beware....but don't be afraid of this wonderful technology!!!

10/17/10

Wow this weekend is going by quickly! I started it off a bit sad when I had to help my young niece and nephew understand that my brother and his wife had to put their 11 year old dog to sleep. Sometimes it is hard to be the educator in the family - you need to have the magic words family members look for! Otherwise, it was a busy work weekend. I guess taking 2 grad courses at the same time may not have been a great idea! Last week was a really quick week. We had students from the Child Development class at NAHS visiting us for a few weeks. They were SO excited to see our program. They wrote so many interesting comments and questions in their journals. Most importantly, they really felt that your children made them feel as though they needed to enjoy life and consider each day more as a gift. I thought that was pretty interesting coming from a lot of teenagers! So, it will be a great partnership to help these students better understand child development and what goes along with all of it - lots to learn!  It has been a great beginning to the school year also with our teachers and para-professionals. Their classrooms look so great - I am so proud to tour parents through the classes because they each look so different and so awesome! They work so hard and I greatly appreciate their work and dedication to your children. I know it is going to be a great year for your children - they all have such an enriching environment!  Otherwise, that's about all I can share this week - I could go on and on with "stuff" but I don't want to bore you too much - and now you will have to anxiously await my next posting!  Have a great day! 

9/19/10

And your name is......

Wow, we had a lot of new little faces in the preschool last week. The kids are just ADORABLE! It was really fun going in and out of the classrooms and visiting with the children last week. First, I have to say that the teachers did a phenomenal job setting up their classrooms (have I said that already!). The rooms were organized, bright, cheerful and very enriching for the children. The classroom staff greeted the children with such compassion and enthusiasm. It really was all that parents would want for their children. I spent the week trying to get to know all of the children's names. Of course I made a game of it each time I went into a classroom but it kind of worked! I have a bit more work to do this week to achieve my goal of getting all of the names straight - but it is a work in progress. It was really strange to finish up our first full week back to school. Every now and then I had a flashback that it was June and we had to wrap up the school year. Where did the summer go anyway???  As always, I have all kinds of goals I would like to achieve this year. Our first year in the new building was wonderful but now that we have been on our own a year, it's time to work on some more specific goals. It really is exciting - I know I keep saying this but it is SOOOO exciting to be in my position - I just love my job and I really do love all of your children and this Early Childhood Center!  It's gonna be a great year!

9-6-10

Twas the Night Before School and all through my mind.....

OK, so not terribly original but as I sit here ready to begin year # 2 in our new building many feelings go through my mind.  I think of excitement, anxiety, enthusiasm, fear, new goals, pride, etc.  It seemed as though the summer was going to be so long and so productive.  What would I do with so much time over the summer months and what would I accomplish???   Then all of a sudden it is September and the summer is over!  Yikes - where did it go???  Look at my mess - where will I start (OK, so I admit I have cleaned and organized my desk since this photo!)???   Anyway, it is a new school year and I couldn't be more excited to begin our second year at the Early Childhood Center. I am still just so honored and proud to be the Director of the Early Childhood Center and I take this position very seriously. There are new and exciting things happening, including a new website, new staff, new families and new ideas. I hope this school year takes all of our children that walk through our door on Tuesday, September 7th down a path that allows them to feel the same success, pride and excitement that I feel as I begin yet another great school year.  I welcome all of our new families for the first time and I welcome back all of our returning families.  I hope your experience in our Preschool CUBS program is a wonderful one!  Keep checking back on our new website and I promise to be a better blogger in the 2010-11 school year!!  Thank you all!!!