Trinity Preschool Facebook Page

Trinity Preschool has a Facebook page at "Trinity Preschool Mount Prospect" that is worth checking out.  The teachers post the daily "tidbits" and pictures of the daily activities on it.  I am not posting as much on the Blog because it is not supported by Google to upload as easily form the I Pad, so we do more from Facebook now.  Check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-Preschool-Mount-Prospect-109801952436447/

Sept 6, 2016 tidbits oak room

This is the today's tidbits that was posted to show today's activities to the parents of the children In Our Oak Room, which is a pre k class that meets 5 days a week.  I am posting each day's tidbits for all of our classrooms on our school Facebook page.

Just search for. "Trinity preschool mount prospect" on Facebook to see them.  I will post here too, but maybe not each day.

Hand washing soap

We use regular liquid hand washing soap at Trinity Preschool, we stopped using antibacterial several years ago.

Stop buying this product NOW.

You may have heard on the news that the FDA is no longer allowing certain chemicals to be used in anti-bacterial soap starting next year.   The good news is they are doing this, the better news is, you can buy regular liquid hand soap that does not contain those chemicals now.   Just purchase the one that says "hand soap"or "liquid hand soap", NOT the one that says "antibacterial hand soap". 

Another way to tell is that the antibacterial ones have a " drug box warning" on the back.

View of the room

Today's little tidbit....

A good view.... At Trinity, we have our classrooms and our program set up so all children are in sight at all times.  We have three teachers in the classroom so there are plenty of adults to provide supervision.  If a child even needs something from their coat in the hall, they are accompanied.  

When children go to the bathroom, which is down the hall, a teacher goes along.  In our school, the outer door to the bathroom is kept open, the children use the stalls and can close stall doors.  But, they are not just sent from the room to find their way there and back.

The classroom designs are set up to allow a clear view of each area of the room, so children have plenty of play space and quiet areas, but are still easy to see.

Read to your child every day!

Read, read, read, and read some more! 

Children who are read to daily have a much larger vocabulary by the time they begin kindergarten than children who are not read to as often. They also are more inquisitive, prepared to learn and do better in school.

We read to the children every day at preschool, in our story time, often in small groups or just to a child individually.  

Parents should read with your child every day, and yes, they love repetition and they love to have the same book read over and over again.  These books get tiresome to parents, but children love them because they are familiar, they know what is coming next and can follow the story.  

When you read with your child, move your finger along under the words, and if there is a book with a word that is repeated over and over like " hops", have your child " read that word" when you come to it.

Talk about the pictures and the story, ask questions about what they see or what they think might happen next. Rather than test questions like " what color is the car? Or how many boats are there?" Ask questions your child can think about, like " where do you think the boat will go? Or what do you think he and his friends will do at the park?" Or even " what do you think will happen next?"

Model reading for your child, let them see that you read for information, but also for enjoyment.

Utilize your local library.  We are so fortunate to have many wonderful libraries in our area and most of them allow you to check books out if you have a library card to any local library.  You can get a library card free with proof of residency.  The library has computers, books, some toys, puzzles, cd's and movies, plus so much more.  The librarians are a wonderful resource to help you choose appropriate books too.

We also have a small lending library at our entrance door.  Please feel free to borrow a book, take it home to read and bring it back.

Large motor time

The children at Trinity Preschool have "large motor time" every day, which could also be called gym or playground time. This is an important developmental activity which helps children develop their larger muscles which help with movement, body control, sitting , and help their neurological system develop as well.  There are so many reasons why it is important for children to have time and space to move their bodies freely, including helping them learn.

Many programs and schools pull back or drop gym, recess, large motor time to allow extra "learning time" , but we understand that this time is "Learning Time" as well and include it in the schedule every day.

Music time

Music is another brain booster and we have music time at school every day.  Finger plays, songs, movement songs, music instruments like shakers, drums, bells, rhythm sticks and more are used each day during music time.  

We also use CD's to sing along and move to and some of our favorites are Jim Gill, Miss Carole, Greg and Steve and Dr Jean.  

Fun fact: Music uses a different part of the brain than spoken language uses and makes learning easier. We often see children who speak limited English able to sing and understand songs.  We also have many visual props we use with the songs.  If you want your child to learn something faster, put it to music.