Our Kids' Corner
Early Learning Department Newsletter for August 2023
At Clackamas ESD, we commit to celebrating and validating the cultural backgrounds and historical contributions of the families and communities we serve year-round. “Our Kids’ Corner” newsletter is a reflection of our commitment to be inclusive of all the families and communities we serve.
Our Purpose
In the first five years of life, experiences and relationships stimulate children’s development, creating millions of connections in their brains. Their brains develop connections faster in the first five years than at any other time in their lives. Our hope is that these newsletters will give you tools to help support your child's social and emotional development and prepare your child to enter preschool and Kindergarten ready to learn!
The Pyramid Model
The Pyramid Model is a framework for supporting the social and emotional development of our children. The goal of the Pyramid Model is to create an environment where every child feels good about coming to school. We do this by designing classrooms that promote a child's interest in learning and by building positive relationships among children, families, and staff.
Why do we use Pyramid Model? Click the links below to learn more.
Pyramid Model Quick Tip(s)
Building Connection With Your Child: Encouragement
Persistence is about helping your child move from “I can’t do it” to “I can’t do it yet — I’m learning!” When young children focus on a task, make a plan, and keep trying even when something is hard, they’re learning important lessons about how to persevere, problem-solve, and tackle challenges for themselves. “All parents want to see their kids succeed, but it’s just as important to teach your children how to fail,” says Jaime M. Howard, Ph.D, Director at the Child Mind Institute. “Failing can be reframed as trying, practicing, and putting in effort” and it is okay. In other words, both failing and succeeding take persistence!
Encouragement is a tool that supports building positive relationships with young children and builds their skills in persisting at a task until they succeed.
How do you give encouragement? Click on the links below for examples you can use at home and school with the kids in your life.
Stories to Read to Prepare Your Little One for Preschool
This is a book list about starting preschool.
This is a social story about going to preschool.
This is a social story about transitioning to the bus.
Activities to Try With Your Little Ones at Home
Sensory Tray
Materials:
Fill a tray with rice or dry beans and add in toys or small containers.
Tip: You can reuse your sensory material. Just pour the rice into a large container or zip-top bag to save for another day.
Bonus extension: mix sensory materials. For example, mix up different size and colored beans in the same tray.
Matching at Home
Empty out your entire bin of plastic storage boxes and let kids match the lids to the container.
Tip: keep recyclables like yogurt containers and plastic bottles with lids for this activity. You can also use spice jars.
Bonus extension: kids can also build and stack with these containers (if they are plastic).
Books to Check Out this Month
Windows and Mirrors in Books
When children read books with characters they can relate to and see themselves reflected in, this serves as a mirror in which they can see themselves reflected in positive ways in the classroom. It supports the development of a positive self identity and a sense of belonging.
On the other hand, books that serve as windows into the lives and cultures into people who are different teach children empathy and inclusion.
Please check out the books below for some amazing books you can share with your children that will provide either a mirror to show them how amazing they are or a window to see how amazing the people all around them are.
Resources for Families
Wildfire Resources
Clackamas ESD Early Learning Department
Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education
Clackamas ESD delivers Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) support to young children who exhibit delays or disabilities that affect learning. Click here to learn more about how to schedule an evaluation if you have concerns about your child's development.
P: 503-675-4095
Our Head Start to Success programs provide free comprehensive preschool to three- and four-year-old children who are experiencing poverty. Head Start to Success works in partnership with local school districts throughout Clackamas County
Childcare Resource and Referral
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) of Clackamas County supports high-quality child care throughout our region. We offer professional development, training and technical support to child care providers.
Please forward this newsletter and share our information with anyone you think might enjoy the content or benefit from our services.
Website: https://www.clackesd.org/early-learning/
Location: 13455 Southeast 97th Avenue, Clackamas, OR 97015, USA
Phone: 503-675-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clackesdearlylearning