Early Learning Preschool Newsletter

Early Learning Preschool will provide the foundation for

education, through exploration, home to school connections,

and a positive, nurturing environment to promote critical

thinking skills, resiliency and a love of learning.

Beginning Monday, January 6, 2025, ELP will discontinue providing snacks for students as we begin the transition process to Kindergarten. Students will be able and encouraged to bring a snack from home if they would like.

The silly old lady is at it again! This time she swallows some snow, a pipe, some coal, a hat, a

stick, and a scarf. Hmm.. I wonder what will happen when she sneezes!

An activity from PreKinders.com

“Rhyming Basket" Objects are placed in a basket (one object for each child present), and the

basket is passed around the circle. As each child gets the basket, I say a word (such as “fizzers”)

and they pull out the object that rhymes (“scissors”). You can use any objects, because it doesn’t

matter if the rhyming words are real words or nonsense words.”

It’s hard to believe that we are already well into our second nine weeks of school. During the second nine weeks of school, your child will continue to grow and develop in a variety of areas while also learning more about the following areas of study:

• Clothes
• Thanksgiving
• Holidays Around the World
• Winter
• Buildings

At home, you can continue to reinforce concepts being taught in school by utilizing the Home Activity Guides connected to each Creative Curriculum study. Use the links in the chart below to access these boards that are available in English, Arabic, and Spanish.

In addition to our Home Activity Boards that connect to our curriculum units of study, be sure to check out our Winter Break Family Activity Guide that can be used in conjunction with the magnetic letters sent home earlier this year. Have fun with these learning activities and enjoy some special time together over the extended break from school.

Ten Tips for a Healthy, Happy Smile

• Brush at least twice a day—after breakfast and before bed.
• Take turns! Preschoolers are still developing the muscles and skills to brush on their own. Help kids brush. Then, ask them to take the lead and imitate your actions.
• Brush in tiny, gentle circles. Make sure to get the front, back, top, and bottom.
• Make it fun! Kids should brush for about two minutes. Sing the alphabet song to keep track of time.
• Fill kids’ diets with “anytime foods.” These include fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat cheese.
• Drink water; it’s good for teeth and bodies!
• Brush or rinse after a snack, and space meals and snacks to give kids’ mouths a chance to wash away food.
• Visit the dentist twice a year.
• Ask the doctor or nurse to look at kids’ teeth and gums at their next visit.
• Let kids see you take care of your own teeth by modeling good brushing and eating habits

Early Learning Preschool has three clinical service providers, Stephanie H. Baker, LCSW-S, RPT, NCSSW, Margaret Savory, LCSW, and Michelle Thompson, MSW, CTS-TRE.

They are available to provide social and emotional assistance to your families. Each month they will share a healthy tip for your family.

Linked below is the December-January Newsletter

December

Children need grown-ups’ support to understand feelings — their own and those of others. They’re beginning to recognize that how someone feels on the inside often shows on the outside. By starting early, we help children to:

• Express and label their feelings in a healthy way, using an ever-growing list of “feelings words.” Words have power!
• Build a stronger understanding of how their emotions are felt in their bodies.
• Notice others’ body and face and look for clues that show how the person is feeling.

Share this video (below) with children and try playing your own version of the game with different feelings. You might remind children:

• I’m always here to help you name your feelings and talk about why you may be feeling them.
• Someone else may feel differently than you about the same thing, such as feeling excited or nervous about a school performance or birthday party with new friends.
• When we focus on feeling our bodies, we can then name those feelings, like sad, frustrated, curious, or happy.

And Try This!

• When reading storybooks together, look at pictures of characters and play “feelings detective” on each page. Look closely at characters’ faces and bodies. How do children know a character is feeling a certain way? Why may they be feeling that way?

For more information please visit https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/mentalhealth/

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bananas
• 10 small pretzel sticks
• 5 strawberries
• 10 small grapes (or mini marshmallows)
• 1 small carrot stick, cut into small triangles
• 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
• Skewers or popsicle sticks

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Slice the bananas into ½-inch rounds. Slice the greens off the strawberries and halve them

2. Run a skewer through three banana slices. Then top with a piece of strawberry and a mini marshmallow or small grape.

3. Break the pretzel sticks in half and press them into the center banana slice to create arms.

4. Place a carrot triangle on each snowman's face and mini chocolate chips for the eyes and buttons.

**peeling and cutting will need to be completed by an adult**

Our next Early Learning Preschool Family Committee Meeting will take place virtually on:

Wednesday, January 15th at 1:00 PM.

A link to join the meeting will be sent through email as the date gets closer. We hope you’ll be able to join us!

December 3, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

On the Air Radio Players

On the Air Radio Players are excited to present an old-time radio show, “Dickens in the Jazz Age” – an art deco take on “A Christmas Carol!” Come and be a part of the studio audience for this hour-long taping featuring live music and sound effects.

Free! Information: per22@henrico.gov

December 8, 2024 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Carke-Palmore Christmas Open House 2024

It’s time for the annual Clarke-Palmore Christmas Open House. We have lots of fun and activities for you to enjoy. There will be a craft station, games, and tours of the Clarke-Palmore House. New this year will be a train ride (2:00 to 3:00 p.m. only), and a fire pit to make s’mores. We will have other light refreshments and cider. Of course, the highlight of the afternoon will be a chance to visit with Santa.

For additional information, contact leh@henrico.gov

December 10, 2024 at 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Henrico Holiday Express 24

The annual Henrico Holiday Express Tour kicks off on Tuesday, December 10. We will stage the parade and leave from Twin Hickory Library at 5pm, cruise through the Three Chopt and Tuckahoe districts, and make our final stop at Deep Run Recreation Center. Don’t miss your chance to catch the Recreation and Parks Parade Float along with a decorated firetruck, dump truck, library van, school bus, and of course SANTA!

Join us at the end location for hot chocolate, candy canes, and pictures with Santa and all of the vehicles and staff.

Helpful Links (Coming Soon!)

• Planned Route for Dec 10
• Santa Tracker – Follow Santa & the Henrico Holiday Express Tour (Firetruck will appear once the tour starts)

2024 Henrico Holiday Express Tours

Tuesday, Dec 10, 5-8 pm. Three Chopt & Tuckahoe Districts
Start: Twin Hickory Library. End: Deep Run Rec Center.

Wednesday, Dec 11, 5-8pm. Varina District
Start: Varina Library. End: Henrico Theatre.

Thursday, Dec 12, 5-8pm. Brookland & Fairfield Districts
Start: Libbie Mill Library. End: Eastern Henrico Rec Center.

December 14, 2024 at 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Belmont Holiday Open House

Celebrate the holiday season with fun activities and refreshments. Learn about our community clubs and partnerships

Information: belmont@henrico.gov

Save the Date! Santa Paws returns to Short Pump Park on Dec 14.

December 14, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Varina Big Toy Parade 2024

The Varina Ruritan Club and Henrico Recreation and Parks will present the Varina Big Toy Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14. This longstanding holiday tradition begins at 1 p.m. at the River Bend Estates subdivision and travels to Osborne Park & Boat Landing. Following the parade, there will be family-friendly activities at Osborne Park until 4 p.m. Participants can visit the big toys and their owners and enjoy vendors, food, face painting, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more.

For more information, contact rec-eventsteam@henrico.gov

Residency Information

• Henrico County Multicultural Community Engagement Bulletin Board
• Science Museum of Virginia: Museum for All Information
• HCPS 24-25 School Calendar
• Henrico County Public Library Storyline 804-501-1946

December 2024

Dec. 23-31: Schools closed - Winter Break

January 2025

Jan. 1-3: Schools closed – Winter Break

Jan. 6: Schools reopen following Winter Break

Jan. 15: End of semester/Student half day

Jan. 20: Schools closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 2025

Feb. 17: Schools closed – Wellness Day

Feb. 18: Student holiday – Teacher in-person professional learning (division-based)

For more information about the 2024-2025 school year please visit:

https://www.henricoschools.us/page/2024-25-school-calendar

For more information about Early Learning Preschool call:

804-328-8104 or visit https://henricoschools.us/preschool/