Natick Preschool

How can I translate this? 文A

Greetings Preschool Families,

Phonological Awareness

Many families are curious about ways to help their children prepare for reading success. Phonological awareness is a strong predictor of reading success. It is especially important at the earliest stages of reading development and is a foundation skill for reading and writing. Phonological awareness is easy to support at home–all you need is language! You can help your child understand that the words they hear in speech are made up of parts and sounds. Below are a few ways you can help support your child at home.

When having conversations with your child, consider using some of these activities with words and language that are familiar to them.

★ Ask your child to listen for the sound they hear at the beginning of a word you say aloud.

○ What is the first sound we hear in the word room? Answer: /r/

○ What is the first sound we hear in the names of friends, pets, or family members?

★ Can you blend (put together) these small words to make one big word (a compound word)?

sun - shine, sunshine rain - bow, rainbow after - noon, afternoon

★ When two words rhyme, they have the same middle and final sounds.

Say the following word pairs and have your child repeat them back. You

can tell or ask your child the part that rhymes.

Ex: Parent: red, bed Child: red, bed Red and bed rhyme, they have the rhyming part -ed.

You can challenge your child to think of other words (real or nonsense) that also rhyme, ie: head, Ted, sned, fed

★ Ask your child to listen for the sound they hear at the end of a word you say aloud.

○ What is the last sound we hear in the word dog? Answer: /g/

○ What is the last sound we hear in the names of friends, pets, or family members?

★ Be a Chef: Say a word and have your child act like a ninja by “chopping” words into syllables.

For example, say “Be a Chef! Chop ‘frozen’ into syllables!” (fro - zen). See below for more words to practice:

elbow (el - bow), candle (can - dle) recess (re - cess)

~MaryBeth Kinkead

Natick Preschool Principal

Updates to our Art and Music programming:

We are thrilled that our preschoolers will have instruction by NPS art and music teachers this year. Ms. Abby Khandelwal and Ms. Meghan Olynciw will be joining Natick Preschoolers in their classrooms each week for alternating art and music instruction. Watch SeeSaw for photos!

Reminder for Parents Who Want to Volunteer--CORI Checks

Reminder If you want to volunteer in schools, you must have a CORI check conducted and you must go into the building with identification (driver's license or passport) to do this. Click here for description of what a CORI check is and does. Without a CORI check, you cannot volunteer in the school. Here is the form to fill out for a CORI. Preschool volunteer opportunities include being a Mystery Reader for the class, presenting a family tradition and supporting special projects.

Parents of rising Kindergarteners: Natick Summer Programs registration has launched. Students will enjoy week-long courses for enrichment, exploration, and fun–right here in Natick! The popular Summer Enrichment and Summer Scholars programs are back for 2024. Registration through Active.com is open now.

NEW THIS YEAR: All participants in Summer Enrichment and Summer Scholars will receive a complete schedule of classes (subject to availability) running from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. every day. Access our dedicated website for more information. Families looking for financial assistance this summer can complete this form prior to registering to get the process started:

2024 Summer Programs Assistance.

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5