Family Program Newsletter
November 2024
November is Native American Heritage Month
On November 14, 1990, President George H.W. Bush declared the month of November National Native American Heritage Month, celebrating indigenous tribes and people in the United States. During this month we honor the cultures, languages, and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities while acknowledging their hardship and struggles both throughout history and in the present day.
The theme for this year is "Affirming Native Voices: Visibility, Leadership, Service."
Happy Fall!
This month I wanted to share some ideas on ways to increase Literacy Skills with your preschooler. I hope that you have been able to take some time to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and all that comes with it! Enjoy!
Developing Writing and Spelling at Home (Pre-K)
By: Reading Rockets
Writing is a terrific way for children to express their thoughts, creativity, and uniqueness. It is also a
fundamental way in which children learn to organize ideas. And learning to write well helps children
to be better readers. When engaging in writing, young children often mirror what they see around them; adults and older children writing lists, notes, and text messaging. They are observing the way writing is used in our everyday lives.
Here are some simple things families can do to support young children's writing:
- Keep markers, pencils, and crayons available at home. Children develop skills that prepare them for writing through their normal play β like drawing, painting, and tracing objects. This kind of play helps prepare the brain and the muscles for holding a pencil and forming written words.
- Help them learn to write their name. This is an empowering experience and allows them to begin to identify themselves as writers.
- Involve them in your writing activities. Make a shopping list together and point out the words that start with the same letter as the child's name.
And most of all...
- Read books with kids. Early and frequent exposure to letters, sounds, words, and stories helps kids learn to read and write.
Once children start learning letters, you can practice writing them on paper, in the air, or in sand
or snow. These tactile experiences help them feel the shape and motion of the letter. As your child begins to write letters, caption what they've written. Ask your child, "What does this say?" Write their words under their writing. This helps them learn more about letters and words.
As you read to your children, point out things the book author did to make the book so fun to read. "Wow! Listen to how the author describes the ocean. Don't those words make you feel like you're back jumping over waves?"
Show your children that you write too. Let your children see you writing thank you notes, composing an e-mail, or communicating with your child's school.
Best,
Amy Gerhard
Assistant Administrator
At home...
Thanksgiving Break is a time for families to spend time together and reconnect. It's also a time when we have our kids home and have to figure out how to keep them busy, which can be difficult at times.
We encourage you to take time to play with your child. Try to spend at least 30 minutes with them allowing them to lead the play and give them your undivided attention. No phones, no screens. We know you can't do this all day, but even 30 minutes of quality interaction can build your child's social-emotional skills and help them feel seen and empowered as a little person in this world where they don't have much control.
The video below shows how your children are impacted by their parents being distracted by screens.
In The Classroom...
In our classrooms this month, we have been continuing to learn about emotions. So far we have learned about happy π, sad π₯, surprised π², scared π¨, angry π‘, worried π, frustrated π , disappointed π, excited π, and calm π. The students have learned that it is okay to have any feelings.
In class, we remind children that even when they are having big feelings, it is still important for to stay safe. We repeat the statement: Keep Myself Safe, Keep My Friends Safe, Keep My Things Safe. When children are experiencing big feelings, we offer options for how to calm those emotions like; asking a grown-up to help them, moving themselves to the cozy corner, or taking deep rainbow breaths.
The students have also had discussions about how two people may have different feelings about the same thing. We've talked about how one friend may be excited about going to the doctor and another may be a bit scared.
We love seeing the growth in each student's social-emotional learning from month to month.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy the extra family time you get to spend together.
Smoke Detector Safety
The perfect time to change the batteries in your smoke detector is every November at the end of Daylight Savings time. Smoke Detectors with working batteries are essential for child and family safety.
During the cold-weather months of November through March, home fires and home fire-related fatalities are more likely to occur. As the weather becomes colder and families are indoors, there is increased usage of; space heaters, fireplaces, holiday candles, etc. It is important to teach young children about fire safety.
Planning and practicing a fire escape route with your family and talking to your children about what to expect in a fire are simple steps anyone can take to be more prepared. A prepared child is more likely to escape unharmed.
A couple of safety teaching points to review with your child.
What to do when they hear the sound of the smoke alarm.
If there is fire, crawl low under the smoke.
Touch doors before opening them; if the door is hot, use another exit.
Never go back into a burning building. Children should be reminded not to stop or return for anything; such as a toy or to call 9-1-1.
Upon leaving the burning building, anyone whose clothes have caught fire should immediately stop, drop to the ground, and roll back and forth quickly to extinguish the flames.
Practice an escape plan.
Lock up matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children. Remind them not to play with these items.
Keep all portable heaters out of childrenβs reach and at least 3 feet away from flammable objects.
Healthy Children Learn Better!
Christiana Shorten
Early Childhood Health Coordinator (970)613-5063
Thanksgiving Resources
Matthews House Turkey Dinner
Free Turkey dinner on Nov. 21st at First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College - Fort Collins
- Register by Nov. 7th using the QR code here:
New Freedom Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Free Thanksgiving dinner at New Freedom Church, 250 Mountain Avenue - Berthoud
Thursday, Nov. 28 from noon - 4 pm
Adopt-A-Family - Serve 6.8
Thanksgiving food boxes are available. Sign up at Good Shepherd Church Resource Center, 3429 N. Monroe - Loveland
Thursday, Nov. 7 from 10 am - noon
Salvation Army
Thanksgiving baskets and frozen turkeys are available to families and individuals residing in the Loveland/Berthoud area. Turkey vouchers are available now, until supplies last.
- Where to Register: The Salvation Army at 840 N Lincoln Ave. Monday - Friday 9am β 3pm. Families with children enrolled in TSD schools can register with your school to receive a turkey.
- Eligibility requirements: Proof of residency in Loveland or Berthoud.
- Questions? Call 970-699-8380.
TSD Inclement Weather Guidelines
During periods of inclement weather, Thompson School District is occasionally faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to close schools. Find more information about this process and how these announcements are communicated.
