December Newsletter

Like last year we will be doing 12 Days of Christmas for all the staff at Kiddie Academy. Each staff member will have a stocking hanging outside their main classroom or office. Each day we will be adding items to the staff members’ stocking. If you would like to join in the holiday fun, feel free to place a small item in your child's/children's teacher's stocking. If you have any question regarding the 12 Days of Christmas celebration, feel free to stop by the office for additional information! They can provide you with some great ideas for what to put in the stocking.

This year we are focusing on the gift of warmth for others. In honor of the book, The Mitten by Jan Brett, we will be collecting mittens to hang on out Mitten Tree. How can you help? We are asking families bring in mittens to hang from our center tree which will be donated to local families who are in need. Although this is a Mitten Tree you can bring in winter hats, scarves, mittens, or gloves. Our goal is to decorate our tree with items that can help others stay warm during the colder season.

Ms. JoJo started with us in August 2023 and has been nothing but a positive addition to the team. Her and Ms. Clevy works really well together and are amazing at balancing the needs of the children with building their educational foundation.

Ms. JoJo enjoys ice hockey, reading, and shopping. An interesting fact about Ms. JoJo is adopted and has two wonderful moms.

Ms. JoJo is warm and welcoming. She gets to know the children individually. She does an amazing job at sitting with the children and engaging with them through play. Ms. JoJo has been nothing but helpful. She is always willing to support where needed. We want to thank Ms. JoJo for her hard work. We can’t say enough positive things about her. We are so grateful to have you at our academy.

Infants

At This Stage The focus this month is to be intentional about showing kindness. Babies must first know what it feels like to receive kindness before they will be able to demonstrate kind acts later in their development. Caregivers should focus on finding opportunities to deepen the individual bonds with children by meeting the children’s needs calmly and efficiently, and speaking to children often and in gentle, soothing tones.

Toddler/Twos

At This Stage At this stage it is important to instill the values of kindness and thoughtfulness in our children. Early preschoolers are still developing their communication skills and may demonstrate kindness in other ways. They may show kindness through their body language or other indirect actions such as giving a toy to a friend or sitting next to a friend who may be sad. At this stage children are becoming more aware of how others are feeling. This is evident in their increased effort and ability to share and take turns with others. It is important to foster situations where children can practice kindness, work cooperatively, and understand the needs of others.

Preschool

The goal this month is to help the children understand that demonstrating kindness toward others makes people feel happy and appreciated. They will understand that kindness can be shown to others through thoughtfulness, generosity, helpfulness, and politeness.

• Thoughtfulness: showing consideration for the needs of other people
• Generosity: giving or sharing what you have with others, including your time and attention
• Politeness: having or showing good manners or respect for other people
• Helpfulness: giving assistance when someone is in need

What You Should Know about RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

You’ve probably heard Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are rapidly increasing in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Levels of RSV are higher than usual for this time of year, so families need to know about RSV because some children can get very sick and need hospitalization.

RSV is a virus that usually causes common cold symptoms in most children and adults. Both children and adults can get it, but RSV is not available for vaccination. While it usually causes mild illness, it is essential to know that younger children are at much higher risk of severe complications requiring urgent treatment and, in some cases, hospitalization.

Factors increasing children’s risk for severe RSV infections include:

• 3 months of age or younger (due to difficulty clearing mucus from smaller airways)
• Being around other children in a school, childcare setting, or at home
• Living in crowded housing situations
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Children with a history of weakened immune systems, preterm birth, or heart or lung problems

Winter means keeping kids warm, but did you know that babies and young children in car seats should NOT wear puffy coats or snowsuits when in their car seat? A coat or snowsuit can compress under the harness of a car seat, sometimes up to four inches! This compression can cause the straps of your child's car seat to not fit properly, leaving a dangerous situation. Sleeping bags for babies can also add extra slack under the harness, creating an unsafe ride for your baby.

How should you keep your baby or young child in the car seat warm when it's cold?

Try these tips to keep your child warm and safe while in their car seat:

• Dress your baby or young child in snug layers, like onesies and leggings.
• Add long pants, a long sleeved shirt, a hat and shoes and socks. You can even include a jacket.

For babies:

• use covers specifically for car seats that are designed to give warmth. These covers should be approved by the car-seat manufacturer for your specific car seat.

For older babies, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners:

• After securing them in the car seat, turn their coat around and put it on backwards (arms through the armholes) so the coat is on top of the harness, or use a blanket in the car.

Make sure your child is in the safest car or booster seat as appropriate for their age, height and weight.

Sometimes you just need something special to remember the holidays by. Below is a link to over 100 a handprint crafts you can do to help preserve their little yet, growing hands and feet.