ECED& 180 family newsletter

Summer newsletter

Summer is here! We will miss you and your child at preschool. We wanted to leave you with some important information over the summer to help with your blossoming student. Learning shouldn't stop just because the sun comes out!

Benefits to children when their families are involved in their education:
Actions speak louder than words:
Most parents would be surprised to know that the single most important determinant of a child's success in school is not how much money they make or if their parents are educated, but family interest and support. (4) Families can demonstrate their interest in what is happening at school by reading together at home, talking about school with their children, or looking over their work with them. When a parent takes their time to volunteer in the class. It speaks loudly to your child that school is important. We understand that everyone is busy these days, but the investment you make in your child now will pay off in the long run.

Many of you are moving on to kindergarten next fall. Those teachers need AT LEAST as much help as we do. Once school starts check with your child's new teacher to see what ways you can participate. For those families returning to our school next fall, WE NEED YOU! Every child benefits from more parental involvement in the classroom.

Ways you can be involved in your child's classroom:
1. Join us in the classroom. You can read to children, model appropriate behavior in circle and free choice time, or help with snack time among many other things.
2. Take home projects. Some people can't come to the classroom for some reason, see if you can take home projects for classroom use (we usually have cutting measuring and other prep work for classroom projects).
3. Help out at a party or field trip. These are extra fun but also extra work and extra chaos. Having more adults present always helps.
4. Share your expertise in some area. Are you skilled in music, art, gardening? Do you have a hobby or professional skill? The children can learn from you! Let us know and we can plan an activity around that theme and make a special day out of it.

Tips for increasing language development and literacy:

1. Have conversations about what you are doing together and what you notice.
2. Teach your child songs that you sang growing up. (Don't worry if you can't carry a tune)
3. Teach your child nursery rhymes
4. Make up rhymes involving your child's name
5. Accept your child's way of speaking while you model conversational skills and standard language. (Even if you understand "baby talk" do not speak it)
6. Look for your child's nonverbal attempts to communicate. Model language that your child might use to express himself.
7. To encourage longer conversations with your child, ask open ended questions and give them plenty of time to think about how they are going to respond.

Examples of open ended questions:
What do you think about_____?
Can you think of a new way to do it?
How did that happen?
Tell me about it.
What do you think will happen next? (Great with books)

Resources available from our local library:
The Arlington branch of the Sno-Isle libraries has several opportunities for young children this summer.

- 6/25/14 10:30am Preschool Story Time with WSU extension beach watchers
- 7/1/14 9:30am baby (0-18mo.) story time
Check the calendar on www.sno-isle.org for updated listings of events and opportunities.

- The Sno-Isle Libraries summer reading program is appropriate for all preschool as well as school age children. It is a great way to encourage and reinforce the love of reading throughout the summer.
What you do:
1. Read either 10 books or 1000 pages (parents can read to their child)
2. Choose 4 activities to do from choices given at the library
What you can get:
1. A free book!
2. Free tickets to an Aquasox game for your family
3. A chance to win the