It has been exactly one year since schools were closed because of COVID, and we were all sent home, not knowing what the near future would hold for us. The world has greatly changed since and COVID seems to have ruled our lives. The more I am profoundly grateful that we were able to reopen and teach in person again last fall. I feel so blessed that we are able to provide a safe space for your children to play, learn and grow together. This experience is so important and fundamental, especially for their social and emotional development. I am now waiting for the time that we will all be able to see each other’s faces again. Our students and teachers enjoy snack time just as much as playtime because that is when we all get a mask break and can chat “uncovered”. We love listening to the chatter and happy giggles around the table.
SPRING ACTIVITIES MARCH and APRIL
Although there still is lots of snow on the ground, we have decided to welcome spring! This means that for the upcoming weeks most activities will evolve around SPRING related topics.
We are so excited that from now on, learning through exploration will take place outside again. The children have already started looking and digging for earth worms, and lady bugs and checked the sky for returning geese.PLANTING
During March/April your child will get immersed in some fun science activities as we will turn the classic storybook “Jack and The Beanstalk” to life. The students will get to watch a lima bean growing in a jar, plant their own grass potato head and dissect flowers.
In this context, I will teach our classes new German vocabulary. We are starting with naming fruit and vegetables in German. Your child will bring home a list of new words. It might be fun to hang that list on your fridge. You can practice these words together as a family.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Eric Carle)
This children’s book is a perfect way to combine literacy with our unit topic as it talks about a hungry caterpillar that nibbles her way through all kinds of fruits and sweets before it decides to make its chrysalis and turn into a butterfly.
Another funny book that will make your child laugh and giggle is “Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas”.
BABY ANIMALS
Spring is the season when many baby animals are born. Baby animals will be our topic in April, and we will also introduce and explore different life cycles of different insects.
KINDERGARTEN READINESS
Several of our students will start Kindergarten this Fall. To prepare your child for this next chapter we will provide students with many activities that focus on letter recognition, and pre-printing skills. This includes helping your child with proper pencil grip and letter formation. We noticed that the majority of the 4/5 year old’s already recognize most letters of the alphabet and numbers from 1-10. Way to go!!
As many preschools across North America, we follow the program “Get Set for School”, that has won two of the most prestigious national education awards. It uses music, multi-sensory learning material and provides many hands-on tools that help children to develop the basic academic skills they need to be ready for Kindergarten.
I will send home a parent hand out that shows you how you can support your child at home including strengthening their fine motor muscles and to ease the transition into Kindergarten.
I would like to point out that with our younger children (3 year old’s), we mostly focus on playful introduction of letter recognition and NOT on printing skills. Developing and improving fine motor skills comes first as it is the foundation for proper printing (Pinterest has great ideas for fine motor activities for children).
“CONNECTING DOTS” versus “TRACING LETTERS”
Latest research of Early Childhood Development discourages teachers and parents from having a child trace letters and numbers “Dot-to-Dot”, because they are visually confusing, and the child is going dot-dot-dot rather than tracing the “lines” and “curves” of the letter. It is recommended to rather TRACE OVER the whole letter, and then print independently.
In our class we always use the terms “lines” and “curves” for letter formation. When we introduce, trace, or print a new letter, it might be helpful to use these terms at home as well. We always remind our students to START all (upper-case) letters at the TOP.
Ultimately, our goal is to make letter introduction FUN and to help our preschoolers to develop a love for learning, which is the foundation for a successful start into Kindergarten.
If you should have any questions or concerns regarding Kindergarten Readiness of your child, feel free to contact me. I would be happy to schedule an online meeting with you.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION (Tuesday 16/Wednesday 17)
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, we invite students to dress in green. We have planned some fun Leprechaun activities.
We ask children to bring some green fruit/vegetables for snack that day. I will top up their snacks with some green cupcakes.
FUNDRAISER
SPF RAFFLE BOOKs (deadline March 25/26)
We still have SPF raffle ticket books if you want to participate in this fundraiser and win some amazing prices. Please text us when your returned booklets and money is in your child’s backpack and we will take it out.
All booklets and money need to be returned by March 25/26.
DROP & GO FUNDRAISER (ongoing all year)
The Drop & Go bottle fundraiser is ongoing (more information on our Facebook page)! Please tell your friends and family about it. All you need to do is drop of your recycling at the Drop & Go entrance of a Sar Can recycling depot and use the password: HanselandGretel (one word)
REGISTRATION FOR 2021-22
We still have openings in both classes for the upcoming school year. Please let your friends know as classes might fill up soon! For information on how to register, please go on our Facebook Page or blogspot page.
IMPORTANT DATES
March
16/17 St.Patrick’s Day activities (wear green and bring green snack)
25/26 SPF raffle booklets and money need to be returned.
(Class will be running on March 26th)
April
2-16 Easter Break (no school)
(Just a reminder that the current preschool year will end on June 17/18)
We wish everyone a happy start into SPRING!
Warm wishes,
Uli Hecker
