Railroad I/T Out and About
March 16, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
The warm weather has prompted many different outdoor adventures. The Infants and Toddlers have taken walks to the condo area, and some have stopped to explore our garden. Along the way we have seen ducks and birds, and some of the children have pointed out the cars and buses that pass by.
Some of the Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs) that have come about during these outdoor adventures are: Initiative, Distinguishing Self and Others, Moving Parts of the Body, Listening and Responding, Seeing from Different Viewpoints, Identifying Visual Images.
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- A group of Infants ventures out to enjoy the sunshine
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- Henry and Dean observe the ducks in the pond
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- The ducks were also in the marsh area behind the preschool playground
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- “Ducks!”
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- Jessica and her family group explore the garden
Reminders and Updates from the Director
March 13, 2012 by Laura Griswold · Leave a Comment
Thank you!
I just want to thank everyone for their diligence in getting all the documents we needed updated. Emergency cards and health forms are key pieces of information for our center to keep current. We have had our licensing visit and our Environmental Health Inspection within the last two weeks. The inspections went well . Our child file paperwork was in compliance and our Health Inspection was a grade ‘A’!
Month of the Young Child
April is the Month of the Young Child. You will be hearing more and more about the activities we have planned as we get closer. Each week in April we have a different focus – Community, Children, Parents and Staff. Please watch your mailboxes, check the teacher blogs and be on the look out for e-mails letting you know the fun things we are doing to celebrate young children. Also note that the PAGrepresentatives for Dhu Varren (Parent Advisory Group) typically asks me to forward families information from them on how you can make the teachers feel special during this time. There will be lots of enjoyment to be had in April!
Fire and Tornado Drills
As you may know, we have a fire drill every month throughout the year. You may have seen us wheeling the infants out to the preschool playground in our ‘off road’ emergency crib as well as the toddlers, preschool and school agers lined up to be counted. What you may not know is that we also practice tornado drills between the months of March and October. We will be resuming our drills this month. Your preschooler may be able to show you the position they are asked to take when we practice!
–Laura
Railroad I/T: Warm Weather Clothing
March 13, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
Greetings Families,
It looks like we have some warm weather coming our way!
Please be sure to provide weather-appropriate clothing for your child. If you would like them to wear jackets or sweatshirts outdoors even when it’s mild, please be sure to let your family group teacher know.
We will begin applying sunscreen this week as needed. Beginning April 1st, we will apply sunscreen each time we go outdoors.
Also, please keep in mind that we are going to need sunhats soon. It is that time of year!
Thank you,
Megan Haight
Railroad Infant/Toddler March Dates
March 1, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
Be sure to mark your calendars for the following dates in March:
3/6-3/13- Julie Off
3/8- Tammy Holley 10:15 and 10:45
3/9- Fiona’s Birthday
3/14- Ashlyn’s Birthday
3/16- Whitney Off
3/19- Tammy Holley 10:15 and 10:45 a.m.
3/20- Tornado Drill 4:15 p.m.
3/21- Sandra Off
3/23- Gilad’s Birthday
3/23- Megan and Jessica Off
3/25- Vyaan’s Birthday
3/29- Fire Drill 10:15 a.m.
Railroad I/T: Sweet Potato Bread Recipe
February 24, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
A group of Young Toddlers helped make Sweet Potato Bread for afternoon snack! It turned out so delicious, we wanted to share the recipe with you!
Sweet Potato Bread
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes
2 cups wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 cup canola oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup honey
1 container vanilla yogurt
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bread pans (this recipe makes 2 loaves).
2. Prick sweet potatoes several times with a fork and microwave for 6 minutes. When the potato is cool enough to handle, peel and mash.
3. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Stir in the canola oil, eggs, vanilla, honey, yogurt, and mashed sweet potato, just until the ingredients are moistened. Divide the batter evenly between the two loaf pans.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown and the top springs back slightly when pressed.
Enjoy!
-Megan
Railroad Toddler Indoor Water Play
February 14, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
Jessica’s family group asked Megan’s family group to join them for an activity. The children have been very interested in the sink lately, so we planned water play to give them a chance to splash and play. The children used colanders and funnels to move the soapy water in the table. They scooped the water into the accessories, then interacted with the bubbles that were left. Sometimes when we plan activities, the children may not want to participate. Henry decided he did not want to get wet, so he moved over to the couch to climb and read books!
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- KDIs: Exploring Space, Relating to Another Child
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- KDIs: Communicating Interest Nonverbally, Exploring Space
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- KDIs: Expressing Initiative, Moving the Whole Body
Railroad Toddlers Morning Activities
February 12, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
Greetings Families,
Each day, the Toddler Teachers come together to plan activities for the following day. As we do this, we are taking into consideration the current interests of the children, as well as the Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs), which assist us in planning a variety of activities that support development.
A handful of these activities take place in the morning during Large Group, Small Group, and Work Time. As the children are engaged in these activities, the teachers are collecting anecdotes of what the children are doing. You will see a collection of these anecdotes in your child’s portfolio, which you will receive at conferences in the spring. This programming starts at approximately 9 a.m. If you’d like your child to participate in the full morning routine please arrive by that time. Of course you’re welcome anytime you arrive!
If you have any questions, please let me or your family group teacher know.
Thank you,
Megan Haight
Railroad Wing Sibling Interactions
February 6, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
The big windows on all of our doors allow the children to interact with their friends on the other side. As you can see in the photo below, Alex and Ana, a preschooler and his younger sister, had the opportunity to do just that. Even an interaction such as this can provide opportunities for learning! Some of the KDIs achieved in this interaction are as follows: Expressing Initiative, Nonverbal Communication, Responding to the Feelings of Others. Luckily, we were able to capture this moment on camera!
Alex, a preschooler, interacts with his younger sister, Ana.
Railroad Toddler Transitions
February 1, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
We are nearing the end of our transitions, and the children seem to be settling into their new classrooms! We have already begun to move their cubbies and belongings into their new spots, so be sure to look for them in their new rooms!
The children have been spending more and more time in their new classrooms, getting accustomed to the new environment as well as new teachers and children. Many of them are busy exploring he new toys and furniture in their new spaces!
Welcome to Railroad I/T!
February 1, 2012 by Megan Haight · Leave a Comment
We are excited to welcome Derek and Zoey, who started at Gretchen’s House on February 1st. We are also welcoming Austin on February 15th. They all have older siblings that are here at Gretchen’s House. We are excited to see these families in our wing!
Also, our new afternoon teacher Briana started on January 31st. She has been working in the Pond Wing as the afternoon teacher for the last few months, before coming to join us. We are glad to have her with us in the afternoons!
Welcome Briana!