Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:18:39 -0800WeeblySat, 26 Mar 2011 09:31:43 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2011/03/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit6.html                                                           Getting Ready to Read

     Teachers don't expect your four or five year old child to show up on the first day of school already knowing how to read.  They do hope she shows up eager to learn how and in possession os some pre-reading skills.  Children get the most out of reading instruction when they come to school already interested in books. Therefore one of your most important goals in the preschool years-from an academic standpoint-is to get your child excited about reading.

    Reading is the heart of education.  The school curriculum is based on it.  Better readers get better grades.  Reading enriches the imagination and provides core knowledge.  It builds vocabulary, teaches grammar, and makes students students better spellers and writers.  It will give your child years of pleasures.  So the groundwork you lay now is critical.

    You can begin encouraging a love for books and stories in three ways.  Make sure your home is a place where books are ubiquitous and cherished.  Offer yourself as a good reading role model.  Above all, read to and with your child.

     You want your child to grow up in the presence of books and to think of them as things that make the home every bit as warm and comfortable as her favorite blanket or pet puppy.  One of your first steps is to make sure books are plentiful.

• Let babies play with books.
• Make books available around the house.
• Give your child's books a special place.
• Remember the Classics.
• Bring books home from the library.
• Make story characters a part of your home.
• Subscribe to one or two children's magazine.

Happy Reading!
Miss Anna

Dates to Remember:
April 11-Field Trip-No classes
April 18-26-Spring Break-No school

]]>Sat, 01 Jan 2011 08:45:41 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2011/01/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit5.htmlDear Parents,

Happy New Year!  I hope that you had a peaceful holiday and were able to enjoy the break.  Thank you to all the family and friends who attended our sing along/party before the break. The children did a wonderful job singing!   Thank you to everyone who sent delicious holiday treats for us to enjoy.  

I am excited to start the second half of our school year.  I know the teachers have lots of great plans for learning over the next several months.  I enjoyed seeing the children, their smiling faces and their enthusiasm this week!

Hicksville Nursery School Applications for the 2011-2012 school year were recently sent home.  Registration begins January 3rd for returning families and January 19th for new families.  If you need an application please stop by the office or call the school at 681-8246. We are offering almost the same schedule and prices as last year.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.

Sincerely,
Miss Anna
Director

Dates to Remember:

January 17, 2011-Dr. Martin Luther King Day-School is Closed
January 19, 2011-Open House- Registration for new families
January 24&25, 2011-Scholastic Book Fair
January 26, 2011-Parent Teacher Conferences-No class
]]>Fri, 26 Nov 2010 11:57:05 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2010/11/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit4.html                                                                Bringing A Painting Home


     Today your child  might  bring home a painting!  On days like this, you may find yourself thinking,"Good grief! What is this?"


    Remember... artwork is an expression of language.  Many times a child won't be able to verbalize what is that he/she has painted.  Please observe how your child's artwork develops as the school year progresses.


     Many children will paint one color over another, this is the child's way of exploring the media.  Also, some will start out with a specific idea in mind, and then gradually cover every figure on his/her paper.  In other words, some of these paintings have a completely different painting underneath.


     Please enjoy your child's art as his/her own expression.  Give him/her a place to display this work, preferably at his/her eye level.  Help your child develop an appreciation of self and the unique quality of his/her own artwork by appreciating and enjoying your child.


Enjoy!]]>Sat, 23 Oct 2010 13:27:05 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2010/10/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit3.html                                 Don't Worry, Be Specific


   Are you tired of asking your child, "What did you do in school today?" only to hear,  "Nothing," "I don't know" or " I played."?  If so, here's good news- help is available.

     Something is wrong somewhere.  It can't be the teacher- whoever heard of any teacher anywhere that lets children play in school ALL day!  Nor is it likely that the problem is your child.  So, what is the problem? Why don't the children tell us what they did in school?


     The trouble is the question!  We' re asking the wrong one!  Try asking other questions and see if you get better answers.  Many times, children have difficulty remembering because its hard to start at the beginning.  When they get home, their day becomes history.  It's over and they go onto the next thing in their lives.  However there are a few pointers to keep in mind when questioning your child about school:


          Avoid general questions like, "What did you do in school today?"
          Avoid questions that can be answered with simple "yes" or "no", e.g., "Did your teacher like your show and tell?" or "How was school?" 

          Instead get specific. Say,

•           "Who did you play with today?"
  
•            "What did you do in art today?"
  
•           "Tell me about the shape or letter you're learning about?"
  
•           "What do you know about fall?"
  
•           "What did you play with at playtime?"
  
•           "Whose special day was it?"
  
•           "What do you like most about school?" "Why?"
  

     These types of questions should get better answers which could even lead you and your child into some interesting and informative conversations.  Best wishes as you begin building your bridge over the Communication Generation Gap!







     ]]>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:39:14 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2010/09/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit2.html                                              Welcome


During the first few weeks of school, don't be disturbed if your child:


>  is shy and clings to you
>  is aggressive and won't share
>  hits and refuses to take turns
>  tires easily and cries a great deal
>  resists using the school bathroom, has accidents
>  doesn't talk much about what happened at school


These are all symptoms of tension and stress in a new situation, and will disappear as your child becomes used to the teachers, other children and the classroom routines.  Be sympathetic and supportive!


You can help by:


>  letting the child bring in a favorite object
>  letting the child just stand and watch, knowing observation is one way    of participating
>  not putting pressure on the child to produce something to take home
>  not pushing the child to conform to routines without time to adjust
>  Allowing lots of time for personal routine, a nourishing breakfast and    a pleasant ride to school
>  Having a cheerful, positive attitude as the child leaves you, such as:      "Goodbye, I'll see you later!"  
>  encouraging talk about school by asking specific questions, such as:         "Did you play with the blocks today?" or "What was for snack today?"     rather than "What did you do today?"


Remember always:  the more relaxed the parent, the more relaxed the child.




                         ]]>Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:28:41 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2010/08/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit1.html                   Children's Books About Starting School 


     Picture books about beginning of school can help to lessen apprehensions, and most importantly, can open a channel of communication about school between you and your child-the start of a life long habit.  Using children's books to show that it can indeed help in times of stress.  Story characters who model successful adjustments are an excellent resource for children as well as parents.  The following books will reinforce positive feelings about school, and are appropriate long past the first day of school, as children work through first time experiences and feelings:


  <  It's fun To Go To School  by Joan Mellings
  < My Nursery School  by Harlow Rockwell
  < Will I have A Friend?  by Miriam Cohen
  < The First Day of School  by Patricia Relf
  <  Peter Goes To School  by Wanda Rogers House
  <  Betsy's First Dat at Nursery School  by Gunilla Wolde
  <  Playbook  by Gwenda Turner
  <  You Go Away  by Dorothy Corey
  <  Starting School  by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
  <   Clifford Goes to Dog School by Norman Bridwell


     Happy Reading!

September 7th-    Parent Orientation-7:00PM
September 13th-  First day of school-9:15AM







]]>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:28:45 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2010/06/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlChoosing Toys That teach

Toys are the "tools" of learning for kids in the pre-kindergarten years.  Keep in mind, though, that rarely does the teaching value of a toy have a direct relation to how many batteries it uses or lights it flashes.  A high price tag does not make it better for your child.  Expensive toys that claim to teach children are often less "educational" than some pots and a big wooden spoon from the kitchen.  Computer software is often little better for kids than sitting and watching TV.  It certainly isn't as helpful as spending time with a parent reading, counting, playing games, or taking a walk in the park.
     Often it's the simple toys that do the best job putting little imaginations and muscles to work.  For young children, the old standbys you played with in your childhood are still fine: balls, blocks, cups, pans, plastic rings, simple puzzles, a sand box.  A well-stocked box of construction paper, crayons, washable markers, glue, buttons, felt, and safety scissors is a treasure chest for preschoolers.  A big basket filled with grown-up clothes and costumes(crowns, plastic armor, necklaces) is a big draw for most children.
     There is no need to keep adding toy after toy to the mix.  Most parents eventually learn that the more toys they buy, the more toys they see sitting untouched in the back of a closet.  Children who possess several chests full of playthings often flit from one to another without really appreciating any of them.  Too many toys can lead to boredom.  So, do yourself a favor save your money and break out the pots and pans!


Anna Chappell
Director ]]>Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:39:25 -0800http://www.hicksvillenurseryschool.org/2/post/2010/04/first-post.html