Importance of Nurturing during the early years!!!!!
Early childhood is the most critical and vulnerable time in any child’s development. Research demonstrates that in the first few years, the foundation for intellectual and moral growth must be laid down. Children who aren’t nurtured are likely to be two or three steps behind no matter how hard we try to help them catch up. Parents cannot and should not underestimate the importance of their role during these early years. Each child is born with a unique biology but that doesn’t mean his or her future is preordained. The way a parent nurtures a baby has a profound effect on how that child develops. Recent research on the way genes work in the body suggests that influence or expression depends on interactions with many different environments including those in the cells and the body as well as the social and physical world. These interactions in part determine how we function. Nature and nurture thus appear to act together seamlessly. Children who haven’t had the benefit of a nurturing adult have trouble forming friendships and negotiating the inevitable ups and downs of these relationships. Human beings have to be able to work cooperatively, compassionately and empathetically with others in a group setting for all aspects of life. When there are secure, empathetic and nurturing relationships, children learn to be intimate, empathetic and eventually communicate their own feelings, reflect on their own wishes and develop their own relationships with both peers and adults. Relationships also teach children which behaviors are appropriate and which are not. The give and take between children and caregivers creates a pattern of behavior. Early emotional interactions also form the foundation of morality, a person’s sense of right and wrong. Morality comes from empathy, the ability to understand another person’s feelings. We can only feel empathy if someone has been empathetic and caring with us. What parents should take away from this research is that everything they do for their children in the early years is vital. Emotionally vibrant experiences set the stage for a happy and independent life!
Research by Brazelton, Harvard Medical School and author of best-selling books “infants and mothers”, “Touch points”
PTO Luncheon a big success!
A big THANK YOU! to our PTO led by Amy Russell and to the PTO Luncheon committee led by Lissa Schwab and Lindsay Klatzo. Things happen for a reason but not without a lot of hard work. On March 24th our PTO honored Rachel Brody, Temple Vice President of Education and official Preschool advisor. Rachel was honored for her dedication to the Temple and Preschool throughout the years. Rachel’s daughter, Julia graduated from our Preschool five years ago and Rachel has felt very connected to the Preschool ever since. She also played a big part in our PTO during this time. Thank you to our attendees who supported this important annual fundraiser. The funds raised by the PTO luncheon will go towards updating our playground, special curriculum enrichment programs and the TBA Preschool scholarship fund. I am very proud to be a part of this group of dedicated people!
Pictures taken by Debby Gans. Thank you to Debby for taking beautiful individual & class photos. (Debby Gans Photography)
Book Fair begins Thursday, April 29th: The Scholastic Book Fair began Thursday night, April 29th with an ice cream social event at 6:00pm. It was a wonderful event with many sales.
All proceeds went to books for our Preschool!
Week of the Young Child – April 11th through April 17th
All week we honored ‘the young child’ with different types of study. Our 2’s teachers picked an author and read books by the same author. Our 3 to 5 year olds explored career interests. Yes, even at this age! We asked “What would you like to be when you grow up?” It is imperative that we recognize and implement the early childhood programs which value the importance of our children’s earliest years and help to shape their learning and development. On Wednesday of that week we had coffee and a morning nosh in the hallway in honor of the Week of the Young Child. Our children were treated to an ice cream celebration in honor of this week!
Israel Independence Day - Friday, April 16th
In honor of Israel’s Independence Day, Yom Ha’Atama’ut, our children studied about Israel in their classrooms. We culminated our studies with a great celebration at the beach on Friday, April 16th at 6:00 pm. Everyone brought their beach chair and celebrated. a wonderful Shabbat and Israel Independence Day at the beach.
CPR Certifications
Kol hakavod!! Job well-done! Our staff is now re-certified in pediatric/child/adult CPR & First Aid!!
MAY WILL BRING EVEN MORE SPECIAL AND
FUN-FILLED EVENTS!!!
Mother’s Day Celebration – Friday, May 7th @ 9:00am
Please join us for a special breakfast celebration and Shabbat
May 2nd - 7th is Teacher Appreciation Week
This is national appreciation week.
Please remember your teachers during this week.
Father’s Day Celebration –
Monday, May 17th @ 6:00pm
Because Father’s Day occurs after Preschool ends; we have a special early celebration
for our dads in their child’s Preschool classrooms at 6:00pm.
Week of May 17th - Celebration of the holiday of Shavuot
Shavuot is a time to celebrate the grain harvest and the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai. On Shavuot we read the Book of Ruth, a wonderful story of loving kindness and of the genealogy of King David. We decorate the synagogue with greens and flowers and stay up late to study and eat dairy foods because the words of the Torah are like milk and honey!!! In class we will be studying the Ten Commandments and re-telling the story of Moses and the Israelite people at Mt. Sinai.
NO SCHOOL - Wednesday, May 19th - Shavuot
NO SCHOOL - Monday, May 31st - Memorial Day
Thursday, June 3rd @ 11:00am - Shining Stars Graduation
(Preschool is open normal hours/full day)
Friday, June 4th NO SCHOOL - Teacher work day
School Survey
A few months ago our parents were asked to fill out a survey about our school. Thank you once again for your time and for your feedback.