Thank you!

Thank you for being so patient in my absence!  And thank you for the nice surprise on Monday night!  I really appreciated it!  I was back to work today and will hopefully be back from now on!! :)

Craisins Recall

Check your packages if you have Ocean Spray dried cranberries.  Here is the link to check the details.

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/26/9040438-ocean-spray-craisins-recalled-because-of-metal-fragments

Free Movies in Sauk Centre

November 26 - Kung Fu Panda PG
December 3 - Gulliver's Travels - PG
December 10 - Rango PG
December 17 - Megamind PG

Movies are shown at 10am, Noon and 2pm.

This makes a great family event and it is FREE!!

Movie Night

Tonight is Movie Night!!!  We will be watching the movie Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas!  We will be having popcorn and lemonade!  Feel free to come in your PJ's and bring your favorite pillow or blanket!  We will be in the Library in the Elementary School!  The movie will be starting as soon as people arrive.  I believe it is only about an hour long so it won't be a real late night! 

Talk, Read and Write with Me!

Talk, Read and Write with Me! is a family involvement program through the Minnesota Reading Corps.  The kit contains 8 crayons, a journal and an information sheet.  The books would be the books that you check out of the library or you can use your own book.  We are sending these kits home with our Preschool families and I would like to do the same for our ECFE families.  Every week you will check out a book from the library and then do the activities in the kit using that book.  I would like to see the journals weekly so that I can make a record of it but, it isn't absolutely neccessary.  You will find the kits in your family folder.  There is only one journal/kit but, I can make more if you have more than one child who wants their own journal to write and color in, just let me know!  I would really appreciate your involvement in this project!  Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like additional journals!
Just a note:
If you have a child in the Parkers Preschool, they will be taking a journal home through the preschool program.  If you would like a journal for additional children in the ECFE program, please let me know and I will put them in your family folder.

Donations for Holiday Make and Take

I have been thinking about some great ideas for our make and take this year. In order to get all supplies by the time we need them, I would like to start collecting materials and/or cash donations now. Some of what we will need are:
50 Pringles cans
4 rolls of Contact paper in fun designs
Snack sized baggies
50 baby food jars
Flame-less tea lights 50 ( I don't have a clue as to price on these...maybe they are too expensive?)

Any ideas for projects that you may have, please share! I have 2 planned so far.

Separation Anxiety

Separating from a parent or caregiver can be very stressful on a child.  It is important that we remember that separating from a parent or caregiver is a process and a skill that needs to be taught and learned.  For a child who hasn't had to separate, a parent leaving can be very scary.  In their little minds, they may be worried that mom or dad won't be coming back.  We need to acknowledge what the infant/child is feeling and let them know that it is normal.  When trying to separate, don't push it.  Gradually decrease the amount of time spent with the child prior to separation.  If possible, begin by spending the day (in the case of daycare or preschool) or time period (in the case of ECFE) with your child following the routine, modeling the behavior and talking about what they are doing or playing.  Make sure to follow the routine.  Grandually shorten the period of time spent with your child in the classroom.  Stay for all but 5 minutes and then explain to your child where you are going and when you will be back.  Reinforce that the child will be safe while the parent is gone and then leave.  Eventually, separating will become easier for the child and the parent.  Remember, this is a process and a skill that needs to be taught and learned.  It won't be solved over night but, with support, your child will become more comfortable with you leaving and they will understand that they are going to be safe and that you will always come back for them.

Welcome to November!

there are a couple of dates that I would like to highlight on the calendar this month:
There will be no class the week of November 7th.  Elementary and Highschool are having conferences that week.

There IS ECFE on November 21 (Monday) to make up for not having class on Halloween.

Family Movie Night is on November 22 at 5:30 in the library.  Movie TBA.

If you have any questions about the schedule, please don't hesitate to contact me using the email link on the blog or calling me.