May Newsletter

Lewis County Head Start

May 1999 Volume 13, Issue 8

Dear Friends,

Wow! May is here and the end of the school year looms for Head Start. It’s hard to believe that time can go by so quickly. Classes will end for all regular HS classes in Grays Harbor/Pacific and Lewis County on May 20. It is anticipated that the TCD and Fresh Beginnings programs in GH/PHS will continue in a seamless transition to the new grantee.

I hope as you reflect on the year for yourself and your child, you have a great feeling of accomplishment and pride. This has been one of the best years for parent involvement and support. Thanks to all of you for finding time to help out. I know many of you have volunteered in class, kitchen, or on the bus; have prepared classroom materials at home; have participated in Policy Council and various committees; and done a variety of other things to help the program run smoothly. It couldn’t be done without you!

It has been a very enjoyable year for me as I’ve gotten to know so many new people and places. Thank you for sharing your children and yourselves with Head Start this year. Enjoy the summer and, in the Fall, pick up where you left off in your involvement in your child’s schooling.

Sincerely,

Louise

Reading to Learn, Learning to Read

Reading books with your child is one of the most rewarding experiences that you can provide. You share time together, teach new concepts, ideas, and words, while enjoying a story and pictures. Your child also learns about reading and writing.

When We Read
It is never too early to share books with your child. Even infants and toddlers gain important knowledge through them. As your child grows older, s/he will begin to understand the difference between pictures and words. S/he will recognize that written words are symbols for spoken words and thoughts, and will discover that stories follow a sequence of events from beginning to end.

How We Read
As you read to your child use your finger to point to the words and follow the sentences. This helps your child learn how words form sentences and how we read them in order from the left side of the page to the right, top to bottom, and from front to back. Help your child to understand the meaning of the words by explaining and asking questions.

Why We Read
Show your child how reading is important in everyday life. Provide plenty of reading materials for your child to explore in addition to books, such as magazines, catalogues, and newspapers. Read road signs, labels on boxes and cans, and information on signs in stores where you are shopping. Invite your child to help you follow a recipe.

When Choosing Books for Your Child, Ask:

Is it the right length for my child's attention span?
Are the words the right level for my child's understanding?
Are the illustrations simple and do they follow the story?
Does the story reflect my child's experiences or interests?
Is it non-biased, nonsexist, and culturally sensitive?
Will I enjoy this book?

Preschool Parent Press

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The Write Stuff

Mastering control of the small muscles in hands and fingers used for writing takes time and practice. Your child's first scribbles are the beginning of imitating writing. As s/he matures, you will begin to recognize letters and words.

Give your child plenty of opportunities to practice writing. Provide lots of writing tools and materials and have a comfortable area for writing.

Some things to provide:

different sizes, colors, and textures of paper
notebooks, cards, pads of paper
enyelopes and stationary
pencils, pens, markers
chalk and chalk board
stencils, stamps, and stickers

Creative Writing

Write down a story that your child dictates to you. Encourage your child to use whole sentences and write out what s/he tells you. Read it back to your child as you are writing. S/he will learn how writing and reading goes from left to right.

Label pictures that your child has drawn and write down your child's description of them. Encourage your child to sign art work. Your child will feel a sense of ownership and self~steem.

Encourage your child to do pretend writing. Don't worry about spelling or correct letter formation. Ask your child to share what s/he has written.

Make writing a part of everyday life.

Cards and letters-your child can write or dictate a message.
Lists-help your child make a list or add to your grocery list.
Charts-keep track of household chores.
Signs and labels-children love to put their name on their room and belongings.
Journal-a blank book to write and draw in.
Pretend Play-provide writing materials for lists, menus, charts, play money, notes, messages and signs when playing house, restaurant, post office, medical clinic, school, grocery store, etc.
Invitations-have your child help ydu write his/her party invitations.
Outdoors-write in the dirt, sand, snow, or with chalk on the sidewalk.

Preschool Parent Press

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From Preschool to Kindergarten

Going to kindergarten is a new and exciting experience for children and parents to look forward to. In some ways kindergarten will be different from your child's preschool experience. And in many ways it will be the same.

Some of the changes your child will face may include new school, classroom, teachers, staff, and children. S/he may have new transportation, a longer day, exposure to older children, more structure, fewer choices, greater academic expectations, and less individual attention as well.

Because four and five year old children are similar in the way that they learn, your child's kindergarten will probably be set up a lot like preschool. Look for learning centers, hands-on learning materials, and activities that relate to your child's life and experiences. Expect more emphasis will be placed on activities that teach pre-writing, pre-reading, numbers, and language skills.

Make the preschool-to-kindergarten transition easier by being well prepared ahead of time.

Get the School Ready

Register at the appointed times for the kindergarten that your child will be attending.
Attend kindergarten orientation/information meetings and activities.
Visit the school and classroom.
Meet the kindergarten staff that will be working with your child.
Provide information from your child's preschool that will be helpful to the kindergarten staff
Give information about your child that will help the new teachers get to know him or her. (This could be a letter with photos.)

Get Your Child Ready

Visit the school together. Take a tour.
Meet the teachers. Tour the classroom.
Talk about what kindergarten may be like.
Talk about riding the bus, eating at school, after school care if these are new activities for your child.
Listen to what your child says. Is there fear, excitement, or confusion? Talk about it.

Preschool Parent Press

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