This week we are learned all about My Family, Your Family, and Pets! During our large group time we discussed the importance of family, “Who is in a family?”, “What do you think makes a family?”. We pointed out similarities and differences in the types of families represented in the classroom. To increase our math learning we graphed who had pets and what types of pets. My Family, Your Family, and Pets Learning Objectives:

• Participate in group music activities.
• Begin to identify similarities and differences.
• Identify letters in name; Recognize her name in print.
• Understand family relationships
• Learn how families help each other.
• Recognize the feelings of others through team sports.
• Learn more about others and how all people differ.

Next week we our week is all about how having good friends is about being a good friend! We hope you have a wonderful weekend!! See you on Monday!

These programs have demonstrated these best practices:

• Uses consistent routines to support children
• Talks with children and families to better understand interests and culture
• Shares important community resources with families
• Learns about each individual child by observing and taking notes
• Commits to and maintains professional ethics in the early learning field

These programs have demonstrated all One-Star practices, AND:

• Evaluates learning activities, materials, classroom layout, and health-related practices to set goals for growth
• Plans school-readiness activities for children
• Guides families through their children’s transition to kindergarten
• Shares information with families in ways that meet their unique needs
• Plans for continued learning and professional growth

These programs have demonstrated all One- and Two-Star practices, AND:

• Uses a curriculum aligned with Minnesota’s early learning standards
• Teaches in a way that is organized, challenging and warm
• Helps children transition between activities and stay engaged
• Uses approved tools to track children’s development
• Commits to ongoing quality improvement by using some of these best practices:
  • Responds to unique cultural customs and needs of children and families
  • Offers activities that encourage family participation and help children transition to kindergarten
  • Gives families opportunities to provide feedback about the program
  • Shares child development updates with families to set goals together
  • Makes accommodations for children with special needs and their families
  • Has highly-qualified and trained leadership staff, teachers, and providers
  • Creates a program-wide professional development plan
  • Encourages healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, always evaluating to set goals for growth

These programs have demonstrated all One-, Two-, and Three-Star practices, AND commits to ongoing quality improvement by using most of these best practices:

• Responds to unique cultural customs and needs of children and families
• Offers activities that encourage family participation and help children transition to kindergarten
• Gives families opportunities to provide feedback about the program
• Shares child development updates with families to set goals together
• Makes accommodations for children with special needs and their families
• Has highly-qualified and trained leadership staff, teachers, and providers
• Creates a program-wide professional development plan
• Encourages healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, always evaluating to set goals for growth