Tuesday, June 28, 2011

4th of July Spin Art


Supplies needed:
  • white card stock
  • red paint
  • blue paint
  • blue card stock
  • double sided tape (or glue)
  • salad spinner
1. Cut white card stick to fit inside the basket of the salad spinner. We used the following salad spinner -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00138P8TQ/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=123leacur-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B00138P8TQ&adid=1HYEYSBKPEM72AFTHBNP

size of the paper was 6" x 6"

2. Place paper inside the spinner.

3. Have red and blue paint in small squeeze bottles.

4. Have children get the paper spinning - squeeze red and blue paint onto the white card stock as it is spinning.

5. Hang up and dry.

6. When spin art is dry - attach to a piece of blue card stock so that it frames the spin art. Double sided tape works great, but you can also use glue.

Hang up and enjoy!

4th of July T-Shirt

4th of July Shirt Video

Above is a video on youtube for a 4th of July t-shirt... I will be placing directions that can be printed up or saved to 1 - 2 - 3 Learn Curriculum for members. This video does give you good directions though for any non-members.
They turned out ADORABLE!
Thanks
Jean

4th of July Streamer

4th of July Streamer craft added to 1 - 2 - 3 Learn Curriculum - under Holidays...
More to be added.
Thanks Jean

Thursday, June 23, 2011

4th of July Center Piece

I have added a 4th of July center Piece craft to the 1 - 2 - 3 Learn Curriculum web site - under holidays (members Section).
Thank you
Jean
http://www.123learncurriculum.com/

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Art of Communication

Communicating Between Child Care Provider and Parent

Communication with day care parents is an important part of providing quality child care. The best of any relationship involves being able to talk, share ideas and concerns. As quoted by John Powell "Communication works for those who work at it". And thus this is also true with a relationship between a child care provider and the parents of the children she cares for.

The key to any relationship is respect.

A child care providers job is hard and tedious, and most important as they care to the needs of our future. A parent also deserves respect as they have the hard task of finding a child care provider that has the same moral standards as they do. They are leaving their child each day in the hands of someone else, and this can be stressful. Having respect between the child care provider and parent will help with the art of communication.
So we know that communication is important, so lets discuss what different forms of communication there is between a child care provider and parent.

Daily

Daily communication lets you share with parents how their child is doing, what activities their child did during the day and any concerns you wish to cover. Always talk with parents one on one, with no other parents around to make the talking is comfortable and private.
Talking during drop off and pick up each day keeps both the provider and parent informed on what is going on each day at child care and parents can let providers know of any new changes at home to help with the child's day. This could be from not sleeping good at night to a death in the family. Knowing what is going on at home can help a provider with the child's day at child care.

E-mails

A fast and easy way to communicate. A provider can share pictures with parents at work - to show what activities their child is doing during the day, reminders of days off, or a quick e-mail to let them know what an awesome day their child is having. What a nice little surprise for parents and they will really appreciate that quick e-mail. Make sure to have all parents e-mail addresses at work or home.

Newsletters

Sending home monthly newsletters can keep parents informed of what will be going on at child care during the month. These can be one page to 3 pages. Keep your newsletter brief. Depends on your skill with doing newsletters, information you would like to share, and time you have to put one together.
Ideas for placing in newsletters:
Themes for the month
Calendar of important dates, closings, birthdays, celebrations
Touch on policies: use this section each month, pick a policy and touch on it as a gentle reminder to parents.
Children's artwork, cute comments
Highlight milestones and accomplishments of both children and staff.
Welcome new children and say good by to children leaving your child care.
Suggested book list
There is so much you can add to a newsletter, but again, keep it brief, keep it consistent each month and come up with a template you can use over and over again to make newsletter writing easier each month.

Blog

A fun way to share with parents what is going on in your program each day. Be sure to take plenty of pictures, but before posting any on your blog, have parents fill out a photo permission sheet and keep in your files. When doing up a permission sheet, include placing their child's picture in your newsletter, on the internet and any other place that would be a public venue.

Bulletin Boards

Placing a bulletin board in your entrance is an easy way to communicate with parents on a daily basic with a visual form of communication.... Let parents know what the children eat each day by placing a weekly or daily menu on your bulletin board.
Hang up a sheet letting parent know what theme the children are doing for the week, what books they are reading, a list of days your program is closed, etc. What you would like parents to know - hang up on your bulletin board. Decorate and make it inviting to read each day.

Communication is key to running a successful child care business. Using the above ideas will only help and show your parents that you respect the need to communicate with them on a daily basis.
I have added the sign above to the 123 Learn ONLINE web site - under Free Downloads. :)
Print up and place in a frame.
Thanks Jean

4th of July Crafts

I am adding 4th of July crafts this week.... They will be located at http://www.123learncurriculum.com/
Member sign in - under Holidays. :)
Thanks Jean

Thursday, June 16, 2011

What Curriculum is Right For Me?

Where do I begin?
(Term preschool will be used in place of preschool/child care/daycare)

There are so many preschool curriculum's available for your preschool that at times, the decision on which one you would like to use can be overwhelming!
This page will hopefully help you to decide what type of curriculum is best for you. I will not be promoting any other curriculum on this page, only giving some insight to what is available out there for your preschool.

Pre-Packaged
There are several companies that sell pre-packaged curriculum. This is an great idea if you would like to keep doing a preschool program easy.
Each month you order for the amount of children that you have in your preschool program. You will receive a shipment before the start of your month containing all of the accessories for the activities included each month. They do not provide normal supplies such as scissors, crayons, glue and paint.

When going with a pre-packaged program you normally have to order different packages for the different ages of children in your preschool. Costs vary each month depending on the program you use.

A sample cost I have found for new customers is below:

For 3 children age 2 - 5 -- $25.
For 5 children age 3 - 5 --$34.75.
Cost will be slightly higher after the 1st month.

Pro's to a pre-packaged program:

  • Everything is done for you
  • There is established structure Professionals Put the curriculum together
  • Con's to a pre-packaged program:
  • Substantial cost each month
  • You are locked in for the school year
  • There is no assurance what you buy is right for your preschool
Disk's or Downloads

There are preschool curriculum companies that put their programs onto disks or make available as downloads.
When deciding to try this option, most web sites that offer this option will have available "free" downloads so that you can see the quality of the program you are purchasing.

Both disks and downloads are cost effective, if they are a program that you want to use in your preschool program.
Once you purchase the disk or downloads, they are yours to use year after year.
You print up each day the amount of sheets that you need. No worry if you have more children for the day because you can print up extra sheets.

Pro's to disks or downloads

  • Cost efficient
  • Print up what you need each day
  • No waste
  • Use year after year
Con's to disks or downloads

If you have no computer experience, you might be confused as to how to load the disk or download the program and save on computer
More costly because you have to use your own ink and paper


The nice thing is you can try different programs and then stick with what works for your preschool program.


written by Jean Lang

Articles

I am going to start adding some articles I write to the 123 Learn Curriculum blog. First let me state, I am NOT a professional writer. I just thought it would be fun... :)
So we'll have to wait and see how fun it is.....
Thanks
Jean

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

2011 Sign In Sheets Added

I have added the balance of sign in sheets for 2011. The sign in sheets are located at http://www.123learncurriculum.com
Under Free Downloads.
More to be added... Thanks Jean

Monday, June 13, 2011

August and September Sign In Sheets

I have added a link to the members web site at 123 Learn Curriculum for the Free Downloads on the theme page. In the past, yo would have to sign out and bring up the home web page to view the free downloads. :)

I have also added August and September sign in sheets - 2 templates on the Free Download page.


To access the free download page, please go to http://www.123learncurriculum.com/ and click on Free Downloads at the top of the page. :)

I will add the rest of the year sign in sheets this week...
Thanks Jean

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Father's Day Car Washing Bucket

I have added the directions for a Father's Day Car Washing Bucket to the 1 - 2 - 3 Learn Curriculum web site. Under Holidays.
More to be added.
Thanks Jean

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Zoo Fun Items. :)

I have added a lion and elephant graph to use during circle time, the math and Science Zoo Fun cover sheet, and a couple Zoo - certificates to 123 Learn Curriculum, under Zoo Fun. More to be added. :)
Thanks Jean

Flag of Italy and Spaghetti Graph


I had a request for a Italy graph for circle time, so I have done up the above graphing. The pages are loaded at 1 - 2 - 3 Learn Curriculum, under Adventures around the World. :)
Thanks... More to be added.
Jean