Winter Issue Greetings parents and families! Thank you to all who attended the Pumpkin Patch Family Day at Cox’s Farm. Everyone had fun including the teachers; this day could not have been possible without your willingness to take the time to meet us there. We have also had other opportunities for you to show your support for our preschool program– donations for classroom parties, supplies for the class and most importantly enrolling your children into our program. As we approach the mid year mark it is important for you as parents to encourage your children to be more independent; I know as a parent we would love for them to stay small for ever. As a mom I can relate to that feeling; that is time when they like to love on you cuddle with and “need” you. Trust me they will always need you just in different ways. We all go through phases in life and now the children are ready for the next stage. Steps to help them be independent–
put their folder in the bin
Put their lunch box in the lunch box bin
Take their coat off properly (sleeves are correct so that it is easier to put on in an emergency)
Glove in hat and hat in sleeve (to avoid loss hats and gloves)
Put coat in back pack
Put back pack away
Kiss and hug goodbye and go play with friends.
Show them, then talk them trough it while they do it on their own and then step back and let them do it on their own with verbal cues, and then allow them to do it completely on their own. They can do it and so can you! Thank you again for your investment into your child’s life and future and for being a part of our Parks and Recreation Family. Thank you for taking a moment to catch up on the Preschool Program and please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time via email at s.jurjevic@manassasparkva.gov or by phone at 703.335.8872. Sincerely, Sue Jurjevic
Learn Respect
Winter Indoor Sports Now that winter is upon us and we are spending more time indoors, take advantage of some of the Community Center’s sport programs, namely our popular Biddy Ball League. Here are few tips on why to choose our Biddy Ball Basketball League: Learn Teamwork
Youth basketball can also teach young players respect: respect for authority, respect for others, and respect for oneself. Basketball is a game of rules, which requires some authority to make sure that they're followed. Coaches and referees have to tell young athletes what they can and can't do or should and shouldn't do. Players have to listen to them and respect what they have to say without talking back.
As with any team sport, basketball will help any youth learn teamwork. In other words, basketball incorporates numerous people working together to reach a common goal. Just like out in the "real world," one person can't always do everything, and sports can help youths grow up to be better team players (and possibly more employable because of it later on in life).
Respect for others falls under "sportsmanship" really. If another player is doing well, they should be respected for working hard to get better. They'll learn to be respectful and not jealous, and hopefully to aspire to be more like someone they respect. More importantly, respect for oneself will be learned through hard work paying off and becoming better (and then being respected by others).
Develop New Bonds and Friendships
Enjoy the sport for the fun of it!
As stated above, basketball is a team sport. Five players from the same team are on the court at a time. Practicing and playing together can really introduce new friendships and bonds that can continue to grow if the players grow up playing ball together.
This is the main point that any youth sport should focus on. Kids are playing sports because they enjoy them, not because they are working. Yes, kids will be dreaming of being in the NBA, and some will make it, but there are only a few lucky chosen each year.
Our Lunch Bunch program has been fun! We learned our “High Five” Table Manners
Sit up straight in your chair
Eat over your plate
Chew with your mouth closed
Use a Napkin
Don’t touch other peoples food.
We have also been practicing on opening our own lunch and juices; to best prepare us for school. It is also important for you to work with your child at home on these things; as we
Just make sure that youth basketball doesn't become "work" instead of fun...if it does, then the point of the game is lost. We hope you choose our league or stop by the community center to explore and participate in other athletic indoor programs like Karate, Volleyball or Cheerleading.
Physical Activities 2013-2014 Biddy Ball: 4 & 5 Years Manassas Park, Dept. of Parks and Rec. is proud to bring another thrilling season of basketball back to the community. Our league is co-ed and we focus on the FUN-damentals and skill development. In this age group, teams practice and play games on Fridays only. Activity # 3856 F
6p-8p
12/13-3/7
65/M; $70/R; $75/NR
partner together to make their future as bright as possible. Check out our Parenting
No Fuss Mess Art
Preschoolers for helpful hints.
Thursdays- 10a- 11a
Social Activities For Kids:
1/9-1/30
Lunch Bunch
$50/M; $55/R;$60/NR
Tuesdays 12:30p-1p 1/7– 1/28-
$40/ M$45/R; $50/NR
2/4-2/25-
$40/ M$45/R; $50/NR
Lil Lab Coats Thursdays- 10a- 11a 2/6-2/27
Story Power Hour Wednesdays- 10a-11a 1/8- $8.00 2/5- $8.00
$50/M; $55/R;$60/NR
There are so many ways to encourage your child to be independent. Getting ready to leave the house–
Create cue cards to what we do first when getting ready for the day
Make a schedule with pictures and words of what to do and in what order to do them
Make it fun by playing a game to see who could get ready with our coats on first (play this game often to give them practice)
Provide them with a special tote to keep their coat, back pack in
Provide them with a small bin to keep in the kitchen for them to pack their snack the night before to avoid last minute packing
Terron Gibson age 4- Ms. Angel’s Class What is your favorite color? My favorite color is red because it is the same color as James the train What is your favorite food and how do you make it? Red fish is my favorite food. I don’t know how to make it because my grandma just gives it to me with rice. What is your favorite thing about preschool? I like preschool because I can play with trains and with my friends and eat snack too. What are you doing for the Holidays? I am going to my Grandma’s house for Christmas because she always gives me big presents If you had a pet what would it be? I would get dog and name it Alex, she would be little so I could give her milk.
Playing pretend is a fun way to interact with your child and it offers your child a variety of opportunities to put their table manners to practice. The following suggestions are also an opportunity to help them learn to make good food choices.
Set up a small buffet in the kitchen and let them pretend they are going through the lunch line at school while you serve as the cafeteria helper and then switch roles to demonstrate what the helpers are there for. Pack and plan an picnic lunch; with the cold weather now upon us you can lay a blanket down in you living room to have your picnic. You can even draw pictures to hang up of what they would like to see while on their picnic (if it was outside)
You can expand on these suggestions buy creating outfits that a cafeteria helper might wear, what you would wear out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. Add arts and crafts to your play time with a signs and pictures for your restaurant. The possibilities are endless. Having your child play the Cafeteria helper and the waiter or waitress gives you the chance to see the world through their eyes.
Relax– Have Fun– Enjoy
Play restaurant and create a menu for your child to order from. Again being able to demonstrate healthy eating choices.
Adryana age 5– Ms. Missy’s Class What is your favorite color? Yellow, green pink and orange because they are lighters! What is your favorite part of Preschool? I like the kitchen food because there is not real knives just one pretending to be knives. Do you have plans for the Holiday? I have two trees. One is green and one is white. The white one glows and I have lots of decorations to put up at Christmas. If you had any pet what would it be? I would have a cat like Puss in Boots or a dog like Scooby Doo. What’s your favorite food and how do you cook it? I love chicken Nuggets! You make them Barbeque by putting them on the grill with the hotdogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preschool Calendar: December 18th– Holiday Party 4’s & 5’s & 3 Bears 9:30a-11:15 December 20th– January 3rd– No Class/ Winter Break January 20th– No Class/ MLK Day February 14th– Holiday Party during class time February 17th– No Class/ President’s Day
What if I want my child to participate in other programs that you offer at the Community Center? i.e. Lunch Bunch, Monday “Me” Time, or “To Do List” Tuesday, or dance. We encourage your child to participate in these extra activities for more socialization and for more time for you. Once your provide a written notice of your child’s additional activity, we will be responsible to take your child to the next program and pick them up from their program and take them to class if the program is within 15 minutes of start or ending of their preschool class. What are the requirements for my child to participate in the Preschool Programs at the Community Center? Children must be between the ages of 3-5 not yet enrolled or attended Kindergarten and must be potty trained. What type of snack should my child bring to Preschool? We recommend fresh fruit, vegetables, yogurt, cheese, water or 100% fruit juice. Snack must be peanut and tree nut, and egg free. Snack must be in its original package with an ingredients label. Please pack cold items with an ice pack; we are not permitted to refrigerate food.
How can I help my child prepare for preschool? Help them establish a routine of laying out clothes for the next day placing their back pack in a place that they will remember. Getting to Preschool and arrival; have them carry their own backpack and allow and encourage them to follow the routine of arrival to school by taking off coats, turning in notebooks and putting their back packs away. What do we do in Preschool? We use a child centered approach to early childhood development. We use hands on activities to encourage a love of learning. We also use daily routines to encourage independence and responsibilities. What is our approach to discipline? Our approach is we discipline through redirection and a focus on self discipline. We focus on teaching empathy and respect for others and their property.