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BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE 2022 5 © Ascension 2022. All rights reserved. With the most pediatric specialists in the region Our specialized doctors and care teams provide world-class heart, bone, joint, ear, nose and throat care, and more. From an ER designed just for kids, to the region’s most advanced NICU, we’re here for families like yours — the tiniest babies, growing teenagers and everyone in between. Find a specialist at GetStuderFamilyChildrensHospitalCare.com
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4 2022 The first few years of a child’s life are when the brain grows and develops the most. In fact, 85% of the human brain develops during the first three years of life. Added to this is mounting evidence that children’s skills at the beginning of kindergarten strongly predict their achievement throughout schooling, the likelihood of graduat ing high school and going on to be a successful member of society. All of this drives the Studer Community Institute’s work and our vision to create America’s first Early Learning City in Pen sacola, FL with a model that can be replicated in other cities around the country. It started with a vision and now we are poised to make it a reality. This magazine is built for two purposes. One is to share our vision and ask you to join us. The magazine contains news of what SCI has been able to accomplish over the seven years we have been working to help every child have a great start. We’re accomplishing our mission with so much support and we need you as part of our growing tribe. This parent magazine helps us share vital information with you about the im portance of early brain development and the programs and tools that help parents build their children’s brain function. The second purpose is to put those tools into parents’ hands so that they can use them. Parents, grandparents, teach ers, caregivers, pediatricians and anyone involved with babies and children have a vital role to play; because it really does take a village to raise a child. In each of our area hospitals, new parents are given a video tutorial on the importance of early brain development and an SCI “Brain Bag” with our SCI “Baby Steps” book, a toy and other helpful information. We take the informa tion gathered and register parents for our free brain boosting tips via text message. This is our Basics Insights program. Parents and caregivers can enroll for free at any point and this maga zine contains a QR code with a link for you to enroll. Siblings can help too! Our Sibling Brain Builders program gives books to children in our area schools and engages them in reading to younger siblings. Through the “knock on sibling effect” both children experience an increase in their reading and comprehension capability. Whether we are parents, grandparents or have no children, the children in our community should matter to all of us. I hope you enjoy this magazine and encourage you to reach out to me if you wish to learn more or get involved. Rachael Gillette STUDERPRESIDENT,COMMUNITY INSTITUTE Tosh JulesChadThomasWillCindiBelsingerBonnerDunawayGreekHendersonKariher Van KathyTiaMortLisaJeanManskerPierreN’DioneNellessen-SavageO’SullivanRobbinsSandstrom Joy WalterBertMichelleJoshSharpSittonSnowThornton“Bruce” Watson OUR MISSION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 4 2022 BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE
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GROUNDBREAKING CARE
Baptist Hospital / Gulf Breeze Hospital / Jay Hospital Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Bringing groundbreaking care to the communities we serve is a part of our history. We were born from a legacy of putting people first through better access, experiences and outcomes. We continue to grow and invest in the health of our community to support our Mission of helping people throughout life’s journey. Get to know us before you need us by taking advantage of our free monthly educational seminars. Learn more by visiting eBaptistHealthCare.orgForallyourhealth needs, Baptist is here for you.
Baptist Medical Park – Airport / Baptist Medical Park – Nine Mile Baptist Medical Park – Navarre / Baptist Medical Park – Pace Baptist Medical Group / Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute
08 IT TAKES A VILLAGE Pensacola strives to become America’s First Early Learning City 10 READING FORISCHILDRENTOCRITICALSUCCESS Glen Mourning channels his childhood experience into an educational tool for students 12 ANDFAMILIESCONNECTINGSCHOOLS How the presence of family members can positively impact student learning 14 NATURE DEVELOPMENTCHILDHOODBOOSTS Pensacola develops educational outdoor play spaces with funding from the Sansing Family Foundation 16 BACK TO BASICS Pediatric offices use The Basics to help families and children 18 CALENDER Alongside your child, explore the year with some fun activities InsideWELCOMELETTER 4 12 161014
BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE 2022 7BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE 2021 7 At Nemours Children’s Health, we take care of children’s hearts from before birth through young adulthood. We specialize in the early detection and repair of heart problems, with pediatric heart centers throughout Florida. From studying how genes affect heart disease children are born with — to finding better ways to treat and prevent heart disease in kids, our research is changing lives well beyond medicine. Well Beyond Medicine Nemours.org/Pensacola Care that gets to the heart of it.
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Suskind talked about how vital it is to invest, early on, in children and SCI has made good progress in many ways:
As co-director of the TMW Center for Early Learning and Public Health, Suskind runs a research program at the University of Chicago that studies the effect of early language exposure on children under 3. She is also the author of a new book, “Parent Nation: Unlocking Every Child’s Potential, Fulfilling Society’s Promise.”
→ An in-hospital program, including an eye-opening video, immediately gives new parents knowledge and resources.
→ A text messaging service sends science-based tips twice a week to boost child development.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE PENSACOLA STRIVES TO BECOME
hen Dr. Dana Suskind, a pediatric surgeon and expert in early childhood initiatives, visited Pensacola six years ago to talk about early brain development and parent engagement, she left us a challenge: to become America’s first Early Learning City. Accepting the clarion call to that lofty goal is important, not only for parents of young children, but for everyone. From businesses to schools, the whole community will benefit.
→ Initiatives, aided by partnerships with pediatric offices, agencies and organizations who share our mission to help children and families, such as: a Sibling Brain Builders program in schools, books in barbershops, early brain decals and alphabets and numbered steps at the Blue Wahoos stadium.
→ Family outreach sessions guide and empower parents in our community.
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AMERICA'S FIRST EARLY LEARNING CITY
Research shows the first three years of life are critical in giving kids the tools they need to succeed in school and life. Based on early brain research and working with experts, the Studer Community Institute has created programs that encourage and educate parents on how to develop their baby's brain from day one.
STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE
BY Reggie Dogan
Suskind returned to Pensacola in June as part of CivicCon’s lecture series to increase civic IQ and bring best practices to our community.
→ Early learning sensory gardens provide educational play spaces.
→ Public school systems that better prepare students and engage parents who understand why support at home is crucial to a child’s success. Better prepared students can lead to an increase in high school graduation rates and postsecondary attainment levels.
→ Residents who see their city improve through the benefits of an educated workforce — lower crime rates, higher wages, better schools, reduced need for social services, lower criminal justice costs and increased self-sufficiency and productivity among families. parents. Her second visit fortuitously coincided with SCI’s renewed commitment to make Pensacola America’s first Early Learning City. It started as a vision, but now we are poised to make it a reality.AnEarly Learning City sees the link between the “built environment” — buildings, signs, public spaces, businesses — and brain development, taking steps to make every space a learning space. A simple trip to the grocery store can become a learning experience. Every grocery store can put early education fliers in grocery bags at checkout. Billboards, TV ads and bus stops will become informational portals to reinforce the importance of reading, singing and talking with babies. SCI’s mission to improve the quality of life is a long-term process, one in which we won’t always see immediate results — but we must not get discouraged. We will, in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Go where there is no path and leave a trail.” Only together can we create America’s first Early Learning City. I hope you will come along with us.
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The key pieces of an Early Learning City are health care, schools, current resources, media, architecture and environment. When each does its part, the quality of life in the community improves for:
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→ Birthing hospitals and pediatric offices that include early brain development in a child’s electronic health records.
→ Business owners who invest in their community, seeing employees with children become more productive and engaged when their workplace values their role as parents.
→ Employers who have a better educated, more skilled workforce from which to hire.
“I’d come to school angry, and nobody knew why,” he said. “I had no help with my homework and nowhere to do it. I didn’t know how to communicate that I needed help.”
An educator now in the D.C. area, Mourning said he was speaking to a group of Connecticut fifth graders when he realized that he could create books out of the stories he was telling them. His life imitated art — in the worst way.
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Until his fourth grade teacher stepped in and turned his life around. She told him he could complain about his situation and disappointment or make a choice to do and be better. BY Reggie Dogan STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE
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That’s coupled with a dismal 42% of children in Escambia County not ready for kindergarten. Both are recipes for failure in school and life. But there’s hope and help that comes from people like Glen Mourning, who are dedicated to helping children read and enjoy doing it.
READING TO CHILDREN IS CRITICAL for Success GLEN MOURNING CHANNELS HIS CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE INTO AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR STUDENTS
eading is the most important academic skill for a child. It is the foundation for learning. Through third grade children are learning to read; then they read to learn.
But there’s hope and help that comes from people like Glen Mourning, who are dedicated to helping children read and enjoy doing it.
From football standout to author, the University of Connecticut graduate is now teaching school and writing books, encouraging students to read, study and work to overcome hardships for success.
“We all are writers,” Mourning said. “I just decided to share mine with the world.”
The writing he shares is “Crunchy Life” books for children, his most popular work that consist of a 12-part series for children ages 8 and Mourning’sup. books tie in life memories, a spin on traditional fairy tales as well as his imagination to create heartfelt and mesmerizing stories.
In a cramped two-bedroom innercity apartment with seven adults and six children, Mourning grew up often hungry, helpless and hopeless.
“She said if you want to succeed you have to pay the ‘price’ in life,” Mourning said. “Always try to do your best but also understand it’s okay when things are hard.”
Mourning became a scholar and athlete. He earned a full athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Connecticut and made the All Big East Conference academic honor roll for two years in a row before graduating and attending graduate school. Given the state’s sub-par reading proficiency, it is encouraging to hear help is on the way with early education initiatives passed in the legislature.
The Florida House launched The New Worlds Reading Program in 2022. It provides one free book a month for students to take home through the school year. The Senate also started a pilot program to help students improve their reading skills. It selected 10 counties across the state, including Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Each county was given $6 million to start reading intervention programs for elementary schoolThroughstudents.focusing on building culturally responsive classrooms and school communities, Mourning intends on supporting and strengthening schools around the 10001 N. Davis Highway | (850) 434-7171 info@autismpensacola.org | AutismPensacola.org
Our Programs & Services: Kids for Camp Project Lifesaver 2nd Saturday Respite Meals on My Own (MoMO) Parent Chat Take Me Home PLAYPENSACOLA.COM TO LEARN ABOUT OUR 93 PARKS, 10 RECREATION FACILITIES AND OVER 200 PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES, VISIT @PlayPColaParks •
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The “price,” Mourning explained to the kids, was an acronym for persistence, responsibility, integrity, commitment and enthusiasm.
“We know how influential a dad’s or father figure’s presence in a child’s life can push kids toward positive behaviors and choices,” said Person.
Sibling Brain Builders is designed to encourage sibling bonding and family engagement through reading, sharing BY Reggie Dogan STUDER FAMILIES SCHOOLS
If we ever expect to improve the quality of life in our diverse community, families must be at the forefront. The adage still holds true that the home is a child’s first school, and parents are the firstGettingteachers.children ready for school and life starts at birth, and Studer Community Institute’s emphasis on family engagement, the power of words and parent-talk are critically important steps to Familytake.engagement traditionally centers around parent interaction with children. But there is ample research on how siblings affect one another, and new research shows that siblings may well have as powerful an effect on each other's lives as parent interaction.
“Donuts with Dads felt like an obvious choice to promote the importance of thatPersonrelationship.”anticipated about 50 or so dads would show up for an early morning program to enjoy a donut and some time with their kids. Much to her surprise, a standingroom crowd of more than 200 dads, granddads and other special father figures and role models packed the school’s cafeteria.
AND
onnecting with students’ families is an important part of creating a strong school community. And by family, that could mean the people who are most important in a student’s life.
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Donuts with Dads, Muffins with Moms, and Moms for Tea and Me all have become popular family-themed breakfast events to promote family engagement and strengthen relationships between schools and families.
Shona Person, principal of Montclair Elementary School, understands the connective relationship.
COMMUNITY INSTITUTE CONNECTING
HOW THE PRESENCE OF FAMILY MEMBERS CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING
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BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE 2020 13BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE 2022 13 and learning. SCI believes the sibling relationship is the perfect place for younger children to learn, develop and grow. While Sibling Brain Builders is an innovative program to foster family engagement, its main goal is to help prepare children for school and life.
Research by The Fatherhood Project and Lifeway shows the lifelong impact of fathers being actively engaged in the early years of their child’s life.
→ Children whose fathers are actively involved are more likely to have successful careers, stronger marriages and improved ability to handle stress.
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→ Involved fathers who set loving and clear boundaries and expectations enhance their child’s emotional, academic, social and behavioral growth.
Early education plays a critical role during the important developmental years of a child. While family engagement is important to that success, having fathers involved is a critical part. Breakfast-themed events like Donuts with Dads are also a great way to make parents feel welcome and appreciated. The hope is that everyone who participated in Donuts with Dads finds value and will include Sibling Brain Builders in their family activities. By taking advantage of family connections already in place, programs like Sibling Brain Builders and events like Donuts with Dads maintain an element of choice that generates new links between home and school.
→ Children with involved fathers have higher levels of sociability, confidence and self-control, making children less likely to act out in school and engage in risky adolescent behaviors.
This will inspire their play to be purposeful and give them a connection to the natural world they do not currently have. The playground also will inspire the community at large to replicate such an investment in other under-served areas.
“Our goal is to reach children and their parents where they are and help them understand the importance of incorporating talk and play into early brain development,” Gillette said. “The Sansing Family Foundation has made it possible, and it is a visible reminder of how much we care about giving children in our community a good start in life.”
The nature-based garden creates a play space that is fun and supports the healthy development of a child’s brain. That is an aspect of the Studer Community Institute’s efforts to support healthy, early brain development and school readiness in ResearchPensacola.shows that being in nature boosts a child's brain development and ability to focus, be creative and solve problems. This project takes elements of play and nature and combines them into a learning space that is beautiful and fun. Shirley Henderson, deputy executive director of Area Housing, said the play space will be used as the location for lessons about the importance of play, about ways to build parent talk and interaction into play time and to provide an outlet for learning in a safe, fun
The Gonzalez early learning garden comes on the heels of the Sitton Bear Kugelman playground, dedicated last year at Moreno Court on Old Corry Field Road.
Sansing GonzalezsensoryearlytodonatedFoundationFamily$25,000constructlearninggardenatCourt.
Another early learning play space is planned for Area Housing Commission's Attucks Court off Cervantes Street.
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“Childrenenvironment.learnabout their world through their senses,” Henderson said. “Creating a safe, diverse and developmentally appropriate outdoor learning environment can allow them to explore and learn so much more about their senses and nature.”
Area Housing Commission's Gonzalez Court off Ninth Avenue is the new home of an early learning sensory garden in Pensacola. Sandy Sansing and his family stepped up to donate $25,000 toward the playground designed for children under 5 years old.
The goal of the project is to provide the children of Gonzalez Court with an educational play space that highlights nature and the environment as part of the design.
After hearing about the development of a play space at Area Housing’s Moreno Court in West Pensacola, the Sansing family chose to support this project to enable children in another part of the community the chance to enjoy the outdoors in a healthy and playful setting.
Studer Community Institute president Rachael Gillette believes the location serves as a good opportunity to show the impact of building learning into the environment.
BY Reggie Dogan STUDER COMMUNITY INSTITUTE
Anew year ushers in a new place for children to play and learn.
NATURE BOOSTS CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PENSACOLA DEVELOPS EDUCATIONAL OUTDOOR PLAY SPACES WITH FUNDING FROM THE SANSING FAMILY FOUNDATION
“It is so important for children to be able to exercise, learn and play outside,” said Sansing, a local automobile dealership owner and philanthropist. “We hope it will be a place where kids can laugh, play and develop their brain for years to come.”
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Comprehensive dental treatment and oral care for babies, kids, teenagers, and kids with special needs. Our emphasis is on prevention first. We offer white or silver crowns, fillings, space maintenance, extractions, and more, providing care in a way your child/teenager will feel comfortable, including various pediatric sedation methods. In addition, we provide laser tongue- and lip-tie corrections (frenectomies) for infants and older children when indicated. My husband, Dr. Edwin Witcher, recently started Smart Smiles Orthodontics right next door, so now patients can receive braces and cleanings in the same location — less driving for busy parents is a win to me.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS? Reaching the fullest potential God has for my business and life. I want every child and family to feel like they were treated with kindness at every appointment. Success is storing up treasures in heaven and not on this earth because we sure can’t take them with us.
DR. RACHEL WITCHER DR. STU BONNIN
WHAT SETS YOUR PRACTICE APART? Our practice is focused on families and children. Helping children grow up to be responsible, respectful and resourceful teenagers and adults is one of our goals. Partnering with parents to rear healthy children is our passion.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TRANSITION YOUR PENSACOLA PRACTICE TO DR. RACHEL? I’ve known Dr. Rachel for many years, from her time as an employee through her undergraduate education and then dental school, all the way to her residency and practice in Gainesville. We share the same conservative practice values/beliefs, and I knew she would be the best fit; it was just a matter of time.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE PATIENTS RECEIVE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE? I treat every child like I would my own. As a mom, I realize how scary the unknown can be with treatment for your kids. I always assure them this is 100% the best treatment they can get and what I would do if it were my child.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE FROM VISITING YOUR PRACTICE? I sincerely hope that after experiencing a visit with us, a parent says, “I am glad that I brought my child to Dr. Bonnin and Dr. Rachel. I feel that things were explained to me, and they listened to me. I know that I can call either of them anytime for an emergency or if I have a question.”
WHAT SERVICES DOES YOUR PRACTICE PROVIDE?
Pensacola Pediatrics and Community Health Northwest Florida have joined SCI’s Basics Pensacola network. They will offer The Basics video lessons — and the chance to sign up for Basics Insights text messages — to their families.
SCI is a local affiliate of the Basics Learning Network, part of the Achievement Gap Initiative founded by Harvard economics professor Dr. Ron Ferguson.
The 16 doctors in the Pensacola Pediatrics group will use The Basics video lessons — and offer the chance to sign up for Basics Insights text messages — with the families who use one of the practice’s six locations for the healthcare of their children. Pensacola Pediatrics sees 12,800 children between the ages of birth to 5 years old, each year.
PEDIATRIC OFFICES USE THE BASICS TO HELP FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
tuder Community Institute partnership with two top pediatric practices in the area is creating the opportunity to reach the families of more than 22,000 children from the age of birth to 5 years old.
At Community Health, Dr. Michelle Grier-Hall rolled out The Basics at Community Health’s Airport Pediatrics location. In her role as director of pediatrics for Community Health Northwest Florida, Grier-Hall also helped launch The Basics at Community Health's other 11 pediatric practice locations in 2022. The Community Health team reaches more than 10,000 pediatric patients under the age of 5.
BACK BASICSTO
The Basics uses video lessons and a texting service around a curriculum to reach parents where they are and help them learn and use these concepts to boost the time and the quality of the interaction they have with their children.
Insights sends twice-a-week text messages to a parent or caregiver’s phone, based on the child’s age. The first text is a fact or developmentally age-appropriate skill a child may be showing or developing.
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SCI works to implement and spread projects to help every child in our community have a good chance for a great start at being ready for kindergarten. In Escambia County, only 42% of children are kindergarten ready. That means meeting families where they are and sharing tools to help parents talk and interact more with their children as part of a recipe to fuel healthy brain development is a key component of school readiness.
And that “SCI shares our greater vision for our community; one that ignites health and prosperity.” BY Reggie Dogan STUDER COMMUNITY
Bringing The Basics video lessons and texting platform to the pediatric space is an important evolution in the work of improving outcomes for children in the“Wecommunity.areexcited to partner with the Studer Community Institute by offering The Basics to our pediatric patients here at Community Health Northwest Florida,” said Sandra Donaldson, chief advocacy officer for Community Health Northwest Florida.
Dr. Carol Andrews of Pensacola Pediatrics said “we strive to empower parents to provide opportunities for every child to thrive. “This partnership with SCI to provide research-based tools and education to our families is an exciting opportunity to make that impact broader and more meaningful in their everyday lives.”
INSTITUTE
The second text, sent a day or two later, is a suggestion or activity that reinforces the skill from the first text.
She also stated that they “are committed to connecting our patients to our community’s most valuable resources.”
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18 2022 BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE BRAIN BUILDER Calendar
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Let’s explore Encourage your child to be curious about the world around them. For example: What happenswhen you mix paint with water? Use a dropper to squeeze paint into a bowl of water. Explain what is happening. Asking your child questions about the world will increase their curiosity. 29 30 31 S T W T F S 4
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1 Talk about it! While making a snack or meal, explain each step to your child. 6 Have your child tell a story, encourage the use of expressive language. 15 Play a game of telephone with your child. Use receptive language during the role play. 24 Encourage your child to draw a picture of their feelings for the day. 27 Explore outside. Use receptive language and explain what each object is. Notes: OCT Color of the month: Orange Shape of the month: Circle 2 125 27 192661320 30 MS T W T F S
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Let’s learn together Teaching your child shapes and colors before VPK will allow them to have a more productive experience during school. Help your child get ahead! 4 3 Draw a picture by using shapes. 8 While reading, draw shapes that are in the story. 17 During pretend play, use blocks to build. 26 Let your kid have fun with food and describe a ‘triangle’ slice of pizza and round apple. 29 Arrange manipulatives into like categories. Notes: NOV Color of the month: Brown Shape of the month: Star 1 92162322 1031724 271926 8 14 15
Families are the key. That’s why we built this calendar. It shares things large and small that you and your child can do to get ready for school. The skills in this calendar are the kinds of skills children develop in the year between their third and fourth birthdays. 20 29 S T W T F S
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Talk it out Talking to your child helps the development of their brain. Nearly 90%–95% of your child’s brain is built by age 5. Help your child’s brain grow by talking and interacting with them every day!
1 Take it outside! Use colorful chalk and trace shadows on the sidewalk. 6 Make a telescope out of an empty paper towel tube. As a bonus, paint the tube! 15 Encourage your child to feel sand, dirt and water on their feet and hands. 24 Try throwing items besides a traditional ball. Can you spare an oval-shaped egg? What would it be like to throw and catch a wet sponge? A coin? A square pillow? 27 Arrange manipulatives into like categories. Notes: DEC Color of the month: Red Shape of the month: Octagon
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Everyone loves a delicious meal. While you are grocery shopping, talk with your child about the items you are getting. For example, point out colors, shapes, and sizes of different fruits and vegetables. For younger ones, be sure to talk, talk, talk! 29
4 Play a game that requires taking turns and listening. Reward your child when they follow directions. Listen to the story, “Going on a Bear Hunt” then conduct a scavenger hunt with your child. Within the story, ask your children the consequences for the characters if they did not follow directions. While reading a new story, ask checkpoint questions. Explain why it is important to always listen. 31 Play a game of Simon Says showing the importance of following guidelines. Notes: MARCH Color of the month: Navy Shape of the month: Semicircle
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Read Aloud! Make a grocery list with your child. Bake cookies with your child and measure the ingredients. 10 Pretend play “restaurant” and have your child “cook” you a healthy meal. 22 Read a book related to food. Discuss your child’s favorite food group. 27 Make a cookbook that has healthy meals and your child’s favorite recipes. Notes: Color of the month: Grey Shape of the month: Hexagon S T W T F S 3 Feelings and family
Children must learn how to listen to and follow directions. As we know, this is not only for learning purposes, but also for their safety. Incorporate learning how to follow directions by playing different games or while getting dressed. Be sure to use positive reinforcement when your child listens.
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Your child has feelings, too. Teaching a child how and when to express their feelings will increase their emotional well-being, no matter what age. 5 Play music based on your child’s mood. 9 Read a book about feelings. 14 Share with your child the people they can trust. Read a story related to love. Notes: Color of the month: Teal Shape of the month: Heart
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Helping children to develop social skills creates a foundation for healthy interactions in all aspects of life. Encourage sharing whether your child is playing among peers or with you. For example: Hand out six crayons between you and your child. To receive new colors, your child must ask nicely. This simple concept will go a long way!
26 Create lacing cards! Punch holes in a piece of paper and encourage your child to lace through the holes.
31 Pick a book relating to art. Have your child draw a picture of something from the book. Notes: Color of the month: Green Shape of the month: Trapezoid 2826 29
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Create a chore chart with your child! Use symbols and rewards to encourage daily clean up. Choose a book that relates to chores. 16 Build a fort with your child. Afterward, help your child put the items back in place. 21 Make recycling bins as an activity. While cleaning, separate paper, plastic and cans. 30 Have your child pick their favorite chore to do.
Clean up time Set aside time each day for specific chores. For example: Before it is time to take a nap, make sure toys are picked up and put away and that dirty clothes are put into the laundry basket or hamper. Make cleaning fun by singing songs or dancing! Notes: Color of the month: Violet Shape of the month: Pentagon
17 Create an “art gallery” in your home. Having a designated area to display your child’s work will bring positivity.
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5 Gather supplies to create a new project. Encourage your child to count out objects as you gather them. 14 Grab a sheet of paper and trace your and your child’s hands and feet. Afterward, color or paint the images.
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Build fine motor skills through activities. A toddler’s curiosity grows by the day, and art and creative play are great outlets for that curiosity. For example: Place different art supplies in front of your child. With little instruction, see what finished product they come up with. Allow your child to be creative. Incorporate art projects into learning sessions.
MS T W T F S 3 Be a friend
2 Talk with your child about their friend group. Find out the qualities that they desire in a friend. 11 Create a song about sharing. Sing and dance to your silly song. 16 Take your child to the park. Encourage them to play with new children.
21 Read Aloud: Take turns with your child telling a story. 30 Encourage your child to use words such as thank you and please. Reward their politeness! Notes: Color of the month: Yellow Shape of the month: Rectangle
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BUILDING BLOCKS, A PARENT MAGAZINE 2022 21 A place where kids can safely explore and learn about their world From 62206-0722 WSRE Building Blocks ad.indd 1 7/6/22 3:27 PM MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PENSACOLA CREATING LIFELONG LEARNERS SINCE 1977 850.469.8138 • Montessoripensacola.com Accredited by AMS, AdvancED & NCPSA MSP Entry Level & Preschool Programs Offer: • Daily playtime • Montessori certified teachers that are caring and experienced • Age appropriate and stimulating environment • Low student-teacher ratios • Two-year-olds through eighth grade MEDICARE QUESTIONS? 850.501.3573 aaron@erskinebenefits.com
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22811530169223 31171024 114 261825 19125 28 6 7 13 14 20 21 27 29 MS T W T F S 3 JULY Color of the month: Purple Shape of the month: Oval SEPT Color of the month: Blue Shape of the month:81Parallelogram152221 921623241017 411 261825 19512 6 7 13 14 2027 2928 30 MS T W T F S 3 Pretend play
AUG Color of the month: Pink Shape of the month: Square
Pretend play gives children the chance to practice their life skills and to deal with issues they are just beginning to understand. Although playing seems simple, it has the power to help a child learn important skills. Read a story together. Draw a picture on how it made you feel. Ask your child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Role play their answer. Pretend play a chef with your child and count the different ingredients. Take your child to the park for free play. Choose a place for pretend play with your child. Notes: 1 26
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Writing is a fundamental part of your child’s life. Writing is also a way in building their fine motor skills. Try to create a stress-free environment to encourage learning. Make writing fun! Spell your child’s name on a piece of paper in marker. Have your child trace letters in crayon or pencil. Choose an alphabet book to read with your child. Go over the letters that are in your child’s name. Spread shaving cream on a flat surface. Encourage your child to write letters in the cream. Write out numbers in marker. Have your child trace over the numbers. Also, help them count. 26 Encourage your child to write their name on their own. Help along the way! Notes:
Playing is probably what your child looks forward to the most. Through running, jumping or even kicking a ball, your child is increasing their gross motor skills. Read a story related to physical activity. Imitate the motion that characters are doing in the book. Encourage your child to do a simple exercise. Count aloud with each movement. Read a story of your choice. Afterward, come up with a silly song about the story. 27 Take your child to the park for free play. Count it out! Play a game of leapfrog. Measure how far your child goes. Notes:
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