School Online for Early Childhood?

 This week I wondered how on this Earth all of you are touching live with online preschool/early years.  So as I pondered this I've had some ideas.  Here we go--

• Becky Bailey teaches a brain smart start.  I say give it a go online.  It will have to be brief and keep kiddos moving.  I say start with a quick welcoming song that is easy to learn and is quick.  For example, The Superman Welcome.  To the tune of the Superman Theme.   I'm so glad to be here today. (Stand with hands in the air SM style to the right) I'm so glad that I just have to say---(move hands to the left)  That I'm joyful (right hand on right hip) that I'm Loving (left hand on left him) and I'm ready to win (stomping feet) let the day begin!!!!  Quick and easy and connecting to at least you and child.
• Remember that young children need to move.  Let them move.  Do not keep them sitting for long periods of time.  That won't benefit anyone.
• Provide families with ideas for learning/play center they can create at home.  EX:  Play dough recipes, blocks from food boxes, stacking yogurt containers, share discovery bottle ideas, give them book lists, introduce them to Spotify and suggest good music for children, simple math ideas---you get the picture
• Provide a way for families to ask you questions and reply in a timely manner.  Remember to set a time of day that you don't reply so that you can care for you.
• READ/Sing books that are songs.  Raffi and many others have books to sing!
• Share a booklist of age appropriate books to read and places to find books online.
• Keep your books near your broadcasting area for requests. There is nothing more fun than getting the read it again request!
• Give your families items to start collecting for a creation station,  art, math, science, and writing stations.  Things to collect---food boxes, buttons, paper towel rolls, scrap paper, empty yogurt containers, lids (lg enough not to chole on) fabric scrapes, egg cartons,  plastic spoons, foil, cardboard.....you get the idea.  Share great places to find things for counting--.99 cents store, The Dollar Tree, Goodwill.....
• Breathe :)
• Start with simple books, if you are doing a read aloud online. It will be more difficult to draw a child in online--KEEP IT SIMPLE.  Build up to more text on a page later on.  WATCH your students for cues.  I started many school years with Who Hops by Katie Davis.

I hope these ideas will help you connect with families and your students.  

Wishing you well,

Teacher Debbie

New Normal is coming your way!

Hello all,

Well, the changes are here and many of you are back at school.  Well virtual school anyway.  I can't imagine how teachers and parents are going to pull this off.  Well, yes I can, as a team.  We've talked about the parent/guardian - teacher teams for years, but now it is very important for the adults in a child's life team up to do what is best for the child.

Now this may not be advice that districts are going to back, but it is the advice I'm going to give none the less.  We need to do what is best for children and do the best we can with what we've been given to work with this year.  Families and teachers all you can do is the best you can do.  You can encourage online students to stay put at a desk, but you have little control over that, for example.  Families please do your best to encourage your child to stay in their learning spot during learning time.  My hope and prayer for all is that districts and states won't try to have children at monitors hours and hours each day as that isn't what is best for them.  Check your brain research and be ready to discuss, with those in charge, that sitting for hours, at a computer, is not in a child's best interest.  Now for those with kiddos 3rd grade and below, children are meant to more and will do so when they need to do so.  They need movement---that is what kids to so give them time to wiggle.   Here's a handy song for getting those wiggles out and keeping things fun.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyNClOyKwN0    IF the link doesn't work cut and past into your browser.  Check out HelloJoe.com for more great music.  https://hellojoe.com/

Teachers and families I have a couple things I believe will be important for you to do so that you can provide data to schools, districts, and the Dept. of Ed.  I strongly suggest that you all keep journals.  Grab a notebook or start a document on Google Docs to track both positive and negative things happening with the current system you are using to educate children.  Teachers, document things about attendance, for ex:---students who are there and then disappear, what goes well, what needs fine tuning...etc.  Write down what is fact and don't be judgemental as families may have multiple children to monitor and may also be working from home.  Families, document what you see working, what isn't working, maybe take photos too, try not to be critical of the teacher, they didn't select the format they've been given, or the equipment they have to work with each day.  Write down data for the folks "in charge" and write your thoughts and feelings in another section.  Teachers that is advice for you too.  This is finding a new normal time and this process is never easy.  We are better working together.

Make some play dough.  It is good for loads of things and relieving stress is one thing it is good for, for all ages.

Kool Aid Play Dough

2 cups of flour

1 cup of table salt

2 packages of Unsweetened Kook Aid

Mix dry ingredients together.  Add-

4 Tablespoons of vegetable oil

1-2 cups boiling water ( I heat it in the microwave.  The amount of  water needed varies between batches.) 

Slowly add in the liquid ingredients and blend together. Knead until dough like texture.  Store in an airtight container or baggie.

One last idea for today.  Teachers, take time for yourself in this time of setting a new normal.  Decide when you will be available for calls, texts, and answering emails.  Families, try to give your teacher some time to be with their families or just some down time, we all need that.

Wishing you well and praying you all stay safe,

Teacher Debbie

Trying a new background for the new school year.  Do you like it?