Brldgoporl Chlld Dovolopmonl Conlor A program of One Hope United

3053 S. Mormol Avonuo, Chlcogo, lL 60616 312.842.5566

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YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
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Overall HealtH exercise NutritiON eNvirONmeNtal sustaiNability
The Gift of Words: Reading and Games
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Some children start kindergarten with double the
vocabulary of others. Knowing many words and
understanding them are important in developing
thinking skills and in getting ready to read. Here
are some ways to add to your childs school readi-
ness with the gift of new words. Its never too early
to start!
Reading
Read often to your child, both old favorites and new
books from the library. Comment on new words you
hnd ln books or whorovor you como ocross lhom.
Use place words such as up, down, right, left.
Talk about opposites: in and out, up and down,
on or off, hot or cold, fast or slow.
Use synonymswords that mean the same
thing. If your child talks about the time after din-
ner, respond using the word evening.
Pick out a new word, and tell your child what it
means. Use it in a clear context frequently, even
over-using it for fun! If the days word is excel-
lent, use it for anything that day thats good.
lho noxl doy, hnd onolhor lo hovo lun wllh-
llko mognlhconl.
Carry a small book or two in your
car, purse, or backpack to use
during those waiting times.
Visit your library for books on
subjects that interest your child.
Many children love books about
animals or machines, and these
books can introduce new words.
Games
Play simple word games.
Try a yes-no game to teach about questions.
Are you purple? Can a tree talk? Let her try
asking you questions.
Play a mystery game. Give clues and let your
child guess. Its yellow. We buy it at the
grocery store. You throw away the outside and
eat the inside. Add clues until she guesses
banana. She comes to our apartment every
day. She usually leaves something. She wears a
uniform. He guesses mail carrier. Try read-
lng o dohnlllon lrom o chllds dlcllonory ond
letting him guess the word. Turn it around. Is a
vehicle a person, a building, or a car?
Play with categories, differences, and similari-
ties. How is a banana different from an apple
and an orange? How are they alike?
Sing simple songs and recite nursery rhymes
together.
Enter into your childs games. Have fun playing
house, with her playing the mommy or your son
playing the daddy. Talk about what different
members of the family do.
Article from:
Illinois Early Learning Project
http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/gift-reading.htm
Juno 2013
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
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2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
Parent
Committee
Meeting
13 14 5toll
In-5orvico-Contor
Closes at 2:30p.m.
NoAltor-5chool
Program
8PI 8lock Porty
2:30-4:30 p.m.
15
16
Fothors Ooy
17 18
Parent Meeting
4:30 p.m.
19 20 21 22
23 24
CP5 lost doy
ol school
25
5ommor
Program
begins
26 27 28 29
30
Juno 2013
Introduction to
classroom activities
Spring is in the air, and all of the classrooms at
BPCDC I are kicking into high gear. As more
time is spent outdoors, the children have been
asking great questions about the change in sea-
sons, and they are also becoming more excited
about the warm weather. Several classes chose
to do a study of trees and the activities have
explored topics from the different types of trees
to edible things that grow on trees.
Room 5 concluded their exciting reduce, reuse,
recycle study this month. As the study ended,
the classroom was able to answer some of the
questions they formed when they began. The
children now know and understand: how trash
and garbage affect the community, and how
|unk ls rousod or rocyclod. As o hnol oxporl-
ence, the class talked about what would make
the world wonderful. After the discussion, they
read the story What a Wonderful World and
listened to the coordinating song by Louis Arm-
strong. Students worked collaboratively to draw
a picture of what they thought made the world
wonderful.
Other rooms continue to engage in a tree
study. The children have been using links to
measure the width of a tree and are taking
note to whether the tree is thin, short, tall or
wide. Together the teachers and students read
stories, such as Up, Down and Around, by
Katherine Ayres and Chicka Chicka Boom
Boom, by Bill Martin. They have also been
learning about what grows on trees such as
peaches, apples and coconuts. The students
had the experience to discover how a coconut
tastes during an activity called Mystery Box.
The children then began to talk about how
they might open the coconut. Some suggested
lhoy lhrow ll on lho Noor lo brook ll. Clhors
suggested they use a hammer to break it into
pieces. The teacher was able to open the co-
conut with the hammer and the children tasted
the fruit inside.
June Focus Nutrition: Making
food fun for children and parents
Food is an essential part of life and very important in
almost every culture. Here at BPCDC I our students are
fed a variety of healthy foods. We always encourage
our students to try all the items on their plates, even
if they are unfamiliar. We hope you use this month to
include your children in choosing food items and prepar-
ing meals at home. Speak with them about some of the
foods they enjoyed at school and the foods they enjoy
at home. All of our classrooms have the opportunity to
participate in a monthly food experience and the recipes
are posted in the rooms newsletters. As part of a par-
ent/child activity, you can recreate the recipe and serve
it to your family. As the weather is warmer you can allow
your child to accompany you at your local grocery store,
and pick a new fruit or vegetable to try. Children are of-
ten very excited about creating things in the kitchen. Lets
continue to foster that creativity, and make food fun!
Here at BPCDC I, we hope that you and your family
have felt supported by all of the staff members efforts
to encourage and engage you in the education of your
child. It is important to us that you feel that we are pro-
viding quality services to you and your family.
Head Start programs build relationships with families
that support:
family well-being and positive parent/child
relationships;
families as learners and life-long educators;
family engagement in transitions;
family connections to peers and community; and
families as advocates and leaders.
ln lho lomlly supporl sloll olhco, lhoro ls o Communlly
Resource Directory. This directory was put together to
help provide various resources to parents and children
durlng lho onllro yoor. ln lhls dlroclory, you con hnd ln-
formation on housing, medical and dental facilities, legal
assistance and so much more. Please reach out to our
Family Support Staff when you are in need of assistance
with a service that BPCDC I does not provide. Family
Support Staff, as well as administrative staff, are very
knowledgeable about the community and the available
resources.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
Exercise: Jump into It
Everyone is excited that spring is here, and
the warm weather is approaching. As a Head
Start Program, we promote physical activity and
healthy eating. We would like to share with you
a couple of way you can encourage physical
ocllvlly wllh your chlld. lho olhco ol hood slorl
is also promoting a program called Lets Move
Child Care. Although it is center-based focused,
it also supports parents in living a healthy and
active lifestyle with their children.
The four main points include:
Physlcol Acllvlly: Provldo 1-2 hours ol
physical activity through out the day,
including outside play when possible.
Screen Time: For two-year-olds and up,
olm lor no moro lhon 1-2 hours por doy
of quality screen time at home.
Food: Try to serve fruits or vegetable at
every meal. Eat meals family-style when-
ever possible. Avoid serving fried foods.
Beverages: When possible, give water
during meals and throughout the day.
Avoid sugary drinks. Two years old and
up, sorvo low-or non-lol mllo ond 4-6
ounces maximum.
All of these points line up with the services
provided at BPCDC 1. Use the warm weather
as an opportunity to exercise with your children.
Visiting the local park is always a great way to
enjoy active play with your children. For infants
and toddlers, try water play or sand play at
the beach or at home in a small pool. With
preschool and school age children, incorporate
more complex moving during play like stopping
a starting quickly or jumping and spinning. You
can also introduce outdoor play items like a
jump rope. Engage in activities that both you
and your children will love. It is important for
both child and parent to stay active and healthy
during these warm weather months.