Weekday Program Web site: www.fumcplanoweekday.org

Weekday Update

December 2007

Director's Report

Dear Parents-

               Have you ever noticed how children love playing with the boxes and wrapping paper at birthdays and Christmas more than the toys that were in them?  Once the thrill of actually receiving the flashing buzzing toy you saw on TV has subsided, the box that it came in becomes the object of hours of fun. The amazing thing about children is that everything is a learning experience to them.  They are so inquisitive and imaginative, they can make anything into an    experiment or project.  The Christmas when my nephew was four he spent hours playing with the packing peanuts that a fragile gift had been packed with.  It was even more fun when he realized that his mother’s new blow dryer could be used like a leaf blower to blow the packing peanuts around.  We all had a blast watching him figure out how to maneuver those little pieces of foam around the room. The house was a mess, but we were all having so much fun, we did not care.  And we knew that he was using his brain in a way that was unique to this activity.

Playing with the boxes and wrapping paper are the same way.  Taking one item and using it to make another item takes higher level thinking skills that cannot be acquired when passively  receiving information from a video game or a toy that talks or displays information.  Using the blow dryer to move Styrofoam pieces one direction and then another requires the ability to “decentrate”, or think about an item in two ways at one time, a skill that is not mastered until middle school.  When you offer your children toys that require active involvement and concentrated manipulation, they are learning to practice these skills that will help them be problem solvers when they are older. 

Just like a cardboard box or packing peanuts, the simpler the toys (the less they do FOR the child) the better they are for this type of learning.  Blocks, playdough, pots and pans, and simple manipulatives that can be used in infinite ways provide wonderful thinking opportunities.  When you are out shopping for your children’s Christmas gifts,  remember that simple toys can provide unique and different learning  experiences than more complex, expensive toys.  Having a mixture of toys can help your child learn on different levels.  All of which will prepare them for school success.

Have a wonderful holiday season! 

I Feel, I Remember

Emotions and the Brain

Emotions play an important role in both memory and motivation. Emotions are “housed” in the middle section of the brain. When incoming information is connected with an emotion, it receives a high priority for processing. It is, then, easy to see why we remember most easily the highs and lows of our lives. Researchers believe that this is because when emotions are present, hormones released by the brain act as a memory fixative. That’s why emotions affect your retention. If you run through memories in your head you will notice that the memories more quickly accessed are the ones by emotions.

From “Start Smart” by Pam Schiller

Preschool Enrollment

We currently have spaces in our one-year-old, three-year-old and Pre-Kindergarten classes. If you would like to add some days or know someone who is looking for a preschool, please give us a call.

Not sure what to get your child's teacher for Christmas?

Check out his/her favorite things on our staff pages at www.fumcplanoweekday.org.

Looking for gift cards to give this Christmas?

First Church's Youth Choir (NHYC) is selling gift cards to many popular restaurants, shops and services through scrip. For more information got to http://nhyc.4scrip.com. There is a great selection, no extra charge and you can pick them up at the church (one stop shopping)!

Join us for our

Threes and Pre-K

Christmas Program

Friday, December 14th

6:30pm in the Sanctuary

Advent and Christmas at FUMC Plano

Living Nativity December 7th 7:00pm amd 8:00pm

Christmas Pops Concert Dec. 9th 6:00pm

Christmas Caroling Dec. 15th  3:00pm

Healing Service Dec. 16th 6:00pm

Traveler's Christmas Eve Service Dec. 20th 7:00pm

Christmas Eve Services Dec. 24th -

3:00pm. 5:00pm, 7:00pm, 9:00pm and 11:00pm

Inclement Weather Policy  

In the event of inclement weather, The Weekday Program preschool (9:00-2:00 program) and extended day (before- and after-school program) will close if PISD is closed or releases students early.  If PISD opens late, preschool (9:00-2:00 program) will be closed for the full day and the extended day (before– and after-school program) will open at the same time as PISD. 

Please consult local TV and radio stations for information whenever inclement weather is predicted for information. We will also alert you via e-mail (if you are signed up to receive e-mail notices through our website).

Home/School Connection

Benefits of Laughter

• Laughter is good for you. When you laugh, chemicals called endorphins, which make you feel good, are released by the brain.

• Laughter increases learning and retention. Laughing stimulates both sides of the brain. People get the message quicker and remember it longer.

• Laughter stimulates the brain, the nervous system, the respiratory system, the hormonal system, and the muscular system. Studies show that it lowers blood pressure, decreases depression, increases muscle flexion, reduces allergy symptoms, strengthens the immune system, and reduces stress.

• Laughter reduces pain. The endorphins released during laugher have been proven to help reduce pain and enhance treatments of many illnesses and diseases.

• Laughter is a powerful force. Breath released during a hearty laugh has been clocked a speeds as fast as 170 miles per hour.

• Laugher knows no cultural boundaries. You don’t have to speak the same language to laugh together.

• Laughter helps break the ice when you’re in a group. It is the one form of communication to which everyone can relate.

From “The Learning Power of Laughter” by Jackie Silberg

Mark your Calendars

Items in bold have been added or changed.

December:
3-Scholastic Book Fair
4-Scholastic Book Fair
5-Scholastic Book Fair
6-Scholastic Book Fair
7-Scholastic Book Fair
13-PTC Family Dinner Night
14-Early Release 11:30 **
14-Christmas Program for Threes and Pre-K
24-Christmas Break-No preschool or LFP
25-Christmas Break-No preschool or LFP
26-Christmas Break-No preschool **
27-Christmas Break-No preschool **
28-Christmas Break-No preschool **
31-Christmas Break-No preschool or LFP

January:
1-Christmas Break-No preschool or LFP
2-Christmas Break-No preschool **
3-Christmas Break-No preschool **
4-Christmas Break-No preschool **
7-Preschool Resumes
10-PTC Family Dinner Night
17-Early Release 11:30 **
18-PISD Holiday-No preschool **
21-MLK Holiday-No preschool or LFP

February:
11-PISD Holiday-No preschool **
14-PTC Family Dinner Night
29-Early Release 11:30 **
 

**Little Friends' Place (before- and after-school care open as usual)

First United Methodist Church Weekday Program * 3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway Plano, TX 75074

phone 972.423.4910 * fax 972.633.9126