Weekday Program Web site: www.fumcplanoweekday.org
Weekday Update
May 2008
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Weekday Program Web site: www.fumcplanoweekday.org Weekday Update May 2008 |
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Director's Report |
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Dear Parents, As the summer approaches, many of you are undoubtedly planning many fun activities with family and friends. We encourage you to include regular trips to the library in your plans. The Plano Public Library continues it’s story time during the summer (get the schedule at www.planolibrary.org) and, of course, always has a great selection of books to check out. It is important that you continue reading to your child throughout the summer. Children learn to read by being read to. And you, the parent, are the first and most influential reading teacher your child will ever have. Research shows that early and good readers come from homes where reading is valued and experienced regularly. The desire to read starts with the early enjoyment of being held in a lap and cuddled as a story is read. In addition to the feelings of warmth and security fostered by laptime reading, reading aloud to children expands their world and their vocabulary. It creates an appreciation for the value of print, promotes knowledge of the mechanics of language and reading and helps create an understanding of a sequence of events. Setting aside time everyday to read to your child demonstrates your love of your child and your love for books. It also sets the stage for developing in your child an interest and desire to become a reader. Even in the hectic summer months, stop by the library, let your child pick a story, cuddle up and enjoy the power and magic of the printed word. Have a great summer and enjoy your time together. We look forward to seeing you all over the summer and next fall.
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2008-2009 Enrollment Forms Each child who will be returning for the 2008-2009 school year will receive a packet of paperwork in the next two weeks. This paperwork is due in our office during the month of June. Please be sure to return all forms, completely filled out. The state requires that all blanks be filled in order to start school in the fall. Thank you. |
Have you enrolled for Summer?
We have limited spaces available in all age groups and will be closing classes soon! |
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Encouraging Positive Behavior Discipline is setting limits and
encouraging good behavior. Here are some ideas to help your children behave: ·
Set routines for bedtimes,
meals, and chores. This helps them feel safe because they know what parents
expect. ·
Young children have a hard time
going from one activity to another. Warning them a few minutes ahead helps
them get ready, ·
Remind them of the rules. ·
Say something nice to the child
every time you correct them for something they do wrong. Giving
children choices is another way to encourage good behavior. Only offer
choices that are acceptable to you. Here are some examples: ·
Do you want to watch 5 more
minutes of TV or 10 Minutes? ·
Do you want to do your homework
at the kitchen table or the desk? ·
Do you want juice or milk with
dinner? ·
Do you want to wear your Big
Bird pajamas or your Mickey Mouse pajamas? From the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Misbehavior Most of the misbehavior children exhibit is children just being children. Children test the limits. It is their job description. Through this testing, they discover the boundaries of life. They discover what is and what is not acceptable behavior in certain situations. Just as a child cannot attain a real notion of the size, color, and characteristics of an elephant only by reading about them, so children cannot be told something is wrong without experiencing it directly. That is just the way it is. This constant and repeated testing can be trying even to the most patient parents. From
“I love you rituals” by Beck Bailey
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think about it... The
main source of good discipline is growing up in a loving family, being loved
and learning to love in return.
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Mark your calendars for our Year End Jam on May 23rd! Food, fun, music and games for the whole family! |
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Home/School Connection Dealing with temper tantrums Toddlers are not able to use words to express their feelings so they will often throw temper tantrums, especially if they are tired, frustrated or angry. If
you think a temper tantrum might be coming, try: ·
Distracting or
redirecting your child’s attention to something else. ·
Using a sense
of humor to distract you child. This may help you cope, too.
·
Giving your
child control over small things by giving him or her a
choice. ·
Taking your
child to a quiet place and speaking softly to him or her. ·
Encouraging
your child to express emotions and feelings with words. · Rewarding your child when he or she requests you child when he or she requests something without having a tantrum. When
a temper tantrum happens: ·
Don’t give
in. this teaches them that tantrums work. ·
Remain calm.
Don’t lose control because your child has lost control.
Instead, try to show them how to be calm and controlled. ·
Hug or hold you
child until the tantrum stops. ·
Put the child
in “time out” or in a quiet place where he or she calm
down. Time out should be one minute for each year of the
child’s age. · Older children who throw tantrums may be seeking attention. Try ignoring them until, the tantrum is over. From the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
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Mark your Calendars Items in bold have been added or changed. |
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1-APPLES playgroup at Bob Wodruff
Park 10:00am* 23-Year End Jam!
*For more information on APPLES events, please contact Becky Smith at rapsmith@verizon.net or 469-467-9790.
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First United Methodist Church Weekday Program * 3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway Plano, TX 75074 phone 972.423.4910 * fax 972.633.9126 |
