Are  your children making their lists for Santa that go something like this…

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a good girl this year and I would like this and this and this and this.

Love,

Susie

Advent calendars..all four of my daughters have them and get really excited that they can actually eat a piece of chocolate everyday after breakfast..Sadly, that is the meaning of the Advent Calendar to my kids.

However, we have found a wonderful Holiday Tradition that they all love and that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas every day in December. Perhaps you have all heard of The Magic Elf. If not, allow me to introduce you..

“The Magic Elf is a 25 day Christmas adventure for kids! A Santa doll with a daily Christmas message, The Magic Elf is a new holiday tradition that offers children an opportunity to enjoy the excitement of Christmas while helping parents reinforce the true meaning behind the holiday. The Santa figure comes with 25 Christmas messages. The messages include why the holiday is called Christmas, why gifts are exchanged, the nativity story, and other suggestions for teaching children about the spirit of Christmas.”

It is sure to be a cherished tradition. The Magic Elf flies around everynight so the children must find him every morning and read the message he has left for them. Like the Advent Calendars, the Magic Elf arrives on December 1st and spreads joy and meaning throughout the month of December. On December 1st he says,

“Greetings! I am the Magic Elf..I am so glad you found me. Each night until Christmas, I will wake up, fly around to stretch  my wings and come to rest in a new spot with a message about the meaning of Christmas. When you wake up, come and find me. Be careful not to touch me because when I get scared my wings freeze..and I’ll be stuck. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Love, The Magic Elf”

We are known to all say in unison, “Love, The Magic Elf”…My kids are also so fond of The Magic Elf that they are known to leave him notes and even gifts or snacks. It does get a bit tricky when they leave him a questionaire to fill out about his personal information. All in all,  his meaning is very much appreciated.

Todays message said, “Good Morning. Christmas is a time for love. Give someone you love a hug today and tell them how much they mean to you. See you tomorow. (in unison) Love, The Magic Elf”

Who doesn’t love a little reminder about the true meaning of Christmas? This is a holiday tradition we treasure. What holiday traditions do you enjoy with your children?

Next step…making the letter and sound connections! Perhaps you have heard parents say,  “my child learned to read phonetically” or  “I know of a good phonics program” or “phonetic awareness is important in learning how to read”. What exactly does all of that mean? For clarification, one must understand the following terms:

Phonics is the understanding that there is a relationship between letters and sounds. It involves teaching how to connect the sounds of spoken English with letters or groups of letters. It also invloves teaching how to blend sounds of letters together to create the sounds of unknown words. Thus, it pertains to the relationship between the spoken and written English language.

Phonetic Awareness is the ability to recognize individual sounds in a spoken language and to see relationships between sounds in words. It is also the understanding that these sounds can be manipulated and rearranged to create new words.

Phoneme is a sound unit in a language system

The goals of phonics instruction are to provide children with the ability to connect letter with sounds and to ensure that they know how to apply that knowledge into reading and writing. Research shows that students with phonics instruction were more effective in alphabetic knowledge and word reading and writing skills than those students that interfaced with instructional approaches that were less focused on phonics instruction.

Phonics can be fun! Hopefully, you have had a chance to check out our newly launched iPhone app Phonics Fun & Games.

Last week’s post, I talked about my daughter’s Life Cheringel. That was an example of her ability to phonectically or phonemically sound out the word triangle. That same child, who happens to be  prolific in her writings around the house, made a list. Note the title.

Directions

That was her list of “directions” (one must smile).

She happens to be a graduate of  the Pre K Scholars phonics-based program and clearly has no inhibitions with “sounding it out”.

Personally, as a mom, there are few greater joys than finding lists, notes, stories and any other written communications that have been produced by a child. I absolutely love to see how early readers  have sounded out words and what they choose to write about. You often hear of “Turtle Talk” or “Inventive Spelling” and the importance it plays developmentally on the emerging reader and writer. This all pertains to phonics and phonetic awareness. I came across a great blog post that I’d like to share. It is titled, “But how do you spell?” It is written by Annemarie Johnson, an educator for 25+ years, who is passionate about literacy. She is an incredible resource to parents and teachers everywhere, especially those in early education.

What do you do with preschoolers who are afraid to “sound it out”?

Translated from the Japanese by Susan Matsui

Have you ever experienced the joy of watching a child do something all by themselves for the very first time? Whether it be learning how to hold their own bottle, feed themselves, tie their own shoe, ride a bike, learn how to sound out a word…All moments of growth in a childhood that mark a sense of  independence and pride. A Bear’s Autumn is a tender story about a child’s “firsts” and a mother’s role in facilitating a few of  life’s lessons.

Mother Bear and her baby bear sit along the river’s edge waiting for the Salmon to swim by. Patience is the first lesson taught as Baby Bear eagerly says,”Will they come? Will they really come?” and his mother calmly responds, “Yes, of course they will.”  Next lesson, courage and determination as the Mother Bear dives in beneath the water and comes up with a big salmon in her mouth. Baby Bear comes over to her and her response is, “Go catch one for yourself”.

How easy would it be for the mother to just give the baby bear the salmon? One of life’s biggest lessons is unveiled: independence, accountability for self, and the ability to be resourceful. Sure enough, Baby Bear rises to the occasion and attempts to catch his own salmon. Not successful at first, Baby bear exhibits bravery and determination as he tries and tries again.

Alas, the triumph and pride...

“Baby Bear eats salmon for the first time in his life. How good it tastes, the salmon he has caught all by himself!”

Complete with woodblock print illustrations reflective of autumn and the colored leaves, this beautiful books brings to mind the Chinese Proverb,

“Give a man a fish and you  feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Pre K Scholars is delighted to announce that its Kindergarten Readiness Kit won Creative Child Magazine’s 2011 Media of the Year Award in the Preschool Educational Classroom Products category. The Kit, developed by former kindergarten teacher, Amy Schwary, is a 22-week phonics-based preschool curriculum for home and preschool use.

Creative Child Magazine 2011 Media of the Year Award

Half of five-year-olds aren’t ready for kindergarten.

Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, May 29, 2011

El Dorado Hills, CA (PRWEB) July 26, 2011

The educators and parent judges in Creative Child Magazine’s Awards Program selected Pre K ScholarsKindergarten Readiness Kit winner of the 2011 Media of the Year Award in the Preschool Educational Products category. Only one product in each category is chosen. The program is unique in that the very people who purchase the products, early education professionals and moms, act as judges.

“We are thrilled to win this prestigious award,” said founder, Amy Schwary, the former kindergarten teacher who developed the program. “Pre K Scholars is committed to preparing 4-5 year olds for academic success by providing an affordable fun, comprehensive preschool curriculum that meets or exceeds state standards.”

The Kindergarten Readiness Kit was years in development by Schwary, mother of four girls. “When I was teaching I noted what studies have confirmed, that about half of all children entering kindergarten are not prepared, and this statistic runs across all socio-economic groups. “said Schwary. “Parents face a bewildering set of choices when they tackle kindergarten readiness for their children. They must decide what phonics, handwriting, math, early reading, science and fine motor skill resources to purchase and then face the challenge of how and when to introduce each topic. I designed the kit to solve those problems for parents.”

Schwary is convinced of the program’s effectiveness because she taught the material in her home-based preschool classes for many years, stopping classes only to develop the award-winning DVD. “If we are to improve kindergarten readiness in our country,” said Schwary, “we must provide parents with affordable, fun, easy to use yet comprehensive programs that use everyday household items, activities that parents and children look forward to rather than see as a chore. The Pre K Scholars Kindergarten Readiness Kit is just such a resource.”

To learn more about Pre K Scholars visit http://www.prekscholars.com

About Pre K Scholars
Founded in 2008, Pre K Scholars was developed by Amy Schwary and Alan Pierrot, MD with a vision of providing affordable resources to parents, teachers and preschools to enhance the kindergarten readiness of the population. The company is currently working on an iPhone and Android app to supplement it Kindergarten Readiness Kit DVD.

Contact

• Alan Pierrot
  Pre K Scholars
  559-779-4541
  Email

• Amy Schwary
  Pre K Scholars
  877-850-3926
  Email

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• Pre K Scholars Kindergarten…

We finally found a function for these doors that has made them invaluable! They now serve the function of Largest Home Wipeboard to be found. Our 13 year old daughter was placed in Spanish II without having any prior Spanish instruction. Overwhelmed, yes, but the mirrored sliders have been the greatest study aide. She has been able to draw a giant body and label it’s body parts in Spanish on one side and conjugate verbs on the other. Our  6 year old daughter practices her grouping skills to demonstrate how 3 groups of tens and 8 ones equals 38. Her twin sister proceeds to write all of the numbers counting by 2′s from 0 to 100. Our 11 year old daughter is working on her organizational skills so she is able to make Things To Do Lists ad nauseam and they that don’t get lost, crumbled or accidentally thrown away. We have taken practice spelling tests, played hangman, practiced math facts, written lyrics to songs and so much more. Easy clean up, no waste of paper and ample space for repetition!

Another life lesson reitterated…Function trumps Fashion!

Any other household objects that serve as valuable learning tools that we should  know about?  Please share!

In an effort to offer a more price sensitive product, we digitized our curriculum. The Kindergarten Readiness Kit DVD has all of the essentials to teach the Pre K Preschool Curriculum on one DVD. It comes with 150+ lessons with detailed instructions that you can print at your convenience, 52 phonics cards (both uppercase and lowercase) and 130 Guessing Game Cards (A-Z) to reinforce initial sounds. All of the flash cards are digitized and animated with an added audio to motivate the children. The DVD also allows us to provide a “drag and click” computer skill  opportunity for children, which we didn’t previously have. Parents are happy to  know that their child can explore early phonics on a computer in a safe environment without having access to the internet..an added bonus!

We debuted our new DVD at 4 Greater Homeschool Conventions back East, which meant lots of travel and organization for this mother of four.  We met so many wonderful homeschooling families who  eagerly set out to purchase varied programs for their children. It was so refreshing to see the level of interest and responsibility the parents took in choosing  just the right curriculums for their individual learners. For three days the families would attend workshops, listen to speakers and comb the exhibit halls diligently searching for educational connections. In Memphis, we met The Tuckers! New to homeschooling they were like sponges, trying to absorb everything they could! Their energy and level of enthusiasm was invigorating. Meghan Tucker is a thoughtful and dedicated homeschooling mother of 2 boys. She loves to blog about keeping a home, her Christian faith and homeschooling. They were one of many that purchased the Pre K Scholars Kindergarten Readiness Kit DVD. She writes about her experiences with it and so much more on her blog..Read Meghan’s Blog:

http://www.thetuckerstaketennessee.com/2011/03/new-month-new-goals-2/

Fortunately, our DVD  and it’s demonstration was met with much enthusiasm! For every two that we demonstrated, we sold one! A 50% conversion rate was a  reassuring testament to our efforts! If you were unable to attend the conventions, not to worry, you can get your own personal demonstration of our DVD at www.prekscholars.com Whether you are looking to find something for your tot to do while you are holding class with the olders, or you are new to homeschooling and need some direction on where to start we have you covered! Not a homeschooling parent, but want to assure your child is adequately prepared for Kindergarten, you are covered as well.  As you all head back to school with your preschooler or Kindergartener, we would love to hear from you…

The moment shouting out to me now was not the smiles and excitement that overcame my children on Christmas morning, as they opened their gifts—thought that brings up another thought that made this mother smile, which I will share that next week. It wasn’t the simple joys that come from baking for friends or family or the thrill of getting ready for Santa Claus. No, it was much greater!

The profound moment occurred earlier in the month when, in an attempt to further de-clutter from our recent move, I decided to finally take the piles of my children’s artwork and hang them on the walls. I got out the hammer and nails and spent the morning hanging the visual treasures my children have created over the years.

Fast forward a few hours: I have now picked up my twins from kindergarten and I am in the kitchen preparing their lunch when I hear, “Kate! Kate! Come look!” Followed by, “Ohh!! Aww!” And then, “Mom put our artwork up!”

I couldn’t help but smile and at that moment I realized that there really isn’t a greater gift for children than the gift of recognition! I shall make 2011 a year of recognizing my children in all efforts big and small—I invite you to do the same!

I was inspired by a post from www.trailmix.net. TrailMix inspires parents to mix up educational activities and outdoor adventure—isn’t that what gardening with children is all about? From Gardening with Children: Four Reasons to Create a Backyard Learning Garden:

“Gardening with children isn’t just a fun thing to do, parents can easily leverage a backyard or patio garden to teach. Teach what? Science, values, life lessons, teamwork, goal setting and a whole bunch more.” (» Read more)

Pictured here is our pumpkin patch. Who knew the incredible benefits that a random $1.88 purchase at the local grocery store would bring our family!?

The first day of Kindergarten is a day of excitement for many, but when your little one is hanging on just a little more tightly to your pant leg, and you feel the tears welling up in your own eyes, it’s a sign that both of you may be going through a little separation anxiety. For some children this year, the thought of being left alone in the classroom without their parent brought a few tears, and in some cases, even tantrums.

Although these instances are unnerving to parents, many don’t realize that attachment and separation are all normal processes in a child’s development. Think about how we begin teaching our children early on in their development about the feeling of being apart, and coming back together with games like “peek-a-boo” and “hide and seek,” or leaving them for certain amounts of times with a caretaker while we run errands. All of these situations of separating and reuniting are important lessons in trust, faith, patience, self confidence, courage, pride, and responsibility. It is no different when it applies to the first days of school.

To minimize separation anxiety, parents must remember that children feed primarily off of our emotions. If we exhibit emotions of intensity then those feelings and energies will transfer over to our child. It is important that parents try to remain positive, calm and enthusiastic about the first day experience.

At the kindergarten orientation for my twin daughters this year, the teachers were very specific in their delivery of how parents can help alleviate some the manifestation of separation anxiety. They used the motto, “Short good-byes leave dry eyes.” I also like the sign at the school which also promotes quick good-byes in a loving way, “Hug and Go.”

I hope everyone is through the hardest of the transitioning stages into kindergarten. This truly is an exciting and important time in your child’s development!

Below is a list of children’s books that you may find helpful. If you have any other books that relate to this topic or techniques you’ve used with your children, please share!

• Oh My Baby, Little One by Kathi Appelt
• I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child
• First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
• The Berenstain Bears Go to School by Stan and Jan Berenstain
• Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell
• Will You Come Back for Me? by Ann Tompert
• Don’t Go! by Jane Breskin Zalben
• Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney