by Herve Tullet

Electronics, once again, top the charts in sales this holiday season! We live in an electronic world, with children playing on their iTouch, iPad, iPhone, Android, Nintendo DS, PSP, Kindle, XBox, or Wii, to name a few.

Put down the electronics because ,with great pleasure, I would like to introduce you to a picture book that is sure to capture the attention of any child. It is so interactive that it is hard to believe that the experience it offers comes from old fashioned printed pages!

In this creative book, Press Here, Herve Tullet, invites his readers to “press here and turn the page”…who can resist not to? With that, the journey begins! Children are easily engaged as they are instructed to press the dots, blow on the pages, shake the pages, tilt the book and more to wonder what will happen next. Readers are amused as they watch the dots multiply, change in color, change in size, switch their order and so on.

As if the excitement of action and reaction weren’t enough, the reader is rewarded for following directions with positive comments encouraging them to continue. Great! Well Done! Fabulous! Bravo! Who wouldn’t want to keep going?

The reader is exposed to the concept of left and right. “”Rub the dot on the left”..as it changes from yellow to red. “Rub the dot on the right” as it changes from yellow to blue. The reader gets exposure to counting..”Five taps on the yellow dot” and watch as the dots multiply. There is exposure to color as they are instructed to press only on certain colored dots. Two dots happen to switch places which introduces the concept of patterns. Can you find them?

Shake the book…the dots scatter. Tilt the book…the dots slide. Clap your hands..the dots grow bigger and bigger. This unique picture book is so interactive it is hard to believe that it is just a book. It definitely utilizes the power of imagination and leaves children and adults wanting to read it again and again. Luckily, the pages are thick and high in quality to endure frequent and repeated use!

Your children will not be disappointed by putting down their electronics for this printed adventure!

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?

by Keith Baker

“No two snowflakes are alike,

almost, almost

…..but not quite”

Take a journey with two adventurous birds through a snow fallen forest. Explore the wintery landscape to discover that “no two are alike”…from branches and leaves to forests and trees. This book has very simple yet poetic verse which makes it a wonderful read a loud that is sure to capture the attention of all children. It is a beautiful depiction of the uniqueness of everyone and everything around us. A sweet affirmation of how we are all “one of a kind” and how individuality is a part of life. What a nice way to celebrate differences and applaud uniqueness.

“No two friends, large or small, no two alike among you all?”

“Are we the same, just alike?

almost, almost

….but not quite.

I highly recommend that you add this to your reading list this winter!

I particularly like to use free printables to supplement the curriculum we are currently working with. I find they add value in checking  for mastery of a particular skill or in reinforcing  new skills.

There is one website that I find myself frequenting on a regular basis to print out extra worksheets for my daughters. That website is www.Math-Aids.com I find the worksheets to be age appropriate, thorough and the fact that I can customize them is a huge bonus!

Math-Aids.com is a free resource for teachers, parents, students and homeschoolers. The math worksheets are randomly and specifically created by math worksheet generators. This allows you to customize an unlimited number of printable math worsheets to be created with the click of a button. They cover grades K through 8, but I have really only utilized the Kindergarten and First Grade functions.

The added benefit is that you are able to completely customize the worksheet you wish to produce.

*You can customize the range you wish to cover in number and value (ie..numbers 1-7 or only the coins penny and nickel or telling time to the hour only).

*You can customize the space for the answers (ie. blank line or base line, top line and gray middle line or student circles the correct number).

*You can customize the language (English, Spanish, French, German).

*You can customize the number of problems per page.

*You can customize a personal memo for the top of the page.

For “I” week,  in the Pre K Scholars Program, we introduce ‘inches” and the idea of measuring. We provide downloadable worksheets for measuring inches of ice cream.  However, should your child take a liking to using his/her Pre K Scholars ruler and wish to measure more, why not continue the learning fun?  Utilize this great resource to create some additonal free printables that are age appropriate.  Same goes for when you introduce time, money, number writing, addition and more.  The ability to continue the learning makes the mastery all the greater!

Do you know of any websites that offer quality “free worksheets” ?  Quality being the key word, of course..Please share!

Is my child ready for school? What about the kindergarten cut off date for enrollment in relation to my child’s birthday? What can I do to prepare my child at home? Is my child on target developmentally? My child isn’t pronouncing certain sounds, should I worry? What should I look for in choosing a quality preschool program? …

If you find that you have raised one or more of these questions in your own mind, I would like to introduce you to a valuable resource relating to Kindergarten Readiness.

www.kindergartenreadiness.net

Kindergarten Readiness.net provides a wealth of information related to preparing children for school, all compiled into one user-friendly website. They offer articles, downloadable and printable resources, comprehensive e-books, useful links and coverage of hot topics to help parents and educators provide young children with the very best early childhood education possible. Jaclyn Bower holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is the founder of Kindergarten Readiness.net. Like me, she believes that kids are capable of so much. With the proper ingredients the learning that can take place is limitless! Consider the potential if both parents and teachers  exposed them to information in the right environment and in a developmentally appropriate way.

Enjoy a letter from the founder and I encourage you to check out www.kindergartenreadiness.net as it is full of valuable information as it relates to preschool, preschool curriculums and kindergarten readiness. Likewise, if you find any other websites as equally resourceful, please share!

Founder’s Letter

Dear Parent or Educator,

My name is Jaclyn Morris Bower. I have held teaching credentials in three states. I received my first teaching credential from the University of Richmond in Virginia. I have since taught first grade, kindergarten, and preschool in Georgia and California. Before deciding to devote my time fully to this website, I was the Early Childhood Director at a lovely school in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

I have created this Kindergarten Readiness website because I want children to love their kindergarten experience, to feel confident and proud of their accomplishments. Preparation is the key. You are children’s first and most important teachers. So many parents tell me that they want to help their child learn to read, write, draw, and count, etc, but they just don’t know how. Often there are skills learned in kindergarten that parents never even think of! Well, here it is, all in one place : what to do to best prepare your child for school, how to give your child a head-start. Take each child’s education into your own hands. Don’t allow children to struggle through kindergarten- it is such a crucial year.

I believe that kids are capable of so much more than adults give them credit for. Parents and teachers need to work together to expose them to the right information and the right environment in a developmentally-appropriate way and they will soar to unimaginable heights! Explore this website for ways to making learning fun and effective.

Not one child should have to struggle through their first years of school, when this should be such a fun, exciting time for them. Unfortunately for many students and parents, it is a frustrating and disheartening time. Studies have shown that children who are not prepared for kindergarten will in many cases continue to fall behind in elementary school, and will struggle through middle school, high school, college, and even in adulthood. There could not be a more influential time in a child’s life than these preschool years! Schools are becoming increasingly more academic and fast-paced. Stress is placed particularly on reading, writing, and math skills. Standardized testing begins as early as the first week of kindergarten in most schools! Let’s help children glide through these years with confidence and excitement.

Best of luck to you and your children! If you have any questions, please email me.

You can read my Philosophy of Education here.

Sincerely,

Jaclyn Morris Bower

Written and Illustrated by Kaethe Zemach

This is a treasure of a children’s book to remind us about being thankful for what we have and remind us of the dangers of wanting MORE.

Is it possible to have too much?

“Simon the Fiddler had a cozy little house and everything he needed.” He had a bed to give him the rest he needed, food to keep him from going hungry, clothes to keep him warm and friends to keep him from being lonely.

“For a long time, Simon was perfectly happy. He took care of his house and spent time with his friends. But one day, Simon looked around his little house and thought, “I don’t have enough.”  “I WANT MORE!”

So, Simon starting accumulating more chairs, and more toys, and more hats…until…. his house got so crowded he could barely move.

Simon missed his simple life  and cried, “I have TOO MUCH!”

What does he do with all of his newly acquired possessions in order to restore the simplicity he once enjoyed ? You must read the book to find out. But, one thing is for sure, readers young and old will delight in this whimsical tale of having too much. It is a wonderful story about  getting and giving.

Warning: it may spark discussions about the joys of friendships, sharing, greed and much more.

Aside from the literary content, enjoy the  beautiful watercolor illustrations with vibrant colors that bring such life to his cozy stone cottage. The artwork goes from simple and peaceful to abundance and clutter and back to simple again. A true depiction of the story.

This is the perfect time of year to share this book with young audiences everywhere. May it remind us to be thankful for what we have. Let the moral of this story also remain in our minds throughout the holiday season as we give and receive!

Enjoy the story and cheers to the simplicities of life!

Pre K Scholars Kindergarten Readiness Kit DVD is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Gold Award in the Educational Products Ages 3-6 category. Several years in development and thoroughly tested in both the classroom and home environment, the Kit’s preschool curriculum is also the winner of Creative Child Magazine’s 2011 Media of the Year Award. In addition, the company just released an iPhone app, Phonics Fun and Games, for independent use or in support the phonics-based portion of the curriculum.

El Dorado Hills, CA (PRWEB) October 27, 2011

The Mom’s Choice Awards has named the Pre K Scholars Kindergarten Readiness Kit a Gold Award winner. The phonics-based Kindergarten Readiness Kit was created by a former kindergarten teacher, Amy Schwary, to provide parents with an affordable, comprehensive, fun, easy to follow integrated program containing the essential elements of a kindergarten readiness curriculum, phonics, early reading, math, science, handwriting, language arts and fine motor skill development.

“We are so pleased to receive this prestigious award,” said Schwary. “The 22-week preschool curriculum works extremely well for both home schoolers and for preschools and contains hundreds of lessons and exercises that together meet or exceed state standards for kindergarten readiness. We have received many compliments from parents and teachers who are using our program but the Mom’s Choice Gold Award is special additional recognition.”

Priced at $39.95, the Pre K Scholars Kit also received Creative Child Magazine’s 2011 Media of the Year Award earlier this year.

The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) is an awards program that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services. Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of their panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS’s Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling author, Priscilla Dunstan, creator of the Dunstan Baby Language; Patricia Rossi, host of NBC’s Manners Minute; Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C., host of the Wright Place™ TV Show; and Catherine Witcher, M.Ed., special needs expert and founder of Precision Education, Inc.

MCA judges are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis free from any manufacturer association. The evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost.
To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five identical samples of a product. Entries are matched to judges in the MCA database. Judges perform a thorough analysis and submit a detailed assessment. Results are compiled and submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final approval. The end result is a list of the best in family-friendly media, products and services that parents and educators can feel confident in using.

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.

Contact

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

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

Attachments