The children are having a good time while learning about special holidays, Dr. Seuss and rainbows.
February was a month of celebration and learning new skills. The children celebrated Valentine’s Day with a party of love and giving a special picture in a Valentine frame. They learned about Groundhog Day, as well as presidents George Washington and Abe Lincoln.
We also learned about taking care of our teeth by brushing and not eating too many sweets. Everyone received a new toothbrush.
Progress reports were sent home for the parents to review.
We continued practicing our cutting and learning about opposites. We did lots of patterning and sequencing by making bracelets. We are working hard on making sure the children learn to recognize all the letters of the alphabet and numbers 1 to 20. They also are learning to write all the letters of the alphabet and recognizing their names with ongoing practice.
I have a large group of pre-k students who are reading. I go over the words with the children. I then send the book home with them to read with their parents. When they feel they know all the words, they bring them back, and read the book to the class. I’m so very proud of them.
In March, we will be learning about Dr. Seuss, spring and St. Patrick’s Day. We will learn about shamrocks, or three leaf clovers, and pots of gold. Hopefully, we will have a visit from leprechauns. We will be going to the Parke at Las Sendas, and we will explore all the new things that happen when the weather changes—maybe not that much in Arizona. Rainbows and color wheels also will be a highlight of learning for the month of March.
Math Game—Count to 10
Write a different number, from 1 to 10, on 10 small paper plates. On the back of each plate, draw a set of dots equal to the number on the front. Place the plates in a paper bag, along with a set of 10 to 12 plastic counters, or beans. Ask the children to remove a plate, and place it on the table with the dots face up. Have them put a counter on each dot, and then count the counters. They can check the back of the plate to see if they named the correct number. For practice in creating sets to match numbers, have the children place the plates, with the numbers face up. Have them name the numbers, and count out that many counters. Finally, have them turn the plates over, and put the counters on the dots to check their answers.
Class Registration
Registration will start in March, and it will be ongoing until May. You must fill out a registration form with a $25 registration fee. This registration fee is nonrefundable. If you are interested in the Summer Camp, please indicate so at the top of the registration form. An additional $25 registration fee is required for the summer session. The summer session will start during the third week of June, on June 18, and it will go until Aug. 10. Summer Camp will run for eight weeks. There will be a total of 22 students for the summer session. All students must have immunizations up to date and properly noted on the registration form.
Next year, we will offer the following classes:
- 9 to 11:30 a.m.—half day
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.—including Lunch Bunch
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—full day
You could pick two days, three days, four days or full time.
You pick the days and times. I will work with you to make sure we accommodate your needs.
I would like to thank you for all your support, and for telling your friends and neighbors about Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas. With all the phone calls and e-mails I receive, we are still one of the most popular preschools around. I work hard to give each child the attention and support needed to be successful at the elementary school level.
This is the time of the year when parents ask me if their children are ready to go to kindergarten. Historically, the chronological age of 5 was the sole determinant in deciding when children should enter kindergarten.
Today, we recognize the fact children with identical chronological ages can vary widely in their social, intellectual and emotional maturity. Studies show older kindergarteners have a higher percentage of success in school than the younger children.
As a group, younger children also experience more adjustment problems, which are apt to carry over to later grades. Generally, girls adjust more successfully than boys. When there is doubt about your child’s readiness, delaying entrance for a year is a preventive measure, which can increase the chances for a successful kindergarten experience.
Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas is not a daycare, but a curriculum-based preschool. If you have questions, call Rose Buttitta at (480) 654-4223, or send an e-mail to jbuttitta@cox.net.