The holiday season is upon us, and the children at Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas are learning about the joy of giving.
Thanksgiving Traditions
November is sure to be a very memorable month, with the children learning about all the different things for which to be thankful, including parents, food, clothing, housing, pets, toys and much more.
Everyone will take part in our annual Thanksgiving Feast. Turkey magnets, cards and decorations will all be part of the fun. The children will be cooking for the feast. They will bring vegetables to class, and will help cut them to put in our vegetable soup. We will be making 13 pumpkin pies, as well as and lots of cornbread for all to share.
On Nov. 19, we will enjoy our Thanksgiving Feast, which will be attended by more than 100 hungry, thankful parents and children. The children will take decorations home with them, as well as a special card with the child’s picture included. The holiday event will conclude with the children singing songs and sharing thoughts about what it is they are thankful.
The children of Desert Rose Preschool will donate bags of snacks to the Sunshine Acres Children’s Home and those children, who are less fortunate. This has been a tradition for the past seven years. The children really learn what giving is all about.
Christmas Joy
In December, the children will learn about Christmas. We will be making lots of Christmas decorations and gifts for the parents. The children will have a visit from Santa, and they will have pictures taken with him.
On Friday, Dec. 16, we will have our cookie exchanges for all classes. Everyone will bring two dozen cookies to school. We will exchange one dozen, and will share the other dozen at the school. At this time, coffee, tea and juice will be provided. Children also will present their gifts to their parents. The last day of classes before the holiday recess is Friday, Dec. 16. Classes will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Math Games on the spot
Make a Pattern
Fold a 4-by-18-inch strip of construction paper into thirds, and place it in a paper bag. Add seasonal die-cut shapes, such as leaves, trees, pumpkins and stars. Based on your children’s ability to create patterns, you might use one shape in several colors, several shapes in all the same color, or use several shapes in different colors.
To use, ask children to unfold the paper strip, and place it horizontally on a table. Next, have them use the shapes in the bag to create patterns on the strip (ABAB, ABB, ABC and so on). If desired, glue the beginning of the pattern to several paper strips, and place them in the bag. Children can then use the shapes to continue the patterns.
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. 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. Then, have them count the counters. They can check the back of the plate to see if they name the correct number.
For practice in creating sets to match numbers, have the children place the plate in the bag, with the numbers face up, name that number, and count out that many counters. Finally, to check their answer, have them turn the plate over, and put the counters on the dots.
Stick to a low-key evening routine
Your child’s days are packed. Create time each night to allow him to wind down with quite activities, such as drawing or stretching. Setting aside time for rest, not just sleep, helps ease the anxiety children feel.
Class Registration
Desert Rose Preschool at Las Sendas, located at the Trailhead Members Club, is a private preschool for the children of Las Sendas residents only. It operates all year long, with classes for ages 3 to 5. The preschool offers half-day sessions, plus the Lunch Bunch, until 1 p.m., and full-day sessions, which run until 3 p.m. We currently are full, with a waiting list. Registration for next fall will be held in March. If you have any questions, please call (480) 654-4223, or send an e-mail to jbuttitta@cox.net.