September News

From the Principal's Office   

We are so excited that so many new families have joined us at Discovery Isle, Murrieta
for the 2010-2011 school year!  We welcome you, as well as thank our returning families
for sharing another school year with us. 

We have a lot of activities planned in the upcoming months.
Our center newsletters will inform you of everything that is going on around the center.
We will also include informative articles, great recipes for you to do at home with your
family, and a full page of center related topics.  Watch for a full paper version of our
newsletter each month in your Links to Learning Parent Communication Folder!

Sincerely- 
 Ms. Renee Espinosa, Principal 

 Sept. 6th: CLOSED for Labor Day
Sept. 17th: Silhouette Artist
Sept. 21st & 22nd: Fall Portraits
Sept. 27th & 28th: Piggies & Paws
Sept. 29th: California Sensory Screening

Piggies & Paws

 Birthday Presents, Holiday Presents, of as a Keepsake for You...
we have JUST the item you won't want to miss out on!!!

Piggies and Paws turns your child's handprint or footprint into original,
hand created works of art.
They specialize in one of a kind hand and foot print art ready to be framed.

We will have a licensed artist in the center on
MONDAY, Sept. 27th & TUESDAY, Sept. 28th.

Watch for further information around the center!

In the meantime, check out their website:

www.piggiesandpaws.com

Silhouette Artist

We will have a silhouette artist in the center on

FRIDAY, Sept. 17th

to hand cut a silhouette of your child.
These are perfect gifts for the holidays, or a keepsake
for yourself.

More information will be available in the center.

 California Sensory Screening 

On Sept. 29th, a representative from 

California Sensory Screening 

will be in the center for evaluations in the areas of
Speech, Hearning, and Vision.
These evaluations are optional,
and do require parent permission and payment prior
to the evaluation on this day.

More information will be available this month!

Does your child attend part-time?

  Are there days that you have appointments,
and think your child would much rather be at school
instead of running around town with you?

  Need just a few hours to get things done around the house?

 We offer additional days (either full or part days, based on availability) for days just like those!
Check with the front office for pricing and availability.
 

  

Discovery Isle, Murrieta Lunch Program
Did you know that we offer a yummy, affordable lunch program each month?
You can order lunch 2-5 days a week, or on an emergency, day-to-day, basis.
Our lunch options include chicken nuggets, pizza, Subway sandwiches, grilled cheese, and mac-n-cheese.
All lunches are served with milk or juice, and a fruit.
Menus are available on our website. Inquire at the front desk for more information.
 

  Internet Viewing System
Just a reminder that if you are not taking advantage of our Internet Viewing Sytem, you should!
Receiving access is as simple as requesting an application in the front office. We have grandparents from other states
who enjoy watching their grandchild in class, loved ones stationed over seas who enjoy seeing their child everyday,
and parents who just like to take advantage of the fact that even though they are at work/home,
they can peek in on their child at anytime during the day!
 
 

Extracurricular Activities
 
We offer enrichment extracurricular activities. Students have the opportunity to sign up for a variety of activities, such as sports, music, and gym. Life outside of school can be hectic, and we’re here to accommodate parents’ busy schedules. Below is a list of the activities we offer.

Amazing Athletes-Mondays
The Amazing Athletes sports class is designed for children 3 to 5 years of age and is offered once a week at your child’s school. At Amazing Athletes we understand that each child will learn at a different pace and skill level. Each child will set their own goals and achieve those goals in a non-competitive environment while having loads of fun!

The Amazing Athletes program is designed around the child having a complete experience. Gross motor skills, two ball sports, muscle tone, physical fitness and various activities which enhance hand/eye coordination and brain development are compiled into one action-packed 35 minute class, making it a fun and positive learning experience. Our ball sports class offers the child a variety of sports; namely soccer, hockey, football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, golf and lacrosse. Amazing Athletes is based on a building block system starting with the basic fundamentals of each sport, working toward well-developed skills and games. Each sport is carefully broken down so the child understands all the basic elements.
 

*Upon enrollment your child will receive a free t-shirt.
 
Musical Kids-Tuesdays
“All children love to sing and dance. Here’s your opportunity to inspire creative confidence through music, dance, and theater.” Our goal is to give kids another creative outlook in an environment they already feel comfortable in. Our experienced instructor will come to your school four times a month. Classes are 45 minutes long for 3-5 year olds and 30 minutes for 2 year olds.
 
Tumble Tyme-Wednesdays
Gymnastic Classes for Preschoolers. Fun for Boys & Girls!
Tumble Tyme is an outreach gymnastics program for children in preschool. The weekly classes are led by Tumble Tyme’s highly qualified and dedicated teachers, and incorporate music, games, tumbling, and gymnastics to create a fun and exciting learning experience for your child. The Tumble Tyme program strives to promote strength, flexibility, and most important self confidence. Parents are always welcome to observe classes and enjoy the fun with us!
 
Our goals for your child:
Health & fitness
Coordination
Self-confidence
Social skills
Flexibility
Rhythm

Webby Dance "Cheerleading"-Fridays
Webby Dance Company instructors provide a cheerful and positive atmosphere, while your child will introduce your child to beginning cheer skills, jumps, rhythm/movement, dance choreography and tumbling skills. We provide age-appropriate music and an action packed class! Children will benefit by building their memory, concentration, coordination, creativity and self-confidence, all in a positive atmosphere. This introductory class will prepare your child for a competitive cheer program while providing a fun way to exercise.

Raising a Confident Preschooler

It is hard to resist the eager smile and willingness to learn that comes with normal preschool development. As parents, we are always eager to continue to foster and bolster our young children’s love for learning and enthusiasm to demonstrate their developing abilities. Often times, we ask ourselves what we can do to continue to encourage our children to engage, to try even in the risk of failure, and to believe in themselves; in other words, we constantly question what we can do to help raise a confident child. Confidence is a trait that is nurtured and taught, and there are certain techniques and approaches which are built into our Links to Learning curriculum, which can easily be adapted at home as well.

• Begin with a set, predictable routine. When children know what is happening in the world around them and when activities follow an expected order, children can focus on skill-building. Preschool children are easily distracted by disruptions, so a routine that is carefully adhered to allows for children to instead focus on attempting and practicing new skills.

• Praise small accomplishments, but praise with purpose. Children need to hear that they are doing things correctly and need acknowledgement for steps made towards accomplishing a goal. For example, a child may not be able to independently complete a 10 piece puzzle, but he does deserve a specific praise for his ability to put the edge pieces in, such as “You did a great job working on the edge of the puzzle. You can almost do the whole puzzle by yourself. Would you like me to help you with the middle pieces?” Along those same lines, it is imperative that praise is given with purpose. Being often told “Good job!” without a reference to what he did correctly will cause these words to lose efficacy. We need to be sure to praise specific behaviors and to note these in our acknowledgement of steps made towards a goal.

• Encourage and model persistence. It is normal for preschool children to become upset and frustrated when they cannot do something themselves or do it correctly. Rather than do it for them, model and encourage them to try again. For example, a preschooler who knocks over his block tower as she stacks the top block should be responded to with a “You almost did it! Let’s try it again together!” This teaches the preschooler that failure is ok and can be used as a step to try once more.

• Be a safe base. Often preschool children surprise us with their hesitancy to try something new, even activities they have previously engaged in. Despite the disappointment you may feel in your eagerness for your child to engage, allow your child to warm up to the activity when he or she is ready. By not pushing or forcing a choice, you allow your child to feel comfortable in his or her own skills and readiness when he or she is ready.

• Lastly, Model confidence in yourself. Children learn from what they see and hear. Be mindful of the comments you make about yourself and others and your own persistence in the face of failure. A child who hears his parent self-praising or who sees his parent make a mistake and try again will learn and model that same confidence.

Lauren Starnes, PhD- Manager of Curriculum and Instruction/ East