Shalom.

Greetings from the Green Room. We enjoyed another week of discovery, getting acquainted with ourselves, one another and the things in our environment.  The children are actively engaged in many tasks: dressing, language, phonics, sorting, construction, writing and art activities. I hope you were able to enjoy some of the photographs on the Facebook Group. 

Daily davening and circle time are enjoyed. We have many singers and performers and Mitzvah Notes are always a highlight, even some self-proclaimed "rock stars"!  Independence is on the rise as the children learn to store their water bottles, lunches, backpacks and change their own clothes and shoes after water play. We are blessed to have an extensive outdoor environment and so pleased to add the use of the atelier this week. It is another beautiful resource that Chandler Jewish Preschool has provided for the enrichment of your child. They are sequencing and preforming longer, more complex works and building concentration. 

We continue to focus on building connections through routines and transitions for the entire month as their comfort levels increase and their skills strengthen and grow. We shared the S.T.A.R. breathing technique from Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey. She is the author of many publications and focuses on building connections using 1. eye contact 2. touch 3. being present/mindful and 4. creating a playful setting. If you are interested in learning more see the link below, check out her YouTube videos or pick up one of her publications. Next month we will be sharing her I Love You Rituals.

We are focusing on our class guidelines for care and work:

1. We take care of ourselves

2. We take care of others and 

3. We take care of our things 

1. We choose a work

2. We do the work and

3. We return the work to the shelf, ready for use by another 

https://youtu.be/C3PtrlnUm4U Conscious Discipline

I marvel at the knowledge your children already possess and look forward to learning about them and with them. Dr. Maria Montessori refers to the child of 3 - 6 as a "social embryo". He/she is learning to function independently within a group outside of his/her family in a positive way. They are developing patience, refining and controlling movement, communication skills, a stronger will, along with the ability to act or not to act with intention. Their peers are becoming very important to them as they undergo the practice of self-construction and discovering where they fit and how they relate to the world outside of their home. We support that within the Reggio Environment and keep the child's best interest in mind. 

Note: Returning to school is a change from your child's summer routine and some bumps are natural and to be expected. Your child bonds to you first. It is natural after the weekend and longer holidays that they may experience a bit more difficulty separating from their caregivers to the school environment. We encourage them to feel their feelings and validate their concerns with patience and kind words. They learn that feelings will come and go and how to calm themselves using strategies and skills we model. They are returning to a safe and nurturing place. Often the tears and tantrums quickly dissipate as they reunite with their friends, morahs and environment soon after parents are on their way. Thank you for entrusting them to our care. It is helpful as the parents model trust and confidence for the children to gain it and display it themselves. It is our experience that a quick and positive drop off allows your child the opportunity to transition quickly into action here at Chandler Jewish Preschool.   

Reminder: We are not currently napping in the Green Room. We do offer a "Quiet Time" that your child may rest on their mat with a book or quiet activity. Please provide a sheet as the state requires for this purpose and plan to launder it weekly.  We do have a few children that prefer to transition to the Blue Room for naps after lunch. 

Thank you for all you do for your child and for Chandler Jewish Preschool. Please spread the word.

Morah Cindy and Morah Devora