The Power of Music

Children begin to learn music and movement to communicate messages and represent actions.  Most children start learning about their world by acting on objects and people and begin thinking with their bodies before using words.  By using movement, children aren’t limited by their verbal abilities.  

Singing or chanting can help make routine activities and transitions smoother and more enjoyable.  Music tempo also helps set a mood.  Quiet, soothing music calms and relaxes children, while a lively tune creates an energetic setting.  Children are also encouraged to develop their social domain as music and movement activities help children feel part of the group.

Help your child develop their appreciation for music by providing different genres of music such as classical, pop, or jazz.  Also consider playing music that represents different cultures

Benefits of Music: 

Children develop social skills by playing co-operative musical games (ex. Ring Around the Rosie)

Gives children a chance to recognize that music and dance express mood and feelings in an appropriate social way

Increases self-awareness and body control

Improves balance, coordination, and rhythm

Develops creativity and imagination

Refines children’s listening skills   

              

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Mr. Jake vistis

Mr. Jake the music man came to visit our toddler classes this week for The Power of Music. He brought different instruments for the children to explore with. His favorite is the bass but the kiddos weren't its biggest fans. The toddlers has a blast shaking their sillies out with Mr. Jake.

Summer Fun and Water: What you need to know

 There’s nothing better than playing in the water on a hot summer day but parents need to know basic safety precautions that make this an enjoyable and fun-filled experience for everyone.
 

Did you know that a child can drown in less than 2 inches of water? 

That means that tragedy can happen where you least expect it…the sink, the toilet bowl, a fountain, a bucket or small bodies of standing water. Children under the age of 4 are particularly vulnerable.
 

Make sure you practice these three “layers of protection”:
 

Supervision
Children should never be unattended or unsupervised near water. Even a small amount of water in a bucket can provide a potential drowning hazard for a very young child. Take time to make sure that any outdoor space is free of hazards. Supervision is the key to preventing a tragedy and children should never be out of sight of an adult.
 

Barriers
Children should never have access to any body of water or water feature without an adult making it accessible to them. This is particularly important if you have a pool or pond in the outdoor space. Make sure that you stay close enough to provide “touch supervision”. 

Emergency Preparedness
All parents should be trained in emergency procedures and have access to emergency contact numbers.
 

Remember: 

“Keep Your Eyes on the Kids” and look for fun alternatives that provide a safe water play experience. A little bit of water can go a long way!
 

Nomination Time is Here!

Parent Magazine is now accepting nominations for "Best Of" awards.  We have proudly been voted "Best Preschool in Williamson County" since 2008 and hope to receive this honor once again.  In order to do so, we are asking that each parent take a minute out of your busy day to visit the nomination site and submit "The Academy" as your vote for Best Preschool in Williamson County.

Simply visit www.nashvilleparent.com/bop17 to place your nomination.  Be sure to read the rules and guidelines to make sure your nomination counts.  Once nomination is completed, Parent Magazine will pick the top nominations and open official voting. 

We appreciate you helping us win this award once again.  You nomination is much appreciated!

A visit from Mr. Austin

Kindergarten bootcamp got a special visitor today. Mr. Austin, who used to be our Pre-K Two co-teacher. He came in and told the kids all about kindergarten and the fun they will have. The class was able to ask questions and Mr. Austin went over the expectation of kindergarten.  He even brought pictures of his class and the different field trips they went on last school year.

The Power of Math

Children are natural mathematicians. They push and pull toys, stack blocks, and fill and empty cups of water in the bathtub. All of these activities allow young children to experience math concepts as they experiment with spatial awareness, measurement, and problem solving. Young children easily learn as they describe, explain, and consider the ideas from their immediate environment. Am I as tall as John? How can I find out? I know! We can both stand next to each other in front of the mirror.

Early math is not about the rote learning of discrete facts like how much 5 + 7 equals. Rather, it’s about children actively making sense of the world around them. Unlike drills or worksheets with one correct answer, open-ended, playful exploration encourages children to solve problems in real situations. Because the situations are meaningful, children can gain a deeper understanding of number, quantity, size, patterning, and data management. For example, it is easier to understand what six means when applied to a real-life task such as finding six beads to string on a necklace or placing one cracker on each of six plates.

Benefits of Math

·        Number Sense- number recognition, counting skills

·        Geometry- recognizing and forming of patterns and shapes

·        Measurement- weight, height, length, etc.

·        Math Language- new vocabulary words such as subtraction, addition, and comparison words like smaller, bigger, heavier, etc.

·        Spatial Relationships

Swimming Party!!

It is important to bridge the gap between school and home. It is shown that strengthening the relationship between school and family promotes positive school success for children. Ms. Sebrina's Pre-K One class talks about their school family throughout the day and how important it is to stay connected with each other even outside of school. 

Pre-K One talked about thing that you like to do during the summer and they decided to plan a swimming party. Ms. Sebrina and Ms. Neelam provided everything and all the families had to do was show up and have fun. They are already planning their next party. Check out all the fun they had.