ECC Connection Friday, April 24, 2020 Carol's Corner - A Message from Our Director Dear Parents,
Any major change in a child's life can cause stress. Current common sources of stress for children include COVID-19, the birth of a new sibling, moving, divorce and various changes at home.
Not all stress can or should, be avoided. Young children do not view the world as adults do. Misunderstandings or feelings of confusion can build up and leave children with stress they cannot handle alone. Young children cannot easily verbalize these feelings, so we adults should be aware of physical or behavioral changes: loss of appetite, sleep troubles, nightmares, headaches, stomachaches, or regressive behaviors such as thumb sucking or regression with toileting.
Children often deal with stress through their play. They may act out events they find disturbing. One child may walk around your house wearing a mask and pretending that they are sick after accidentally watching the news. Another may use dolls to have a conversation about divorce. This type of play helps children cope with events and feelings that might otherwise be overwhelming. As parents, it is important to censor what you watch on television. This includes the morning and evening news programs.
Adults play an important role in helping children cope with stress by providing a supportive atmosphere in which to talk about or play out concerns. We need to acknowledge and accept the feelings children express and give them our support, at home and at school. An attitude of love, understanding, and acceptance helps children get through difficult times. Listen to your child. Acknowledge and accept his or her needs.
An important part of this support is setting up a daily routine. Routines are great because they help alleviate stress. Establishing a regular bedtime, wake-up time, and bath time is important at any age. It also helps the child to have a calendar that tells them their daily schedule. You can show your child what time their class Zoom with take place or have pictures that show the class Zoom will take place after their breakfast. The daily calendar can be simple pictures of a child sitting in the bathtub or brushing their teeth. It is fun for the child to use Velcro and put these pictures on the calendar or a board each day. You can use stickers or erasable markers and the child can write their schedule if they have learned to write and enjoy writing. Just make sure to make your calendars age appropriate.
Family meeting time is also important. The children and adults can take turns talking about their day. I often suggest a "talking spoon" which can be as simple as a wooden spoon that the children decorate. You pass the spoon around the dinner table and everyone takes a turn speaking. This teaches respect for siblings as the siblings listen to each other and their parents!
Unfortunately, we are all under tremendous pressure right now with work and parenting. Try to have time for yourselves as parents when your children go to sleep. We try to teach our children how to live a healthy life and we should lead by example. You deserve relaxing time too. Maybe the laundry or the dusting doesn't get done for a night, but your mind will be better, your parenting will be sharper and besides, no one is checking on your housekeeping.
Please note that I will read a book and discuss the Coronavirus with your children on Thursday at 12:30PM CLICK HERE.
Warmly, Carol Baby & Me We would like to welcome you to join us for any class during our Spring Session of Baby & Me that fits your child's age group. All classes will be online via Zoom and will be complimentary.
If you want to join classes and have not already been in our program please contact Jennifer, so that we know you are attending and can admit you to our hosted Zoom sessions.
Monday 9:15am - 1.5-2 years -- CLICK HERE
Wednesday 11:00am - 7-12 months -- CLICK HERE
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Pearlman at jpearlman@wbtla.org. ECC@home We have created a "one stop shop" with activities and live events to get your through these unprecedented times at home. CLICK HERE to visit our ECC@home page.
Things you will find on the ECC@home page:
Daily Flexible Schedules Links to our Live Events and Videos Literacy and Math Activities Science Experiments Cooking Recipes Art Projects Yoga/Movement Videos Songs Storytime Videos Blessings Kindergarten Readiness Worksheets Carol's Corner Parent Resources and more!
We are updating this page daily. Creative Corner This weeks opened ended ideas that engage children at home. Here is this weeks shopping list where you can buy supplies for the following week. Please tag our school on Instagram @wbtecc and share your pictures with us!
Shopping List: Shaving Cream
Click HERE to see our easy daily activities for your child. Announcements Enrichments Our complimentary enrichments begin this Monday, April 27th! Please join us Monday through Thursday at 1:00pm for the following enrichments:
Lunch with Carol Have your child join Carol for lunch on Thursday, April 30 at 12:30PM. She will read "Not Forever but For Now - A Story for Children about Feelings During the Pandemic".
2020-2021 Re-Enrollment Contracts are DUE We are still planning for the 2020-2021 school year. Please remember that both parents need to fill out, sign and submit your child's Nursery School Contract for the 2020-21 school year.
Mazel Tov! The Nesbitt family welcomed a daughter!
The Roth family welcomed a son!
The Yampolsky family welcomed a son!
The Hipskind family welcomed a son!
The Hasson family welcomed a son! |