Mastering alphabet recognition and sounds takes a great deal of practice. Several parents have asked how they can support learning at home.  Here are a few of suggestions: 1. Read to your child.  Ask you child about the books he or she is reading at preschool.  2. Place dollop of shaving cream on a place mat and let your child draw an alphabet letter from a deck of flash cards or a bowl of plastic letters (these can be found at the dollar store). Ask your child to write the letter (capital and lowercase) in the shaving cream and make the sound of that letter.   3. Take every opportunity to learn by looking for alphabet letters while you travel, grocery shop or around your home. Discuss the letter of the week and search for it with your child.  4. When practicing writing your child's name make sure to start with a capital and then use all lower case letters. This is how children will write their name in preschool and kindergarten and it is confusing to a child if they have to re-learn how to write their name.  There are some great websites available that can help your child master important skills. We recommend the following websites: http://www.starfall.com/ abcmouse.com http://pbskids.org/games/abc/   UDA Preschool

*For those in dance classes please note winter break for dance begins December 21 and dance classes resume on January 5.  We will still be holding lunch bunch on January 3 and 4 but you will pick your child up at 12:00 in carpool. 

How to Foster Independence in Your Preschooler

By Jena Schmidt

Contributor

The years your child is in preschool is a time of constant growth and development. I know that I see changes almost daily in my three-year old. It can be a struggle knowing how to help them develop into independent children while dealing with an emotional toddler. Here are some tips I have found useful in my work with young children professionally and in working with my own children at home. 

1. Don't do for them what they can do for themselves. This is HUGE! At school students are expected to clean up after themselves, put things away, get their own name tags, keep track of their belongings, and many more tasks. At home, give them opportunities to be independent. Can they get their own shoes and put them on? Can they put their own dish in the sink after a meal? Can they hang own their coat on the coat hook when you come inside? I look to the children for ideas of what they are ready to do. Children at this age like to do things for themselves, so let them. It will build their confidence and make your life easier!

2. Don't fix all of their "mistakes." Kids are proud of the things that they are able to do. True, when they make their bed, it still looks disheveled and when they put the books back on the bookshelf they are crooked, backwards, and out of order. Don't fix these "mistakes." Show your child that you are proud of their work and that their help is valued. Remember that all of this practice gives them chances to learn, grow, and build confidence. 

3. Start chores! To some, the preschool years may seem to young to start giving children chores. I think the opposite, that is a great time to start teaching independence and responsibility through age appropriate chores. Think about what they can do that would be helpful to your family. The chore should show the child that they are a contributing member of the family. Here are a few ideas of chores that are appropriate for a child's first chores:

* help to set the table

* feed the pets

* water household plants

* help to sort laundry

* pick-up toys 

* organize book shelves

* make their own bed

* fold wash cloths and dish towels

There are so many ways to help our children grow into independent people. Be patient and look to them for clues as to what they would like to start doing on their own. Happy parenting!

A little friend from animal week!

 Bones, bones, bones!

 We are all artists!

 Movement is part of our day here at UDA!

 Cultivating a LOVE of READING!

Artists!

You can still register for this school year! Check out our current openings:

4 Year-Old Classes

M/W/F 8:30-11:30 $189/month

M/W/F 12:00-3:00 $189/month

M/T/W/Th/F 8:30-11:30 $289/month

3 Year-Old Class

T/Th 8:30-11:30 $139/month

2 Year-Old Class

M/W 9:00-11:00 $99/month

All Preschool classes are held at our Draper Studio.

Register today!

http://preschool.utahdanceartists.com/registration.html 

We will be learning all about the letter "Dd" this week as we study dinosaurs! The students will make fossils out of molds and dough in the Discovery Room, will do a dinosaur dig for dramatic play, and work on recognizing and writing the letter "Dd."

There are a lot of great books that you can read with your child to extend their learning. Below is a link to a list of great books that you can check out at the library! We have also included a link to a site that has some really fun crafts and activities you can do with your child at home.

http://childrensbooksguide.com/dinosaurs
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/07/dinosaur-picture-books.html

http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Dinosaur-Crafts-for-Kids.html

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/animals/dinosaurs/

Happy Dinosaur Week!

Dinosaur, dinosaur,
Turn around.
Dinosaur, dinosaur,
Stomp the ground.
Dinosaur, dinosaur,
Show your claws.
Dinosaur, dinosaur,
Snap your jaws.
Dinosaur, dinosaur,
Turn around .
Dinosaur, dinosaur,
Sit back down!