News from the Jungle

We have had a wonderful first week of learning about school and making new friends! The children have learned and practiced how to walk in a line. We took a tour of the school to learn where places are such as gym, art, music, library, lunch room, office, and more. The children learned the rules and how to play on our kindergarten playground right outside our classroom and also on the “big playground” which they will play on after lunch each day.

We are learning about our feelings and how to use our words when someone does something we do not like. The phrase we will use in the classroom this year is, “I don’t like it when…. Please (do an action) OR Next time…..!” An example of a time we used this phrasing was when one friend cut in line in front of another friend. We said, “I don’t like it when you cut in front of me in line. Please go to the end of the line. OR I told the children they could have said, “It is ok today, but next time please go to the end.” This will help the children identify how they are feeling and give them the tools to be able to problem solve situations by expressing themselves with words!

Next week we have full days, Tuesday through Friday. This week of full days can be a big adjustment for some of the children. Please be sure to send a snack with them and pack them a lunch if they will be bringing a lunch from home. If they are buying a lunch from the school, please talk with them about the three lunch choices and make sure they know which one they would like to have. This routine is a difficult one for the children to learn and it really helps when you have talked with them about if they are a buyer or a packer! This will help us to not have to check each backpack in order to help the children know what lunch choice they will be making.

Next week we will be working on building independence, so please say goodbye at the door. Moving forward, no parents will be allowed in the building without signing in at the office. The children all did a great job this week of finding their lockers and unpacking their belongings. I know they will do a great job next week too!

Thank you for all of your help and patience and we build their confidence and independence for a successful school year!

I hope you all enjoy the long weekend!