Literacy and Numeracy, Development Milestones, Parenting Advice, and More
Literacy and Numeracy, Development Milestones, Parenting Advice, and More
Parenting a preschooler can be challenging, and we hope that this newsletter will add to your parenting toolbox by delivering inspiration and expert advice to your inbox each month. Do you have burning parenting questions or a topic that you would like us to cover in a future newsletter? We would love your input! Please contact Nicole Casey at ncasey@fayschool.org with any questions, comments, or feedback.
BOOK CLUB - Blueberries for Sal
Published in 1948, Blueberries for Sal is a classic children's book that is perfect for this time of year. Enjoy reading the story with your child while you follow Sal on her blueberry picking adventure, and then check out the newsletter below for activities to complement the book.
LITERACY AND NUMERACY - Subtraction
During your child's next snack, help them develop their early math skills by introducing them to subtraction through this activity inspired by Blueberries for Sal.
Materials Needed:
  • Blueberries
  • Clear cups or bowls
  • Post-It Notes
  • A writing utensil
  • A six-sided die
Directions:
  • Fill clear cups or bowls with various amounts of blueberries, but keep the quantity at six or more.
  • On a post-it note next to each cup or bowl, write down the number of blueberries in each container.
  • Invite your child over to the snack you created and ask them to pretend that they are Sal eating blueberries.
  • Instruct your child that they will roll a dice to determine how many blueberries they will eat from each container.
  • After each roll, ask your child how many blueberries are left after subtracting the ones they ate. Then, you or your child can write the new total down on a different post-it note and place it on top of the original number.
ARTS & CRAFTS - Blueberry Painting
Have you ever heard of marble painting? This summer, try it with blueberries instead of marbles!
Materials Needed:
Directions:
  • Using tape, stick a piece of white paper to the inside, bottom of a gift box. If your paper is too large, trim it using scissors.
  • Select four paint colors and empty some into bowls.
  • Into each bowl, add two blueberries and swirl them around so they are coated in paint. 
  • Place the blueberries inside the gift box on top of the paper and put the lid on top to cover the box.
  • Tilt and shake the box so the blueberries move all around inside.
  • Open the box and remove the blueberries.
  • Let the paint inside the box dry and then remove the paper to reveal your abstract blueberry art.
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE - Curiosity
Just like Sal in Blueberries for Sal, most children are naturally curious and like to explore. Giving them the opportunity to actually do this is important for their development and well-being because curious children are more likely to learn and retain information, and stay involved and do better in school. To learn more and for a list of tips to develope your child's curiosity, click here for an article from the Mayo Clinic.
FIELD TRIP - Blueberry Picking
From now until the end of August is the perfect time to pick blueberries. Click here for a map and listing of pick-your-own farms with blueberries to visit this season.
PARENTING ADVICE - Kindergarten Jitters? 
The end of summer brings with it growing excitement about the start of school - for parents and children! However, if your child is heading off to kindergarten, it can also churn up some anxiety. Kids worry that they won’t know their way around the school, that they won’t like their teacher, or have friends in their class. Parents fret about all those things too, on top of wondering how they will navigate that emotional goodbye on the first day. While all these anxieties are common, there are some things that parents can do to prepare their child (and themselves) for this important step in their academic and social-emotional development. Here are some tips for helping your child develop a positive and confident outlook about heading off to school and for navigating a case of the kindergarten jitters.
5 Tips for Helping Your Child Start Kindergarten
Kindergarten at Fay School
Kindergarten often lays the foundation for a child's entire learning experience. At Fay, our small class size and individualized approach helps each kindergartener establish the skills they will need for a successful educational journey. Our teachers focus on each child’s literacy, numeracy, science understanding, and social-emotional development, supported by a team of expert specialists who coordinate instruction in art, music, French, and Spanish, and P.E. Our teacher also focus on fostering a love of learning, and they know that when students believe that their learning matters, they give their all.
Learn more about kindergarten at Fay.
FAY SCHOOL   48 Main Street   Southborough, MA   01772   508-490-8201   www.fayschool.org
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