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 - Holiday Books
Are you looking for a new book to share with your family this holiday season? Do you want to introduce your child to different holiday traditions from other cultures? Click here for a list of 50+ holiday books from Fay's Primary School Library.
LITERACY AND NUMERACY - Patterns
Patterns are all around us during the holidays, from festive garlands, holiday lights, and candy cane stripes to "ugly" holiday sweaters. Identifying and understanding patterns is also a basic math skill that can help your child's future mathematical thinking. As you see patterns this holiday season, point them out to your child and they will likely start to notice them everywhere. You can also have your child build their own patterns by making garlands with popcorn and cranberries or with different colored paper chains. 
ARTS & CRAFTS - Swirl Paint Ornaments
Materials Needed:
  • Clear Plastic Ball Ornaments
  • Paint
  • Paper Towels
  • Paper or Plastic Cups
Directions:
  • Gather all of the materials above.
  • Remove the tops of the ornaments and set them aside.
  • Squeeze a small amount of paint into the ornaments and make sure there is enough for it to run down the sides. Repeat this with various colors of paint until the inside of the ornament is mostly colored. Once all your colors are in, swirl the ornament around to mix the colors and to fill in any clear areas. You will want to cover the opening with a paper towel during this step to prevent the paint from splashing out.
  • Place the ornament upside down in a cup to drain the paint.
  • Once the paint is dry, place the top back on the ornament.
  • Ask you child: when colors were mixed together inside the ornament, what happened and which colors were created?
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE - Empathy
To teach young children empathy, it is important to show them how to think outside of their own experience and attempt to understand and show compassion for things they don’t naturally experience. Even though the holiday season is usually busy and chaotic, it is actually a great time to build your child's empathy skills. Try using the holiday experiences and situations below!
  • Through gift giving, your child can experience the cause-and-effect of their actions by seeing how happy their gift can make another person feel, and how in turn they also feel happy. 
  • Families celebrate the holidays differently, and your child likely has observed these differences with their friends. When your child asks about these differences, lean into the conversation and use it as a teachable moment to show them how people’s experiences can differ.
  • Next time you are in a store, have your child pick out a toy for a local toy drive. Involving them in the conversation and decision will make them feel like an active participant in helping others. 
FIELD TRIP - Festival of Trees at Elm Bank
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Festival of Trees showcases dozens of decorated trees, a village and model railroad display, a decorated garden, and fire pits for toasting s’mores. This annual event takes place at The Gardens at Elm Bank in Wellesley and is a visual treat for young and old alike. Click here for more information.
PARENTING ADVICE - The Can’t-Miss Gift Guide: Our Kindergarten Experts Share the Gifts Your Child Won’t Be Able to Put Down
Every parent has had the experience of buying their child a gift that turns out to be a clunker. Sometimes, you know as soon as the wrapping paper comes off and the gift is quickly discarded. Other times, kids will excitedly play with something new for a day or two, but the novelty quickly wears off. The gift is set aside and never touched again. This year, wouldn’t you love to invest in a holiday gift that they’ll still be playing with next December? We reached out to the experts - our Fay School Kindergarten Teaching Team - to get their insider recommendations for the toys and activities that are the biggest hits in their classrooms and that your child is guaranteed to come back to again and again.
Gifts Your Child Won’t Be Able to Put Down
Kindergarten at Fay School
Kindergarten lays the foundation for a child's entire learning experience. At Fay, our small class sizes and individualized approach help 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 teachers 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 Fay's kindergarten program and beyond at our Virtual Information Session on January 13.
RSVP & More Information
FAY SCHOOL   48 Main Street   Southborough, MA   01772   508-490-8201   www.fayschool.org
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