BOOK CLUB - How Do Apples Grow?

If you're planning a trip to an apple orchard this fall, How Do Apples Grow? is perfect to get your child thinking about their visit. Throughout the book, children will learn fun facts about apples and the science behind their growth. For example, did you know that there are more than 7,000 types of apples? This book is part of the Hello, World! series, which is designed to bring science and nature into the worlds of young children. 

LITERACY & NUMERACY - Scientific Thinking

Young children are naturally great at scientific thinking because of their curiosity, so it's often easy to incorporate basic scientific principles into their play through their own inquiries.

This fall, try harnessing your child's curiosity about apples into a scientific investigation. Some questions you could discuss are below.

How many seeds do you think are inside a apple?

Do you think an apple will sink or float in water?

To answer these questions, encourage your child to make predictions and then test them. Your child can even document what they think will happen by drawing a picture. For example, if they think an apple will sink in water, they could draw a picture of the apple under water. After they test their theory, they could draw another picture that depicts the outcome.

ARTS & CRAFTS - Apple Stamping

Materials Needed:

washable paint • apples • cutting knife • bowls/plates• • paper • scissors (optional) • googly eyes (optional) • markers (optional) • mini clothespins (optional)

Instructions:

Gather apples and cut them in half. The part with the core exposed will be used for stamping, and the paint will be applied here. On the rounded side of the apple, you can cut a handle out so that the piece is easier to hold. Do this by cutting two rectangular pieces out of the sides so you are left with a long and narrow (about 1/2-inch) piece to hold onto in the center.

Pour a small amount of paint into bowls or onto plates for each color that you want to stamp (a little goes a long way here). 

Place the apple (core side exposed) into the paint and then firmly press the apple on to paper.

Keep stamping apples using different colors, and let the paint dry.

Once the paint is dry, you can cut out your apple stamps and give them faces by placing googly eyes on them and drawing noses, mouths, or other features. You can also use mini clothespins as the apple stem.

DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE - Overcoming Shyness

Has the start of the school year and new activities, classmates, and teachers brought out your child's shyness? If so, this is normal for children, especially ones who are naturally cautious. Most children like to assess a situation before jumping right in, and this time of year can be overwhelming for them. When possible, prep your child ahead of time with information about where you are going, who will be there, and how an event, like their first soccer game, will unfold to minimize any anxiety they may feel. To learn more about shyness and building confidence in your child, click here to read our blog article.

FIELD TRIP - Apple Picking

Tougas Family Farm, located in Northborough, MA, is a great orchard for families to explore. The orchard itself is fairly large, and there are over 30 varieties of apples to pick. Admission to the orchard includes access to their animal barnyard, playground, picnic area, wagon rides, and farm store. Visit tougasfamilyfarm.com to learn more.

PARENTING ADVICE - Seven Tips for Making this Your Most Organized School Year Ever

It’s that time of year again. You linger over magazine spreads of elaborately organized homework stations and color-coded family calendar systems, and you develop the sudden conviction that a label maker will change your life. It’s back-to-school, the time of year that has a way of bringing out the inner organizer in all of us. While it’s tempting to think that redesigning your child’s workspace will transform your school year, it’s actually the habits that you cultivate now that can have the greatest positive impact. Here are seven tips for easing the transition from the lazy days of summer to back-to-school.

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. 

Learn more about Kindergarten at Fay at our Kindergarten Virtual Info Session on Thursday, October 26 from 1:00 - 1:30 PM. The event will feature presentations from our Head of Primary School and admission team members. You'll learn about Fay through the perspective of parents and students, and you'll get a look at our kindergarten classrooms and campus through our virtual tour.