King St. Early Learning Center

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PRESS RELEASE

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Local Church and Preschool Join Forces for Family Fun Fest Community Event

The King Street Early Learning Center, along with the King Street United Church of Christ, both located at 201 S. King Street, in Danbury, are planning their annual, multigenerational Family Fun Fest for the entire community on May 4, to be held on site.

The fest begins at 11:15 with a patriotic, interactive music program by Nancy Wildman.  The event will also feature story time with the Honorable Mayor Mark Boughton at noon. At 1:00, there will be an original presentation, Dancin’ With the Honeybees, by beekeeper,  Clifford Wright-Sunflower. This interactive, 90 minute play “brings the scientific magic of the honeybee hive to life.” The play is sure to delight, engage and educate people of all ages. Immediately following is the “Bee Touch Me Museum,” which invites children to further investigate  and reinforce the concepts learned in the show. Additionally, for a small fee, children may make a beeswax candle. Farm fresh honey, pollen and beeswax candles will be available for sale, as well.

During the event, preschool staff and consultants will available to answer questions about the King Street Early Learning Center.

Additional offerings include KSUCC’s very own Pastor Paul and his balloon animal creations, Ben’s Bells, face painting, and Touch-a-Fire Truck. Food will be available from food trucks during the event.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT, however, donations will be gratefully accepted.

Let’s Talk

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We have all heard so much about the preschool debate. The two basic questions are these: “Should I send my child to preschool?” and “Which preschool approach or philosophy is best?” Let’s talk about these two important questions.

First, the question of “Preschool or not?” Deciding whether to send your child out into the world for their first experience away from you can be heart wrenching. If you are a stay at home mom, the question can even seem ridiculous. Why would you send your child anywhere when you’re at home and can offer your child everything that is needed? This is understandable, though myopic. A mom’s job is to nurture her child and to give him or her the tools needed to grow into a confident human being who enjoys life and is a good citizen.

Children need to be in a peer setting in order to gain the self-confidence that comes from these particular successful social exchanges. That is not to say that relationships with family members, neighbors and weekly lessons don’t count, but the real test comes when children are faced with the struggles that arise from the need for turn taking and patience, on a daily basis, which are inherent in a school environment. A family member or neighbor will likely have an agenda or a bias, simply because it is human nature.

Karate instructors and coaches may have a set of specific goals, which may or may not be aligned with early childhood development. Again, not to be unfair to anyone. But, children deserve the opportunity to develop their social skills and self-confidence through real life experiences. So, after the familial bonds have been firmly established, and the child has a base of language, usually somewhere around age 3, school becomes increasingly important. Add to that the importance of feeding the developing brain by keeping those neurons and synapses busy, which happens when children are permitted to explore, and are engaged. Which brings me to the second question of “Which philosophy or approach is best?” To me, the answer is cut and dried. Children need to play. It is crucial to their understanding of the world. It is crucial to their sense of self, their natural curiosity, their need for connection. And play is crucial to a happy life.

Through decades, there has been a vast amount of research, and it all comes to the same conclusion: Children learn through play. Therefore, children MUST play. A child who is not offered plenty of opportunity for play is a child who is being denied the basic needs of human development. So, again, unless you have several children around the same age, endless time and endless patience, as well as an uncanny sense of reasonable expectations for your child’s ability for self-discipline, how can you possibly achieve a stimulating environment at home?

Consider for a moment, children entering kindergarten. For those who have not had a preschool experience, what must it be like to suddenly be spending six hours a day among twenty or so kids with an authority figure who is not mom? I can only imagine that it would be terrifying. Of course, there may be reluctance on the part of both mom and child for the initial preschool separation. But there is no doubt in my mind that it is the best thing for both mom and child.

Within the first couple of weeks, you both will get used to the idea of going your separate ways for a few hours. And before you know it, your child will be exhibiting new skills and new ways of being, that will cause you to realize that sending your child to preschool was, indeed, the right thing to do.

Halloween Fun

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I have always loved Halloween, especially as I became old enough to savor the opportunity to be creative. Costumes during my childhood were generally store bought and what my mom chose, but it was still exciting, maybe for the simple reason that it only happened in the fall. The unmistakable clues that special night was approaching: the smell of people’s wood stoves, morning dew turned to frost, the sound of leaves all around.

When my sister and I were in about second grade and kindergarten, our mother’s choice of costume was Nun. Okay, admittedly not very exciting. But we didn’t see it that way. We still got to wear a costume and go door to door during what was dinner time the rest of the year.

Middle school age, of course, saw the standard “hobo” costume. That was just right to indicate that I was too old to really commit to a costume, but still young enough to want to participate. A little burnt cork smudged strategically around your face, your big brother’s clothing, or your dad’s if he let you, and you were good to go. Although I do fondly recall at age 13, taking my six year old sister around the neighborhood. I had made her up to be a witch, and painted my own face to be a clown. No costume for me. I was too old for that! Just the clown face with my pea coat and jeans, my little witch sister in tow.

My late teens into early twenties were the most fun Halloweens I could imagine. My group of friends were all theater people who had wild imaginations, and the skills to really pull off their fantastical ideas. I was right at home. So, how I married a man who dislikes Halloween as much as he does, will forever remain a mystery! But he refuses to participate. He wouldn’t even have to use any brain power. He could just help me execute my ideas by agreeing to wear what I design. I mean, come on! How simple is that! I still harbor a fun image in my mind of him playing a six foot two Cher to my five foot five inch Sonny. I am willing to wear the Fu Man Shu mustache and leisure suit. He could do the hair flip with a long, black wig and a sequined gown. What husband in his right mind would refuse that! I mean, that’s funny!

Making my kids’ their costumes was a joy that would again cause that wonderful anticipation that only came once a year. I would go all out, doing them from semi scratch. Whatever they wanted, I would make happen. Even when my four year old’s heartfelt desire was to be a pink dog with red spots. Even when my six year old was insistent on being Snow White. (We are so not a Disney family). Point is, Snow White costumes could be bought anytime, anywhere. But not by me. Never by me. She was the only homegrown Snow White in her school. So much fun!

My kids now make their own costumes, but remnants of past Halloweens are boxed and in the attic. So, it’s up to make my own Halloween fun once again. But no longer for my kids. Definitely not for my husband. So … how lucky am I! I get to conceive of and offer an entire Halloween party for the children in our area, complete with games and crafts. Nothing scary. Nothing gory. Just fun, silly, creative fun!

So, if you’re looking for a fun, safe, easy daytime alternative to figuring out where to trick-or- treat, come and join us at TRUNK OR TREAT! It’s October 29 at 201 S. King Street. Trunks arrive at 1:00, and open at 1:15. Bring your costumed kids and your trunk full of goodies!

Our teachers are having a ball creating Halloween activities for you and your kids to enjoy! In the event of rain, all activities will take place inside. RAIN OR SHINE.

Apples to Apples

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     As we are 3 weeks into the school year, the children and the teachers are finding their groove. With the teachers I have been fortunate enough to have    working at KSELC, it’s as easy as apple pie!

     Ms. Suzi returned to us this year, bringing along her love for all things manipulative. Getting those little fingers moving, pressing, pinching, opening, closing, rubbing, clasping… developing the intricate musculoskeletal systems for prewriting. Her expertise means she not only values the importance of it, but she also knows how to make it fun for this age group.

     New to us this year is Miss Anne. Warm, kind, loving, vibrant and caring, she is heaven sent – (via Ruth Purdy-Dyer at AIS Magnet School. Thank you, Ruth!) Anne has stepped into her role with grace and aplomb. She is a treasure!  

     The addition of Anne translates to our ability to increase enrollment and still offer the high quality, low ratio attention to detail that sets this program apart. We are able to know each child well, so that their individual needs are first and foremost. We guide each child in a gentle way that respects who and where they are, while exploring the world around them. Here is an example of what that might look like:

During a play dough activity, D helps herself to some of V’s play dough. V begins yelling and crying. Miss Anne offers, by way of conversation,

“V, I see that you are upset. What’s happening?”​​

V replies, “She took my play dough!” 

“Who did?”

“She did!” 

“Do you know her name?”

“Uh-uh. No! She! She took it, and it’s mine!”  

“Well, that’s not very friendly. Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe she didn’t realize that pile was yours.Can you look at D and say to her, ‘D, you took my playdough!’ “

As best she can, without looking at D, V says “You took my play dough!”

Miss Anne gently instructs both children to stop what they’re doing, and take a moment to look at one another. (This, in and or itself, can often be a challenge with this age group. It takes skill and patience on the part of the teacher.) Both children respond appropriately to this request, and then Miss Anne repeats to V what she might say to D, which V does, and D says “I’m sorry,” and they resume play, and all is well. Until the next time. At which time, Miss Anne or Miss Suzi or I will facilitate the same conversation again. And we will do it for as many times as necessary, for as many children as necessary.      

     Eventually, the children will start these exchanges on their own, some sooner than others. And that’s okay, because, like apples, each child is unique, each one requires patience. Some ripen early, and are ready for the next step. Others will stay on the tree a bit longer. And it works, because, though apple pie is a tad easier, each one brings something wonderful to one another, and to us!

 

Of Broccoli Crowns and Wedding Veils

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Most early childhood experts agree that play is an invaluable teaching tool. Play is how children learn about themselves and the world around them. It is how they learn social skills and how to make friends. Pretend play is one of the all time faves among preschoolers at KSELC. We generally open the pretend area on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and watch as their imaginations take over. Princesses, teachers and chefs create games and negotiate the sharing of certain toys and props. The scripted conversations generally go something like this:
“I will be the mom and you will be the baby, and I will take you to the store and then you cry.” “Okay, and I get to have this bag and you can have that one.”
“But I had that bag first.”
“But I want it. I like it.”
“No, I like it,”
Then the tug of war begins, and the throat screams that they’re trying to muffle start to build. Ms. Suzi and I listen and watch and watch and listen to see if intervention is needed. Sometimes, all it takes is “What’s happening here?” And the child who did the grabbing automatically lets go (essentially “owning” the act) and all is well. Other times, we must coach them through, asking for each person’s side of the story. As they are telling, the person in the wrong usually has an epiphany and agrees to wait for a turn.
One of the coveted items is a bridal veil. It’s white lace and apparently, full of possibility. They don’t necessarily play wedding or anything, they just like wearing it, usually with some bag full of plastic food hanging in the crook of one arm, dragging a baby or a shopping cart or a plastic broccoli crown with the other hand. The other day, I witnessed one girl sneak up behind the bride-for-the-moment (as she hammered at the plastic workbench) and snatch the veil right off her head. The bride hollered and the perpetrator wasn’t aware that I had seen her actions. No real punishment doled out, but she did have to engage in a dialog with her friend whom she’d just dissed, and then sit for a moment of reflection. She may or may not do that again at some point. Or perhaps the this-time bride will be the next-time snatcher. But if you believe in the importance of play, you don’t get worked up about these incidents. You use them as teaching moments.