Dear CCP Families,
Oh, how I wish you could peek into the classrooms during the day! The children are engaged in so many forms of play (and learning so many things!) Be sure to click into the website and view the pictures from your class, they tell such a wonderful story of your child’s time at school. I am continually grateful for our creative, energetic, and loving teachers who plan all these exciting activities for your little ones.
Thank you for meeting with your child’s teacher this week. It’s so helpful to merge our two worlds to bring out the best in your child. We had great subs this week while the teachers were meeting with you.
PRESCHOOL CLOSED TOMORROW, FRIDAY 10/16 - Teachers will be attending a professional development event with teachers from other Chapel Hill preschools.
PHOTOS - Just a reminder that we will take individual photos of each child during the school day on Oct. 20 (Ducks, TTH Frogs, TTH Ladybugs) and Oct. 21 (Whales, MW Frogs, MWF Ladybugs) You are also invited to have a family photo taken on Saturday, Oct. 24. The photos will be outside in the church yard. Click here to sign up.
PAC, we have a meeting in Ascension Hall at 9:15am on Monday, Oct. 19. NOTE: This is a morning meeting. Your presence is important since we will be presenting the proposed budget for 2027-28.
Looking ahead….TRUNK OR TREAT will take place at the church office parking lot on Sunday, Oct 25th beginning at 4:00. Bring your little ones by to enjoy a treat!
HALLOWEEN - Just for fun, our Duck and Whale classes will parade in costume on the Market St sidewalks on Oct. 29. Parents are invited to walk with us if you’re able. Teachers will give you details.
Our Ladybugs and Frogs will parade in costume indoors around Ascension Hall on Oct. 28 and Oct 29. Parents are invited to stay a few minutes after drop-off to watch if you’re able. Teachers will give you details.
Spirit Days 11/3 & 11/4 - Let’s wear our spirit wear (or you can wear your class color) and show our CCP pride!
We loved seeing the big blue Chapel Hill fire truck on Monday! The talked about how to stay safe at home if there is ever a fire.
Firefighter Brooklyn giving high fives in her gear.
CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE MOMENT - Let's look at the difference between noticing and judging. "Noticing continually activates children's prefrontal lobes and strengthens their executive skills of sustained attention, empathy, and problem-solving. However, it requires adults to consciously change our habits and rewire our brains to notice instead of judge." (Conscious Discipline, p. 128)
Judging actions as “satisfactory” creates children who are always looking for approval from the outside. Noticing creates self-awareness and healthy attention, an important executive skill. Noticing is descriptive and directs and sustains the child's attention like shining a flashlight on something. Adults essentially "hold their flashlights" on the desired goals until children can hold and aim them on their own. The difference is subtle at first. However words are powerful and "noticing language" is more specific and gives the child more information to help to focus the child's attention on the positive. Especially today, when the media tends to focus its attention on violence, aggression, sex, and appearances, our noticing supports children's attention by helping them aim their flashlights on the desired positive goals.
Here are some examples....Instead of saying, "Miley, I like the way you raised your hand," try saying, "Miley you raised your hand like this (demonstrate) so I knew you needed help." Instead of saying, "Good job Emma!" try "Emma, you worked hard on question 2 until you figured it out. That took persistence!" Instead of "Tom, you are a good helper," try "Tom you got paper towels and cleaned the water off the floor so everyone would be safe from slipping." Instead of "Thank you for pushing in your chair," try "Frank, you pushed in your chair so our dining room is safe." And a final example, instead of "Good job with the napkin," try "You folded the napkin and set it next to your plate. Now you're ready for snack!" It takes a little more effort, but if you consistently notice, it will create self awareness, which is an important executive skill.
I wish you well as you try aiming your adult flashlight on the positive by using noticing language with your child!
Peace,
Shelly