Norma's Kiddie Preschool

The Iron Horse Trail, The Letter “N”, Dress-Up and More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:54:09 +0000

We enjoyed another good week at preschool. We spent as much time as we could outdoors, knowing the rain was on it’s way. We went on a Nature Walk on the Iron Horse Trail where the children found pinecones, branches, and tall weeds to walk through.

For sharing the children brought in things in the shape of a Rectangle, such as a book and a puzzle piece. Throughout the day the children found many things in nature that were rectangles.

Miss Ana covered the dome with a Parachute and the children loved their cozy new spot.

The Letter N page that the children worked on turned out so adorable! They cut out the letter n, colored and cut out a nest and glued both to green construction paper.

On Friday we did Sponge Painting. The art work turned out colorful, with a wide variety of shapes and animals.

Everyone seemed to want to Dress Up this week. There were Pirates and Princesses galore!

Our youngest baby, Cameron, is doing great with his “tummy time” and seems to love all the action at NKP.

Music Class with Miss Isabella was excellent as the children again played with colored scarves and listened for their turn to participate.

Enjoy your weekend (anyone watching the football game??),

Norma

Reminders:

This Friday I will be at a day long Early Childhood Conference in Sunnyvale. Miss Ana and Miss Nena will be at NKP.
Happy Birthday to Miss Ana!!

Happy New Year 2012 – What a Great Start to the New Year!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:48:13 +0000

We’ve had a great first two weeks of the New Year – here is a recap of the beginning of our 2012!

For the week: 1/9-1/13/11

On Monday they children heard a story about “The Mitten”. Then they made a Mitten Sun Catcher using contact paper and colored tissue paper. Some of the younger children are now participating in the crafts and circle time.

It was great to see the children working on Puzzles together. The conversations they have with each other are priceless! It is good to hear them cooperating and taking turns. They played with a wide variety of manipulatives this week that included: ducks, cakes, and car garages.

During Spanish Circle Time Miss Nena passed around a small Watermelon. It is amazing how much vocabulary the children have learned.

For Cooking we made Fresh Fruit Pops using fresh lemons and green food coloring. They enjoyed these tasty treats for afternoon snack.

Many children brought in 8 things for Sharing to reinforce the number 8, that included strawberry wafers, trains, and books. Thanks for helping us teach the children using hands-on items that mean something to them!

Storytime at the Library was wonderful. The theme was winter and we heard 4 stories, including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Mitten. Bells were passed out and the children loved being able to participate.

We had a Musical Parade outside on the trail. The children picked an instrument and marched around the logs. Of course then they ran around and played!

Miss Isabella read a Dr. Suess book to the children that talked about Colors. The children picked 3 scarves and when the story talked about that color, the child would stand up and move according to the emotion that related to that color.

Outdoor activities continue to be enjoyed by most of the children. We brought some books outside and this always creates renewed interest in playing “teacher” and reading to each other!

Friday’s Circle time was outside because the weather was beautiful! Miss Ana talked to the children about Polar Animals. Afterwards they chose an animal, colored it, cut it out, and glued it to construction paper

For the week: 1/2-1/6/11

Happy New Year! It was wonderful to spend time with my family over the holidays. It was relaxing and I had a chance to reflect on the past year and of course what the year holds for all of us. I am so thankful for the families I have and every day I am excited to see your children and spend time with them. It is unbelievable to see how much the children change in a short period of time.

It was unseasonably warm this week which allowed us to spend a lot of time outdoors-which we love! We have some new outdoor structures that include a house and a tunnel we call “Gus”.

We enjoyed playing behind the house on the trail. I love to watch how creative the children can be with sticks and stones. They ran around and played in the weeds and with trucks.

For Science, Miss Ana talked to each child about Melting Ice. The children put ice cubes in hot water and observed how it changed. We journaled their response along with a picture.

Wednesday was Miss Nena’s Birthday. Thanks to Cara and Tina who brought delicious cupcakes for our party.

The children enjoyed relaxing and talking with their friends while playing with “Flarp”.

They also had an opportunity to paint a Bird House that we put in our backyard. Then they painted beautiful pictures.

It is always fun getting to know a new child. This week we officially welcomed Baby Cameron, Carson’s little brother. He is really mellow and smiles all the time!

It is great to have Miss Isabella back. She teaches the children so many new concepts and some old one’s too! Today she talked about the new year and the date, how it is no longer 2011. Each child had a turn in the middle and chose what they wanted the rest of the children to do. It is so important that children learn to follow instructions as this will be vital for success later on in school.

On Friday we walked to the Park and had a picnic lunch.

Thank you everyone! See you soon!

Norma

Happy Holidays from NKP!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:12:52 +0000

The week began with the children a few new toys in the back yard. The Dome, small play structure, and boat were very popular! It was so fun watching the children climb on the dome and run around excitedly chasing each other.

We celebrated Emma and Aria’s 4th Birthday on Monday. Their mother, Mitra, brought delicious desserts to share with us. Happy Birthday to Emma and Aria!

The children painted Snowmen using white paint and doilies, googly eyes and beads. When they were done they took out Coloring Books and continued their art work.

We made Gingerbread Houses using milk cartons, frosting, graham crackers, and candy. Thanks to all who brought a bag of candy to share. Mia, a recent graduate of NKP, joined us for a few hours that day.

Miss Nena continues to teach the children Spanish using children’s books, songs, and conversation.

We went to a Christmas Play at the community center on Wednesday. It was great that Mia could join us for that as well. It was interactive so the children each had a marker and piece of paper and circled the correct answer at the end of each mini play.

Our Christmas Party consisted of Frosting Cookies, a Gift Exchange, decorating a Christmas Tree with Glitter, and a tasty lunch. Tessa’s mom, Jeannette, helped out all morning-thanks so much! My friend, Jennifer, came to the party and read the children a story for Chanukah and then her and Ana made Potatoe Latkas. Thank you Jennifer!!

I wanted to thank you for trusting us with your beautiful children and I can’t wait to see you all after the New Year. This was an amazing year for us and I am looking forward to many more! Have a peaceful, relaxing break and give the children a hug for me! I appreciate each of you and your endless support.

Happy Holidays!

Norma

Puffy Paint Christmas Trees, Trains and Blocks, Play Dough and More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:00:55 +0000

Here is a summary of our week last week!

The children made adorable Christmas Trees using green Puffy Paint. They sprinkled the trees with glitter for some sparkle.

Play Dough continues to be a favorite among the children. It is a great fine motor activity that is open-ended so everyone does something different with it.

Trains and blocks were played with daily. If you’ve every observed young children playing with blocks it is easy to see why they are so important for teaching math and science concepts.

Check out the light blue Stars hanging in the playroom. The children cut out the stars, glued tissue paper on them, and used silver paint for decoration.

We passed around Bubble Wrap and let everyone have a turn popping it.

Wednesday was Miss Norma’s Birthday and we had cupcakes and a pizza party to celebrate. The children sang the sweetest Happy Birthday song to me. Thanks to all the parents who brought gifts and yummy treats to share.

Thursday was Owen and Luke’s last day at preschool. It was so sad saying goodbye to them but I am sure they will love their new school in Pleasanton.

The children made Letter L pages by cutting out out lemons and coloring them-some even were yellow!! For Sharing the children brought in their favorite books. We enjoyed many new stories.

Our friend, Mia stopped by for a visit with her mom. She looks so grown up these days.

On Friday Miss Isabella did a whole Christmas Program singing a wide variety of holiday songs. She gave each child a small candy cane to take home. After Music Class we did Sticker Art. Then the children drew names for the Gift Exchange next week.

Reminders:

Please bring a bag of candy for the Ginger Bread houses by Tuesday.
The older children will be going to see the Christmas Play at the Community Center at 11:00am on Wednesday.
Our Gift Exchange is on Thursday as well as our Christmas Party.

Norma

Gingerbread Man, Cinnamon Rubbings, Dreidel Game, and Much More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:29:03 +0000

It turned out to be a very mellow week last week with lots of Christmas songs and holiday activities. We made delicious smelling Gingerbread Man using Cinnamon Rubbings. The children were so proud of their work. They colored, glued buttons, and used cinnamon to decorate their gingerbread men.

On Tuesday they played a Dreidel Game and learned a dreidal song. Everyone sat in a circle and waited patiently for their turn (great preparation for kindergarten!).

It is always fun to watch the children’s excitement when we bring the Easel out for Painting Activities.

We worked on the Letter K this week by doing a letter page with a key on it.

We ended the week by Beading a Jingle Bell Bracelet and singing the Jingle Bell Song.

Some of the other activities we did this week included: Books, dress up, play dough, math (clothes pin game), learning about money, scissors and stickers, Dora dollhouse, Music Class, Spanish Circle Time, and a walk to the park.

Reminders:

Please bring a small milk carton so your child can make a gingerbread house next week.
Thursday: Bring a book for sharing.
Friday: the children will draw a name for the gift exchange.
Don’t forget to bring a permission slip and $ for the Christmas Play next week if your child will be going on this field trip.

This week is Owen and Luke’s last week at NKP. We are so sad to say goodbye to them. Good Luck to them and please stay in touch!

Have a great week,

Norma

Easel Painting, Reading, Spanish, Sharing and so Much More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:34:58 +0000

We began the week with Easel Painting. The children made beautiful pictures using many different colors. As you may know some children brought home many paintings. They had so much fun passing around the paints and talking about their art.

The children made cute pictures of Ice Cream Cones to learn about the Letter I. For snack we had ice cream and talked about the sounds I makes. Please remember to reinforce these concepts at home as this is for pre-reading.

On Wednesday Miss Ana read the Book, Ten Apples Up on Top. The children then counted out and glued numbers on top of a picture of themselves. This activity helps the children understand and experience the math concepts, Logic & Classifying.

Miss Marta worked with the children on their Spanish. It is amazing how much they have learned from Miss Nena, Miss Ana, and Miss Marta.

For Sharing the children brought in things that start with the letter J. Jello was a big hit!

Miss Isabella did a wonderful Music Class that focused on Colors, Feelings, and Emotions.

We are working on some very special Christmas Gifts that I know the families will enjoy for years to come.

It was fun to be outside this week although it was quite windy at times! We enjoyed the following activities this week: the sandbox, made a sun catcher, puzzles, and lots of reading.

Reminders:

This week look for a sign up sheet for a quick conference for the older children. We would like to share with you the preschool activities your child has been doing since September.

Have a great weekend!
Norma

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving, The Number 5, The Letter H and So Much More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:43:16 +0000

Star of the week Shayla!

To celebrate Fall we made cute Scarecrows that everyone colored and decorated. Continuing with our talk of Thanksgiving the children made precious Placemats using their handprints. On Wednesday we reviewed the Number 5 by using Rubber Stamps on construction paper.

Miss Marta and Miss Nena have taught the children so many Spanish songs that I hear them singing throughout the day.
We had an assistant from Dr. Ozzie’s dental office visit us and talk with the children about dental care. She left each child a goody bag to take home.

On Friday we were able to play outside all morning. The children brought something that begins with the Letter H for sharing. We passed around a headband, helmet, horse and other fun things.

Please remember to talk to your child about the sounds the letters make in preparation of Kindergarten.

Reminders: We are closed November 23rd-25th for Thanksgiving.

Norma

Halloween, Trip to the Fire Station and So Much More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:50:27 +0000

It was really fun to have Halloween fall on a Monday. We did a few activities at school such as Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin, frosting cookies, and guessing what was in the bucket (spagetti and grapes!).

The children collected small Pinecones which they painted and hung with yarn.

The following day was windy but sunny so we decided to walk to the park for a picnic.

Later that day we played a game called Hullaballu. The children listen to directions and move to the appropriate color/shape.

Miss Ana taught the children Fire Safety Rules, Stop, Drop, and Roll in preparation for our field trip to the Fire Station. We baked Cookies for the Firemen and learned all about the Fire Station.

This week the children did activities related to the Number 4 and Letter G.

They made Candy Corn Art by cutting out yello, orange and white construction paper and gluing it to black paper.

The weather was still good on so the children helped us Wash Chairs with warm, soapy water.

Books and bikes are still favorite activities this week!

Reminders:

We are closed this Friday for Veteran’s Day.
Music Class will be Monday this coming week.
Our Field trip to the Library is this Thursday @10:15am. We are able to take 7 older children.

Have a good weekend,

Norma

Happy Halloween! Nature Walks, Costumes, Fun Outside and So Much More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:19:57 +0000

Our week began with a Nature Walk to collect leaves.

When we returned to school everyone Painted with the Leaves. Some interesting color combinations were created.

Then we baked delicious Pumpkin Bread which we ate at afternoon snack time. Hopefully the children shared a little bit with you!

We dressed up in our Halloween Costumes and walked to the Pumpkin Patch on San Ramon Valley Blvd.

We had the whole place to ourselves for most of the morning. The children loved the rides and the inflatable slide. For lunch we walked to Boone Acres and had a picnic.

For Science the children had a chance to use real hammers and nails and Hammer into a real Pumpkin. This is good for Eye-Hand Coordination.

Nena then cooked the pumpkin and added brown sugar-yummy!!

After the Pumpkin Seeds dried Nena roasted them for a healthy snack. Miss Marta helped Nena to teach the children new Spanish songs and words. We are working on a vocabulary list to seen home for the parents!

On Friday we walked to the Halloween Parade at Neil Armstrong Elementary School. It was great to see a recent graduate, Mia, inthe parade. When we returned home the children had a spooky Music Class with Miss Isabella.

There were so many cute photos, we created a slideshow.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SLIDESHOW >>

Reminders:

Our Halloween Party will be this Monday-it is your choice to send the children in costumes or not.
Thursday, Nov.3rd @11:00am is our field trip to the Fire Station. This field trip is for children 3 years and older.

—-
Recap of 10/17/11-10/21/11:

We began the week learning about the color Black. The children brought in a variety of things for Sharing and then they had an opportunity to Sponge Paint using Black Paint and Halloween Figures.

On Tuesday a few children remembered that it was Crazy Hair Day. What clever use of green hair spray! We did Floor Puzzles and Foam Puzzles outside. It’s been warm out so we are trying to do as much outside as possible.

To reinforce the Number 2, the children brought in 2 things to share. Thanks for some yummy treats, parents!

Check out the cute Fish that the children decorated and glued to their F Letter Page.

Music Class and Spanish Class were great as usual.

Thanks everyone!

- Norma

Field Trip to Windmill Farms, Spider Web Art, Letter D and E and So Much More!

Norma Carlson, Norma's Kiddie Preschool — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:25:44 +0000

What a busy past two weeks! Here is an update of the last two weeks at NKP:

10/3-10/7/11:

On Monday we prepared an area so the children could Plant Pumpkins. Hopefully the pumpkins will grow so we can observe the changes that occur.

Check out the adorable Spider Web Art in the playroom. The children used a paper plate and yarn to make their webs. Miss Ana you are amazing!!

On Wednesday we welcomed a new friend, Cali. She is so sweet and some of the older children ask for her daily.

As a way of reinforcing the Math Concept of Number Sense we did different activities based on the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Miss Marta also read the book in Spanish as well. She brought stuffed animals to teach the children animal names in Spanish.

Thank you Miss Marta and Miss Nena for making Spanish so fun. I’m even picking up some vocabulary – finally!

On Thursday we cut out Circles and made cute Ducks for the Letter D.

Miss Isabella’s Music Class began with Old MacDonald Song. The children had to guess what animal would come next after Miss Isabella offered clues. This is a great listening and critical thinking activity.

We did School Pictures on Friday. I previewed some of them-they are SO cute! We should get them back next week.

10/10-10/14/11:

The weeks are flying by this time of year. We have been enjoying the good weather, when we get it. On Columbus Day we made hats out of newspaper and decorated them with stickers.

After reading the Book Green Eggs and Ham that’s what we cooked for lunch on Tuesday. Some children wouldn’t touch them but most liked them.

We had a chance to walk to the bridge by Cal High in hopes of seeing some ducks. The children love to run across the bridge and look for ducks.

Miss Marta taught the children new songs in Spanish as well as read some stories to them. I’m getting alot of good feedback from parents who say their children are singing the songs at home.

Miss Nena works with the children every day and their vocabulary is expanding too. We have been dancing in the backyard to some fun music-thanks to Miss Ana and her iphone!

The children did some painting this week as they made their Pumpkin Craft and Letter E page (an Elephant).

We added warm soapy water to the Water Table and everyone enjoyed washing the baby dolls. We walked to Walt Disney School and played in the park and had a tasty lunch. We were supposed to go to the Danville Theater for a Bubble Show but it was sold out so instead we went to Windmill Farms for the Pumpkin Patch. The children loved the pony rides, maze, and feeding the animals. All in all is was a wonderful day.

Enjoy your week and thanks again for trusting us with your precious children!

Reminders:

We will be scheduling conferences in November so we can share some of your children’s work with you. Please be thinking about anything you would like to discuss.

Norma