Dear Sprout Families,
Welcome to the Sprout room, where every day is a new adventure! Jackson, Riley, Beckett, and the Sprout teachers would like to welcome our new friends Rowan, Julia, Archer, Oliver, and Penny to the classroom. We will enjoy getting to know one another.
In the Sprout room, we focus on our social-emotional skills. These include using our words, regulating our emotions, and allowing our Sprouts to do as much for themselves as possible. This is their work, and allowing them to master these skills supports their sense of self. Examples: modeling words like “soft touches, my turn, thank you,” identifying emotions, “you look frustrated, your smile makes me happy,” scraping their plates, putting their blankets on their cots, and putting their coat on by themselves are just a few examples that you will see in our classroom.
Our daily routine includes morning and afternoon circle time, art, free play centers, outside play, naps, and meals.
To facilitate this social-emotional work, the classroom is set up with different learning centers for the Sprouts to explore: these include a block center, manipulative center, dramatic play center, sensory center, and library center. It is our job as teachers to make these centers interesting for your Sprout to visit.
We do have a focused “study” each month so our art, music, and books we read will focus on our study. In September, our study is on BRUSHES.
As we study brushes, your Sprout will develop:
Language and literacy skills as they name and describe a brush’s color, shape, and size.
Fine motor skills, as they hold and use brushes to create art
Social skills as they interact with each other to exploring with adults and their friends
Introductions:
Hello, my name is Teresa, and I have worked at Growing Tree in the Sprout room for almost 20 years. I have been working in child care for over. 34 years, I still enjoy it so much. When I am not At work with your wonderful children, I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, granddaughter, and my parents. We all love taking trips together. We especially enjoy going to our property at Lake Billy Chinook; this is where I
enjoy relaxing, camping, and boating on the lake. At home, I enjoy reading and spending time with my husband. I can’t wait to have fun with your child this year.
My name is Julie, but I am better known to the children as Nana Julie. I retired in 2013, and my daughter Teresa said, “Can you come substitute
at Growing Tree?” That was almost ten years ago! I have six children, 16 grandchildren, and 14 great-grands. As you can see, I do love kids. I have been in childcare for over 40 years. I look forward to coming to work each day for the hugs and smiles!
When I am not at school, I spend time with my husband, glamping, reading, or visiting kids. I look forward to at least one more year of working with your children!
New Teacher: Tammy is in the process of hiring for this position.
Reminders:
- Please make sure your Sprout has plenty of weather-appropriate extra clothes.
- Please make sure to check your child’s cubby and file each day. They may have wet clothes and art to take home.
Thank you, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to come talk to us. Have a wonderful September.
Teresa and Nana Julie