Dear Sprout Families,
Welcome to the Sprout room, where every day is a new adventure.
I am Ms. Teresa. I have worked at Growing Tree in the Sprout for 19 years. When I am not teaching your wonderful children, I enjoy spending time with my husband, son, granddaughter, and parents. We all like to take trips together. We especially like going up to our property at Lake Billy Chinook, where we enjoy boating, riding side by side, and relaxing. I can’t wait to have fun getting to know your Sprout.
Welcome to the Sprout room. My name is Ms. Jennifer. I have been at Growing Tree for seven months. I have been in childcare for over two years; before that, I was a med tech at an assisted living center. When I am not working, I like to hang out at home with my family and friends. I enjoy taking my dog Sprinkles to the coast whenever possible and am a big fan of arts and crafts. I hope you all appreciate the Sprout room as much as I do.
Hey there, my name is Ms. April! As a dedicated preschool teacher, I am passionate about fostering a nurturing and creative environment for young learners. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy painting, hiking, swimming, and fishing-activities that inspire my love for nature and creativity. This year, my goal is to help students develop strong communication skills, whether with teachers, family, or peers. I encourage them to explore their imaginations, build confidence, and develop independence as they grow. I’m excited to reach new milestones. I will be going between the two Sprout rooms for support.
In the Sprout room, we emphasize social-emotional skills. These skills include using our words, treating our friends kindly, recognizing our emotions, and engaging with friends in play, just to name a few. We teach these skills using modeling as their language is just developing.
We choose a “Study” each month to focus on. Our books, songs, intentional activities, and creative art relate to our “Study.” This month, we will study “Brushes.”
We encourage our Sprouts to be as independent as possible; independence builds self-worth and is their work. Here are a few examples of what your Sprout will be capable of doing in our classroom:
- Using their words or signing
- Using silverware and drinking from a cup
- Scraping their plates
- Taking their shoes off
- Putting their coat on
Our day is a balance of:
- Inside and outside time
- Large group and small group activities
- Quiet and loud
The classroom has five Centers for play:
- Blocks
- Dramatic play,
- Sensory table
- Library,
- Manipulatives
These Centers are always open, and Sprouts can choose where they would like to play. Our job is to ensure the Centers are engaging and age-appropriate for our Sprouts.
Circle happens twice daily, in the morning and afternoon. During this time we read books, sing songs, practice mindfulness activities such as yoga baby time circle, and introduce our monthly study.
You will find us outside on our playground three times a day, riding bikes, playing in the sandbox, and chasing our friends. It is the Sprout’s favorite part of the day.
Here are a few reminders for the month:
Check your child’s file folder on Friday for art
- Please make sure your Sprout has plenty of extra clothes in their cubby
- Please bring in a family picture for our “Family” board
Thank you for everything. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Have a fantastic September.
Teresa, Jennifer, Nana Julie, and April