from the director | september 2018

There are many factors that make Weekday School a special place — but one of these is our level of parental involvement.  Weekday School parents, you are amazing!  In the weeks ahead, it is my goal to be able to connect in some way with each of you, getting to know you better, and learning your names - just as I am learning the names of all the children.

Because you are such invested parents, I know you will want to attend our Open House on the evening of Tuesday, September 18th. This parents-only event will give you an opportunity to socialize with other parents and hear about what your child has been learning in the first few weeks of school. You can find all the details about Open House here. And just for fun - WDS moms are invited to a night out at Infusion Tea in College Park on Thursday, September 27 - details here.  Building friendships is just as important for adults as it is for preschoolers!

Our desire for this year is to partner with you to support the growth and development of your child. That means that we recognize that YOU are the expert on your child. You know your child intimately. We (the teaching staff and me) are specialists in preschool development. We have experience observing and teaching two, three, and four year olds and can shed light on what is “typical” for this age group. Working together we can make a powerful team.  
If you have questions, concerns or need ANYTHING as we move through, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or your child’s teacher. We are honored to partner with you this year!

In Christ, 

faith and family |august 2018

New School Year, New Me

“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:18 ESV

I don’t know about you but Back to School Season evokes a fresh sense of renewal. Even before I became a mother, I felt possibility and a clean slate in the anticipation of a fresh box of pencils or an unmarked notepad. It’s the start of something new! I still find myself resolving to be more organized, exercise more, and devote more effort to my relationship with Christ. You know- to do something more or something less. It’s the same routine we can fall into because we desire to change for something better. 

Anyone of us can begin again right where we are. We do not need new calendar year or a new season to make things better in this life. As a believer in Christ, it’s not about a massive overhaul only to fall short. We can challenge ourselves to ask the Lord to help us every day, to discipline us, and to equip us. In this way, we ask Him to change our focus to things of eternal perspective. To wait in joyful anticipation for His return. 

On what basis am I going to live in this new year? Will it be do it yourself? It all depends on me? Or will I accept what God offers me every day, fresh from Him? When I realize the depths of my sin and my need for Him the answer is clear as a bell. I will ask for deeper love for my enemies and my neighbors, less comparison, humble hospitality, and fearless sharing about Christ’s love. He can and will be there for us weary parents. We can believe that because He says so. So as we begin this and all New Years let’s focus on fresh beginnings each day. New commitment to asking for help and seeing the joy in desiring better.

Lord, thank you for this new year that lies before me.   I choose to depend on you, and accept from your hand all that you would give me. In your sons name, Amen

Roberta Smith, Faith and Family Coordinator

keep it short | august 2018

Short Phrases Parents Can Use
 What are they and why do they work?

Parenting preschoolers can be pure joy and extremely hard. Their behavior can be mystifying, even bizarre at times. Their emotions are over the map. They appear allergic to reason and logic. What’s a parent to do?

First of all, it’s wise to accept that there is no one solution. If your child had come with a list of instructions, an item at the top of the list would be: “Develop an assortment of parenting strategies and be prepared to add/subtract strategies as your child changes and grows.” The next bullet point would read: “BTW, each child you have will require a different set of tools. No two children are alike so YOU must adjust strategies for each child. Have fun!”

Given this reality, we are going to use this space to focus on a magical parenting strategy: using short phrases.

What are short phrases?

Short phrases are simple verbal statements that clearly and effectively help your preschooler understand your expectations and what to do next. Early childhood expert, Amanda Morgan say short phrases are, “Words that have already been carefully selected before we (parents) have lost our minds.”

Why short phrases?

Short phrases are based on the science of brain development in preschoolers and an understanding of how they process information.  Here are some highlights:

• Your child’s prefrontal cortex (the “thinking” brain that regulates behavior and impulsivity) is under construction and doesn’t fully mature until their mid-twenties. It is the most immature part of your child’s brain. A preschoolers ability to control impulsivity and process logic is present but limited. This is helpful to remember when you struggle with your child’s behavior and listening.
• Your child’s limbic system (the “emotional” brain that process memory, stress responses, nurturing, caring, separation anxiety, fear, rage, social bonding and hormone control) is “the front seat driver of the brain, and doesn’t care what anyone in the back seat has to say about it,” notes Rachel Norman and Lauren Tramm. This is the difference between adults (operate from the prefrontal cortex or thinking brain) and young children (operate from the limbic system or feeling/emotion brain). You are looking at situations from a logical place. Your child is viewing situations from an emotional perspective. 

• Your child’s synapses (the web of communications between neurons in the brain that lay the foundation for things that become habitual or “automatic”) are in a period of rapid growth. Repeated use strengthens a synapse which means that a consistent approach to behavioral expectations is KEY. Consistent, calm repetition of a short phrase is a ninja parenting skill.

• Short phrases are easier for children to process than logical rationale or a paragraph of explanation. Getting lost in verbal back/forth can trap you in an unhelpful power struggle. Short phrases help you get to the heart of the matter and focus in on what you expect. Secretly, your child is craving the security of knowing that your expectations are and what needs to happen next.

Ready to try a short phrase?

“It’s time to…”

Sometimes we make our directions sound like options. “Would you like to take a bath?” “Ready for dinner?” “Pick up your shoes, OK?” If you are not giving your child a choice, then do not make your directions end with a question mark. Make your directions…well, direct. You can do this in a soft and kind way. Instead of the ambivalent examples above, try: “It’s time to take a bath.” “It’s time for dinner.” “It’s time to pick up your shoes.” Preschoolers often struggle with the transition from doing something enjoyable to something they might not enjoy as much. Give a five-minute warning to give them time to get ready for what is coming next. “In five minutes, it will be time to leave the playground.” Then set the timer on your phone and keep your deadline.

“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.”
Peggy O’Mara
 

from the director | august 2018

Hello, Weekday School Parents! 

Welcome to the first newsletter of the 2018-19 school year. We use several layers of communication to keep you in the loop (Sunday email reminders, flyers in school bags, text/emails from Kaymbu, etc.) as a WDS parent. The explicit purpose of this monthly digital newsletter is to encourage you as parents. I hope you will find it to be a helpful guide as we move throughout the year.

Let me begin by saying a little about myself by way of introduction or re-introduction as the case may be. This is my sixth year as the WDS Director. For two years before that I was a 3 Day Lead Teacher. Honestly, I’d jump back into the classroom in a heartbeat. I love, love, love preschoolers. My husband Bobby and I have two children who attended Weekday School. Our son, Hunter (19), is currently living and working in NYC. Our daughter, Sarah Beth (17), is a senior at Winter Park High School. We are 89% empty nesters at this point - it is weird and disorienting on so many levels. 

Here’s what I really want you to know about me: I get how challenging parenting (and marriage) can be. I am absolutely not a perfect mom (or wife) or preschool director. But I am committed to showing up and starting fresh each and every day and cheering YOU on too. I remember what was going on in my heart when my children were at Weekday School - the fears, anxieties, stress, joys, sorrows - and how the staff and teachers nurtured and supported ME and my children. That is my prayer for you this year. That you would feel our support. That Weekday School would be a place where you and your child can be real and imperfect and loved well. 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” I John 4:7

At Weekday School, we are aware of God’s great love for us.  And we know that it is only with God’s help that we can truly love other people well. We also believe that children learn and grow best in an environment fueled by the perfect love of God. 

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, 
because fear has to do with punishment.” I John 4:18

Growing in God’s love is not just a tagline. It’s something we practice together. On tangible way we open ourselves to God’s love and direction is through corporate prayer. I’d like to invite you to join us for our Prayer Walk on Wednesday, August 15 from 10:00-10:30 am under the Angel Wing. This is an annual tradition where staff, parents, and children gather for a brief devotion and prayer followed by a self-guided walk through the halls of Weekday School to pray over classrooms and the people who will occupy them. 

Switching gears a bit, let’s talk technology! This year we are adding a new management software for data and finances called Prime Child Care. You will receive email invoices and pay your tuition bills through this platform. Just last week we made the executive decision to KEEP Brightwheel (a check-in app we added last year) in place. So even though you set a PIN through Prime Child Care, we will not be using it for check-in because it’s not nearly as robust as Brightwheel. Transparent, user friendly, safe check-in/out is a huge value for us! If you are new this year, don’t worry, we’ll help you out each step of the way. You’ll receive an invitation to Brightwheel later this week that you need to accept. We also recommend downloading their app.

Can’t wait to see you soon!

try this at home | may 2018

Summer! Are you ready? Are you panicked? Here are some fantastic resources to help you ROCK what you got this summer:

Summer Mindset  from The Lazy Genius

How Summer Changes the Writing (and the Living)

Keep Summer Fun and Relaxing