BEST BET: WMUR TV Channel 9 (Manchester). They Run a Continuous Loop

Snow Days

When Hanover schools are closed or announce a delayed opening due to bad weather, DCCCC opens at 9 a.m. Grizzlies may arrive at 9 a.m., too. The Hanover School District announces closings/ delays on the following radio and TV stations:

BEST BET: WMUR TV Channel 9 (Manchester). They run a continuous loop.

WTSL 1400 AM WNHV 910 AM

WNTK 1020 AM WGXL 92.3 FM

WKXE 95.3 FM WXXK 100.5 FM

Q106 FM 106.1 FM

WCAX TV Channel 3 (Burlington)

DCCCC Closed

December 24--January 1, Winter break

Thank You

* Dr. Mike Mayor for installing pinlights around the playground and for furniture repair in the Grizzly room!

* Burger King for the donation of jumbo straws for a Woolly room activity

* Lori Myers for organizing the winter apparel “giving tree” for the Haven and to all who donated to this cause

Big Jeff and his panel of experts comment on Children and Sleep

A group of parents met at DCCCC in November to chat about children, parents and sleep. A few basic points became clear:

-families have different sleep preferences and practices

-children’s need for sleep varies with their age, stage of development, and temperament

-as children outgrow their nap or need more or less sleep, the path isn’t linear

-children’s need for sleep can vary from day to day

-every child is different in his/her ability to go to sleep and to stay asleep

-sleep habits are resistant to change

-with patience and consistency, sleep habits can be adjusted

-going to bed and staying in bed is a prime topic for power struggles.

We gave each other some advice, then wished each other luck:

-Create a consistent bedtime routine with a beginning and an end, for example: dinner, play, bath, stories and a snuggle.

-Give a pleasant warning that the routine is approaching: “After the dishes are done, we’ll have a warm bath.”

-Be positive. “It’s almost storytime!” vs. “You will have to get ready for bed soon, young man.”

-Reading together provides a natural settling down time and is the cornerstone of early literacy. Yes, it’s OK if your child wants to hear the same story over and over. That’s an important way of learning about language and literature.

-Never use bedtime as a punishment and never use staying up late as a reward. Both make bedtime sound like the worst thing in the world.

-At the end of the routine, it’s lights out. If your child is testing your resolve, it’s probably best not to be wheedled into “just one more story.”

-However, many children are flexible and can accommodate to truncated routines when necessary and an extra story when time allows. Just say, “We had so much fun playing after dinner, we’ll do one story then snuggle.” Or, “We got ready for bed so quickly, we have time for one more story.”

-If bedtime is a struggle,

a. In two parent families, both parents must present a united front. Children who enjoy power struggles are quick to sense weakness! So are children who are, unbeknownst to themselves, craving structure and limits.

b. The adults must be convinced that their bedtime plan is a good one. Even if it isn’t perfect, you can believe that you have made the best plan possible and it is in your child’s best interest. Your child can smell a lack of self-confidence!

-Your child’s teacher is an excellent source of advice.

-Big Jeff is happy to help you think through the sleep plan you make for your family.

-It’s up to you. There isn’t a right way and a wrong way. If you and your child are both getting enough sleep and you are both happy with the way you do it, you win!

-We’ll do another sleep chat during winter term.

DCCCC Newsletter Page 1

It's Winter!!!!!!!

There is nothing like a little snow to have something new to get out and discover in. No, it's not fun the first few times when the Teddies are all bundled up in their snowsuits, big honking boots, and mittens that do not allow them to grasp onto those shovels for scooping and digging the snow with. It takes a few times to get used to all of it, but eventually the Teddies really love it. We are trying to get outside everyday, but because of naps, there may be a day here or there that your child may not make it out. Not to worry, they'll get a chance the next day. Soon we will be pulling out the sleds and heading down the hill!! We'll have pictures to prove it!

We hope you all enjoy your winter break and we look forward to an exciting and fun-filled 2008.

Cathy, Wendy, Karen, Analia, and Kristin

Delia Morgan
I can’t believe we have made it to December already! I love the winter and all the snow.

The Teddies have had interesting reactions to all the snow and cold. Some make it look like they have been born to play all day in the snow. They fall down and laugh and roll around to get back up and off they go. Others stand in the same spot unsure how to maneuver their new boots. If they do venture off and fall down there is no amount of convincing from us that they can roll over and push themselves back to standing. They are sure the only way back up is if we are hoisting them up. Sometimes it takes a while for those unsure kids to feel confident in their new outdoor winter wonderland, but they usually always do. There are too many fun things to do outside not to love it. We go sledding, build snowmen and snow creatures. We also keep the buckets and shovels out for digging and scooping. We make paths through the deep snow so we can wander around the playground without too much trouble. For those who are not steady on their feet we get out the sleds and pull them around. Keep sending in all the winter gear, especially hats and mittens with thumbs.

Here are a few activities you can do at home to keep those toddlers busy:

color with markers on aluminum foil

make a batch of dough for rolling, cutting and squishing

put stickers out with paper plates and crayons (watch for nibbling)

bring in a bowl of snow to make mini snow stuff (wear mittens)

go to the library

go outside and have fun

snuggle up and read books

I hope the winter break brings you all much needed rest and family time. I know I am looking forward to spending relaxed days at home with my family.

Have fun! Terri

Kenjiro Murakami Freddy Mierke

Well.. I am a happy camper with all this snow!!! And so are most of the Pandas!!! We have had fun with the snow... like.... eating snow, digging with kid size snow shovels, eating snow, making footprints in the snow, eating snow, rolling in snow, eating snow, throwing snow, eating snow...DID I SAY EATING SNOW??? Such a kid thaaannng huh??? We do encourage children not to eat the snow chunks caked with sand but this nice fluffy white snow is just right!!! Thanks for sending the outdoor clothing... keep it up... we'll be venturing out most every day!!

As Jenn wote last week, we'll be talking about lights and celebrations of lights this month.. very low key!!! In years past, we have had some Swedish children whose families celebrated Santa Lucia (I play the Italian opera version a lot!!!) I plan on using the music for dance and movement this month. I will be teaching them the English words (printed below) as we expand our music repertoire.

Santa Lucia

Thy light is glowing.

Through darkest winter night,

Comfort bestowing.

Dreams float on dreams tonight,

Comes then the morning light,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

I am in hopes of putting some twinkle lights in our garden for late afternoon special viewing too. I will be making a Santa Lucia braided bread with the children at some point soon. We may even have a Santa Lucia parade complete with candles (not lit!!) and a special crown! The music is enough to make me weep so! I love this!!!

I am enclosing a recipe for salt dough for those of you who might like making some ornaments or hanging trinket shapes.

SALT DOUGH (for permanent products)

2 cups of flour

1 cup salt

1 cup water (approximate)

Add water slowly to salt and flour. Knead until smooth. Roll out on floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Poke a hole in the top or insert a piece of a paper clip for hanging. Or use for sculpting! Bake at 275-300 degrees for about 45 minutes. Items can be painted afterwards and things glued on like sparkles! Unused dough can be stored in a baggie or airtight container. Enjoy!!!

We wish you all a wonderful break at the end of the month ....

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!

Susan for the Panda team

Hello Koala Families,

Ready or not here it is! No, I’m not talking about the snow and cold weather, it’s December of course that is here. I am talking about the ongoing differences and philosophies about how best to explore different cultures and belief systems, especially around the holiday season. The fact is that it has taken me many years to get to a place of comfort. Most of my struggle was due to fear of not doing it the “right way”. I was very worried about misrepresenting or not being accurate when it came to teaching about cultures and celebrations other than what I knew. That caused me to play it safe and not do much exploring at all.

As a much older, and hopefully wiser, teacher I know it is much better to make mistakes while learning than to not learn at all. If, as teachers, we are not willing to make mistakes and learn, then we have nothing to put forth and teach. So I have learned to ask, even what may be silly questions to some families... I throw in a few misled assumptions from time to time as well.

There is way more that all the different types of celebrations have in common than that which is different. Why the celebration takes place or its origin may be very different, yet the means of celebration not so much so. They all hold in common joy, togetherness, lights, foods and jubilant celebration. Along with that we like to explore families and their traditions by sharing books, recipes, and stories. I have never, and still do not, believe it is appropriate or my job to preach or teach any religious aspect of traditions. It does seem very important, and more to our job of teaching, that children learn and be exposed to the idea that people are different in many ways. What we celebrate and how we celebrate is just one.

I know for myself and I am sure I speak on behalf of my team as well, I really wish we did a much better job of embracing our diversified heritages throughout the year. It just seems so in our face during the holiday season. At least the holiday season is an opportunity to hop on the children’s spirit and families’ excitement that seems to naturally exist. It is a time when most of us are in a place of sharing our hearts and minds.

Joy to all!

On behalf of the Koala Team,

Terri Hollis

Winter and holiday time has arrived whether we are ready or not. This time of year brings extra special fun times for all. However it means more work for already busy parents who sometimes feel stretched to their limits even before snowy winter days and the holidays begin. For children it is a magical and exciting time of the year. Even though it is a fun time for children it brings a certain amount of stress, too. We all know too well what happens when kids get overwhelmed. The fun goes out the window or spins out of control like a dreidel or flies up the chimney. In an effort to help you assist your child and therefore yourself in having a little less stress in the upcoming weeks, I have brainstormed a few stress reducing ideas for children.

Here are some ideas to hopefully help you and your little ones get through these special days with more fun and less stress:

• Find the time to hold, cuddle and read books to your child.
• Tell stories about holiday fun you had as a child. They love to hear stories about the good old days.
• Play quiet and noncompetitive games that leave the child feeling successful.
• Give your child a massage with some lotion.
• Sing songs and remember it is not a performance but a way to connect with your child.
• Take a walk in the snow or build a snowman.
• Help your child practice slow and deep breathing. Tell them to breathe in like when they smell a flower and then hold up one finger and blow out the birthday candle.
• Listen to music and dance, dance and dance.
• Turn the lights down low and light a candle.
• Turn the lights down and play with flashlights.
• If your child needs to calm their body do some wall push ups with them, have them jump on a trampoline. If you do not have a trampoline, maybe you could find a snow bank to jump from or put a bunch of pillows in a pile and they can safely jump onto them.
• Use a calming voice when trying to get their attention. Sometimes whispering a direction gets their attention better than a louder voice.
• Look in a mirror together and make silly faces. Laughter really is a great medicine.
• Prepare children for meeting new friends or relatives they do not often see. You may be fond of an old friend or family member, whom you rarely get to visit, but your child may be meeting them for the first time. Children need time to get used to new people or people they do not often see.
• Remember your child is doing the best they can at any given moment. Sometimes they do not show those great manners you have worked so hard to teach them or they get silly and goofy just when you want them to say a polite word. Maybe it is because they feel so overwhelmed by the situation they cannot remember what they should do or say.
• Children need to have their schedule kept as close to normal as possible during these busy times. They need to be prepared for changes in their schedule so they know what to expect.
• In order to do what is expected of them and have fun they need to be well rested, not get too hungry, and drink water. Food, Rest and Water help their brains to grow and function well.
• If you have more than one child you may want to use the “Divide and Conquer Approach”. This is how it works; one parent does an activity with one child while the other parent does something with the other child. This way your child has special time with you and you can really focus on them and give them your full attention. If you have more than two children see me for a private and free consultation.
• Watch your child closely for signs of their ability to cope and try to help them before a meltdown arrives. It is much easier to avoid a meltdown than to try and repair one. It may be a time to have fewer expectations for your child and to give more support.

These are just a few ideas and I hope they will help you all have a holiday season that is very happy and at least a little tiny bit less stressful. These tips are helpful for children everyday, but even more important at holiday time.

However you spend your holiday time I hope that it is a happy one--a special time that creates a memorable story in your children’s hearts. At some time in the distant future maybe they can share their story with a child.

Happy Holidays and Happy Break,

Judy for the Woolly Bear Team

WINTER FUN

We are having a great time outside in the snow. It is amazing when the snow begins and everyone is so enthralled with outside activities. Sledding is a big deal (and it is great exercise, too! Trudging up that hill in all of those snow clothes builds great physical stamina). Eating snow is the second favorite activity! The children are learning to notice where the clean snow is and where the dirty snow is. All of these activities are great in helping children learn to be safe. There is safe snow to eat, safe places for sledding and safe places for walking up the hill. It takes a great deal of practice to learn all of these safety rules.