Welcome to the Ocean Divers Room!

We are looking forward to am exciting and busy year with your three-year old. Communication between parents and teachers is the key to a successful experience for your child at MudPies. The PARENT HANDBOOK you received upon enrolling will provide you with a review of the general policies and procedures at our center. In addition, this note contains special information to help you understand our classroom. Referring to both, as well as meeting with us to discuss any concerns, will help ease the transition for your family to our classroom.

Please help us with our record keeping by signing your child in & out each day when you arrive and when you pick up your child. Our staff will be happy to help id necessary.

Lunchtime is at 11:30-12:00 and naptime is at 12:15-2:30. The teachers relieve each other for lunch during this time!

Our main objective at MudPies is to provide a positive atmosphere in which your child can grow physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally. Learning experiences appropriate for the developmental age of our group are provided daily. A weekly Activity Plan and a Daily Schedule are posted in our classroom for your review. Notes on the dry erase board outside the classroom door will describe the day’s activities. These notes can be helpful during your drive home in initiating a discussion of the day’s events with your three-year old. Caregivers will contact you verbally or through personal notes whenever the need arises.

Three-year-olds are ready for many new learning experiences. We encourage children to:

recognize numbers from 1-10
identify basic colors
recognize our names on paper
judge how far to climb and return safely
toilet without help unless clothing is restrictive
walk a broad while holding an adult’s hand
stop and go on a slide, climb ladders, and learn to jump
enjoy his or her birthday
know the names of several animals
observe things which are pointed out
learn sounds used in words as well as new words
use simple sentences
listen to short stories
perform short pantomimes with adults
paint on a easel, scribble with crayons, and enjoy other types of art media
listen to music
distinguish indoor and outdoor voices
play alongside others

We participate in arts, crafts, and simple cooking projects, gross motor activities, songs, fingerplays, and language activities. We stress good manners such as using the words “please” and “thank you.” We continue working on self-help skills like dressing and eating. Most importantly we play! Play is our best training for becoming independent.

GUIDELINES FOR PLAY

To alleviate the problems presented when children bring toys to the center (broken toys, disagreement over ownership and lost items), we only allow soft sleep friends that stay in their cubbies until naptime.

Special snack (store bought only) should be provided only when parents wish to furnish for the entire class at snack time or holiday or birthday parties. Please let us know in advance so that we may prepare accordingly.

Three-year olds get very INVOLVED with our activities and don’t want to be overly concerned with staying clean. We ask that your child dress in comfortable, washable clothing that is appropriate for messy activities. Please be sure clothes allow independence and success in self-dressing and pottying. TWO SEASONAL changes of clothes (shirt, pants and socks) should be left at the center for your child in case of an emergency. This is a state law and required in all rooms.

COOPERATION

Part of our learning process is learning responsibility for ourselves, our behavior, our things and the property of others. We encourage children to put away materials and toys when they finish with them. You can help encouraging cooperation at home. Together we will be patient as your child learns to put away his or her things.

Two children will share a cubby in our classroom. Please check your child’s cubby each day for soiled clothing, artwork, and important notices.

We take great pride in our learning centers. Ask your child about playing and learning in the classroom centers. The organization of playthings into learning centers communications to the child that this is a safe and comfortable place where people are respected. An well-organized and clearly defined classroom provides a positive environment rather than the confusing, overwhelming choices if a cluttered arrangement. Children like to participate in areas that look inviting. A pleasant environment encourages then to become INDEPENDENT and to learn to replace materials when they have finished with them. They learn to take pride in their classroom.

Shelves in our room are neat and clearly labeled, artwork, and other information is placed at the child’s eye level. Defined spaces for various activities help children to become involved in activities and to stay focused in their activity. Distraction by other activities is lessened also by defined spaces. Small, carpeted quiet areas allow children privacy when desired.

Activity areas are designed for small group plays. The caregiver encourages cooperation and sharing of materials. The message children receive is to TRUST and COOPERATE. Enriched centers challenge children to explore, to solve problems and to think for themselves. The message becomes clear: THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO BE!

Please encourage communication by discussing your child’s day during the drive home. Children have difficulty in remembering the events of the day because it is hard for them to start at the beginning of a story; they are eager to get on with the next event in their lives! Begin with the notes on the dry erase board beside the classroom door. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead, be specific: “Who did you play with today?” “What did you learn about winter?”

Some children may experience signs of stress when entering a new classroom. They may cling, act shy, become more aggressive, have bathroom accidents or cry and tire easily. These are all normal symptoms of change and will disappear as your child comes to know our routines and us. You can help by being supportive, cheerful, positive and relaxed. Please be patient with the changed for weeks and we’ll be great friends. Of course, If your have any discomfort or have any questions now, we want to help.

Communication and great relationships are out ultimate goal. A successful center is one in which parents, teachers AND children learn together.

Together for children,

Ocean Divers Teachers