The Prouty Voice: October 2018
The Basics
By Chloe Learey, Executive Director
One of the key areas of our strategic plan is developing strategies for supporting family development. If we want our children to have the best foundation from which to thrive we must make sure their families have the tools they need to be successful. Parents are the first and most important teacher to children about how the world works, and we want those lessons support positive development. One tool that offers a framework for communities to engaged in family development is The Basics. Created by the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, it outlines five simple ways to help our youngest children grow to be happy and smart.
The first basic is “Maximize Love, Manage Stress”. Babies and toddlers who experience a safe, loving and predictable environment are more likely to thrive. Physical touch is an important part of that, so touching, kissing and cuddling your baby is key. Babies cannot be spoiled! Respond to their cues. Part of this strategy involves parents taking care of themselves.
The second basic is “Talk, Sing, and Point”. Babies begin to learn language immediately so narrating the world in a variety of ways helps that process. … Continue Reading
Early Learning Center Classroom News
Acorn Room
Dr. Emi Pickler (co-founder of Resources for Infant Educators, REI) believed that each infant is born with their own innate blueprint on how to evolve as a person. She felt that it is our job as parents, caregivers and teachers to observe and witness each child’s discovery of themselves in relation to the world around them, without interfering with their process. The Acorn room teachers have been carefully watching and observing and witnessing these babies postures as they begin to move, roll, crawl, stand and walk. It is very interesting to see the process of pulling up to stand and the confident and happy smile on their face but then the panic when they realize, they do not know how to get down. They quickly become strong enough to control the fall then to bend their knees and come down on their own naturally. Some of our older babies are getting ready to walk! They are carefully side stepping around furniture. They are practicing squats constantly; they are pushing up to a free stand with hands up in disbelief that they have defied gravity. It’s so fun to watch as they invent their own way to navigate this world. They seem so driven and confident in their practice. Babies begin to see, and understand the world in a different way as they become vertical and we begin to see and respect their process and recognize their achievement as we see them with new eyes!
Elm Room
Maple Room
September has been full of activity as we welcome our new group of two year olds. Maple room has been busy learning new routines, making new friends and having great fun. We started the month with an art/sensory activity of walking through ink and leaving our footprints on a sheet of paper. We painted at the easel, and explored the science area. Thank you to Alex H. family for providing us with acorns and sunflowers for us to explore. We even added them to our sensory bottles and are having fun changing the bottles each day.
One highlight of our month is going on our first field trip. We went to Green Mountain Orchards and it didn’t even matter that it rained on us. We had so much fun. We ate cider donuts and drank fresh apple cider. Then we rode in wagons to the apple orchard with Toby the orchard’s golden retriever leading the way. Now we will use our apples to make pie and sauce!
Birch Room
Dates to Remember
Friday, October 5 and Monday October 8 – ELC Close for Parent Teacher conferences
Wednesday, October 10 – Oak Room field trip
Thursday October 11- Fire Department visit
Friday, October 12 – School photo order forms due
Tuesday, October 16 – School photos
Tuesday, October 23 – ELC Open House, 5:30-7:30
Wednesday, November 7 – ELC closed for ELC Staff meeting
Monday, November 12 – Center closed for All-staff in-service
Celebrations & Recognitions
Happy Birthday!
10/1 – Kim J
10/3 – Jane is 1!
10/4 – Jeanna
10/8 – Jean
10/13 – Willie
10/17 – Allie
10/21 – Jordan is 4!
10/22 – Sarah B
10/23 – Evelyn is 4!
10/24 – Tuscan is 2!
Resources & Events for Families
Public Transit now stops at Winston Prouty!
Beginning October 15th, The Current’s revised Blue Line will include a stop at the Winston Prouty Center six times each weekday. Click here for the schedule
Positive Solutions for Families – free six week parenting education series – Starts October 9 – more info
Nurturing Parent Program 0-5 – presented by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont – Starts October 15 – more info
6th Annual Southern Vermont Career Expo – Thursday, October 18
Pumpkin Promenade – Saturday, October 20
We are currently seeking a temporary, full-time Administrative Assistant to support our busy office. More details & how to apply