Parents' Day Out

Highlands United Methodist Church offers a Parents' Day Out program Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. We provide a nurturing and safe environment for children 22 months through 3 years. If you are interested in enrolling your child or would like more information, please contact Julie Sexton, our Program Administrator, at pdojulie@hotmail.com.

HIGHLANDS UMC PARENTS' DAY OUT NEWSLETTER

May 2010

"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May."

- Edwin Way Teale

The spring session of Highlands PDO is nearing the end. The staff has enjoyed seeing so much growth and development in your little ones. Their enthusiasm and joy in discovering new things is evident every day. Hopefully, we will have more opportunities to venture outdoors. Please remember to apply sunscreen to your child before they come to PDO and leave additional sunscreen and a hat in their bag.

Clean-Up Time is always part of our PDO day. This chore is not every child’s favorite activity, but it is an important part of a young person’s development. Cleaning up helps develop your preschooler's sense of responsibility. If you are constantly picking up after your child at this age, they’ll learn to always expect it. Here’s how to make the task run smoothly:

Don’t just say “clean up.” It is easy for a preschooler to be overwhelmed by a big mess, often because they don’t know where to start. By breaking the job down into little tasks, a seemingly-endless chore becomes manageable
With music the job will go faster and the peppy music will keep your child in a good mood. Or sing your own. "This is the way we pick up blocks, pick up blocks, pick up blocks. This is the way we pick up blocks, as we clean up your room!"
Make it a game. Set the kitchen timer for 5 or 10 minutes and challenge your preschooler to “Beat the Clock.” Or ask, “Can you finish putting these puzzle pieces away before I put away the doll clothes?"
Reward a job well done. Keep a chart in the kitchen or other prominent place in the house. As soon as your preschooler finishes his task, give him a sticker to put on the chart.

I have been trying to touch base with everyone to find out what your attendance plans/needs are for the summer and fall programs. The summer program runs for eight weeks, from June 14-August 5. The fall session will begin on September 7th. Many of you have additional summer activities and vacation time in the summer. Reducing your attendance in the summer will not affect your time slot in the fall.

The last day of PDO is Thursday, May 27th. On this date, everyone is invited to attend the end of the year potluck. The potluck begins at 11:30. This is a great way to celebrate our year, say our goodbyes and learn about what the future has in store. Siblings and grandparents are always welcome guest. We hope everyone will be able to attend this celebration.

Julie Sexton