Spring begins the time of transition and change at UCDC. Many children will be moving up to new rooms and some children will be leaving us to move on to kindergarten. Most people struggle with change. Transition is hard. The unknown is uncomfortable and sometimes threatening. We become creatures of habit and might resist change, even if we believe it might be an improvement, and at the very least a sign of growth and new opportunity.
We spend a lot of our time managing transitions here at the center- making sure children are ready and then prepared for the changes. We make every attempt to support the transition for the parents too. After all, it is traumatic to leave the teachers you had trust in and built relationships with and get to know a new team. It is even a bigger deal to acknowledge that your baby is now a toddler; that your toddler is now a preschooler and that your preschooler will be leaving the safe hallways and classrooms of UCDC and moving on to âbigâ school. I also concern myself with the effect of transition for teachers. They too get comfortable with your children and develop the right relationships- itâs hard to let go, even though it is exactly what is supposed to happen. It takes courage for all involved to accept that the change is a good thing. We do all that we can to ensure a smooth transition based on who a child is and what they need during the beginning, middle and end of the journey. I trust that when transition begins to feel overwhelming you will seek us out for the kind of support every parent deserves. Helping to foster new relationships with new teachers and in a new environment takes time and a successful transition often takes a village. Please know that we are here to help make it as seamless as possible and our utmost concern is that children are successful, happy and comfortable in their new classrooms.
To the families that are about to leave us. We thank you for your trust and the privilege of having your children here each and every day. It is an honor to be a part of your extended family. We hope you come back and visit but more importantly we hope that your next journey is filled with warmth, joy, success and good health. We hope that your children find many people in their future who love them as much as we do!
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Curriculum in the Classroom: Toddler Two
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Toddler Two has been learning about books. We got the book
Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk from the library and read it to the children. This book is about a mouse who lives in a childrenâs library. Sam the mouse likes to read and decides to write books and leaves his books in the library to be found by children. At the end of the book the mouse has encouraged library patrons to write their own books.
We placed simple folded four page books in the art area. We introduced them as books like Sam the Library Mouse used to make his books. The children started using the folded books for their artwork. Many books were illustrated by the children. First we mainly saw scribbles. We talked about how pictures are on every page of a book.
As children continued to illustrate their books, we introduced the idea that stories and books have a beginning a middle and an end. We referenced these ideas as we read books in our classroom. We empowered the children by asking about their pictures and stories. As each child was able to articulate information about the pictures or story they were asked if they wanted the words written in the book. By offering to write and asking permission before writing in the books child retain control of their work, while observing that writing is related to words and thoughts that they generate.
This book has sparked so much activity in our room, perhaps we will have set the stage for a budding author or illustrator.
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Curriculum in the Classroom: Body Painting in Infant One
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One of our favorite things to do in Infant One, is to paint! We love to paint on many different surfaces such as; paper, coffee filters, cardboard, canvas etc. We also like to practice using different tools to help us paint. We use brushes, cars, sponges, etc. But our absolute favorite way to paint is with our bodies! We enjoy using our hands and feet to touch and feel the paint, swirl it around, create new colors, and make our own different designs.
One day, two of the children were pulling at our art cabinet doors as they tend to do when art is on their minds! When the teacher opened the cabinet, one of the children grabbed a paint brush indicating that they were ready to do some painting. Upon asking the children if they wanted to paint on paper or on our large canvas, they chose to use the canvas. The children had the option to choose what color they wanted to paint with as well as whether they wanted to use their hands and feet or use the brushes. They had so much fun gliding their hands through the paint, rubbing their feet through it, and trading brushes with each other. They combined different colors of paint creating new colors.
During this activity, the children were able to practice using their gross motor skills by moving their arms and legs through the paint, while using their senses to explore and touch and feel the paint. They were also able to get in touch with their creativity choosing how their design was going to look and the process of how it got there. The children practiced sharing space on the canvas as well as sharing the tools and paint. Every child created their own unique design and in the end their work formed into one beautiful piece of art that we keep on display in our classroom.
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Preschool Wisdoms
Preschool One answers, "Where do you like to go in Pittsburgh with your family?"
The Dino museum - Ryan
The Zoo - Charlotte
Dave & Busters - Dylan
Kennywood or the playground - Evan C.
Burgatory - Sasha
The pool - Evan B.
The red store - Daniel
To Whole Foods to buy spring rolls, noodles and Tofu. - Meara
My house - Gabriel
The pizza shop - Sophia
Chipotle - Marcela
The waterfront - Maria
Eat-n-Park - Traiden
To McDonald's - Gloria
Monster Jams to see cars - Kamden
To eat chicken nuggets - Lucas
Top Golf - Justin
Segneris Italian Restaurant - Cheryl
Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant or Yokosoâs - Ammie
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Professional Development Day Happenings
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This past Professional Development Day proved to be very informative and it provided the opportunity for much self-reflection and validation of teaching. In the morning, we spent time reviewing required trainings including fire safety and emergency preparedness. These were followed by a brief meeting with a Pitt Police officer on how to respond to an active shooter situation. A lengthier training will follow this on our next Professional Development Day. Immediately following Officer Burgh, Carrie Benson and Cheryl Ruffin from the Department of Equity and Inclusion presented on confronting your own biases. The staff at UCDC was tasked with learning about internal biases through many hands on, personal activities. This type of self-reflection allows for more cultural awareness in our work with colleagues and families at UCDC. After lunch, we had a whole staff meeting on the use of our new playground. Finally, some of the staff attended a technology training, while the others highlighted the work of their classroom while gaining opportunities to visit other classrooms to learn new practices and get new ideas. All in all it was a productive day that ended happily with ice cream and warm cookies!
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We'd like to welcome our newest teacher to our program! Her name is MaeMae and she joined the Toddler Four classroom as the Assistant Teacher. Please read on to learn more about our newest member of the UCDC family!
My name is MaeMae Lee. I immigrated from Taiwan more than twenty-five years ago to pursue the American Dream. I am blessed with a sweet and diligent daughter, who is a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland. She is the joy of my life and the only family in the US. When life challenges took its course, I decided to continue my education and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2013 with a Bachelorâs degree in education. Afterwards, I was a substitute teacher at Propel Schools and Highlands School District. However, working with young children has always been my true passion. Therefore, I am very honored and grateful for the opportunity to join the professional team at the University Child Development Center. The UCDCâs high standards and commitment to early childhood education has impressed me and motivated me to do my best and help the children to learn and grow.
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UCDC utilizes a child centered, extended family approach that is fostered by supporting the developmental needs of all children. We foster children's self esteem, creative abilities, sense of belonging and success by implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on NAEYC and Keystone STARS standards, through a play-based approach to learning. We support families and partner with them to provide an environment that welcomes their collaboration and supports both cultural and family preferences.
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