A Message from the Executive Director |
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The month of December is busy with parties and special events, and holiday music is in the air. Fun Time too is filled with holiday cheer. Santa and Mrs. Claus recently visited the children and read them a book. Each child will have a photo to remember this very special moment.
Teachers have been busy working with the children, teaching them about holidays around the world and preparing special festive projects for the children to take home. Families were invited to watch their children participate in the Winter Musical, and the students were adorable as they sang holiday songs.
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We have received several gifts to distribute to families in need. Everyone at the school enjoyed Holiday Spirit Week. Seeing children and staff dressing to impress and participate in crazy sock day and pajama day, as well as wearing holiday attire, was a blast!
I'd like to personally thank everyone for their involvement in the mission of Fun Time Early Childhood Academy. It is a privilege and honor to be a part of an organization that is committed to ensuring that our children receive the highest quality education.
We are delighted to announce that we are working closely with Collier County Public Schools to lease so that we can reach a larger number of children. We will be able to serve up to 62 more preschool-aged students in 3 portable classrooms on the grounds of Poinciana Elementary School. We are grateful to have this opportunity and look forward to sharing more about this expansion project in the new year.
As New Year’s Eve approaches, everyone counts down the hours and minutes as we bid farewell to another year. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the upcoming one.
May your holidays sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill, and may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy. Happy holidays!
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C'mon!/Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples- Building Early Math Skills with Pattern Blocks |
Building a solid foundation for mathematical knowledge should start at a young age. Our VPK children had a wonderful time engaging in hands-on math activities presented by the C'mon! They learned about shapes and repeating patterns using pattern block mats. The mats are full color so that students can see exactly which pattern block goes in which location.
Children picked their favorite animals and completed the pattern while exploring shapes, patterns, spatial awareness and more. Using visual discrimination skills, they completed and duplicated patterns using pattern blocks. These manipulatives come in six different shapes: triangle, square, hexagon, trapezoid, parallelogram and rhombus. Ask your preschooler about what shapes they see, and you might be surprised at the answer!
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United Arts Council Theater Classes- Building Language and Literacy |
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Language, communication and early literacy are critical to children's ability to learn, work and play with others. The United Arts Council engaged children in a collective literacy activity. Children had to use their memory to create a story about a mermaid with special superpowers. Each child had to remember what the child that spoke before them said. Children develop language and literacy through interactions with others by engaging with instructional experiences like this one.
This was the last theater class of the year. Thank you, Ms. Summer, for supporting our youngest students as they learn to speak, read and write!
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Mr. & Mrs. Claus Visit- Bringing Joy and Happiness |
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Mr. & Mrs. Claus came to Fun Time Academy to share a holiday story with the children. Each child received a small gift and had their pictures taken with Santa. Children were “dressed to impress” and had great fun talking with Santa about how they have been good during the year and what they wanted for Christmas. Santa's visit was a hit! |
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This month children learned about community helpers and the tools they use to do their jobs, as well as their specific roles in the community. Teachers also the taught students about holidays around the world and various traditions that people celebrate. Children shared their family traditions and sang songs about different holidays that are celebrated. Creating art projects about the holidays allowed our students to demonstrate their fine motor skills and coordination using their fingers and hands as guidance, in addition to using their hands to create art. |
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Volunteer Spotlight- Barbara Mayer |
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Our reading volunteers meet one-on-one during the school day with children in support of our ELLM (Early Literacy and Learning Model) program for the three- to five-year-olds. They work with the children to reinforce the literacy concepts learned in the classroom.
Each volunteer visits the same child every week in the afternoon from November through mid-April for 20 to 30 minutes per child. They often commit to for two or three children each visit, working separately with each of them. The volunteers read books to the children, and together they engage in a related math, literacy, science or art activity to further the learning experience.
Barbara Mayer is one of our newest volunteers, and our little learners Jeremiah and Jayden love her! Their faces light up with excitement when they see her arrive. She has developed a special bond with the children she reads with, and she is positively influencing their development. According to Barbara, "It only takes one visit to fall in love with Fun Time Academy. The staff is so helpful and kind, and the students’ smiling faces emanate their enthusiasm for learning. I am so happy to be part of this little gem.”
Reading aloud to children is truly the single most important activity to build understanding and skills essential for reading success—traits that children will carry with them throughout their entire lives. A special thank you to Barbara and all of our reading volunteers who make the commitment to cultivate a lifelong love of reading with children.
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2022 Winter Musical for Families |
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Early childhood is a time for playing, singing and all kinds of fun. Singing is one of the greatest activities for little ones, and all children are drawn to it, along with their natural need to create, discover and play. Singing songs is not just for fun. In fact, singing helps a child's development in many ways, and music is important in the early years. At Fun Time Academy, we incorporate music and movement into every academic day. Singing songs exposes children to a broader vocabulary and language structure. During our Winter Musical, all the children had the opportunity to sing holiday songs to their loved ones. Hearing their adorable voices brought joy to our hearts and excitement for the holiday season. |
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Holiday Spirit Week Pictures |
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Alexa, Ms. Connie (Volunteer) Anaisha and Wynter reading a book. |
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Cutie Rafaella eating her breakfast |
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Little Wilmarie with her PJ reading a book |
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We hope you enjoy this winter break with your family and friends.
We will re opening on January 3rd 2023 at 7:30 am. According to our yearly calendar, it's an Early Release Day.
Please pick up your child prior 12:30 pm
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Be always prepared!
At Fun Time Academy every staff member is CPR certified.
Some of them had their first time, others just renewing.
It's very important to be prepared in case of any emergency.
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2023 Collier County Community Assessment |
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Whether you call Collier County home seasonally or year-round, your voice matters! Help us identify Collier County’s strengths and needs by participating in this community survey. #yourvoicecollier |
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Thursday, February 16, 2023
Fun Time Academy's Signature Event
The Show Must Go On!
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Get Involved with Fun Time! |
Our children love interacting with our volunteers to read stories, complete academic activities and even head outside to our garden.
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Want to help support our mission? Click here to view our Amazon wish list. Fun Time staff appreciate having a variety of books and academic toys to help support children in their development.
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Want to learn more about Fun Time and see our friendly, nurturing environment firsthand? You can view learning in action for each age group, hear about our curriculum, see our beautiful campus, and get answers to any questions you have. Call us! |
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Fun Time Early Childhood Academy | [Website]
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