Family Fun Night: The Grinch!

We had a wonderful time at our Family Fun Night last night!  We had a great crowd enjoying games, Grinchy snacks, crafts and our storytime!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make the evening perfect!

*Brandon DeVaney (the Grinch!)

*Clara Trujillo (Cindy Lou Who)

*Drake Trujillo (Media)

*Hunter Brown (reindeer)

*Heather Mohr (photo opp board)

*CUMC Men's Ministry (games)

Craft and snack prep:

*Debbie Green

*Seema Moharir

*Sherri Zemanski

*Angela Miller

Enjoy a few pictures from the evening!

What Finland can teach us about early learning

A few days ago, one of our teachers shared an article with us entitled Finnish Kids Don't Learn To Read In Kindergarten. They Turn Out Great Anyway.  The philosophy we hold here at Children's Discovery Center is to provide a play-based environment in which children are encouraged to ask questions, problem solve and discover about the world around them through games, activities and an environment in which they are the 'drivers' of their learning.  Because of this, an article with this title immediately grabbed our attention.  

After reading it as well as another article discussed within it, we have really begun to realize just how important our philosophy is to the development of well-rounded individuals.  

Not only are we sharing this philosophy with parents both in and outside of our school community, I have even applied it to the way I look at my own Kindergarten daughter's learning.  My sweet 5 year old girl is creative, very social, inquisitive and one of the funniest people I have ever met in my life.  She is on the cusp of being a 'reader' and has been working hard on her own to develop her writing and math skills.  But, after reading the article about the Finland schools, I am finding myself not pressuring her to do more than she is ready for.  I've always wanted to let her be herself in every way possible, but fell victim to trying to get her to measure up with her school's standards for her grade level.  Now, I'm focusing more on what she loves (singing, dancing, talking, drawing) and less on what the school district says she should be able to do (memorize star words, write numbers, read independently).  We are keeping up with her homework, of course, and not letting her completely fall behind academically.  But, my approach is much more relaxed and it is showing in her confidence.  She is wanting to do more of her monthly 'homework' each evening.  She is choosing the things which are more academically focused and are not as natural for her.  The difference is that I realized that she was not going to go off to college not reading.  She will eventually be able to recognize "the" and "that" on sight.  One day, she will write every number and be able to manipulate them with ease to solve a problem.  That will all happen.  It doesn't have to happen now.  Her age (and younger!) is when children are deciding who they are.  It's when their personalities really become apparent.  It's the time when relationships are built, friendships are formed and communication skills are developed.  It's when they discover the world around them on their own terms and apply it for the rest of their lives.  Our job as early childhood educators and parents is to simply allow for opportunities for all of this to happen and let them go!  

Firefighters visit and chapel this week!

We've been busy the past few school days!  

Last Thursday and Friday, we had firefighters come visit!  Plus, this Monday and Tuesday, we had our first chapel time of the year!  Ms. Natalie talked to us about why we call the sanctuary "God's house" and how amazing and special it is that we get to visit it and praise God there!  What a wonderful way to start our school year!

Silent Auction Sneak Peek!!

Our annual Art Show, Open House and 
Silent Auction are coming up on 

Thursday, April 9th

5:30-7:30!

Check out a sneak peek of just SOME of the incredible items we will have for you to bid on!

We are also selling raffle tickets for Rangers tickets! 
 Raffle tickets are $5/ each and will be sold 
Monday, April 6th - Thursday, April 9th before and after school hours!

                                         Items for the Family                                                 

  Strikz -­‐ Family Fun Pass

2 hours of bowling w/ shoes for 5 guests

Scarborough Renaissance Festival

4  pack of tickets

Studio Movie Grill
5  movie tickets

 Family Movie Night

basket of assorted items for a stay at home movie night

 Top Golf

1 hour of free play plus 2 lifetime playing cards

Summer Fun Basket

basket of assorted items for  fun summer activities

                                           Items for the kids                                           

 Class Pizza Party w/ the CDC office staff

pizza party for your child's entire class

Lunch at Chick fil a w/ Ms. Stacey & Ms. Sandy

 Beau Pillow Case

courtesy of Mrs. Teresa Patterson

The Artist Within

two free art classes

  Art Basket

6x6 art tile from Art and Soul one bucket of art supplies

Weekend with Beau

courtesy of Mrs.Teresa Patterson

 The Dance Movement

one summer dance camp

Studio 3 Dance

$50 gift certificate plus a dance basket

  Dance Industry

1 month free summer tuition (up to 3 classes a week)

WOGA -­‐-­‐ Frisco

one month of free classes

The Little Gym

free birthday party

                                                Food Items                                                   

 Einstein Bros Bagels

free breakfast / lunch sandwiches

Einstein Bros Bagels

free baker's dozen bagels

 Nothing Bundt Cakes 

4 Bundtlets

Picnic Basket

picinic supplies and $25 Kroger gift card

                                       Items for the parents                                       

 Parents Night Out

BABYSITTING by Susan Leamy

Parents Night Out

BABYSITTING by Judy Cochrane and Ann Stillwell

                                    Karna Camp & Baby Boot Camp                                            2 months of unlimited classes

                    

 Behaviorial Weightloss Management Session

                                              The Neat Nest

two hrs consultation/service by this professional organization company

 Abby Harris

four hours of in-­‐home organization

Volkswagen

$500 friends and family discount for a new VW

Artwork

"Royaly" -­‐-­‐ signed painting by Linda Pickens

        Family Picture Frame  

                              

   Wine and Snack Basket

 Don’t forget to check out the priceless class projects created by your child and his/her classmates!

                                                Fashion Items                                                

Chloe + Isabel 
bracelet and earrings

Kendra Scott
silver earrings

J. Hilburn Men's Custom Clothing

$100 gift certificate            

Kendra Scott

gold earrings

Holly Quartaro

1 hr of personalized shopping for you and a friend OR

1 hr of closet consultation

Family Fun Night: Pajama Story Time!

We had a wonderful time last night at our Pajama Story Time!  Thank you to all of the families who joined in on the fun!  And a very special thank you to Clifford for coming to visit!  The kids had a wonderful time listening to stories, shopping at the book fair and hanging out with Clifford!

Here are a few fun pictures of our night!

Save the date for our next event!

Our Kindergarten Readiness Panel Discussion is set for 

Tuesday, March 3rd

5:30-7:00

Come hear what you can expect from 

a current kindergarten program!

To submit questions and/ or 

requests for childcare, e-mail

Mindy@cumc.com.

Volunteer Opportunities for Parents, Grandparents and Friends of the CDC

Preschool Parent Association News If you are interested in volunteering to support our CDC teachers and staff, now is the time to get involved.  We are excited about the upcoming opportunities for you to be a part of an exciting 2015 at CDC!  1) Wednesday, January 28 (after drop-off) - Art Show & Silent Auction Planning Meeting:  If you are interested in helping in any capacity, please join us for a short planning meeting.  This is a huge event for CDC so any help you can offer would be appreciated.  If you are unable to attend this meeting but are interested in helping, please email mindy@cumc.com   2) Thursday, January 29 (after drop-off) - Teacher Appreciation Valentine's Gifts:  We need help assembling the gifts for our teachers and staff for Valentine's Day.  If you are free and can cut and paste, please join us after drop-off on the 29th.  If you have any questions, please contact Carey Veselka at cveselka@gmail.com.  3)  Monday, February 2 - Teacher Appreciation Luncheon:  There is still plenty of time to sign up to bring an item. Click HERE to sign up. This luncheon is for all of our CDC teachers and staff.  Donations are also accepted.  If you have any problems or questions, please contact Carey Veselka at cveselka@gmail.com.  4)  Thursday & Friday, February 5-6 - Book Fair Set-up:  A book fair is coming to CDC and the kids are sure to love what we have in store for them this year!  We need help setting up decorations, bookcases and tables.  If you have an hour to spare, we would be thankful for your time.  Dads are also welcome!  Sign up HERE to let us know how you want to help.    5)  Wednesday, March 4 - PPA Meeting:  Please join us for our next meeting.  If you need childcare, please email Natalie at natalie@cumc.com.  We love to see new faces and hear fresh ideas.    We are so thankful to be partnering with you while your child(ren) is at CDC and feel honored to be serving with you in 2015!