Community College of Vermont to begin classes at NDS
Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals a 45 hour course required by licensing for staff who have no other early childhood credits or credential. This is the workshop version,
not for college credit. This course introduces professionals working with young children and their families to skills and core knowledge areas including child development, teaching and
learning, families and communities, healthy and safe learning environments, and professionalism and program organization. This course meets at Northshire Day School, one evening
each week from January thru April.
NDS utilizes the Creative Curriculum
Creative Curriculum is a research based curriculum that enables us to implement developmentally appropriate practice. Put simply, developmentally appropriate practice
means teaching in ways that match how children develop and learn. It means that children have time and space to learn and practice all the skills that are needed to function
in the world – from the most basic, like walking and talking to the most complex, like playing roles in different situations, fair play and imagining a world that may be, different
from what is! When children play, they discover that they need to share information with others. They need to learn how to “utilize their voice” to negotiate and compromise,
to plan ahead and to wait their turn at times. They need to think through and fine other solutions to problems that may arise. All of these skills are necessary components to
a successful school career and adulthood.
NDS is using The Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Program
We have begun implementing the DECA Program in our classroom as of the first of the year. The DECA, The Devereux Early Childhood Assessment, program enhances the social and
emotional development of children. Social development involves learning how to have a positive relationship with other people. Learning to form and value friendships are a key part of
social development. With adult support, children learn to express their views, discuss and resolve conflicts, and continue to enjoy their friends.
Emotional development is closely related to social development. It refers to children’s feelings about themselves, the people in their lives, and the environment in which they live.
Children with a strong sense of self and high self-esteem are likely to value relationships with others. Children who feel good about themselves tend to feel good about being with other people.
What this entails is a quick survey revolving around each child. We than score them and the results lets us know where a child falls socially and emotionally. We want to incorporate this in our
preschool program so that we can really focus on each child’s social and emotional development plus the class as a whole. When looking at the class as a whole we can than plan different
strategies to encourage children’s social and emotional development throughout the class as a whole but also knowing individually where each child falls in these areas of development.
Pre-K takes a trip
Our pre-k class took a trip to the Southern VT. Art Center. The children toured the center to view art from a local artist and were read to by art education coordinator
Stacie Gates. This trip was part of an outreach program of the Art Center which is committed to bringing art experience to children. The Jonathan Levin Educational
Endowment Fund Grant provides grants to public and independent schools across southern Vermont.
The Vermont Country Store helps NDS
Thanks to the The Vermont Country Store's Manager's Contribution Program, Northshire Day School will be offering a music and movement program called Hullabaloo this
winter. Hullabaloo is an engaging and active program designed to get kids moving in fun and creative ways. Music, songs, parachutes, and other objects are utilized to gain confidence
and to help develop large motor skills. Alexandra Langstaff, who runs this program has been doing so for years and we look forward to having her join us this winter.
NDS is a nut free environment
The number of children with allergies varies between 0.3% and 38% depending upon whom you quote. A scientifically accurate number of children with food allergies does
not exist. Food allergies usually appear in the first year of a child's life and often disappear within nine months or less. It is also likely that food allergies are inherited from
parents but not necessarily to the same foods. In a true food allergy, the body's immune system reacts to contact with the offending substance (allergen - in this case the
particular food) and makes antibodies. In some cases, a mild reaction results. They can also produce chronic health complaints and in extreme cases, life-threatening reactions.
Symptoms may include: hives, nausea and vomiting, eczema, diarrhea, anaphylactic shock, sleep disturbances, coughing, swelling of the throat, nasal congestion, sneezing,
conjunctivitis and asthma. Eight foods account for 90% of the allergic reactions. Peanuts are the leading cause of severe allergic reactions. A peanut allergy is an unwanted
immune system reaction to an otherwise harmless food or food components. Virtually any food can cause an allergic response but the most common foods associated with allergic
reactions are: Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts.
Prevention Measures:
By banning peanut products in our center we are keeping the children from eating or coming into contact with anything that has even minute traces of peanuts. You must be
aware however that some peanut foods leave a residue and this, or even odor can be enough to create a response in some children. As soon as a child is developmentally able
teach them to ask about ingredients prior to accepting foods.
Resources Related to Peanut Allergies:
Healthy Child Care Vermont
Kathleen Eaton Paterson, RN
kpaters@together.net 802-299-6422
Christina Manna, RN
cmanna@srs.state.vt.us 802-241-1224
Mark Skinner Library takes pre-school story hour on the road
 Jan Kitterer from the Mark Skinner Library comes to read to
our children here at NDS. |
