Themes
Environment
Mother’s Day
Spring
Farm
Dates to Remember
May 1 – Tuesday/Thursday classes visit the bottle depot
May 5 – Fire drills for the Monday/Wednesday classes (weather permitting)
May 6 – Fire drills for the Tuesday/Thursday classes (weather permitting)
May 8 – Open House 4:30 – 6:30pm
May 13 - Board Meeting 7pm - everyone is welcome
May 19 - No school because of the Victoria Day holiday
May 20 – No school because Victoria Day was yesterday
May 26 – Crazy hair day for the Monday/Wednesday classes
May 27 – Crazy hair day for the Tuesday/Thursday classes
May 27 – Miss Marg comes to read to the Tuesday/Thursday classes
May 30 - Ladies Night Gala and Market Fundraiser - details below
Donations Requested this month
Black foam sheets
Red foam sheets
Small paper plates
Environment
During this theme, we will be discussing the importance of recycling.
We will be discussing the environment on Thursday, May 1. We will be taking
the children to the Carstairs Bottle Depot during our allotted walk time. Please
send one recyclable item (i.e. juice box, water bottle, etc.) to playschool so that your child will be able to receive money for their recyclable item.
Table Time
The three year olds will be working on the numbers 4 - 7, using the Handwriting
Without Tears Program. These activities help the children follow one step
directions, and work on their fine motor skills which involve using small muscle
movements in their fingers. The children will also be continuing to work on their
scissor skills while at the same time being reminded to use the correct hand
position while holding the scissors.
The four year olds will be working on the letters K, A, M, N, and V. The children
will also be continuing to work on their scissor skills and will also be reminded to
use the correct hand position while holding the scissors.
Ladies Night Gala and Market Fundraiser
We will have a vendor market, an art show to showcase the preschoolers’ work, food and cocktails, dancing and so much more!
Tickets are $15 each, payment can be e-transferred to carstairsplayschool@gmail.com or cash can be brought when you return the small portion of the ticket to the school. Please write the name of the person who purchased the ticket on the back of the small side. If you have any questions or need additional tickets, please reach out to Veronica at 780-721-0423 or carstairs.playschool.fundraising@gmail.com
OVERDUE PLAYSCHOOL FEES
Please be advised, many fees are now overdue. Failure to pay your fees will mean your child will no longer be able attend Playschool. If you are unsure of your balance or need to make payment arrangements, please email carstairsplayschool@gmail.com
Final notices will be sent out this week. Please check your inbox and junk mail.
Monthly Tips for Parents – Play-based Learning
To support preschoolers’ learning through play, encourage a variety of play types, follow their lead, and create engaging environments
A. Types of play to encourage
1. Constructive play
a) Provide blocks, Legos, or other materials for building and creating
This helps with special reasoning, problem-solving, and fine motor
skills
2. Imaginative play
a) Encourage pretend play with dolls, dress-up clothes, or role-playing scenarios
This boosts creativity, language skills, and social-emotional
development
3. Sensory play
a) Offer activities like play dough, finger painting, or a sand table
This engages the child’s senses and promotes exploration
4. Physical play
a) Encourage active play with running, jumping, or outdoor games
This helps build large muscles and coordination
5. Nature play
a) Take children on nature walks, have them pick flowers, or engage in “I spy” games to foster a connection with nature and promote exploration
6. Mastery play
a) Allow them to practice and repeat activities until they feel confident, like learning to ride a bike or throw a ball
B. Create an Engaging Play Environment
1. Follow the child’s lead
a) Observe their interests and respond to their needs and ideas
2. Keep the space open
a) Avoid over-crowding with too many toys, which can be over-stimulating. Ensure there’s space for movement and exploration
3. Make is safe
a) Supervise play, especially with playground equipment or when engaging in outdoor activities
4. Provide age-appropriate materials
a) Choose toys and materials that are suitable for their developmental stage and interests
C. Engaging in play together
1. Join in the fun
a) Show interest in their play, ask questions, and participate in their activities
2. Ask open-ended questions
a) Encourage them to think about their play and explore different possibilities
3. Celebrate success
a) Acknowledge their efforts and accomplishments, especially when they overcome challenges
4. Balance structure and freedom
a) Provide some structured activities but also allow for some unstructured imaginative play
By encouraging a variety of play types, creating engaging environments, and actively participating in their play, you can support your preschoolers learning and development in a fun and meaningful way.