Spring is officially here, and with it comes a renewed energy and enthusiasm in the work that is happening in our classroom. Everyone is excited and looking forward to International Night. Friends, both older and younger, are busy studying the continent of North America. We are working on maps of North America, Canada and The United States. We are also learning about animal and plant life. Over the next few months we will continue researching North America and working on various projects for International Night. We are also looking for parent volunteers to coordinate some of the projects and help set up and tear down, and supervise some of the craft stations on that day. We are also welcoming ideas and any interesting information that you can share with the children about North America. This is a really nice way to get involved in the classroom.

This is also the time of year where you can observe an increase in the level of independence and responsibility in the classroom. All of the practical life activities that the children have been practicing all year now take on a new life. They are beginning to use the skills they have acquired to maintain the classroom and help their friends. In our classroom we have jobs such as, setting up lunch or fixing the material on the shelves at the end of the day to make them ready for the next day.

Just like in the classroom, the child at home is capable of doing so much more than we think. Starting with simple tasks that they can be responsible for every day, they are able to be responsible for more and more as they get older. Here are some ideas of things your child can get involved with at home during spring break and even after that.

The 3-year-old:

Choose their own clothes and dress him/herself Dust and/or sweep an area Set the table Pick up their toys Help fold laundry Clean small mirrors or windows Empty small waste baskets

The 4-year-old

Make beds

Empty the dishwasher

Feed pets

Help put away the groceries

Pull weeds

Clean their room

Help fold and put away laundry

Clear the table

The 5 & 6-year-old

Water the plants

Help with grocery shopping

Load and unload the dishwasher

Prepare a simple lunch or snack

Make the bed

Organize their room

Sort clothes and help with laundry

Take care of pets

Help prepare meals by peeling or cutting vegetables take out garbage or recycling

These are just some ideas to get them started. Give them a choice in what they can get involved with. Never do something for them that they can potentially do for themselves.