Friday, November 19, 2010
Josie Adams is 6th Grade Spelling Bee Champion
Congratulations to Josie Adams in Mrs. Childress's homeroom for winning the sixth grade spelling bee. Josie will be representing the sixth grade in the Verbena High School Spelling Bee on December 3, 2010. The winner of the school bee will go to the Chilton County Spelling Bee on February 10, 2011, to compete with the winners from each school in Chilton County. Good luck, Josie!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tips for Buying Toys
With so many choices, holiday toy shopping can be an overwhelming (and expensive) task. Finding the right age-appropriate toy for babies, toddlers and preschoolers not only creates a holiday hero (you!), it also can enhance a child's development and foster his learning experience- without the child even realizing it.
"It's not just play," says Jane Duer, Manager of the Early Intervention Program at Children's Hospital of Alabama. "For children play is their work and their school. They learn through every encounter with you, their toys and their surroundings [intentional and unintentional]. Because play is so important and because there are so many toys on the market, research is helpful prior to making purchases for that little one. Parents should not only consider the safety of the toys they choose, but also the skills that will be developed during playtime."
The experts at Children's Hospital have provided the following guide to help parents choose the toys that will be most helpful to increasing motor skills; enhancing cognitive development and building upon what many children are capable of doing at each age and developmental stage.
Use these tips to help pick the perfect gift for the child in your life this season:
* Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways. The more functions the toys have the more likely the child will play with them for more than the day they are opened. Examples include blocks, interlocking blocks, nesting blocks or cups and water toys.
* Toys to grow with your child. If you buy small plastic animals (small but not a choking hazard) the young toddler might put them in and take them out of a dump truck and then when older may engage in pretend play with them. Other examples may include stuffed animals and dolls, trucks and cars.
* Give toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving. Stuffed animals are a popular gift for toddlers and many of these end up as life-long buddies for the young child, but a toddler needs other toys too that provide an opportunity for skill building, exploration and problem solving. Examples include simple 4-5 piece wooden puzzles and shape sorters for the young toddler, cause and effect toys, nesting cups and blocks.
* Don't forget the items around the house. Some toddlers enjoy having a drawer or cabinet in the kitchen with stuff they can play with. Items such as plastic bowls and lids, wooden and measuring spoons, small pots are often a big hit. Mommy's old dresses and high heels, dad's hat and suit jacket can also spur a young child to creativity in play. Giving your toddler or preschooler the items you no longer wear or use is a great way to "recycle" and to help him develop important skills.
* Books are always a great choice. Even when your child is a baby, read to them from simple books. When they are able to focus on pictures, read from books with bright, vivid pictures. Real pictures are best for babies and young toddlers. Save the more complex books for older toddlers (closer to three years of age).
* Young infants need toys too. Young babies explore and learn about their world through their senses. Toys for this age should provide appropriate sensory stimulation (not too much or the he may try to avoid the toy by crying or looking away). Toys may provide visual stimulation (lights, bright colors, contrasting colors, simple pictures), auditory stimulation (music, voices) and tactile stimulation (nubby balls, soft fluffy stuffed animals). Babies often explore by mouthing objects. This is perfectly normal and can be expected. Just make sure the objects are clean and safe for the baby to mouth.
For more information on this and other children's health and safety issues, please visit our website at www.chsys.org
"It's not just play," says Jane Duer, Manager of the Early Intervention Program at Children's Hospital of Alabama. "For children play is their work and their school. They learn through every encounter with you, their toys and their surroundings [intentional and unintentional]. Because play is so important and because there are so many toys on the market, research is helpful prior to making purchases for that little one. Parents should not only consider the safety of the toys they choose, but also the skills that will be developed during playtime."
The experts at Children's Hospital have provided the following guide to help parents choose the toys that will be most helpful to increasing motor skills; enhancing cognitive development and building upon what many children are capable of doing at each age and developmental stage.
Use these tips to help pick the perfect gift for the child in your life this season:
* Choose toys that can be used in a variety of ways. The more functions the toys have the more likely the child will play with them for more than the day they are opened. Examples include blocks, interlocking blocks, nesting blocks or cups and water toys.
* Toys to grow with your child. If you buy small plastic animals (small but not a choking hazard) the young toddler might put them in and take them out of a dump truck and then when older may engage in pretend play with them. Other examples may include stuffed animals and dolls, trucks and cars.
* Give toys that encourage exploration and problem-solving. Stuffed animals are a popular gift for toddlers and many of these end up as life-long buddies for the young child, but a toddler needs other toys too that provide an opportunity for skill building, exploration and problem solving. Examples include simple 4-5 piece wooden puzzles and shape sorters for the young toddler, cause and effect toys, nesting cups and blocks.
* Don't forget the items around the house. Some toddlers enjoy having a drawer or cabinet in the kitchen with stuff they can play with. Items such as plastic bowls and lids, wooden and measuring spoons, small pots are often a big hit. Mommy's old dresses and high heels, dad's hat and suit jacket can also spur a young child to creativity in play. Giving your toddler or preschooler the items you no longer wear or use is a great way to "recycle" and to help him develop important skills.
* Books are always a great choice. Even when your child is a baby, read to them from simple books. When they are able to focus on pictures, read from books with bright, vivid pictures. Real pictures are best for babies and young toddlers. Save the more complex books for older toddlers (closer to three years of age).
* Young infants need toys too. Young babies explore and learn about their world through their senses. Toys for this age should provide appropriate sensory stimulation (not too much or the he may try to avoid the toy by crying or looking away). Toys may provide visual stimulation (lights, bright colors, contrasting colors, simple pictures), auditory stimulation (music, voices) and tactile stimulation (nubby balls, soft fluffy stuffed animals). Babies often explore by mouthing objects. This is perfectly normal and can be expected. Just make sure the objects are clean and safe for the baby to mouth.
For more information on this and other children's health and safety issues, please visit our website at www.chsys.org
Monday, November 8, 2010
2nd Nine Weeks Progress Reports
Students will be coming home with their second nine weeks progress reports on Monday, November 15. If parents have any questions or concerns, they should call the school office at (205)280-2820 to schedule an appointment with their child's teachers.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Winners of Red Ribbon Week Classes with Highest Participation
Congratulations to Mrs. Dale's second grade homeroom and Mrs. Smith's fifth grade homeroom for having the highest average percentage of students participating in each day's dress-up theme during Red Ribbon Week. These classes will be rewarded with an ice cream party on Wednesday, November 10. Thanks to everyone for your participation!
The most exciting part of Red Ribbon Week was the assembly program presented by Officer Beth Hucks and Canine Officer Jason Ousley who brought Iko, the Sheriff's Department drug dog, who showed us his ability at sniffing out drugs from among several suitcases. We greatly appreciate these officers and Iko for their willingness to come to the county schools and provide valuable educational programs.
The most exciting part of Red Ribbon Week was the assembly program presented by Officer Beth Hucks and Canine Officer Jason Ousley who brought Iko, the Sheriff's Department drug dog, who showed us his ability at sniffing out drugs from among several suitcases. We greatly appreciate these officers and Iko for their willingness to come to the county schools and provide valuable educational programs.
Veteran's Day Holiday
Veteran's Day, November 11, will be a holiday for students and teachers. We will also be out for Friday, November 12. Everyone enjoy your break and stay safe!
Please remember to tell any veterans that you know how much you appreciate their service to our country!
Please remember to tell any veterans that you know how much you appreciate their service to our country!
Friday, November 5, 2010
VHS Spelling Bee
The Verbena High School Spelling Bee is scheduled for December 3 at 1:30. The winners from each homeroom in grades four through eight will be competing to be the Verbena High representative at the Chilton County Spelling Bee. Homeroom teachers have been given word lists for students to be studying before their homeroom spelling bees. The Chilton County Spelling Bee will be held on February 10 at the Alabama Power Conference Center at 8:30 am.
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