Cupertino Little People Preschool's Weblog

How Children Learn?

cupertinolittlepeople — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:51:16 +0000

I just ordered 2 books from Amazon. One of the books is written by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D, an internationally recognized authority on brain development & children in crisis. Can’t wait to read them because I’m interested to learn how children think and learn. In the article, “The Developmental Hotzone”, by Dr. Bruce Perry, he said, “In order for a child, or any of us, to learn, mature, or master a new skill, something has to change. That something is the brain. ……If the brain does not change, we will not learn. By understanding how a child’s brain changes, therefore, we can understand how a child learns.” The article also explain how our brain is dependent upon experience that contains sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. It’s important to provide the right opportunities at the right time and in the proper sequence for optimal teaching. Many of the parents that I came across are worried that their child doesn’t know the numbers, letter or how to read. From my experience, children will know their numbers and their letters accidentally; given that children learn in a safe and loving environment like Little People! Children need to feel safe before they enter into their developmental hot zone and their curiosity will help them to learn. Often we push them too fast out of their comfort zone. I love the way Dr. Bruce Perry illustrated, ” If it is unreasonable to expect the 4-year-old to learn calculus or to drive a car. He will fail if asked to do these things……It is as much a mismatch to ask the 4-year-old with poor fine-motor control to write his name “neatly” as it is to ask him to drive a car.” This reminds us that it’s important for teachers and parents not to push our children too far beyond their comfort zone. This would lead to sense of failure on the child. Furthermore, Dr. Perry mentioned that learning requires focus, sustained attention and the capacity to tolerate frustration. If a child learns too much and too soon, the child will become too overwhelming and discouraged.

The books that I ordered are: The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. And, The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook–What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing, by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz.

If you are a teacher, caregiver, or parent, you might be interest to read some of Dr. Bruce Perry’s article. Here’s a link with many articles written by Dr. Bruce Perry on Scholastic.com.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/bruceperry/index.htm

Kids loved Little People’s Thanksgiving Feast!

cupertinolittlepeople — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:39:34 +0000

Thanksgiving Feast

November 17, 2011

Each child was dressed like a pilgrim or an American Indian. We loved our freshly baked turkey roast with gravy, pumpkin pie, cornbread and corn. Happy Thanksgiving!

(Note:  Child's picture is used with parent's permission)

Thanksgiving Feast on November 17th

cupertinolittlepeople — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:29:42 +0000

Children at Little People will enjoy

a Traditional Thanksgiving Meal

on Thursday, Nov. 17th

at 11:30am

They will dress up as Pilgrims or American Indians.

It’ll be a lot of fun!

(MW and MWF children are welcome to join us!

You may drop off your child at 9:30am and pick-up at 12:30pm)

Children’s Artwork

cupertinolittlepeople — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:53:13 +0000

Field Trip: Costume Party & the Pumpkin Parable

cupertinolittlepeople — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:40:35 +0000

Friday, Oct 28th

at 10:30am

Field Trip to Live Oaks Adult Center

(located at St. Jude Church)

Little People will walk to Live Oaks Adult Center at 10:25am. Mrs. Amy will carve a pumpkin and tell the Pumpkin Parable. Grandpas and Grandmas from Live Oaks will give away candies and treats!

Each child is asked to wear a costume on that day. Costumes such as ghost, witch and scary characters are NOT allowed. (Please prepare change of clothes)

Dental Health Awareness

cupertinolittlepeople — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:27:52 +0000

Special Presentation by Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry (Mountain View, CA) www.doctorfazilat.com

Easter Egg Hunt – April 21

cupertinolittlepeople — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:04:46 +0000

Thursday, April 21 at 11am

Organized by: Live Oaks Adult Day Service

Located at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church

20920 McClellan Rd (corner of McClellan Rd and Stelling Rds)

Live Oaks is within walking distance.

We DO NOT have to cross the street!

(DO NOT bring the Easter basket. We’ll have paper bags for the children.)

(On April 21, Tuff Tumblers will start early: 9:50am & 10:25am.)

Easter Egg Hunt at New Life Church

cupertinolittlepeople — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:34:53 +0000

The Children’s Ministries of New Life Church is hosting

the Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

April 17, 2011

12:00pm

New Life Church

20900 McClellan Rd Cupertino, CA 95014

We will have…

a bounce house, games, prizes, the Easter story,

and THE EGG HUNT!

Sneak Peek of our Summer Program!

cupertinolittlepeople — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:25:02 +0000

Little People Summer Enrichment Program

June 13 to August 26, 2011

“To promote creativity and curiosity

through Art, Science & Play!”

Ages: 2.5 to 5-year-old

Flexible Hours: 8:30am-12:30pm, 8:30-3:00pm or Full-day 7:30am-6pm

Flexible Schedule, Low Teacher-Child Ratio, Lunch is provided, Nutritious snacks & lots of FUN! (Tell a friend!)

$100 off Registration fee if registered by April 29, 2011.

Insect Discovery – June 13 to July 1st

Rainforest Exploration – July 5th to July 29

Under the Sea – August 1 to August 26

Now Enrolling for Fall & Summer 2011

cupertinolittlepeople — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:06:08 +0000

Little People is now enrolling for Fall & Summer 2011. Please call to enquire for immediate openings. 408-257-1212.

Special Promotion for new registration:

$100 Registration Fee is waived*
No Deposit for the first 2 months
Free Gym Class for 6 weeks

*($50 is required to hold the spot for your child. Refundable after 1st day of school)

Upcoming events:

April (TBA): Easter Egg Hunt

April 22 – Good Friday, No School (Teachers will spend this day to renew their certificates for Pediatric CPR/First Aid for Children, Infants and Adults)