We will focus our attention this month on “Our Marvelous Bodies”. We will encourage the children to become more aware, and appreciative of how their bodies function. We will investigate ways in which we are all alike and other ways in which we are different.

We will of course also spend some time enjoying the Thanksgiving Holidays. Any discussion of Thanksgiving must recognize the intermingling of the Native American culture and the individual cultures of all of the immigrants who have made the United States their home. It is the blending of bits and pieces of all of these cultures which has formed the society which we recognize as “America”.

In any discussion of Native Americans, we will emphasize the following concepts in an attempt to help the children form a more accurate picture of the Native American culture. You must be born a Native American, it is not a job, a costume, or something you can choose to be. Native Americans who lived in different eras and areas were very different from each other. Some similar values which were shared by Native American tribes include: a respect for the importance of individual freedom and self-worth; respect for bravery; a belief in a Supreme Being; and equality for all…beliefs which are not too dissimilar from those of our present culture.

Beginners: Children will add seasonal words and body part names to their vocabulary. They will lay the foundation for later math by increasing their awareness of numbers and shapes. A lot of practice on stairs, throwing a ball, stringing beads, hopping jumping, and turning somersaults will absorb some of the tremendous energy of our younger group as well as increase their balance and coordination.

Preschool: Children will prepare for future reading skills by practicing recognition of identical pictures, shapes, patterns, letters, and sounds. They will enhance their ability to listen by recognizing everyday sounds without visual clues, and clapping in rhythm to music. Coordination and endurance will improve as they jump and run. Remember it is important to develop all aspects of the child. The physical skills are as important as the academic skills