Read Across America!

Reading aloud to children benefits them in a number of ways! When you read aloud to children it allows children to form social skills, increase their vocabulary, increase empathy, develop advanced literacy skills, and so much more! To celebrate "Read Across America" we had a book fair and the teachers incorporated Dr. Seuss into their learning centers! The children have loved being able to develop a lifelong love of reading while they are at school!

Valentines Day!

Fun Facts About Valentine's Day

• Around 190 million cards are sent on this day making it the second most popular holiday to send cards after Christmas.
• If you include cards given at school and handmade cards, the number of Valentine's exchanged is estimated to be nearly 1 billion. Because so many students give cards, teachers receive the most cards of any profession.
• Around 85% of Valentine's cards are purchased by women. 73% of flowers are purchased by men.
• The oldest love poem is said to be written on a clay tablet by the Ancient Sumerians over 5,000 years ago.
• Around 36 million heart shaped boxes of chocolate will be given as gifts on Valentine's Day.
• Millions of pet owners buy gifts for their pets on this day.

Now This Is Dramatic Play!

Preschoolers are known for acting with impulse, so dramatic play is a great stepping stone for learning to self-regulate their emotions and actions.  When children accept roles in dramatic play they are motivated to stick to them, thinking of them as rules to follow. Having their own rules helps them develop the ability to coordinate and plan with others as well as control their imagination.

Both unstructured and structured dramatic play offer teachable moments about conflict resolution. Inevitably, disagreements will naturally arise during dramatic play, which offers children a chance to work through their differences and arrange a compromise. It also encourages children to consider alternate perspectives as they recognize various roles of people in their lives and communities.

Here at the Academy of Harpeth Village we put together two separate places for dramatic play in each room and let their imaginations fly.

Super Bowl!

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, we voted on which team will win the super bowl! We had so much fun predicting the winner! The children picked the RAMS as the winner!

Creative Construction!

Today, at the Academy of Harpeth Village, the children had the opportunity to utilize their creativity and critical thinking skills while building houses out of pretzels and marshmallows! The children had a blast building and eating their houses!  

Celebrating Black History: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.!

Today, at the Academy of Harpeth Village, we took time to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! The children had a chance to learn more about Dr. King from a presentation for our TASK class! The children also learned about ways they can carry on Dr. King's legacy! It was so wonderful to see the children learn about justice and equality! Below is some information about Dr. King and ways that we all can work together to continue his legacy! Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day! 

1. According to the King Center, Dr. King was arrested over 30 times on charges, such as, civil disobedience during his fight for justice and equality with the civil rights movement.

2. Dr. King spoke more than 2,500 and travelled more than six million miles to spread his message and to fight injustice. 

3. Dr. King was the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

4. Dr. King fought to topple police brutality, poverty and urban inequality, workplace discrimination, segregation, voting rights, and so much more!

5. We can carry on Dr. King's legacy by teaching the next generation about the hard fight for freedom and equality. 

6. You can watch Dr. King's "I Have A Dream Speech" with your family. 

7. You can volunteer with local organizations with your family in honor of Dr. King!

Yoga Time!

Yoga has enormous mental and physical health benefits for children and adults alike. When a child regularly practices yoga they increase their flexibility, strength, and coordination. Yoga can help a child with concentration, as well as, emotional management. Yoga practice also helps children build community. At the Academy of Harpeth Village, the children have a chance to practice yoga everyday, and they love it! Namaste!!!