Dear ECC Families,

Do you believe that there are only three weeks of school remaining prior to Fall Intersession?

During the next few weeks, teachers will be collecting information on each individual child to share with you during Parent-Teacher Conference day on Tuesday, October 1. We strive to have 100% of parents participate in conferences with teachers. Don't forget- both preschool and child care are CLOSED all day on October 1 for conferences.

We will spend the next few weeks reteaching civility, order, respect and excellence. Classrooms will be having individual parties to celebrate CORE and we'll have a school wide CORE celebration, too. Have a great week!

We are practicing CORE (Civility, Order, Respect and Excellence) in every part of our day at ECC! Please remember CORE values within our school community when visiting, too:

• Demonstrate civility by leaving handicapped designated spaces for those with permits
• Exhibit order by keeping your vehicle turned off while students are loading/unloading
  

• Show respect toward other drivers on our campus
• Promote excellence by getting your child to school each day, attendance matters

Thank you for modeling CORE citizenship for our children!

September 27- Spirit Day! Crazy hat and socks

October 1- Parent/Teacher Conferences (no school, child care closed)

October 4- Breakfast Buddies for Bosco, Bruner, Cadwell, Cole, Martin

October 7- Fall Intersession

October 21- School Reconvenes

October 25- Spirit Day! Superhero / Princess

October 25- Fall Festival at ECC

(Posted by Bilingual Kidspot)

The importance of reading cannot be emphasized enough in young children and we as parents need to make every day reading a high priority. Many studies show that toddlers and preschoolers who are read to every day have a larger vocabulary than those who aren’t read to at all. It turns out that there are many advantages and benefits of reading.

Not only does reading enhance a child’s vocabulary, and to help them understand how to read and write, but reading aloud to children also helps them to understand different topics about the world and every day life.

1. Reading to young children sets them up to succeed

The more you read to your children, the more knowledge they absorb, and knowledge is important in all aspects of life. There have been many studies that show reading to babies and toddlers gives them a head start and helps to prepare them for school later down the line. After all, reading with your children gives them the skills needed for when they start to read themselves.

It is important that children learn to follow words across the page from left to right, and turn pages which are pre-reading skills that benefit children and help them to become better readers later on. Children who enjoy reading not only do better in language and literacy subjects, but in all of the different subjects as well.

2. Reading is important to develop language skills

While you may speak with your children every day, the vocabulary you use is often limited and repetitive. Reading books ensures that your child is exposed to vocabulary on different topics, which means they hear words or phrases which they may not hear otherwise in their day to day lives.

The more words they know, the better. For children who speak more than one language, reading is an easy way to help their language skills and is important to develop their fluency. These skills alone show the importance of reading.

3. Exposure to reading exercises your child’s brain

Reading to young children affects their brain activity and may just give them that boost they need to support and promote their early reading skills.

Research on the importance of reading shows that specific areas of the brain are affected when young children have reading exposure at home from an early age. These areas are critical for a child’s language development.

4. Reading enhances a child’s concentration

While you may think it is useless reading to a toddler who wants to constantly turn pages, swap books, or throw them around altogether, reading with your little one is extremely important at this age.

By consistently reading to your child every day, your child will learn to concentrate and sit still for longer periods of time, which can help later on when they go to school.

5. Reading together encourages a thirst for knowledge

Reading to your children leads to questions about the book and the information within. It gives you a chance to speak about what is happening and use this as a learning experience. It may also develop an interest in different cultures or languages. There is nothing better seeing a child who loves to learn.

6. A range of books teaches children about different topics

Don’t underestimate the importance of reading diverse books. Providing your child with different types of books on different topics, or even in different languages for bilingual kids, gives them a wide range of information for them to learn.

There are informative books on topics such as different animals, places or objects etc, and there are also different books to help teach children about important life skills such as sharing, being kind, and diversity.

7. Reading develops a child’s imagination and creativity

One of the great benefits of reading with children is watching their growing imagination. When we really engage in a book we imagine what the characters are doing. We imagine the setting as reality.

Seeing the excitement on a child’s eyes when they know what is going to be on the next page, or having them guess what is going to happen is one of the most amazing things to experience.

8. Reading books with children helps to develop empathy

The importance of reading can also be shown when children develop empathy. When a child can put himself into the story this can happen. They identify with characters, and they feel what they are feeling. Children begin to understand and relate to emotions.

9. Books are a form of entertainment

With so much technology these days, it is difficult not to get caught up in all the hype of it all. TV, Video games, smart phones and apps are popular among children. However, reading a good book that your child is interested in can be just as entertaining.With all of the negative affects of screen time, choosing a book that interests your child, and either reading it together, or letting them flick through pages alone, is definitely a better option.

One of the main benefits that highlights the importance of reading with babies and toddlers, is that they are more likely to choose a book to read for pleasure over another activity when they are bored.

10. Reading together helps to create a bond

There’s nothing better than cuddling up to your little one and reading a book or a bedtime story together. Spending time with one another, reading, and talking, can bring parents closer to your children.

For parents who work, or have a busy lifestyle, relaxing with your child and simply enjoying each other’s company while reading can be a great way for you both to wind down, relax, and bond.

Preschool can be the most productive learning years in a child's life. The long term effects of early childhood education on a child's social and emotional development may be the most important outcome of a preschool education. How can you make sure your child receives all the benefits that preschool has to offer?

• Make a commitment to have your child attend preschool every day on time.

• If your child is reluctant to come to school, be sure to communicate this to the teacher. Together, you can make plans to address the concerns of your child.

• Make sure your child has a daily predictable routine, including a routine for bedtime and waking up in the morning. Be sure to allow enough time for the routines so that you and your child do not feel rushed.

• Have your child get a good night’s rest to make sure he/she has enough energy to participate in classroom activities.
  

• When talking with your child, be positive about preschool and the school staff. Cultivate your child’s interest in discovering new things and his or her love of learning
  

• Remember, by bringing your child to preschool every day, you are helping to ensure that he or she will live up to their full potential and become a successful lifelong learner.

Catch up with the latest student stories, sports scores, and news updates. It’s everything Warren Township, in your pocket. Download the app on Android: http://bit.ly/2Fp2N3T or iPhone: https://apple.co/2quwRR9.

The car line closes at 9:05 a.m. daily. If you arrive after 9:05, you will need to park in the front lot and sign your child in.

In order to keep our children safe, please keep this in mind;

"While cars are moving, children shouldn't be and while children are moving, cars shouldn't be."

It is also important for engines to be turned off while in the loading zone until you are directed by ECC staff that children are clear and cars may safely be dismissed.

• ECC has two different dismissals each afternoon; full day at 3:30 p.m. & half day at 3:55 p.m. If you arrive early for half day dismissal, please wait in the center lane at the bottom of the hill until full day dismissal has concluded.
• Please remember that individuals picking children up must be on the pick up list in the office and have a picture ID.

Additional Dates of Closure for Professional Development:

October 1- No School; Child Care Closed

November 5- No School; Child Care Closed

December 20- No School; Child Care Closed

We’ll host three different sessions of Breakfast Buddies throughout the 19-20 school year. Sessions will be divided by classes as follows:

Friday, October 4- Bosco, Bruner, Cadwell, Cole, Martin

Friday, December 6- Amezcua, Denney, Haskell, Ruffer

Friday, March 20- Dawson, Lukens, McLaughlin, Moore, Toliver, White

Your child may invite up to four adult Breakfast Buddies to attend this event.

More details will be sent home prior to each date.

Hurry! Registration for the 19-20 school year is almost closed! We still have a few half day afternoon (12:55 to 3:55 p.m.) spots available. Families may pick up registration materials in the front office. We'd love to welcome new families to our school community.

We love to celebrate birthdays with our preschoolers! While we love to celebrate, please remember there is a "no birthday treats" guideline. Thank you for supporting our efforts in keeping our kids both happy and healthy. To access fun and helpful resources for healthy celebration ideas, please visit: https://www.warren.k12.in.us/o/msd-of-warren-township/browse/41889 #wellnesswarriors

Email: afessler@warren.k12.in.us
Website: earlychildhood.warren.k12.in.us
Location: Warren Early Childhood Center, Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Phone: 317-869-4750
Twitter: @WarrenECC