Parent Testimonial: Kyle Sanchez

At the risk of sounding overly effusive, Beginnings has been a special and integral part of our young growing family, and has helped to shape our lives in such a transformative way that it will not soon be forgotten. Rather, our time spent here will live fondly in our hearts.

Sadly we moved too far out of the area to justify the trek to get there, but the school to which we moved is woefully inferior to our cherished Beginnings home. And so let me relive fond memories by counting the ways in which we miss Beginnings:
- healthy, fresh-cooked meals in a state-of-the-art kitchen (seriously, I WANT that kitchen!)
- loving, well-trained teachers, who took each child’s development as a personal mission, and were mindful of every interaction, every emotion, and seized them as teaching moments to provide guidance for that child’s future experiences
- modern, artful, shaded canopies over the play structure
- clean, new, FUN (and safe!) play structure in the center courtyard
- misters when it was too hot outside!
- summer events like bouncy houses, magic shows and petting zoos that made me want to stay home from work every Wednesday to attend with my daughter!
- a garden in the courtyard that the children participated in helping to grow
- green initiatives to develop the children’s eco-consciences
- immersive, interactive cultural events that even taught my daughter some Japanese words and traditions
- inclusion of family in the classroom environment
- dance class every Wednesday! (my daughter’s absolute fave)
- secure, gated perimeter with computerized check-in/check-out stations
- connected classrooms and group play in the courtyard that allowed mingling of all age-levels, fostering growth and teaching respect of all age groups
- structured schedules to teach discipline and cooperation
- so many fun art and crafts projects (and so much glitter!)
- clean, new toys and books in each classroom
- emailed monthly calendars and newsletters to keep the parents informed
- the classes would bake cupcakes for each child’s birthday
- field trips and special events like a tour of a pumpkin patch and a trike-a-thon
- and all for WAY less than many other facilities in the area cost. Such incredible value that we’re so sad to be walking away from.

Thank you, Beginnings, for being a part of our lives, and for offering a happy, loving, nurturing place for kids to grow. You’re doing wonderful things, and you’re such sweet people to boot!

~Kyle Sanchez

Easter Eggstravaganza

Tomorrow our children will be hunting for eggs in our beautiful outdoor playground for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. All the mommies and daddies will be joining us for a Yummy Easter Potluck. Chicken matzah ball soup will be served for Lunch in celebration of Passover.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Update on Japan Week

Konnichiwa!
Ichi, ni, san, shi, go…

These are the words our children are reciting this week! All the children are actively participating in Japan Week!

So far this week the children have learned about Japanese culture, food and language through various activities, including:

Making musubi and sushi handrolls
Trying seaweed (nori) and edamame
Enjoying Japanese snacks such as salad flavored Pretz, Pocky and o-senbei
Watching a demonstration of how to wear a kimono, tabe, geta, hair decorations
Using chopsticks
Making origami, paper fans, and washi paper bracelets
Counting 1-5 (ichi, ni, san, shi, go)
Learning to say: Konnichiwa (hello/greeting), Sensei (teacher), Arigato (thank you), Ohayogozaimasu (Good morning), Otsukaresamadeshita (Well done), Sayonara (Goodbye)
Tying furoshiki
Singing “head shoulders knees and toes” in Japanese
Reading various books including: Tokyo Friends (Tokyo no Tomodachi) and Sushi Rhyming

We have been impressed with how attentive and interested the children are and look forward to two more days of fun activities, which will include trying tofu, umeboshi, onigiri (Japanese rice balls), continuing to count 1-10 and learning new words. The children will also make age-appropriate cherry blossom trees!

Japan Week @ BLC

Beginnings Learning Center (BLC) is pleased to designate the week of April 4-8 as Japan Week. The objective of this event is to introduce the children of BLC to other cultures and the concept of giving to others in need. This effort was initiated by several parents at BLC who have ties to Japan. In partnership with the teachers, daily age-appropriate activities will be conducted in each classroom.
These parent-led sessions may include: trying Japanese food such as tofu, edamame, temaki and onigiri, reading children’s books about Japan, learning new words and counting in Japanese, making a cherry blossom tree, etc. The final schedule will be posted in each classroom and parents are encouraged to participate.

The goal of this event is to also make a monetary donation to the Red Cross to support relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Dr. Seuss’ Birthday

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday, tomorrow the children will enjoy their Green Eggs and Ham for Breakfast. Sooooo much fun for the little one’s as they put some drops of green food coloring in their eggs. Tomorrow I shall be a kid again!!!

“Playing Around”

Yesterday the Director and Supervisors of Beginnings Learning Center took part of Larry Garf’s lecture on “Why play is Vital for the Emotional and Intellectual Development of Children.” By the end of the 2 hour lecture, all of us were impressed with the way Mr. Garf presented the idea of Play and why it is a vital part of a child’s development. He also noted how today’s families are under extreme pressure to push their children into academic work earlier and earlier, and how starting early can have long term negative effects on the child.

We will be inviting Mr. Larry Garf to speak to our parents and teachers about his article “Hey, Quit Pushing: How We Put Children at Risk by Starting Academic Too Early.