Update on Japan Week

Posted April 7, 2011 ·

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

Posted April 7, 2011 ·

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

Posted March 1, 2011 ·

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”

Posted February 9, 2011 ·

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.

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Posted November 15, 2010 ·

Beginnings Learning Center took the kids to Mr. Bones pumpkin patch in Beverly Hills. The children as well as parents and staff had a blast. Cant wait for next years pumpkin patch field trip.