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Note from the Director
The Koala-T-Kare staff are currently going
through 5 monthly sessions of Love & Logic
with instructor Kathy Priem. Kathy was a Middle
school teacher for 10 years and a Love &
Logic trainer within the Madison school district
for 5 years. Love & Logic is an approach to raising
children that provides loving support from
parents and teachers, while at the same time
expecting children to be respectful and responsible.
We are all working together to implement
this approach and have noticed a positive effect
on the children! Watch for upcoming Love &
Logic sessions next Fall.
A special and enormous thank you to Jill, Jan,
Brooke, Melanie, Trish, Denise, Eric, Sandy,
Cassie M., Mike, Ed and Anita - our support
staff. Without them we couldn’t do what we do
as well and still be rational at the end of the day!
The entire staff would also like to thank everyone
for the special gifts we received on Teacher
Appreciation day! It was not expected and we
were all touched by your thoughtfulness. KTK
parents ROCK!
Sue Schneider
Koala-T-Kare Director |
Baby Chicks:
We welcome Jillian, Daphne,
Trenton, Zander, and Cade to the baby Chicks and a fond
farewell to Andreas. Miss Amanda, Cade’s mom, is back
as one of the Baby Chicks’ teachers. We are so glad to have
her back! You may have noticed more of a “barnyard look”
in our room. Anita, one of the ladies from upstairs, will be
helping us decorate and more fully achieve this look. We’d
like to say thanks to her! Remember to always send along
our hats and appropriate outerwear for walks. Thank you!
Penguins:
Hello parents! We are so happy to have
spring here that we have been getting outdoors much
more often now. Thank you for being so prompt on bringing
sun block and signing the forms. Katelyn and Nathan
have been visiting the Parrots. They will be gradating in
about a month. They are very anxious to embark on some
new adventures. We will sure miss them. Kellen, Connor,
and Brooklyn are beginning to walk and Collin is getting
braver on his steps each day and Avri is walking all over
the place. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommies on
May 9th!
Parrots:
April has been a fun month for the Parrots.
We have been busy learning about spring, Easter, and animals.
We loved seeing many different kinds of animals at
the pet store. We have also been enjoying some visits from
our Penguin friends – Nathan and Katelyn, who will both
be joining us at the end of May. Oliver and Maggie are
getting more and more independent and are looking forward
to their new adventures in the Peacock room, also at
the end of May. Other highlights for May include working
on our top secret Mother’s Day project, a few walks to
the park and continuing to build our independence.
Peacocks:
Our themes for May are Leo Lionni,
Everyday Heroes, Outer Space, and Turtles. We may also
try to schedule a couple of field trips. We have been working
on learning our ABC’s and will be going through the
alphabet in May. We try to review our letters daily! At the
end of May, we bid farwell to William and we can’t wait to
welcome Maggie and Oliver to our class.
Owls:
The preschool class is continuing to grow this
spring! Saige started in our class and we are also happy
to have Ms. Caren back! We will be having some special
guests (a nurse and police officer) and a field trip to the fire
station during our upcoming theme of Everyday Heroes.
The other themes
coming up in May
are Outer Space
and Turtles! Please
remember to
continue to bring
warm clothing for
your child to wear
during our morning
outside time.
 A little girl form the Owls was changing her clothes in the bathroom.
She was holding onto her teacher, but lost her balance and fell
against the toilet. Another teacher said, “Be careful so you don’t fall
in the toilet.” The little girl responded, “If I did, would
you flush me down?”
A mom reported that while on a family trip her son told
everyone about his daycare. He told them all about his
teachers: “They PWAY with us and take us to the park
and the playground and share so much toys with us.”
One of the moms in the Parrots classroom is expecting.
Her little boy (18 mths old) decided to lift up his shirt and said, “Baby!”
A mom was in picking up her daughter and the kids were all asking about the
baby in her tummy. One kid pointed to the mom’s belly button and asked “Is that
the baby’s nose?”
One of the girls from Owls was talking to Miss Becky and said “Do you
know how long I’m going to like you?” She asked “How long?” The girl
replied “A REALLLLY long time - until I’m in Kindergarten!”
At lunch time, one of our Parrot friends pointed to the container of mixed
fruit and said, “I want more of that.” His teacher asked him, “What is that?”
to which the little boy replied,
“I dunno.”
We have a volunteer for the daycare,
who is also a grandfather of one of the
children. His grandchild refers to him as
“Grandpa.” When asked what the other
children call him, he replied, “UP.”
Bedtime is a time of frustration for many parents. They wish it could be a magical time
to reconnect with children and share fond memories. Here are some easy ways to make
those dreams come true:
Bedroom Time vs. Bedtime
The journey to bedtime bliss starts with renaming bedtime. Kids need to think of this time
as “bedroom time.” It’s a time for them to be in their rooms, but not necessarily with their
eyes closed. Wise parents never try to control the uncontrollable. “You get in your bed and
go to sleep, right now!” creates a power struggle over something parents cannot control. A
skillful child can keep a parent engaged with this argument for hours.
Slowdown Time
Bedroom time is a journey in itself. It starts with “slowdown time.” A slowdown routine
is essential. Children’s brains operate at a high pitch and don’t shut down as quickly as
adult brains. Parents should announce the beginning of slowdown time about 40 minutes
before bedroom time.
Slowdown time includes turning off stimulating activities
such as television, exciting music, and family games.
It also is a wonderful time to give kids choices:
- “Do you want to go to bed right now or in 10 minutes?”
- “Do you want to brush your teeth in the kitchen or the bathroom?”
- “Do you want a story first or your bath first?”
- “Do you want a drink in the kitchen or in your room?”
- “Do you want a piggy back ride or walk on your own?”
- “Do you want the light on or off?”
- “Do you want to get tucked in or do it yourself?”
- “Do you want to go to sleep right away or try to keep your eyes open as long as you can?”
There is magic in choices. They speak directly to the human need for control and can
produce amazing results. Be sure to offer choices you like. Never give one choice you
like and one you don’t.
The kids are given no more than 10 seconds to make their decisions. If it takes longer,
make the decision for them. Kids become quick decision-makers when they know
their parents will be making the decision for them if they don’t act quickly.
Some children like to negotiate in the face of choices. Resist the temptation to argue
or reason at this time. Use Love and Logic© arguing neutralizers, such as “I love you
too much to argue about that, maybe you’ll like tomorrow’s choices better.” Repeat this
phrase as often as necessary without sarcasm or anger.
Remember there is nothing more contagious than a yawn. Experiment with yawning
and acting sleepy during story time. It’s great fun to watch the drooping eyelids.
Parent Time
Once the kids are in their room, that’s where they stay. Announce that “kid’s time” is
over and it is now “parent’s time.” Stick to your guns on this.
Kids have been known to resort to, “It’s scary in here. There’s monsters in my room.”
Just remember kids take their emotional cues from their parents. The best solution is to
respond in a firm, yet loving way: “Well, sweetie, my advice is to make friends with
them. See you in the morning. I love you!”
Give these Love and Logic® tips a try, and join thousands of parents who enjoy peaceful
evenings with their kids!
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