"Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do"
We present the theories, practices and technique of Jean Piaget.

Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist, who won fame for his studies of the thought processes of children.  He believed that every child is born with certain strategies for interacting with the environment.  The child interacts with the environment through basic strategies, and the strategies change as a result of those encounters.  The essence of Piaget's theory is that it is the nature of human functioning to organize and adapt, whether physically or mentally, biologically or intellectually.  He believed that children pass through three periods of mental development.

1. SENSORIMOTOR PERIOD

During this period children obtain a basic knowledge of objects through their senses.  This very early period is one during which the child's interactions with the environment are governed by overt actions like grasping, touching, reaching, sucking and so on.  Also during this period, the baby can only begin to do these things in very primitive ways.  This period lasts until about the age of two.

2.  CONCRETE OPERATIONS

The children are moving away from the specific to the more general.  They are able to go beyond mere internal representations and can begin to manipulate those representations in various ways.  This period has two stages.

(a)  The first part of the concrete operations is the preparatory stage, which is from about 2 to 7 years.  Children develop such skills as language and drawing
      ability,  The really important feature of this period is the child's achievement of rudimentary ability to represent objects and events to herself, however, such
      internal representation is still tied to specific events and not yet organized into complex system.

(b)  In the later stage, from about 7 to 11, they learn to organize their knowledge, classify objects, and do thought problems.  This child can perform complex
      mental operation, but only with experiences or objects she has had or seen.

3.  FORMAL OPERATIONS

This period last from about 11 to 15 years.  At this time, children begin to reason realistically about the future and to deal with abstractions.  Abstractions are ideas about qualities and characteristics viewed apart from the objects that have them.

          Our major goal is to grow together in an atmosphere of love, understanding and togetherness among children, parents, teachers and community.  In addition, Charter Oak Day School has twelve development goals:

1. To provide an atmosphere where a child feels secure and comfortable away from his / her family.
2. To provide an educational atmosphere where children are encouraged to be productive and creative.
3. To encourage a positive self-concept and feeling of worth.
4. To develop an appreciation for education and a love of learning.
5. To develop a sense of responsibility and independence by teaching self-help skills an strengthening decision making abilities.
6. To develop the ability to communicate effectively with others.
7. To assist the child in learning about safety and good health habits.
8. To develop fine and gross motor skills.
9. To develop the ability to work and play in groups as well as independently and to promote healthy relationships with peers and adults.
10. To develop an appreciation for the creative arts (music, drama, dance, art and physical education).
11. To expand the child's background with meaningful educational experiences that are necessary for future school success in various subject areas through fun and games.
12. To educate the whole child; cognitively, emotionally, socially and physically.

School Closed

Language

Talk about the New Year!

Art-Craft

Color Snowflakes

Fine Motor Skills

Practice making shapes

Gross Motor Skills

Hop in the shape of a circle

Art-Craft

Paste and glue a snowman

Language

Story: Sadie the Snowman
Visit Library E-2

Science

Watch ice melting

Gross Motor Skills

Walk on Waffle Blocks

Art
Sponge paint fire engines

Dramatic Play

Fireman and Policeman

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

School Closed

Language

Talk About Dr. King
Bible Story

Cooking

Make toast in shapes (cookie cutters)

Fine Motor Skills

Glue macaroni in shapes

Language

Talk about shapes

Language

Talk about community helpers

Fine Motor Skills

Practice writing skills

Art
Paint Mailbox

Cooking

Make play dough "Roll it in a circle"

Language

Take a walk and talk about the shapes we see

Fine Motor & Language Skills

Mail "d" letter home

Music

Visit E-2
Make Music

Math

Counting Shapes

          The Teddy Bears are the youngest children here at Charter Oak Day School.  They range from 6 weeks to 18
   months.  Our room is set up for complete care and safe observed play.
          We ask that each parent bring everything your child would need for a normal day away from home such as:
   bottles, (no glass please) with formula, milk or juice, diapers and wipes, and extra change of clothing.  Please
   bring a schedule that your child might need to follow.  For Example:

   Bottle before Nap................................................................................... 10:30 a.m. (usually sleeps 1-1 1/2 hour)

   Lunch..................................................................................................... 12:00 noon

   Etc..........................................................................................................

          Please send all items needed in a well marked diaper bag.  The diaper bag will be kept in a cabinet
   especially for them.
          Please send for lunch anything your child usually has and we encourage small bites of table food for those
   who are at that particular stage.  A microwave and refrigerator are available so their food can be warmed up if

necessary.  We ask that breakfast be served at home.  This will allow more time for parent / child interaction between you and your child and is also more convenient for us.
          Each child has his / her own sheet in their bed or cubby.  Blankets are laundered weekly.  We ask that you bring their blanket.  However, in case of an accident, the school will supply a clean one.
          Cubbies are supplied for the convenience of the parent and the teachers.  Each cubby has a child's name on it and conveniently stores diapers, extra clothes, ointments, pacifiers, etc.  Upon arrival, we ask the parents please place their child's belongings in the proper place.  Please place bottles in the refrigerator, diapers and etc. in the cubbies and baby diaper bags in the storage cabinet.  This will create a much more safe and smooth flowing procedure during the busy hours of the morning.

JANUARY

Community Helpers, Dr. King's Day
Shapes: Circle / Round, Stars

FEBRUARY

Presidents Washington and Lincoln's Day, Valentine, Love, Black History
Colors: Red, White and Blue
Shapes: Hearts and Squares, Winter

MARCH

Spring: New Life, St. Patrick's Day
Concept and Direction: Up and Down, Wind and Kites
Color: White

APRIL

Spring: New Life, Easter Time, Earth Day, Pets, Rain, Open House
Color: Blue

MAY

Mother's Day, Parents pleaser gift, Springtime, Farm Animals
Color: Black

JUNE

Father's Day, Parent pleaser gift, Circus Time, Water play and Bubbles

JULY

4th of July
Family Fun: Picnic and Vacation
Colors: Red, White and Blue

AUGUST

Bible Stories Week, Summer Fun, Water play and Bubbles
Colors: Yellow

SEPTEMBER

Self Awareness, Safety colors and signs, Grandparents Day, and Apples
Colors: Red and Green

OCTOBER

Senses: Smell, Taste, Hearing, Sight and Touch, Harvest Time, Columbus Day
Colors: Orange and Black

NOVEMBER

Thanksgiving Time: Talk about family, Friends and food
Colors: Yellow and Brown

DECEMBER

Christmas, Jesus's Birthday, Winter Time, Parent pleaser gifts
Colors: Red and Green

6:30 - 8:00                                                                  Teddy Bear and Busy Bee classes are combined.  (toast is provided for both classes)

8:00 - 9:00                                                                  Diaper change, morning cereal for babies.

9:00 - 10:00                                                                Fine and gross motor activities.

10:00 - 11:00                                                              Naptime (Children sleep at their own schedule) for young toddlers

11:00 - 11:30                                                              Lunch Time

11:30 - 12:00                                                              Clean up lunch area, wipe hands and faces change clothes and diaper if needed.

12:00 - 2:00                                                                Free play or outside buggy ride if weather permits.

2:00 - 2:30                                                                  Afternoon Snack.

2:30 - 3:00                                                                  Clean up Snack area, wipe hands, faces, change clothes and diapers if needed.

3:00 - 4:00                                                                  Outside time if weather permits.

4:00 - 5:00                                                                  Inside fine motor activities, music and ball time.

5:00 - 6:30                                                                  Teddy Bears and Busy Bees are combined, free play singing and dancing time.

DAILY DIAPER SCHEDULE

8:00 - 10:00                    Early Morning Changes

10:00 - 12:00                  Mid-Morning Changes

12:00 - 2:00                    Afternoon Changes

2:00 - 4:00                      Mid-Afternoon Changes

4:00 - 6:30                      Late Afternoon Changes

FEEDING SCHEDULE

6:30 - 8:30                     Morning Snack

11:00 -12:30                  Lunch Time

2:00 - 3:00                     Afternoon Snack

Naps and bottles are provided as needed throughout the day.

ATTENTION BUSY BEE PARENTS:  Due to over stimulation for our young busy bees, we ask that parents only be in the classroom during pick-up and drop-off.  Siblings and friends must remain in the art room.  Thank you.

NUTRITION

          Because we do not offer a breakfast program, each child should start the day with a well balanced; unrushed breakfast.  We will offer toast from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. The Morning snack is at 9:00 a.m. and is provided by the school.

          We ask that you bring your Busy Bee's lunch in a pail (NO GLASS JARS).  Please DO NOT BRING anything that requires HEATING or REFRIGERATION.  If your child is having something that needs to be heated please heat at home and put in thermos.  Finger food is recommended.  Whatever is not eaten will remain in the child's lunch pail for parental observation.  Snack menu is posted monthly on parent board.

          Your child will need a cup with lid.  The school will provide paper cups as soon as your child can master it.  If a bottle is still needed, you may bring ONLY "ONE" and store it in the door of the refrigerator.  If more milk is needed we will meet the need (milk is provided by school).  Afternoon snack is provided by school at 3:00 p.m. daily.

Hot Lunches..........................................................................................................Monday through Friday $2.50 per lunch.

          Exact amount please!  Envelopes and the lunch basket are located near the Parents Bulletin Board.  Please put your child's name, date, and amount on the envelope.

Remember to put your child's name on all items such as clothes, blanket, cup, lid, bottle, lunch pail, food container and its lids, etc...

One blanket for nap time
Parent must take home bottle DAILY!
Only ONE bottle can come to school
Check cubby daily

POTTY TRAINING DIAPER SLIP

P.C.O                                         means....sat on potty chair but did not go.
P.C.W                                         means....sat on potty chair (WET).
P.C.BM                                       means....sat on potty chair (BM).
W-P.C.O.                                    means....Diaper was wet sat on potty chair but did not go.
W-P.C.O.                                    means....Diaper was wet sat on potty chair and wet again.
DRY-PCW                                   means....Diaper was dry, sat on potty chair and wet.

Potty training process is a joint effort with the school, parent and child.

6:30 - 8:00                                                                  Early toddlers have toast in the Teddy Bear room.

8:00 - 9:00                                                                  Diaper changes, books at the table music and free play.

9:00 - 9:15                                                                  Morning Nutritional snack.

9:15 - 10:30                                                                Outside play, free play, circle time or art work.

10:30 - 11:00                                                              Diaper changes, clean up for lunch, wash hands and face.

11:00 - 11:30                                                              Lunch time.

11:30 - 12:00                                                              Clean up lunch, wash hands and face, lay down for nap administer medication to children that need it.

12:00 - 2:00                                                                Nap time for all toddlers.

2:00 - 3:00                                                                  Slowly wakeup, diaper changes and inside play.

3:00 - 3:15                                                                  Afternoon nutritional snack.

3:15 - 4:00                                                                  Outside play, free play, circle time and art.

4:00 - 5:00                                                                  Diaper changes, inside or outside play, toddlers get cleaned up for home.  Clean up outside area.

5:00 - 6:30                                                                  Children go to the Teddy Bear room to play at the table or free play.

WHY DO CHILDREN HIT, BITE, SCRATCH AND HAVE TANTRUMS?

The toddler children use physical means and playthings before speech in initiating social contacts.  Our children are just learning how to verbalize; to express words to others and understand what these words mean.  They are also learning how to control their own tempers, bodies and feelings about things in their world.  It's so much easier to bite, scratch, or hit with a sand toy to express their feelings, wants and needs.  Their class mates learn quickly what their friends want.  Some reasons why toddlers hurt their friend is because they have hurt feelings they are experiencing and are unable to verbalize.  Because the toddlers think everything belong~ to them (mine) they feel they need to protect themselves to protect what they have.

Our job as caregivers is to teach our children how to verbalize, communicate and express their feelings as well as controlling tempers in the proper way.  At the same time, build up self confidence, self esteem and self worth.  We are very excited to be part of your child's life.

IF ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE SEE ME DIRECTOR OF INFANT CENTER

Using playtime to help develop a wide integrated foundation for future academic success and love of learning in life.

JANUARY

Happy New Year
Dr. King's Birthday
Basic Shapes

FEBRUARY

Valentine's Day
"I am Special" Series
Black History Recognition
Colors: Red, Pink & White
Presidents' Day

MARCH

Transportation
Dental Health
Opposites
St. Patrick Day
Color: Blue
Spring Begins

APRIL

Spring
Growing & Planting
Month of the Young Child
Open House
The Easter Story
Arbor / Earth Day

MAY

Mother's Day
Farm Animals
Memorial Day
New Life
Hawaiian Day
Cinco De Mayo

JUNE

Father's Day
Water Play
Penguin Graduation
Geography / Vacation

JULY

Independence Day
Water Play
Colors: Red, White & Blue
Sea Life / Beaches

AUGUST

Bible Week
Water Play
Share Vacation
Experiences

SEPTEMBER

Back to School
Self Awareness
Safety Signs & Colors
Grandparent's Day
Colors: Red, Yellow & Brown

OCTOBER

Five Senses
Columbus Day
Harvest Celebration
Colors: Black & Orange

NOVEMBER

Thank You God for family & friends
Pilgrims & Indians
Thanksgiving Feast

DECEMBER

Christmas Jesus Birthday
Hanukkah
Winter
Colors: Red & Green

NOTE: THEMES THAT CONSIST OF MULTICULTURAL / ANTI-BIAS ACTIVITIES.

At Charter Oak Day School, our School Age program's philosophy is designed to make each child feel the utmost important of self-worth and security.  We welcome the challenge of making each boy and girl feel that their needs are being met.  We try to have a "one on one" teaching rather than a group teaching.  That way no child is left with negative emotions.

We named our class the "Afterschool Club" so that our children can bridge their homes and elementary school with us.  Here, we help them with homework, in order to give our parents quality time with their families.  There is a Bible Story and Flag Salute daily as well as learning patriotic songs.  We provide tasty nutritional snacks, outdoor games, art & crafts, music time.  There are challenging board games for social interaction and cognitive skills.  When a problem arises the teachers are in accordance of the best way to solve it and it the order if its urgency.

We teach loves, compassion and respect for our fellow classmates.  We see great friendships being formulated.  We want to emphasize freedom, fun and relaxation in the time they share at our school.

Our goal is to make each child feel welcome, safe and happy at CODS.

6:30 a.m.                                                                      Good Morning
                                                                                     Open Classroom
                                                                                     Welcome Children!
                                                                                     Free choice of quiet activities

7:15 - 7:30                                                                    Get ready for public school
                                                                                     Welcome bus drivers
                                                                                     Check backpacks
                                                                                     Line up for the bus! Bye,bye!

8:15                                                                             Classroom Closed

11:30                                                                           Kindergarten children return to classroom
                                                                                    Greetings
                                                                                    Toileting and hand washing
                                                                                    Prayer and Bible story time

12:00 Noon                                                                  Lunch is served!
                                                                                    Clean up table area
                                                                                    Toileting & hand washing

12:30 p.m.                                                                   Quiet time preparation
                                                                                    Mats put down for rest time

12:45 - 2:00                                                                 Rest time
                                                                                    Soft Music

2:00 - 2:15                                                                   Afternoon Snack

2:15 - 3:15                                                                   Library Time (E2 Room)

3:15 - 4:15                                                                  Outside Activities, free choice

4:15 - 6:30                                                                  Combined with older children in E1 for indoor activities (See below)

2:30 - 2:45                                                                  1st thru 5th grades return to classroom from public school.
                                                                                    Welcome children / hang up backpacks, jackets & etc...

2:45 - 3:00                                                                  Patriotic song
                                                                                   Salute to flag
                                                                                   Prayer
                                                                                   Afternoon Snack Time

3:00 - 3:15                                                                 Bible Story Time

3:15 - 4:15                                                                 Homework Time (E2 Room)
                                                                                  Outside Activities (children without homework) free choice

4:15 - 6:30                                                                 Combined with kindergarten for indoor activities such as art projects, music & dance, video games,
                                                                                  table board games

6:30 p.m.                                                                   Classroom Closed
                                                                                  Good Night...School Closed!