Christmas is fast approaching! Our Fairyland Nursery pupils had fun making their own version of a Christmas tree.
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Here are some of the pictures below:

Classes at FK  begins on June 22, 2015  (Monday).  Here's a few tips from Zerotothree.org to get you and your child ready for school.

During the 2 Weeks Before Preschool Starts

• Purchase school supplies together with your child.  If possible, let your child choose it himself.  This gives him a sense of control and emphasizes the fact that he is a "big kid" starting preschool.
• Label all items—backpack, jacket, shoes, blanket, teddy bear, etc.—with your child’s name and teacher’s name in permanent ink.
• Contact the preschool’s health professional if your child has medication that he or she takes on a daily basis. There will be special rules and forms to fill out for your child to receive medication at school.
• Figure out how your child will get to school and how she will come home. Talk to your child about the morning and afternoon routine so that she understands that she will be safe, okay, and cared for.  Make sure your child meets her before- and/or after-school caregiver, if you are using one.
• Start using your child’s “school bedtime.” Children often go to bed later as the summer months, and longer days, kick in. Help your child get into a preschool schedule by keeping to his or her school bedtime, beginning about 2 weeks before school starts.

• Read books about preschool. There are many books about going to preschool available from the public library in your area. Choose several to share with your child over the summer before school starts. Talk about the story and how the characters are feeling. Ask how your child is feeling.

The Night Before Preschool

• Answer any last-minute questions from your child.  Talk to your child about preschool but resist the temptation of hyping it up too much as the child might be totally underwhelmed with the reality.

• Make sure that your child goes to bed on time. Pick a bedtime that gives your child a good night’s rest before his or her first day. Keep the bedtime routine soothing and relaxing. Don’t focus too much (or at all!) on the first day of school unless he / she wants to. 

The First Day

• Wake up early enough so that you and your child don’t have to rush to get to preschool.
• Make breakfast for your child and, if possible, sit down to eat together—or at least talk with her as she eats and you get ready.
• Review the day’s routine (what preschool will be like, how your child will get to school/come home). 
• Pack your child’s backpack together. If your child is bringing lunch, select foods that you know are his favorites. Having some familiarity on his first day is helpful as he adjusts to so many changes.
• Let your child choose a special stuffed animal or blanket to bring to school with her. These “loveys” can help children make the transition from home to school, and can also make naptime easier, too. You may want to send your child with a family photo or favorite book as well. These familiar objects can help if she feels lonely during the day.
  
  

Saying a Good Good-Bye
These strategies can ease the jitters of separating on your child’s first day at preschool.

• Plan to stay a little while.  Staying for 15 minutes on that first morning can help ease the transition.. Together, the two of you can explore the classroom, meet some other children, play with a few toys. When you see that your child is comfortable, it is time to leave. If he is having a harder time getting engaged, you may want to ask your child’s teacher to stay with your child as you say good-bye so that when you leave, he can turn to another caring adult for support. 
• Keep your tone positive and upbeat. Children pick up on the reactions of the trusted adults in their lives. So try not to look worried or sad, and don’t linger too long. Say a quick, upbeat good-bye and reassure your child that all will be well. 
• Think about creating a special good-bye routine. For example, you can give your child a kiss on his or her palm to “hold” all day long.  Or, the two of you can sing a special song together before you leave. Good-bye routines are comforting to children and help them understand and prepare for what will happen next.  
• Resist the rescue.  Try not to run back in the classroom if you hear your child crying, as upsetting as this can be. This is a big change and your child may, quite understandably, feel sad and a little scared.  But if you run back in, it sends the message that he is only okay if you are there and it is likely to prolong your child’s distress and make it harder for him to adapt. Rest assured, teachers have many years of experience with helping families make the shift to preschool. Instead, you can wait outside the classroom for a few minutes to ensure that all is well, or call the school later in the morning to check-in.

(Source: www.zerotothree.org/early-care-education/child-care/preschool-prep-how-to.html)

Valentine's Week was one busy week for the children. One day they were making heart-embellished cards, the next, they were practicing for their field demonstration exercise for the family day, and before we knew it they were already presenting to their parents their labors of love.  As they say, Love is a Verb! It is not merely said, but acted upon and involves time and effort. Thus, in the name of love and fun, we made sure the children get to spend some quality time with their parents.  

Last February 12,  we held our annual Family Day dubbed as "One Love, One Family."  We started with a Zumba dance exercise with Teacher Dennis , where the parents got to release some "happy hormones".  Then, the children got to show off their adorable movements with the Kids' Zumba and their Field Demonstration activity. We capped the event with some snacks and the much-anticipated swimming! 

Our pupils' nannies or yayas headed off to their first Nanny Seminar entitled "Super Yaya, Super Alaga!" last December 12, 2014. Tony Jimenez-Sunga, our Nursery Teacher, who is also a registered nurse, demonstrated some Basic First Aid procedures child carers ought to know. To make sure that there is clear understanding of the concepts discussed, all of the participants were asked to simulate or act out the procedures with their partners or pretend patients. They did not only learn but also had an enjoyable and engaging time with each other.

For the second part of the seminar, our friends and constant spiritual guide, Ms. Athet Sambitan and family formator, Ms. Myra Menguito, both from Couples for Christ- Family for Life (CFC-FFL) Ministry facilitated a mini-recollection activity. The participants were given the much-needed opportunity to ponder and reflect on their role in the lives of the children and the families that they care for. The sharing of stories and advices among the elder and the younger nannies were so insightful, candid and touching. 

Indeed, it was not only a learning experience for them, but also a learning experience for us, teachers and school administrators. At the end of the day, everyone agreed that the nannies are important (MAHALAGA),  are loving and are loved (MAPAGMAHAL at MAHAL) and are caring  (MAALAGA) because they are blessed and loved  by our Almighty God who also  granted them the special responsibility to love  and care for our precious children.

Nov. 18, 2015, SILS AVR - It was all about sharing and giving during our Christmas Party. The children shared their talents, presents and laughter with each other.   

The Fairylanders embarked in a different kind of exploration last November. We took "a trip to the stars" through an ingenious portable dome called Starlab Planetarium to learn about the Science and the mysteries of the little dots of light we would oftentimes see in the night sky. 

Since a lot of stars cannot be seen prominently from our  stance in the city, we  just had to bring in Starlab and their very knowledgeable teachers to show us their spectacular visual projections of the galaxies, constellations and the planets.  The preschoolers definitely enjoyed and were in awe of all the things they have learned about Astronomy.  It was a wonderful  and humbling experience for them and for us to marvel at the magnificence and magnitude of our universe.