Smarty Pants February and March Newsletter

Smarty Pants Full Day Preschool

Healthy

Lunch Ideas

Connecting With Our Community The Community Within Our School

The Importance of Tummy Time

Smarty Pants Full Day Preschool Hours of Operation 7:00am-5:30pm Meck Pre K 8am-2:30pm

Wrap Around Care 2:30pm-5:30pm

UPCOMING EVENTS Friendship Party February 14, 2024

Holiday Schedule Smarty Pants Will be Closed on February 19.

Contents February & March 2024

8

12

Infants 7th

Toddlers 7th

Twos 7th

Infants 10th

Toddlers 10th

Twos 10th

The Importance of

The Importance of reading to

The Importance of eating

Tummy Time

your child and Express Art

healthy lunches

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24

4

18 Threes 7th Highlights

Meck Pre-k Highlights

Smarty Pants Partners

Classroom 1 and 2

WIth Brightwheel

Connecting With Our Community

Infant Room Updates 7th Street Parents Please Make Sure You are Labeling Your Child's Bottles As this is a requirement by the State.

Please Make Sure You are Signing your child In and Out Daily Friendship Party February 14, 2024

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

The Importance of Tummy Time in Infant's Development As a baby, lying on your back looking up at the ceiling is a common position. This

includes time spent in their crib, car seat, or while being held. However, flipping your baby onto their stomach is crucial for their development as it provides a new perspective and a chance to exercise. Tummy time is like your baby's first workout routine. It's as simple as placing your baby on their tummy for short periods of time each day, which helps to strengthen their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. This is an essential step for them to learn how to sit up, crawl, and eventually walk on their own. Supervision is required for tummy time, and the exercises lead to significant milestones like crawling and rolling at an earlier age.

Tummy time also helps prevent flat spots on the back of your baby's head, which can occur if they spend too much time on their back. While some babies may resist tummy time at first, there are many ways to make it fun and engaging for them. You can lay down with your baby and make faces or funny noises, or place toys in front of them to encourage reaching and grasping. Gradually increase the duration of tummy time as your baby becomes more comfortable and stronger. Remember, every baby develops at their own pace, so don't worry if your baby takes longer to reach certain milestones. Celebrate their progress and keep providing them with opportunities to learn and grow.

Look Who's

Let's give a round of applau Family members: Tatum Sh Rideout! It's an honor to be your child's life. Thank you exciting adventure!

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What's Going On In Our Class As we develop and grow, our gross motor skills play an important role in our overall physical health and wellbeing. These skills involve using our larger muscle groups to perform activities such as running, jumping, and climbing. By engaging in regular physical exercise, we are not only improving our physical strength, but also our coordination and balance. With each passing day, we are becoming more confident in our abilities and pushing ourselves further towards our goals. So let's keep moving and getting stronger, one step at a time!

New To Our class

use to our newest Smarty Pants helton, Max Mophett, and Polly part of the tribe that helps shape for letting us be a part of this

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Infant Room Updates 10th Street Parents Please Make Sure You are Labeling Your Child's Bottles As this is a requirement by the State.

Please Make Sure You are Signing your child In and Out Daily Friendship Party February 14, 2024

Gross Motor in Infants: Let's Get Physical!!

Gross motor skills refer to the development of larger muscles in the body that enable infants to perform physical activities such as crawling, standing, and walking. The first year of life is a crucial time for the development of gross motor skills, with infants typically achieving several milestones along the way.

At around 2-4 months, infants begin to gain control of their head and neck muscles, allowing them to lift their heads while lying on their stomachs. By 6-8 months, most infants can sit up without support, and by 9-11 months, they can typically pull themselves up to a standing position and take their first steps while holding onto furniture.

It's important to remember that each infant develops at their own pace, and there can be a wide range of "normal" when it comes to gross motor skill development. Encouraging playtime on the floor, tummy time, and providing opportunities for exploration and movement can all help support and enhance a baby's gross motor skill development.

As your little ones get stronger, they'll be able to hop, skip, and jump with greater finesse, becoming exploration experts. So, let's get those muscles moving and watch them conquer the world!

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

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What's Going On In Our Class We're channeling our inner Picasso with some good old finger painting at school! Finger painting is a great way for kids to explore their creativity and express themselves through art. It allows them to experiment with colors, textures, and shapes using their fingers as brushes. Not only is finger painting fun, but it also has many developmental benefits. It helps improve fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory awareness. Additionally, it can be a great stress reliever and promote relaxation. So, go ahead and grab some paint and let your inner artist shine!

Look inside and Find Out Who's Walking

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Toddler Room Updates 7th Street

Please Make Sure You are Signing your child In and Out Daily Friendship Party February 14, 2024

The Importance of Reading To Your Child Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to support their development. It is a wonderful way to bond with your child and build a strong relationship. Not only does it help improve their language and cognitive skills, but it also fosters a love of learning and imagination.

Children who are read to regularly tend to have better language skills and vocabulary than those who are not. They are also more likely to develop a love of reading and become successful readers themselves.

Reading together also provides an opportunity to introduce your child to new concepts and ideas, as well as explore different cultures and experiences. It can help them develop empathy and understanding of others, which is an important skill for social and emotional growth.

In addition, reading together can be a calming and relaxing activity for both you and your child, and can help establish a consistent bedtime routine. So, make reading a regular part of your daily routine and enjoy the many benefits it brings to both you and your child.

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

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What's Going On In Our Class We believe that children learn best when they are engaged in activities that are both fun and educational. Play-based learning is a great way to achieve this as it allows children to explore and discover new things at their own pace. Circle time is also an important part of our daily routine as it helps to build a sense of community and encourages children to share their thoughts and ideas with their peers. During circle time, we engage in activities such as singing, storytelling, and group discussions. We have found that this approach not only helps children to develop their social skills but also fosters a love of learning that will last a lifetime. As educators, we are committed to creating a positive and supportive learning environment that meets the needs of all our students.

Look Who's Graduated From The Infant Class to the Toddler Class

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Miles

Toddler Room Updates 10th Street Parents Please Make Sure You are Labeling Your Child's Bottles As this is a requirement by the State.

Please Make Sure You are Signing In and Out Daily

What's Going On In Our Class We've been getting artsy in our class lately! We decided to let our mini Picassos loose by having them make handprint art.

Then, we busted out some puzzles and handed out tiny brushes with paint in every shade under the rainbow. The kiddos went wild, unleashing their inner artists and creating stunning paintings on their canvases. Finally, we hung their stunning masterpieces up on our wall for all to admire.

Toddler's On 1 0th Highlights..

Expression Art In Toddler's The art of expression begins at a very young age, even in infants.

From the moment a baby is born, they start communicating with their caregivers through facial expressions, coos, and cries. As they grow and develop, they start experimenting with different sounds and gestures to convey their emotions and needs.

Studies have shown that infants as young as six months old can recognize different facial expressions and respond to them accordingly. They can also mimic the facial expressions they see, which is an early form of imitation and social learning.

Parents and caregivers can encourage their infants' expression art by responding positively to their gestures, sounds, and facial expressions. This not only helps in building a strong bond between the baby and caregiver but also promotes the baby's emotional development.

Expression art is a natural ability that begins at a very young age. Encouraging and supporting infants' communication skills can have a significant impact on their overall development and well-being.

Two's Room Updates 7th Street Parents Please Make Sure Your Are Reading To Your Child Daily.

Please Make Sure You are Signing your child In and Out Daily Friendship Party February 14,2024

The Importance of Healthy Lunches and How it Affects Brain Development in Children As parents, it's crucial to make sure that our kids are getting the nutrients they need to grow and develop. One of the best ways to do this is by providing them with healthy lunches. Not only do healthy lunches help to keep our kids' bodies healthy, but they also play a significant role in brain development.

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

Studies have shown that children who eat a healthy lunch are more likely to perform better in school. This is because the brain needs a steady supply of nutrients to function properly. When kids eat a lunch that's high in sugar or processed foods, they may experience a "crash" in the afternoon, which can lead to difficulties with concentration and focus.

On the other hand, when kids eat a lunch that's high in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, they'll feel full and energized throughout the day. This means that they'll be able to focus better in class and retain more of what they learn.

So, what should a healthy lunch look like? A good rule of thumb is to include a variety of foods from each food group. For example, a healthy lunch might include a turkey and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread, a side of baby carrots and hummus, and a piece of fruit for dessert.

By making sure that our kids are eating healthy lunches, we can help to support their brain development and set them up for success both in and out of the classroom.

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What's Going On In Our Class We've been on quite the adventure exploring emotions! From grinning ear-to-ear to crumpling into tears, we've practiced expressing happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, tenderness, hostility, shame, guilt, satisfaction, and love. Not only that, but we've also learned how to use our faces, bodies, voices, and words to showcase those feelings! But wait, there's more! We've also become master organizers, comparing, sorting, grouping, and measuring objects in our world. We've even flexed our creative muscles by making funky patterns with everyday items. And let's not forget about our musical side, jamming to rhythmic patterns in poems and songs using our words, clapping, marching, and even instruments!

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Healthy

Recipe Ideas

Parmesan Roasted Carrot Fries Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 Sweet roasted carrot fries covered with crispy parmesan cheese!

Ingredients 2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4 in thick ‘fries’ 1 tablespoon oil salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese), grated

Directions Gently toss the carrot fries in the oil, salt and pepper, sprinkle on the cheese and mix to coat before spreading on them in a single layer on a silicon mat or parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Roast in a a preheated 425F/220C oven until tender and lightly charred, about 16-20 minutes, mixing half way through.

Crispy Baked Zucchini Chips SERVINGS: 4 SERVINGS PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES MINS COOK TIME: 20MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTES MINS

Ingredients 2 medium zucchini sliced into 1/8" rounds 1.5 tablespoons olive oil 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon salt Greek yogurt ranch for dipping (optional)

Directions Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place an oven proof wire rack over a large rimmed baking sheet and spray it generously with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, toss the zucchini rounds with the olive oil.

2 medium zucchini,1.5 tablespoons olive oil Place the parmesan, breadcrumbs and salt in a small bowl and stir well to combine.

1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs,1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese,1/4 teaspoon salt Dip the zucchini rounds into the breadcrumb mixture until each round is well coated, then place them on the prepared wire rack.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Serve with ranch dressing if desired and enjoy!

Greek yogurt ranch

Two's Room Updates 10th Street Parents Please Make Sure Your Are Reading To Your Child Daily.

Please Make Sure You are Signing your child In and Out Daily.

Friendship Party February 14, 2024

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

The Importance of Art in Young Children Art is a crucial aspect of a child's development. It allows them to express themselves freely and creatively, which is essential for their emotional and mental growth. Art also helps in developing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration, which are necessary for various activities in life. Moreover, it provides an opportunity for children to explore their imagination and discover new things about themselves and the world around them. Art can also be a therapeutic activity for children who may be struggling with difficult emotions or experiences. Overall, introducing children to art at a young age can have a significant impact on their overall development and well-being.

Incorporating art into a child's life doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Simple activities like coloring, drawing, and painting can have a profound impact on their development. It's important to let children explore different mediums and materials to find what they enjoy working with the most. Encouraging them to experiment with different techniques can also help them develop problemsolving skills and boost their confidence. Additionally, displaying their artwork and celebrating their accomplishments can help foster a sense of pride and self-esteem. Overall, art is a wonderful way to help children develop creatively, emotionally, and mentally.

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What's Going On In Our Class We have been exploring the topic of snow through creative activities in our class, which has turned into fun activities. The students were encouraged to express their creativity and imagination as they painted their snowy scenes. The use of silver confetti added a touch of sparkle to their artwork, while the white sand created a textured effect that mimicked the look of snowflakes. As the students worked on their art, they engaged in discussions about snow and how it forms. It was a great opportunity for the class to learn about the science of snow in a fun and interactive way.

By the end of the activity, the classroom was filled with beautiful snow-themed artwork, and the students left with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and intricacy of snow.

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Creativity Unleashed: From Trees to Spiders During a playdoh activity the children were tasked with making trees using small pieces of pipe cleaner, some individuals chose to channel their creativity differently and made spiders instead.

Three's Room Updates 7th Street Parents Please Make Sure you are reading to your child daily.

Please Make Sure You are Signing your child In and Out Daily Friendship Party

What's Going On In Our Class Hey folks! Get ready for a jam-packed February in Ms. Selima's class! This month, we're all about the days of the week, and the letters "J" and "L". Our little ones will be buzzing with excitement as we explore shapes and colors! During circle time, we'll be searching for shapes in toys and spotting colors in the classroom. Our dramatic play center is transforming into a bakery! And for Valentine's Day, we're calling on all you family bakers out there to whip up something tasty at home and bring it to school on February 14th. Snap some sweet pics of your child baking at home and bring them in too! Let's bake up a storm!

February 14, 2024

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

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Hey there, families! Welcome to brightwheel, your one-stopshop for all things communication. We're excited to be using brightwheel as our main platform to keep you in the loop!

With brightwheel, you can send and receive messages from your child's teacher, check your kiddo in and out for the day, take a peek at their profile and add family & pickups to the list, as well as check out billing details. If you haven't signed up your child yet, take a sec and do so now!

Acknowledging our Students' Improvement in Handwriting Our students have been working diligently to enhance their handwriting skills. Every morning, they practice writing and this month, their progress has been outstanding.

We want to highlight Ethan, and Kade for their remarkable achievements in handwriting.

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Meck Pre-k Classroom 1 Updates 7th Street Sign Study Begins January 31, 2024

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

Friendship Party

Teaching Signs and Symbols to Young Children: Benefits and Approaches Signs and symbols are powerful tools for communication that can captivate young children.

They are intuitive and easily understood, making them an effective means of conveying meaning. By introducing basic signs and symbols in a child's environment, we can foster creativity and encourage the child to create their own.

The benefits of incorporating symbols into text and across all areas of a curriculum are numerous. They aid in word recognition and vocabulary development, support reading fluency and comprehension, encourage communication, and promote selfesteem. In addition, symbols can help students with speech and language delays to express themselves effectively.

When teaching signs and symbols to children, it's important to approach it in a way that is engaging and fun. By incorporating symbols into everyday objects and activities, children will naturally begin to understand their meaning. As children grow and develop, they may rely on symbols for longer periods, using them to express complex ideas and emotions. Overall, the use of symbols can help create independent and confident readers while improving communication and understanding.

February 14, 2024

Meck Pre-k has partner with Ready Rosie to ensure that your child is provided with the best education possible education. Ready Rosie videos are a requirement for parent involvement. We want to say thank you to Terrance for watching 110 videos and Aris for watching 165 videos.

Thank you for your participation and hard work.

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What's Going On In Our Class February is the month of hearts, and what better way to spread the love than by making care packages for the homeless? We're calling all families to join in on the fun! Each family will be given a box to fill with goodies from our list, while the kiddos unleash their artistic skills and jazz up the box with funky designs and signs. All care packages will be due the last week of February to celebrate the feeling of making a difference. Come on, let's be a part of the feelgood movement!

Read with me Friday!!!

Mr. Shabazz came to visit our class and read to us, and we were bouncing with excitement! We just wanted to say a huge thank you for spending time with us.

Celebrating our Young Scholars' Penmanship Achievements Our young scholars have been working tirelessly to develop their penmanship skills. They dedicate themselves to their craft, spending early mornings practicing and refining their technique, and their hard work has paid off! We are thrilled to recognize Aubrey and Mia for their exceptional handwriting skills this month. We applaud their efforts and can't wait to see what the future holds for these bright young minds!

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Meck Pre-k Classroom 2 Updates 7th Street Sign Study Begins January 31, 2024

Giving Back To The Community This month we are giving back to our community. We need volunteers to donate care packages for the homeless. If you are interested please see your child's teacher.

Friendship Party February 14, 2024

Why are signs such a big deal?

Well, a single sign or symbol can pack a powerful punch and deliver a message in a snap! They're like a magic wand that can simplify complex ideas and help even the most forgetful folks recall important details. Plus, they're a quick and easy way to identify people, places, objects, and ideas.

So, it's no wonder signs are a vital tool for communication!

Congraduations Porter on Reading In fact, signs have been used for 100 Books. thousands of years to convey messages and provide direction.

The ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics, a system of symbols and pictures, to communicate important information about their culture and way of life. And today, we rely on signs for everything from navigation on the roads to safety instructions in public spaces.

But signs aren't just functional - they can also be works of art!

From the neon lights of Times Square to the colorful street signs of San Francisco, signs can add character and charm to any environment. And with advancements in technology, the possibilities for creative and innovative sign designs are endless.

So, the next time you see a sign, take a moment to appreciate its power and versatility. Whether it's helping you find your way or simply adding a touch of beauty to your surroundings, signs are an important part of our everyday lives.

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What's Going On In Our Class February is the month of hearts, and what better way to spread the love than by making care packages for the homeless? We're calling all families to join in on the fun!

Each family will be given a box to fill with goodies from our list, while the kiddos unleash their artistic skills and jazz up the box with funky designs and signs. All care packages will be due the last week of February to celebrate the feeling of making a difference. Come on, let's be a part of the feel-good movement!

Meck Pre-k has partner with Ready Rosie to ensure that your child is provided with the best education possible education. Ready Rosie videos are a requirement for parent involvement. We want to say thank you to Inaya for watching 110 videos and Abdoul or watching 165 videos.

Thank you for your participation and hard work.

Celebrating our Young Scholars' Penmanship Achievements Our young scholars have been working tirelessly to develop their penmanship skills. They dedicate themselves to their craft, spending early mornings practicing and refining their technique, and their hard work has paid off! We are thrilled to recognize Carter and Lance for their exceptional handwriting skills this month. We applaud their efforts and can't wait to see what the future holds for these bright young minds!

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Connecting With Our Community The Community Within Our School

Supporting our families within the schools is important as educators, it's crucial that we recognize the impact that family involvement can have on a student's success. When families are engaged in their child's education, they can provide valuable support and encouragement that can help their children thrive both academically and socially. This is why it's important for schools to create opportunities for parents and families to get involved, whether it's through parent-teacher conferences, volunteering in the classroom, or attending school events. By building strong partnerships between schools and families, we can create a supportive and collaborative learning environment that benefits everyone involved.

One of the ways schools can encourage family involvement is by providing resources and information that are accessible to all families. This can include translated materials for families who speak languages other than English, as well as providing information in different formats such as videos, audio recordings, or online resources. Additionally, schools can work to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for families of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or family structure. By valuing and respecting the diversity of families within our school communities, we can create a culture of inclusivity and belonging that benefits all students. Ultimately, supporting and involving families in education is a winwin situation that can lead to improved academic outcomes and stronger relationships between schools and their communities.

As a community, we recognize the significance of supporting small businesses. That's why we're excited that Smarty Pants is giving back to the community. Our newest initiative is aimed at fostering growth and success in our community.

Smarty Pants is designed to provide invaluable resources, Whether it's providing advice on child care, or simply lending a listening ear, we know that Smarty Pants is committed to helping businesses grow and thrive. We're thrilled to be a part of this initiative, and we're looking forward to working collaboratively to support and grow our local economy.

Kelly Long

Pottery Classes for Adults and Kids 4506 MONROE ROAD CHARLOTTE, N.C. 28205 704-344-0795 - OFFICE 704-334-4842 - STUDIO

Address: 7810 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277 Suit: #101B

Derek Maul, DC

Phone: (704) 413-6118

Joi Marie 12335 North Community House Road Suite 16 Charlotte, NC 28277 Phone: (980) 318-2581

Ms. Phyllis 2/19

Birthday Board for the Months February and March

Ms. Tynesha 2/1

Ms. Bonnilyn 2/6

Ms. Anushka 2/18

Ms. Dana 3/18

Ms. Eddie 3/28

Mrs. Caroline 3/30

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1409 East 7th St.

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7th Street

Charlotte, NC 28204

Phone: (704)763-7388

10th Street

Charlotte, NC 28204 University 11524 North Tryon Suite 4 Charlotte, NC 28262 Coming Soon!!

Kannapolis Kids Loft 421 Terrance Dr.

school........

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