A magic show!

Some of us enjoyed from a safe distance (Penel) while some of us enjoyed the show up close and personal (Neil)... a good time was had by all!

Value of unit block play

We recently purchased a set of wood blocks. These are intended for children 3+ (our younger children use much smaller more developmentally-appropriate wood blocks).


Here is an informative video on unit block play, which discusses its value and what children learn while building:


Unit block play video

Free Talk tonight - Jan 12th

“NurtureShock: 

New Thinking About Children” 

Po Bronson 

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 

7pm – 9pm 

Los Altos High School Theatre 

201 Almond Avenue 

• Are many of modern society’s strategies for nurturing children backfiring? 

• Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? 

• Learn exactly what teens lie about, how much and why 

• Is intelligence really malleable? And if so, what produces the most dramatic improvements in the shortest amount of time? 

NurtureShock, which has been a New York Times bestseller since its release, has 

been featured on NPR’s Fresh Air and All Things Considered, as well as Nightline 

and the cover of Newsweek. Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman’s New York magazine articles on the science of parenting won the journalism award from the American As sociation for the Advancement of Science, a Mensa Award, and a Clarion Award. Their articles for Time won the award for outstanding journalism from the Council on Contemporary Families.  They are currently writing daily for Newsweek.com.  Book signing following Q&A. 

This event is FREE, no RSVP.  Please arrive early, seating is limited.  For more information about Po Bronson: http://www.pobronson.com/ 

Questions? Please contact Sharon Greenstein, MVLA - LAMV PTA sharonbgreenstein@gmail.com or Nalini Luthra nluthra647@aol.com LAHS PTSA 

http://ptac.mvwsd.org/
 

Yearly Review: Looking Ahead 2010

 Family picture at the annual fall party

Dear Families,

Feedback is trickling in from all of you and it is extremely appreciated.

If you haven't provided feedback yet, please take advantage of Windsor. Have your voice heard. There will probably be VERY few opportunities in your child's education when your feedback may have a significant, immediate impact like this.

I also wanted to emphasize that we really are sitting down and seriously thinking about, evaluating, and discussing each and every comment, suggestion, etc. made.

Thank you for your contribution in making Windsor the best possible family-centered program!

-SS

New Year 2010

Holiday Sing-along: After the children perform and before caroling, we enjoy a story.



Each of you, and especially your children, are a huge part of our lives. Long after the last family leaves, we think about you. We share the hilarious, wise, and incredible things your children say or do with our loved ones and each other.

I cannot express in words how grateful I am that you have chosen to be a part of our (Windsor) community -- really, family -- and entrusted your children with us. Your children are the reason we cannot wait to get up in the morning. They are the reason we work so hard every single day, often late in the evenings and on weekends. They remind us how to play, constantly question, and marvel.

We wish you a very happy new year. It's going to be an exciting, wonderful year!

-SS & Windsor Staff

Lei party

Sheer exuberance

Peek into the young toddler room

Sensory experiences: Squishy Bags

Materials Needed:

3 plastic ziplock baggies;

shaving cream to ½ fill a baggie;

pudding to ½ fill a baggie;

toothpaste to ½ fill a baggie

Procedure:

Filled each baggie with a new squishy material and allowed the toddlers to interact with these baggies… while feeling the texture of each substance. Heated pudding and cooled s. cream so that there are multiple dimensions to the sensory experience.

Benefits:

This activity is beneficial to the child cognitively as it increases sensory inputs into brain. They are able to experience new sensations. Additionally, it provides cognitive development through the use of new vocabulary to describe these sensations. For instance, some of the children learned: squishy, soft, hot, cold, etc. 

This activity is also beneficial physically. Particularly, it exercises fine motor development as the child squishes the contents of the baggie around while using each finger individually.

Most of all, it's SUPER fun! We had a blast!

-SS