Welcome to the New Year!

We hope that all of our families had a fabulous New Year and holiday season! We are so ready to get back into the swing of things! To kick off a new year, we are kicking off our new curriculum! Why are we switching to a new curriculum? Well, we believe that our teachers are our best resources for lesson plans. Creative Curriculum gives our administrators and our teachers the freedom to be more creative in their lesson plans and to cater each lesson to each child's respective developmental level. Each child develops at their own pace, and we believe in fostering each child's growth individually, as well as collectively. We know that you will see a positive change in your child's learning and growth!

What is Creative Curriculum?

       We believe that during Early Childhood play defines how children learn. We believe in preparing children for school and life through well-balanced, hands on activities. Studies have shown that young children learn best through imaginative play and imitating what they are shown, rather than what they are told to do. Our new curriculum keeps in mind your child’s basic needs, as well as academic needs. Creative Curriculum allows our teachers to choose lessons based on your child’s needs and interests. Instead of choosing lessons from one book that generalizes each lesson, through Creative Curriculum our teachers are able to cater each lesson to each child based on the individual development of each child.

Our curriculum is based off of 6 goals and 50 objectives related to the areas of Social/Emotional Development, Physical Development, Cognitive Development, and Language Development. Each lesson is catered to incorporate these goals and objectives. Each lesson plan is approved by management before it can be used to make sure that it covers everything required. We want our students to become curious, independent learners with great self confidence and that can work well with others, as well as work well independently! Please see attached chart to view the goals and objectives.

At the end of the year, your child will have a profile of development from his/her teacher and a conference to let you know how your child is doing in preschool. For our younger children, each assessment will be carried up to the next class. For our Pre-K students, you may take your child’s assessment to Kindergarten, if you wish.

If you would like more information about our new curriculum or a copy of the current lesson plan, please see Kristie or Jamie at any time. Copies of information may take up to 2 business days to process and print; however, we will be more than happy to accommodate you.  

Here are a few resource pages for our parents to check out!

http://www.plan4preschool.org/curriculum/creative_curriculum/

http://www.creativecurriculum.net/

Tragedy and Children

In light of the recent CT. elementary school shootings, we would like to point all of our parents to these fantastic links that may help your family cope with the tragedy and loss. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families on Newton who have suffered such a loss. 

We would also like to state that we will not, as a school, be discussing the event with our preschool or elementary school children formally. If any children have any questions related to the event, we will be happy to answer to the best of our ability or refer them to parents or school counselors. We believe that such a sensitive issue is something that should be discussed in the comfort of the child's home and at the discretion of each family. If we can be of any service to your family during this time, please let us know.

http://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/pages/AAP-Offers-Resources-to-Help-Parents,-Children-and-Others-Cope-in-the-Aftermath-of-School-Shootings.aspx

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/12/how-do-you-explain-the-newton-shooting-to-kids.html

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.8479773/k.2264/How_to_Help_Children_Cope_with_a_Crisis.htm

Thank you, as always. Please kiss and hug your babies extra hard tonight.

Getting Ready for the Holidays!

We're all geared up for the Holidays over here at SHCDC! Check out these awesome art projects we have been working so hard on!

Most of these projects use our hands and feet as the main part. We love making pictures using our hands and feet!

Sweet little Santas from Ms. Limor's Class!

Happy Hand Menorahs!

Happy Hanukkah from Ms. Shanice's Class!

Merry Kwanzaa from Ms. Lateesh and Ms. Ebony's class!

Ms. Shanice's class has the best paw prints!

More Sweet Santas from Ms. Ashley and Ms. Natalie's classes!

Upcoming Gwinnett County Events!

Are you looking for something fun for the family to do this Holiday Season? Check out these awesome events happening around Gwinnett County!


-Gwinnett Plein Air Challenge Tour- December 3rd-31st
     Artists from all over the county participated in a challenge to create scenic artwork. Winning pieces are displayed at the Bethesda Park Senior Center. Support your local artists and check out this free event!


-Elf on a Shelf Dinner Dance- December 1st and 7th- 6pm-7:30pm
     $9 includes dinner, dessert, music, a photo with Santa, and a craft! Both Dinner Dances are taking place at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Pre-registration is required. You can do this online or by calling 770-822-5450!


-Arts and Crafts Fair- December 8th
     Another free event! The fair is located at the Best Friend Park Gym in Norcross.

And don't forget our awesome events here at the Center!

-Toy and Clothing Swap- December 9th- 2pm-4pm
     Need to make room for your new Christmas goodies? Bring your gently used items to us and swap them out for something new! Please bring all toys and clothing you wish to enter to the front office by December 5th. There is an entrance fee of $3 that will be collected at drop off. Your receipt will grant you entrance to the swap on the 9th and allow you to shop 'til you drop! Please place items in a reusable or paper grocery bag, labeled with your name. You will receive your bags back on the 9th to put your new swag in!

-Parents' Morning Out- December 15th- 10am-1pm
      Treat yourself to a morning away or get some holiday shopping done! Bring your kiddos by and let them play with us! $25 per child. Includes lunch and entertainment!

-Breakfast with Santa- December 19th- 8am-9am
      Join us for breakfast with Santa! Breakfast will be served in your child's classroom.

-Holiday Class Parties- December 19th- 2:30pm-3:30pm
     All parents are invited! Preschool A and B and our Pre-Kindergarten class will be performing for their parents. Please RSVP with your child's teacher if you are able to make it.

Getting prepared for Thanksgiving!

We hope that all of our families will join us for our special Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 15th!

Our Preschool classes and Pre-K will be performing a song for their families! Lunch for Infants-2s is 11-11:30am in their classrooms. Lunch for Preschool is at 11am and Pre-K is at 11:30am.



Check out these very sweet projects our Pre-K and Preschool classes did today! We are so proud of those little hands!

Too cute!!

Happy Halloween

It's been a while since we've been able to update! Happy Halloween from your family at Sugar Hill Child Development Center! We sure had a blast today during our costume parade! Pre-k and Preschool B got to go on a field trip to the Benton House ( a retirement community just behind our building) to Trick-Or-Treat! They were all very sweet and got lots of goodies!

Check out some of our pictures from the parade!

                                                     

                                 

Getting Ready To March!!

                                                         


Have a fantastic holiday and remember to stay safe tonight if you are going out to Trick-Or-Treat! Here are a few Treating tips for you! Courtesy of the CDC.

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don't run from house to house.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
	Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don't stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Yoga...the lazy way!

Don't have a lot of time but crave doing yoga at some point during your day? Try right before bedtime! This article gives you 5 poses that you can do before bed....while you are in bed! What a great way to wind down after a trying day without having to go to a class, get dressed in work-out wear, or without breaking too much of a sweat. These poses are perfect for beginners!



http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/yoga/poses/yoga-routine-before-sleep/