Kids Discovery Academy

Students are pouring so much concentration, creativity and love into the preparation for this year's Dads-n-Grads events!

Are you wondering how to balance time with your children AND get all the yard work finished? Here is a practical article covering the benefits of gardening along with some "how-to" tips to keep everyone sane. Happy Spring!

Gardening with Kids | Tips, Garden Activities, & What to Grow - THE SAGE This is our Guide to Gardening With Kids, inside you will learn- Child-friendly activities, crop advice & tips for helping your child succeed along the way.

Happy Mother’s Day!

May you find joy in your family,
comfort if you are mourning,
and may your heart be filled with lots of hugs today!

The Preschool and Pre-K classrooms are filled with energy and creativity as they prepare for this week's Mother's Day Celebrations! We can't wait to see you all there for the student performances, gifts and photo booth.

Just in case you were wondering, KDA does have power this morning. See you all soon for a great day!

The past season of life at KDA has brought a wonderful opportunity to participate in teacher trainings as a team, and without having to miss out on family/weekend time!

Our staff has come together to dig into classroom management consistency strategies, to adapt classroom activities to various student learning styles and to recommit to making sure each classroom reflects the current students.

It’s been amazing to see the excitement, the energy and the passion that can be found when we look to take opportunities for growth.

This started out as something funny to make us all smile - but right now children may be anxious, scared and looking to find security by testing boundaries.

Our kiddos need us as teachers and parents to stand beside them. We need to provide calm, consistent boundaries and routines to help them experience emotional and physical safety, even if life gets rough and emotional. No matter how many times they push, we need to demonstrate that we can not be pushed away and that we will be consistently kind because each and every child is deserving of respect and love.

Each child. Every child. Every single time.

😅

For wondering minds - Here are links to the latest guidance from Early Learning regarding how often, and how to clean and sanitize all kinds of things. The Early Learning link has a fabulous, easy to follow chart at the end of the document. The EPA link is for a list of approved disinfectants.

We think the most important take-away is that surfaces must be clean prior to sanitizing. Just imagine a table top after your toddler eats mac-n-cheese...clean the gooey cheese first, then sanitize!

Early Leaning's Resource:
https://oregonearlylearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Sanitation-Recommendation-and-Cleaning-Schedule-for-Emergency-Childcare_OHAApproved_FINAL3.30.30.pdf

EPA's:

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 | US EPA Search EPA’s list of registered disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Why is KDA open during the COVID-19 situation? Because...

* A KDA parent can make sure cancer patients can continue to receive medication, diagnostics and treatments.

* A KDA parent can keep the Providence HR office open to help their staff navigate through this crisis.

* A KDA parent can ensure seniors at an Assisted Living complex are safe and cared for.

If we all do our part, we will get through this together.

TODAY’S AT- HOME PROVOCATION- Scientist or Baker

Many times, simple things done in an intentional manner create a beautiful platform for children to explore, discover and stay busy!

MATERIALS:
* Random edible ingredients - look for a variety of textures, smells and reactions like flour and water or vinegar and baking soda. Bonus points if you are able to let your kiddo discover the reactions on their own, and then help them put words to their observations!

*Small containers - if possible depending on your child’s age, include glass, wood or metal containers to increase sensory feedback.

* Tools - safety glasses for the scientist, small spoons, funnels, gravy ladles, etc.

*Large tray - keep the mess naturally contained while providing visual cues.

* Large or medium bowls for mixing (if your tray is small like ours, use a cookie sheet to place the mixing bowls on).

* Be ready for clean up time with a smile and lots of towels.

NOTE: In this crisis, if you feel using food ingredients for play is disrespectful, substitute the food ingredients with natural items.

Earlier this week our staff was reflecting on how perfectly our 2019/2020 Community theme is for this COVID-19 crisis. Almost like it got us ready for this situation.

* Students are reminding each other to wash hands.
* Families who are non-essential are staying home to limit the risk to everyone.
* Staff are avoiding public places during their lunch to keep germs out of the center.
* Everyone is helping find hard to purchase items (thank you!)

On a completely unrelated note: we will never. ever. ever. repeat this Community theme. 🤣

Hello KDA Family - Quick riddle, how often do the guidelines for Early Learning change during the month of March in 2020?

Answer: Daily! (Not really, it just feels that way)

Watch for updates for how KDA is managing the situation and new requirements towards the end of today. We love chatting with you at the curb during drop-off and pick-up but this time it will come via email so all our families staying home can be part of the conversation as well.

Politics is not our thing at KDA, but right now we are asking all of our community for help. We are staying open because the State of Oregon is asking us to do so for the greater good instead of putting our own health first. We are staying open because we love our students and families and the community we are a part of.

As our government is putting together assistance packages, Early Childhood Education and Care is not represented. Teachers and schools who are choosing to work at great personal risk need to receive significant financial help to make sure we will be able to stay open now and after this crisis is over.

This article lists numerous specific suggestions. If something resonates with you, tell a representative, your Senator, or anyone with a vote. Or just call Kate Brown and say that schools who remain open and Teachers who are still in classrooms need their support.

We are Early Childhood educators, and when our kiddos are scared we are going to get down, scoop them up in our arms, and listen to their voice at 6 inches, not 6 feet away.

Urgent Request to Congress for Child Care Sector in COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package FFYF was joined by many of the nation’s leading child advocacy organizations in sending a letter to Congress detailing essential recommendations for lawmakers to consider as they develop an economic stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Today during the Preschool/Pre-K snack time a conversation started among the children about emergencies, what doctors do, and where to find help at a hospital. They were so engrossed in this conversation that we scrapped curriculum and rewrote it for today. The older students set up their own facility, they named it Medical Care Love💜 Once they were ready for patients the Preschoolers were invited to the waiting room. Let me just say I can’t remember the last time I saw 13 children working together, using such concern and compassion with each other. We are blessed to be apart of such amazing families💜💜

The State of Oregon is working to make sure that families have access to quality child care during this time. Effective immediately, Oregon has increased the income limit from uo to $4,040 per month (for a family of 4) to $5,899 per month for families to receive help with child care costs. See the article below for the information and share with anyone you know who might be interested.

KDA is staying open until the State of Oregon says otherwise, and are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy. As we hear of news, we'll pass it along because we're all in this together! (And now that song is in your head for the rest of the day....you're welcome, lol)

Oregon expands child care benefits to support families and providers during spread of COVID-19 - Oregon Early Learning Division   News Release March 17, 2020 Jennifer Grentz, Self-Sufficiency Programs, 503-884-9071 Melanie Mesaros, Early Learning Division, 503-856-6040 Oregon expands child care benefits to support families and providers during spread of COVID-19 Salem, OR — To support Oregon’s working families dealing w...

We want you and your loved ones to be healthy and safe during this time! Check your email inbox for a message from KDA detailing out the changes we are making to support everyone's health.

Spoiler Alert: We are staying open unless the State says otherwise. For the next 2 weeks we're implementing things like curbside assistance, additional sanitizing and other measures.

In the light of Oregon’s K-12 schools closing for 2 weeks, this article is a great reminder on how to help our kiddos deal with the current situation in a healthy way - from germs to fears and concerns!

As of now, Oregon Health and Early Learning are keeping Early Childhood programs open. We are continuing to work with our Certifiers to stay open, keep everyone safe and life flowing smoothly. An email will be going out to all KDA families tomorrow with more details as the situation develops.

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus | Child Mind Institute What parents and other adults can say to kids about the coronavirus COVID-19. How to answer their questions and keep kids feeling safe.

Saturday, March 14th, an Early Childhood Conference will be held at Clackamas High School. The sessions include topics such as: The Art of Being a Dad, Positive Discipline, Setting the Stage for Success with Siblings and Estate Planning.

If you would like more information, or to register, here is the link!

https://www.parentchildpreschools.org/

Home | pcpo Cooperative preschools are operated by a community of families who want to be involved in their children's first educational experience. Parents and caregivers assist in the classroom, take on jobs to help the school function smoothly, participate in decision-making, and learn more about developm...

Thank you to all our amazing KDA families for joining us at Parent/Teacher conferences! We love taking time to share your student’s growth and learning in a tangible format.

The KDA family has embraced the "Community and BIG Dreams" theme for this academic year:

Teacher Quote: "It's important to teach the students to help those around us...to be kind and to be themselves! This theme covers all the bases."

We are seeing connections made between classrooms, students expressing their ownership in the community and lots of creativity flowing!

A huge thank you to Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue as well as the Hillsboro K-9 unit! Our students were over the top inspired to meet you and see all the vehicles and equipment!

"Deeper, not wider" is a phrase that resonates with us at KDA. Young children need to dig deeply into learning, to take time and make connections, assimilate information, and skills and be able to use those in a very real way.

KDA students will be deeply exploring the year long theme of "Community & BIG Dreams". We want all our students to confidently reach for BIG dreams in an active, positive, and encouraging Community.

Wow - this year is going to be amazing!

Children's safety is a very emotional topic, and it can be difficult to find quality resources. If you are looking for a practical book to help your family with this topic, we recommend "Protecting the Gift" by Gavin de Becker.

Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) Safety skills for children outside the home Warning signs of sexual abuse How to screen baby-sitters and choose schools Strategies for keeping teenagers safe from violenceAll parents face the same challenges when it comes to their children's safety: whom to trust, whom to distrust, what to believ...

Would you have guessed that something as simple as peeling masking tape from a table develops fine motor control, vocabulary, and problem solving skills? It’s all about intentional interactions and purposeful, engaging activities.

With this activity the Early Preschoolers explored the various line lengths using words like big, small, long, short etc. They were able to discover the meaning of those words in so many ways! Through their hands, through the length of time they heard the tape pulling off the table, by holding the tape above their heads or in their hands...all while working those small hand muscles.

The teachers encourage conversation between the kiddos and work on problem solving as well. They encourage the children to ask for help when it’s needed, and remind them that it’s okay to struggle; they can just try again! Sometimes that’s a lesson we all need to be reminded of 💜

How does your family use the pictures and information from your kiddo's day?

One family says: We LOVE this part. We both like to know what they are doing. Further, even the kids want to see what they did for the day. It's nice because they can kind of "review" what they did. It helps to develop the conversation of "how was school today?" into a broader conversation rather than the typical "good/fine" type of response.

When our families speak, we listen. Thank you to all of you who gave feedback on the Family Survey, as a result we are updating KDA's 2019/2020 Fall and Spring Conference Forms!

"My child has learned so many songs, colors, numbers, names, etc. with the help of her teachers and exposure she gets in the classroom. She has become a brighter kid with a big vocabulary and love for the world and things around her."

- Parent comment from last month's Family Survey.

With a heavy heart we are reaching out to the entire past and present KDA community to support one of our own families whose son passed away. Ronan Smith was such a positive, creative, energetic kiddo and we want to celebrate his life and the impact he made on each one of us during his way too short time.

Ronan's family has put out a request for people to share pictures, stories and memories with them. If you can take a moment, send a message or pictures to [email protected] and we will have a KDA scrap/photo book made for the Smiths.

If you would like to support the Smiths financially, the link to a GoFundMe campaign is below. The cost to bring Ronan home from Poland is a substantial burden at absolutely the worst time.

All our thoughts and prayers go out to each one of the Smith family!

Click here to support In Memory of Ronan Smith organized by Shira DeGrood Ronan Smith (10) died tragically while his family was traveling abroad. The goal of this campaign is to help offset his parent's costs of bringing his body back to the States and funeral costs. This campaign is being managed by Ronan's aunt, Shira.

A BIG thank you to everyone who responded to the Family Survey! All of the comments and feedback have been very helpful as we finalize this next year's academic curriculum.