Gift Ideas

With the winter holidays rapidly approaching, we offer suggestions for some appropriate toys and gifts.

It is easy to over-buy at this time of year. In Duna and Bruce's family, we choose one gift for each child. When they were little, they would ask Santa for something special ("But if you ask Santa for too much, he may think you are greedy and not bring you anything at all!"). When you limit yourself to one thing, it becomes all the more difficult to decide on the perfect gift. Below is a list of worthwhile toys that most children will greatly appreciate. Remember that the less you give, the more creative your child will be with what he or she receives.

A special place: Parents report again and again that once they go to the trouble to Montessori-ize their home their children become incredibly self-reliant, responsible and neat! Our main supplier of child-sized equipment is the Montessori Services catalog that we sent home in the fall. Take a look at your child's room and see if you can replace the toy box with shelves, lower the clothes bar in the closet, simplify the bed-making process (replace multiple sheets and blankets with a fitted sheet and duvet with cover) and provide low hooks for hanging coats so your child's room can truly be her own. It will expedite getting out the door each day if there is a child-accessible place for outside clothes near the door. Clean-ups will be easily handled by your child if he has his own sponge, bucket, broom and dust pan. And children are great at preparing vegetables and salads if they have a small peeler, chopper and cutting board. (When you send in your Montessori Services order be sure to write the name of our school on the form so we will get credit toward new equipment.)

Blocks: A good set of hardwood blocks and/or Legos is very expensive, but a must for eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and the foundation of mathematics and geometry concepts.

Cars, trucks, trains, and rolling marble sets: One reason little girls have typically been poorer at math than boys is that they are not encouraged to play with these "boy" toys. These toys are important in building an understanding of the principles of physics, linear math and mechanical engineering.

Dolls: A well-made doll that is easy to hug, dress and undress, with a few accoutrements necessary for feeding and putting to bed, is very important in teaching and practicing skills that will one day make your child a good Daddy or Mommy. Just as cars and trucks are important to girls, dolls are important to boys.

Doll Houses: You can spend very little or very much money on a doll house. The important aspect is that the child is provided with a means of role-playing the functions of the home. The doll house is a good place to explore what problems, if any, the child is having in adjusting to changing roles in the family. The doll house is also a way for children to practice organizing and maintaining domestic tranquillity on their own.

Art Supplies: Even the young child should have access to plenty of plain and colored paper, crayons, chalks, oil pastels, markers, water colors, colored pencils, stencils, scissors, glue, scraps of various shapes, colors and textures. The older child will enjoy sketching pencils and erasers, water color pencils, oil paints, good water colors, a mixing palette, pen and ink, art paper, tracing paper, and "How to Draw" books as well as some of the child-oriented books on artists. A kit to keep supplies in, a smock and a place to work are important considerations. How about replacing those Disney posters with a nice framed art print for your child's room?

Puppets: A collection of well-made hand puppets or marionettes (for the older child) and a simple theater would make a marvelous gift. The Hearthsong catalog usually has shadow puppets and theaters as well. When choosing puppets, look for a boy, a girl, a man, a woman, some animals and/or fantasy creatures. A theater can be made from a cardboard box or a curtain on a spring rod that fits in a doorway.

Dress-up trunk: How about filling a trunk, suitcase, or basket with hats, shoes, purses, wallets, jewelry and clothes? Thrift stores are good places to find many of these things. A yard or two of various fabrics (calico, fake fur, nylon tricot, satin, etc.) would be wonderful to drape and tuck for just the right effect. Halloween costumes, masks and leotards can be added to satisfy the dramatic flare. Your child will be asked to don costumes for virtually every occasion right up through college, so why not start collecting now?

Books: If you buy your kids books that are just a little ahead of their ability, you can read them aloud now and they can read them on their own later. Pick out a few of your favorites from your childhood.

Music: A CD player or iPod, that your child can work himself along with accompanying books, is a great gift that comes in handy on long trips. There are some wonderful versions of "Peter and the Wolf", "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker" that even very young kids will enjoy. Speaking of "The Nutcracker", Duna started taking her daughter, Lina, to the ballet when Lina was two years old. Although they finally let the tradition go after 20+ years, they still enjoy finding a special theatrical performance to attend together every holiday season. Granddaughter Finley plans to attend her first "Nutcracker" this month. If you enjoy the ballet, theater or the symphony, get matinee tickets this year and plan to make a hasty retreat to the lobby if your child is not as enchanted as you are! Listening to the music in advance and telling the child the story helps prepare them.

Etc.: So you already have all this stuff and we have not helped a bit? Well, then how about cross-country skis, downhill skis, snowshoes or ice skates, a set of bells or a keyboard, a real musical instrument and lessons, a nice globe, a set of real child-sized tools and a work bench, a rock tumbler, dance or theater lessons? Whatever you choose, go for quality. Avoid toys that entertain rather than encourage creativity. If all else fails, give them the box it came in!

Toddler Time

^{News from the Tadpoles and Sunflowers Classes}

We teachers have voted December "Most Challenging Time of the Year." So much to do! We begin in October planning things far enough in advance to make our days manageable. From the toddler's point of view, the holidays can all be a dizzy blur. But there are also so many wonderful things to enjoy. Candles, music, sparkling snow, fantastic decorations, special foods, fragrances, singing, etc. We would all do well to slow down to the toddler's pace and take time to enjoy every detail. But this seems impossible when you glance at your "To Do" list. This is the time to go over your list and decide what is really important and what is not.

Try letting go of all but the most cherished traditions. Keep things simple and allow your child plenty of time to eat, dress and play. Transitions are difficult for many young children so plan activities to include transition time for your child. Also keep in mind that young children enjoy a consistent routine. Stick to your regular schedule as much as possible and involve your child in decorating so changes don't seem to happen too fast. Reconsider having big parties or lots of guests. When planning trips, keep your child's needs in mind and again try to stay with your normal schedule. In the end your efforts to simplify your toddler's holiday will de-stress your own as well.

Costume Notice PS: By now you should have received a costume notice regarding our upcoming school play on December 16th. After we sent out the notices we realized that the toddler silver bell costumes show up better onstage with dark colored clothing underneath. The toddler costume notices ask for all white or grey clothing - please instead provide dark grey or black shirts, pants (or skirts with tights) and shoes, socks or slippers for your toddler student. A team of parents, grandparents and teachers has nearly completed making the girls' silver tutus and tulle flowers for their hair and the boys' silver capes. Thank you!

Monday - Art
The children have developed the ability to pick out many of the distinguishing characteristics of Mary Cassat's work. She is particularly appealing to children because of the warmth of her colors and subjects, many being mommies with their babies. During December, we will move on to "Modern Art" with Georgia O'Keeffe. If you would like to further your child's interest in fine art, a collection of art note cards makes a fun game. The note cards can be obtained from museum shops and catalogs. Buy sets of your favorite artists and try matching games. At first, matching pictures that are the same, then picking out different pictures by the same artist from an array of many. Once they become familiar with them, the kids can try guessing titles, artists, and other facts about each artist.

Tuesday - Time and Seasons
During December we will concentrate on winter celebrations around the world. Plans for celebrating Diwali, Las Posadas and Hanukkah are in the works with snacks, stories, songs and ornaments to go along with each. If you have a special celebration to share, please talk to any teacher.

Wednesday - Geography
Our study of North America will integrate with Winter Holidays through December. We have focused on the many types of American Indians living here when the Pilgrims arrived and how others followed in pursuit of their dreams. Moving on to present North American cultures, we will take a look at holiday traditons across the continent.

Thursday - Literature
We have read many of Tomie de Paola's wonderful books and have learned a little about him. His stories are often autobiographical and can be silly, sad or funny. In December we will study Dr. Seuss. This is a good time to send your favorite Seuss books to class to share.

Friday - Biology
We studied plants and their edible parts in November. In December, preparations for our Winter Celebration take over our Friday lessons. The bean plants we grew in class may carry out the cycle of life by producing beans with a little care at home. As a home extension of our Botany studies, consider making your child "family botanist."  With a small pitcher or watering can marked with the correct water level, some cotton balls and an eyedropper bottle full of water your child can water your plants and polish their leaves. If you have lots of plants perhaps a few could be cared for each day. Yes, there will be some spills and some over-watered plants but once this becomes routine you will have a few minutes to work on your jobs while your child does his!

Moose Tracks Elementary News

News from the Eagle's Nest and Mooe Tracks Classes

Monday - History
We bring our timeline of US History up to present times before Mondays give way to rehearsal in December. This lesson links the Thanksgiving Timeline students have learned in Early Childhood to some of the major events that have shaped our country over the centuries since the Pilgrims arrived.

Tuesday - Geography
In December the Elementary Classes help host several school holiday celebrations including Diwali, Hanukkah and Las Posadas. Each of these involves crafts, snacks, stories and songs.

Wednesday - Theater Arts
The classes have reviewed sketching basic shapes and continues to practice using those shapes to draw the real things they see. We have also experimented with color mixing and painting. This month we will apply our artistic skill to building sets and props for our play, "A Winter Carol". The Elementary Classes take the lead in every aspect of crafting a play. Plan to bring family and friends to see it on December 16th at 11:00 am in the Santy Auditorium.

Thursday - Holiday Cooking and Crafts
In December we'll be busy making gifts, cooking surprises and carolling to spread holiday cheer to our friends and neighbors.

Friday - Dance
We have been working on rhythms, dance qualities and choreography throughout November and attended the Repertory Dance Theater where we noticed how these professional dancers expressed their ideas with movement. Our dance piece is nearly ready and we will refine it through rehearsals over the next weeks. We can't wait to show it to you at our play "A Winter Carol" on December 16th in the Santy Auditorium at 11:00 am.

Mark Your Calendar

December 4, Saturday
Happy Birthday, Leah!

December 9, Friday
Deadline for getting gifts to school for class gift exchanges

December 12, Monday
Deadline for Angel Tree donations

December 14 & 15, Wednesday and Thursday
Rehearsals for Winter Celebration

Park Avenue Campus schedules remain the same

Breakfast Club schedules remain unchanged, meeting in room 302 at Park Avenue Campus

Jeremy Ranch Campus will meet at the Park Avenue Campus (1255 Park Avenue) at normal class times.
*The Sunflower Toddler Class will meet on the playground on 12th Street and pick up at room 302
*The Cottonwoods Early Childhood Class will meet at the front doors and pick up on the playground on 12th Street.

December 16, Friday
Winter Celebration featuring our school play "A Winter Carol" @ 11:00 a.m. in the Santy Auditorium. Bring family and friends!

Park Avenue students:

*Breakfast Club schedule remains unchanged
*Eagle's Nest and Moose Tracks Elementary Classes as well as Otters and Turquoise Early Childhood Classes meet in class in costume at 9:00 am for dress rehearsal.
*Tadpoles Toddler Class meets in class in costume at 10:30 am

Jeremy Ranch students:

*Breakfast Club schedule remains unchanged, meeting room 302 at Park Ave
*Cottonwoods Early Childhood Class drops off at front doors at Park Avenue in costume at 9:00 am for dress rehearsal
*Sunflowers Toddler Class meets in class in costume at 10:30 am

Cast party to follow - see sign-ups at classroom doors
Early dismissal at approximately noon

December 19 - December 30
Winter Break - NO SCHOOL

December 29, Tuesday
Happy Birthday, Jules!

January 2, Monday
School resumes

January 16, Monday
Human Rights Day - NO SCHOOL

SWPTSO News

Angel Trees
Our Angel Trees project is now in full swing. Please visit the trees in our schools, at the Park City Library or at the Summit County Library to select a child-crafted angel bearing a donation request. Return the angel and the item, unwrapped, to the tree by December 12th. All donations will be taken to Peace House to help the families through the holidays. These families often arrive with no more than the pajamas on their backs and need a few things to get them started again. Thanks to Anne Weinrauch and Lynn Chadderdon and their parent volunteers for organizing this project. And thank you for making the holidays a little brighter for someone in need.

19th Annual Park City Children's Fair
Our first planning meeting got the Fair off to a great start. Fair Chair Lina Singleton has the committee lined up including Sandy Geldhof, Rachel McHenry, Jennifer Martin, Karin Davis, Leah Linebarger, Rob Judge, Joan Card, Jenny Samuelson, Karen Sigler-Mertens, Anita Lam-Wright, Michelle Aldrich and Libby Bailey. If you would like to help please contact lina@soaringwings.org. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10th at 2:00 pm at the Park Avenue Campus. Please join us!

School Bulletin Board

Welcome, Zak!
Sending warm wishes for holiday happiness and plenty of sleep to Alexa, Troy and Jake Podmilsak and their parents Laurie and Scott on the birth of new little brother Zak.

Winter Celebration
Winter holiday preparations and all the art and cooking projects, stories and songs that go along with them will be a big focus this month. This year we will present our Winter Celebration, "A Winter Carol" on Friday, December 16th, at 11:00 am in the Santy Auditorium at our Park Avenue Campus. All classes will meet at the Park Avenue Campus for rehearsals on Wednesday the 14th and Thursday the 15th (Jeremy Ranch parents, see rehearsal specifics in "Mark Your Calendar" above). On Friday the 16th all Early Childhood and Elementary students should report to the Park Avenue Campus at 9:00 am in costume for dress rehearsal. All Toddler students meet in costume at 10:30 am. Please plan to bring friends and family at 11:00 am. There is overflow parking available across the street by the skate park. If you cannot be there, please let us know right away since every child has an important part to play. We invite you to join us for a Cast Party following the performance. Look for sign-up sheets for party items and a note to come home soon on costumes. We will need a few parents to help with costumes, props and make-up. Let your child's teacher know if you are interested.

We prepare for the play by first talking through it, in story-telling fashion, then walking through it physically so that the idea is built upon gradually, adding props and sets and finally costumes. Even with all of this preparation, we fully expect some of the youngest children to decline to appear on stage. They gain much by watching with you from the audience. But we must ask that any children who cannot sit quietly be taken out of the auditorium out of respect for the rest of the performers and the audience. Again and again we see the shrinking violet of the Toddler Class grow to become the shining star of the Elementary Class.

Gift Exchange
During regular class time on Monday or Tuesday December 12th or 13th all classes, except Tadpoles and SunflowersToddler Classes, will exchange gifts. Your child has drawn a classmate's name and should help with the selection or making of a gift for him or her that should not exceed $15 in value. Check with your child's teacher if you have not seen a notice regarding this. Please wrap, tag and send the gift to school no later than Friday, December 9th.

December Advice
Remember that young children enjoy consistency. Although we delight in our many holiday traditions and celebrations, a small child may find them over stimulating. Keep your child in mind while planning activities this month. Allow her time to play, eat and dress without rushing. Consider carefully how many guests you'll be entertaining and for how long. Say "no" to a few parties so you can enjoy your child's regular bedtime ritual. Play down the gifts. Emphasize the time spent together instead. Stick all those extra sweets that people keep giving you in the freezer so they don't play havoc with your child's diet. At school we often see sighs of relief as children come into the classroom and leave the hectic world of grown-ups behind them for a little while. We teachers recognize the feeling because we often think of our classrooms as our sanctuaries, too. Enjoy the parties, food, traditions, guests and gifts this holiday season but remember to carve out a little sanctuary for yourself as well as for your child.

Happy Holidays!