The Principal's Desk

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Play is a child’s natural way to learn. Through play a child explores, experiments with, and expands upon a basic understanding of the world.

Imitating an older person is another way a child learns. By helping with tasks around the home, pretending, acting out adult roles, and acquiring techniques used by others, a child is continuing the learning process.

Talking to adults is an important component of a child’s growth. A child learns by asking and answering questions. Most importantly, learning occurs when a child has the satisfaction of sharing discoveries, ideas, and perceptions with a positive role model.

Learning cannot be forced. Learning has to be enjoyable. A child needs smiles, encouragement, and praise for achievements.

A learning situation should be relaxed for both parent and child. Try to select a time for learning when the least amount of distractions will occur.

Repetition is vital to a child’s learning. A child will repeat things that are of interest. To be successful in learning, a child will need many experiences before formal ideas will be developed.

A young child often has a short attention span. Keep learning experiences short, informal, and uncomplicated.

A child enjoys learning from activities that can be completed with ease. One or two simple activities that can be repeated will be more effective than an activity that is long and difficult.

A child will devise his/her own learning activities when a creative, relaxed, and secure environment is provided.

A young child enjoys working with objects that can be manipulated. A child understands more and learns more easily when real objects are used instead of pictures of the objects.

Sincerely,

Cathy G. Colella

Principal

From The A.P.'s Desk ...

As parents, we are all concerned that our children may be spending a great deal of his time on our home PC, and we want the computer to be more than just a substitute for television. Here are some suggestions to help your children get the most educational experience from the computer.

Beyond entertainment, computers can be used to provide powerful support for your children’s learning and to extend their understanding of the world. Good software also presents a wonderful opportunity for you to become more familiar with your children's thinking and their development of problem-solving strategies.

Spend some time working with your children at the computer to help them get the most out of the experience. Research has shown that adult involvement can improve children's attention span, memory, and thinking ability. Ask questions and offer suggestions as you work through a problem together. Your children will learn from this exposure to become a more experienced problem solver. By spending time with your son or daughter at the computer, you will also have a chance to evaluate the programs he or she is using and to make sure that at least some computer time is really spent on learning.

Happy computing!

Al deCant

BUNGAY HOME