Post by admin on Apr 5, 2008 11:50:09 GMT -5
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0402/Schools/025.html
Classes provide youngsters first taste of school setting
BY BARI FAYE SIEGEL Correspondent
Once children enter school, they're off and running into the world of teachers and schedules and homework. In fact, on the first day of school, mothers around the world all lament, "Where did the time go?"
At the Monmouth County Park System's many early childhood classes, children can get of taste of the classroom setting while mom or dad is just a few feet away. Classes like "Let's Discover," currently being held onWednesday mornings at the Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center in Howell, offer young children the opportunity to hear, see, touch and feel during a variety of activities.
Freehold resident Christine McGrory, who has three daughters of her own, loves teaching these classes to children between the age of 3 and 6 because "independence from mom and dad at this age is so very important. There is so much pressure on these kids as they enter school and this class gives them the opportunity to learn in a fun setting."
McGrory starts each class by reading a book to "set the stage" for the topic of the day. During a recent class the children enjoyed "Honey Bunny Funny Bunny" by Marilyn Sadler. Following the story, they used empty toilet paper rolls and cotton to make funny bunnies of their own.
"This feels like cotton candy," said Gabe Podsvirow, 3, of Howell. "My daddy loves cotton candy so I'm going to give him this bunny!"
"We did the Mommy & Me program through the Monmouth County Park System when Gabe was 2. He is very shy and he is my last one so I tend to baby him. But for this class, I'm right outside the door and Gabe gets to go inside and make his own choices and interact with the other children on his own," Gabe's mom Dorothy said.
Adalis Marrero of Howell said she has taken her older daughter to many classes and the staff has always been great.
"I just love what they do with the children. They use Play-Doh and arts and crafts and shaving cream. Who knew that so many regular things could be so educational as well as fun," Marrero said.
Marrero's daughter, Leah, 3, loves the "Let's Discover" program, and is happy to be the only girl in the class. In fact, during one class, the youngsters got to play with shaving cream; they really dug in and were soon covered with the white stuff up to their elbows - but not Leah.
"I'm making a water fountain," she announced delicately.
She sat quietly swirling the shaving cream with a paint brush; not a drop on her pretty little fingers.
But Zack Ludwig of Jackson, 4, was happy to dive into the shaving cream, along with pal Alex Siegel, 5, of Howell.
"It feels so gooey," Zack said.
"Yeah, and mine looks like ice cream! Yum!" Alex added.
Upcoming early education classes include
"Super Science," "Let's Explore" and
"Pint-Sized Picassos." Visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com
or call (732) 842- 4000 ext 1, for more information
Classes provide youngsters first taste of school setting
BY BARI FAYE SIEGEL Correspondent
Once children enter school, they're off and running into the world of teachers and schedules and homework. In fact, on the first day of school, mothers around the world all lament, "Where did the time go?"
At the Monmouth County Park System's many early childhood classes, children can get of taste of the classroom setting while mom or dad is just a few feet away. Classes like "Let's Discover," currently being held onWednesday mornings at the Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center in Howell, offer young children the opportunity to hear, see, touch and feel during a variety of activities.
Freehold resident Christine McGrory, who has three daughters of her own, loves teaching these classes to children between the age of 3 and 6 because "independence from mom and dad at this age is so very important. There is so much pressure on these kids as they enter school and this class gives them the opportunity to learn in a fun setting."
McGrory starts each class by reading a book to "set the stage" for the topic of the day. During a recent class the children enjoyed "Honey Bunny Funny Bunny" by Marilyn Sadler. Following the story, they used empty toilet paper rolls and cotton to make funny bunnies of their own.
"This feels like cotton candy," said Gabe Podsvirow, 3, of Howell. "My daddy loves cotton candy so I'm going to give him this bunny!"
"We did the Mommy & Me program through the Monmouth County Park System when Gabe was 2. He is very shy and he is my last one so I tend to baby him. But for this class, I'm right outside the door and Gabe gets to go inside and make his own choices and interact with the other children on his own," Gabe's mom Dorothy said.
Adalis Marrero of Howell said she has taken her older daughter to many classes and the staff has always been great.
"I just love what they do with the children. They use Play-Doh and arts and crafts and shaving cream. Who knew that so many regular things could be so educational as well as fun," Marrero said.
Marrero's daughter, Leah, 3, loves the "Let's Discover" program, and is happy to be the only girl in the class. In fact, during one class, the youngsters got to play with shaving cream; they really dug in and were soon covered with the white stuff up to their elbows - but not Leah.
"I'm making a water fountain," she announced delicately.
She sat quietly swirling the shaving cream with a paint brush; not a drop on her pretty little fingers.
But Zack Ludwig of Jackson, 4, was happy to dive into the shaving cream, along with pal Alex Siegel, 5, of Howell.
"It feels so gooey," Zack said.
"Yeah, and mine looks like ice cream! Yum!" Alex added.
Upcoming early education classes include
"Super Science," "Let's Explore" and
"Pint-Sized Picassos." Visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com
or call (732) 842- 4000 ext 1, for more information