Tag Archives: September

First Day of Fall – September 22nd

fall_Fall is a magical time of year!

The leaves change colors, the air is crisp and cool and Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner.   Try it to get in the mood for fall!

When the crisp fall air invites you outside for a walk gather some brightly colored leaves.  Press them in sheets of newspaper under heavy books for a few weeks.  When they have dried they will still have their     bright colors and can be glued onto paper.

Make leaf prints by painting one side of a leaf with tempera paint and then pressing it down gently into paper to form the leaf pattern.  Make designs for fun, or use large sheets of paper (tissue paper, brown paper or even newspaper) and save the painted paper to use as gift-wrap.  FallLeaves_SM_000

Place some leaves between pieces of wax paper and iron.  This will keep them from crumbling and give the leaves a glossy sheen.  You can then glue them onto paper – try adding bits of bark or seeds too.

Try putting leaves between pieces of clear contact paper.  You can hang them in the window or use them as place mats.

This Wednesday, September 22 is the Autumnal Equinox, which marks the first day of fall! The sun will be directly over the Earth’s equator, and there will be equal hours of day and night.  After Wednesday, the days will get shorter.

Happy Fall!

 

BACK TO SCHOOL

school-bus-stop-color

It is that time of year again when students of all ages get ready for the first day of school.  Here are some tips to assist with the “back to school” transition and hopefully great start to the new school year.

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER

  • Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
  • Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
  • Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
  • If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.

BACKPACK SAFETY

  • Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back.
  • Pack light. Organize the backpack to use all of its compartments. Pack heavier items closest to the center of the back. The backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of the your child’s body weight.
  • Always use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles.
  • Consider a rolling backpack. This type of backpack may be a good choice for students who must tote a heavy load. Remember that rolling backpacks still must be carried up stairs, and they may be difficult to roll in snow.