Author: cabanm

Early Childhood Services Newsletter
St. Johns County School District

Sharing Family Holiday Traditions with Children
Family traditions are important to many families and serve as a way to create stability and a sense of belonging for children. Family traditions may be tied to holidays, birthdays or monthly events. These traditions help children learn important cultural and social values. Children feel secure and develop a sense of stability when each birthday or holiday has specific activities or special food that is important to the family. It is especially important to carry on traditions at times when lots of changes are going on in the lives of family members. Children develop a sense of identity when they begin to understand the “family identity” that is often at the core of family traditions. If you don’t have any family traditions, start simple by baking your child’s favorite cookies or reading a holiday book.

Free Events
November, 28th-January 1st, Tour of the Trees, Experience the self guided tour of the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse to view the spectacular decorations in each room. The tour is free and open to the public from 9 a.m.—5 p.m. daily. 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach. 32082. For more information please call 1-904-543-5105.
Saturday, December 3rd, St. Augustine Christmas Parade, The parade starts promptly at 9 a.m. by the Mission of Nombre de Dios, continues through downtown and ends behind the visitor center on Castillo Dr.
Saturday, December 3rd, Santa’s Ho Ho Ho Holiday Afternoon Family Party, Join Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Renaissance Resort World Golf Village from 3-6 p.m. for cookie decorating, face painting, local artist, craftsman, and story time. For more information call 1-904-940-8000.
Wednesday, December 7th, Luminary Night, Visitors are invited to enter the Light House grounds at 81 Lighthouse Ave., for a free evening of children’s holiday crafts, warm refreshments and live music from 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, December 31st, Beach Blast Off, St. Augustine Pier. This free event features a kids zone, face painting, rides, photo booth, rock climbing wall, food vendors and live music starting at 5 p.m. with fire works display at 8:30 p.m.

Tina’s Tidbits
It is so refreshing to feel the cooler temperatures in our area. What are some things that your family enjoys to do in the fall? One thing I like to do myself and also with my children is to read. Snuggle up with a blanket, hot tea, and a good book.
Reading research indicates that the single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children. (Anderson et al., 1985)
Read to and with your child, Read storybooks full of action and adventure, Let your child choose the story, retell parts, repeat silly rhymes or big words, write shopping lists. Let your child make their own books, take messages, sign their art work, use magnetic refrigerator letters. Read words on t-shirts, cereal boxes, posters, magazines and newspapers.
Challenge yourself to do 3 of the activities above with your child over the next month. Not only will your child enjoy your attention, but you will enjoy taking a break from your every day routine.
Tina Larson, LMHC, Head Start Mental Health Consultant

December 2016

Dates to remember
Monday, December 12th 6—7:30 pm, Head Start Policy Council at the Excelsior Building. 102 Martin Luther King Ave, 32084. Due to the holidays the meeting has been rescheduled to an earlier date.
Thursday, December 22nd starts holiday break.
Thursday, January 5th students return to school.
If you need accommodations or interpreting services, Please call 547-8965 one week prior to the event.

The Lincolnville Community Monday Fun-Day Preschool Series Events
Provided in partnership between the Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center and the SJCSD Early Childhood Services Department. All sessions will be held, 5:30-6:30 pm, at the Early Childhood Center, Excelsior Building, 102 Martin Luther King Ave. St. Augustine, (904)547-8965.
First Monday - Once Upon a Time: Bigger Than Books, parent/child activity.
Second Monday – Child’s Yoga, book reading and a possible surprise.
Third Monday - Mystery Monday, story and seasonal activity.