Preschool News.

On October 3, 1955, the Mickey Mouse Club debuted on television. As we all now know, the show quickly became a cultural icon, one of those phenomena that helped define an era.

What is less remembered but equally, if not more, important, is that another transformative cultural event happened that day: The Mattel toy company began advertising a gun called the "Thunder Burp."

I know — who's ever heard of the Thunder Burp?

Well, no one.

The reason the advertisement is significant is because it marked the first time that any toy company had attempted to peddle merchandise on television outside of the Christmas season. Until 1955, ad budgets at toy companies were minuscule, so the only time they could afford to hawk their wares on TV was during Christmas. But then came Mattel and the Thunder Burp, which, according to Howard Chudacoff, a cultural historian at Brown University, was a kind of historical watershed. Almost overnight, children's play became focused, as never before, on things — the toys themselves.

"It's interesting to me that when we talk about play today, the first thing that comes to mind are toys," says Chudacoff. "Whereas when I would think of play in the 19th century, I would think of activity rather than an object."  Read Full Article

The most important question to ask yourself before you begin to potty train is if your child is ready. This usually happens betweeen the ages of 27 months and 36 months, and sometimes later for boys.

If you start before your child is ready, training will be more difficult and prolonged. Here are some signs of readiness. Please complete your checklist at home and compare it to your teachers checklist. Growth toward potty training is more successful when everyone is working on the same areas.

1. Your child remains dry for at least two hours at a time during the day or is dry after naps.
2. Your child's bowel movements become regular and predictable.
3. Your child indicates by words, facial expressions or posture that he/she is about to urinate or have a bowel movement.
4. Your child can follow simple, verbal directions (i.e. wash hands, flush potty, get toilet paper, pull clothes back up).
5. Your child can take pants on and off and willingly walks to the bathroom.
6. Your child becomes uncomfortable with soiled diapers and wants them changed.
7. Your child asks by words or gestures to use the potty.
8. Your child shows an interest in wearing grown-up underwear.

If your teacher indicates that your child has not mastered a specific skill, parents should assist in the training process by working on this skill at home. It takes teamwork to be successful!

We are all in this Together: Supporting children's social emotional development and addressing challenging behavior.

Download the Article.

DRIVE SLOWLY AND WITH CAUTION

Some children may run ahead of their parents into the parking lot. Keep your children close by you as you arrive and as you leave the preschool. When pulling into a spot and when backing out, use extreme caution!

SECURE YOUR VALUABLES

You may think you are just going to be away from your car for a few minutes, but that is all the time that it takes for someone to break into your car. Lock your car and place all valuables out of sight.

REFRAIN FROM USING CELL PHONES

If you are on your cell phone (including texting) while driving in the parking lot, you are unable to pay attention to children who may be out of your line of vision and in the danger zone of your vehicle. Arrival and departure are important times for your children and a great opportunity to focus on communication with your child and his or her teacher.

NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN YOUR CAR

Purchase yours today for $10 and help support the preschool. Available at the preschool desk and in the Hope Store during weekend services.