The Butterfly Classroom – Lead teacher is Heather Bielenberg
Welcome to the Butterfly room! This room is for children ages 3-4 years old. This is an age of tremendous social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth. In the Butterfly room, many positive learning experiences are provided in preparation for early success and school readiness.
Children enrolled here at Little Panther full time are automatically enrolled in our Preschool Program. Four year old preschool is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Three year old preschool is Thursday, Friday. The Preschool Program is from September through the following May.
If your child turns three after September 15th, they will still move to the Butterfly room but not participate in the Preschool Program until the following year. They, along with the kiddos not attending preschool that day, will still follow a curriculum that is developmentally appropriate for their age.
There is a daily schedule posted outside the classroom on the parent bulletin board. Activities throughout the day include: center play, small and large group time (stories and songs), art and outdoor time (large motor).
Just a few things…
Staff/Child Ratios – Staff to child ratio in the Butterfly room is dependent on the youngest child in the room. The ratio for a three year old is 1:8 and for a four year old is 1:12.
Nap Time – Your child will rest/nap daily from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. Please send a small blanket to leave here at the center for your child. We will wash weekly or as needed.
Potty Training – Typically, children are potty trained by the time they are in the Butterfly room. We will take into consideration each individual child’s needs to reach this milestone. It is important that Little Panther staff and families are on the same page during this time to make this transition as easy as possible.
Meals – If your child is here during our meal times they will receive breakfast (if here before 7:30 a.m.), morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. During meal times the staff sit with the children to encourage good table manners. Before each meal, the kiddos at Little Panther say “the Wish”. In case your child is trying to say this at home it goes like this… “We wish for peace, food and happiness for all the children of the world. Now we may begin.”
Supplies Needed…
- Small blanket for nap
- Extra clothes in case of accident ~ spills or otherwise
- Water bottle for drinking throughout the day/outdoor play
Things We Work On…
- Continuing to work on self help skills such as putting on and zipping our coats, taking care of our own needs such as plates/cups at mealtimes, toys, and personal items in our cubbies.
- Language skills to help them verbally express their wants and needs.
- Social/emotional skills to help them identify, understand and express their emotions.
For a printed version of this information, please click here… Butterfly Room