T E D A K O P R E S C H O O L

N E W S L E T T E R

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8

Field TripsSugar Cain Farm:

Kugani January 12

Tankan (Orange) Picking:

Shinka January 19

Kugani January 26

Churaumi Aquarium:

Kafuu January 24

Nuuji January 25

Birthday PartiesWe will celebrate all other

children with January

birthdays at 2:50 pm

January 12

We plan to have a special

Foreign language story

time.

All family members and

friends are welcomed to

join!

Muuchi-Zukuri

SAVE THE DATE!

The children will make

Okinawan rice cake by mixing

the ground rice powder,

purple sweet potato (beni

imo) powder with water and

a little bit of sugar, wrapped in

getto leaf (a relative to ginger)

and then they will enjoy this

for afternoon snack on

January 24.

NEW TEDAKO STAFF

Welcome Aya Sensei!

Ayako Ikehara, otherwise know as Aya. She will be working in the

Shinka classroom as the Japanese teacher from January 2018.

She was born and raised here in Okinawa. Yes! She’s Uchinanchu

and studied Early Childhood Education and worked in a

Preschool in Australia for 4 years. She also has a Japanese

certificate of Childcare and was in charge of a 3 years old child

class last year in a childcare center in Naha-city. Other than

working with children her other passions include volleyball,

Japanese Tea ceremonies, traveling (all over the world and

within Japan) and watching movies. She is really looking forward

to sharing the Japanese culture with children, especially throughs

sharing the experience of the tea ceremony and to meeting all

CDC families and children.

READJUSTING TO SCHOOL AFTER AN EXTENDED BREAK

Coming back to school even after only one extra day off breaks children`s routine. When they return to school they are often

feel separation anxiety and unsettled until they get readjusted to the routine. To make the transition back to school in

January smooth we recommend the following:

SHARE THE BREAK TIME SCHEDULE:

Give your child a sense of what to expect. Tell them how many days off they have and when they will be returning to school. If you

can maintain a similar afternoon nap and lunch schedule as your child`s class the return to the classroom routine will be much

smoother

READ TO YOUR CHILD EVERYDAY:

(In any language) Setting some time every day for reading will make it a familiar ritual when they return to school and it is a great

opportunity to bond and develop language and reading skills.

TRUST YOUR TEACHERS:

Some children will start the New Year in a new class. If you are nervous, your child will pick up on this and share your anxiety. Your

child will enhance their social skills and participate in a wide range of fun activities carefully designed to develop their skills.

EXPECT AN ADJUSTMET PERIOD:

Children will be eager to come back to school and see their friends, however it will be hard to wake up early, get ready for school and

say good bye to mom or dad in the morning after the long break. It will take up to 2 weeks before children are readjusted, but by then

we can expect no more tears at drop off time in the morning.

KUKURU FIRST WORDSEvery baby’s developmental pace is different. In the Kukuru class, babies hear many new words and an abundance

of repeated words from teachers every day. We talk to babies throughout the day while changing their diapers

during lunchtime, at snack time and when out for buggy rides. Babies enjoy listening to the songs we sing and to

the stories, we read to them. When we are talking to them, babies respond by cooing, “Woo-ah,” by babbling,

“Baba,dada,” to us.

By about age six months babies will start to begin to understand individual words. Words, such as his or her

name, or the names of familiar faces or objects. The best way to help babies say his or her first words is to talk

them regularly and introduce many words to them. When we hear new words spoken by our babies it makes us

happy. Babies are amazing!

.

TODDLER SENSORY PLAYC

hura

san, K

anas

an, U

musa

nC

lass

es

At Tedako CDC, we give the children sensory

play options everyday and they love it. It gives

children a chance to explore the world around

them and work cooperatively. As they play with a

sensory table, they grow into scientist as they

observe the objects using their 5 senses: seeing,

smelling, tasting, feeling and hearing. The sensory

activities are open ended so children can get

creative and build his or her own sensory

experience. The teachers of toddler classrooms

get creative to make their sensory activities lively.

In Kanasan class, they filled their sensory table

with papers, corns and pumpkins to create

seasonal sensory activity. In Churasan class, the

children loved to touch sticky, gooey homemade

cornstarch slurry. They even painted their

classroom windows with it!! In Umusan class, the

children explored their sense of feeling by

touching snow made of super absorbent polymer.

CLASS DOJO FOR TODDLER CLASSESWe are excited to announce the Class Dojo app for our toddlers. Teachers are able to spend

more time engaging with the students in their class and they can concentrate their energies on

helping them to develop their skills and independence

Class Dojo is a web based app, that will allow easy daily communication between parents and

teachers. It is easy to use, free, with a user interface that supports many different languages, can

translate messages easily. This approach will replace the communication notebook from

February and allow parents to have instant access to more detailed information about their

children. Kansan Class has been trying this app since December and we have received some

positive parent feedback! We hope you enjoy the new app too.

“I am enjoying to use Class Dojo since I can see how my child is communicating with other children. Also,

it shows me even her reactions and the facial expressions through photos or videos every day. And my

husband, who is not working at OIST, can also check our daughter’s activities and what is happening at

CDC right after it’s updated since it is easy to access from phone and he loves it!”

“Getting live pictures of our son lets us how he is doing, and enjoy his day with him. If it’s easier for

teacher than the book then I’m all for it.”

“At the moment, I really love Class Dojo! I am all for decreasing work time for the teachers and I find

myself looking forward to updates everyday. I have also found it to be a very useful tool as I can easily

forward the pictures and notes to family members who are also curious of how my daughter is spending

her time at the CDC.”

CDC

NUUJI & KAFUU SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Emotional well-being during the early years has a powerful impact on social relationships. This month Nuuji and Kafuu classes were combined for a unique social

experience. They walked together to the park, holding hands and once they got there, they exchanged friendship cards, as they gave their cards they whisper to their

friends: ‘I love you’ and hugged or shacked hands. On our walk back to the CDC we heard our children say ‘When are we doing this again?’ These social experiences with

our children help shape who they are, who they become, and their understanding of the world.

SHINKA & KUGANI ENJOY OKINAWA POTTERY MAKING Playing with clay and dough is one of the children’s

favorite small motor activities and in December,

the Kugani and Shinka Classes went to a pottery

shop in Yomitan to make traditional Okinawan

pottery. After they received clay, they rolled and

kneaded the clay and made the base(face), eyes,

mouth, ears, teeth, and beard of a Shisha.

This field trip is a great opportunity for children to

put their fine motor skills to the test.

Also, the children were able to hear a story about

the ceramic art exhibition and the children were

able to really enjoy their time at the pottery shop.

Each piece of pottery is very unique and we are

able to see their personalities through all their

creations. After they finished their pottery

project, the children were excited about their own

pottery and are very eager to see the finished

product.

After pottery making, we had a delicious lunch at

Zanpa Park.

This field trip was our last trip for this year, but we

are also planning this fun field trip for next year.

We are sure that all Kugani children are very

excited about their next field trip!

KUGANI EARLY LITERACYIn our Kugani class, the children are practicing

writing their name in both Japanese / English and by

reading and writing his or her name daily improves

character and letter recognition ability. Most of the

Kugani class children are able to write their name

without looking at the sample card! We are so

proud of them.

We can see the growth of the children by

observing their daily activities and tasks. During

activity time, we worked on Japanese character and

English letter recognition games. First, Ayumi Sensei

puts the alphabet in random order on the floor in

front of the children and shows them the related

letter pictures. In the game the children pick up

the beginning sound of the word from the picture.

After choosing the card, we review the beginning

sound of each letter. Shizuka also plays a similar

character recognition game using Japanese

characters.

In the center of each classroom we have some

picture books of related center themes. We also

have alphabet letter posters and Gojuuonn

(Japanese alphabet), as well as letter puzzles, so

that the children can see the letters at any time.

While looking at our alphabet poster, the

classroom teachers often hear the children saying

things like, "This is the "RI" for Ringo(Apple)" or "This

is letter "A" for apple".

The children of Kugani class are gradually increasing

thier interests in learning the letters both in English

and Japanese. We hope to help further extend

their interests in early literacy.

SHINKA CLASS LITERACYIn the Shinka class letter recognition is a

topic that is covered daily in a wide

variety of ways. During circle time,

dramatic play, music, and throughout the

day, the children are being exposed to

letters and words. The class room is

very print rich, as most of items in the

classroom are labeled in both English

and Japanese. The children are

encouraged to have fun while being

exposed to letters and words. During

our morning circle we talk about the

letters and sounds that the days of the

week start with, the color of the days of

the week card, as well as the letter that

that coordinating color starts with. The

kids are very competitive and are eager

to be the first one to answer. We've also

been sounding out some of the sight

words the kids have been having trouble

remembering. This really helps them with

the words and it strengthens their letter

recognition, since they're sounding out

each individual letter in the words. On

the Japanese side of this, the children are

practicing reading and forming words

using 2 or more Hiragana and Katakana

characters.

Recently, the kids have been learning about

music a bit more, and the solfege notes and

the letter notes. Right now there are a few

songs written on our whiteboard using the

solfege notes, but the kids have been learning

that those notes also have letters notes. This

is just one more way that kids are being

exposed to letters during their day

We also have a fun game where first the kids shout out the letter of a

card that is shown to them. After that, our stuffed bear friend Ted is

passed around in a circle while the children recite the alphabet. If they

make a mistake, Ted flies all the way back around the circle to start

again.

CHILDREN’S MEDICATION AT CDC

Parents of children who require medication to be

administered at school by Tedako CDC staff must complete a

medication authorization form.

A form needs to be filled out each day medicine is given.

Medication Authorization Form Link

Please note that CDC staff is not allowed to measure any

dosage by law, medication (even those that are not

prescription) should be premeasured in a container by dosage

before given to CDC staff.

ANNUAL REGISTRATION AND EVENT FEES In January, Tedako will charge an annual registration

and event fee in addition to childcare, snack and

lunch fees.

The registration fee is 10,000 JPY per child and the

event fee is 10,000 JPY per child ages 3-6 and 2,500

JPY per child ages 1-2.

OIST Employees will pay the fees via payroll

deducted on January 17th, others will receive an

invoice for bank transfer.

Please contact Junko Shimabukuro if you have any

further questions.

2018 TEDAKO EVENTSJanuary

Parent’s Elementary School Tour

Muuchi-Zukuri 1/24

Ishikawa Police Visit Tedako Children

Veterinarian Visit Kugani & Shinka Classes

February

Parent’s Night Out 2/24

Tedako Parent’s Survey

Setsubun Maki Zushi

(Day before beginning of

Spring Sushi Making)

March

Hinamatsuri Musical Performance

Undokai (Sport’s Day) 3/17

Shinka Class Graduation 3/30

April

Spring Class Picture

Teddy Bear Picnic

May

Art Exhibit TBD

Parent Teacher Conference

June

Water Play Begins

Class Observation

July

Suika-wari (Watermelon Game)

Tanabata

September

End of water play 9/28

October

Class Observation

Barn Yard Dance

Bueno Story Tellers Visit

November

Parent Teacher Conference

Guest Speaker: Fire Department

December

Winter Concert

Library Truck Visit

Friendship Winter My WorldHealth and

Safety (germs and senses)

Weather Clothes Transportation

Tedako Winter Learning Themes

December, January, February

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TOURS

Elementary School Tour by OIST Bus

• January 18, 2018

• 9:30 am-3:30pm

• Ride OIST Bus to Onna Elementary School,

Amicus, Lunch, OCSI, & OIST After School

Program

• Reservation Required, Registration Link

https://groups.oist.jp/cdc/elementary-school-tour

The CDC is working with the Resource Center to plan an Elementary School Tour for

Preschool Parents. We would like to introduce you to the most popular elementary school

choices for OIST families to ensure and support a smooth transition and segue to the next

chapter of your child’s school life. Please register to join this Elementary School tour by January

12, 2018. Registration is required and space is limited.

JANUARY LUNCH CALENDARMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

1

HOLIDAY2

HOLIDAY

3

HOLIDAY

4 - Rice

- Broiled Flat Fish

- Stir fried Bean Vermicelli w

Oyster sauce - Salad

- Vegetable Soup

5 - Rice

- Tatsuta Fried Chicken

- Bean Sprout Champroo

- Burdock Roots Salad

- Nanohana Miso Soup

8

HOLIDAY

9 - Rice

- Hoki Fish w Ume sauce

- Cabbage Champroo

- Green Veg. Salad

- Onion Miso Soup

10 - Curry Rice

- Hijiki Salad

- Yogurt

11 - Rice

- Grilled Red Fish w Chinese chive

- Fried Tofu and Kanpyo(gourd

shavings)

- Kuzukiri Salad

- Kouya-dofu Miso Soup

12 - Rice

- Fried Cake of Minced Meat

- Stir Fried Cabbage

- Bean Salad

- Taro Miso Soup

15 - Rice

- Grilled Hoki Fish w G. Onion

- Stir Fried Shredded Radish

- Okura Salad

- Potato Miso Soup

16 - Rice

- Pork w Tomato Dressing

- Stir Fried Rice Vermicelli

- Seaweed Salad

- Pumpkin Miso Soup

17 - Jyu-shii (mixed pilaf)

- Grilled White Fish w Mayonnaise

- Stir Fried Bean Sprouts

- Chinese Cabbage Salad

- Radish Miso Soup

18 - Rice

- Chicken Meatball

- Spinach Sauté

- Okura Salad

- Kouya-dofu Miso Soup

19 - Rice

- Grilled Flat Fish w Ginger Sauce

- Cooked Vegetable

- Cabbage w Ume Sauce

- Egg Miso Soup

22 - Rice

- Pork Chop

- Stir Fried Green Vegetable

- Hijiki Salad

- Fu (wheat bran) Miso Soup

23 - Rice

- Kyoto Style Grilled White Fish

- Go-ya Champroo

- Cabbage Salad

- Kouya-dofu Miso Soup

24 - Rice

- Yakitori

- Shredded Carrots

- Chinese Cabbage Salad

- Green Veg. Miso Soup

25 - Rice

- Red Fish w Tomato Dressing

- Braised Green Veg. w Tofu

- Eggplant w Vinegar Soy Sauce

- Wakame Miso Soup

26 - Rice

- Okonomi Omelet

- Western Style Kiriboshi Daikon

- Nanohana Salad

- Pumpkin Miso Soup

29 - Rice

- Grilled Hoki Fish

- Stir Fried Burdock Roots

- Okura & Coan Salad

- Potato Miso Soup

30 - Rice

- Cooked Pork w Shiso Flavor

- Stir Fried Bean Sprouts

- Green Bean Salad

- Onion Miso Soup

31 - Rice

- Grilled White Fish w Herb Sauce

- Sweet & Sour Pork

- Papaya Salad

- Wakame Soup

HOLIDAY

JANUARY SNACK MENUMonday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AM Brown Rice Cereal/Soy Milk玄米フレーク/

豆乳

Bread Stick/Soy Milkスティックパン/ミルク

Pumpkin/Raisinsかぼちゃ/レーズン

Yogurt/Blueberriesヨーグルト/ブルーベリー

Orangeオレンジ

PM Apple/Cheeseりんご/チーズ

Tangerine/

Calcium Senbeiみかん/

カルシウムせんべい

Banana/Milkバナナ、ミルク

Tomato/VeggieCrackersトマト/野菜クラッカー

Rice/Furikakeごはん、ふりかけ

SUBSISTUTIONS:

Due to availability or ripeness of fresh fruits or vegetables, substitutions may occur. Young toddlers will not be fed Senbei or

Crackers. Special senbeis for babies will be substituted. 果物の熟度や品切れ等によってはメニューを変更することがあります。小さなお子様には固いせんべいなどの代わりに赤ちゃんせんべいをあげます。We will celebrate all January Birthdays and the children will enjoy cake and milk with their friends on 1/12.

1/12（金）には１月生まれのお誕生会をケーキとミルクでお祝いします。