Labor Day!

A friendly reminder: We are closed Friday, August 30th and Monday, September 2nd. Enjoy your Labor Day Celebration!

Sharing is Caring...

We all might have heard that phrase before, but how often do we reinforce the importance of sharing with one another? Teaching preschool-aged children to share can be a mountain in itself to overcome, but instead of "telling" your child to share his or her toys, "show" your child how to share and experience the joy it brings to others.

Early Christians had to share everything. All the things the believers did together developed in them a true sense of unity and concern for one another. The love that early Christians showed to one another made their faith something that others wanted to learn more about.

Ask your child questions like:

"What could you share with your friends?"

"What do we share as a family?"

"Can you tell me a time when you shared __(object)_____?"

"How do you feel when someone shares with you?"

"How do you think your friend feels when you share with him/her?"

Bible Verse of the Week: I will share what I have with others. Acts 4:32

Wild Masks!

Let the Wild Rumpus Start! In celebration of Where the Wild Things Are, we created Wild Thing Masks!

Child Development Milestones

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a great website for parents and teachers! 

Click on the link below to take a look at the list of Developmental Milestones. Click on the age of your child to explore!

CDC Website

Daniel in the Lion's Den

This week our Bible story is Daniel in the Lion's Den. Click the link below to download or print a free version of the story to share with your children at home!

Daniel in the Lion's Den Story

ACT IT OUT!
Here are some fun masks to play dress up. Just save the picture and print to size!

Curious George

This week is all about that silly monkey, George! Take a look at the Curious George interactive website for parents, teachers, and children to find more fun activities that you can do at home!

www.curiousgeorge.com

August's Special Guest!

Welcome Mr. Ed Baldwin!

We had an excellent Guest Reader yesterday in the Pre-K classrooms. Jack's grandpa, Mr. Ed, shared his Curious George books with the classes. Take a look at our good listeners!

"I Wonder..."

Come to the front lobby to check out our new "I Wonder..." Wall Display! 

Kids ask the most amazing questions about the Bible, don't they? Well, don't be caught off guard by the inquisitive minds of your little ones! Each week a new question (asked by real children) will be posted on the "I Wonder" Wall. The answer, key verses, related verses, and sometimes helpful notes to parents will also be posted on the wall. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to quench our kiddos' thirst for knowledge!

David and Goliath Rock Painting!

We had an excellent time painting rocks for our Buzz Activity Thursday, 8/8! Check out some photos below!

Lessons in Faith

Raising children requires huge chunks of time, prayer, discipline, involvement, and relationship-building.

This list of values and traits from Dennis and Barbara Rainey of FamilyLife can help you focus on biblical priorities in raising children to become mature adults of faith and godly character.

1. Above all, fear God.
2. Respecting authority -- trust and obey your parents.
3. The importance of friendships.
4. Be in love with Christ and focus on your relationship with Him, not just on doctrine or on biblical principles.
5. Have compassion for the poor and orphans.
6. Believe God for too much rather than too little.
7. Real strength is found in serving, not in being served.
8. The power of moral purity and a clean conscience.
9. How to motivate people without manipulating them.
10. How to handle failure.
11. Keeping your promises.
12. The power of the tongue for good or evil.
13. Giving too much rather than too little.
14. The importance of manners and common courtesies.
15. Viewing life through God’s agenda -- the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
16. Give thanks to God in all things.
17. The importance of prayer.
18. The art of asking good questions, carrying on good conversation.
19. How to grow as a Christian.
20. How to handle temptation.
21. By faith, trusting Christ as your Savior and Lord, and sharing with others how to become a Christian.
22. Seeking wisdom -- a skill in everyday living. Knowing how to make good decisions.
23. Gaining a sense of God’s direction and destiny for your life.
24. Staying teachable and not becoming cynical.
25. Obtaining godly counsel.
26. The importance of flexibility and adaptability to cope in life.
27. Truth is best passed on through relationships.
28. Leaving a legacy of holiness.
29. Keeping life manageable. Prioritizing decisions.
30. Taming selfishness -- learning you can’t always get your way.
31. Choices are yours to make and results are yours to experience.
32. Respecting the dignity of another person and of all people.
33. Being faithful in the little things.
34. Character is the basis of all leadership.
35. Life isn’t fair -- don’t compare with or be jealous of others.
36. Living by commitments, not by feelings.
37. Expressing grace and forgiveness.
38. A strong work ethic.
39. Surrendering to the authority of Christ.
40. How to handle your finances.

As Galatians 6:9 tells us, “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”

Staff Bios

Staff biographies are now posted under the Meet Our Staff tab! Take time to read about our wonderful educators. Pictures will be posted soon!

Congratulations Graduates!

Check out the picture's below from Friday's graduation. We'll Miss You!