This project provides children with an opportunity to learn to prepare the perfect environment for a “pet” caterpillar, how seeds germinate plus responsibility for the care and health of their pet.

Children enjoy naming their caterpillars, caring for them and can’t wait to trim their growing “hair” which is also excellent practice for fine motor skills and artistic creations.

Activity Addons:

• Before you build and craft your Caterpillar  reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar book can add even more fun and learning opportunities about caterpillars.
• Learn about Germination and plant growing process.
  What is germination? Germination is the process of a plant emerging from a seed and beginning to grow
  What does it take for seeds to grow? Each seed or plant type have their own preferences  as to soil conditions, light, water and temperature which effect seed germination and growth.
  What are roots and what are they for?  Roots help to  bring in food and water from the soil. Food travels up the roots through the stem of the plant. The plant root also helps to stabilize the plant even a blade of grass.

The Birth Of Bella Our Caterpillar

Step 1. We mixed our potting soils, quick sprouting grass seed in a bucket.
Step 2  Next to make the body of the caterpillar we used a knee high nylon stocking ( you can even cut the leg off a old nylon).
Step 3 To fill the body with seed mixture.  Cut the bottom off of a paper cup and insert it into the  open end of the stocking. We used it as a funnel for our dirt mixture.
Step 4 Choose how many body sections you would like on your caterpillar. Fill one section than use a colorful rubber band or twist tie to segment and repeat until almost  full  leaving enough room to tie the end closed ( firmly).

Step 5. In a bucket or pan submerge your caterpillar and let soak for at least 10 minutes. After soaking place the caterpillar in a plastic bag and let it sit over night.

Now its time to add some personality to your Caterpillar:

• Adding antennas: Cut in half a colorful pipe cleaner and glue a pom pom,  cut out stars or any creative ending you would like.  Simply poke the pipe cleaner free end into where the head area of your caterpillar will be.
• Add some eyes.  We used a opened up bobbie pin that was wove in and through the head area, we than glued googlie eyes to the end of each ( you can use shortened pipe cleaners too if you prefer.)Let your kids be creative here, maybe even think of other house hold items you can reuse or recycle to give your caterpillar personality, like old buttons for eyes, or make pom poms by balling up dryer lint.

Let’s Grow: On a tray, plate or other underneath protection set your caterpillar in a sunny window and water thoroughly ever other day.

Your caterpillar should be sprouting hair within 4 to 5 days.

Bella Gets Her First Hair Cut

Project inspiration from familyfun.go.com

We hope you try this fun activity with your children and help their

love of science and nature germinate, take root and grow!

PS> If you do grow your own fuzzy friend feel free to share a photo on our Facebook Page

La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten teacher Joan Maultsby Ross publishes her latest children’s book Searching for Nanny Jo which  is a moving story that shows how love, friendship and determination can triumph over all.

About Children’s Book,  Searching for Nanny Jo:

Nanny Jo raised her lovable Doberman, Rosy, from the time she was a pup. Rosy was brought up with love and affection and shared such fun times with Nanny Jo.

When Nanny Jo wakes up late one day and forgets to close the gate,  Rosy chases her car until it disappears. Discovering she is lost, Rosy begins her journey to find Nanny Jo. On the way, Rosy meets a series of delightful dogs and a cat, all of whom are homeless.

Having a kind heart and confidence in her master, Rosy invites every new friend to join the group, assuring them that when they find Nanny Jo, she will love and give all of them a new home. Using their skills and imagination to overcome some obstacles along the way, the friends refuse to give up.

Author Bio:

Joan Ross is an award winning primary teacher, was Teacher of the Year, and received newspaper praise for the elaborate plays presented by her kindergarten and first grade classes. Each animal in SEARCHING FOR NANNY JO was named for an animal who belonged to Joan or her cousin, Nannette Pierce, thus the name Nanny (from Nannette) and Jo (short for Joan).

Joan currently resides in San Diego, California, and is engaged to “Geoff, the love of her life.” She still has Gina, who is 15 years old. Angie, 14; Lacy, 8; and Opie, 3, are still with Nannette.  The other beloved angel doggies–Rosy, Dutchy, Annabelle, Cletus, Aussie and Reno are playing together in heaven and are waiting for Nanny Jo.

News:  San Diego Association For The Education Of  Young Children awards Ms. April of La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten a SDAEYC Scholarship Grant.

Ms. April Andreola received an educational scholarship grant from the San Diego Association for the Education of Young Children on March 13,2012. Ms. April competed for the scholarship with candidates from throughout San Diego County. Ms. April was selected based upon her demonstrated dedication to early childhood education, successful teaching experience, interests and goals, community involvement, academic success, plus professional recommendations.

” My life has been dedicated to the enrichment of children placed in my care. I see no other fulfilling future than one of touching a child’s life and creating memories that will last forever. Child development will always be the center of what I do, says Ms. April.”

The intent of the scholarship San Diego Association for the Education of Young Children’s scholarship grant is to encourage the highest quality of early childhood education for all young children. The objective of the scholarship is to support students and early childhood educators in advancing their education in the early childhood field.

Update: Press Coverage 4-3 North County Times: Carlsbad teacher wins special grant

La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten
Preschool, early entry and transitional kindergarten education classes
for Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Costa, Solana Beach, Rancho Sante Fe and children of North County San Diego.

California has begun phasing in the new eligibility entry requirements for kindergarten.

By 2014 children must be five years of age by September 1 for kindergarten eligibility. The 2012-2013 school year requires kindergarten students to be five years of age by November 1, 2012. For the 2013-2014 school year, students must be five by October 1, 2013.

Transitional Kindergarten Now In Question

California planned to offer statewide optional two-year transitional early entry kindergarten programs in public schools this coming year. It now appears highly unlikely due to budget cuts. Children previously eligible for kindergarten (five by December 2), would have been eligible to enroll in the optional two-year program.  The purpose of transitional early entry kindergarten is to provide students with an academic foundation and social skills necessary for success in kindergarten.

The proposed transitional public school kindergarten program is particularly important for children not attending pre-kindergarten programs and those attending pre-kindergarten programs without early literacy and academic components in their curriculum.

There are schools that offer two-year transitional kindergarten programs.

La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten in Carlsbad, CA  has successfully offered kindergarten and two-year early entry programs since 1991.  According to Executive Director, Cindy Cesena, “Eligibility is based upon a student’s demonstrated developmental and academic readiness skills necessary for classroom and personal success.”

Parents of four and five year old children are faced with important decisions in the coming months. “For children not yet ready for a comprehensive academic program, Cesena suggests;

• Enrollment in a pre-kindergarten program with an engaging early literacy based curriculum to foster and enhance learning and social skills.
• For children ready for a more academic approach, a two-year early entry kindergarten program is an excellent choice to facilitate the joy of learning.

To find out more about La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten’s Transitional & early entry kindergarten programs  contact, Cindy Cesena  by calling 760-436-2797 or fill in the simple request form below.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten is nationally accredited school located in Carlsbad, Ca. also serves the educational needs of  surrounding communities of Encinitas, Solana Beach, Rancho Sante Fe, Vista and San Marcos.

Article: Transitional kindergarten,  early entry kindergarten, and the new age requirements in California

Note: Our Enrichment programs and Spring Break Camps for kids up to 6yrs olds registration is open to the community.  (meaning your child does not have to be an enrolled student at La Costa Valley Preschool & Kindergarten to attend)

Enrichment Class Comp U Kids, Computer Detectives and Computer Robotics is now enrolling:

This is a weekly class designed to introduce your child to basic computer skills and programs, computer and web use safety and how to find and explore topics that are interesting to them

ENROLLING FOR SPRING INTERSESSION KINDERGARTENER FUN CAMPS !

La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten offers intersession fun camps for kindergarten students (through age 6) when their school is closed.

Enrolling now for April 2-13 , 2012 Spring school break camps.

Small groups enjoy science, technology, art, crafts, music, outdoor fun and more. Call, 760-436-2797 or

Fill in our

School Break Camps La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten form
We will contact you shortly regarding your interest in enrolling your child in our fun and educational school break camp.

Heads UP and Plan Ahead

Starting March 1st

KINDERGARTEN AND TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION begins March 1st for La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten for 2012-2013 school year.

Contact the nationally accredited school for more information and complete enrollment information. Call, 760-436-2797 or

Visit our Academic Kindergarten Preparation Program page for more info.

La Costa Preschool Valley & Kindergarten is 1 of 3 Nationally accredited Preschools and Kindergarten’s by the Academy of Early Childhood Programs serving the coastal communities of Carlsbad, La Costa, Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff, Del Mar, San Marcos and Solana Beach in North County San Diego.

Worried about the holiday blues for your preschool child? Need help teaching your kindergartener how to enjoy the winter holiday? Are you looking for ways on how to help your child learn to cope with the winter season? Here are simple tips on teaching your children to beat the holiday blues.

Pre-Holiday overload

During the winter holiday, it’s a natural tendency for kindergarten kids to get ramped up and excited about receiving all the toys and gifts that they wish for Christmas verses what is realistic, adopt parental stress from either family or event situations leading up to or during the holiday. Pre holiday overload can be helped a lot by parents doing a few simple things.

• Set expectations ahead of time by talking with your child about gift expectations. To a child they anticipate that the visit to Santa will deliver all the wonderful things that they saw on tv, adverts or seen in the store as they accompanied you shopping  will be under the tree. By talking with your child ahead of time  can help to set realistic expectations.
• Family time in all shapes and sizes – If your family happens to be a blended family where your child’s holiday is split between two sets of parents, often children feel torn when having to leave the other parent on their own during the holiday. It is important to talk to and listen to your child during this time. Make sure to communicate to your child that they are number one not taking sides in the situation and that you love them and want them to have fun and enjoy the holiday.
• Reduce event stress: As parents you want to avoid  anticipatory family event anxiety or bickering at event spill over to your children as they are like sponges that can sense these and often will follow suit with what the parent is feeling.  Again this is about communicating with your children if that situation arises. Let them know that you’re ok and that sometimes families argue but you still love each other.
• Watch their diet: From parties to gifts of goodies it is easy for your child’s diet to head south during the holiday. Sugar and low nutritional value foods can have a effect on your child’s mood and behavior. While allowing some “treats” avoid free rein on the candy, cakes and cookies and make sure that your child is maintaining a healthy  balanced diet  as well as eating schedule during the holiday season.
• Change the focus of the holiday to giving vs. getting

Inspiring your preschool child learn about giving

Teaching your child learn the true meaning of giving can help you teach your child about what the holiday season is truly about giving vs. buying and  spending time with family and friends.   So here are some of the activities that will help you in teaching your kindergarten child learn about giving:

• Participate in a volunteer program –by joining such programs, you will be able to help your kindergarten child learn how to appreciate gifts and but also about giving the gift of time and help to those in need.  Volunteering helps to develop giving skills that will last a life time.
  Ideas:
  • Help at the pet shelter – either donate food or volunteer to walk a dog or pet a cat.
  • Volunteer to read a story or make holiday cards for kids in a hospital or a elderly person in senior living facility
  • Help to collect food donations for the local food pantry
  • Gather and donate small gifts for needy children.
• Take a walk and clean up as you go – carry a small grocery bag and pick up left behind trash is another way to help your kindergarten child learn about giving, by teaching them to contribute to the environment and the world they live in.
• Donating books to a local shelter and/or children’s hospital – it will be a great way to help your preschool child learn  sharing and also help them to develop a sense that this simple act of kindness will be greatly appreciated and is in the spirit of giving which is what the holidays are truly about.
• Clear out the old to make way for the new.  If your child has toys they rarely play with talk to your child about going through their toy collection and donating those toys they have outgrown to goodwill, the local women & child center or other in need program. Emphasis that their toy will be well loved by another child that has less than them.

Teaching your child about giving vs. getting during the holiday season can be one of the best lessons that you can give your child and the community that they live in.  Giving, volunteering, donating and not hanging on to objects that are of no further use will become a trait that will serve them well into their adulthood.

Keeping the routine of your kindergarten this holiday season

While everyone is getting ready for the holiday season, make sure to prepare your preschool kid for the holiday events. To help your child learn how to adjust with the holiday season’s events, remember the following:

• Create a schedule with your preschool kid – this will prevent your preschool child from thinking of changes in his routine. Keep him informed of what event will happen next.
• Keep the bed time as is – make sure to stick with his sleep time giving your preschool kid enough time to rest. This will enable him to keep up with busy events the next day.
• Funny Food= Introduce menu early on – different events entail various menus which can be overwhelming for your preschool kid especially if they are a picky eater.  Pack a take along meal with you just in case, a hungry child is a grumpy child and an event is not the place to try and persuade your picky eater to try something new if they don’t want to.
• Keep their body busy – exercise and play dates with school friends help your child stay connected with their friends from school and helps them not to be lonely, but also helps them to burn off energy in a healthy way during the holiday season.

Coping with Post Holiday Blues

With the various festivities happening everywhere and the warm feeling from everyone around, the holiday season is so exciting for children and it always seems as if it is over just as fast as it came. This is what makes it difficult for preschool kids to cope with post holiday blues.

You can help your preschool child deal with post holiday blues:

•  Make a game out of packing up the holiday decor. Remember that the holiday season ramp up has happened for weeks and the all of a sudden poof everything is gone can be a big let down for your little ones, making a game out of packing up the decor can help with the disappearing decor let down.
• Count your blessings dinner. After the big day is a perfect time for your child and family to reflect on all the wonderful things they are grateful for. Plan your family’s favorite meal and have each member of the family recount the wonderful things, memories and people in their lives that they are grateful for. This not only helps to strengthen the family ties but also helps to broaden the picture past the moment and see that each and every day is a gift and that wonderful things happen all year.
• Saying thank you crafts. Get out the art supplies and help your child make masterpiece thank you notes for the gifts that they received. Not only are you teaching them how to appreciate and say thank you for the gifts that they received but also that taking the time to hand write a thank you note is a gift in and of its self to the person receiving it.
• Play School. While many are off from school and on holiday break untill the beginning of the new year if you add in a daily lets play school and exercise routine will help them easily transition back to their normal daily schedule.
• Keep your child busy – sign your child up for a school break camp, or plan outings during the holiday break. Not only does this help them move on past the holiday but is a great way to help focus their attention forward vs. behind.
• Sharing how you feel can also help your kindergarten child learn and understand that post holiday blues are normal tendencies.

By incorporating some of the above mentioned tips into your holiday season it will help you and your children have a happier and healthier holiday season.

La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten
serving preschool, early entry kindergarten educational needs of children
Encinitas, Carlsbad, La Costa, Leucadia, Solana Beach
in North County San Diego.

Is your child ready for kindergarten but has missed the age cut off date for enrollment?  Have you considered enrolling your child in a pre k early entry program?  Are you engaging in at home pre k activities that can help you to prepare your child for school?

Pre kindergarten is a crucial learning stage since it will help lay the foundation for your child’s success as they move on to higher levels of education. To start your child’s education on the right foot choose a accredited pre k program  and with regular parental involvement at home with stimulating prekindergarten  activities, you can look forward to raising a well-rounded and successful achiever.

5 fun and easy activities to support your child in pre kindergarten:

 Guessing the ABC’s and 123 – Basic Alphabet and Number Recognition
Guessing the ABC’s and 123 activities can be played by using any object at home. To teach your child how to spell out his name, you can have your kid arrange alphabet magnets sticking on the fridge. To teach about numbers, you can use cookies. Once your child gets use to these prekindergarten activities, you can start using prekindergarten worksheets. Basic alphabet and number recognition is the foundation of learning.

Read and Rhyme – Enhancing Listening Ability
One of the keys to successful education is the ability to listen. You can enhance it as early as pre k by reading pre kindergarten rhyme books. On each story, make sure to involve your child. For instance, you can have your kid respond with the “meow” sound if it’s the cat turn to talk. At the end of each story, ask some questions so you will know if your child understood the story. Read and rhyme activity can help enhance your child’s listening ability while expanding his pre k language readiness.

Animal List – Enhancing Language Skills
Expanding your kid’s background knowledge and enhancing his language skills can be achieved by exposing him to the world around him. By using prekindergarten worksheets with animal illustrations, you can start teaching him to familiarize with different animals and their sounds. This will teach him to match sounds with objects; a skill he needs to expand his vocabulary later as he learns to retain words in his mind through the sounds each object makes.

Build the House – Enhancing Fine-Motor Skills
Enhancing fine-motor skills involves teaching your child how to cut, paste, and hold a pencil. One of the most effective prekindergarten activities for enhancing this pre kindergarten skill is “Build the House”. You can use prekindergarten worksheets as pattern. Have your kid draw additional patterns then teach him to cut and paste it to a blank sheet of paper.

Tie Your Sneakers – Empowering Self-Help
“Tie Your Sneakers” is one of the easiest prekindergarten games you can play with your kid. Have him put his sneakers on while singing a pre kindergarten rhyme. Prekindergarten games such as this will train your kid to do simple task and will empower his independence.

Pre kindergarten serves as your child’s foundation for learning. By making the most of your child pre k years, you can look forward to a successful achiever. Sign up now for our fun, engaging pre k activities that will help you achieve this goal.

We hope these five ideas helps you to engage your child’s thirst for learning today!

If you live in North County San Diego areas of Encinitas, Carlsbad, La Costa or San Marcos  feel free to
contact us at La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten about our
early entry pre kindergarten program and for a tour of our school.

SDAEYC: www.sandiegoaeyc.org

Cindy Cesena

SDAEYC’s Board Member Spotlight is a column dedicated to introducing

you to featured Board Members. Get to know our Board Members and

learn about their contributions to the early education community.

Cindy Cesena joined SDAEYC in 1976 when she

began her undergraduate studies.  She has been involved

with coordinating State conferences, providing workshops,

assisting on committees, serving as an NAEYC program

validator, and much more through the years.  Today she is

the committee chairperson for Administrators and Directors.

The purpose of the committee is to provide a forum for child

development professionals to share insight and enhance

their skills in accomplishing the myriad of daily details and responsibilities

facing administrators of programs for young children.

Cindy has worked in university programs, federal programs, state

programs, and private programs for young children.  Her goal was to one day

open a school in her childhood community, and she did just that.   She is

the founder and executive director of Nationally Accredited La Costa Valley

Preschool and Kindergarten in coastal north county.

The school was opened in 1991 and by 1992 was accredited. She

credits this accomplishment to hard work by many, with tremendous support

from family, child development professionals, and fellow members such as

Dorothy Hewes.  Cindy had the good fortune to not only be an SDSU child

development student of Dorothy’s but later work with her in her role as director/

manager of the Campus Children’s Center.  Due to her future goals, Dorothy

and other faculty encouraged her to consider obtaining an MBA degree to

compliment her undergraduate degree.  She listened to this advice and

subsequently obtained an MBA degree in marketing.

 Her credentials include advanced California child development

teaching and administration programs credentials, business and child

development community college credentials, high school child development

and business credentials.  She is also an ordained minister with credentials for

youth and family counseling.

 “Through the years, SDAEYC and its members have offered support,

suggestions and sometimes just someone to kick up one’s heels with and

have some fun. It’s a supportive group of advocates from all kinds of programs

and all walks of life.  There is something for everyone.  I highly recommend

the journey”, said Cesena.  Email her to join the committee for administrators

and directors.

For more information on SDAEYC membership and other

committees, visit us online at www.sandiegoaeyc.org.

Join us for the Costume Contest and Hunting for the Great Pumpkin
When: October 22 from 1-3pm.

This year, La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten and the North County Sun will have a special table set up to greet all of our coastal families and friends. Stop by and say “hello” on October 22, from 1-3pm, and participate in some fun arts and crafts, and join us in Hunting for the Great Pumpkin! And, come in costume for Bates Nut Farm’s costume contest!

Location: Bates Nut Farm is located 20 minutes east of I-15 through Escondido at 15954 Woods Valley Rd, Valley Center, 92082.  For more information or directions, call (760) 749-3333 or visit www.batesnutfarm.biz. Entrance to the farm and parking are FREE.

About Bates Nut Farm

For over 40 years, families have made the 100-acre Bates Nut Farm part of their fall traditions by coming out to their Pumpkin Patch and finding “just the right pumpkin” to take home. Be part of the tradition this year and join in the numerous activities and events throughout the months of October and November. Grab a wheelbarrow and choose your own Big Mac pumpkin– sometimes weighing from 50–200 pounds! Scarecrows, cornstalks, hay-bales, squash, and gourds all welcome you to the farm – bursting with colors and scents of fall. There really is no other place like it in Southern California. You will think that you somehow stepped into a small town in the Midwest.

A variety of inexpensive, family friendly entertainment is offered on the Farm. Enjoy their petting zoo, hay rides, a straw maze, pony rides, tattoo artists, face painter, rock climbing wall, and numerous food vendors. Most weekends include live music from 11am-3pm. Indulge in some great BBQ tri-tip, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, kettle corn, and funnel cakes. Make sure to stop into the country store for a wide selection of nuts, candies, dried fruits, old fashioned fudge, cold drinks, and unique holiday gifts.

At La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten,  we believe that families who play together fosters a child’s well being and positive attitude
which in turn helps them to learn and grow.

We hope to see you at our family friendly event  The Great Pumpkin Hunt
October 22nd,  1-3pm, At Bates Nut Farm

It’s best to relax and ignore the problem according to most pediatricians and child development professionals.

Your child is learning independence

Children often reject food as a way to assert their independence. If you suspect your child is testing you, remove the food without the fuss and reintroduce it a few days later. If your child rejects the food because he doesn’t like it, don’t force it on him. The more you make an issue out of the food, the more you’re making sure a child won’t want to try it.

Helping your child to make choices and find nutritious alternatives

Because there is no food your child must have in order to survive, substituting is your best strategy. For example, children often refuse to eat green vegetables because many taste bitter. Instead of having a showdown, you can substitute equally nutritious, less bitter vegetables like carrots, corn and sweet potatoes. If that fails, try fruit. Oranges or cantaloupe can be substituted for fresh or cooked broccoli because they too are high in vitamin C. Peaches and apricots are high in vitamin A, like spinach.

Helping your child learn how to make healthy nutritious choices suited to their individual tastes vs. reaching for the candy or processed food snack will be a skill that rewards them today but also throughout their life.

If they grow veggie’s & fruits picky eaters will typically try what they have grown.

Growing a garden of vegetables can also encourage your child to taste various vegetables.  This is one of the reasons why we include a vegetable garden as part of our curriculum at La Costa Valley Preschool and Kindergarten.  Not only do our kids learn about science and nature but they also develop a taste for the healthy foods that they grow.

Offer rejected foods once in a while as children’s tastes change as they get older.

Fun Food Ideas

BANANAS WITHOUT STRINGS

Eat bananas like monkeys do and eliminate the icky strings. Just Peel bananas from the bottom up to eliminate the strings that many young children do not like.