November 2026 Preschool Center Newsletter

Have you ever asked your child, "What did you make today?" and received a painting covered in swirls, splatters, and colors that don't quite resemble anything? That masterpiece represents something wonderful—learning in action!

At preschool, we believe that the experience of creating art is just as important (and often more important!) than the finished product. This is the heart of process art, an approach that encourages children to explore materials, experiment with ideas, make decisions, and express themselves freely.

Both have a place in early childhood classrooms, but they offer different learning experiences!

While crafts can help children develop important skills, process art provides opportunities for creativity, independence, flexible thinking, and self-expression. It allows children to take risks, make mistakes, discover new possibilities, and build confidence in their own ideas.

Our recent Messy Masterpiece Day was a perfect example of process art at work! Throughout the building and playgrounds, our preschoolers became artists, scientists, problem-solvers, and explorers.

Children wove fabric through fences, painted with flyswatters, plungers, and Koosh balls, and experimented with pendulum painting by pushing paint-filled bottles suspended from the gym rafters.

These experiences encouraged children to wonder, "What happens if I try this?" They explored movement, force, color, texture, and cause and effect—all while creating something uniquely their own!

You don't need fancy art supplies or a planned project to encourage creativity! Offer your child paper, crayons, paint, chalk, or recycled materials and let their imagination lead the way.

Instead of asking, "What is it?" try asking:

These simple questions encourage children to reflect on their experiences and help them understand that their ideas, effort, and creativity matter.

The next time your child brings home a colorful, messy masterpiece, remember: You are seeing the results of curiosity, discovery, and learning—not just a piece of art!

Have you ever noticed your child constantly jumping, crashing into couch cushions, or spinning in circles? Or maybe your child covers their ears around loud noises, refuses certain clothing, or dislikes getting their hands messy?

These behaviors may be connected to how your child processes sensory information!

Our brains are constantly receiving information through our senses—not just sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, but also our senses of movement, balance, and body awareness. 

Every child processes this information differently. Some children seek out extra sensory input, while others may become overwhelmed by too much input.

Sensory Seekers may:

Sensory Avoiders may:

Children can be both sensory seeking and sensory avoiding, depending on the activity or type of sensory input!

One helpful way to support sensory regulation is through heavy work. Heavy work means using your muscles! It refers to activities that involve pushing, pulling, carrying, squeezing, or using our muscles against resistance.

These activities provide input to our proprioceptive system—the sensory system that helps us understand where our bodies are in space.

For some children, heavy work can help their bodies feel more organized, improve body awareness, and support attention and regulation.

These activities are fun, require little preparation, and can easily become part of your family's everyday routine!

When children receive sensory experiences that meet their individual needs, they may find it easier to feel calm, focused, and ready to participate.

Try building movement and sensory opportunities into your child's day, especially before challenging transitions, such as getting ready for school, sitting for dinner, or beginning bedtime routines.

Remember, what is calming for one child may be overwhelming or alerting for another. Pay attention to how your child responds, offer choices, and never force an uncomfortable sensory experience.

The goal isn't to stop children from moving—it's to help them understand their bodies and discover what helps them

Teaching gratitude to preschool children is incredibly important because it rewires the developing preschool brain to focus on positivity, security, and connection. While it might seem like they are too young to understand it, this specific window of development is the ideal time to build the foundation for lifelong emotional health. 

Gratitude is vital for preschoolers because it:

Teaching gratitude aligns directly with standard Social-Emotional Development milestones for 3 and 4-year-olds. According to early childhood benchmarks here is how appreciation supports what their brains are already trying to achieve: 

The Thankful Book by Todd Parr 

Great for showing that it's okay to be grateful for simple things like underpants, music, or hair.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora 

A beautiful story about a woman who shares her stew with the neighborhood until her pot is empty, and the community returns the favor.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Use the iconic song/catchphrase: "Thank you for everything you do!" to give them an easy script to use with friends and family.

This month, we are recognizing and celebrating children who live with diabetes, including members of our own preschool family!

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body can no longer produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. Children with Type 1 diabetes need insulin and regular blood sugar monitoring to stay healthy. Some children use insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to help manage their diabetes throughout the day.

Type 1 diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar, and it is not something children can prevent. With the right care and support, children with diabetes can participate fully in school, play, and everyday activities.

For young children, learning about differences helps build empathy, understanding, and acceptance. A classmate with diabetes may need to check their blood sugar, eat an extra snack, or receive insulin during the school day. These are simply ways they help their bodies stay healthy!

When children understand that everyone has different needs, they learn that fairness doesn't always mean everyone gets the same thing—it means everyone gets what they need to be successful.

At preschool, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and included. Our staff work closely with families and Nurse Gina to ensure students with diabetes receive the individualized care they need throughout their school day.

Just as importantly, we help create a classroom environment where differences are understood and celebrated. Whether a student wears a medical device, needs a special snack, or takes a break for medical care, our goal is to ensure that every child feels like a valued member of our preschool community.

Diabetes may be part of a child's story, but it does not define who they are!

Our amazing PTO treated our staff to a Dirty Soda Bar this month, and it was such a fun and creative surprise! Staff enjoyed mixing up their own drinks, experimenting with different flavors, and trying something new! It was a sweet way to brighten everyone's day, and we are so grateful to our PTO for always finding thoughtful ways to show appreciation for our staff!

What's a Dirty Soda? If you haven't heard of this fun drink trend, a dirty soda starts with your favorite pop (or soda!) and adds flavored syrups and a splash of creamer to create a sweet, creamy, customized treat. With so many possible combinations, there is something for everyone!

Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 19th, and make it a no-cooking, no-dishes kind of night! Join us at Raising Cane's for our November Restaurant Fundraiser and enjoy a delicious dinner while supporting Beavercreek Preschool Center!

It's an easy (and tasty!) way to give yourself a break from cooking while giving back to our preschool!

Be sure to check out the attached flyer for all the details!

Hello Parents and Guardians,

As we move through the fall season, we wanted to share a quick health reminder regarding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a common childhood illness that tends to circulate this time of year. Local health observations indicate a recent uptick in HFM cases across Greene County, so we are taking standard proactive steps to keep our building healthy and clean.

HFM is typically a mild viral illness that primarily affects young children. Symptoms generally include a low-grade fever, sore throat, and small spots or bumps around the mouth, hands, or feet.  Individuals are generally most contagious during the first week of illness, often before the onset of a rash. Students may attend school once they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours, feel well enough to participate in normal activities, and do not have open sores or uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores. 

As with any seasonal illness, a few simple everyday habits can help keep our school community healthy:

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students healthy and thriving.