Welcome to Jefferson Early Childhood Center Welcome to Jefferson Early Childhood Center! Miss Kris’s Class 2017-2018

Welcome to Jefferson! Kris Stoffels-Teacher Rose Hafenscher-Assistant Lisa Laansma-Assistant Meghan Beatty-Speech Pathologist Kate Lindstrom-Occupational Therapist Kathy Kriemelmeyer-Physical Therapist Rachel Anderson-Social Worker

Kris Stoffels This is my 26th year teaching…my 19th at Jefferson. I received my Bachelor’s in Special Education from ISU, Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from NIU and ELL (English Language Learner) Endorsement from St. Francis University. I have been married for 26 years and have a 22 year old daughter who lives in Amsterdam and 17 year old son who plays high school football. I love to camp, hike, run and basically do anything outdoors!

The importance of play: Play is important to healthy brain development. Play allows children to use their creativity to develop imagination, dexterity, physical, social, cognitive, and emotional skills. While playing, children develop and practice decision-making skills, problem solving skills, conflict resolution skills and discover their own areas of interests. Play helps children to explore, interact with and understand the world around them. Play allows children time to “decompress” and process new concepts/information. As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to an increase in confidence. Play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts and to develop self-advocacy skills. The team works daily to find that balance between allowing free exploration to grow from all the benefits of play while understanding directions, rules, expectations and routines must be followed.  The importance of play:

Upon arrival each day, our friends hang up their backpacks, take out snack and put in their mail.

Not only does this time work on independence skills but sequencing and fine motor skills. Our friends then look and books and talk until everyone has arrived.

On nice days we go outside to the playground.

When the weather is not good, we go to the gym to play.

When then have circle/large group time When then have circle/large group time. Some times Miss Kris leads circle/group.

Some times Miss Meghan leads group.

At circle/group time academic, language, waiting and social skills are targeted.

After circle is small group/table time After circle is small group/table time. Small group/table time is teacher directed. Academic, fine motor, speech and social skills are addressed during small group/table time work.

After table time, we wash our hands to get ready for snack.

Snack is a great time to work on independence and social skills Snack is a great time to work on independence and social skills. Plus…it is yummy!

After snack we look at books After snack we look at books. We talk about the pictures, letters and words. This helps us learn vocabulary, that print has meaning and left to right progression.

After snack and book time it is center/choice time.

Center time is a great time to target social skills, sharing, turn-taking and just having fun!

Center time is student directed and the adults follow the student’s lead in play and interactions.

The specialists (OT, PT, teacher and speech) and assistants often work with friends one on one or in small groups during this time as well.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your child’s day!