Author: MISS LORI

I am a certified center-based director, attaining over thirty years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education; achieving an Associates of Arts degree, and completing 40 + early childhood educational units (16 E.C.E units as well as the essential 24 state required early childhood education courses, in addition to completing 150 + college credits in psychology, theater, sign-language and English). I also possess a current C.P.R and First Aid Certificate. I am also an aficionado of comedian memoirs, avid collector of snowmen paraphernalia, rainstorm enthusiast, red wine connoisseur, candle hoarder, water baby, national public radio diehard, ardent music lover, romantic comedy movie junkie, audacious self-published author, as well as an extraordinarily passionate preschool teacher and director, who is college educated with a background in theater, psychology and child development. I’ve received various certificates of notable accomplishments for my commitment to educating children and have self-published various children’s books; Pumpkinpants, Little Turkeys, Tis the Season to be Molly, A Makeup Surprise for My Valentine Eyes, Lizzie the Lazy Leprechaun and Eddie the Edible Easter Bunny, as well as several adult books; Get it?, The Big Kid Method, Life After Lipstick, Diary of a Preschool Teacher, plentyofpickles.com and Aftertaste.

Every preschool should be so lucky to have a Pootergirl

MISS LORI

For your cute overload of the day, you can’t do much better than this story about a preschooler named Kaylieann who loves Supergirl so much, she wears her Supergirl outfit to preschool, but pronounces it “Pootergirl”. Too Awesome.

pootergirl.PNG

Kaylieann has always loved the characters Superman and Supergirl. Her dad, Austin Steinbach, told The Huffington Post that she has profound hearing loss and cannot hear the letter “S” so she calls them “Pooterman” and “Pootergirl.”

With inspiration from her favorite characters, Kaylieann rejected the outfit options her parents gave her for school picture day and came up with a better idea.

“She walked up, looked over each of her choices, turned and said ‘Pootergirl!’” Steinbach said. “And well, I couldn’t argue with that answer.”

 ..

Voted Third Place in “Best of Chico” Chico News & Review

MISS LORI

20161012_175757.jpgBOC 16_third place_C.jpg

Get this, Kids First Learning Center was voted third in Best of Chico for teachers! And Miss Lori was the only preschool teacher who made the list! I know! How cool is that? Super excited! Official announcement in the October 13th issue of the Chico News and Review. She says “I’m thrilled to pieces. A humongous thank you to everyone who contributed by voting! I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Hugs!” 📚✏🍎❤ MISS LORI

http://www.newsreview.com/chico

http://blog.livinginchico.com/blog

Preschool is important for Chico’s economic and educational goals

MISS LORI

There is a nice article about the positive role of preschool and early childhood education in Utah’s future, but the same is true for Chico’s future too:
My view: Early childhood education is important for Utah’s economic and educational goals.

We are missing a potent opportunity to raise educational attainment in Utah in those with insufficient access to quality early-childhood education, particularly for children from low-income families. Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen summarized relevant research at the Conference on Economic Opportunity and Inequality in 2014: “Children from lower-income households who get good-quality pre-kindergarten education are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.”

At KIDS FIRST, we are proud to participate in the local Valley Oak Children’s Services program and we do our best to work with families because we know how crucial preschool and early childhood care is for young minds.

Please call us today to talk about what your unique situation is.

(530) 321-2784

A Preschool Fit For a Prince

MISS LORI

Here’s a cute story about little Prince George of England’s first day at preschool. This educational philosophy is shared by KIDS FIRST:

“There is a lot of focus on independence and helping children do things for themselves and make their own decisions and their own choices”

Good luck George! If you’re ever in Chico, stop by KIDS FIRST and we’ll be sure to give you a royal welcome.

20% off preschool enrollment for first timers!

MISS LORI

We know choosing a preschool is difficult. You want the best for your child and there are many wonderful preschools in Chico. But we’re pretty proud of our little school too and we think once you start sending your little munchkin to KIDS FIRST, you’ll be convinced this is the right place for your child’s enrichment and growth.

So we’re offering you 20% off your first month’s enrollment to get the ball rolling. Give us a call, text, or stop by. We know you’ll never regret the day your child began learning and playing at KIDS FIRST. Talk to you soon.

(530) 321-2784 | 2117 Zuni Ave

KF LOLLIPOP VIEW.jpg

For our little Chico preschool, play and education are two sides of the same coin

MISS LORI

There is an interesting new article in The Atlantic about the importance of play in the education of children: Learning Through Play: Education does not stop when recess begins. The article primarily discusses older kids in elementary school, but the take home message resonates for preschool aged kids as well:

“It’s not taking a break from learning when we talk about play,” he told me, rattling off a litany of cognitive, physical, mental, and social-emotional benefits. “Play is one of the most important ways in which children learn.”

…bolstered by a relatively new focus in education on social-emotional learning, preventing bullying, and reducing childhood obesity, recess has made something of a comeback.

At Kids First, we take the whole cognitive development of children seriously, even when that means being playful.

Kids First believes that a child’s self-image is the most important ingredient in the learning process and that play is vital to a child’s learning and each child is unique in his or her mental capacities, emotions, skills and interests. The center offers experiences that will enrich and enhance each child’s cognitive, language, social, emotional, physical and creative development. We offer a balance of self and teacher-directed activities, so that the child may develop a positive self-concept. Opportunities for solitary play as well as group activities are provided. We respect the parents right as the primary and most important provider of care and nurturing and believe that together, parents and teachers can provide children with a feeling of self-competence and instill important cognitive concepts and promote sharing and cooperation.

We encourage you to read the entire article linked to above.