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BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER |
April 2, 2004
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Children are full of energy, brimming with
imagination, and so very, very trusting. Case in point: thus far, the
only real flowers our children have seen this "Spring" are a
few they have grown inside, on display in stores, dim memories, and a
plethora of photographs of flowers from other warmer days.
With a full measure of the aforesaid energy, imagination, and trust, however, they have caused Better Beginnings to burst into bloom. Unwilling to wait, perhaps weary with the cold, snowy winter recently endured, their artwork is everywhere, gracing every bulletin board, in the classroom and up and down the hallways. Each beautiful blossom, just like the |
children, is unique. Some are large, some
are small. One child painted a huge blossom, about 4 feet tall. Another
child drew eleven tiny plants, each with leaves and a blossom on top.
Some are crafted, using spoons and sticks. They have filled cups with
soil and planted tiny seeds and are eagerly waiting for little plants to
emerge.
Soon they will embark on a discovery walk, looking for buds and blossoms to make their break through, in yards and on trees. Aren't we all? On a long discovery expedition, I mean, being cheered when a beautiful blossom emerges, wreathed in hope. |
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For me, these children are like blossoms, more like buds really. . I feel as if I am always walking through a beautiful garden when I visit them in their classrooms. Like flowers, they are much the same, but each is as unique, s special as those beautiful blooms. |
Little wonder, I am reminded, that the word nursery refers to a place where children, and also a place when flowers, are nurtured. "As we sow, so shall we reap" pops into mind. |
| Watch for our
new friend, Matt Cuddy, a member of First Presbyterian, now a member of
our Shining Star Gala Committee. He is collecting items for the Silent
Auction to be held at our big event. (If you wish to make a donation of
an item, please bring it to the Center.) Kerrie Peterson is chairing the
Committee. If you would like to attend the Gala, being held on Sunday,
April 25, from 5 - 9, at the Ramada, tickets are $80 and you can reserve
a spot by calling 609-448-6226. Visit our website at www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc
for more details. Sponsors, so far, are:
Mercer Title Services, First Washington |
State Bank, Macaroni Grill (Brinker
International), Americana Diner, Shiseido, Customized Benefit Solutions,
and Yardville Bank.
Shining Stars are being awarded to: Binnie Thom, Dr. Suzanne Harkness, Latina Women's Council (organization) and Brace Place (business/industry). The awards are in recognition of their high degree of commitment to the welfare of others, their impact on the community and lives of others, and their demonstration that service to the community can make a difference. The proceeds benefit Better Beginnings. |
| We are grateful to the support we receive from our beautiful garden of friends: Helping Hands for paper goods, stickers, cans; Stacey Porfido, Valariie Bottega, John Mitke for toys, Legos, games, books, Fisher Price kitchen set and more. Clara Martino donated another eleven hand-crocheted blankets. Ana L. Barrera made a regular donation of paper towels. Patty Kichula donated two boxes of books. Boy Scout Troops 926 and 246 via Patty Dill brought many Easter baskets, and Millie K. Brown brought a nice supply of magazines and cards for the | children to use in their crafts. Bicycles, baskets, and more arrived via "Mr. Jonathan" Craig from Trinity Church. Other useful items arrived from our perennial friends, Ann Freund and Kiran Raval. United Way designation pledges arrived from Robert Teffenhart and Kevin C. Trayner of Deloitte & Touch, from John D. Tampellini of J. P. Morgan Chase, matched (big smile) dollar for dollar from J. P. Morgan Chase, and the same for anonymous from Pfizer Inc. |
| She bought a dozen of those colorful plastic eggs. Of course, she did put them in a discarded egg carton. She finds this to be a multi-faceted learning tool. Hiding them for the young student to find increases observation and involves gross motor skills. Sorting by color and counting enhances | cognitive skills. Placing various objects such as rice inside and then shaking and asking the young student to guess what is inside increases hearing acuity and thinking skills. It also creates a musical instrument. Can you think of more? |
| Visit Better Beginnings' website at www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc to learn more about us and to access our family/child week-end fun work ideas. |
If you have suggestions, ideas, thoughts, please write to me at PO Box 187, Hightstown NJ 08520, or bewith@mail2peace.com. |