Preschool News

List of 3 news stories.

• The Power of the Pause

  2/6/2025
  Megan Irwin, Head of Preschool
  "No word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause." – Mark Twain

  
  Mark Twain’s words are a good reminder for all of us—especially parents and teachers. In a world that moves fast, where conversations often overlap and silence feels uncomfortable, intentionally pausing can feel unnatural. But giving children time to think, process, and respond is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer.

  
  Think about Blue’s Clues. Steve Burns, the original host, once shared how the show’s success was built around the power of the pause. He would ask a question and then wait—long enough for the youngest viewers to think and respond, but short enough to keep older children engaged. The pauses weren’t accidental; they were purposeful. They gave children space to process, make connections, and feel like active participants rather than just passive listeners.
  
  

  As parents and educators, we often move too quickly. We ask a question, and before our children even have a chance to form an answer, we jump in—with another question, a reworded prompt, or (I’m guilty of this one!) just answering for them. But when we rush ahead, we unintentionally send the message that their thoughts aren’t worth waiting for.
  
  

  Pausing sends a powerful message:

  • Your thoughts matter.
  • Your voice deserves to be heard.
  • You don’t have to rush.

  Angela Santomero, the creator of Blue’s Clues and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, reminds us that children need more time to process than we think. They need time to understand the question, think about their answer, and find the words to say it. If we jump in too quickly, we interrupt that process.

  
  Research shows that children who are given time to think give deeper, more thoughtful responses. When we pause—really pause—we allow children to connect ideas, build confidence, and develop their communication skills.

  
  Of course, slowing down isn’t always easy. But here’s a simple trick that helps: MI-SS-ISS-IP-PI.
  After asking a question, silently count Mississippi four times before saying anything else. It may feel long at first, but you might be surprised at how often your child fills in the silence when given the chance.
  
  

  The next time you ask your child a question, try it. Pause. Wait. See what happens.
  
  

  It is a small shift, but it makes a big difference.
  
  

  Pause and think about that.
  
  

  Best,

  Megan Irwin 

  Head of Preschool 
• 

  Preschool Chapel

  1/23/2025
  Mrs. Watson, Preschool Lay Chaplain and PreK-4 Teacher
  Just last week, we had birthday blessings in Preschool Chapel. I was so happy to see one of my past parents sitting right next to me. As she got up to leave, she said, “What a great way to start the day.” Her words affirmed my thoughts exactly: Preschool Chapel is a great way to begin the day. I love praying, reading the Bible, and praising God through singing. Beginning our day in this way puts the events of our daily life into the proper perspective, setting God and His Word as a priority.
  
  

  As we travel through the Old and New Testament, I hope that the students will form a personal relationship with God. Through understanding God’s lessons, we begin to build a moral foundation and a sense of identity within our relationship with Him. It is my aim that the students understand God’s love for them and how special they are in His eyes. I pray, through God’s scriptures, to give students confidence in themselves, knowing that God listens to their prayers, knows what is in their hearts, and provides for all their needs. He is not only our creator but also our sustainer.
  
  

  Many of God’s stories teach the basic principles of love. In Trinity’s religious identity statement, you will find that as a community, we endeavor to follow Jesus’ commandment to love one another. The statement also says we strive “to seek justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being.” We hope to carry these principles into our classrooms and out into the greater community through our participation in activities such as the backpack ministry of Hope Invasion, our pajama drive, and many other charitable acts. We also welcome individuals from different religious backgrounds to share their faith with us, broadening our students’ understanding of the world.
  
  

  Chapel also serves to build our community. It is the one time of day that Preschool finds itself together. In chapel, we celebrate milestones and share our concerns and joys through prayer. We are able to anchor our day to God’s truth, setting us up for accountability. As we move through our day and make decisions individually, as a class, or as a preschool, we can draw back to what we learned together in chapel. We want God’s words to be the foundation of our decisions, giving us connection to one another. By strengthening our community, we can rely on the support and understanding of our Trinity family.
  
  

  “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24) is a song we often sing in Preschool Chapel. It truly is the best way to start the day. I invite you to join us any morning in worshiping our Lord.

  
  

  Mrs. Watson

  Preschool Lay Chaplain 

  PreK-4 Teacher 

• Outdoor Play

  1/16/2025
  Dear Preschool Families,
  
  

  As the cold season is upon us, I wanted to share a quick reminder about the importance of staying prepared for outdoor play and our daily activities around campus. Even when it is chilly, being outside has so many benefits for children, including building resilience, boosting their immune systems, and supporting their overall well-being. As one researcher explains, "children who engage in regular outdoor play, regardless of the season, benefit from improved physical health, immune function, and emotional well-being" (Fjørtoft, 2004). At Trinity, we embrace every opportunity for our children to experience the fresh air and learn from the world around them, even in cooler weather.
  
  

  Since we are an outdoor campus, our students spend time outside traveling to Chapel, P.E., and special classes like Spanish and Music. With this in mind, it is important that children come to school dressed warmly in jackets, gloves, hats, and sturdy shoes. Please take a moment to label your child’s clothing and accessories—this small step makes a big difference in keeping track of items that sometimes get left behind during our busy days. With so many similar items, this helps us ensure everything finds its way back home!

  Thank you for helping us keep your children cozy, comfortable, and ready for adventure. Whether they are playing outside or traveling across campus, your efforts to prepare them make all the difference. 
  
  

  Warmly, 
  
  

  Megan Irwin

  Head of Preschool