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Natick Preschool

Your Bi-Weekly Update from Natick Preschool

Natick Preschool Your Bi-Weekly Update from Natick Preschool
NatickPreschoolYour Bi-Weekly Update from Natick Preschool
January 10, 2025

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Greetings Preschool Families,

Throughout this school year, your child has been introduced to many new and exciting skills. Please remember that during these important preschool years, each child is unique and develops at his/her rate of growth. A child may accomplish certain skills quickly, while taking more time to master others. In addition, a skill mastered may be set aside and not regularly observed again until much later. This is normal and expected. Children gain new skills when they are developmentally ready. We hope this progress report gives you some insight into your child’s ever changing growth and development. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with your child’s teacher next week.

Your child’s progress represents these following areas:

Social/Emotional and Self-Help/Life Skills:

  • This area of development focuses on a child’s ability to be responsible, independent, and in their ability to follow rules and routines. It also includes pro-social behaviors, such as their ability to share, take turns, and seek help when needed. This area is essential to a children’s wellbeing and their success in school and in life.

Physical Development (Fine and Gross Motor Skills):

  • This area addresses a child’s gross motor and fine motor skills. It involves the body’s large muscles, for jumping, hopping, etc., and the coordination and dexterity of small muscles in the hands to manipulate objects such as scissors and writing tools. As children learn what their bodies can do, they gain self-confidence.

Cognitive Development:

  • Cognitive Development is the process of learning to think, reason, and the ability to make choices. The goals of this area include children’s ability to resolve conflicts, make predictions, sort, classify, count, measure, etc. and their ability to use their imaginations. This area fosters children’s critical thinking skills, as well as their academic skills.

Language Development:

  • A child’s ability to use language, participate in conversations, and express oneself are important components of oral language development. This area of development also includes a child’s ability to understand the purpose of print, the knowledge of letters as symbols, and the importance of literacy. A solid foundation in language development gives children the skills they need to become successful learners.


Progress notes will be sent out electronically on January 31, 2025 and are only available to view online for a short period of time. As you read your child’s progress report, please keep in mind that there is a broad range of development in young children, as all children develop differently and at different rates. If you are interested in learning more about the preschool learning standards in the state of Massachusetts, please visit the Natick Preschool website curriculum section. If you would like a copy, please make sure to download or print it. If your child also receives special education services, you will also be receiving a progress note relative to their IEP goal(s). This will come in a separate email from your child’s teacher.


In closing, thank you for sharing your child’s early childhood experience with us. We truly appreciate being part of your journey.


PK Parents - How to View Grades in PowerSchool Parent Portal, Jan 2021


Stay warm!

~MaryBeth Kinkead


Natick Preschool Principal

Parent/Guardian One Stop

Parent Workshop Parent Workshop

We are excited to announce another Parent Workshop on January 13th, 2025.

See flyer below for details.

Please RSVP here

~ Parent Tips and Tricks~ ~ Parent Tips and Tricks~

Helpful tips on how to engage your preschooler during story time at home


Asking thoughtful questions can enhance your child’s understanding of the story, build their vocabulary, and encourage them to think critically about what they hear. Here are some types of questions that are especially beneficial for preschool-aged children:

  1. Prediction Questions – These types of questions encourage your child to think ahead and use clues from the story “What do you think will happen next?” or “What do you think this character will do?

  2. Character Questions – Asking about the feelings and actions of characters in the book helps your child develop empathy and understanding. “How do you think this character feels?” or “What would you do if you were [character]?”

  3. Connection Questions – These types of questions help your child relate the story to their own life and experiences. “Can you think of a time when something like this happened to you?” or “How is this story like [another book or experience]?”

  4. Clarification Questions – Asking for clarification helps expand vocabulary and comprehension. “What does that word mean?” or “Can you tell me what happened here?

  5. Reflection Questions – These types of questions encourage your child to reflect on the story and articulate their thoughts. “What was your favorite part of the story?” or “What did you learn from this story?”

I encourage you to use these questions when you read with your child to help foster deeper engagement and understanding. Attached below are some links to more information for anyone who is looking to read more about this topic. If you have any questions or would like more tips, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Articles

Why Reading Aloud to Kids Helps Them Thrive

Five Tips for Making Reading Fun For Your Child

Reading With Your Child

You Tube Video

The ABCs of Active Reading

A Message from Our Nurses A Message from Our Nurses

Preschool Vision Screening Notification for Parents

All health screenings conducted in schools are required by Massachusetts Law. As of this current 2024-2025 school year, annual vision screenings are required for preschoolers starting at age 3 years old. Preschool vision screenings will be ongoing throughout the school year.


A referral to parents will be sent home by the nurse if a follow up appointment is needed with their physician.


Parents and legal guardians have the opportunity to request, in writing, that their child not participate in the screenings. The request must be sent each school year. Please send this letter via email or hard copy to the attention of the Mlagan@natickps.org.

Important Things to Know! Important Things to Know!

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Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.


  • Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
  • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
  • MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5
Natick Preschool
MaryBeth Kinkead, Principal
15 West Street | Natick, MA 01760

(508) 647-6583 | Absences: (508) 647-6583

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