Putnam Early Learning Program
Head Start & Pre-K
Message From The Director!
What an exciting start to 2026 at Putnam County Early Learning Program. There are so many exciting things happening in our Head Start3 and Pre-K4 Classrooms. Be sure to stay UpToDate by frequently visiting our Facebook page, reading our S’mores Newsletter and checking your child’s Dojo.
As we enter into the 2nd Semester of the school term, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing your children with us! Whether you have joined us in our classrooms, on a field trip or participated in a family engagement event, our school year experiences have been wonderful! It's great to see smiles, excitement, and your children engaged in new learning!
Our Head Start classes are in the process of completing their middle of the year assessments and Progress Reports. Teachers will share this data with parents during their upcoming home visit/parent-teacher conferences#2 in February. All Head Start teachers will be contacting parents with date and time options that will work best for the individual family. These visits will be in person and will take about 20 minutes.
We believe outdoor recess is an important and valuable part of our students’ day. Fresh air, exercise and time spent outside afford students a break from the structure of the classroom. Most importantly, teachers agree students perform best at school when they have an opportunity for vigorous outdoor play, so we try to get them out whenever possible. As weather changes, it is imperative your child is dressed appropriately for the weather and is prepared to play outside. During the winter season, at a minimum, every child should have a jacket, gloves or mittens, and a hat. Remember to lable all of your child's items.
Attendance Is The Goal
Your child’s consistent attendance plays a big part in their learning, social development, and overall success in Head Start.
When children attend regularly, they:
- Build stronger routines
- Develop important early learning skills
- Form meaningful relationships with teachers and classmates
- Feel more confident and prepared for school
We understand that things happen, and sometimes absences can’t be avoided, but we kindly ask that you make every effort to ensure your child is present each day and arrives on time.
Together, we can give your child the best start possible!
Early Learning Pre-K Class Spotlight: Mrs. Few & Ms. Daniels
We kicked off the new year by learning about the winter season and exploring the idea of new beginnings. The class enjoyed reading Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution and worked together to create our own class resolution: “We resolve to be good learners, good listeners, and good friends.” To celebrate the New Year, students made festive streamer collages and colorful New Year’s paintings.
Our winter theme continued with plenty of creative activities. Students enjoyed winter paintings, play dough snow creations, and drawing their own snowmen. We also strengthened our literacy skills by reading winter-themed books including The Snowy Day, Snowmen at Night, and Mercer Mayer’s Just a Snowy Vacation.
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we focused on kindness and friendship. The class talked about ways to be a good friend to everyone and drew pictures of their classmates as part of our social–emotional learning.
We are delighted to celebrate the wonderful milestone of the Humphries family as they step into homeownership! Becoming homeowners is more than receiving keys; it’s gaining a place where memories will flourish, traditions will grow, and dreams will continue to take shape.
Your dedication, hard work, and perseverance have brought you to this moment, and we couldn’t be more proud to share in your joy. May your new home be filled with warmth, laughter, and countless happy moments for years to come.
Here’s to new beginnings, beautiful memories, and the start of an exciting chapter. Congratulations, homeowners! 🥳✨
Museum of Aviation Adventure!
Our students enjoyed an exciting and educational field trip to the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, and it was truly a day to remember! From the moment they stepped inside, students were amazed by the size, history, and technology of the aircraft on display.
Throughout the visit, students explored several interactive exhibits that helped bring aviation history to life. They learned about the evolution of flight, from early aircraft designs to modern military planes, and discovered how pilots, engineers, and mechanics all play important roles in aviation. The highlight for many students was standing up close to real fighter jets and cargo planes, which were experiences that sparked excitement, curiosity, and plenty of great questions!
Here is a special social‑emotional learning lesson featuring Tucker Turtle, a friendly character who helps children understand how to manage big feelings. Through stories, discussions, and hands‑on practice, students can learn Tucker’s simple steps for calming down when they feel upset:
- Stop.
- Take a deep breath.
- Tuck inside their “shell” to calm down.
- Think of a solution.
Practice these steps through role‑playing, pictures, and interactive activities. This lesson supports children in developing self‑regulation, emotional awareness, and problem‑solving skills in a fun and age‑appropriate way. Tucker Turtle will continue to visit our program as we practice using calm‑down strategies throughout the year!
Social Emotional Tips!
As we recover from all of the joyful chaos that the Holiday Season brings, and we get back into the swing of things, we may notice that our children need some additional support to “reset”. Self care is an important aspect of life, but did you realize children have stressors that require them to practice some self care habits as well? Below is a link of activities that promote self care in children. https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/simple-self-care-habits-for-kids
Practice these skills with your child, and it will help you relax as well.
