The Weekly Update #1

Dear Natick Preschool Families,

As November settles in, with cooler air, early sunsets, and cozy classroom moments, I want to celebrate the wonderful start we’ve had this fall. This past month brought our first BookMobile visit, our initial School Council meeting, and the first round of family-teacher conferences. Each milestone reflects the strong partnerships that make our preschool community so special.

Looking ahead, the preschool lottery for next school year opens on Monday, November 17. Families interested in applying (or sharing with friends and neighbors) will find details further down in this newsletter, along with ways to get involved with the preschool community through School Council and the early discussions around forming a Preschool PTO.

As we move through the year, and I have the pleasure of visiting your children in their classrooms, I’m reminded of how essential play is for healthy development - especially in a world that moves so quickly and where technology often captures much of our attention. Research consistently shows that play is not only joyful; it’s how children build language, self-regulation, creativity, and problem-solving skills. In contrast to the fast-paced, screen-centered moments that fill much of our days, play offers children (and adults) the space to slow down, connect, and make meaning of their world. Through these imaginative experiences, children develop the very capacities that support later academic and social success.

Thank you for your continued partnership, curiosity, and care. Each day, your collaboration helps us nurture a community where learning feels like play—and play leads to deep, meaningful learning..

Warmly,
Cori

If you have not already responded, please take a few minutes (5–8 minutes) to complete this short

Family Engagement Survey - Fall 2025 designed to help identify the glows and grows in your preschool experience so far.

We’ll use the information to continue to enhance our partnership with families and expand the resources available to our preschool community. Initial feedback has already shaped some of the initiatives embraced by the School Council in a recent meeting. Thank you for your time and feedback!

At our first School Council meeting this past Friday (11/7/25), we discussed results of the received responses from the Family Engagement Survey (still linked above). Results thus far clearly reflect a need to expand upon the means by which our families can connect outside of school-driven activities. The group discussed the possibility of founding a PTO at Natick Integrated Preschool. There was a good deal of enthusiasm about the idea. There are some steps to forming a PTO that must be taken if this is something of interest to parents. If you are interested in becoming involved or have any knowledge or skills (e.g. prior experience launching or working within a PTO board) and are able to help out, please reach out to founding president, Mary Miller at marycrocetti83@gmail.com

In classrooms across our preschool sites, children are extending their sense of belonging as they learn about Families and/or Food/Nutrition, two themes that help us explore connection, care, and community in the month of November. Building on our earlier “All About Me” and “Friends at School” explorations, November brings opportunities to celebrate the people and traditions that make each family unique and the foods we enjoy together.

Through stories, songs, and play, children are discovering how families share meals, express love, and show gratitude in everyday moments.Teachers continue to weave early literacy, math, and science learning into these experiences: counting and sorting pretend foods, comparing colors, sizes, and shapes of fruits and vegetables, exploring where food comes from, and building vocabulary through meaningful conversations and dramatic play. These joyful, hands-on activities nurture curiosity, connection, and appreciation for the many ways families care for one another.

For preschoolers, play is not just fun—it’s their most important work. Through play, young children build the foundation for all future learning. They are scientists, storytellers, engineers, and friends—exploring ideas, making discoveries, and developing the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

Play is how children make sense of their world. Whether they’re building with blocks, pretending to run a grocery store, or experimenting with how fast cars roll down a ramp, they are thinking, planning, negotiating, creating, and problem-solving. These playful moments also build language and social-emotional skills—learning to share ideas, take turns, manage big feelings, and collaborate with others.

As the Hanna Perkins Center for Child Development* (link to article, below) reminds us, play is how children “practice what it means to be human.” It’s where they safely test boundaries, explore emotions, and gain confidence. Likewise, Wake Forest Pediatrics** (link to article, below) emphasizes that play supports self-control, creativity, and curiosity—all skills essential for lifelong success.

The Role of Parents and Caregivers in Play

Parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important play partners. The way adults respond to and support play deeply influences a child’s confidence, creativity, and love of learning. You don’t need elaborate toys or planned lessons—what matters most is time, attention, and a willingness to follow your child’s lead.

Here are a few ways to support play at home:

• Create time and space: Protect unstructured time for play every day, free from screens or scheduled activities.

• Follow their lead: Join your child in their world—build, pretend, or explore alongside them, letting their imagination guide you.

• Provide open-ended materials: Blocks, boxes, fabric, art supplies, and outdoor items like sticks, leaves, and stones encourage creativity and problem-solving.

• Narrate and wonder: Ask open-ended questions (“What might happen if…?”) or describe what you see (“You’re stacking the blocks so carefully!”) to build language and reflection.

• Celebrate effort, not outcome: Focus on curiosity, persistence, and joy rather than finished products or “doing it right.”

These simple practices not only deepen connection but also teach your child that their ideas and interests are valued—building confidence and a lifelong love of learning.

8 Things Children Learn Through Play

We believe that play is the primary vehicle for optimal growth in childhood. Through play, children develop skills that support every area of learning and life.

• Whole Child Growth - Play strengthens all areas of development—cognitive, physical, language, and social-emotional—through joyful, hands-on exploration that no worksheet can replace.

• Healthy Habits - Active play supports physical health, coordination, and self-care, helping children develop lifelong healthy habits.

• Stress Relief - Play is a natural outlet for emotions. It helps children work through fears, manage anxiety, and experience calm in a safe, supportive environment.

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Through trial and error, children test new ideas, make connections, and learn what works—building curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

• Decision-Making - Play invites children to make choices, explore consequences, and feel empowered by their independence and growing confidence.

• Self-Control & Cooperation - Negotiating turns, following rules, and regulating emotions in play all build impulse control, patience, and empathy—key skills for lifelong success.

• Risk-Taking & Resilience - Play allows children to take safe risks, develop flexibility, and build resilience as they explore the unknown and learn from experience.

• Mindfulness & Focus - When children become fully absorbed in imaginative or constructive play, they experience deep engagement, presence, and joy in the moment.

So, when you see your preschooler “just playing,” know that their brain is hard at work! Your presence, encouragement, and partnership in play help build not only strong skills but strong connections—and that’s the most powerful learning of all.

Want to Learn More? Resources for Families

I’ve also included links below for anyone who would like to explore more tips and strategies. And as always, please reach out if you have questions or would like additional ideas!

Reads & Videos for Grown-Ups

For Kids: Songs & Clips to Watch Together

“Pretend Play Song” by CoComelon - Tip: After playing the song, invite your child to join you to “set up our own pretend market” with kitchen tools, cardboard boxes, play money.

“Woof! I’m a dog!” Pinkalicious and Peterrific try to understand what it might be like to be puppies, they enjoy crawling, howling, and "chasing" a cat. Role playing and make-believe are two essential elements of dramatic play

Storytime Together

Not a Box by Antoinette Portis – A wonderful celebration of imagination and creative thinking.

What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada – Encourages children to nurture and explore their ideas.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson – A classic tale of exploration, creativity, and confidence.

The Natick Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is an all-volunteer organization made up of parents and caregivers of children receiving supports and services in Natick Public Schools and private school settings. With more than 800 students in the district supported through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans, SEPAC offers resources, parent perspectives, and connections for families. Currently, Natick Preschool does not have a formal SEPAC representative. If you’re interested in serving or learning more, please contact SEPAC at the email below.

Learn more: sepacnatick.org
Follow on Facebook: Natick SEPAC
Questions? Email: naticksepac@gmail.com

• Preschool Lottery for the 26/27 School Year opens Monday November 17 (and remains open through January 31. For more information about our programs, or to enter the lottery please visit our website (in the process of updates).

• Please label and send a change of clothing daily
• Please label all lunchboxes and belongings clearly

• 2025-2026 Natick Preschool Handbook

• Natick Preschool One-Stop resource

• Health Newsletter from our preschool nurses

• How-to Video: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve & Return (Center on the Developing Child, Harvard). 2-minute strategy that strengthens connection. Harvard Center on Developing Child

• How Every Child can Thrive by Five: A TED Talk by 7-year old Molly Wright (2021)

Flu season is here! To help everyone stay healthy, please remind your child to wash their hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and rest at home when feeling unwell. Together, we can keep our classrooms happy, healthy, and ready for learning and play!

📅 November 17 – Preschool lottery for the 26/27 school year opens (through January 31)

📅 November 19 – Early Release Day, PreK & Elementary Only (No PM preschool)

📅 November 26 – Early Release Day - All Students

📅 November 27-28 – Thanksgiving - All Schools Closed

📅 December 1 – District-wide Professional Development - All Schools Closed

📅 December 10 – Early Release Day - All Students

📅 December 24 - Jan 2 – Winter Break - All Schools Closed

• Weekly story time, music sign-a-longs (Sat) and Monthly "read to a dog" at the Bacon St Free Library, 58 Eliot St, Natick CALENDAR
• All Together Storytime, Morse Institute Library 10:00-10:30am Tues 11/18 (and others). 14 E Central St Natick CALENDAR
• Kids' Story Time Saturdays 11-11:30 Ten Tree Books. Ten Trees Books. 29 Main St, Natick, MA CALENDAR
• Project ABC Playgroups, Morse Institute Library, Fridays 10:00am. 14 E Central St, Natick. Drop-in Playgroup through Project ABC. Registration
• Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham: Fall Playgroups (free, drop in) at the Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington St. Framingham, MA
• Wee Farmers ($25/person per session) at Natick Community Organic Farm. 11/22, 12/20. Each session includes seasonal hands-on nature exploration, active movement and play, and a story with a knowledgeable, engaging farm director. Registration required.