All I want for Christmas.

Are some strong, fine motor skills.

Some strong, fine motor skills.

Some strong, fine motor skills.

All I want for Christmas

Are some strong, fine motor skills,

So I can do my work!

Fine motor skills use smaller muscles to help the body complete tasks such as cutting, coloring, writing, and fastening clothing items to name a few. There are many toys designed to help strengthen those fine motor skills needed to help children not only with school activities, but also with day to day tasks.

Below are some pictures of just a few ideas of some toys that help to strengthen these smaller muscles:

A few other ideas not pictured are: tinker toys, paper dolls, baby dolls for the girls to undress and redress, and wooden puzzles.

A reminder.

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are due this Friday, October, 29. Check out this video of Julie's story to see for yourself the impact that your shoebox can have on the life a child.

God keeps His promises.

You may or may not know that every morning before the children arrive at school, the faculty at Heiskell are meeting together. Mr. Leatherman, our school chaplain, leads the teachers in a time of Bible study and prayer. Throughout the year, we systematically study scripture, taking each passage verse by verse. Just last week, we completed our study through the book of Revelation, and today, we started over in the New Testament with the book of Matthew. Like the gospel of Luke, Matthew begins with a genealogy of Christ. Mr. Leatherman led us to several Old Testament passages of scripture, where God begins to prepare His people for the coming Christ. He begins in Genesis with His covenant to Abraham. Later in the Old Testament, God makes a similar covenant with David, promising to David that his kingdom will last forever. We know that God is not speaking of an earthly kingdom, but of Jesus reigning forever and ever. Today, in my pre-kindergarten class, we looked in depth at the life of Abraham. We discussed how God promised Abraham and wife, Sarah, a son, and how God fulfilled his promise by giving Abraham and Sarah that promised son, Isaac. It is important to note that God always keeps his promises. For me, I was reminded two times today that God does, in fact, keep His promises. I was reminded in faculty devotions first thing this morning and again later with my pre-kindergarten class. Aren't you thankful for that truth today?

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

We are helpers!

At Heiskell, this is one of the very first verses that the children in our Builder's program memorize. Every grade level is responsible for memorizing Bible verses and learning about character traits each month. This month in pre-kindergarten, we are learning about being helpful and dependable. Today, before the children were able to line up for recess, they had to share an example of how they can be helpful at home. No one could say the same answer, either. Parents, I think you are going to like their responses:

• I can help feed the kitty cat.
• I can help sweep the porch.
• I can help wash the dishes.
• I can help wash the tables.
• I can help with the garbage.
• I can help clean my room.
• I can help change the sheets.
• I can help make my bed.
• I can help feed my dog.
• I can help vacuum.
• I can help wash the car.
• I can help fold the laundry.
• I can help load the dishwasher.
• I can help clean up my toys.
• I can help water the plants.
• I can help feed my fish.
• I can help sweep the floor.

Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

2 Corinthians 1:24

Books we are reading in October.

Operation Christmas Child.

Today, in your child's weekly folder, you will find information about Operation Christmas Child. Each year, at Heiskell, we ask families to participate in this incredible ministry of taking Jesus and God's love to the nations. My family participated in this special event last year. You can read more about our story here. Did you know that 20% of the children who receive shoe boxes ask Jesus into their hearts? Isn't that reason enough to pack a shoe box yourself? Check out this video if you need a little more convincing.

Will your family participate in blessing a child not only with a special gift for Christmas, but also with the love of Jesus?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20

Hiding God's Word in our hearts. (October)

Daily, we are learning to hide God's Word in our hearts. One of the most effective ways to do this is through memorizing God's Word. Each month your child will be responsible for learning Bible memory verses.

Bible Memory Verses for October:

"Even a child is known by his actions."

Proverbs 20:12

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Psalm 139:14

To help your child learn their Bible memory verses, have them recite each verse on the way to school or at night just before bedtime.