November is a month filled with gratitude, family, and reflection. It's a time when we come together to celebrate everything we’re thankful for, while also preparing for the winter holidays. As preschool staff and directors, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on the month’s activities, engage with parents, and set the tone for the upcoming December festivities.

In this blog, we’ll look back at the best moments from November, how to celebrate them, and how MyKidReports, a childcare management software, can support you in tracking and organizing your preschool’s activities. We’ll also touch on how you can start preparing for December’s upcoming themes and events to keep the momentum going.

 

Reflecting on November: A Month of Gratitude and Learning

November was undoubtedly a month of growth for many preschools. Between Thanksgiving-themed activities, kindness lessons, and engaging parent involvement, your preschool has likely seen a positive shift in both student and family connections.

1. Celebrating Kindness on World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day, celebrated on November 13th, was the perfect time for preschools to reinforce the importance of kindness. Teachers and directors may have shared stories, led discussions, or hosted classroom challenges focused on acts of kindness. MyKidReports made it easy for teachers to track participation and share these moments with parents.

The use of a simple “Kindness Challenge” in the classroom—where children were encouraged to perform small acts of kindness—could be shared through MyKidReports, helping parents stay updated on their child’s development. This kind of engagement is beneficial in fostering a positive classroom environment.

2. Highlighting Thankful Trees and Gratitude Projects

The “Thankful Trees” and gratitude-based activities throughout the month helped children understand and appreciate the importance of being thankful. Activities like crafting leaves with “thankful notes” and creating a classroom-wide display encouraged children to reflect on the things they are grateful for.

Through MyKidReports, teachers could share pictures of these beautiful trees and leaves with parents, giving them a glimpse into their child’s emotional and social growth. This was a wonderful way to involve parents in the classroom while nurturing an environment of gratitude.

3. Thanksgiving Celebrations and Classroom Events

Thanksgiving celebrations often include classroom activities such as making Thanksgiving crafts, learning about the history of the holiday, and spending time reflecting on family and community. MyKidReports helps preschools organize and communicate these activities effectively. For example, teachers could use the platform to send reminders about classroom potlucks, parent involvement, and volunteer opportunities.

Sharing photos and video updates on MyKidReports allows families to feel part of the celebration, even if they can’t attend in person. It's also a great way to track participation and get feedback from parents on what activities they enjoyed.
 

Preparing for December: What’s Next for Your Preschool?

As November wraps up, it’s time to look ahead to December. The holiday season brings new opportunities for creativity, learning, and family connection. Here are a few ways to prepare:

1. Holiday-Themed Activities

From Christmas to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve, December is a month filled with festive cheer. Plan for crafts like creating holiday cards, ornaments, and decorations that tie into the celebrations. You can also incorporate holiday-themed storytimes, sensory bins, and music.

MyKidReports can help you organize these activities, keep track of student participation, and keep parents in the loop with scheduled updates. Use the software to create event reminders, and share photos and videos of your holiday activities, keeping families engaged and excited.

2. Parent Involvement for Holiday Events

The holidays are an excellent time to strengthen the connection between parents and the preschool community. Encourage parents to participate in activities such as:

• Holiday parties
• Classroom gift exchanges
• Family volunteering opportunities

Use MyKidReports to communicate event details, track RSVPs, and share updates with parents. You can also collect feedback on past events and use this information to make future holiday activities even more engaging.

3. Reflecting on the Year So Far: Progress Reports and Parent-Teacher Communication

As the year comes to a close, it’s a great time for preschool directors and teachers to assess the progress of their students. Preparing progress reports or conducting parent-teacher conferences helps provide insight into each child’s development.

MyKidReports makes this process seamless by allowing teachers to track student progress in real-time and generate reports that can be shared with parents. The platform also helps you document developmental milestones, behaviors, and activities that have occurred throughout the year, giving parents an accurate view of their child’s growth.

Using MyKidReports to Manage December’s Activities

MyKidReports isn’t just a tool for organization—it’s a platform that can strengthen your community and streamline communication with families. Here’s how it can support you in December:

• Organize Holiday Events: Use the scheduling and event management features of MyKidReports to organize and remind families of upcoming holiday-themed activities. From classroom parties to performances, you can keep everything organized in one place.
• Track Family Engagement: MyKidReports allows you to track how involved families are in events and activities. By using the platform’s parent engagement features, you can gauge interest and participation, ensuring that all families feel included in the holiday celebrations.
• Streamline Communication: Share photos, videos, and updates with parents about their child’s holiday activities. You can also send personalized messages to keep parents informed about the preschool’s holiday schedule and events.
• Document Growth: December is an ideal time to reflect on the development and progress of each student. Use MyKidReports to create individualized reports for each child, highlighting achievements, milestones, and areas for improvement.

Real-Life Example: How MyKidReports Supports Holiday Preparations

Sarah, a preschool director from Oregon, used MyKidReports to successfully organize and manage her school’s December holiday events. “Last year, we had a holiday concert and classroom party,” Sarah explained. “I used MyKidReports to communicate with parents, track RSVPs, and share updates on how the kids were preparing for the event. It really helped to keep everything on track and ensured no one felt left out.”

Sarah also praised the software for allowing her to track each child’s developmental milestones, which were especially helpful during year-end progress reports.

“I love that I can send progress reports through MyKidReports, and parents don’t have to wait for a physical copy,” Sarah added. “It makes everything more efficient and keeps parents connected to what’s happening in the classroom.”

FAQs: Looking Back at November and Preparing for December

1. How can I keep parents engaged in December holiday activities?

• Use MyKidReports to send event reminders, share photos, and track RSVPs for holiday activities. Encourage parents to participate in crafts, volunteer opportunities, and celebrations. Keeping them informed and involved is key.

2. How do I reflect on my students’ progress at the end of the year?

• MyKidReports allows you to track individual progress throughout the year. At the end of December, you can create detailed reports summarizing their achievements and areas for growth, which can be easily shared with parents.

3. Can MyKidReports help with scheduling holiday events?

• Yes! MyKidReports has a built-in scheduling feature that allows you to organize holiday events and activities. Parents can access this schedule, ensuring they don’t miss important events.

4. How can I incorporate holiday-themed learning into my classroom?

• Plan holiday crafts, songs, and books around various December holidays. MyKidReports can help you stay organized and communicate the curriculum to parents, letting them participate in the learning process.

5. How do I handle end-of-year progress reports?

• Use MyKidReports to track milestones and generate reports. You can keep parents updated throughout the year and provide a comprehensive end-of-year report summarizing each child’s progress.