A TO Z chores for every age

Should I start asking my child to do chores? What chores are appropriate? Most parents struggle with these questions. Helping around the house is a good way for your child to learn responsibility and the importance of hard work.  This list of age-appropriate chores from Focus on the Family can help you put a plan in place to recruit some extra help around the house while teaching your child valuable life skills.

AGES 2 & 3

Personal chores

• Assist in making their beds
• Pick up playthings with your supervision

Family chores

• Take their dirty laundry to the laundry basket
• Fill a pet's water and food bowls (with supervision)
• Help a parent clean up spills and dirt
• Dust

AGES 4 & 5 (children at this age can start using a family chore chart)

Personal chores

• Get dressed with minimal parental help
• Make their bed with minimal parental help
• Bring their things from the car to the house

Family chores

• Set the table with supervision
• Clear the table with supervision
• Help a parent prepare food
• Help a parent carry in the lighter groceries
• Match socks in the laundry
• Answer the phone with parental assistance
• Be responsible for a pet's food and water bowl
• Hang up towels in the bathroom
• Clean floors with a dry mop

AGES 6 & 7

Personal chores

• Make their bed every day
• Brush teeth
• Comb hair
• Choose the day's outfit and get dressed
• Write thank you notes with supervision

Family chores

• Be responsible for a pet's food, water and exercise
• Vacuum individual rooms
• Wet mop individual rooms
• Fold laundry with supervision
• Put their laundry in their drawers and closets
• Put away dishes from the dishwasher
• Help prepare food with supervision
• Empty indoor trash cans
• Answer the phone with supervision

AGES 8 & 9

Personal chores

• Take care of personal hygiene
• Keep bedroom clean
• Be responsible for homework
• Be responsible for belongings
• Write thank you notes for gifts
• Wake up using an alarm clock

Family chores

• Wash dishes
• Wash the family car with supervision
• Prepare a few easy meals on their own
• Clean the bathroom with supervision
• Rake leaves
• Learn to use the washer and dryer
• Put all laundry away with supervision
• Take the trash can to the curb for pick up
• Test smoke alarms once a month with supervision
• Screen phone calls using caller ID and answer when appropriate

Teaching your kids to help around the house is a big part of helping them learn to take care of themselves and an important part of growing up. 

Image credit: Focus on Family

Contributed by Darcy, Fairmont Private Schools

BOOK REPORT love monster

Love Monster

by Rachel Bright

"You  might have noticed that everybody loves kittens and puppies and bunnies.  You know cute, fluffy things. But nobody loves a slightly hairy, I-suppose-a-bit-googly-eyed monster." 

So begins a not-so-average love story by author/illustrator Rachel Bright.  It reminds me a bit of Shel Silverstein's poem, The Missing Piece, for "Monster" is looking for love without success until one day...I won't spoil it for you. 

Suffice it to say, this is sweet story with fabulously witty illustrations that appeals to kids and adults--all of us--who at one point or another have felt unlovable.  It's a timely Valentine read, but I'd argue it's a book worthy of purchasing for the home library.  It's good for soothing the hurt feelings of a boy who didn't get picked for the team or a girl whose bestie has turned out to be a mean girl.  It lets kids know that it's normal to be dismayed by love, but encourages them that things can change in the blink of an eye.

Image credit: www.familyfriendlyworking.co.uk

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER january 31

Highlights from the week:

The annual junior high ski trip was a huge success despite the less-than-stellar snow conditions.

North Tustin Campus Cheer Team Takes First Place

Congratulations to the North Tustin Cheer Team for their big win in the CHEER PROS CalIfornia State Cheer & Dance competition held in Ontario on Sunday, January 26.  The hardworking and spirited team had no trouble rallying a cheer for a First Place finish in their division. Way to go, Eagles!

Technology at Fairmont

The Fairmont Technology Team will be holding a series of parent informational sessions regarding the junior high roll out of iPads in the 2014/2015 school year. Please plan to attend your next campus FPA meeting for more information. If you are unable to attend, campus webinars will be held to provide the information discussed at the on-campus sessions (dates and times to follow). You may also learn more by visiting the PrepTEC website (http://www.fpapreptec.com) and clicking on the link: Junior High 1:1 TEC program.

Weekly Newsletters
Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

January Lunch Menus

Anaheim Hills Menu - 2nd-8th Grade

Anaheim Hills Menu - P-1st Grade

Historic Anaheim Menu - 1st-8th Grade

Historic Anaheim Menu - Kindergarten

Historic Anaheim Preschool Menu

North Tustin Menu - 1st-8th Grade

North Tustin Menu - P-K

Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FAIRMONT FIVE diy valentines

Valentine's Day will be here in a few short weeks.  It's soooo easy to grab a box of store-bought cards or a bag of candy but where's the fun in that?!  We love these make-at-home Valentines because they're simple, kid-friendly, and show so much more heart.  Happy crafting!

1. Bag of fish Valentine
2. Broken crayons to colorful hearts
3. Chalkboard Candy Box
4. Doily delights
5. Valentine hand prints

Image credit: Skip to My Lou
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

FRIDAY FOLDER january 24

Highlights from the Week:

"It's a Jungle Out There!" - Third Grade Music Program at Anaheim Hills

Hyenas, cheetahs, elephants, and monkeys invaded the campus this week as the third grade dazzled us with their music program, "It's A Jungle Out There!"  It was creative and clever with lots of jokes and dancing. The program started with King Leo, Dots, Spots, and Stripes trying to figure out what is important in life.  In the end, they learned that the most important things in life are family and friends and enjoying every day with love and friendship!

Fundraiser at North Tustin Campus Supports Typhoon Victims

The donations from Fairmont families helped provide immediate relief to typhoon victims in the Philippines by providing food, water, and clothing as well as three boats for fishermen who lost their boats during the typhoon. Estancia, Iloilo in the Philippines is a fishing village and without boats the fishermen have no way to earn an income. As a way of thanking us for our donation, the fishermen have asked us to help name their new boats!  Thank you Fairmont students families for your heartfelt and generous gifts to help those in need around the world.

Science Presentation at Historic Anaheim Preschool

Wild Wonders visited the Historic Anaheim Preschool this week.  The science presentation allowed students to get up close and personal with some of the animals they brought including an armadillo!

Weekly Newsletters
Anaheim Hills Campus

Historic Anaheim Campus

North Tustin Campus

January Lunch Menus

Anaheim Hills Menu - 2nd-8th Grade

Anaheim Hills Menu - P-1st Grade

Historic Anaheim Menu - 1st-8th Grade

Historic Anaheim Menu - Kindergarten

Historic Anaheim Preschool Menu

North Tustin Menu - 1st-8th Grade

North Tustin Menu - P-K

Contributed by Valerie, Fairmont Private Schools

HOW TO make the most of open house

Open House season is here!  That means it's time for students and their teachers to "show off" everything that has been going on since school started in the fall.  No one loves Open House more than moms and dads who can't wait to be wowed by all of the incredible work on display. With that in mind, here are a few Dos and Don'ts to get the most out of your Open House experience.

DO let your child guide you around the classroom and campus to any special displays or presentations. Pay special attention as he or she shares personal work with you. This is a precious opportunity to say "great job" and to reinforce the life lesson that hard work pays off.

DON'T compare your child's work with that of his or her classmates. Every child is unique with his or her own strong suits.  I know it's tempting to wonder out loud why your child's handwriting isn't as neat as Susie's, but now is not the time. If something really concerns you, schedule a conference to talk it over with your child's teacher. 

DO make a point of praising your child's teacher.  Let him or her know how great the room looks and how impressed you are with all of the student work on display.  Open House is a big night for teachers, who, in my opinion, don't get enough kudos for all that they do.  Let your child's teacher know how much you appreciate his or her hard work in preparation of Open House and throughout the year.

DON'T pull your child's teacher aside for an impromptu conference.  You'll put the teacher in an awkward position and you won't get his or her undivided attention.  If something is on your mind, plan to discuss it at a more appropriate time.

DO visit other classrooms including the rooms of teachers in the next grade up from your child's current grade.  This is a wonderful time for you and your child to check out what it's like to "move-up" to the next grade.  You'll also have an opportunity to meet art, music, science lab and other specialty teachers and find out a little more about what goes on in these programs.

DON'T forget to bring your camera so you can post some awesome pictures on Facebook the day after the big night!

Photo credit: www.zazzle.com
Contributed by Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools

ARTS + CRAFTS mitten creatures

Knit glove creatures

If you're like me, you have a few lonely gloves, mittens and socks hanging around the house whose mates are never likely to be found.  Cheer them up by re-purposing them into these charming stuffed animals. Find out how at Canadian Family with step-by-step photos and clear instructions. This is a great first sewing project for kids ages 5 and up.

Oh, and don't forget to read The Mitten by Jan Brett (based upon a Ukrainian folktale) to extend the learning and bring some context to this cute craft!

Image credit: Canadian Family
Contributed by: Danyelle, Fairmont Private Schools