Upcoming Yaya and Parenting Seminars “Dilang Anghel” A seminar-workshop for yayas on how they can support children’s language development. January 28 and 29, 2010. Click for more details. “Best of the Best” A forum wherein parent resource speakers will share tried and tested parenting practices on various topics such as fostering children’s love for reading, developing good values and discipline. February 20, 2010. Despite the many hardships that the country has experienced this year, the Christmas season began early in Explorations as the different classes invited their families to watch and participate in their Annual Christmas Programs from December 15 – 18 last year. Christmas carols and the joyful buzz of families socializing, exchanging gifts and purchasing children’s works in the bazaars filled the air the whole week. Kinder children created artworks, Christmas decors and holiday treats and sold them in bazaars to parents and guests that coincided with their Christmas parties. The annual charity bazaar of the Kinder Classes earned a total of P10,000pesos. Some parents also donated goods such as food and toiletries. The money and goods will be donated to B.A.T.A Foundation, a group who runs an orphanage for abandoned children located in Cainta, Rizal. “What school setting is right for my child?” Last November 21, 2009, Explorations held a parenting forum which tried to answer the question, “What school setting is right for my child?” In the event, former Explorations parents shared their valuable experiences in various school settings to Explorations’ current parents who are in the process of making long-term plans for their young children. There was also a special introduction by Ms. Didi Manahan, directress of Explorations.
Again, thank you! “Close Kami Ng Yaya Ko!” The yayas are valuable members of our families and the Yaya Development Series serves to assist them in aligning their care giving with sound information and developmentally appropriate practices. The 1st seminar offering in the series was entitled “Close Kami ng Yaya Ko!” and it was held in Explorations last October 15 and 16.
A talk of Dr. Francis Xavier M. Dimalanta entitled “Essential Medical Issues for Young Children” held last Saturday, February 13, 2009, capped the Exploration’s “Parent Development Series” for this school year. A spirited discussion on developmental issues, learning styles and strategies in keeping young children healthy (dealing with the picky eater, the doctor’s visit, medications, and myths and concerns about vaccinations) filled the room as the participants asked questions and clarified issues with Dr. Dimalanta. His insights will definitely go a long way in ensuring the well-being of Exploration’s young children. Watch out for Exploration’s “Parent Development Series 2009-2010!”. It promises to be more exciting and enriching. Parent seminars are open to non-Explorations parents for a minimal fee.
A “significant other” in the young Filipino child’s life is his yaya. Fortunately, many Explorations parents recognize this reality and make certain that their children’s yayas continue learning and improving themselves to be better people and consequently, better caregivers. This year, many yayas participated in the “Yaya Development Series” conducted by Explorations teachers and a mom. First of the series was Teacher Monique Dizon’s talk entitled “Unang Lunas” about promoting safety and basic first aid for yayas. Teacher Iris Velasco, a coordinator for “Kids for Christ” Ministry, an Explorations mommy as well as a teacher in Keys, shared her thoughts on helping develop good values in young children. Next on the series was a workshop on how to manage preschoolers in challenging situations facilitated by Teacher Thrina Gancayco-Umali and Teacher Rosanna Pido. The final talk was given this Monday, February 16, 2009, by Teacher Portia Barranda and Teacher Jeng Tan. It was a discourse on the qualities of a good yaya, a fitting summary to a whole year of realizations. Special thanks to the parents for allowing their yayas to attend the seminars. We are also grateful to the yayas for their openness, humility and dedication. See you next school year! EXPLORATIONS FAMILY CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING
We would like to invite all Explorations families and guests to our annual BOOK FAIR to be held on the school grounds from December 10 – 17, 2008!
The different classes in Explorations are about to have their Annual Christmas Programs beginning on December 11, 2008. Please check the schedule in the Private Parents Center. From our Explorations family to your families…. Have a Joyful Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
While most of the Explorations families and teachers were on vacation, a lucky bunch of kids and teachers stayed, frolicked and transformed the whole school into their very own gigantic playground! Having fun the old-fashioned way was the order of the day (for five days The Explorations Playgroup was an experience the children will surely treasure, an experience that further fortified the school’s belief that play is what children want to do and that it is truly valuable. Read Teacher Liana’s musings about the experience as one of the Playgroup teachers. Here’s a peek behind the scenes…
See more Playgroup pictures in our gallery. It’s Mommy and Daddy’s Turn to Learn The first half of the Parent Development Program of Explorations just ended last Saturday, October 18, 2008 and boy, did it end well! The talk of Ms. Jennifer McDeigan about PLAY was a huge success! Jennifer, an energetic grandmother who has been playing for three generations infected the crowd with her enthusiasm, creativity and deep passion for giving children the best possible childhood memories. Apart from the wealth of substantial ideas about play shared by Jennifer, everyone took away the anticipation and dream to provide rich, cherished experiences to their children. It was such a blessing to realize and feel good about the thought that what children deeply want to do is play and that play is valuable. There are two more Parent Development Seminars coming up. To join, please see our Seminars Page. All the children, teachers and staff of Explorations got into the fun Halloween mood last October 16 and 17. Everyone dressed in cute, funny costumes as they went Trick or Treating in the different rooms in the school. During the school assembly, they showed their costumes to the Explorations community, sang Halloween songs and shared some snacks to culminate the fun occasion. Visit our GALLERY for our Halloween pictures.
Each year, our Children marveled as the ducklings laid eggs, to date, two generations. Some were named, and some were not. Some kids simply called the two big ducks DUCKIE and TWINKLE. Their regular diet consists of Oreos, sticko-os, cereals, Sky flakes and duck feeds. Some were adopted and some stayed on…. until last September. Our last goodbye: September 29, 2008 Just recently, we finally said goodbye to our pet ducks. They now live in a beautiful lagoon at THE FOREST CLUB, Bay, Laguna (theforestclub.com) where they swim and paddle all day with the local brown ducks. Explorations would like to thank Wawel and Mila Mercado and their daughter Therese for adopting our beloved ducks. We will truly miss their perky quacks each time we use the outdoor area.
…Mang Andro and Mang Eugene preparing the ducks for their journey to Laguna News update: Weeks after, Wawel Mercado wrote to us regarding the ducks’ conditions and their new home. Read all about it here. Dear Parents: Welcome to School Year 2008 – 2009! The entire EXPLORATIONS Faculty and Support Staff welcome you and look forward to being of service to your children and yourselves this school year. We are starting the school year with 165 students! We are immensely grateful for your patronage. Thank you for selecting us as your partners in your children’s formative years. As always, we aim to provide a nurturing and challenging program for each of our 165 children. I am pleased to introduce the faculty and staff that will make this possible. Please click here. Didi Manahan Cold and Coughs ( download the PDF here ) Curriculum Nights at Explorations Explorations just concluded a series of Curriculum Nights for its parents from August 5 – August 21. Mommies and daddies came to listen to their children’s teachers talk about the goals that they want to accomplish for the children, what they teach to them to accomplish these goals and the instructional practices that the teacher’s use. After the talk, they were shown a video of their children at work. It was also a time for them to socialize with their children’s teachers and co-parents. The parents who attended expressed their excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to better understand what their kids learn and do in school. Overall, the Curriculum Nights were fun filled, enriching and educational. Explorations would like to thank all the parents who were present. See you again next schoolyear! Happy 9th Birthday Explorations!
We would like to thank all the families and professionals that have been a part of Explorations since it began 9 years ago. With your continuous support, we look forward to more fruitful, exciting years ahead.
Explorations at the Forest Club A unified and caring community of women and men is the backbone of Explorations Preschool. For this reason, the staff and faculty participated in outdoor team-building activities and some well-earned R&R at the Forest Club located at Bae, Laguna last August 29, 2008. It was a day filled with fun, friendship and discoveries. Our thanks to Mr. Wawel Mercado of the Forest Club for accommodating us. (please link to www.theforestclub.com) Check out our pictures from the Forest Club. Nagdiwang ang buong Explorations Preschool ng “Buwan ng Pilipinas” Maraming naganap na pag-aaral, pagbabasa, pag-uusap at selebrasyon upang mapagyaman ang kaalaman ng mga bata sa natatangi nilang bansa. May klase na nagkaroon ng fiesta at eksibit. May nagkaroon ng parada ng mga kasuotang Pilipino. May klase na nag-aral ng mga laro at pagkaing Pilipino at pagkatapos ay inimbita ang mga magulang sa isang araw ng paglalaro at salo-salo. Lahat ay natuto at nagsaya at sa huli’y nakapagsabing “Mahal namin ang Pilipinas!”
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A MORNING CHAT WITH DR. FRANCIS
Each year, the different classes in Explorations have discussions on how Christmas teaches us about sharing ourselves with others. To foster this value, some Nursery and Kinder classes conduct activities before the holiday break that gives the children opportunities to engage in sharing and gift-giving. This year, the Nursery Seals Class led by Teacher Thrina, Teacher Jeng and Teacher Chini spearheaded a “Book Donation Drive” in connection with their theme on “Books”. Several families from different classes participated and a total of more than 6 boxes of books were collected. It was a huge success! Other endeavors are a “Cookie Sale” by the Junior Kinder Beavers Class and bazaars of handmade arts and crafts held by the Junior Kinder Koalas and the Senior Kinder Pups. Cash donations were also given by some of the families of the Kinder Ponies Class and some parents from the other classes. In total, the profits from the different projects and cash donations amounted to P28,013.50pesos. 
The beneficiary for the book and cash donations is the Pinagpalang Kamay Inc. It is an organization based in Payatas, Quezon City that conducts feeding, educational and livelihood programs to the families that work and live in the Payatas dumpsite. Last February 9, representatives from the Pinagpalang Kamay Inc. visited the Explorations family to receive the donations. Some children from Payatas presented a dance piece depicting their lives. The Explorations Kinder children were riveted as they performed. It was a memorable, enlightening afternoon indeed. 
The books were already distributed to the children in the feeding center. The cash donations will be used to sustain the feeding program. Thank you parents for all your support!
Explorations Book Fair 
We cannot stress enough the value of reading books to your children. Reading opens doors for your child that will continue through to adulthood. Studies also show that children who love to read do better in school. This coming Christmas, give books as gifts or build up your children’s library. See you there!
EXPLORATIONS CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS 
) at the Explorations Semestral Break Playgroup. Commercial toys were banished and replaced by common household items that the children used for dramatic play, art and construction. Imagination ruled as the children built elaborate sculptures with toilet paper rolls, clothespins, tape and a little paint. Boxes became hiding places, drums, three-dimensional puzzles and towers. Garter strings were used for jumping games, connecting odds and ends and making shapes. Blocks, marbles, linen, chairs, buttons, bottles, kitchen tools and many other things came to life as the kids waved their magical creativity wand. A host of fun, active games were also incorporated. The kids and teachers partnered up and used the whole school to play hide-and-seek, tag and treasure hunt. They had water games, bubble and ball play. Every session was filled with laughter, songs and music. Each one ended with a story and a longing to be back the next day. 
Three Years ago in 2005, upon the request of the toddler class for their Duck Theme, Explorations acquired two endearing ducklings. Was there any other way to concretize such a theme? None . Upon the approval from the administration, the ducklings became everyone’s feathered buddies, a real novelty. The toddler team took care of them for the duration of their theme and soon after, our dear birds lingered in the school grounds with no permanent “pet corner.”
This September, Explorations Preschool celebrates its 9th year of operation. The faculty and staff are commemorating it through an assembly with all the children, a Holy Mass and a small salo-salo. The different classes are also involved in small projects or creation of simple gifts such as painting a mural in the indoor playground, making books for Explorations and the like. These will all be presented during the assemblies. 
