by Mrs. Brophy | Aug 20, 2014 | Child Development Article, Tom Thumb News |
Tom Thumb Cornerstone Philosophy
Learning to me has always been an adventure that brought me excitement and satisfaction as a student growing up and later as a teacher and Director of Tom Thumb. When I opened the doors of Tom Thumb Preschool in 1968, I firmly believed in the principle of “The Power of Play” as the cornerstone philosophy of our school. I have always preferred to call it, “Play is Child’s Work”.
The Power of Play
“The Power of Play” is a valuable learning method to capture a child’s attention while pursuing a fun experience. During my teaching career, it has been reinforced countless times the best way for children to learn is to allow students to take personal responsibility of the learning activity and wanting to do it. Over the 40 years at Tom Thumb, it has demonstrated the most effective, natural and intuitive way to harness the curiosity and the willingness for kids to explore and learn.
Our Tom Thumb facilities of classrooms, gym, theater, library, art & crafts room and 3 outside playgrounds have been refined over the years as learning spaces to foster and support our idea of “Play is Child’s Work”. We encourage free-play, where the child takes the initiative to decide on the type of play and with whom. We see free-play, especially strong in the playground, where a child wants to play ball with other children or prefer to play alone on the monkey bars. Without adult intervention, children decide among themselves the game to play, rules and teams. It’s always wonderful to witness and see children play and interact.
It’s been my goal as Tom Thumb’s Director to instill this way of thinking in children that learning is exciting and a fun effort of curiosity to find out something new and result in a feeling of accomplishment. I just hope our children will never lose this precious paradigm of learning as a personal activity they want to do.
With this in mind, I have come across 3 useful articles while listening to NPR that discusses how “The Power of Play” can aid in child development. Please click on the links below to learn more.
by atm | Jun 16, 2014 | Tom Thumb News |
Previously we announced a change to Tom Thumb’s Opening Hours. Due to┬áthe extremely small demand by parents that have registered for the 2014 – 2015 school year for these new opening hours,┬áwe are now rolling back the start time to our original time of 7:00 AM.
Tom Thumb Preschool Before School Care will remain open at 7:00 AM. as the start time. This includes our Stay & Play Program for Elementary school-aged children starting from the 2014-2015 school year.
For the 2014-2015 school year, Tom Thumb Preschool’s Operating Hours are from 7:00 AM to5:30 PM.
If you have any questions about our new operating hours that start this fall, please call Carol (914) 528-5600 or email her at carol@www.tomthumbpreschool.dev.cc
by atm | Jun 11, 2014 | Registration, ThumBelina, Tom Thumb News |
ThumBelina is our preschool program devoted to the very young. Our initial goal was to provide a Terrific Twos Program with the quality worthy of Tom Thumb. This program has resulted in the easy transition of children to our Tom Thumb Junior Program. We are proud to say we have exceeded our initial goals and expectations.
Toddlers learn very quickly and are beginning to develop language skills. Finding the right words to express themselves can be frustrating at times. Language becomes a necessity to communicate their wants. As toddlers play and react with other children, they communicate their needs. We feel this is an important stage in a child’s development.
We are expanding our ThumBelina toddler program to accept children as young as 18 months. They will have the opportunity to learn at their own pace. Our program is about play and social interaction with other children. Our staff’s attention and guidance will help children focus on our planned activities, such as body movement, motor skills, dexterity and of course, toilet training. This means children as young as 18 months will be able to start their journey of learning as a fun experience even earlier.
Please mention the new age of 18 months for ThumBelina to your friends and relatives. We are ready for the September 2014 enrollment for ThumBelina. To get and print the registration form click on ThumBelina Registration Form and of course, you are welcome to call and make an appointment to see our facilities.
by atm | Mar 14, 2014 | Registration, Reminder, Summer Camp, Tom Thumb News |
Now’s the perfect time to register for our summer camp, Let me tell you why.
Catch Us if You Can Summer Camp
In our fast pace life style with the hustle and bustle of work, running errands and picking-up and dropping off the kids, time seems to just quickly fly by. The last day of school is June 26, that’s months away. Then suddenly there is 2 months of summer. Don’t be caught at the last-minute with a long summer ahead trying to fill your child’s summer schedule with an active fun-filled camp experience. Did I mention, there is a 10% discount for the second child when both children attend camp at the same time.
Yes, this is a perfect time to register your child at Tom Thumb’s Catch Us If You Can Summer Camp“. Our new registration, Camp Registration Form 2014 is now available and ready for you to print.
Register now for the 2014 Summer Camp at the Tom Thumb Campus
Fishing together at Catch Us If You Can Summer Camp
Our new registration form has a simple check box, you choose the days you want your child to attend camp. Please note, you must sign-up for a minimum of 2 weeks with a minimum of 2 days per week.  Many of our Tom Thumb Preschool parents enroll their child for the entire 7 weeks. Your kids will love it.
Complete the form and sign it. A check for the first 2 weeks tuition must accompany the registration form; (click on, summer camp tuition, to get the total for the first 2 weeks for your deposit).┬á Finally, enclose the form and check into an envelope and mail it to the address that appears in the upper left of the form. It’s that easy to guarantee your placement at our Catch Us If You Can Summer Camp” before it’s too late..
Then it’s done, your child is set for summer camp you don’t have to worry about it.
Camp begins June 30th and the kids will have a wonderful fun-filled summer!
by atm | Dec 9, 2013 | School Trip, Tom Thumb News, Tom Thumb Thanksgiving Party |
It’s another field trip to the Church of the North American Martyrs. The building is the best example of an Iroquois long house. It offers an impressive illustration of native American Indian influence architecture and the inclusion of American Indian artifacts. The children are able to see and touch a piece of American history that relates to the theme of the season of Thanksgiving.
We have been visited this historic site for over 44 years.Many thanks to the Pastor of Columbanus Church for allowing Tom Thumb students to have our school outing at such an interesting place that helps with understanding Thanksgiving at an early age.
by atm | Aug 15, 2013 | Tom Thumb Alumni, Tom Thumb News |
Tom Thumb Preschool – 52 Years of Continuous Operation
Tom Thumb
If you attended Tom Thumb between 1968-1973, you received your education (and gym, dance, music) in our 2 classroom building on Route 6 that now accommodates our program for two-year-olds called ThumBelina. Our oldest alumni are now turning 50 years old!
WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Tom Thumb moved to its new 4 classrooms (gym, dance, music room) in 1973-1993, with a large play area.
An addition was built in 1993 which offers students 6 classrooms, a small library, a grand stage for music and drumming, and a physical education room. This addition includes 2 playgrounds, a grass ball field, a blacktop area for ride toys, a huge sandbox, and fun with water play activities.
SEE HOW WE HAVE GROWN!
Nancy Brophy, founder and still director of Tom Thumb is honestly interested in her alumni’s whereabouts and what are their occupations. Alumni parents are encouraged to sign up on this site and to keep Tom Thumb staff up to date on your children. Yes. parents, we want you to BRAG about your children. Don’t be shy. Nancy and her staff will enjoy hearing any news you would care to share.
WHERE ARE THE 10,000 ALUMNI?
If you’re a parent, relative, or the Tom Thumb alumni, we would like to hear from you by either emailing us at infor@tomthumbpreschool.com or writing a comment to this post.
Tom Thumb Preschool wants to celebrate your success as a Tom Thumb Graduate. This is in appreciation to all our students that are now adults and still remain part of our extended Tom Thumb Family.
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