Learn about the latest news in education and tips to help your kids thrive in elementary school. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Primary Focus was founded by Natalie Parmenter, a former kindergarten teacher to guide parents through elementary school. We provide information that is often common knowledge to teachers but is not widely known among parents. Primary Focus is dedicated to enlightening parents on all things elementary school so their children can thrive.
🥳 5 Winter Celebrations That Aren't Valentine's Day
"Oh won't you stay, just a little bit longer, please please, please, say you will"The Load-Out/Stay by Jackson Browne Chuc Mung Nam Moi Reader! That means Happy New Year in Vietnamese. Today is the Lunar New year celebrated in Vietnam, China, Korea, Indonesia and more countries. This year is the year of Winter is here, bringing chilly days and warm celebrations! There are many other unique and meaningful holidays celebrated during these months. Let's dive in! 5 Winter Holidays Your Child Should Know About🎆 Lunar New Year (Tết): Celebrated across Asia, Lunar New Year (also known as Tết in Vietnam) marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. Festivities include fireworks, family reunions, honoring ancestors, and traditional foods like dumplings or bánh chưng (Vietnamese sticky rice cake). 2025 is the Year of the Snake January 29, 2025. Recommended reading: Our Lunar New Year (explores traditions in 5 countries) For Older Kids: Most of the books I'm recommending are picture books. For the kiddos aged 9+ I recommend A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals which covers over 90 celebrations and festivals from around the world. There's a sample of the book on Amazon to give you an idea of what's covered. 🎨 Holi: Known as the festival of colors, Holi is one of the most joyful holidays in India and is celebrated by Hindus worldwide. It marks the arrival of spring with vibrant powder-throwing, dancing, and music. It’s the perfect way to talk to kids about the changing seasons—and have a colorful craft day! Holi will be celebrated on March 14, 2025. Recommended reading: It's Holi! Looking to build a literacy rich environment in your home? OK Ready by Scholastic is a monthly subscription that delivers 3 books and activities each month for 3-5 year olds. Use this link for free 2 Day shipping every month. 🎭 Purim: This festive Jewish holiday commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people as told in the Book of Esther. Celebrations include reading the Megillah (the story of Esther), dressing up in costumes, giving gifts of food, and enjoying triangle shaped Hamantaschen Cookies. Purim begins at sundown on March 13, 2025, and ends at nightfall on March 14, 2025. Recommended reading: Talia and the Haman-Tushies 🥞 Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day): Observed in many Christian traditions, Shrove Tuesday is a day to feast on rich foods before the fasting season of Lent begins. While it’s especially popular in the UK and Ireland, who doesn’t love an excuse to make (and eat) pancakes with the kids? You can even have a pancake race with your kiddos. This year, it falls on March 4, 2025. Recommended reading: Paddington Bear's Pancake Day! 🎉 Carnaval / Mardi Gras: While Carnaval is most famously celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, many countries in the Caribbean, Europe, and South America also mark this festive occasion. Carnival season ends with Mardi Gras, a day of parades, costumes, and delicious treats. This year, Mardi Gras is on March 4, 2025. Recommended reading: Bisa's Carnaval - especially cute read for grandparents! If you introduce your little ones to any of these holidays, let me know which ones they loved learning about. Adding some variety to how we celebrate the seasons can make winter feel even cozier and more fun. 🥰 What's New?💔 Family: This past weekend I rushed to Indiana to say goodbye to my grandfather. He had an incredible influence on my family, friends, PhD students, and the scientific community. He will be so missed. Give your loved ones a squeeze today because even after 91 years, it wasn't enough time. 🎥 New Videos: My video on the experience of going viral is live. Thank you for your supportive comments. If you've got time today, pop in your headphones for a wild story. I'm working hard to launch my grade level series. First up is 3rd grade...respond to this email with your tips on what you wish parents knew about 3rd grade! Things I Love🎀 Valentines For Teachers: Need a low budget cute treat to say thanks to the teacher? Merci came out with these yummy treats to say thank you. Inspired by my former student Emily who got me a huge pack of these, they are a wonderful treat to keep in your desk and snack on 📖 So Good!: I just finished reading Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It was a fast paced historical novel. I enjoyed the feeling of being enthralled in a book that wasn't a mystery. It follows the story of four siblings that were abandoned by their celebrity father. It's set in Malibu in the 1950s-80s. Having spent many days in college roaming around the hills of Malibu, it felt really nostalgic to read. 📚 Easy Reading: A simple way to build a love of reading with kids is to surprise them with books. Every month your little one will be waiting by the door for their OK Ready Package. It comes with personalized stickers with their name on it to label the books and track their reading every month. ❤️ Be good to yourself, give a squeeze to the ones you love, and remember you're worth it |
Primary Focus Newsletter
Learn about the latest news in education and tips to help your kids thrive in elementary school. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Primary Focus was founded by Natalie Parmenter, a former kindergarten teacher to guide parents through elementary school. We provide information that is often common knowledge to teachers but is not widely known among parents. Primary Focus is dedicated to enlightening parents on all things elementary school so their children can thrive.
"You never say hey, or remember my name, and it's probably 'cause you think you're cooler than me" Cooler Than Me by Mike Posner Hi Reader, Tomorrow I'll release my favorite advice for families of 4th graders. In the video, I answered questions submitted by you. Here's one question that felt so relatable: Question 1: My child is definitely acting like a tween. I notice some tension when friends come over. She still wants to play with toys. Some of her friends will join in, while others seem a...
"We both got fired on exactly the same dayWell, we'll float on, good news is on the way" Float On by Modest Mouse Hi Reader, Every so often, I shift the newsletter’s focus to major education news—because whether you’re a parent or an educator, these decisions affect you. Education doesn’t always make headlines, but the policies being made today will shape classrooms, students, and opportunities for years to come. Hired to be fired... Linda McMahon has officially been confirmed as the new...
"I'm asking you 'cause you know about these thingsHow will I know?" How Will I Know? by Whitney Houston Hi Reader, Last week, a mom told me she felt like she was failing her son. His teacher mentioned he was struggling with reading, and she didn’t know how to help. “I sit with him every night, but I don’t know if I’m doing it right.” You’re not failing. But I know how easy it is to feel that way when you’re trying your best without clear guidance. Sometimes, you just need personalized...