February News from Especially for Children

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PARENTS DESIGN-A-VALENTINE

We would like to continue a tradition started many years ago and we need your participation!! We would like parents to design a Valentine for their child(ren) to be hung in the hallway at Especially for Children. This is your opportunity to be creative. Have fun and thank you for your participation!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EFC!!!

In February 2018 Especially for Children has been in business for 42 years!! After an overnight decision in 1976, Priscilla & Steve Williams took over two nursery school locations (Brooklyn Park & South Minneapolis) and named them Especially for Children. The company would eventually expand to a current total of 8 centers in the Metro area. Edina is the longest running center . Our other locations include Edina/Edinborough, Bloomington, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Eden Prairie, and Inver Grove Heights.

UPCOMING EVENTS

VALENTINE'S DAY PARTIES

We will celebrate Valentine's Day with classroom parties on Wednesday, February 14. Specific details will be shared by the individual classrooms.

STAR WELLNESS

WINTER OLYMPICS TOAST

In honor of the Winter Olympics, we found this fun toast recipe that is easy to make and is representative of the USA in the Olympics. Enjoy!!

American Flag Fruit Toast

1 piece toast - white or wheat
2 teaspoons cream cheese
2 teaspoon strawberry (or other red) jam
9 blueberries
1/4 of banana sliced

Arrange the fruit and jam on a piece of toast, so it resembles the American flag (more or less ) .

STAR WELLNESS: QUICK AND HEALTHY BREAKFAST ON THE GO

With our hectic schedules, finding the time to prepare a healthy breakfast can be challenging. Here are some tips for making this important meal a little easier to get on the table.

1. Set up to-go bags the day before a crazy morning. Include low-fat

yogurt, baggie of granola, hardboiled egg and a handful of grapes.

2. Have a smoothie. Just make sure to add some protein, like yogurt or tofu, to keep you satisfied longer.

3. Make quick and healthy breakfast sandwiches with frozen waffles

(toasted), peanut butter and sliced banana.

4. Set foods aside the night before; cut up fruits, pour cereal or prepare mixtures for baked or scrambled eggs.

5. Consider steel-cut oats for a super healthy and convenient meal.

Combine the oats and water, bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover and let set overnight. The next morning, you just have to reheat them.

6. Use your microwave. Most hot cereals have microwave instructions. Mix the cereal with liquid and flavorings, pop it in the microwave and finish dressing while breakfast cooks itself.

7. Keep your freezer stocked with frozen waffles and healthy breakfast burritos.

8. Don't think of berries as an extravagance. They're outrageously

good for you and they turn the most boring bowl of cereal into something special.

9. Keep hard-boiled eggs in your fridge - it's an easy dose of high-quality protein.

10. Always keep a bowl of fresh seasonal fruits available for the easiest grab and go.

www.foodnetwork.com

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS

THREE "LOVES" AT EFC

At EFC, three of the overriding goals we have for the children are to expand...

* A love of self

* A love of others

* A love of learning

A child's first experiences of love come from within the family. As parents you have no doubt experienced the fierce love you develop for your child/ren. This love gradually becomes ingrained in so much of what you do-it affects not only how you relate to your children, but how you operate in the world. As your children grow, the love you show them provides both a foundation for their love of self as well as an example of how to love others.

As parents you not only foster this relational love, but also create a love of learning by the experiences you share as a family, the questions you ask (and answer) and the routines you establish.

At EFC, your child is in a new environment. Being able to hold on to love of self, love of others, and love of learning in a group setting with a new set of adults and children requires practice, trial and error. Our teachers get to know your child in a way that is different from parental love. We encourage your child to experience new challenges, and we let her know that she is very special to us. We create a classroom community where confidence is built.

On a daily basis, we show your child that we care about him and want the best for him. All of this contributes to strengthening his love of self.

And, as we help children gain social skills, we always remember how important it is for children to learn to love others. When they experience playing with and solving problems with other children and adults, they develop empathy. They also see the value of give and take, and the joys of friendships.

Many parents worry about whether their child will be ready for kindergarten. The question we need to ask is "Does your child have a love of learning?" That is what will greatly impact whether or not he/she will be ready to master new skills at every level of development. At EFC we feel confident that your child will love to learn because we will:

Take the time to listen
Let your child know he is loved
Have expectations for her
Discipline with love and consistency
Provide your child with daily challenges
Find a variety of ways to make learning fun
Give your child opportunities to solve problems so he/she can experience successes, as well as the failures, that come from experimenting.

Please also know that we seek your support and advice as we learn to truly know your child. As partners we can all watch your child flourish and reach his/her full potential.

TWIN CITIES

FAMILY EVENTS

Now-2/10 Winter Carnival , St. Paul

Now-2/10 Ice Castles, Stillwater

Now-2/11 Wells Fargo Winter Skate, St. Paul

Now-mid-February Centennial Lakes Ice Skating, Edina

Now-2/19 Leo Lionni's Frederick, Stages Theatre, Hopkins

Now-3/18 The Wiz, Children's Theatre Company, Mpls

Now-5/13 Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit, MN Children's Museum, St. Paul

2/10 TC Field House Run, U of MN, Mpls

2/10 Valentine's Day 5k, Lake Nokomis, Mpls

Find more local family events

WONDER-FULL WINTER

Try walking around with a child who's going, "Wow, wow! Look at that dirty dog! Look at that burned-down house! Look at that red sky!" And the child points and you look, and you see, and you start going, "Wow! Look at that huge crazy hedge! Look at that teeny little baby! Look at the scary dark cloud!" I think this is how we are supposed to be in the world-present and in awe.

-Anne Lamott

Last week's winter storm likely prompted a sense of wonder in your child--and maybe in you. The beauty of the fresh snow and the different ways it allows us to interact with our environment (if only slowing us down a bit!) are truly causes for wonder...

>> Read more on the blog

Especially for Children

5015 W. 70 St

Edina MN 55439
(952) 946-9971

[email protected]

Center Directors:

Susan Wilson and Michelle Botz

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