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PARENTS DESIGN-A-VALENTINE
We would like to continue a new tradition we started last year and will 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 during the month of February. 
This is your opportunity to be creative and have fun!! D ue to limited space, the size restriction of the Valentine will be letter size (9" X 13"). Please have your artwork to Kathy in the office by Monday, February 13 . Have fun!!

UPCOMING EVENTS
VALENTINE'S DAY PARTIES
The toddler and preschool groups have their valentine exchange and party on Wednesday, February 14. The teachers will provide more information regarding their classroom parties. Please see Kathy if this is not a scheduled day for your child and you would like them to have the opportunity to participate in the Valentine activities.  


DENTAL VISIT
We are arranging for Zeiss Dental, one of our neighbors in the mall, to visit our classrooms to teach us about our teeth and dental hygiene.  Please watch for more information on when that visit will occur. 

WINTER OLYMPICS
The XXIII Winter Olympics open in PyeongChang, South Korea on Friday, February 9. This two-week multi-sport competition brings together athletes from all over the world. Here at EFC, we will discuss the Olympic sports and introduce some friendly competition in our classrooms. If someone in your family is representing a different country; please stop by the office and let us know. We'd like to make a display of the countries represented here at EFC.  
STAR WELLNESS
star wellness
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. Combine the oats and water, bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover and let set overnight. The next morning, you just need 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. 
 
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

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... 

Especially for Children
5133 W. 98th St.
Bloomington, MN 55437 
(952) 831-1435

Center Director:
Kathy Hane
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