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PAJAMA DRIVE
Starting December 4 through December 15, we are going to be collecting new children's pajamas for the Sweet Dreams for Kids organization. These pajamas will be donated to Children's Hospitals in Minnesota as well as around the country. Their goal is for all children in the hospital to have cute, cozy, comfortable new pajamas. Thank you in advance for your participation.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

DECEMBER FAMILY EVENT
On Thursday, December 14, we invite you to stop by the preschool classroom between 4-5:30 PM to decorate your very own gingerbread cookie with your child. We will provide an array of candies to decorate the cookies. Apple cider will also be served!  

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD
During the month of December, we like to discuss with the children other holidays that are celebrated around the world. Some of the Holidays we briefly talk about are:
  • St. Barbara Day, Dec. 4
  • St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6
  • St. Lucia Day, Dec. 13
  • Hanukkah, Sunset Dec. 12-nightfall Dec. 20
  • Las Posadas, Dec. 16
  • Christmas, Dec. 25
  • Kwanza, Dec. 26-Jan. 1 
If you and your family have a special holiday or tradition you would like to share with us, please let us know. We love learning more about our EFC families.  

PARENT REMINDERS
DATES TO REMEMBER 
Monday, December 25 CENTER CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.
Monday, January 1 CENTER CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF NEW YEAR'S DAY.

HOLIDAY ATTENDANCE
We understand many families travel during the holiday weeks. Please let us know your child's attendance by signing the sheets on the classroom doors by December 14. This will help us staff classrooms correctly, and allow us to be able to give our teachers some well-deserved time off. Thank you!

PARENT RESOURCES

HOLIDAY STRESS IN CHILDREN
The holidays are a fun and joyous time, but also a very busy one, and holiday stress and anxiety in children is a common occurrence. Here are some tips to help ease any degree of holiday stress;

Set a calm example: To minimize anxiety in children, take steps to handle you own stress. The way parents handle an issue sets the tone for how their kids will behave.

Set up conditions for good behavior: Avoid taking children to the mall or holiday gatherings when they are hungry or tired. It's hard even for grown-ups to deal with noise and lots of stimulation when not feeling the best. Understandably, children have a tough time being on their best behavior when they are exhausted or hungry.   
   
Remember the importance of routines: Try to get routines back on track once an event or party is over. If a school holiday or gathering runs late, try to stick to quiet, calm activities the next day and get your child to bed on time the next night. 

Get your child moving: Fresh air and exercise are essential for boosting mood and re-setting the spirit. Make sure to schedule some time to get your child outside to run and play!


PRETTY PEPPERMINT STICKS
This is a fun cooking project to do with kids and makes a simple yet sweet gift. Place sets of five candies in clear cellophane bags, staple them closed, then attach a decorative label.
 
Ingredients
1 cup dark or milk chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
15 (4-inch) soft or hard peppermint sticks
White nonpareils

Directions
In a small bowl, microwave the chocolate chips and oil for 1 minute; continue in 10-second bursts, stirring between heating. When most, but not all, of the chips have melted, stir the chocolate until it is smooth. 
 
Spread the nonpareils on a sheet of waxed paper. Dip one end of each peppermint stick into the chocolate, then roll it in the nonpareils. Set the sticks on another sheet of waxed paper until the chocolate has set, about 1 hour. 

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
"A GOOD TOY IS REALLY ONLY 10% TOY AND 90% CHILD."
I read this quote recently and it inspired me to think more about the kinds of toys available to young children. So many toys are one-faceted and leave little to a child's imagination. Or, they are "learning-oriented" and have right and wrong answers associated with them. So much now is made of plastic and feels cold and hard. It's challenging to know what to consider when selecting toys today.
 
And just at the time when many of us are looking for holiday gifts, the great outdoors is not providing as many nuts, twigs, pinecones, and stones to play with as children have had for the last several months. At least some of each day during spring, summer, and fall, children were connecting with nature's loose parts and thinking of their own ways to play with them.
 
So, this year as I am making lists of toys that I can give to our grandchildren, I am trying to keep in mind the above quote by Joan Almon, former director of the Alliance for Childhood.
 
And, in doing so, I am also inspired to look at the toys as multi-dimensional, even if the inventor of the toy had something else in mind.
 
An example of that is LEGOs - the small ones that come with directions on how to build a really cool vehicle. Our grandson got several small sets for his 5th birthday. For a few months I helped him keep them separated in plastic baggies with the pictures and instructions in each bag. Together we assembled several of them, although it was tedious and so much work that he didn't want anyone to touch them once we had put them together. Then one day my grandson dumped all the LEGOs out on a tray. At first, I was horrified. How was he ever going to figure out how to make the vehicles "right" now?
 
But, as you might imagine, it doesn't matter that those vehicles may never be put together. Instead, Alejandro is making his own LEGO creations - and is so proud!
 
So now I am looking for toys that have varied properties and can be moved and manipulated in many ways. I get excited about toys that allow children to invent, create, explore and, when possible, rearrange loose parts. I am happy if a toy has no specific directions. If children can use their imaginations and try their own ideas, they can discover their own answers and create new possibilities. So, join me in the search for those creative and interesting toys!
 
TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS
Now-12/23  Holidazzle, Minneapolis
Now-12/28  Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr., Stages Theatre, Hopkins
Now-1/1  Holiday Lights in the Park, St. Paul
Now-1/5  Tinkertoy, Build Your Imagination, Children's Museum, Saint Paul
Now-1/7  How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Children's Theatre, Minneapolis
Now-1/7 Gingerbread Wonderland, Houses of Norway, Minneapolis
Now-2/11   Wells Fargo Winter Skate, St. Paul
12/2   Reindeer Day, Linden Hills, Mpls
12/2, 12/9 & 12/16   Santa Saturdays, MN Zoo, Apple Valley
12/9   Reindeer Run, Lake Harriet, Mpls
12/25  Joyful 5k, Maple Grove

It has been a wonderful year at Especially for Children, and we want to thank you again for choosing our program. 
 
We've gathered together some of the special moments of learning and fun from across EFC centers in a photo slide show. Check it out, and thanks again for a great year!! 


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

Center Director:
Kathy Hane
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