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Greetings!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
As a reminder, Especially for Children will be closed on Monday, July 5, for Independence Day. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend!
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TARNHILL PARK
The preschoolers will periodically be taking walking field trips to Tarnhill Park throughout July. We will head out at 9:00 and have the morning to play on the equipment, participate in some outdoor games and explore the area. There will be a separate permission sign-up sheet on the preschool door when we go on these walking field trips. We will be returning to the center in time for lunch each time.
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WATER PLAY DAYS…
Please keep a swimsuit, towel, and water shoes here for children. We will plan a few water days; however, it is possible classrooms may decide to add additional water days with the nicer weather.
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CENTER GARDENS
Our gardens are now planted and ready to grow! We have a raised garden bed on the both the preschool and toddler playgrounds. The children helped with the planting and will help take care of the plants by taking turns watering and weeding. We are growing tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and various herbs. We look forward to trying our freshly grown vegetables when they are ready!
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SUMMER VACATIONS=VACATION CREDITS
Please let us know about any vacation time you plan on taking this month by writing your child’s name on the calendar located on the parent table. If you are on vacation for five weekdays in a row and have been with us for more than 6 months, you are eligible for a half-week tuition credit. You may use a tuition credit twice a year.
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ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE REMINDER
Please remember to stay with your child at drop off and at pick up. Children should be escorted into the classroom at drop off. When you leave the center for the day, please inform a staff member that you are picking up your child. We appreciate your support!
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STAR WELLNESS FOOD, FITNESS & FUN
Here are some fun outdoor activities and patriotic recipe that you may try at home…
ACTIVITY: Scoop Ball
AGE LEVEL: Preschool
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Empty and washed plastic milk or “Tide” bottles with handles, a tennis ball, nylon stocking ball, yarn ball, or Nerf ball
SKILL DEVELOPMENT: The child gains gross motor skills by throwing with control.
DIRECTIONS: Make a scoop out of the plastic bottle by cutting it off at an angle, starting below the handle. Try different angles. Tape edges with duct tape. Start by having the children move the ball in the scoop, without dropping the ball. Then let them throw the ball into the air using the scoop and catch it again in the scoop. Next, let them toss the ball back and forth to each other using the scoops. As the children gain success, they may move further back. Have fun!
ACTIVITY: Water Transfer
AGE LEVEL: Toddlers
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: 2 buckets, sponges, water
SKILL DEVELOPMENT: Fine motor, hand strength
DIRECTIONS: Have the child help you put water in 1 bucket. Show the child how to squeeze the sponge to deposit water into the other bucket, let the child continue to transfer the water from one bucket to the other.
FRUIT SPARKLERS HOW TO:
- Cut watermelon vertically into 1-inch-thick slices.
- Use a small star cookie cutter to cut out star shapes from the flesh of each watermelon round.
- Thread 7-10 blueberries into the center of each bamboo skewer, leaving enough space at the end for someone to be able to comfortably hold it, and a space at the top for the watermelon star.
- Place the watermelon star on top and set the fruit sparklers on a serving tray. Cover and refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
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Covid times changed or paused so many of our shared experiences, one of which was in-person music performances. With the improvement in the public health situation and the summer weather, it’s exciting to see live music events returning to the community. Our family attended a Music in the Park event in June at the Lake Harriet band shell, and it was a true celebration of being back together and enjoying talented and energized artists. We loved watching our daughters dance with their friends and get mesmerized by the strong voices of the singers. |
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Music in the Parks
Music has many benefits for all of us, not least of which is that it brings people together. A recent Community Playthings blog post describes some of the myriad benefits of music for young children:
Early childhood musical experiences are far more important than we imagine. Music is not just entertainment or recreation for young children. It can serve as a catalyst for learning. It aids in the development of cognitive skills or the core skills the brain uses to think, learn, read, remember, reason, and concentrate.
Research affirms the many benefits of music that extend beyond the craftsmanship and art of music itself. Music helps develop self-esteem, body awareness, balance, compassion and respect, sharing skills, gross motor control, fine motor control, problem solving, work ethics, and the ability to think creatively.
Our 3rd grader is at camp this week and we’ve noticed that she brings home a new song every night. Typically, these involve a repetitive chorus as well as accompanying hand movements. I like to imagine her learning these songs with her new camp friends, giggling at their silliness, and working to memorize each line. Quite an improvement over Zoom music class!
At EFC, teachers incorporate music in their daily routines for children of all ages. Children have access to musical instruments in the classroom (or make their own music with less traditional instruments!). Teachers often use familiar songs to help children during daily transition periods and routinely play recorded music during rest time to create an environment of calm. Teachers also use music during daily group time; they teach new songs that apply to something children are learning and also sing familiar songs. There is so much children gain through music--what a happy way to express yourself and learn!
Music is a gift, and we hope that your family is able to re-engage with it in new (or old) ways this summer.
https://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2021/Music-as-a-Multisensory-Approach-to-Learning
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Angie Williams
EFC Marketing Director
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TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS
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Especially for Children
5133 W. 98th St.
Bloomington, MN 55437
(952) 831-1435
Center Director:
Kathy Hane
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SHARE YOUR PASSION
We’d love for you to Share Your Passion with us as we celebrate our 45th Anniversary! See current submissions here:
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