Greetings!
OCTOBER HAPPENINGS
We have a very busy month planned for the children in October. It is hard to believe it is autumn already! As the leaves start falling and the temperatures are dropping, it is important that your child has warmer clothing for outdoor play. Remember that it is often significantly colder in the morning hours when we go outside to play. Please make sure to label all clothing items as many children have the same type/brand/color of clothes.
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COSTUME DAY
The children may come to school dressed in their costumes on Friday, October 29! Please make sure it is a comfortable costume that they can wear and play in all day and please do not bring extra accessories.
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EFC CELEBRATIONS & TREATS POLICY
Fall is here, and it is a great time to review our Celebrations & Treats Policy for the upcoming school year.
As you know, EFC strives to create a healthy environment at our centers. We are also happy to celebrate special occasions with children, staff and families. We believe occasional treats, when enjoyed in moderation, contribute to a spirit of celebration. We know, however, that at times it can be difficult to limit the number of sugary treats children consume. In addition, we are eager to ensure that children with food allergies are safe and feel included in classroom celebrations.
For those reasons, our policy is to promote healthy and/or non-food celebrations in the classroom. Our classrooms have many traditions in place to ensure that each child feels honored on his/her special day. If families would like to help celebrate a child’s birthday or other special occasion in the classroom, we request that you consider one of the ideas below.
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If you would like to bring food to celebrate your child’s birthday or other special occasion, we ask that you bring in a healthy choice. All food brought to EFC for the purposes of sharing with the class must be commercially packaged and labeled with the ingredients (i.e. not homemade).
In order to provide a safe and healthy environment for all children, we do not allow the following items to be brought to the center:
- Peanut products
- Candy or sugary treats
- Soda/pop or sugary drinks
- Cakes, cupcakes, brownies, etc.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Especially for Children will be closed on Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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JACK ‘O LANTERN QUESADILLAS
INGREDIENTS
Cooking spray, for pan
2 c. cooked and shredded chicken
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
8 medium tortillas
3/4 c. shredded cheddar
3/4 c. shredded monterey jack
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Hot sauce, for serving
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425° and grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, add chicken and toss with lime juice, chili powder, and garlic powder.
Assemble quesadillas: Using a paring knife, cut a Jack-o-Lantern pattern into 4 tortillas.
Sprinkle chicken and cheese onto remaining 4 tortillas, and top with Jack-o-Lanterns. Place quesadillas onto baking sheet, brush with oil, and bake until cheese is melty, and tortillas are golden, 15 minutes. Serve with hot sauce.
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NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Did you know that September 15-October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month?
If you would like to celebrate the history and culture of Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx people in your family, here are a few resources for you to explore:
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SEE-SHOW-SAY STRATEGY FOR BUILDING LITERACY SKILLS |
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One of the ways in which caregivers and families can enrich literacy experiences for young children is through the see-show-say method of reading. This method involves a back-and-forth conversation (both verbal or nonverbal) between the child and the reader.
See: The reader can point to objects or parts of the book, run his finger across the word, and talk about illustrations. The child shows her understanding by following those cues and looking at the things being emphasized.
Show: The reader asks the child to point to and identify characters or illustrations. The reader can make it fun by asking the child to “show” in interesting ways (e.g. tickle the monkey’s toes or show with your body how a kangaroo moves).
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Conversational Reading
Melbourne Graduate School of Education
Say: Finally, the child is asked to answer verbally. The reader might ask simple questions such as, “What color is the flower?” or open-ended questions such as, “What do you think is going to happen to the caterpillar next?”
Using the see-show-say strategy deepens both the reader’s and the child’s experience with the story, helps caregivers gauge a child’s comprehension, and supports a child’s growing vocabulary.
For more on see-show-say
Teaching Strategies, the author of The Creative Curriculum® offers a short video on the see-show-say strategy here:
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You may also be interested in the examples provided in this presentation by the Melbourne Graduate School of Education:
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We wish you and your child happy reading! |
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Angie Williams
EFC Marketing Director
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TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS
Apple Orchards & Pumpkin Patches
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Especially for Children
3300 Edinborough Way
Edina MN 55435
(952) 835-0505
Center Co-Directors
Anna Wilson and Samantha Baker
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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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