February News from Especially for Children

FEBRUARY 2022

Greetings!

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 and have fun!! Due to limited space, the size restriction of the Valentine will be letter size (9” X 13”). The above example is just an idea to get you started. Also, if you would like to have your kiddos help decorate the Valentine that would be great too.

CENTER HAPPENINGS

VALENTINE'S DAY

This year each classroom will be hosting a special fancy snack for our Valentine’s Celebration on Monday, February 14. Please watch for communications from your individual child’s classroom. Children can wear red/pink/white/purple in celebration. Keep in mind our treats and celebrations policy prefers healthy snacks to be shared vs sugary treats for any occasion. If you have any questions, please feel free to let us know.

PAJAMA DAY!!!

Costume Kim will be here on Friday, February 4, to host “Pajama Day!” She will tell us fun stories and sing songs wearing jammies! Please send your child in Pajamas on this day…we look forward to the fun!! There have been many requests to host a pajama day so we hope that everyone can participate!!

PICTURE DAY

Lifetouch will be here on Thursday, February 24 and Friday, February 25, to take Spring Photos. Please watch for further information on which days each class will be getting their picture taken.

PARENT RESOURCES

CHINESE NEW YEAR – FEBRUARY 1^st

The dates for Chinese New Year aren’t set in stone, and vary yearly based on the lunar cycle, but it always falls in January or February. The most important days of Chinese New Year are Chinese New Year’s Eve and the first day of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year’s Eve is very special and important day to gather with family and have a big feast. The celebration lasts for fifteen days with the Lantern Festival marking the end of the celebration.

2022 is the year of the Tiger. In Chinese culture, the Tiger is a symbol of strength and braveness, - a valued animal for being independent and having a strong sense of justice.

COVID CREDIT NOTE

We hope the new test-to-stay protocol is working well for families who are dealing with Covid exposures. Please note that accounts must be in good standing in order to receive any Covid credits for quarantine or isolation. Thank you!

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS

LETTING IT OUT

By Angie Williams

Over the past few weeks, I have noticed an increase in the number of news articles devoted to the challenges parents—and especially parents of young children—are continuing to face as the pandemic drags on. The articles profile parents who are exhausted and at their breaking points.

We at EFC are doing what we can to make this time more manageable for families, but we know that the uncertainties and disruptions of the past two years have taken their toll on the families in our EFC community.

While we can all acknowledge the stress is there, figuring out what to do with it is not easy. Earlier this month a group of moms in Boston took to a football field and spent 20 minutes screaming into the cold night air. They needed to let out the stress and frustration with their whole bodies. As the organizer of the event described: “The scream resonated for people because it normalized their anger,” she said. “It’s been very powerful and quite healing.”

Primal Scream Gathering in Boston, New York Times

I love the notion that these women allowed themselves to “lose control” in this way for just a bit given that many of us have spent the last two years trying to maintain a sense of control and normalcy for our families in the midst of such turbulent times.

It also makes sense that finding a vocal and/or physical outlet can make a big difference in how we feel. No matter how many times we turn over in our minds some of the thoughts and worries we have about this pandemic, we are not able to influence everything that comes next. Transferring those ruminations to a simple scream might just be the meltdown we parents need to keep moving forward.

At the beginning of the pandemic, we called upon the wisdom of Mr. Rogers to help us navigate a time of uncertainty. At this point we all may benefit from a more basic method of stress release. Our hope is that the coming weeks provide a great deal of relief with the improvement of public health conditions. Until then, we hope you can find a moment to let it out if you need to.