Greetings!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
EFC will be closed Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend!
SUMMER VACATIONS…VACATION CREDITS
Please let your child’s teacher know about any vacation time you plan on taking this summer. You can also fill out an absence notification form and turn it into the office. If you are gone on vacation for 5 days consecutively and have been with us for more than 6 months, you are eligible for a half-week tuition credit (limit 2 per year).
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SILLY HOLIDAYS IN JULY!
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July 7: Chocolate Day
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July 14: Shark Awareness Day
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July 20: National Hot Dog Day
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WATER DAYS
Preschool and Toddlers will be having water once a week through the summer. Your child’s teachers will inform you of the official day of the week. Please bring in swimwear, a towel, water shoes (if possible) and a bag to bring wet clothes home.
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IN-HOUSE FIELD TRIP!
Mark your Calendars!! Wednesday, July 13, we will have a bounce house again for an in-house field trip! We will have it set up in the backyard for all to use!
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LOOKING AHEAD
Preschool graduation will be held August 18! More information to follow.
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FREE FAMILY EVENTS IN JULY:
- July 3: Pepsi family day at Canterbury, 1-5pm
- July 3: Cub Foods Family Fun night Apple Valley, 5-9 pm
- July 13-17: Sinclair Lewis Days Minneapolis
- July 13: Kids Summer Concert Series: Tricia and the Tonnies, St. Louis Park, 10-11 am
- July 16: Family Festival and Fun Minneapolis, 11 am
- July 23: OneShelf Book Fair Harriet Island, 4 pm
- July 24: Nitro Circus Live CHS Field, 7 pm
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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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TIME TO INVESTIGATE
(Originally published: July 2017)
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When children are interested or intrigued by an object or an idea, they need to dig deep and explore.
- Judith Pack, Early Childhood Education Consultant
One of the most important characteristics we can foster in our children is that of curiosity. We have previously written that children are naturally inclined to have inquisitive minds—it is how they begin to understand the world around them.
Following a child’s lead and asking open-ended questions are two ways to foster a child’s sense of curiosity. These interactions flow out of our conversations in a natural way, but we can also create opportunities for discovery through planned activities, such as science experiments. The field of science provides a method of investigation, hypothesis and trial and error that can spark (sometimes endless!) curiosity.
If you have ideas that you’ve tried in your family, we would love for you to share them in the Comments section of the blog!
Human Sundial Shadow Experiment
In this experiment, children record the size of their shadows throughout the day using sidewalk chalk. Through observations and questions, children can learn about the rotation of the earth and how time relates to the position of the earth relative to the sun. Get all the details on this activity here:
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Filtering Water Experiment
Children filter dirty water through coffee filters, paper towels, colanders, etc. to see what gets left behind. Children compare and contrast the effectiveness of different filters and learn about liquids and solids. For more details, check out:
Balloon Rocket Experiment
Using string and balloons, children create a zipline from which they launch their balloon rockets. Children can learn about force, friction, angles, speed and more! For info on setting up your balloon rocket, go to:
Have fun with your investigations!
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TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS
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Especially for Children
6125 Cahill Ave.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
(651) 450-1994
Center Director:
Kristine Berg
Center Assistant Director:
Sarah Barlow
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