Greetings!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
As a reminder, Especially for Children will be closed on Monday, July 4, for Independence Day. If you plan on keeping your child(ren) home additional days this week, please mark an “X” on those days on the attendance sheets in the front entry. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend!
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FAMILY PROJECT OF THE MONTH
Decorate your summer beach ball—we will leave a scrap box with construction paper and large circles cut and ready to go. Feel free to take home what you need to decorate your beach ball—we look forward to some fun designs. Just a hint: the younger kiddos can just color their beach with crayons or markers….
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ARBORETUM FIELD TRIP
We will be heading to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for a self-guided tour on Tuesday, July 12. The bus will leave at 9:00 am and return by 1:00 pm. The children attending will be the Dolphins, and both Monkey classes. We will be bringing a picnic lunch to eat at the Arboretum. Parent volunteers are welcome however there is a limited number of spaces so let us know if you would like to attend.
There is a field trip binder located on the parent sign-in desk…please sign after your child’s name so he/she can attend. If you have any questions, please let us know.
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SUMMER REMINDERS
We understand that summer is great time to have different schedules for you and your child. Please keep in mind that you should contact the center if your child is going to be absent for the day or if they are arriving later than usual. Teachers will contact parents if children have not arrived by 10:00 am to check in.
Breakfast is being served between 8:00-8:30 am if you wish to join us for that. Please contact the office if you have schedule changes for the summer that will change your typical drop off/pickup times.
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DO WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS?
We send e-newsletters and announcements through Constant Contact and daily notes through Baby/Daily Connect. If you or a family member are not receiving our communications, please let your director know so that we can update your email address.
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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
6223 Dell Road
Eden Prairie MN 55346
(952) 934-1119
Center Director:
Cathie Underwood
Center Assistant Director:
Jamie Kittleson
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