Greetings!
ROCK THE PLAYGROUND PARTY
Join us Thursday, October 6, 4:30-6:30 for “Rock the Playground” DJ Dance Party! Dinner will be provided. This is a favorite event from years past. Hope to see everyone here!!
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HALLOWEEN
Each classroom will host a Halloween party on Monday, October 31. Feel free to bring your child in his/her Halloween costume along with a change of clothes. We are happy to have children changed out of their costumes for playing outside! Please leave smaller accessories at home so they are not accidentally lost for your at-home festivities.
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FUN DAYS IN OCTOBER
Wednesday October 5- Picture Day
Thursday October 6- Rock the Playground
Tuesday October 11- Crazy Hair Day
Friday October 14-Vikings Day
Thursday October 20- Favorite Outfit
Monday October 24- Silly Socks Day
Friday October 28- Pajama Day
Monday October 31- Halloween Party
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PICTURE DAY
Lifetouch will be here on Wednesday, October 5, for our picture day. Please complete the “picture day” form on counter and give to your child’s teacher. If Wednesday is not a day your child attends, please feel free to stop by before 11:00 and you can have your child’s picture taken.
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A CHILL IS IN THE AIR
It that time of the year that weather is changing daily. Please make sure you have a jacket here for you child as we do go out daily. Also make sure the extra clothes in your child’s cubby are weather appropriate. Don’t forget to label all clothing.
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LOOKING AHEAD:
EFC will be closed Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
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"FRANKENMUFFINS"
These spooky muffins get their green color from spinach and their sweetness from a banana!
Heat oven to 350 degrees and coat 16 muffin cups with cooking spray. Whisk together:
- 1 cup each all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
In blender, puree:
- ¼ cup canola oil
- ¾ cup milk
- 9oz (6 cups packed) fresh baby spinach until smooth.
- Add 1 large banana and 2 tsp vanilla.
Fold liquid mixture into the dry ingredients. Fill each prepared muffin tin two-thirds full and bake for about 20 minutes. Enjoy!
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LOOSE PARTS IN AUTUMN NATURE |
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“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”
― Lauren DeStefano, Wither
Fall in Minnesota is spectacular. Cool, crisp air greets us in the morning, the days are generally sunny, and when the leaves turn, warm colors abound.
As nature prepares for what comes next (even as many of us push away all thoughts of winter!), autumn offers many elements that can help children learn in the form of fallen loose parts.
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Loose parts are used in early childhood education to inspire child-directed play and help support creativity as well as an understanding of mathematical concepts. They are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways. (Better Kid Care). While we have written in previous communications about the importance of loose parts (https://especiallyforchildren.com/2022/04/15/loose_parts/), fall presents yet another opportunity to highlight the ways in which loose parts help children learn. The following article from Community Playthings describes how autumn’s natural elements support children’s cognitive development in mathematical concepts:
“We are approaching the time of year in which nature generously replenishes its available loose parts. Leaves fall, acorns drop, seed pods form, and there is no end to the natural materials you can collect for free just in your backyard.
‘One area of early learning particularly suited for the use of these materials is math,’ writes Dorie Ranheim. ‘There is a myriad of questions that can be asked to guide children’s thinking. For example, What did we find the most of? Tell me about your stick. Can you find something longer? Which rock is heavier? Through these playful interactions, rich math language flows and becomes part of the child’s vocabulary.’
’You can also use loose parts to model mathematical skills like how to count acorns using one-to-one correspondence, how to create a pattern with fall leaves, or how to measure by comparing two feathers. All the foundational areas of early math can be explored in a playful way using natural loose parts.’”
As you are out and about this fall, take note of the loose parts all around you and see what your child has in store for them!
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TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS
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Center Director
Lisa Ward
8885 Evergreen Blvd.
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
(763) 784-0901
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Apple Orchards & Pumpkin Patches
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