Greetings!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
As a reminder, Especially for Children will be closed on Monday, July 5, for Independence Day. We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday weekend!
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SPECIAL DAYS IN JULY
July 1: Wear Red Day
July 2: Wear Blue Day
July 7: Wacky Hair Day
July 13: International Rock Day (bring in your favorite Rock to share)
July 14: Shark Awareness Day
July 23: Dress like a Grandparent Day
July 24: Dress like a Cowboy Day
July 30: Bring in your favorite book Day.
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WATER PLAY DAYS
Preschool and Toddlers will be having water day every Wednesday through the summer. Please bring in swimwear, a towel, and a bag to bring wet clothes home.
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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 an entire week and have been with us for more than 6 months, you are eligible for a half-week tuition credit.
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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.
HEALTHY 4TH OF JULY YOGURT BITES
Here is what you will need:
- Vanilla Greek yogurt (or really, any kind of yogurt you love!)
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
Dice your strawberries and halve your blueberries. Place them in a silicone mold and cover with yogurt. Make sure to put the blueberries round side down. As for the strawberries, dice them in very tiny pieces. Leave them in the freezer for about 2 hours and they are ready to eat!
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Covid times changed or paused so many of our shared experiences, one of which was in-person music performances. With the improvement in the public health situation and the summer weather, it’s exciting to see live music events returning to the community. Our family attended a Music in the Park event in June at the Lake Harriet band shell, and it was a true celebration of being back together and enjoying talented and energized artists. We loved watching our daughters dance with their friends and get mesmerized by the strong voices of the singers. |
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Music in the Parks
Music has many benefits for all of us, not least of which is that it brings people together. A recent Community Playthings blog post describes some of the myriad benefits of music for young children:
Early childhood musical experiences are far more important than we imagine. Music is not just entertainment or recreation for young children. It can serve as a catalyst for learning. It aids in the development of cognitive skills or the core skills the brain uses to think, learn, read, remember, reason, and concentrate.
Research affirms the many benefits of music that extend beyond the craftsmanship and art of music itself. Music helps develop self-esteem, body awareness, balance, compassion and respect, sharing skills, gross motor control, fine motor control, problem solving, work ethics, and the ability to think creatively.
Our 3rd grader is at camp this week and we’ve noticed that she brings home a new song every night. Typically, these involve a repetitive chorus as well as accompanying hand movements. I like to imagine her learning these songs with her new camp friends, giggling at their silliness, and working to memorize each line. Quite an improvement over Zoom music class!
At EFC, teachers incorporate music in their daily routines for children of all ages. Children have access to musical instruments in the classroom (or make their own music with less traditional instruments!). Teachers often use familiar songs to help children during daily transition periods and routinely play recorded music during rest time to create an environment of calm. Teachers also use music during daily group time; they teach new songs that apply to something children are learning and also sing familiar songs. There is so much children gain through music--what a happy way to express yourself and learn!
Music is a gift, and we hope that your family is able to re-engage with it in new (or old) ways this summer.
https://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2021/Music-as-a-Multisensory-Approach-to-Learning
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Angie Williams
EFC Marketing Director
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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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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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