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Greetings!
2021 EFC SUMMER PROGRAM
We are looking forward to spending a fun summer with your child here at Especially for Children. The Creative Curriculum will continue to be our foundation as we begin the sand study. We will then spend time studying our great state of MN then circling back with our garden study. Our gardens will continue to be our focus this summer.
“Planning, planting, and tending to a growing garden requires a wide variety of skills from all domains of development and learning. Children work together to care for the garden and solve problems that arise, develop language and literacy skills as they discuss garden plans and create plant markers, and use mathematical skills to compare plants and observe how they grow and change over time. By including plants in the garden that produce fruits and vegetables, children will see how a seed or seedling grows into a familiar food. They will learn about healthy eating habits and prepare fresh produce to make different recipes such as pizza or fresh salsa. Working with others will also help the children discover how gardens can build a sense of community and help people care for one another.”
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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
In honor of Father’s Day, all Dads, grandpas, special caregivers, or whoever drops off on Friday, June 18, will get special donut treats to go! Have a Happy Father’s Day weekend!
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SUMMER REMINDERS
--Although flip flops are fun to wear, they are not very safe and will not be allowed at the center. We ask that your child wears tennis shoes or sandals with covered toes and a firm strap around the heel.
--Please make sure to keep a bottle of non-aerosol sunscreen, labeled with your child’s name, at school. We apply sunscreen before going outside both in the mornings and afternoons.
Feel free to bring in sun hats or caps for your child to wear outside!!
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LOOKING AHEAD
Especially for Children will be closed on Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. Enjoy the long weekend!
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NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY
National Gun Violence Awareness Day is on June 4. We are deeply saddened by the escalated gun violence the Twin Cities and our country is experiencing. While this topic is challenging to discuss, it is important that we are all aware of what we can do to keep our children and our communities safe. Tragically, each year children are the victims of both intentional gun violence and unintentional/accidental shootings. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following advice to families and caregivers:
- The safest home for a child is one without guns. If you are a gun owner, explore your options for storing your gun in a safe location away from home.
- If guns are stored in the home, the safest way to store them is locked and unloaded, with ammunition stored and locked separately.
- Ask about guns when your child goes to a playdate. Just as you might ask about allergies, pets or supervision, make it your routine to ask “Are there any unlocked guns in your home” before your child goes to play.
- Talk to your child about gun safety. Remind children that if they ever come across a gun, they should stay away from it and tell an adult immediately.
- Distinguish between movies/TV/play and real life. While children may see guns in the media or play with toys like squirt guns, we should be very clear with children about the difference between pretend guns and real guns, so they understand how dangerous real guns can be.
Following these precautions can help keep children and all of us safe.
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WATERMELON PIZZA
This watermelon pizza is a fun little treat that everyone can enjoy! It’s healthy, easy to make and when we think of summer, we think of watermelon!
Instructions:
- Using a sharp knife, cut off a slice of watermelon right down the middle about 2-3 inches thick.
- Using a spatula, spread an even layer of your yogurt around the watermelon, leaving a bit of empty space at the top. (where your “pizza crust” is.)
- Layer your fresh fruit on top as you please. You can add as little of as many toppings as you like!
- Drizzle with honey or maple syrup for a little extra sweetness if desired.
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SHARE YOUR PASSION PROJECT
A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY AND WHAT KEEPS US LEARNING AND GROWING
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Over 45 years, thousands of children, staff, and parents/caregivers have been connected to the Especially for Children community. In honor of EFC’s 45th Anniversary, we want to learn about, celebrate, and share the passions of the wonderful people that make up the EFC family.
WHAT’S YOUR PASSION?
What does your child, or what do you, love to do in the world? Is there something you or your child love to create? Art, music, stories, photography, movement, food? Or something you like to experience and explore? Nature, science, culture? A passion can be a talent, but it does not have to be--it is just something you love and that makes you, you!
SHARE IT WTH US!
We would love to learn about your child’s and/or your passion and share it in our Gallery! Send us a photo, video, representation, or any method that works for communicating your/your child’s passion with us. We will create both digital and physical Galleries to post on our website and social media as well as display at our centers. We hope to receive submissions from many members of the EFC community--past and present—children, adults, and everyone in between.
HOW TO SHARE
Email your submission* to angiew@especiallyforchildren.com with the Subject: Share Your Passion Project, or mail it to Especially for Children c/o Angie Williams, 5223 W 73rd Street, Edina, MN 55439.
Feel free to include the EFC center you are or were connected to, your name, and your age. If you have friends who previously attended, we would also appreciate if you could spread the word!
*By sharing your submission, you agree that EFC may use it in on EFC's website, on social media, and in our centers.
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Especially for Children
5133 W. 98th St.
Bloomington, MN 55437
(952) 831-1435
Center Director:
Kathy Hane
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