DAVIS • MORGAN • WEBER │ J U L Y 2 0 1 6
TOP Star N EWSLETTER
It’s officially summer and the heat is rising. In this July issue, we help you prepare to celebrate the National Independence Day and Statewide Pioneer Day. In this issue we also help you introduce berries to the little ones, provide you with a Berry Yogurt Treat recipe, and much more! Continue reading for more information and details.
Days to CELEBRATE! Monday, July 4, is National Independence Day! Most child care facilities may not be opened on this day. But you can always celebrate early in the previous week or later the week following. Take the kids outside and teach them about the beautiful country we live in and why we celebrate Independence Day.
Contents: Days to Celebrate ........................... 1 Introducing: Berries........................ 2 Celebrate Activities ........................ 3 Indoor Play for HOT Summer Days ..................................................... 4
July 24:
Pioneer Day
July July 4: 4:
Independence Independence DayDay
Sunday, July 24, is statewide Pioneer Day! Find time the week before or the week after Pioneer Day to teach your kids about Pioneer Day and why it’s so important to the State of Utah. You could even dress them up like a pioneer and show them how the pioneers lived. Page 1
TOP STAR | d avi s c ou n t yu t a h. g ov/ he a lt h • w e be r mo rg a n he a lt h .o rg
Introducing: Berries Summer is a BERRY good time to introduce berries! Summer time is right in the peak season for berries. During meal time, take the opportunity to do “Table Talk” with the children. Talk with the children about how berries start with the letter “B.” And explain to them that there are many kinds of berries: blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and many more. Ask them questions about the berries they are eating: “What do the berries taste like? Are they soft? Sweet? Juicy? How do berries grow? Does anyone have a garden? What do you grow in your garden?” Simple questions like these will help each child let their minds explore the berries they are indulging in. To find a free lesson plan for introducing berries, go to Harvest for Healthy Kids.org.
Berry Yogurt Treat
1 bag of frozen mixed berries, thawed in the refrigerator
1 quart of low-fat yogurt (plain, vanilla, or honey)
Granola (optional)
Honey (optional
SERVING: 1/2 cup of yogurt for young children, 1/4 cup of berries per serving 1.
Place a few spoonfuls of yogurt in the bottom of a small glass.
2.
Top with a few spoonfuls of berries. If using plain yogurt, add a
small amount of honey (optional). 3. Add a few more spoonfuls of yogurt. 4. Continue layering yogurt and berries until glass is almost full 5. Top with a little granola, if desired. Brought to you by: Harvest for Healthy Kids
Page 2
DAVIS • MORGAN • WEBER │ J U N E 2 0 1 6
Celebrate
INDEPENDENCE DAY
PIONEER DAY
ACTIVITIES
Glitter Fireworks Craft Supplies
Canvas/Construction Paper Craft Glue Glitter (preferably red, white, and blue)
HOMEMADE BUTTER
Instructions Squeeze the glue from the bottle onto the paper. Be generous with the glue, making thick lines. Try to make firework (starburst-type) designs. Younger kids can just squeeze out any designs or you can help them make the firework shapes. After you make the designs with the glue, sprinkle the glitter onto the glue to make your fireworks sparkle. Shake off any extra glitter and set your fireworks picture aside to let it dry. You can also use a paint brush or Q-tip to “paint” on your design and then add glitter. For a little more ‘pop’, make your fireworks design using yarn dipped in glue. Craft Idea From: Family Crafts
1.
2. 3. 4.
1/2 cup whipping cream 1 tablespoon sour cream Pinch of salt, optional Put both creams into a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake vigorously (have the kids shake while listening to a pioneer story). After a lump of butter forms, pour out any liquid. Place the butter on a plate and press it gently with a spoon to remove remaining liquid. If desired, sprinkle with salt.
Brought to You By: Kitchen Crafts
PIONEER SENSORY BIN
TOP STAR APPRECIATION Calling all childcare providers! Davis and Weber-Morgan Health Departments are making our December newsletter into a TOP Star Appreciation edition. This edition will include feedback from parents who have children in a TOP Star endorsed facility. But we need your help! We are asking each childcare facility to submit names and contact information for parents who would be willing to provide input about their child's experience with the TOP Star Program. Please submit names and contact information of parents to your local TOP Star Consultant via phone or email by September 30th. We look forward to hearing from you!
Brown Rice Wild Rice Cornmeal Lincoln Logs Buttons
Marbles Birthday Candles Mini Rocking Chair Mini Fireplace Twine
Brought to You By: Every Star is Different
In a Bin Add:
Page 3
TOP STAR | d avi s c ou n t yu t a h. g ov/ he a lt h • w e be r mo rg a n he a lt h .o rg
FO
R
THE INDOOR PLAY HOT DAYS
This month the heat is finally rising! We have found two great activities to play inside on those especially HOT summer days. The first activity is a great inexpensive activity idea to do with your kids. All you need is people, balloons, and kitchen water funnels! The activity is called BalloonApalooza, Anyone? While it’s not that easy to blow up a bunch of balloons, the reward is great! Have each child and any additional staff members help you blow up the
balloons. Then let the kids start the fun! Show them how fun it is to see the air conditioner or fan pushing the balloons around and into the air. To add to the activity, give each child a kitchen funnel. Then have each child toss a balloon in the air and try to catch it in the mouth of their funnel. To make it more challenging, encourage them to try not to use their free hand. This is a great activity to get the kids active and jumping. Try doing it right before lunch—it’ll help the kids work up their appetites! Check out the other activity idea below. Brought to you by: Café Mom
Winners of the Screen-Free Week Challenge!
Little Treasures Childcare (Davis County)
&
Sandbox Daycare (Weber County)
The winners will be featured in September edition of the Newsletter. So look forward to learning more about these amazing Daycare centers.
Page 4
Indoor
Treasure Hunt Gather up the children's favorite toys (smaller toys that hide well) and hide them for each child to find. Make the treasure hunt fun by putting on some music when the kids are on the search. Once the music stops, the hunt stops, and that’s when you can start giving hints to find the ones still not discovered. This treasure hunt activity is a great way to keep your kids moving and curious. Brought to you by: Café Mom