MARCH 2019
Recipe:
Rice Cake Animals
Exploring
Benefits of Pet Ownership
This Month at Playworks… Did you know that Dr. Seuss would have celebrated his 115th birthday this year? Although no longer with us, the magic of Dr. Seuss lives on in the pages of his books, many of which we still know and love today—The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax… ring a bell? Through playful writing and charming characters, Dr. Seuss has helped instill a love of reading in countless children and has warmed the hearts of millions of families around the world. In honor of this special day, we’ve put together a brief bio of the beloved author:
Theodor Seuss Geisel
Born: March 2, 1904 Died: September 24, 1991 City of Birth: Springfield, Massachusetts Occupation: Author, poet, and cartoonist First Job: Magazine editor at Dartmouth College First Publication: A cartoon in The Saturday Evening Post magazine in July 1927 Total Number of Books Written/Illustrated: 66 Sources: famousauthors.org and seussville.com
important dates March 1:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose!”
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration
March 17:
St. Patrick’s Day
–Dr. Seuss
Playworks will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday on Friday, March 1, and the agenda is chock-full of special themed activities and foods!
Suggested Reading Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day
Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins
The Perfect Pet by Margie Palatini
Who Lives in Trees? by Trish Holland
Stanley and the Class Pet by Barney Saltzberg
Educare Early Learning Classrooms
Pets + Creating with Art Fluffy, soft fur… wet-nose kisses… cozy cuddles… the joys of a pet, right? Pets are important members of the family in many households. No matter their age, kids enjoy observing and playing with animals. They imitate animal movements and sounds (oink, oink!). Helping care for a pet can teach kids important values such as caretaking, empathy, respect, and responsibility.
Do you have a pet at home? We would love a photo for your child to share in their classroom! Please inquire with your child’s teacher for more information.
Diving deep into the study of pets, what they eat, and how they communicate offers ample opportunities for children to gather information, learn more about biology and science, and develop awareness of the world they live in. Our younger classrooms will be creating meaningful experiences with art. Integrating art into everyday classroom activities can promote a multitude of perspectives and skill development in children. For example, when a child covers paper with paint, they’re learning about cause and effect. When they tear apart bits of paper for a collage, they are learning hand-eye coordination, among other fine motor skills.
BUILDING CONNECTIONS:
I Love You Ritual
Next time you’re tucking in your kiddo for bed, try this soothing Conscious Discipline I Love You Ritual called “Your Fingers Are So Sleepy.”
Your fingers are so sleepy,..................................................................................Yawn and speak slowly and softly. Gently hold the child’s hand in yours and stroke their palm. It is time they went to bed..................................................................................With your other hand, cover the child’s hand as if to cover it up in bed. First you, baby finger,............................................................................................Remove your hand and begin to put the fingers “to bed.” Give the pinky finger a gentle massage. Tuck in your little head. .......................................................................................Tuck the finger into the child’s palm and hold it there. Ring finger, now it’s your turn..........................................................................Tuck down the next finger with the same loving touch. Then comes the tall one, this is just great!..............................................Continue as before. Pointer finger, hurry, because it’s getting late!......................................Increase your speech when saying this line, remembering to keep your tone soft. Is everyone here and nestled in?....................................................................Massage the tops of the child’s fingers and knuckles. No, there is one to come.......................................................................................With a surprised face, “discover” the thumb. Move over, everyone, here comes the thumb!.......................................Open all the fingers and tuck the child’s thumb into their palm. Gently tuck the other fingers down over the thumb and then hold their hand in both of yours, like a cozy blanket.
RE Pets AGOOD for Your Health! Aside from loyal companionship and steadfast love, owning a pet (or five!) also has other perks: health benefits, both mental and physical. Growing your family by four paws or a fish tank might be just what the doctor ordered. Depending on the pet’s needs, families with
Family Fun
TIME!
dogs, for example, tend to get outside and exercise more with their pet—which can lead to lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease. Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show many pet owners have decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels—which can ultimately minimize the risk of a heart attack down the road. Some research even indicates that having a pet in the home can help lower a child’s likelihood of developing allergies by as much as 33 percent. Studies are now also showing that the social support pets provide to people can help improve overall mental
Stay fit with Fido Take the family dog outside for a walk, hike, or run
Kid-Friendly Ways to Bond with Pets
Make up a game Whether it’s lively or make-believe, pets (and humans!) need stimulation to stay healthy
Highlighted Learning Objective:
CONVERSATION AND COMMUNICATION Skills
From the day they are born, children are picking up on communication cues and conversations. As they grow older, it’s important to encourage kids to work on their communication skills through conversations, listening, and building on their understanding of language.
What this may look like: • Shakes head for yes/no or waves “bye-bye” • Stays on topic during conversations with another child about weekend plans • Extends conversation by moving gradually from one topic to another related topic
95% of pet owners think of them as a member of the family 50% of pet owners buy birthday presents for their animal companions health. Stress levels go down with having a steady best friend on hand. We know that social support is a natural antidote to combat loneliness or even angst. Add a furry friend into the mix and voilà!— people of all ages can wave goodbye to stress, fear, and anxiety. Sources: animalplanet.com and time.com Please note: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor is this information intended to replace consultation with a qualified physician or other health care provider.
Read to them Practice those literacy skills and read out loud to your pet
Learn their language Try to pick up on your pet’s nonverbal communication cues and body movements to better understand their needs
Ways to support building on these skills: Build on the child’s language by rephrasing what they say and then add to the conversation Plan specific experiences where the child will be encouraged to talk, hear, and use language Engage in frequent conversations and listen carefully to what is being said (Tip: Children talk more when they know they’re being listened to!) Create an interesting experience for the child to discuss later, such as a trip to the grocery store or the zoo Encourage your child to talk about something that they know how to do, like tying their shoe or stacking blocks into a tower
Playworks Department Spotlight:
Summer Camp
June 10–August 30
2019
Did you know Playworks offers an action-packed summer camp program for kids going into first grade through age 12? With flexible full- and part-time options, daily meals and snacks, and exclusive events, Xtreme Summer Camp 2019 will provide your child with a summer to remember!
Playworks Summer Camp Highlights: • Activities that promote physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development • Hands-on interest centers in classrooms • In-house educational and entertainment programs • Loads of field trips and indoor/outdoor play • Safe and nurturing environment
REGISTER TODAY!
time fullwith er camp summ llment! Enro
*Restrictions apply
Contact educare Manager Shannon Zila at 952.496.6803 or Shannon.Zila @playworksfun.com.
Recipe:
Rice Cake
Animals Assemble your very own zoo with these yummy rice cake treats.
ingredients: □□ Rice cakes
□□ Banana
□□ Peanut butter
□□ Blueberries
□□ Chocolate spread
□□ Pretzel sticks
□□ Strawberries
Directions:
1
Smear peanut butter or chocolate spread on rice cakes.
2
Get creative! Use strawberry halves for ears or fish scales, banana slices for a mouth, and blueberries for eyes. Need whiskers? Use pretzel sticks!
Family-Friendly EVENTS March 23
North Star Roller Derby
6-10pm $13-$16 (Free for children under 10 with purchase of adult ticket) Canterbury Park (1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee) North Star Roller Derby is coming crashing into Shakopee on Saturday, March 23! The television phenomenon from decades ago has been reborn and will roll into the Canterbury Park Expo Center with the speed, collisions, and athleticism you remember. Bring the whole family to check out the fun, excitement, and nostalgia at the North Star Roller Derby.
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sdcstores.com Sdcs #1 | 952.445.5520 | 15035 mystic lake dr, Prior lake, mn
High-Quality Colored Mulch Compost Blends | Soil Amendments
A swim program designed to build confidence in the water
IT’S TIME TO
THINK
SPRING Prepare for green grass and beautiful landscapes with the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility
MAKE A SPLASH spring SESSION march 26–june 1
Kids Ages 3-17 | Adults | Special Needs Ages 3+ Please see spring registration book for full listing of class options. register online at dakotahsport.com or at the front desk.
952.445.9400 • dakotahsport.com 2100 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN
HEALTHY, ORGANIC
C AT E R I N G
WILL MAKE YOUR EVENT
A
SMSC
Organics Recycling Facility
952.233.9191 • smscorf.com 1905 Mystic Lake Drive S, Shakopee, MN
natural SUCCESS
952.233.9140 • mazopiya.com 2571 credit union Drive, prior lake, MN
Craft:
Painted Pet Rocks
A real pet requires a lot of care and attention—a rock pet, on the other hand, is easy peasy. Grab some rocks, paint, and your imagination and get started on your new pet rock collection!
Materials: □□ Clean, smooth rocks of varying sizes □□ Colored tempura paints
directions:
1
Paint a base color on each rock and let dry.
2
Add spots, stripes, or whiskers—be creative! Let the paint fully dry before moving on to step 3.
□□ Paintbrushes □□ Craft glue □□ Embellishments, such as googly eyes, sequins, stickers, or pompoms
3
With an adult’s help, carefully glue googly eyes and other frills to your rock pets and let dry.
• Arcade • Cupcakes • Fun!
BiRTHDAYS
Host your next birthday party at Playworks! If you’re looking for an exciting place to host your child’s party, look no further than the Playworks Atrium. Our birthday package will make your child’s day unforgettable.
BOOK TODAY! 952.445.PLAY (7529) • playworksfun.com 2200 trail of dreams, PRIOR LAKE, MN
enterprises owned and operated by the shakopee mdewakanton sioux community