Playworks PW's Playhouse July 2018

JULY 2018

Sand, Rocks, and

Beaches Join Playworks for a

TEDDY BEAR

PICNIC

Recipe:

Gravel Fudge Rocks

Welcome to the Playhouse!

Fireworks, barbecues, beach days, and sunshine—the month of July is all about getting outside and enjoying time with family and friends. At Playworks, we have many exciting events and activities planned for this funfilled time of year. All Educare families are invited to join us for our annual Teddy Bear Picnic on July 12, where your little ones will have a chance to enjoy an outdoor lunch with their favorite fuzzy friends. Xtreme Summer Camp is in full swing, with a carnival set for July 19 and a sleepover for our Advanced Explorers at Playworks on July 27. And of course, we hope you all have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!

In the Playworks’ classrooms this month, our Educare students will be fully embracing the season of sandboxes by studying rocks and sand through hands-on activities and an interactive curriculum. Meanwhile, the infant and toddler classrooms will be exploring music and movement. What better way to encourage learning than by incorporating fun facts into favorite summer activities, like a trip to the beach or a free concert in the park!

Keep reading to find out how you and your family can make this month enriching and enjoyable.

JULY

Important Dates JULY 4: Playworks Closed for Independence Day JULY 12: Teddy Bear Picnic

11:30am-12:30pm • Playworks

For a full list of Xtreme Summer Camp events, visit playworksfun.com!

Educare Early Learning Classrooms

Creative Curriculum

Sand and Rocks + Music and Movement

Playworks Staff Spotlight: Brittany Buttedal

Kids love to play in the sand and explore when at the beach. Sand is particularly appealing to young children, since it is a great place for them to express their imagination. They love to dig holes, scoop sand into containers, and watch it pour out. Some kiddos love to build in the sand, filling molds and adding water to create structures. Sand can be found in many places, so children can easily investigate it firsthand.

Along with sand, your child will also learn more about rocks. When Playworks children learn about sand and rocks, they’re fascinated by how they feel and move. They will explore the different types of sand and rocks, their physical properties, and the different ways that they’re used. Studying sand and rocks will help children understand the importance of science when examining the world around them.

While Educare students learn about sand and rocks, the infant and toddler classrooms will connect with music and movement. They will learn about how music can be comforting, how it can bring people together, how to exercise with music, and how music can help with fine motor skills.

Next time you’re at the beach, take a moment to talk to your kids about the sand and rocks around you. Where did it come from? What is it made of? Why is it there? Your child’s newfound knowledge of sand and rocks may surprise you!

Suggested Reading Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes I Am Too Absolutely Small for School

by Lauren Child

Sand to Stone and Back Again

by Nancy Bo Flood

Hidden in the Sand by Barbara Taylor Hello Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan

How long have you worked at Playworks?

Ten years What is your position at Playworks?

Lead Teacher in the Atrium favorite part of working at playworks: All the hugs I get from the kids, and I love listening to all of their stories–oh, so many stories!

Favorite children’s book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch describe yourself in one word: Happy Favorite board game: Monopoly Favorite food: Any and all food– I love food!

Favorite color: Purple Favorite animal: Dog

how are

Beaches

Made?

Most of us have spent time playing, building, and sunbathing in the sand, but you may be surprised about where the sand actually comes from! The beaches that we know and love are made up of tiny pieces of material mostly consisting of rock. These microscopic rocks come from bigger rocks, like mountains and boulders, that are broken down by the weather through a process called “erosion.” As they erode over thousands of years, the pieces of broken rock, or “sediment,” are carried to the ocean by rivers and streams.

Once the sand is sitting at the bottom of the ocean, waves and currents slowly push the sediment toward the shore.

Eventually, the sand is thrown out onto the beach by waves. Little did you know that when you’re spending a day at the beach, you’re actually playing on tiny rocks that came from mountains thousands of years ago!

To build the perfec t sandcastle, sculpt your sand w ith an 8:1 ratio.

Eight parts dry sa nd, one part water .

nding on are tan. Depe s e ch ea b ll a brown, Not t, they can be n e im d se f o lack. the type d, and even b re e, it h w y, ra old-yellow, g

g antly ents are const m n o ir v n e for Beach t a great place o n ’s it so , g changin crabs, e—except for v li to ls a im n a a turtles! insects, and se

Sand can be used to make concrete, bricks, glass, and computer chips.

It’s also commonly used in agriculture.

The longest beach in the world is Praia do Sassino in Rio Grande, Brazil.

It stretches approximately 132 miles.

The world's largest sandcastle was created in Duisburg, Germany, in 2017, towering 54 feet and 9 inches!

Sources: guinnessworldrecords.com; onlinesand.co.uk; sciencekids.co.nz

Recipe:

Gravel Fudge Rocks

They may look like they’re straight from the gravel pile, but you won’t break your teeth on these chocolatey rocks! Bring a batch to your child’s next playdate and watch how quickly these truffle-like pebbles disappear.

Ingredients:

3 cups semisweet chocolate pieces 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups mini marshmallows 1/2 cup cocoa powder

BUILDING CONNECTIONS:

I Love You

Ritual

To help children learn through positive interaction, Playworks promotes I Love You Rituals as a useful Conscious Discipline tool.

Try out this month’s I Love You Ritual, “Round and Round the Garden,” beginning by holding your child’s hand in your hand, palm up.

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

1

1 Line a pan or shallow bowl with aluminum foil.

Draw circles on the child's hand with your index finger as you say, "Round and round the garden."

2 In a medium saucepan, heat chocolate,

condensed milk, butter, and vanilla over medium heat. Stir until melted and smooth.

Remove from heat and stir in marshmallows until mostly melted.

3 Spread mixture into prepared pan, cover, and chill until firm (about two hours).

4 Place cocoa powder and powdered sugar in

Round and round the garden...

2

...goes the teddy bear.

Continue drawing circles in cadence with the chant.

3

One step, two step...

two shallow bowls.

5 When fudge is ready, scoop the mixture out of the pan with a small spoon and shape into rock-sized pieces. Roll the ‘rocks’ in the cocoa powder or the powdered sugar. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

Walk your fingers up the child's arm (heading for the armpit).

4

...tickle under there!

Give a gentle tickle under the child's arms.

Join Playworks for a Teddy Bear Each year, Playworks hosts a Teddy Bear Picnic during the second week of July. For 30 years, this national celebration has brought families and children together for activities, food, and fun outdoors. This year, Playworks’ Teddy Bear Picnic will fall on July 12. Grab your favorite stuffed animal and join other families for a picnic-style meal outside of Playworks! Please bring a blanket to sit on.

Enter the Teddy Bear Picnic drawing for a chance to win a $50 certificate to Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Highlighted Learning Objective:

Regulating emotions AND managing feelings

It is our goal at Playworks to help your child grow through experiences. To help your child become more understanding, our July Highlighted Learning Objective is “Regulating Emotions and Managing Feelings.” Take some time this month to talk to your child about their emotions and how they can better manage them in different situations.

What this may look like:

What parents can do to help improve this skill:

Calms self when touched gently, patted, massaged, rocked, or hears a soothing voice

Use clear, simple language to communicate which behaviors are acceptable, e.g., say, “Pat Tamika’s arm gently”

Sits next to a favorite adult when sad

Give children alternative ways to express their anger— tell the child, “If you feel anger, tell us. Say, I’m angry!”

Scowls and says, “I didn’t get to paint this morning,” pauses, then adds, “I have an idea, I can paint after snack”

Discuss photos of people showing various emotions— encourage older preschool and kindergarten children to create stories about the source of a person’s feelings and come up with appropriate ways to respond to the situation

Finds a quiet place in the classroom to read after a disagreement with a friend

Help children view mistakes as opportunities to learn

practicing

Fireworks It’s that time of the year again! If you and your family plan to celebrate Independence Day around local firework displays this year, it’s the perfect time to teach your child about firework safety. Although it’s illegal to buy or shoot off fireworks in the State of Minnesota, it’s important to be mindful of firework safety, even when around trained professionals: Always supervise your children around fireworks

Always keep a bucket of water nearby in case of fire

Never allow children to hold or light fireworks, including sparklers

Trained professionals should light fireworks one at a time

Teach your child to stand back from fireworks that are lit

Fireworks should never be pointed at people or pets

Family-Friendly

SHAKOPE E MDE WAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY • 2018

SMSC

JULY 4

EVENTS

Rock and rockets

5-10:30pm Mystic Amphitheater (2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake)

Celebrate Independence Day at Rock and Rockets, a fun night of fireworks, food, and live music! This year’s celebration will include performances from two artists who were featured on “The Voice,” Kat Perkins and Jesse Larson. After the live music, check out the fireworks display over The Meadows at Mystic Lake at 10pm. All ages are welcome.

July 12

teddy bear picnic

AUGUST 17, 18 & 19

: TIONS E LOCA S E H T T SOLD A

N MISSIO CE STORES D A I P I NIEN WAC CONVE

KOTA A PEE DA MERIC L OF A SHAKO A L A M AT PIY MAZO LAKE STORE EL O HOT IC T IN S S Y A M C E K A L MYSTIC IX CASINO S LITTLE CIPI.ORG A SMSCW

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE THROUGH JULY 31 • AVAILABLE ONLY AT

4 Wacipi Admissions

4 YUM-me Bowls

AUgust 17-19

wacipi

Friday 7pm | Saturday 11am & 7pm | Sunday 1 pm $10 admission for entire weekend SMSC Wacipi Grounds (3212 Dakotah Parkway, Shakopee)

Enjoy a weekend of Native American food, dancing, and culture at the SMSC Wacipi this August!

Throughout history, Wacipi, or Pow Wow, was a gathering time held at the end of a season, to celebrate a good hunt, or to recognize a positive event. Today, Wacipi is a celebration of life. All ages are welcome. Free admission for children 10 and under and adults 60+ years of age.

$50 $68 Value!

11:30am-12:30pm Playworks (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake)

Attend Teddy Bear Picnic Day at Playworks and enjoy a picnic-style meal with your favorite stuffed animal! All Educare families are welcome to attend this fun family event. Bag lunches will be provided.

Please bring a blanket to sit on. All teddy bears are encouraged to attend.

smscwacipi.org

& x4 Restrictions apply. Wacipi admission buttons are only valid between August 17-19, 2018, and YUM-me Bowl vouchers are only valid at the Mazopiya booth at the 2018 Wacipi. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

SMSC WACIPI GROUNDS: 3212 DAKOTAH PARKWAY, SHAKOPEE, MN 55379 952.445.8900 | SMSCWACIPI.ORG

July

8am-7 21 pm

AT M A Z O P I YA

Stop in for your free 9 oz Tropi-Kale or Hawaii 5-0 smoothie!

One free 9 oz Tropi-Kale or Hawaii 5-0 smoothie per customer. No purchase necessary. Offer valid only on July 21, 2018 at Mazopiya. While supplies last. Promotion may be altered or discontinued without notice.

952.233.9140 | mazopiya.com 2571 Credit union drive, prior lake , mn

Craft:

wind pipe Instrument

Easily make music in your own home with the help of three common household materials! You and your child can experiment with music while blowing into this homemade wind pipe instrument to create different tones.

Directions:

1 Lay out a 10-inch line of Scotch tape with the sticky side up.

2 Lay each straw over the tape, making sure that each straw is pushed up next to the previous, and that all straws are level.

3 Once all ten straws are down, fasten the straws together with the tape.

4 Cut one end of the straws diagonally to give the straws

Materials:

10 plastic straws Scotch tape

various lengths.

5 Blow into the straight side, creating music as sounds change through each straw length.

Scissors

SAVE THE DATE!

EDUCARE Open House Ask Questions Meet Teachers Explore Classrooms Educare is our contract child care program, featuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate programs for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age. Full-time and part-time care is available—call for more information!

• Infant–Pre-K • School-Age

ENROLL TODAY! September 6 | 4:30-6:30pm 952.445.PLAY (7529) | playworksfun.com 2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN | Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community