Playworks PW's Playhouse August 2018

AUGUST 2018

Back-to-School

TIPS

Welcome to The Playhouse August is the perfect time to plan activities you’ve wanted to do since June! Have a picnic, go to the zoo, spend time at the lake—no matter what it is, get out and about this month.

The last day of Xtreme Summer Camp will be on August 31, but we’ll end the program with more exciting Summer Camp events, including an ice cream social on August 8. There will also be a Back to School Party in the Atrium from 2-5pm on August 25.

important dates August 7: National Night Out

Dig into this month’s issue of the Playhouse for more fun crafts, recipes, and summer activities you can do with your child this month!

Suggested Reading Go to natw.org to find a community event near you!

August 16: Advanced Explorers Graduation

5-6pm • Playworks LINK Event Center August 25: Back to School Party

2-5pm • Playworks Atrium September 6: Educare Open House

This month, our Educare students will be learning about music and instruments, while the infant and toddler classrooms will explore sand and water. These topics are important to a child’s understanding of the world around them—especially when talking about some of their favorite things.

4:30-6:30pm • Playworks

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

Abiyoyo

by Pete Seeger I Want to Be a Musician

by Dan Liebman Knick Knack Paddy Whack

by Barefoot Books/Christiane Engel Lola’s Fandango

by Anna Witte Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo

by John Lithgow Olivia Forms a Band

by Ian Falconer

Educare Early Learning Classrooms

Music + Exploring Sand and Water From a young age, kids demonstrate their enjoyment of music by smiling, clapping, bouncing, and dancing. They learn that striking an object produces noise, quickly turning them into performers and musicians. Inspired by both family traditions and familiar songs, children are eager to experiment with musical instruments (conventional or homemade) and sing songs. This month, our pre-K students will explore music and learn how music is made and ways to generate sounds.

This study offers many opportunities for little ones to investigate music through hands-on experiences, while learning social studies skills, science concepts, and delving into literacy and the arts. Making music—singing, playing instruments, and creating sounds—is a great way for children to express themselves.

While pre-K is in the next room making all sorts of noise, the infant and toddlers classrooms will study water and sand. Learning about sand and water in a practical way teaches kids about the world they live in, along with fine motor skills and communication—sifting their fingers through piles of sand and splashing around in water allows for exciting discoveries!

Help boost your kiddo’s creativity and understanding by making some homemade instruments together, like a soup can drum or pop bottle maracas. Or spend a Saturday afternoon at a local swimming beach and build a sandcastle. Whatever the activity, be sure to engage with your kiddo and ask questions about what they are learning at Playworks!

Playworks Staff Spotlight: Theresa Prickett How long have you worked at Playworks?

19 years

What is your position at Playworks?

Lead Teacher (preschool) and assisting with Summer Camp

Favorite part of working at Playworks: Being with the children and seeing them grow both physically and developmentally

Favorite children’s book:

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Describe yourself in one word: Dependable

Favorite board game: Candy Land

Favorite food: Tacos

Favorite color: Green

Favorite animal: Kitties

MUSICAL Instrument Mania Music is considered a universal language of the world—anyone can enjoy a tune, no matter where they live.

What tools do you need to write in this language? Musical instruments, of course!

Categories of instruments are called families. Instruments in a family often sound similar and are made out of the same materials. Let’s boogie and learn more!

Brass

Percussion

Brass instruments can be loud! Sound is made by blowing into the mouthpiece and pushing the valves (keys) up and down.

Did you

know?

Sound comes from a percussion instrument when it is struck or shaken by hand or with another tool, such as a drumstick.

String

String instruments produce produce sound through a vibration of strings, either using a bow or by plucking.

A piano belongs to both the string and percussion families. Inside a piano, tiny hammers hit the strings when a person pushes down the piano keys.

Woodwind

When air is blown into a woodwind instrument, sound comes out. Different sounds are made by pressing the keys, or holes, in a woodwind.

The benefits of music—whether playing, listening, or singing—are endless!

Learning all about music and instruments helps children develop better communication and literacy skills, including new vocabulary and listening skills. Students who play instruments also cultivate coordination, auditory, and fine motor skills.

Recipe:

Wise Owl Fruity Toast Healthy, fruity, and delicious, this easy breakfast toast is perfect for those busy, bustling mornings before school. What a hoot!

Ingredients: 1 1 1 2 1

English muffin tablespoon peanut butter banana, sliced strawberries, sliced handful of blueberries

Directions: 1. Split and toast the English muffin and spread with peanut butter.

2. Add banana slices dotted with a blueberry for the eyes.

3. Place a strawberry slice on each side of the muffin for the wings and

a slice below the eyes for the beak.

Do you or your child have a peanut allergy? Try Nutella or sunflower butter instead!

enjoy!

BUILDING CONNECTIONS:

I Love You Ritual At Playworks, we strive to provide parents with the tools to develop their relationship with their child. Help build a connection with your child through positive interaction and soothing actions.

If your child ever needs a little warming up, practice this Conscious Discipline I Love You Ritual, “Warm Hands.” Match the actions up with the verses below.

SAY THE VERSE

DO THE ACTION

Warm hands, warm.

Take the child’s hands in yours and rub them rapidly to warm them up.

Do you know how...

Continue to move your hands over the child’s hands.

...to toast those little fingers?

Cup your hands over the child’s hands. Make sure you are at eye level with the child.

I'll blow in your hands now!

Cup the child’s hands in your hands, bring them to your mouth, and blow gently into the cavity created, warming the child’s hands with your breath.

Verse two is done the same way as verse one, but instead of blowing, rub the child’s hands with your hands.

Highlighted Learning Objective:

DEMONSTRATING BALANCE Balance and coordination are very important for children when moving, sitting, and exercising. The more balance and coordination your child has, the less likely your child will injure themselves when moving around. This month’s Highlighted Learning Objective is “Demonstrating Balance.” Check out what this looks like below, and do some of the exercises listed to help your child develop stronger balance.

What this looks like:

Suggestions for improving balance:

Rocks back and forth on hands and knees

Encourage your child to stop, change directions, or walk up and down low ramps

Gets in and out of a chair Hops on one foot, then the other Attempts to jump rope Travels and stops in balanced positions

Encourage children 2 and older to practice walking with beanbags on different body parts—head, shoulder, elbow, or under chin Provide opportunities for preschool and older children to practice static balance—stand on one foot, tell your child to "freeze," or balance on one foot with eyes closed

A new school year means a new classroom, a new teacher, and a new routine. Here are a few snippets of advice to help your child transition from summer to school: Get back on a schedule a week or two before school starts—gradually scale back their bedtime to help readjust.

Pack nutritious snacks to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Talk about school in a positive way with your child to help boost confidence.

Set up a designated study or homework area at home without any distractions.

Plan to read with your child every day to support and promote early reading skills.

Family-Friendly

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY • 2018

SMSC

EVENTS

August 6

Brown Bag Lunch Series: Back to School Noon-1pm $10 Mazopiya (2571 Credit Union Drive, Prior Lake)

Join Mazopiya for their Brown Bag Lunch Series where they provide lunch and share some educational knowledge on a topic. This month is all about back to school! We all know how challenging it is trying to come up with healthy choices that kiddos will eat. During this class, the instructor will show you how to create kid-friendly lunch and snack options that are filling, super quick, and don’t require much cooking or prep time.

AUGUST 17, 18 & 19

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC $10 ADMISSION

FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND

*FREE ADMISSION FOR 10 YEARS AND UNDER AND 60+

GRAND ENTRY

FRIDAY 7PM SATURDAY 1PM & 7PM SUNDAY 1PM

!

NEW WATCH THE ACTION LIVE AT SMSCWACIPI.ORG!

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

August 17-19

Wacipi

Friday 7pm | Saturday 1pm & 7pm | Sunday 1pm $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. Bring your family to the annual event on August 17-19. All ages are welcome. Free admission for children 10 and under and adults 60+ years of age.

August 23-25

Indian Horse Relay & Indian Market

Thursday & Friday 6:30pm | Saturday 6pm Canterbury Park

Come together for a weekend of family fun during Indian Horse Relay at Canterbury Park. Some of the country’s best Indian relay racers will compete during the races, which provide an avenue for excitement, passion, and history.

At the Indian Market each night, you can find handmade Native American crafts, jewelry, beadwork, and more.

August 25

Back to School Party

2-5pm Playworks Atrium (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake)

Kick off the new school year with a fun Back to School themed party at Playworks! From 2-5pm on August 25, the Atrium will play host to a variety of games and activities, including cup-stacking races, I Spy, silent ball, musical chairs, apple decorating, DIY slime and lava lamps, and more! All are welcome—standard Atrium rates apply, and children ages 4-12 may be dropped off.

get out

l l i r G t u O

by Stop a piy ls Mazo your tia eds n l l e a e for Ess g N

r in me ill Sum & Gr

952.233.9140 | mazopiya.com 2571 Credit union drive • Prior Lake

Craft:

sand Handprints

Think outside the sandbox! Create a long-lasting keepsake (or gift!) with this simple, homemade sand clay recipe.

Materials:

□□ 2 cups sand

□□ 1 cup warm water

□□ 1 ½ cups plain, all-purpose flour

□□ Small seashells (optional)

□□ 1 ¼ cups salt

Creates four sand clay discs.

Directions:

1 Combine the sand, flour, and salt in a medium bowl.

2 Slowly add the water, stirring with a large spoon until a dough forms.

3 Take the dough ball out of the bowl and gently knead it into a all on a lightly floured surface.

4 Split the dough into four chunks and gently

roll each portion into a circle on a large baking sheet, about 2 centimeters thick.

5 Have your child gently press their hand into the center of the round dough, pushing each finger down firmly, and then carefully lift their hand.

6 If desired, embellish the outer edges of the disc with miniature seashells.

7 To dry, bake the sand clay discs at 250°F for about four hours.

• Birthdays • Group Trips • Events

PARTY HERE. BOOK TODAY!

There’s no place to PARTY like Playworks.

Whether you’re looking to host an event, your child’s birthday party, or attend a seasonal party, Playworks is the place for family entertainment.

952.445.PLAY (7529) • playworksfun.com 2200 trail of dreams, PRIOR LAKE, MN