DECEMBER 2019
Investigating Winter
Tasting and Preparing
FOOD
CRAFT: Sparkly Snowflakes
This Month at Playworks… The weeks leading up to the holidays are often a time of excitement, anticipation, and joy for many families. Children are getting excited for a break from school and to see their families and friends. However, this time of year can often leave disadvantaged adults and children alike thinking of the gifts they may not receive throughout the holidays—this year, you can help. Each year, Toys for Tots delivers a message of hope—and a little Christmas cheer—to less fortunate children all over the country. For over 70 years, the program has impacted hundreds of millions of American families. Through December 13, Playworks is a designated Toys for Tots drop-off location for new, unwrapped toys. During the week of Christmas, Toys for Tots distributes the toys to children in need all over the United States, with the help of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other community organizations. Setting an example for your child and teaching them about the power of giving is one of the best gifts you can give them this holiday season. For more information about the Marine Toys for Tots Program, visit toysfortots.org.
delivering hope since 1947 566 Million Toys Distributed to Date
258 Million Children Supported to Date
Suggested reading A Box Story
by Kenneth Kit Lamug
Dream Snow by Eric Carle
Not a Box
by Antoinette Portis
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner
What To Do With a Box by Jane Yolen
IMPORTANT DATES DECEMBER 12: Educare Holiday Concert 6pm · Playworks LINK Event Center DECEMBER 24-25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Playworks Closed
DECEMBER 31: Playworks New Year’s Eve Party 3-6pm · Playworks Atrium JANUARY 1: New Year’s Day Playworks Closed
Educare Early Learning Classrooms
Winter + Boxes Brrr—it’s already December! Winter is the coldest of Minnesota’s four seasons. Children are curious about the world around them and, in turn, they have all sorts of questions: What is winter? Is it a season? Is it a type of weather? During this month’s study, children at Playworks will explore all things winter! We will start by covering the basics of clothing and what to wear in this brisk season and why. Our young learners will also investigate the great outdoors and what goes on during this time of year, along with sports and winter animals. In December, our students will also take on the study of boxes! Many of us know that boxes are endlessly fascinating to children. Perhaps more than any other toy or game, boxes have the power to hold a child’s attention and spark their imagination in astonishing ways—raise your hand if you’ve ever made a cardboard box fort! Open-ended and plain, the humble cardboard box is so full of possibilities that most children can’t resist bending it to their will. A study of boxes builds upon a child’s natural curiosity and promotes important skills as they gather information, solve problems, and learn about the world around them.
Playworks Staff Spotlight:
Mike Bird
How long have you worked at Playworks? 5 awesome years
What is your position at Playworks? Environmental Service Representative Favorite part of working at Playworks: Spending time with the kids, having an awesome boss who lets me start up clubs (such as a coin club), and stepping in where they need help while being willing to learn new ideas and new things Favorite children’s book: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson describe yourself in one word: Giving Favorite board game: 3D chess Favorite food: Meatloaf Favorite color: Scarlet red Favorite animal: Dog
Reasons for the
Seasons Did you know the year is divided up into four different seasons? They are spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each season lasts about three months—in Minnesota, summer is usually the warmest, and winter is the coldest. The seasons have a lot of impact on what happens on our planet. After a long, cold winter, trees and plants come back to life in the spring. When the school year is over, it’s summer—and it’s hot! The leaves change color in the fall, and school starts again. Before you know it, winter is back and it’s snowing.
Did you know the first official day of winter is December 21?
But why do seasons happen? The earth travels around the sun once a year, or every 365 days. You can’t feel it moving, but it is! As the earth travels around the sun, the amount of sunlight we get changes a little every day. This change is the reason for the seasons.
Fun Facts About Seasons! The first day of summer is June 21, the longest (and sunniest!) day of the year When it’s winter in Minnesota, it’s summer in Australia! In Alaska, sometimes the sun doesn’t shine at all in winter On average, the sun is about 93 million miles away from the earth!
Recipe:
Snowman S’Mores
Who says s’mores are only for summer? Whip up these frosty treats for your next family get-together!
Ingredients Jumbo marshmallows
Chocolate graham crackers Mini chocolate chips Orange sprinkles Rolo® candy caramels
directions
1 Place a marshmallow on a halved graham cracker and microwave for 10 seconds. 2 Gently push the other halved graham cracker on top. 3 Press mini chocolate chips into the marshmallow for the eyes and mouth, and an orange sprinkle for the nose. 4 Place a Rolo® on top for the snowman’s hat.
I LOVE YOU ritual:
Humpty Dumpty
Connect with your child through playful touch, smiles, and eye contact—all elements and goals of our monthly I Love You Rituals. Give this month’s activity a try—a fun twist on a popular nursery rhyme!
SAY THE VERSE
DO THE ACTION
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Adult makes wall with hands. Child makes Humpty Dumpty with one fist and rests it on top of the wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
When fist falls off, adult gently catches child’s wrist.
All the Queen’s horses,
Release the child’s wrist, and gently massage arms.
And all the King’s men,
Continue massage.
Could put Humpty together again.
Bring the child’s hands together. Wrap your two hands securely around the child’s. Bring your united hands up to the child’s eye level, sharing a loving gaze while saying the last line.
Highlighted Learning Objective:
Establishes and Sustains Positive Relationships As a child plays with their peers, they are learning to work well with others while also establishing friendships. Parents and caregivers can help enhance children’s understanding of these concepts by encouraging the following activities and behaviors:
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE • Plays and/or sits near other children • Watches what other children are doing for a few minutes and then contributes an idea • Enters easily into ongoing group play and plays cooperatively • Looks at another child’s painting and chooses the same color
• Works on tasks with others toward a common goal
WAYS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN HELP ENHANCE THESE SKILLS • Engage in experiences that help infants and toddlers understand how to interact with others, such as playing peek-a-boo • Acknowledge the child’s positive interactions with others • Discuss and read books about friendships • Model respectful relationships with other adults and children
Focused Experience: Tasting and Preparing Food While infants, toddlers, and two-year-olds are tasting and preparing foods, they have ample opportunities to strengthen their social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language skills. Read more how experiences with food enhances these skills:
When your child…
Your child is learning…
Prepares simple foods cooperatively with others
About themselves and others
Tears apart lettuce or scrubs vegetables
Coordination and hand-eye movements
Sorts fruit by color or fills a pitcher with water
Problem-solving and math skills
Uses vocabulary about cooking or baking
About communication
Family-Friendly December 6
A
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
EVENTS
Holiday Fest 2019
6-8pm Downtown Shakopee (1st Avenue E and Holmes Street S)
has it all
This free local event of family fun includes the Parade of Lights, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and a stellar firework show to follow—plus photos with Santa, holiday activity stations, and shopping you won’t want to miss!
December 6
DecemBRRR Dazzle
6-8:30pm Lakefront Park (5000 Kop Parkway, Prior Lake) This FREE family event draws hundreds of residents who warm the usual cold weather by joining in all the fun and planned activities. Santa and his reindeer will be on hand for photos with children in Lakefront Park, along with many other winter-themed activities.
December 12
Educare Holiday Concert
6pm Playworks LINK Event Center (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake) Playworks children will celebrate the season at their holiday concert on December 12. All Educare families are invited to this cheerful event—even Santa will make a special appearance!
MAZOPIYA | GIFT CARDS THE MEADOWS AT MYSTIC LAKE | FREQUENT PLAYER CARDS & GIFT CARDS SHAKOPEE DAKOTA CONVENIENCE STORE | GIFT CARDS & CAR WASH COUPON BOOKS PLAYWORKS | GIFT CERTIFICATES DAKOTAH! SPORT AND FITNESS | GIFT CARDS
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Find a variety of holiday gift options at:
December 31
shakopeedakota.org/gift-guide
Playworks New Year’s Eve Party
3-6pm Playworks Atrium (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake)
Exclusive for EDUCARE Families
HOLIDAY CONCERT
Count down to 2020 with Playworks! The New Year’s Eve Party will include party hats, confetti, noisemakers, and games—everything you need to ring in the new year the right way. All are welcome. Standard Atrium rates apply.
DECEMBER 12 | 6PM
PLAYWORKS LINK EVENT CENTER
Bring your camera!
Santa will be available
4-5:30pm
For questions, please contact Teresa Wessel-Taylor at 952.496.6809 or teresa.wessel-taylor@playworksfun.com. playworksfun.com | 952.445.PLAY (7529) | 2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN 55372 Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Craft:
Sparkly Snowflakes
Bring some winter magic into your home with this easy-to-assemble snowflake craft!
materials Colored markers
4 frozen pop sticks Glue Sequins or jewels directions 1. Using the colored markers, color one side of each frozen pop stick.
2. With an adult’s help, glue the sticks together in the shape of a snowflake (as shown). Let dry. 3. Carefully drop small dots of glue on each stick and add some sparkle to your snowflake with sequins or jewels!
Ring Ring inin the the
New Year with withPlayworks Playworks
December 31 3-6pm
DANCING FUN GAMES COUNTDOWN TO 2020!
Playworks Atrium Standard rates apply. Kids ages 4-12 can be dropped off. Others are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. 952.445.PLAY (7529) • PLAYWORKSFUN.COM 2200 TRAIL OF DREAMS, PRIOR LAKE, MN OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
enterprises owned and operated by the shakopee mdewakanton sioux community