JANUARY 2020
Recipe:
Fruity Frozen Ice Pops
25
This Month at Playworks… As we say farewell to 2019 and all that it
brought, we prepare for the year to come—a year of possibilities to look forward to, goals to work toward, memories to make, and love to be shared. This year—or more specifically—this month, brings with it much excitement for Playworks, it’s the 25th anniversary since the doors opened on January 9, 1995! Read on in this issue of Playhouse to learn more about Playworks when it first opened and how it has grown over the last quarter-century. Make special note of all the upcoming festivities in the weeklong anniversary celebration planned. Additionally, the exploration of all things winter will continue from last month. The children will learn more about winter—cold weather activities, warm attire to wear, animals commonly spotted in the frigid months, etc. So, don’t be surprised if you have some winter-related questions during your dinner conversations this month! Stay warm this month, and enjoy the start of a brand new year. We look forward to making memories with you and your family over the next 365 days.
IMPORTANT DATES January 1
New Year’s Day Playworks Closed
January 9
Playworks' 25th Anniversary Happy Birthday, Playworks!
Suggested reading Snow
by Cynthia Rylant
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Snowman Magic by Katherine Tegen
Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! by Wynton Marsalis
Octopus’s Garden by Ringo Starr
Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar by Keith Richards
I Love You Ritual: Mary, Mary,
Extraordinary
Bond with your little one by following the positive nursery rhyme outlined below, based on the well-known rhyme “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary.”
Educare Early Learning Classrooms
WINTER This month, students will use the web of investigations to dive deep into more winter concepts. We continually pose questions for our young learners to ponder and think about. What is the weather like in the winter? What do we wear during this season? What animals do you find outside in the winter? What is your favorite winter food? What is your favorite part of winter? Our students will learn more about the snowy season, indoor and outdoor winter sports, and which winter animals migrate or hibernate. A study of winter offers a meaningful way for children to use literacy, mathematics, the arts, and technology to investigate and represent their understanding of important concepts related to physical development, science, and social studies. Children are naturally curious about the world around them. This month, when you’re out and about, start a conversation with your child about winter, such as the weather, outdoor activities, or how animals survive the cold months in Minnesota. You may be surprised at what they already know!
Sit across from your child and have them ball his/her hands into fists. Make your own hands into fists. Both extend your arms so that your fists are touching each other. While doing so, begin the rhyme by saying “Mary, Mary, Extraordinary.” Next, you and your child extend your fingers so that the palms of your hands are touching each other’s, and say “How do your fingers grow?” Then say “With fingernails and no tails,” wiggling your fingers when you say “fingernails” and wiggling your behinds when you say “no tails.” End with the phrase, “And a high-five to go,” while giving each other a big high-five!
Highlighted Learning Objective:
Using Language to Express thoughts and Needs As a child engages in conversation—or listens to those around them speak—they are increasing their vocabularies, expanding their expressive skills, and progressing toward the use of conventional grammar. Parents and caregivers can help enhance children’s development of these skills by encouraging the following activities and behaviors:
What this Looks Like: Vocalizes and gestures to communicate Names familiar people, animals, and objects Describes and tells the use of many familiar items Incorporates new, less familiar or technical words in everyday conversations
Ways Parents and Caregivers Can Help Enhance These Skills: Serve as a good speech model for children—speak everyday slowly, clearly, and use correct grammar Ask open-ended questions to encourage multiple responses Tell stories without using books Introduce less common words through books, songs, language games, conversations, etc. Provide props and games that encourage talking, like puppets, telephones, etc.
Focused Experience:
Connecting with Music and Movement Infants, toddlers, and other young learners have been shown to respond to music in a variety of ways that assist with their cognitive development, which is why it makes a great foundation for early learning environments. Check out the skills your child is developing when they react to these music-related stimuli.
When your child…
Is soothed when you play soft music Holds hands and dances with another child Stomps around the room to a march Joins a fingerplay
Your child is learning…
To comfort himself/herself About playing with other children To use his/her large muscles Fine motor skills
While Playworks has changed a bit in its 25-year lifespan, one thing remains true—
the FUN hasn’t stopped!
IMPORTANT DATES To celebrate 25 years of learning and fun, Playworks has a weeklong celebration. Check it out!
January 6 Community Members, Playworks employees, and currently enrolled families can pick up a voucher for one— FREE—small cheese pizza at Playworks Café to use in January 2020.
January 7 Playworks staff and currently enrolled families can compete in a scavenger hunt for prizes!
January 8 Check out staff photos from 1995 and a variety of Playworks T-shirts from the last 25 years displayed in the front lobby.
January 9 Happy 25th anniversary to Playworks! Enjoy treats in the lobby, and kids 12 and under receive a voucher for a FREE game at Dakotah! Bowling! Currently enrolled students and Playworks employees can also pick up a free T-shirt!
January 10 In the morning, currently enrolled students (and children in Atrium play) can play carnival games for prizes, make tissue paper hats, and participate in other crafts in the Atrium!
Happy 25th Birthday,
Playworks!
25
Birthdays are always a reason to celebrate, and the for crowds of after-school kids. With 24-hour child care, the anniversary of when Playworks was “born” is no facility appealed to families that worked long or unique hours. The new center offered indoor play equipment—a first in the exception! nation—including the largest indoor slide nationwide. Starting as a vision in the minds and hearts of the Community, Playworks has evolved to meet the needs of the Community Playworks—and all that it would offer in the years to come— and surrounding areas in the last quarter of a century. The became a reality on January 9, 1995, when the doors opened attic area, which started as a teen center fi lled with video to the public for the first time. games, computers, a big-screen TV, and a snack bar, is now Enrollment numbers were promising from the beginning— the drop-off area for younger children. The Playworks LINK especially for the infant daycare area, which had a waitlist Event Center was added in June 2000, and many areas of the from day one. It was shaping up to be the hottest spot around facility—both inside and outside—have been upgraded.
Playworks Department Spotlight:
Environmental Services
P
roviding a wide range of services to Playworks, environmental services staff strive to provide a safe and clean environment for all guests who visit the facility. This team assists Playworks staff with the daily cleaning of classroom areas and the Atrium, such as mopping, emptying garbage bins, and restroom cleaning. With the Playworks LINK Event Center right next door, this crew also sets up and tears down for the many events that take place here. There is always an environmental services staff member on duty to answer calls and assist where needed, and Playworks wouldn’t be the premier provider of quality child care and family fun without this important group of hardworking people. Thanks for all you do!
Recipe: Fruity Frozen Ice Pops Just because it’s icy outside doesn’t mean icy snacks are off-limits—try these yummy, fruity snacks while you dream of the warmer weather to come!
ingredients: □ □ □
12 ounces vanilla yogurt 2 cups fresh fruit, such as bananas, blueberries, oranges, peaches, or raspberries 1 tablespoon honey
directions: 1 Place all ingredients in blender, cover, and blend until smooth.
2 Divide mixture among six-ounce paper cups.
3 Cover each cup with foil, insert
craft stick—through the foil—into center of each pop.
4 Freeze six hours or until frozen.
Family-Friendly EVENTS
January 3-5
2020 Snocross national
Fri: 11am-11pm | Sat & Sun: 8am-11pm Canterbury Park (1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee) Bring the whole family to Canterbury Park on the weekend of January 3-5 for all the excitement of extreme snowmobile racing at the 2020 Snocross National.
BOWLING FUN
FOR EVERYONE! DA KOTA H ! S P O RT A N D F I T N E SS W A N TS TO H O ST Y O U R
N E X T PA R T Y !
BOWL EAT PLAY
ENTERTAINMENT SURE TO STRIKE YOUR FANCY
DELICIOUS EATS FOR THE ENTIRE GROUP ARCADE GAMES FOR K I D S A N D A D U LT S A L I K E
dakotahsport.com | 952.445.9400 2100 TRAIL OF DREAMS, PRIOR LAKE, MN
January 6-10
Playworks’ 25th Anniversary
Playworks (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake) Playworks turns 25 on January 9, 2020! Join in the celebration by stopping by the facility during the week of January 6 for special giveaways, offers, promotions, games, and more.
DAKOTAH!
A swim program designed to build confidence in the water
WINTER registration now open
January 26
Prior Lake Polar Palooza SnowFLAKE Family Sunday
Noon-4pm Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church (3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake) Join fellow families from the local area for an afternoon of indoor crafts, inflatables, and pond skating. This annual Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce event is free to attend, with food and drinks available for purchase.
WINTER SESSION JANUARY 14-MARCH 7 dakotahsport.com | 952.445.9400 2100 TRAIL OF DREAMS, PRIOR LAKE, MN
DAKOTA
CLMDEWAK UI FLE TWANTON U RE AYS PUBLIC EXHIBIT
NOW OPEN
2300 Tiwahe Circle Shakopee, MN 55379 952.233.9151 shakopeedakota.org
ENTERPRISES OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Craft:
Alphabet Block Snowman There’s “snow” easier way to make an indoor snowman than this alphabet block snowman. Get creative—the possibilities are endless!
directions:
1
Using white acrylic paint, paint the alphabet blocks. You will need three blocks for each snowman.
2
On one block, use colored markers to draw eyes, a mouth, and a “carrot” nose. On another block, draw two “buttons” on the snowman’s belly.
3
Seal the blocks with craft glue sealant to help preserve them.
4
Customize your snowman with a mini fabric scarf, and tie it around the top of the “belly” block. Now have fun moving and stacking your snowman!
Materials: □
White acrylic paint
□
Paintbrush
□
Old alphabet blocks
□
Colored markers
□
Craft glue sealant
□
Scrap fabric
• Infant–Pre-K • School-Age
EDUCARE 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!
ENROLL TODAY! 952.445.PLAY (7529) • playworksfun.com 2200 trail of dreams, PRIOR LAKE, MN
enterprises owned and operated by the shakopee mdewakanton sioux community