MARCH 2021
spring is
here ROADS,
SIGNS, AND
WHEELS
recipe:
strawberry banana car
THIS MONTH AT
A
Playworks
s we enter into March, we are getting excited for spring and all that it has to offer. Spring is a time for renewal of the plants and an appreciation for the great outdoors. In the coming month, we are hoping to enjoy the sunshine and get outdoors. In honor of “I Love to Read Month,” Playworks hosted an online book fair in February to encourage reading at all ages. Thank you to those who
dakota value Wócekiya Prayer Wócekiya means to find spirituality by communicating with your higher power. This communication is between you and Wakaŋ Taŋka (the Creator) without going through another person or spirit.
2
PLAYHOUSE / MARCH 2021
participated in the Scholastic Virtual Book Fair this year. We hope to return to our inperson book fair next year. This month, Playworks’ students will also learn about roads, signs, and wheels. Whether they’re pushing a toy car around the carpet or are on their way to being a professional race car driver, there’s plenty of fun to be had with cars. To encourage their fun and add some teachable moments to playtime, students will learn the rules of the road and how to be safe in and around cars. You can practice these rules
Suggested Reading
when you’re out and about, too! While driving them to school, point out the stop signs and traffic lights you see along the way and talk about what they mean. When it comes to cars and kids, there’s nothing more important than safety.
important dates
A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary D. Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney
MARCH 14 Daylight Saving Time
Discovery: Honk on the Road! by Thea Feldman
MARCH 17 St. Patrick’s Day
Goodnight, Campsite by Loretta Sponsler The Monsters on the Bus (Sesame Street) by Sarah Albee
conscious Discipline Focus:
POWER OF LOVE AND THE SKILL OF POSITIVE INTENT EDUCARE EARLY LEARNING CLASSROOMS: CREATIVE CURRICULUM
Roads, Signs, and Wheels
R
oads, signs, and wheels are all around us—we see them on the way to school and to the grocery store, or while on a walk or a bike ride. We use roads to get from point A to point B, often following the guidance of traffic signs. Whether on a bike or driving a car, wheels are usually the way in which we travel over these roads and see these signs. By studying roads, wheels, and signs, children are able to make connections and opportunities to learn about safety, what they mean, where they can take us, and materials that make up roads, wheels, and signs. When children work together to explore the concept of roads, wheels, and signs, they will use a variety of skills to plan, write, draw, build, and negotiate with others—all the while learning about the world around them.
This month, Playworks’ Conscious Discipline focus is on the power of love and the skill of positive intent. The power of love allows us to see the best in others and fosters the development of compassion. Compassion is a way of viewing the world through the eyes of interdependence and interconnection. What you offer in others, you strengthen in yourself. When we lean into the power of love, we can see the best and shift to prefrontal lobes (and see the call for help from others) while accessing the skill of positive intent. The skill of positive intent starts in the heart and can open our minds. It helps us transform hurtful situations into helpful communication. Positive intent upshifts the brain from the lower centers to the higher centers and frames situations in a way that all parties in a conflict can problem-solve together. This understanding creates a sense of safety and connection.
To learn more about Dr. Becky Bailey’s methods and research related to Conscious Discipline, visit consciousdiscipline.com.
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
3
Safety First! LEARNING THE RULES OF THE ROAD
road sign MATCHING GAME
Test your roadway knowledge—match the road sign with the correct meaning.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if stop signs and sidewalks didn’t exist? Surely, it would be chaos! Road signs and streets help keep people safe. It’s never too early to learn some important street smarts and road rules—here are a few tips and tricks to pave your way to safety:
WALK
This crosswalk symbol means that pedestrians may begin crossing.
1
CROSSWALK
This pedestrian crossing sign is located where people are likely to cross the road.
Use Crosswalks Always use crosswalks and follow the pedestrian signals. Try to make eye contact with the driver in an approaching vehicle, and pay close attention to your surroundings.
2
Obey the Signs Pedestrian walking symbols at intersections are meant to keep everyone safe. Stay on the sidewalk or street corner until the symbol says it’s OK to cross. You should still look left and right before crossing the road.
STOP
This red sign means motorists must come to a full stop.
BUCKLE UP
3
This sign alerts motorists to buckle up for safety.
Be Seen Bright colors are good because they get drivers’ attention. Wear bright clothing or reflective materials when playing outside.
4 Map It Out Plan your family’s walking route together, and go over important street names and landmarks while walking.
5
Remember Bicycle Safety Cars aren’t the only vehicles on the road! When riding your bike, always wear a helmet, use the bicycle lane when possible, and pay attention to the sounds around you. 4
PLAYHOUSE / MARCH 2021
NO CROSSING This sign means pedestrians cannot cross the road in that location.
roadway DO’S AND DON’TS
Play close to home, away from roads.
Don’t play on sidewalks or in the street.
Look both ways before crossing the street, and wait for vehicles to pass or stop.
Don’t cross the street when a vehicle is approaching.
Use a crosswalk when crossing the street.
Don’t run while crossing the road—walk, and be aware of your surroundings as you cross.
Sources: icbc.com and saferide4kids.com
Child Pickup (Departure Only): Playworks staff will contact the child’s classroom, and a teacher will bring the child to the lobby to meet the adult. Adults will remain in the lobby. No visitors or pets are allowed at Playworks during this time. In addition to our health and safety policies, Playworks has implemented the following: • Staff members are screened daily before they are able to work. • Random temperature checks are taken throughout the day.
IMPORTANT
Health and Safety REMINDERS
To limit the number of people entering classrooms and other areas at Playworks, safety measures and precautions will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Upon coming inside Playworks, all adults (staff, parents, caregivers, vendors, etc.) and school-age students must: • Wear a cloth face covering (children are exempt) • Practice social distancing and remain six feet away from each other • Have his/her temperature taken—must be under 100°F to check in • Wash or sanitize hands • Remain at home if anyone in the household is sick Temperature Policy: If an individual’s temperature reads 100°F or higher, he/she will not be allowed entry at Playworks until he/she has gone 24 hours fever-free without the aid of fever-reducing medication. In addition, any other persons that live in the same household must remain at home for the same time frame. Playworks requires a doctor or medical provider’s note clearing all persons to return to Playworks. Staff will work with SMSC Tribal Public Health to determine protocol for each situation that arises. Child Drop-Off (Arrival Only): Playworks staff will contact the child’s classroom and have a teacher meet the child and parent/guardian in the lobby. The child and teacher will then proceed to the classroom.
• Staff are remaining six feet apart from each other, and students are encouraged (and assisted) to remain socially distanced and utilize small groups when necessary. • No more than 10 children are allowed in a group setting. The teacher-to-child ratios will remain the same based on the age of the children. • All students and staff must wash their hands upon entering classrooms. Hand-washing is required every 15 minutes for staff and students. Staff and students must also wash their hands during every transition or use hand sanitizer if hand-washing is not available. • Individual activities are provided to students, and Playworks is spreading students out as much as possible. When a child leaves an activity, that activity is removed until sanitized. Sensory tables are closed. If students play with play dough or other sensory items, they will be kept in individually labeled bags with their names on them or thrown away after each use. • Sanitizing is conducted every hour. Toys are rotated throughout the day so that they can be cleaned after each use.
These measures are in no way meant to be punitive. The continued health and safety of our Playworks family is our top priority, and our goal is to ensure that all children, staff, and families stay healthy. Our hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 6:30am-6:30pm (closed on weekends). PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
5
, m ! o om vr ro v o
Craft
y b l e h S koch
OTLIGHT: STAFF SP
diy roadway Grease your wheels, start your engines, and get ready to roll with this fun and interactive craft for kids.
How long have you worked at Playworks?
2 years What is your position at Playworks?
Customer Care Representative Favorite part of working at Playworks:
Always something exciting happening Favorite children’s book:
The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith
MATERIALS:
Describe yourself in one word:
• Black paint • Foam brush or paintbrush • White foam board
• White paint pen • Toy cars
Relaxed Favorite board game:
Clue Favorite food:
Sushi Favorite color:
Orange Favorite animal:
Orca
6
PLAYHOUSE / MARCH 2021
DIRECTIONS:
1 Use the black paint and foam brush to paint your child’s name onto the foam board.
2 After the paint has dried, use a white paint pen to draw dashes inside the letters to create roads.
3 Allow to dry completely and let your little one play using toy cars to navigate the twists and turns of their personalized name roadway.
NATIONAL
HIGHLIGHTED LEARNING OBJECTIVE
LISTENS TO AND UNDERSTANDS INCREASINGLY COMPLEX LANGUAGE Children are constantly learning new words and concepts. This month, Playworks will focus on teaching kids about the rules of the road and what the signs mean that they see each day while riding in the car. WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE: • Child adapts to and understands the language you are using when driving. • Recognizes what green, yellow, and red lights mean. • Yells “Stop!” when they see a red stop sign. WAYS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN HELP ENHANCE THESE SKILLS: • Create a red and a green stop sign and practice the game “Freeze.” These signs should have no wording on them, just the color to represent stop and go. • Create a red and green stop sign with the words “stop” and “go” written on them and play the game “Freeze.” • Point out signs on the road and explain what they mean.
poison prevention WEEK
E
ach year, National Poison Prevention Week raises awareness of poison prevention nationwide during the third full week of March. The week is an opportunity to highlight the dangers of poisonings for people of all ages, while also promoting community involvement in poison exposure prevention. Here are some ways you can keep your family, friends, and yourself poison-safe:
Be Prepared Keep the Poison Help Hotline—800.222.1222—in your mobile phone and on display in your home in case of an emergency.
Practice Safe Storage Habits The following items should be stored in their original containers and up, away, and out of sight and reach of children: • All medicines and pharmaceuticals • Tobacco and e-cigarette products, especially liquid nicotine • Alcohol • Laundry and cleaning supplies • Pesticides and insect repellents • Button batteries • Any type of oil or lubricant • Personal care products, especially contact lens disinfectants and hand sanitizers • Other chemicals
Read Labels and Directions
EXPLORE MDEWAK ANTON
LI FE WAYS
PUBLIC EXHIBIT EXPLORE DAKOTA HISTORY AND HERITAGE THROUGH A MULTISENSORY EXPERIENCE THAT TRACES THE ROOTS, CULTURE, LANGUAGE, AND LIFEWAYS OF THE MDEWAK ANTON PEOPLE, PAST AND PRESENT. 2300 Tiwahe Circle Shakopee, MN 55379 952.233.9151 shakopeedakota.org
Make a habit of reviewing the label on products or any potentially hazardous substance prior to use, especially before administering medicines. Take care to follow usage directions, as well as instructions for safe storage and disposal.
Detect Invisible Threats Install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your home—CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can lead to severe illness and even death. Most CO exposures occur in winter months or during power outages. If you think you or someone you know has been poisoned, call the toll-free Poison Help Hotline at 800.222.1222. Calls are free, confidential, and answered by experts, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
7
recipe
strawberry banana car
These edible race car snacks are perfect for the toy car lover in your family. Don’t forget to put your seat belts on—this snack will go fast!
INGREDIENTS: (MAKES 2 CARS)
• 1 banana, peeled and cut in half • 4 toothpicks • 4 strawberries, sliced • 2 mini pretzels • 2 teddy bear cookies
DIRECTIONS: 1. Using one banana piece to serve as the body of the car, poke a toothpick all the way through each end to form the car axles. 2. Place a strawberry slice on each end of the toothpick for the wheels. 3. Add a mini pretzel for the steering wheel and a teddy bear cookie for the driver.
enjoy!
Serious about
PiZZa
ORDER TODAY! 10am-4pm
2200 Trail Of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN 952.445.PLAY (7529) • playworksfun.com