MAY 2021
THE POWER OF
PERCEPTION
ALL ABOUT
PETS
RECIPE
PEANUT BUTTER BANANA DOG (AND KID!) TREATS
THIS MONTH AT
Playworks
I
t is hard to believe it is already that time of year where we look forward to warmer, summer-like temperatures and more hours of daylight. The month of May also brings with it the excitement of the end of the school year and summertime fun! While the past year has certainly looked a little different than most, here at Playworks we are still planning to enjoy the outdoors and the many wonders nature has to offer.
dakota value Wówicaka Honesty and Truth Be honest, truthful, and sincere with yourself, your higher power, and with others.
This month is also a great opportunity to reflect on the important people in our lives and show them some much-deserved love and appreciation—National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7, Mother’s Day is May 9, and Memorial Day is May 31. Oftentimes, the smallest acts of thankfulness and recognition can have the biggest impact. Whether it’s writing a heartfelt note to a teacher, making mom breakfast in bed, or thanking a veteran for their service, we encourage our students
Suggested Reading
PLAYHOUSE / MAY 2021
We would also like to continue to extend our gratitude and thank our families for their ongoing patience, and for being a part of the Playworks family—we will continue to do our best in providing the high-quality care our families and friends all deserve and expect. Stay well.
important dates
Hello, World! Pets by Jill McDonald
MAY 1 May Day
Lola Gets a Cat by Anna McQuinn
MAY 9 Mother’s Day
We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems
MAY 31 Memorial Day (Playworks Closed)
Doggies by Sandra Boynton 2
and families to spread kindness throughout the month of May.
NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK IS MAY 3-7!
Y E EARL SROOMS: R A C U S ED G CLA ICULUM N I N R LEA IVE CURR CREAT
s t e p
W
hy investigate pets? A study on pets not only offers opportunities for children to explore a topic that interests them, but it also allows children to gather information and become more aware of the world around them. In this month’s study, children will explore many types of pets, investigate what pets eat, how they communicate, and what they need for care.
Pets are a beloved part of many families. Young children love to watch their animal friends and imitate the animals’ movements, sounds, and expressions. Have you ever seen children become engrossed in watching colorful fish in aquariums or noticed how children are drawn to slithery, bumpy reptiles? Pets teach children the importance of taking care of others, showing affection, being sensitive to others needs, and developing lasting friendships.
Do you have a pet at home? Or does your child have a favorite animal to share? We would love to have a picture for your child to share with the class! Please let your child’s teacher know if you would like to share a photo.
CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE FOCUS:
THE POWER OF PERCEPTION AND THE SKILL OF COMPOSURE This month, Playworks’ Conscious Discipline focus is on the power of perception and the skill of composure. The power of perception states that our unconscious mental models impact our perceptions. Our perception defines who we believe we are, how we believe our interactions with others should go, and how we believe the world should operate. If we can change our perception, we can make permanent behavior changes. When we become conscious of this, we can access our skill of composure.
To learn more about Dr. Becky Bailey’s methods and research related to the Conscious Discipline methodology, visit consciousdiscipline.com.
The skill of composure allows you to be the person you hope others will become. It requires self-control and the belief that the only person you can change is yourself. With the power of perception and the skill of composure, we can consciously work toward positive change.
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ter t e b g n i z i recogn
g n i r a e hnd a speech month
May is Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM)—a time to raise awareness about communication disorders and available treatment options that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems speaking or hearing. With speech and language disorders among the most common conditions that young children experience, parents and caregivers are encouraged to learn the signs of communication disorders.
SOME SIGNS OF A SPEECH OR LANGUAGE DISORDER IN A YOUNG CHILD (AGE 3 AND UNDER): Does not smile or interact with others (birth and older)
Does not babble (4-7 months) HEARING LOSS CAN OCCUR IF A CHILD: • Was born prematurely • Stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) • Had newborn jaundice with a bilirubin level high enough to require a blood transfusion • Was given medications that can lead to hearing loss • Has family members with childhood hearing loss • Had certain complications at birth • Had many ear infections • Had infections such as meningitis or cytomegalovirus • Was exposed to very loud sounds or noises, even briefly
Makes only a few sounds or gestures, like pointing (7-12 months) Does not understand what others say (7 months-2 years)
Says only a few words (12-18 months)
Says words that are not easily understood by others (18 months-2 years)
Does not put words together to make sentences (18 months-3 years)
Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2-3 years)
It is especially important to be vigilant now, as some children who traditionally would have been recommended for speech and language services by a day care provider or pediatrician may have been missed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on in-person learning and interactions. However, families should know that early intervention services are still available during this time. Early treatment can have positive, long-lasting effects on your child’s communication, social relationships, learning, and daily life activities well into adulthood.
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PLAYHOUSE / MAY 2021
EVEN IF YOUR NEWBORN PASSES THE HEARING SCREENING, CONTINUE TO WATCH FOR SIGNS THAT HEARING IS NORMAL. AS YOUR BABY GROWS INTO A TODDLER, SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS MAY INCLUDE: • • • • •
Limited, poor, or no speech Frequently inattentive Difficulty learning Seems to need higher TV volume Fails to respond to conversation-level speech or answers inappropriately • Fails to respond to his or her name • Easily frustrated when there’s a lot of background noise
CRAFT
Cork Stamp s r e w o l F STAFF SPOTLIGHT:
DEVANTE OVERSTREET
CELEBRATE ALL THINGS SPRING WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL, BLOOMING CORK STAMP FLOWERS!
MATERIALS: • 10-15 corks
• Scissors
How long have you worked at Playworks?
• Rubber bands
• Glue
6 years
• Acrylic craft paint in variety of colors
• Buttons
• Paper plate
• Green craft sticks, pipe cleaners, or straws
• White cardstock paper
DIRECTIONS:
1
• Assemble a couple cork stamps in the shape of a flower, securing with a rubber band.
• Tape
• After the paint is dry, 4 cut out your flowers.
5
• Glue a button in the center of each flower.
a few different • Finally, tape a green 2• Drizzle colors of paint onto the 6 stem—a craft stick, paper plate. • Gently press a cork 3 stamp into the paint and
then onto the cardstock. Repeat several times, creating different colored flowers.
What is your position at Playworks?
pipe cleaner, or straw—to the back of each flower. Pop them in a vase or glass and put your awesome blossoms on display!
Chef Favorite part of working at Playworks:
Getting to make everyone happy with the food that I prepare. Favorite children’s book:
No, David! by David Shannon Describe yourself in one word:
Energetic Favorite board game:
Monopoly Favorite food:
Lasagna Favorite color:
Blue Favorite animal:
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IMPORTANT
Health and Safety REMINDERS
Over the past year, Playworks has been working closely with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Tribal Public Health team to devise and implement protocols for the health and safety of our students and their families. Please do your part to keep us all safe by following the guidelines below.
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. 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.
To limit the number of people entering classrooms and other areas • Staff are remaining six feet apart from each other, and students at Playworks, safety measures and precautions will remain in place are encouraged (with staff assistance) to remain socially for the foreseeable future. Upon entering Playworks, all adults (staff, distanced and utilize small groups when necessary. parents, caregivers, vendors, etc.) and school-age children must: • Wear a cloth face covering (children 6 weeks - school age 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 feverfree 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. Tribal Public Health must inform Playworks Director that children can be authorized to return if they were ill. 6
PLAYHOUSE / MAY 2021
• 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).
HIGHLIGHTED LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Demonstrates Traveling Skills Locomotor skills are an important group of gross motor skills that children begin to learn within the first few months of their life. From rolling and crawling to walking and running, locomotor skills are what moves the body from one place to another.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE: • Moves to explore the immediate environment, such as rolling over to reach for a toy, crawling, or taking a few steps. • Experiments with different ways of moving or walking, such as walking backward, using a hurried walk, or marching around the room.
952.233.9140 • mazopiya.com 2571 CREDIT UNION DRIve, PRIOR LAKE, MN
• Coordinates complex movements in play and games, such as jumping and spinning, playing “Follow the Leader,” or moving through a short obstacle course.
WAYS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN HELP ENHANCE THESE SKILLS: • For children under the age of 1, lay them on their back and sit next to them, gently moving their body while singing or playing music. • For children age 2 and over, find a carpeted surface with enough space to move around. Demonstrate rolling in one direction and ending on your back. Then, demonstrate rolling the other direction. Try adding a few additional skills into the mix, such as asking them to show you how many times they can roll and asking them to count the number of times they roll.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY MAY 21 MUSIC IN THE PARK
events
7-9pm | Free Lakefront Park (5000 Kop Parkway SE, Prior Lake)
Grab a lawn chair or blanket and bring the family to the Music in the Park summer kickoff, featuring live music from G.B. Leighton and food trucks on-site.
952.233.5533 • GOlFTHEMEADOWS.com 952.233.5533 • golfthemeadows.com 2400 mystic lake blvd, PRIOR LAKE, MN 2400 mystic lake blvd, PRIOR LAKE, MN
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
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a n a n a b r e t t u B s !) t u (and kid t r e a t Pean Dog recipe
Your pampered pooch will give you a PAW of approval for these easy-to-make homemade dog treats—plus, they’re human-friendly, too!
INGREDIENTS: 1½ cups gluten-free oat flour
1 large ripe banana
½ cup natural peanut butter
DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to smash the banana. Stir in the peanut butter and oat flour, mixing with the fork until thick and well combined. 3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough until it is ¼ -inch thick. Use a dog bone-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the treats—or whatever shape you’d like!
enjoy!
4. Place treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes or until lightly brown on the bottom. 5. Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Treats can be stored up to two weeks in an airtight container.
Full- & part-time
OPTIONS
availAble
Starts June 14 educational programs
FIELD Trips
hands-on experiences
atrium play Daily meals included No Enrollment Fee for community members, smsc employees, or team members
REgister Today! restrictions apply
2200 TRAIL OF DREAMS | PRIOR LAKE