JUNE 2021
CRAFT
MELTED CRAYON ART
FLOWERS, in sects, an d ants XTREME SUMMER CAMP STARTS JUNE 14
THIS MONTH AT
Playworks C
an you believe June is already here? This month brings the start of summer, warmer temperatures, and bountiful opportunities for outdoor play and exploration. Summer is a time for kids to do what kids love to do—have fun and play! Here at Playworks, we are celebrating everything summer with fun activities, the start of Xtreme Summer Camp, and the opening of our splash pad at SMSC parks for our students to enjoy. Throughout the coming months, we will be visiting the parks on the SMSC campus and enjoying the great outdoors more than ever.
will use this month to highlight our furry friends. Children and families brought in photos of their pets for everyone to see—visit the Playworks lobby to see all the photos! We appreciate all of our Playworks families and hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy. As we enter into a promising summer of lifted restrictions, we are hopeful for what the months ahead will bring. Be sure to get out with your kiddos and make the most out of the bright, sunny days of summer!
June is also our month to celebrate pets and the joy they bring to us. Pets are a beloved part of many families, and we
important dates Suggested Reading dakota value Wóksape Wisdom Practice with knowledge comes wisdom. Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.
2
PLAYHOUSE / JUNE 2021
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
JUNE 7-11 Playworks Summer Fun Activities Week
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
JUNE 14 First Day of Xtreme Summer Camp
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
JUNE 20 Father’s Day
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
JUNE 25 Take Your Pet Picture/Stuffed Animal to School or Work Day
June is “National S afety Month”
CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE FOCUS:
POWER OF
MS:
ARNING CLASSROO EDUCARE EARLY LE UM CREATIVE CURRICUL
, S R E W FL O , s t c e ins s t n a and
I
nsects and ants, especially all of their different colors, shapes, movements, and behaviors, are fascinating to most children. Kids often explore on their hands and knees to get a closer look, capture insects in jars, and watch them flutter or crawl. Insects are virtually everywhere—so it is easy for children to investigate them up close.
The beauty of flowers also captivates children. Digging in the dirt, planting seeds, watching plants grow and morph, picking flowers, and watering the ground with a hose are all things most children love to do. They delight in giving flowers to someone special, placing them in their hair, and simply observing all of the living organisms among them. The study of flowers, insects, and ants encourages kids to explore a topic that is familiar to them, and allows them to gather information, solve problems, imagine, and think symbolically. This month, students will investigate characteristics of insects and ants, how they work together, how they keep themselves safe, and how they help the environment. They will also be investigating what a flower needs to grow and how all living things depend on each other.
ATTENTION and the
SKILL OF
ASSERTIVENESS
T
his month, Playworks’ Conscious Discipline focus is on the power of attention, with the concept in mind that what you focus on, you will get more of. With the power of attention, we can consciously choose to focus our attention on what we truly value. We will recognize the good in ourselves and in others, and generate more of the behaviors and outcomes we desire. Students will also explore the skill of assertiveness, which helps children find their “Big Voice,” or the voice of no doubt. Assertiveness is the way in which we teach respect—or the skill that sets boundaries and shows others how we want to be treated. Here’s an example: A child climbs on a table to get a toy. When we are focused on what we don’t want, we might say, “Don’t climb on the table!” When we pivot to focus on the action we do want, we will provide usable information by teaching, “When you want the toy, please ask, ‘May I have the toy?’” Showing children ways to respectfully use their “Big Voice” is important for limit setting, goal achievement, and problem solving.
To learn more about Dr. Becky Bailey’s methods and research related to the Conscious Discipline methodology, visit consciousdiscipline.com.
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
3
L A N O I T A JUNE IS N H T N O M SAFETY
Week 3 IT’S VITAL TO FEEL SAFE, EVEN PSYCHOLOGICALLY
Observed every year in June, National Safety Month aims to educate organizations and communities on safe behaviors to help prevent unneccessary injuries and even death. Check out ways to recognize the importance of safety throughout the month:
The challenges over the past year have put strains and stresses on our families, and led us to recognize that we cannot truly be safe until we feel safe. Prioritize your mental health and safety, keeping it on the same plane as physical safety.
Week 1
Week 2
PREVENT INCIDENTS BEFORE THEY START
ADDRESS ONGOING COVID-19 SAFETY CONCERNS
Week 4
As the pandemic continues, we all play an important role in the return to “normalcy.” Turn to page 6 to see how Playworks is working to ensure the health and safety of our students and families.
Safety is all about continuous improvement. Whether it’s taking in some self-defense training or learning first aid and CPR, advancing your knowledge is a key part of your safety journey.
Identifying risks and taking proactive safety measures is crucial to creating a safe home or workplace. Consider using a lockable cabinet for medicines and chemicals, clean up spills right away to prevent falls, and keep tools and cables out of reach.
ADVANCE YOUR SAFETY JOURNEY
Source: nsc.org
HT:
STAFF SPOTLIG
Kelsey pete rson How long have you worked at Playworks?
Describe yourself in one word:
4 years
Ambitious
What is your position at Playworks?
Favorite board game:
Assistant Teacher
4
PLAYHOUSE / JUNE 2021
Monopoly Favorite food:
Favorite part of working at Playworks:
Steak
I love getting to work with kids and watching them grow.
Favorite color:
Favorite children’s book:
Favorite animal:
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Snow leopard
Purple
101
t c e s n in o i t a c i f i t n e id lies, tterf
and
ies
Beast r e h t O
Bu
Bugs, y f i t en
an h, you c g u o n e e clos ling ven craw are you look e f i e b — y e a r e thers s, or m erywh —and o ly 6-10 the gras s are ev e n i e s , b t lk c g a e n ssib nati Ins idew on the s lpful—like polli ow there are po shapes, m e h t d n e of k h fin ome are uitos!). Did you gine the variety S . e e r t sq ima on a (grrr, mo of insects? Just e c n a s i u an types st different all those bugs! n o i ve at lea ll a i h m f ll a o s y , the nd size different s, which means ll colors, a a e r a s brate to nsect e inverte ave three parts though i r a n s e t v c e e , s r wo mon. In Howeve insects h ax. Most have t m ll o A c . n e i n s ing e thor ackbo a few th , and the ake a look at som have a b n t e o n m o o d d b t that they : the head, the a ve six legs. Let’s s a e i h d : d and esota their bo their hea ght see in Minn n o e a n u mi anten ritters yo c Lady Beet n o m le com
o Id How t
Color: Red
Size: ⅔” lo
or orange w
abdomen
House Fly ots
Diet: Aphid s found in tr ees, crops, and garden s SMELL T HAT SME LL Produce sa stinky ch n intensely emical fr om feet glan ds when scared
Color: Bright orang e with wide black bo rders Size: 3-4” wing sp an Diet: Plant nectar FLY THE COOP Takes annual jou rney of 3,000 miles, migrating between Canada and Mexic o
thorax
ith black sp
ng
Monarch Butterfly
head
Color: Dark gray Size: ¼” long matter; Diet: Wet or decaying to pet waste particularly attracted EMPTY THE TRASH e Love to breed in garbag , and aps he st po com s, can pet waste areas
uito
Mosq
ver, white, sil gray with cales y tl s o M s Colorr: ent blue r iridesc green, o ” long
⅜ Size: ¼ ‒
od r and blo nt necta Diet: Pla ANCE HE DIST es GOING T il 4 p to 1 m Will fly u meal d o for a blo
Pavement Ant Color: Dark brown to blackish Size: ¡ ‒ ⅛” long Diet: Will eat almost anything, but prefers meats and greasy foods SMALL BUT MIGHTY Colonies average around 4,000 workers with several queens
Insect Fun Facts! •
Caterpillars have 12 eyes.
•
Dragonflies have been on the earth for 300 million years.
•
Fruit flies were the first living creatures sent into outer space.
•
Mosquitos are attracted to smelly feet—peww!
•
A bee’s wings beat 190 times per second.
Sources: coolkidfacts.com, natgeokids, and pestworldforkids.org
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
5
MELTED CRAYON ART CRAFT
PUT ON YOUR CREATIVE HAT AND TRY YOUR HAND AT THIS SIMPLE MELTED ART ACTIVITY.
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. 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 entering Playworks, all adults (staff, 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
MATERIALS:
Canvas
Hot glue gun
Crayons
Hair/blow dryer
DIRECTIONS: 1. 1.
Decide what colors you want to use and place the crayons across the entire top of the canvas in your desired arrangement.
2. 2.
Hot glue each crayon in the order that you chose to the top of your canvas.
3. 3.
Slant the canvas so that the wax will drip when it is heated.
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. 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:
• Wash or sanitize hands
• Staff members are screened daily before they are able to work.
• Remain at home if anyone in the household is sick
• Random temperature checks are taken throughout the day.
6
PLAYHOUSE / JUNE 2021
Newspaper or old T-shirt
4. 4.
Use a blow dryer to heat the crayons. It’s best to point the blow dryer downward so that the wax will drip. This may get messy—have your newspapers or old T-shirt laid out prior to applying heat.
5. 5.
Let your artwork dry for several hours. Remove the crayons and display your masterpiece to the world!
• Staff are remaining six feet apart from each other, and students are encouraged (with staff assistance) 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. Handwashing 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 handwashing 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, 6:30am6:30pm (closed on weekends).
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
events
JUNE 4, 11, 18, AND 25
JUNE 11
DOWNTOWN SHAKOPEE FARMERS MARKET
BEACH PARTY
2-6pm | Free River City Center Parking Lot (205 First Avenue E, Shakopee)
Stop by and see some of Minnesota’s best local vendors for fresh produce, homemade gifts, crafts, and so much more. The Downtown Shakopee Farmers Market is every Friday, 2-6pm, through October 29.
11am-2pm | Free Sand Point Beach Park (14349 Crest Avenue NE, Prior Lake)
Kids of all ages are invited to the Beach Party on June 11 at Sand Point Beach Park! Activities will include face painting, wacky hair coloring, games, crafts, and music. Concessions will be available.
HIGHLIGHTED LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Uses Language to Express thoughts and needs
When children engage in conversation or listen to people speaking around them, they are augmenting their vocabularies, learning expressions, and growing their conventional grammar skills. Parents and caregivers can help their child use language to express his/her thoughts and needs by using the “Locomotor M.A.P.” technique:
LOCOMOTOR M.A.P. (MODEL, ADD VISUALS, AND PRACTICE) •
To help develop routines—with visuals and predictability—start by writing several action words on a chart, such as “jump,” “dance,” “sit,” and “laugh.”
•
Help the child create a movement associated with each word.
•
Call out one word at a time as the child tries out each motion.
•
Take turns being the leader and allow him/her to call out the action word while you complete the motion.
952.233.9140 • MAZOPIYA.COM 2571 CREDIT UNION DRIVE, PRIOR LAKE, MN
DA KOTA H !
BOWLING
BOWL E AT PLAY
Entertainment sure to STRIKE your fancy. Delicious eats for the entire group. Arcade games for kids and adults alike.
Call 952.496.6886 to book a reservation.
D A K O T A H S P O R T. C O M
952.445.9400 | Prior Lake, MN
ENTERPRISES OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
7
l e z t e r p y r e l ce f lie s recipe
r e t t u B
Looking for a healthy snack that is both pretty and easy to make? Try this recipe and make beautiful butterflies that won’t fly away!
INGREDIENTS: • 2-3 celery stalks
• Handful of raisins
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• Handful of pretzel twists
DIRECTIONS: 1• Cut celery into 2-inch pieces. Slice a thin strip off the
rounded/bottom part of the celery to make a flat surface.
2• Fill the celery with cream cheese.
enjoy!
3• Cut the raisins in half and place them on the cream cheese. 4• Place two pretzel twists onto the cream cheese to make
butterfly wings.
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