AUGUST 2021
Tubes, Tunnels, and Balls
Craft
Paper Plate Sports Balls
CHILDREN’S EYE
HEALTH AND SAFETY MONTH
THIS MONTH AT
A
Playworks
ugust signifies the end of summer, the start of the school year, and upcoming fall changes. Here at Playworks, we look forward to celebrating these happenings with Xtreme Summer Camp graduation, end-ofsummer events, and exciting back-to-school activities! While summer may be winding down, there is still time to recapture some of those happy childhood memories. If you don’t remember your own summers while growing up, take the opportunity now with your child to do the things you always wish you had. Don’t miss the
SMSC’s Wacipi on August 20-22, a contest Powwow showcasing Native American dance, music, arts and crafts, and plenty of delicious food options to try—all for free admission! The following week—August 24-26—head over to Canterbury Park for another family-friendly outdoor event, the SMSC-hosted Indian Horse Relay and Indian Market. With exhilarating action, the event showcases Native American riders leaping from horse to horse in a true display of athleticism and fearlessness. After soaking up these final weeks of summer, we hope all parents and students have a smooth transition into their new classrooms. If any scheduling changes come up with the new school year, please let us know. We appreciate you for
Suggested Reading dakota value ⚫
Wówahbada Humility We have a spirit; we are no better nor less than others. True humility is contentment.
Pete the Cat: Play Ball! by James Dean A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka Pete the Cat: Construction Destruction by James Dean Henry and the Tunnel by Wilbert Awdry
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PLAYHOUSE / AUGUST 2021
allowing Playworks to be a part of not only your summertime routine, but year-round as well. Whether you join us for a summer event, relax in the backyard, or bring the kids to a local park, take some time to get outside with your kiddos this month.
important dates AUGUST 13 Xtreme Summer Camp Graduation
EDUCARE EARLY LEARNING CLASSROOMS: CREATIVE CURRICULUM
Tubes, Tunnels, and Balls
T
his month, students are diving into the study of tubes and tunnels. Whether it’s squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush from a tube, drinking from a straw, or spraying water from a hose, tubes and tunnels are all around us. Through activities and lesson plans, we will identify tubes and tunnels we use on a daily basis, in addition to key features and characteristics of tubes and tunnels. We will also explore science and social studies concepts as we discover how to modify and create our own tubes and tunnels. August also means the study of sports balls! From a young age, kids love to throw, catch, kick, and roll balls. They will learn how balls are used in exercise, while also exploring common indoor and outdoor activities that use balls. We can’t forget the science and physics behind the study of balls, as we will learn all about the properties of a ball, how balls bounce, roll, and move, and how gravity and friction affect a ball’s movement. Tubes, tunnels, and balls are all topics that parents and caregivers can easily talk about at home, in the backyard, or on the way to and from Playworks. For example, play a friendly game of catch while discussing the qualities of a ball, or ask your child to point out tubes and tunnels at a nearby playground. You might be surprised at just how much your child knows about tubes, tunnels, and balls!
CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE FOCUS:
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 unconscious mental models impact how we perceive things. Everyone has a different perception of who they are, how they fit into the world, and how they believe the world should work. For a behavior to permanently change, perception must change first. When we begin to practice this, we can access the skill of composure. The skill of composure is the practice of being the person you hope others will become. It requires focus on your own behaviors in order to make a positive change. With the power of perception and the skill of composure, we can reshape our outlook and make constructive changes.
To learn more about Dr. Becky Bailey’s methods and research related to the Conscious Discipline methodology, visit consciousdiscipline.com.
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
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Playgrounds Are A Tunnel Fun! EXPLORING TUBES AND TUNNELS Tubes and tunnels on the playground may come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, but there’s something they all have in common—they provide a fun avenue of wonder and discovery for kids! From straight tunnels and crawl tubes to spiral slides and colorful passageways, these structures not only offer a fun play experience for kids, but they also provide an excellent opportunity to develop some key motor skills. Here are just a few of the benefits of interacting with tubes and tunnels on the playground: MOTOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT As kids navigate different tunnel sizes and shapes, they gain important motor skills. For example, when climbing through a tunnel, children learn to control their arm and leg movements, as well as strengthen their spatial and body movement awareness. PROBLEM-SOLVING When a child’s movement of his/her arms and legs is limited, he/she begins to brainstorm new and creative ways to escape tight places such as tunnels. SENSORY STIMULATION Playground tubes and tunnels give kids an enriching sensory experience—one that is full of vivid color, texture, and light. Narrow passageways encourage a child to develop and sharpen his/ her senses through self-led exploration. SOCIAL (OR SOLO) SKILLS Playing with others on the playground can help foster a child’s social development and skills, including sharing, cooperation, and teamwork. On the other end of the spectrum, the enclosed nature of a tunnel can stimulate a child’s imagination in which he/she creates a make-believe world or other engaging scenario. EXERCISE Crawling or climbing through tunnels is a great way for kids to boost their physical activity level, especially their arms and legs.
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PLAYHOUSE / AUGUST 2021
WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE PLAYGROUND?
TO GET TO THE OTHER SLIDE!
JOKE TIME!
AUGUST IS
Children’s E Y E H E A LT H AND SAFETY MONTH
With back to school quickly approaching, Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month is a timely reminder to prepare your child for the classroom and athletics. Good vision and eye protection go a long way to success in school. Not only that, but protecting those blue, brown, green, and hazel eyes on and off the court should be a priority, too. How can you do this? Be sure to schedule your child’s routine eye exam during Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Have them fitted with the correct prescription lenses, depending on their required needs. Make sure students wear the required protective gear for their classes and athletic activities, too. Schools provide all the proper gear in chemistry, automotive, and other courses, and educators are trained to show students how to use them. Encourage your child to follow instructions for their own safety and others. HOW TO OBSERVE
Schedule an eye exam for your child, and have a talk about eye safety. This is a great way to prepare for the upcoming school year, while making it a successful and healthy one!
PLAYWORKS
Health and Safety
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. Although no longer required, face coverings are recommended while at Playworks. Upon entering Playworks, all adults (staff, parents, caregivers, vendors, etc.) and school-age children must: • Practice social distancing and remain six feet away from each other • Wash or sanitize hands • Remain at home if anyone in the household is sick
Temperature Policy: If a student’s temperature reads 100.4°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): For toddlers and older, Playworks staff will contact the child’s classroom and have a greeter or teacher meet the child and parent/guardian in the lobby. The child and teacher will then proceed to the classroom. For infants, parents/guardians can bring their child to the classroom. Child Pickup (Departure Only): For toddlers and older, 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, except for infant pickup. No visitors or pets are allowed at Playworks during this time.
REMINDERS
In addition to our health and safety policies, Playworks has implemented the following: • Staff members are screened daily before they are able to work. • 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. As more children safely return to Playworks, group sizes will be increased 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 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. In order to do this, our hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 6:30am-6:30pm (closed on weekends).
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
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Craft
DIRECTIONS:
Balls s t r o p S e Paper Plat
1.
Paint a few plates orange and some yellow. Let dry.
2.
Draw stitch lines or laces on the plates with a pencil.
3. Trace lines with paint or markers
With summer sports in full swing, these paper plate sports balls are sure to be a slam dunk with kids—play ball!
(see photo for reference). Let dry, if applicable.
Try This!
MATERIALS:
Hang this craft for display on the fridge, a window, or in your child’s room for a sporty decorative display.
• White paper plates • Paintbrushes • Orange paint • Yellow paint • Pencil • White paint • Colored markers
IGHT: STAFF SPOTL
Brenda Anderson
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT PLAYWORKS?
8 years
Favorite Board Game:
Risk
Administrative Assistant
Favorite Food:
Pizza
of things that I do in a day— everything from office work to holding babies!
Favorite Color:
Favorite CHILDREN'S Book:
Dog
Little Golden books
PLAYHOUSE / AUGUST 2021
Positive, fun, and caring
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION AT PLAYWORKS?
Favorite part of working at Playworks: The variety
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Describe yourself in three words:
Pink Favorite Animal:
events
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
AUGUST 20-22 2021 SMSC WACIPI Grand Entry: Friday 7pm | Saturday 1pm and 7pm | Sunday 1 pm Fireworks: Saturday 10pm SMSC Wacipi Grounds (3212 Dakotah Parkway, Shakopee)
Experience a weekend of Native American food, dancing, and culture. Throughout history, the Wacipi, or Powwow, was a gathering time held at the end of a season, to celebrate a good hunt, or to recognize a positive event. Today, Wacipi is a celebration of life. All ages are welcome. Free admission.
AUGUST 24-26 INDIAN HORSE RELAY AND INDIAN MARKET 5pm | Adults: $5 | Children Ages 5-17: $2.50 Canterbury Park (1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee)
Come together for family fun during Indian Horse Relay at Canterbury Park. Some of the country’s best Indian relay racers will compete during the races, which provide an avenue for excitement, passion, and history. At the Indian Market, you can find handmade Native American crafts, jewelry, beadwork, and more.
AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 6 SMSC AT THE STATE FAIR Times Vary by Day | Adults: $16 | Kids: $14 | Children Under 4: Free Minnesota State Fairgrounds (1265 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul)
Visit the first-ever SMSC booth at the Great Minnesota Get-Together—in between rides and food, of course! The booth will be in the education building. Information about the SMSC will be on display for visitors from all over and will represent Native American culture and heritage in an impactful way.
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
O W N E D A N D O P E R AT E D B Y T H E S H A K O P E E M D E W A K A N T O N S I O U X C O M M U N I T Y
HIGHLIGHTED LEARNING OBJECTIVE
DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF OBJECTS AND MATERIALS The ability to identify physical properties is an important skill for children to learn because it shapes the way they view the world around them. Physical properties are characteristics of objects and materials that you can observe with one of your senses. Teaching children how to identify physical properties can give them the ability to develop new skills. They will begin to understand physical change and make predictions about the objects or materials around them.
CAREGIVERS AND PARENTS—TRY THIS ACTIVITY FOR TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: 1. Ask the child to make his/her body look flat and small, like a balloon before it’s been blown up. 2. Tell the child that you are going to pretend to inflate him/her. 3. Blow hard and direct the child to expand his/her body. 4. After the child is “inflated,” pretend to be a gust of wind that carries him/her over trees, mountains, and places in the community. 5. Afterward, ask the child to gently “pop” each balloon.
PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE
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e
p reci
S T R O P S D O GO S E K A C P U C INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Place liners in a cupcake pan.
• Cupcake liners • 9 tablespoons softened butter • 1 cup sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 eggs • ½ cup milk • 1½ cups flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • Vanilla (white) and chocolate (brown) frosting • White and red piping icing
2. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time. Add milk, flour, and baking powder and stir. 3. Place ¼ cup batter into each liner. Bake for 20 minutes, or until done. Remove cupcakes from oven and let stand for five minutes. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to cool. 4. Time to frost! To make footballs, frost cupcakes with chocolate frosting and use white piping icing to draw the laces. To make baseballs, frost cupcakes with white frosting and use red piping icing to draw the stitches.
enjoy!
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
WACIPI AUGUST 20, 21, AND 22, 2021
GRAND ENTRY
FIREWORKS
FRIDAY 7PM \ SATURDAY 1PM AND 7PM \ SUNDAY 1PM
SATURDAY 10PM
LIVE BROADCAST: SMSCWACIPI.ORG PUBLIC WELCOME: FREE ADMISSION
SMSCWACIPI.ORG WACIPI GROUNDS: 3212 DAKOTAH PARKWAY | SHAKOPEE, MN | 55379