JANUARY 2019
A
Positive Approach to
Recipe:
Penguin Snack Crackers
exploring
Winter
sports
This Month at Playworks…
As we dive into 2019, one of the most popular New Year’s traditions is setting a New Year’s resolution. This year, encourage your child to get in on this annual tradition. New Year’s resolutions can serve as a valuable learning experience—not only will your child be setting a real, attainable goal, but they will also be learning to stick to something while practicing decision-making skills. To get started, talk to your child about some of the successful New Year’s resolutions you’ve done in the past—it’s important to focus on the positives. Then, ask your child what they’d like to do better in the next year. You may be surprised by some of the answers they come up with! Encourage your child to set a goal that can be measured instead of something general. Once your child sets a goal, such as “read one book per week,” check in with them regularly. If you keep to your own goals and encourage your child to keep to theirs, there is a good chance their resolution will show real results!
Suggested Reading
Honk! Honk! A Learning to Ski Story of Migration with Mr. Magee by Mick Manning by Chris Van Dusen and Brita Granström
important dates January 1:
Playworks Closed for New Year’s Day
January 9:
Playworks 24th Anniversary
Snowflakes by Cerrie Burnell
When Will It Snow? by Marty Crisp
Why Do Animals Hibernate? by Michael Ulinski
Educare Early Learning Classrooms
Winter
With winter feeling like it takes up half the year in our great state of Minnesota, we feel as if it’s only fitting to dedicate two months of Playworks’ curriculum to the season! As mentioned in last month’s issue, we will continue our discussion of weather, what animals do in the winter, and winter sports. To help your child improve their winter knowledge, be sure to ask them questions about their classroom studies. And don’t forget to mention the many winter sports and animals you see throughout the season. When the weather takes a frigid turn, treat it as a learning experience! Bring your child outside and let them show you what they’ve learned. Remember—the temperature can be a real concern in Minnesota, so bundle up, stay warm, and be safe! The snowy season won’t last forever, so find a family-friendly way to ring in the new year with hot chocolate, snowball fights, or other fun activities!
BUILDING CONNECTIONS:
I Love You Ritual
Foster the relationship between you and your child with this Conscious Discipline activity. If you’re looking for a fun twist, feel free to switch up the roles!
Here’s the bunny with the ears so funny,..................................................Help the child hold up two fingers to be the “bunny.” Here’s the hole in the ground,..........................................................................Make a circle with both hands for the hole. When a noise she hears,.......................................................................................The child bends the bunny’s ears down by bending their two upright fingers down toward the thumb. She picks up her ears,............................................................................................With a quick motion, the child sticks their fingers straight up in the air. And jumps in the hole in the ground!.........................................................Have their two fingers jump into the “hole” you made. Once the bunny is in the hole, give the fingers a couple of loving squeezes.
FOR
n o s e S h k i t s i ‘T EXPLORING WINTER SPORTS Hockey A winter favorite in the Midwest, ice hockey is played both indoors and outdoors. Whether you’re playing on a pond or at a rink, hockey is a fast and exciting way to get active in the winter—and all you need are skates, a hockey stick, and a puck! Skiing Downhill or cross-country, some kids start skiing before they’re four years old! There are many enjoyable ski slopes in the state, but skiing can also be done in your own backyard. Find a set of skis and ski poles and take advantage of the fresh powder. Snowshoeing If you’re looking to take in beautiful winter scenes, snowshoeing is an easy, affordable winter hobby. Just strap on some snowshoes, which can be purchased or rented, and head to nearby hiking trails!
Demonstrating a Positive Approach to Learning There are many ways a child learns, but a positive learning environment is crucial to a child’s development. A positive learning environment allows children to make their own choices,
provides them with positive feedback, and challenges them to come up with solutions. Read more to learn what this looks like and how you can take a positive approach to learning.
Not all winter sports take place outdoors… If you’re sick of the cold, basketball,
dance, and gymnastics are all fun ways to stay active indoors.
Check out the Dakotah! Ice Center for open skate hours, right next door to Playworks! Ice Skating Not all skating involves sticks and pucks—you can glide around the ice without the accessories. Kids can start skating as early as three years old, so find a nice sheet of ice and get learning. Sledding A winter classic! Sledding is a blast for both children and adults. Throughout the snowy season, many children are seen sledding in their own backyard. If you’re looking to boost the excitement, head to a local tubing slope!
Ways to promote a positive learning environment:
What this looks like:
Provide one or two toys at a time, exchanging them when the child’s attention diminishes.
Turns their head toward the sound of their caregiver’s voice.
Support your child’s efforts during challenging tasks by providing specific, positive feedback or physical support while encouraging them to come up with solutions.
Continues stacking rings when the teacher says, “You’re putting the biggest ones on first.”
Encourage your child to learn from their mistakes and to make predictions. Provide opportunities for your child to make choices from materials that are familiar and challenging.
Focuses on making a sign for a building while others are rolling cars down a ramp. Returns to block construction over several days, adding new features each time.
Th e
Playworks department Spotlight:
Atrium
Looking for an affordable place to party, play, and have an all-around great time? Then schedule your next playdate at the Playworks Atrium! Featuring a state-of-theart play structure, an interactive dance floor, and an arcade, the Atrium is sure to provide a memorable outing for the whole family. Ways to Enjoy the Atrium: Birthday parties Hourly child care Seasonal parties
Recipe:Penguin
Family Play Group trips
nack Crackers
Waddle your way into the kitchen and prepare a polar-inspired plate of penguin snack crackers! Requiring only four ingredients, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for parties and after-school snacks.
Ingredients: 12 whole pitted black olives Block of colby jack cheese 1.
Cream cheese 16 oval snack crackers
Directions:
Cut four whole black olives horizontally into circular slices. Cut eight whole black olives vertically into quarters. Set aside.
2. Cut 32 half-inch triangles out of the block of cheddar cheese, and set aside. 3.
Spread cream cheese on the crackers.
4. Put black olives on the coated crackers, placing one horizontal, circular slice on the top of each cracker as the penguin’s head and two of the vertical quarters on the sides of each cracker as the penguin’s wings (see photo).
5.
Place two cheddar cheese triangles on the bottom of each cracker as the penguin’s feet and one on the penguin’s head as its beak.
Family-Friendly EVENTS January 9
Playworks 24th Anniversary Playworks (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake) Enjoy all of Playworks’ wonderful family entertainment options! Schedule a group trip, enjoy Family Play, or have your next birthday party at the Atrium. There’s so much to do at Playworks, and we’re excited to be celebrating our 24th birthday this month—join us for cookies on January 9.
Great Gas Prices. Great Car Wash. Great Food. Great Rewards. We’re more than your everyday convenience store. sdcstores.com Sdcs #1 | 952.445.5520 | 15035 mystic lake dr, Prior lake, mn Sdcs #2 | 952.233.2992 | 14160 wilds path nw, Prior lake, mn
January 27
Polar Palooza Family Fun Noon-3pm Lakefront Park (5000 Kop Pkwy, Prior Lake) Stop by for a day of wintry fun at the Polar Palooza at Lakefront Park, where there will be contests and prizes, a DJ playing music, sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Focused Experience:
Enjoying Stories and Books
($199 after january 15)
Promotion valid December 18, 2018, through January 15, 2019. Monthly membership fees apply.
Reading is a great way to spend time together, whether it’s during your kiddo’s bedtime routine or a relaxed daytime activity. Reading and telling stories to your child every day is important—although the words and pictures are fun, spending time together as you read aloud and tell stories together shows your child how much you value these activities.
Benefits of Reading to Infants and Toddlers: •
Develops a stronger relationship with parents and caregivers
•
Develops communication skills
•
Exposes child to the basic mechanics of a book
•
Teaches basic speech skills
•
Teaches child about new experiences
952.445.9400 • dakotahsport.com 2100 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN
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Craft: DIY Snow Globe Materials:
Heavy-duty glue
Small jar with lid
Small toy
Glycerin
Needle-nose pliers
Create a homemade slow globe to add to your wintry decor collection. Enjoy this DIY craft as one of your favorite toys takes in the snowy atmosphere!
Fine glitter
Directions: 1.
Add heavy-duty glue to the bottom of a small toy.
2. Use a needle-nose pliers to lower the toy into the jar, and
press down firmly until it’s in place. Allow glue to fully dry.
3.
Fill the jar with water. Add a small drop of glycerin and a pinch of glitter.
4. Use heavy-duty glue to glue the lid onto the jar.
Allow glue to fully dry.
5.
Flip, shake, and marvel at your new homemade snow globe!
• 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