MAY 2020
PETS and SOCIAL DISTANCING
imitating
AND PRETENDING
Craft:
Tin can bird feeder
This Month at Playworks… As we move into the month of May, we are gradually beginning to adjust to the strange and challenging realities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. At Playworks, our commitment to the health and safety of our families and students has remained our top priority. During this time, we had to make many changes to adhere to evolving state and federal guidelines; however, we were successful in creating spaces and environments where our students and families felt safe and cared for. For example, our staff created social distancing cues using duct tape, so students were aware of how far apart they needed to be from each other. We also required all students and adults to have their temperature taken, and use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the classrooms. Our environmental team has taken great measures to ensure that we have all of the supplies that we need for surface cleaning, steaming, and sanitization. Furthermore, Playworks staff were screened by a SMSC Wellness provider each day to verify they do not have any symptoms, no one in their household has symptoms, they haven’t been by anyone that has had or been exposed to COVID-19, and that they have not traveled out of state. Additionally, we have varied activities in the classrooms to keep students and staff active and
Suggested reading The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
The Stray Dog by Marc Simont
Swimmy
by Leo Lionni
Some Pets
by Angela DiTerlizzi
moving. There has been a daily dance/exercise party in the Playworks LINK Event Center, and staff follow a calendar of events to maintain the student/teacher connection while also practicing social distancing. Playworks participated in the World of Hearts movement, a viral sensation that has spread throughout the world showing the love we all need right now. Students cut out beautiful paper hearts and filled our windows with hope and compassion, sending a message of unity to our Community and beyond. Students also made thank-you cards and sent them to the SMSC Wellness staff and frontline employees at St. Francis Hospital. In addition, we sent out stories, books, schedules, and activities to our families to stay connected with them during this time of uncertainty. Lastly, we embraced e-learning by repurposing one of our classrooms as a designated space for iPad usage, a writing center, and STEM and math activities. We also wanted to let our families know that Playworks has postponed Week of the Young Child and Teacher Appreciation Week to August 3-7—more details to come. As always, we wish our Playworks families well, and extend our thanks for your continued support!
During the month of May,
we will be focusing on finishing the school year strong for all age groups. Playworks is focusing on the upcoming summer, as well as getting students back together with their peers and teachers, reconnecting and refocusing on the education and social learning that is so very important during these years.
IMPORTANT DATES May 10
Mother’s Day
May 25
Memorial Day Playworks Closed
Educare Early Learning Classrooms:
PETS
I Love You Ritual: "Three Nice Mice" Try some rhyming fun that allows you to connect with your child. This interactive song will leave you both feeling happy and loved!
Say the verse Three nice mice. (x2)
See how they care. (x2)
They hold both hands and give a shake. Smiling together, good friends they make.
Do the action As you say each sentence, hold up three fingers on each hand. Have the child mirror your actions. You and the child form circles with your hands and bring your hands up to your eyes like you are looking through binoculars. Reach out and hold hands, and then give a shake. Continue holding hands and swinging them gently from side to side to the rhythm of the rhyme.
Then turning around, for goodness’ sake.
Release hands and make a complete turn. When you see each other again, give a loving high-five.
Three nice mice. (x2)
As you say each sentence, hold up three fingers on each hand. Have the child mirror your actions.
May flowers and fresh air means more outdoor walks and more opportunities to get out and play with your pets. This month, students will learn about animals and their movements, sounds, and expressions. We will focus on answering questions about pets and how they affect us. What kinds of animals are pets? What are some characteristics of pets? How do pets make us feel? This study on pets allows children to explore and gather information, become more aware of the world around them, and solve problems, all while studying a topic that interests them. Children will be able to create a pet store, develop a shelter for them, and look at what materials they would need to care for the pet using mathematics, arts, technology, and communication skills. Pets are a beloved part of many families. Children will learn about how to care for pets, and in turn about the importance of taking care of others.
Staff Spotlight: JENNIFER SAMUELSON How long have you worked at Playworks? 5 years
Craft:
Tin can bird feeder Chirp, chirp! Give your backyard tree or front porch a springtime pop of color with this homemade bird feeder.
MATERIALS:
What is your position at Playworks? Young Preschool Assistant Teacher
Empty tin cans or cylindrical containers with lids Scissors Acrylic paints or colored duct tape
Favorite part of working at Playworks: Building connections with the students
Paintbrushes Gems or stickers (optional) Super glue Small wooden dowels
Favorite children’s book: One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo
Ribbon, yarn, or twine Birdseed
Describe yourself in one word: Passionate
DIRECTIONS:
Favorite board game: The Game of Life
1. Remove the plastic lids from the containers and carefully cut them in half. Set aside.
Favorite food: Sushi
2. Paint (or tape) the cans and containers. Get creative—bedazzle them if you’d like!
Favorite color: Purple
3. With an adult’s help, super glue a halved lid onto its respective container.
Favorite animal: Penguin
4. Next, use the super glue to adhere a dowel to the bottom of each can. This is for birds to stand on while they eat! 5. About one-third of the way down the can (from its opening), tie ribbon or twine around the can. Be sure to keep it long enough to hang from a branch or your porch. Did you know sparrows love millet seeds?
Hop online (dnr.state.mn.us/birdfeeding) to learn about local birds and what their favorite seeds are!
6. Add a scoop of birdseed inside the can, and shake gently to evenly distribute. 7. Hang your bird feeder outside—and wait for birds to flock toward the food!
Pets and S O C I A L D I S TA N C I N G With social distancing practices likely continuing into summer, have you given some thought as to how to help your pets adjust to these changing times? Though having you home all day may sound like your pet’s dream come true, social distancing can also cause your animals to feel bored, restless, confused, and unsettled. People aren’t the only ones who find the concept of a routine comforting—our pets benefit from it as well. Being urged to stay home can disrupt our household pets’ routine—but altering your daily schedule can keep them (and your family!) happy. 1. MAINTAIN THEIR DAILY SCHEDULE Whether it’s eating at their normal time or an after-work walk in the neighborhood, routine is very important for pets. The more animals can predict what may happen, the more comfortable they are. 2. DON’T INTERRUPT THEIR BEAUTY SLEEP If your cat or dog doesn’t act outwardly enthused, it likely doesn’t mean that they’re not pleased to have you around—it could just mean you’re interrupting their normal nap time. Watch for signs of irritation, and let them nap as much as they need.
3. HELP FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION If you have a particularly active pet, not getting outside as much can be frustrating for both the pet and the owner. Lively animals need attentiongrabbing toys, such as those stuffed with treats or squeakers. Although the stimulation (squeak, squeak!) might get annoying—remember, it’s temporary! 4. STOCK UP ON BASICS Don’t let limited store hours and delays in online delivery keep you from being stocked up on your pet’s essentials. Be sure to keep a few months’ worth of supplies on hand, such as medications, food, or cat litter. 5. KEEP THE PEACE Nervous or vocal pets may have a hard time settling down if their house is filled with more people than usual during the day. Keep your home environment as peaceful as possible by restricting noisy activities to one part of the home, using subtitles or a low volume on the TV, or ensuring they have a quiet place to catch some Z’s.
Sources: govexec.com and insider.com
Highlighted Learning Objective: Identifying and Describing Characteristics of Living Things As children explore their surroundings, they begin to learn, describe, and notice characteristics of the living things around them. Parents and caregivers can help foster these skills by encouraging and participating in the following activities and behaviors:
What This Looks Like:
• Looks for birds and other animals in nature on a car ride or at the park. • Shows interest in zoo animals and their habitats. • Helps with routines that are necessary for the care of a pet. • Helps with routines that are necessary for self-care.
Ways Parents and Caregivers Can Help Enhance These Skills: • Volunteer at an animal shelter to care for pets.
• Demonstrate and describe the care—use this strategy to not only teach self-help skills and care but also language. (E.g., “I am picking up the dog bowl, and I will fill the bowl with water. Then I will put the bowl on the floor for the dog.”) • Create a scrapbook from visits to the park or the zoo to remind your child of what he/ she learned and experienced—ask him/her to name the animals and surroundings, and discuss what a scrapbook of the animals’ environments might look like.
FOCUSED EXPERIENCE: Imitating and Pretending Imagination and pretend play is an essential part of learning. When children pretend, they practice and develop social-emotional skills as well as practice life skills that the adults in their lives exhibit. Imaginary play allows children to create whatever world they want and explore that with all of their senses. The following are some items that could be used in imitating and pretend play: • Large plastic crates, cardboard blocks, or a large, empty box for creating a "home" • Old clothes, shoes, backpacks, hats • Old telephones, phone books, magazines • Cooking utensils, dishes, plastic food containers, table napkins, silk flowers • Stuffed animals and dolls of all sizes • Fabric pieces, blankets, or old sheets for making costumes or a fort • Theme-appropriate materials such as postcards, used plane tickets, foreign coins, and photos for a pretend vacation trip • Writing materials for taking phone messages, leaving notes, and making shopping lists
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Below are some ideas for imitating and pretending. WHEN...
YOUR CHILD IS LEARNING...
You state a word and your Language skills child repeats it Your child picks up a broom Hand-eye coordination and sweeps when you are sweeping Your child looks for objects to Cognitive thinking skills make a fort
952.233.5533 • GOlFTHEMEADOWS.com 2400 mystic lake blvd, PRIOR LAKE, MN
Recipe:
fruit salad with vanilla pudding Create this delicious and nutritious salad with your kids as a refreshing dessert or a side dish for brunch.
INGREDIENTS: 1 20-ounce can pineapple chunks in juice 1 cup sour cream (regular or low-fat) 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix 2 ½ cups red seedless grapes, sliced 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup fresh kiwi, sliced 1 cup fresh mango, sliced
DIRECTIONS: 1. Drain the pineapple chunks and refrigerate. Reserve ž cup of the pineapple juice in a measuring cup.
3. Toss the grapes, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, mango, and pineapple chunks together.
2. Mix the pineapple juice, sour cream, and instant vanilla pudding in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. Place the fruit salad in a serving dish and spoon the chilled pudding mixture over the fruit salad.
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