SEPTEMBER 2017
SEPTEMBER IS ALL ABOUT
BACK TO SCHOOL! PLUS CHAIRS AND THINGS TO SIT ON
RECIPE:
After-School Apple Cookies
EDUC SPAG ARE H DINN ETTI Septem ER ber 19
Thank you to a of those w ll ho joined us for 2017 Xtrem e Summer C amp!
Welcome to PW’s Playhouse The beginning of the school year is an exciting time! During the first several weeks of the new school year, kids will learn to say goodbye to their families, familiarize themselves with their classroom and routines, and learn to find comfort in being a member of their school community. This month we want to underline the importance of childhood obesity, as September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Children who may be at risk of being overweight are more prone to serious health complications, such as diabetes and asthma. We can use this month to raise awareness about childhood obesity and take steps toward prevention. An exciting month of September is upon us with kiddos heading back to school! This month’s curriculum highlights chairs and things to sit on, which are a familiar part of kids’ lives in and out of the classroom. Read on, and thank you for supporting Playworks!
SEPTEMBER Important Dates SEPTEMBER 4:
Playworks Closed, Happy Labor Day!
SEPTEMBER 19: Educare Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30–6:30pm
Septemb er is Childho od Awaren Obesity ess Mon th !
Playworks Staff Spotlight: Teresa Wessel -Taylor How long have you worked at Playworks? 3 years
Favorite board game: Clue
What is your position at Playworks? Office Manager
Favorite food: Watermelon
Describe your personality in one word: Thoughtful
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite children’s book: No, David! by David Shannon
Favorite animal: Puppies
Suggested Reading Dad's First Day by Mike Wohnoutka
Educare Early Learning Classrooms
The Night Before Kindergarten
Back to School, Chairs, and Things to Sit On We strive to make learning a blast at Playworks! We implement engaging, practical curriculum and activities while allowing young learners to dig deeper into the topics themselves. This month, we’re exploring back to school, as well as chairs and things to sit on with activities and lesson plans that encourage your child to cultivate their skills in math, literacy, technology, and the arts. They will also explore important concepts of physical science and social studies as they observe, gather data, explore their community, and meet new people. Your child will look forward to answering the “Question of the Day,” daily “Read Aloud” times, small group activities, time on the playground, and discovering fun and educational materials in these types of interest centers: blocks; puzzles and games; the library; art; music and movement; the outdoors; and more!
The things we sit on are so familiar that we sometimes do not give them much thought. Every child spends part of the day sitting on something, whether it’s at home or in the classroom. Every day, kids spend time sitting on objects that vary in size, materials, colors, and function. What are the parts of chairs, and what do they do? How do seats hold us up? We will investigate all of these questions and more. After all, kids learn best by doing! The study of things to sit on offers children opportunities to investigate objects from many perspectives. Next time you’re at the park, ask your child to point out things to sit on. What are the different purposes of each object? Your child’s curiosity about things to sit on might even take you in a direction you do not expect!
by Natasha Wing
Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins
Amelia Bedelia's First Day of School by Herman Parish
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Exploring As the carefree days of summer wind to an end, children and parents are starting to think about the beginning of school. You may be feeling uneasy about your child’s transition into a new classroom. But don’t worry! These days, classrooms are often filled with modern furnishings designed to bolster creativity and development. Classroom furniture is very important for learning and comfort. So, what’s inside a classroom at Playworks? Each Educare classroom is just a little bit different. Colorful maps or artwork might cover the walls in one
the Classroom room, or there may be large, cozy pillows in a reading corner in another room. Desks, tables, and chairs may be arranged differently in rooms based on the teacher’s preference or the best learning style for that age group. Some believe students pay better attention and achieve higher goals while seated in more comfortable positions, such as on floor mats or couches. Whatever the goal may be, classrooms at Playworks accommodate students with a wide variety of things to sit on that stimulate fun and learning!
Things to Sit On in an Educare Classroom: • Desk chairs—an integral part of the learning process! Kids • Classroom rugs—similar to floor mats, rugs provide a spend a majority of their school day using desk chairs comfortable place for teachers and students to expand their • Colored floor mats—used for group meeting spaces, learning space onto the floor relaxed play time, or a comfortable place for students to sit • Exercise balls—used for flexible seating and simultaneously • Benches—used for flexible seating and doubles as strengthens the abdominal and back muscles and storage space improves posture • Couches—allows for a variety of seating options and mostly used during relaxation or rest time
Get Active with
Family Play
Get the whole family moving at Playworks during Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! Playworks makes it easy to be a kid again. Our Family Play program encourages families to experience all of the fun and excitement our Atrium has to offer.
Active families love the Atrium, which includes interactive games, a state-of-the-art play structure, an interactive dance floor, arcade games, and more.
Adults a re always free whe n accomp anied by a chi ld!
Back-to-School
Checklist Preparing for a new school year can be a busy time for many families. Avoid unnecessary stress by ensuring a healthy and successful start to the new school year. Check out our back-to-school checklist for some easy tips: Set bedtimes and establish a regular sleep schedule Schedule vision and dental exams Plan a medical checkup and make sure vaccinations are up to date Stock up on healthy school snacks Help your child stay active by enrolling them in clubs and activities Exercise good hygiene habits Once you’ve checked all of the boxes on this list, you’ll be ready for an awesome start to the school year!
Childhood Obesity Awareness Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that can affect adolescents and children. Children who are above the normal weight for their age and height are considered obese. Children become overweight and obese for a variety of reasons. The most common causes are genetic factors, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy eating habits. Obesity is particularly troubling because extra pounds often lead to problems that were once considered adult problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression. One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the eating and exercise habits of the entire family. Practice eating healthy, nutritious snacks after school and nutritious meals for dinner. Get outside and be active as a family. Thirty minutes of exercise is recommended each day—go for a bike ride, walk the dog, or do some yard work! Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect a child's health now and in the future. By the numbers: • In the past 30 years, the rate of overweight children has tripled • 1 in 5 children in the U.S. are overweight • There are 3 million cases of childhood obesity in the U.S. each year
CRAFT:
With the end of summer comes an array of beautiful red and orange leaves! This project is a great way to talk about how trees transition from summer to fall. Simply use some aluminum foil and paint to make fall tree paintings with your kiddo!
MATERIALS:
• Aluminum foil • Red, orange, yellow, and brown paint • 2 paper plates • White construction paper
DIRECTIONS: 1. Crumple up a piece of aluminum foil. 2. Pour red, orange, and yellow paint onto a paper plate so the colors nearly touch. 3. Dip the piece of foil in the paint color of your choice. The more colors, the better! 4. Dab the foil on the piece of paper, creating a foliage of leaves. 5. Use your finger to create a tree trunk and branches with the brown paint.
Family-Friendly SMSC
Events
September 7–October 1 | lantern light festival*
6pm • Under 3: Free | 3–12 years old: $18, $14 on Thursdays Adults: $23 | 65+: $20 Canterbury Park (1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee) Enjoy RiverSouth at Canterbury Park for dazzling lights, colors, and shapes during the Lantern Light Festival. This festival celebrates Chinese culture and features large lanterns, performances, and wonderful food for the whole family.
SKATE DAKOTAH! Youth Hockey • Adult Hockey Open Skate • Classes • Lessons
Visit Dakotahsport.com for more information 952.445.9400 | dakotahsport.com 2100 Trail of Dreams • Prior Lake
September 9–10 | Coaster campout*
9am • $200 Valleyfair (Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee) Coaster Campout is your opportunity to spend a night camping at Valleyfair! Cost of admission covers your campsite, park admission, continental breakfast, and extra ride time on Saturday night and Sunday morning.
E R A C EDU
SPAGHETTI DINNER
Tuesday, September 19 4:30-6:30pm • Playworks LINK Event Center
September 19 | Educare spaghetti dinner 4:30–6:30pm | Dinner is provided Playworks LINK Event Center (2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake)
All Educare families are welcome to share a free spaghetti dinner with friends and family. No RSVP is necessary. Please contact Teresa Wessel-Taylor at 952.496.6809 with any questions.
SPAGHETTI Meet Dinner includes spaghetti, salad, and a brownie Free for currently enrolled Educare families POD 1 to School Age
*Events not sponsored by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
No RSVP necessary
playworksfun.com
Recipe:
After-School Apple Cookies Prepare your kiddo an afternoon snack that’s healthy, too! This After-School Apple Cookie recipe will fill your child up and provide them with a boost of energy that will get them through dance practice, soccer practice, or any other fun extracurricular activity.
Ingredients:
Directions:
1 apple ¼ cup peanut butter ¼ cup chocolate chips ¼ cup shredded coconut ¼ cup walnuts, chopped (optional) ¼ cup almonds, sliced (optional)
1. Slice apples into thin slices. 2. Remove core from slices. 3. Spread peanut butter over one side of the apple “ring.” 4. Get creative! Top with chocolate chips, coconut, walnuts, or almonds.
If you or your child has a peanut allergy, swap out peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or caramel.
Whether you’re playing or learning at Playworks, you’re bound to work up an appetite. Playworks offers delicious and healthy snacks and meals throughout the day!
EAT HERE. • Snacks • Meals • Pixie’s Café
VISIT TODAY! 952.445.PLAY (7529) | playworksfun.com 2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN |
Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community