Playworks Playhouse June 2020

JUNE 2020

Craft:

Origami Tulips

EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS extreme summer camp Starts June 8!

PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE

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THIS MONTH AT June is here!

Playworks

The weather is warming up, kids are finished with school, and it is time to explore the outdoors! There is much beauty in the world around us, and while many things have shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, nature has not; it is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities and connect with Mother Nature!

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic at Playworks, adjustments to our day-to-day operations and to our annual Xtreme Summer Camp program will continue to be made.

We will continue to reach out to Playworks families through Facebook and other methods of contact to maintain communication and relationships, especially with those who have students not in our care at this time. We will also

resume with activities such as the World of Hearts—a movement in which hearts are used to decorate windows to spread hope—and Painted Rocks that allow us to connect with our community and show support to essential workers during this unprecedented time.

We appreciate all of our Playworks families and hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy, and we look forward to being together again soon!

Suggested Reading

during the month of june

important dates

The Beeman by Laurie Krebs

Playworks is heading into summer and will be providing activities and opportunities that allow students to have fun, build relationships, and learn. We promote lifelong learning through all experiences and June is a wonderful time to get outside and explore what it has to offer.

JUNE 8 First Day of Xtreme Summer Camp

The Little Gardener by Jan Gerardi My Garden by Kevin Henkes Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

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The safety of our students and families is top of mind; practices such as sanitizing, taking temperatures, and smaller group sizes will remain in effect. We will also ensure students receive the best care and education by continually adjusting the approach we take to our curriculum to meet their needs, while doing our due diligence to keep them safe and healthy.

PLAYHOUSE / JUNE 2020

JUNE 20

First Day of Summer JUNE 21 Father’s Day

I LOVE YOU RITUAL: EDUCARE EARLY LEARNING CLASSROOMS: CREATIVE CURRICULUM

Gardens, Flowers, and Bugs

S

unshine, gardens, and bug exploration is what June is all about! In this study, students will explore gardens, insects, ants, and flowers. We will be investigating the colors, shapes, smells, and sights of gardens. We will also be investigating the behaviors, movements, and colors of the insects around gardens and flowers.

This study allows students to explore their outdoor surroundings on their hands and knees, examining habitats, looking for evidence of insects, examining gardens and comparing what different plants look like, and combining the two to see where insects live and what kinds of plants they may eat.

Teachers will be asking prompting questions, while providing opportunities for students to show an interest in insects, flowers, and gardens and developing that interest so that students ask questions and want to explore their surroundings to find out more about the world around them.

SNUGGLE TIME Transition from a busy or stressful time to snuggle time through this interactive rhyme and enjoy some quiet connection with your child.

PREPARATION AND INSTRUCTIONS:

This ritual is customizable. Choose the actions and the types of snuggles that fit best for you and your child.

SAY THE VERSE:

Sometimes I yell.

Sometimes I hurry.

Sometimes I fuss, And sometimes I worry.

All is not lost.

Everything is fine.

I love you so much.

Now it’s snuggle time!

PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE

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Craft:

Origami Tulips

‘Tis the season of bright, fresh, and pretty flowers! Make your own indoor garden with this simple origami tulip craft.

MATERIALS: • 3x3-inch pieces of colored paper • Green paper scraps

• Scissors • Glue

DIRECTIONS:

STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

Bailey Shanley How long have you worked at Playworks?

1 year What is your position at Playworks?

Infant Lead Teacher Favorite part of working at Playworks:

Building connections with all of the families and the children Favorite children’s book:

Good Night, Gorilla

by Peggy Rathmann Describe yourself in one word:

Kindhearted Favorite board game:

The Game of Life Favorite food:

Tacos Favorite color:

Black Favorite animal:

Manatee

1. Fold a piece of the colored paper corner to corner across the center, making exact halves that form a triangle. Fold the triangle in half horizontally.

Then unfold the triangle to reveal a centerfold line.

2. From the center point of the fold at the base of the triangle, fold the bottom edge up on both sides.

3. Flip the tulip on its back and make small folds on the edges, so that the folds are not visible when you flip the tulip over.

4. With the scraps of green paper, make a stem and glue it to the base of your flower.

Repeat steps to create an entire garden of tulips!

WATCH YOUR GARDEN

Grow, Grow, Grow!

In the process of involving kids in garden projects, they will likely grow their own fascination for dirt, creepy crawlies, plants, roots, and flowers. Children learn through hands-on experiences, and this easy backyard project will enable them to spend time outdoors, design their own garden, and make a deep connection with plants and nature.

Let’s dig in!

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Pick Your Plants

Opt for selecting plants that germinate quickly and require minimum maintenance other than watering, such as snap peas, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, sunflowers, or marigolds.

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Sow Your Seeds

Gather plastic starter trays—or create your own out of empty yogurt cups—to plant your seeds. Poke small drainage holes in the bottom, if needed. Fill the containers about three-quarters full with the soil and push seeds about halfway down in the containers.

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Prepare Your Soil

Pick out a good garden spot, with plenty of sun and access to a water source. Get your hands dirty and look for earthworms or other bugs in the soil! Place the plants in the dirt—don’t forget to water the seeds right away too!

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Watch for Sprouts

When the seeds sprout into seedlings, remove the plants from the containers and place them in the moist dirt, while lightly packing the soil down. Remember to water your plants daily, as needed, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Sources: planetnatural.com and tinkerlab.com

For optimal growing, consider adding a soil amendment to your planting dirt, such as a compost blend. Visit the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility (1905 Mystic Lake Drive S, Shakopee) for a variety of nutrient-rich, earthfriendly compost blends!

PLAYWORKSFUN.COM / PLAYHOUSE

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HIGHLIGHTED LEARNING OBJECTIVE:

Connecting Flowers, Plants, and Insects

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s children explore the outdoors and look for insects in the areas that they live in, they begin to connect concepts between the flowers and plants that they see and the insects that come to them. Parents and caregivers can help foster these skills by encouraging and participating in the following activities and behaviors.

WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE:

• Shows interest in picking flowers, plants, or vegetables.

• Shows interest in looking for bugs and examining their habitats.

• Reads books about insects or gardens.

WAYS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN HELP ENHANCE THESE SKILLS:

• Walk through parks, gardens, or your own yard and look for different types of plants. What do the plants look, smell, or feel like?

• Ask children about the insects that they see on different plants. Ask open-ended questions about why you think they are near those types of plants and not others.

• Dry/press flowers to keep.

• Examine insects with a bug examining kit.

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PLAYHOUSE / JUNE 2020

FOCUSED EXPERIENCE:

water and sand

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hat could be more fun than to play with and around water and sand? The opportunities are endless with such a multisensory experience, encouraging imagination and opening up new mediums for play. Try the activities below for some fun water play this summer.

• Try combining water and sand in outdoor mud kitchen.

Allow children to have both common kitchen items or sandbox items, and uncommon items to spark their imaginations.

• Gather sticks and take them to the sandbox to write names.

Draw pictures for an easy, fine motor development skill-building session.

Water play can be fun for parents and children alike.

Encourage your kids to make a game of it during bath time, in the sink, outside in a bucket, or running through the sprinkler.

Ask them how the water makes them feel, or how their skin is after playing in the water. Test their knowledge of whether items float or sink. The options are endless!

Fun in the Sun Summer means fun! It’s the perfect time for your kids to learn, explore, and try new things. The activities listed below will be exciting for kids and nostalgic for adults—win, win!

Summer Bucket List: Swim in a pool or lake Make homemade ice cream Go to a drive-in movie theater Have a water balloon fight Run through the sprinkler Watch fireworks

t e g ut oo

l l i r G t u O

by Stop iya ls s op Maz ll your entia eed N for a r Ess ing

l me ril m & G Su

Have a bonfire Camp in the backyard Go to the beach Go on a nature walk Read a book

952.233.9140 • mazopiya.com 2571 CREDIT UNION DRIve, PRIOR LAKE, MN

Volunteer for the day Have a movie marathon day Have a picnic Go for a bike ride Take a day/weekend trip Watch the sunset Go boating or tubing Make s’mores around a campfire Have a barbecue Go mini golfing Plant a garden Learn a new recipe Go fishing Make sidewalk chalk masterpieces

952.233.5533 • GOlFTHEMEADOWS.com 2400 mystic lake blvd, PRIOR LAKE, MN

Recipe:

Apple Ladybugs

Did you know ladybugs are also sometimes called ladybirds or lady beetles? Try this quick and fun snack that kids will enjoy making—and eating!

INGREDIENTS: • 2 red apples • ¼ cup raisins

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter • 8 thin pretzel sticks

DIRECTIONS: 1. With an adult’s help, slice apples in half from top to bottom and scoop out the core.

2. Place each apple half facedown on a small plate.

Carefully slice the half down the middle without making a complete cut—these halves are the wings.

3. Dab dots of peanut butter on the back of the ladybug, and then press raisins onto the dabs for spots.

4. Gently press two pretzel sticks into the apple to make antennae.

enjoy!

5. Put a little peanut butter on two raisins and stick them to the top of the antennae.

• Playtime • Family Play • Groups & Parties

PLAY HERE. Playworks is the best place to PLAY. We offer a variety of hourly child care services, family play, and more. Our child care is both flexible and fun for children 6 weeks to 12 years of age.

PLAY TODAY!

2200 Trail Of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN 952.445.PLAY (7529) • playworksfun.com