Playworks Playhouse October 2021

OCTOBER 2021

ALL ABOUT

trees

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL

BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH

craft:

leaf hedgehogs

There are 10 ghosts haunting this issue!

Can you find them all?

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THIS MONTH AT October is here!

Playworks

Playworks has many important events planned for the month of October, and we are kicking it off with National Bullying Prevention Month as a time to focus on unity, kindness, and acceptance. By being proactive and involved in promoting positive and respectful behavior, parents can help prevent bullying, both in and out of the classroom.

Families are also invited to recognize National Fire Prevention Week in early October, where children will learn how to prevent, plan, and practice fire safety

As always, we are grateful to our families for being a part of Playworks and for allowing us to learn and grow with you, while showing support for many important causes. Let’s make the month of October an impactful one!

Dakota Value

Suggested Reading

important dates

Wówicaka Honesty and Truth

Tap the Magic Tree

by Christie Matheson

OCTOBER 4-10 Fire Prevention Week at Playworks OCTOBER 13 National Stomp Out Bullying Day— wear blue!

OCTOBER 20 Unity Day—wear orange!

OCTOBER 21 Indigenous Pink Day—wear pink!

OCTOBER 28 Fall Picture Day OCTOBER 29 Playworks’ Halloween Parade

Be honest and truthful with yourself and others with sincerity in order to welcome a sense of trust.

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precautions. These practices will set your child up for a safe respose in the event of a fire. During this week, Playworks will receive a visit from Mdewakanton Public Safety, along with their firetruck and Sparky the Fire Dog.

PLAYHOUSE / OCTOBER 2021

The Leaves on the Trees

by Thom Wiley You are Like a Seed

by Michaun Madsen If I Were a Tree

by Andrea Zimmerman

I LOVE YOU RITUAL: CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

Investigating Trees

F

all is finally here, and you know what that means—giant leaf piles galore!

While raking up thousands of leaves on the weekends may not seem ideal, try to remember everything that trees are good for. Besides being something beautiful to look at as they change colors, trees offer us many important resources.

This month, students will use investigative skills to observe and learn all about trees. It is important for children to understand the characteristics and the roles that trees play in our human-made and natural worlds. Using different senses will help students grasp the overall picture of why we need trees. They will: Look closely at the tree and observe holes that house critters and bugs.

Feel the shade that trees produce to protect us from the sun.

Listen for the sound that the leaves make as they sway in the wind.

Smell the bark and leaves to understand how trees are organic and come from the earth.

THIS LITTLE FINGER GOES NIGHT-NIGHT This I Love You Ritual will take the work out of bedtime. With a soft rhyme and small kisses, it will bring a sense of calm and lightness to your child and will make them feel safe and loved before dozing off to sleep.

PREPARATION AND INSTRUCTIONS:

While holding their hand, say the rhyme with your child while you touch and massage their finger and say the appropriate phrase. While saying the last line, give your child a kiss and tuck them into bed.

SING THE FOLLOWING SONG TO YOUR CHILD:

This little finger on the end goes cluck, cluck, like a baby hen.

The next little finger goes [make a noise] like a big brass band.

This tall finger goes tick, tock, just like mommy’s alarm clock.

This little finger points to you and says, “I love you, yes I do.”

The last little thumb goes night-night, and says, “Kiss me so I will sleep tight.”

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Craft:

Leaf Hedgehogs

Take a break from raking up leaves and put them to good use with this simple, sharp-looking fall craft! Work with your child on fine motor and drawing skills by putting together a leaf hedgehog.

MATERIALS: • Scissors • Construction paper • Black marker

• Assorted leaves • Glue or tape • Googly eye (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

Tony Rodriguez How long have you worked at Playworks?

2 years What is your position at Playworks?

Environmental Services Representative Favorite part of working at Playworks:

The work environment and the people Favorite children’s book:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

by Laura Numeroff Describe yourself in one word:

Dynamic Favorite board game:

Clue Favorite food:

Sushi Favorite color:

Turquoise Favorite animal:

Turtle

1. Use scissors to cut construction paper into the shape of a hedgehog (see photo).

2. Use a black marker to draw the hedgehog’s eye (or glue on a googly eye!) mouth, and nose.

3. Glue a variety of leaves to the hedgehog’s body, with the pointed edges facing upward.

4. Allow to dry, and put your new pet on display!

leaves

branches

trunk

roots

trees

THE TRUTH ABOUT

A tree is a tall plant made of wood and is one of the largest and oldest living things on Earth. Trees are usually more than 10 feet tall, and some trees live for hundreds or even thousands of years. Trees can be found all over the world—in fact, there are more than 80,000 different types of trees!

There are four main parts of a tree: the trunk, roots, branches, and leaves. The trunk is the main body of the tree, and it is covered with bark which protects the tree from damage.

Fun Facts for Kids

The roots of a tree are usually under the ground. A single tree has many roots. The roots carry nutrients and water from the ground through the trunk and branches to the leaves of the tree.

The branches grow outward from the trunk.

As the tree grows, the branches thicken and may produce leaves. Branches are able to spread out so that the leaves have room to grow and can get more sunlight.

The leaves of a tree can come in many colors: green, red, yellow, orange, purple, and more!

Leaves also come in a variety of shapes and

JOKE TIME!

sizes. Leaves take in sunlight and use water and food from the roots to help the tree grow.

Trees are very important to people and animals. They help keep the air clean so that we can breathe. The wood from trees helps keep us warm when we use it to create shelter or build a fire. Trees can also be turned into wood fibers which creates things like paper or construction material. Trees also provide us food by producing a variety of fruits, such as apples, lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges, mangoes, nectarines, apricots, cherries, coconuts, pears, peaches, plums, olives, and avocados.

Why did the leaf go to the doctor?

It was feeling green!

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CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE FOCUS:

POWER OF ACCEPTANCE

AND THE SKILL OF EMPATHY

T

his month, Playworks’ Conscious Discipline focus is on the power of acceptance and the skill of empathy. The power of acceptance is the act of embracing the moment as it is. When we are mindful and accept moments as they come, we can begin to access the skill of empathy and offer it to ourselves and others.

The skill of empathy is the practice of identifying and acknowledging feelings to better manage them. Practice the skill of empathy by using the phrase, “You seem [feeling].”

For example, if your child is frustrated because he/she cannot have another cookie, try saying, “You seem upset because you wanted another cookie. That is hard when you cannot have another. Breathe with me. You can handle it.” When you let the child know that you see what is going on, he/she can better manage this inconvenience.

To learn more about Dr. Becky Bailey’s methods and research related to the Conscious Discipline methodology, visit consciousdiscipline.com.

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PLAYHOUSE / OCTOBER 2021

FOCUSED EXPERIENCE:

Hellos and

Goodbyes

W

e all know how difficult a “goodbye” can be, but it often makes the “hello” worth it. These experiences take place as families say “goodbye” when they part ways for the day and again with “hello” when they reunite.

Healthy greeting practices may come naturally for some but could be more difficult for others. It is important to establish boundaries at a young age for children to learn to confidently manage separations and reunions.

Acknowledging that there is going to be a separation while also reassuring children that they are in a safe place with people who you trust—and that you will come together soon—sets the stage for a positive experience.

TIP: Spending some time one on one with your child before saying “goodbye” and after saying “hello” for the day will make them feel reassured that you value their presence even when you are apart.

Family-Friendly

Events

OCTOBER 1-31 SEVER’S FALL FESTIVAL Fridays: 1-8pm | Saturdays: 10am-8pm Sundays: 10am-6pm 3121 150th Street, Shakopee Sever’s Fall Festival is the place to be for a fun family outing this fall! Check out the pumpkin patch, obstacle course, corn maze, corn pit, petting zoo, live music, and more. Visit seversfallfestival.com for more information or to buy tickets.

LEARN SKATE to

OCTOBER 6 MDEWAKANTON PUBLIC SAFETY FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OPEN HOUSE 5:30-7:30pm Mdewakanton Public Safety 2525 Flandreau Trail NW, Prior Lake Bring the whole family to the Mdewakanton Public Safety fire station to learn about fire safety and equipment at their annual open house event. This year’s featured activities include a chili cook-off (hot dogs and chips also provided), State Patrol rollover simulator, electric safety demonstration, weather safety booth, and an appearance from Sparky the Fire Dog.

Whether you're looking to learn the basics or want to get an extra edge over the competition, we've got the right class for you.

Check out all that Dakotah! Sport and Fitness has to offer online.

D A K O T A H S P O R T. C O M

952.445.9400 | Prior Lake, MN 55372

Owned and Operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

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Recipe:

Delicious Tree Snack

Every tree is different—some trees have pinecones or acorns while others produce fruit. Try this recipe and make your own one-of-a-kind tree that is also a delicious and nutritious snack!

INGREDIENTS: • Celery stalks • Peanut butter

• Pretzel sticks • Green or red grapes

DIRECTIONS: 1. Cut the trunk of the tree out of a celery stalk.

2. Coat celery with peanut butter.

3. Add pretzel sticks in the pattern of your choosing for the branches (see photo).

4. Add green or red (or both!) grapes for leaves.

enjoy!

Serious about

PiZZa

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