Fourth of July Snacks

Celebrate the independence of our country while encouraging the same with children. With fresh fruit being plentiful this time of the year, it is a great time to create some colorful holiday snacks.

American Spirit

Ingredients

• Graham Crackers
• Cream Cheese
• Blueberries
• Strawberries, cut into smaller pieces

Spread the cream cheese over the graham cracker to make the flag background.  Cluster several blueberries in the upper corner of the cracker to form a rectangle shape.  Make rows with the strawberry pieces to form the red stripes.  Space the red rows apart, leaving a white row between each.  Red, white, and blue a way to celebrate America and 4th of July.

Patriotic Pattern Sticks

Ingredients

• Long Toothpicks, (hors d’oeuvre)
• Strawberry Chunks or Watermelon
• Blueberries or Purple Grapes
• Banana Slices

Have children slide fruit on the toothpicks in a specific sequence, such as one red strawberry, two white bananas, and one blueberry or grape.  You can do any sequence or numbers.  Note:  Depending on the age group, you can use pretzel sticks with the bananas, strawberries or try other fruits.

 

4th of July – Patriotic Refreshments

Serve red, white and blue snacks to the children for added fun.  Make pinwheel sandwiches with grape and strawberry jelly or jam.

1.  Cut the edges from the bread and flatten the bread slightly with a rolling pin.
2.  Spread the filling and carefully form each slice into a roll.
3.  Cut the roll into bite sized pieces.

Serve red punch with frozen blueberries.  Also, you can place one or two berries in each section of an ice tray.  Freeze and serve with the punch.  Use star-shaped gelatin molds with red or blue flavored gelatin, top with whipped cream.

Use your favorite muffin mix and fold in fresh blueberries and chopped strawberries. Bake according to directions.  Use mini muffin tins.  Serve muffins with a flag decoration.

These are just a few ideas to get you started.  So celebrate July 4th with some fun and colorful snacks.

 

 

Preschoolers – Learning to Get Along with Others

The social skills children learn today will will be used throughout their life.  Making and keeping friends is an important challenge for preschoolers.  As providers and parents we play an important role in encouraging and teaching children how to get along with others.

Typically, preschoolers prefer to play with other children, rather than alone.  You can encourage cooperative play by allowing children lots of chances to choose playmates and decide how they will play.  It is more fun to play doctor if you have a patient.  With the teacher’s help, they have to figure out how to find everyone a turn and a fair share.

When conflicts come up, we encourage children to come up with solutions.  You might say, “Hmm, there is only one green crayon and tow children who want to use it.  What can we do?”  Let them help in making decisions as problem solving will an important skill they learn while young.

Try to engage children in cooperative games more than competitive ones.  They are much too young to worry about winning and losing, so play games in which everyone contributes.

We encourage children to identify the feelings of others by pointing out how they have hurt another child and how they might fix things to make them better.  A teacher might say, “Katie said she’s very angry.  Remember when Darius broke your toy? What do you think you can do to help Katie rebuild the tower you knocked over?”  Helping children learn empathy gives them the opportunity to right the wrong.

There are many ways you can encourage children to help others.  They might make cards for a sick teacher or child, take water to the workers outside, or help with a task.  It is important for children to experience how good it feels to just be a friend!

 

A Special Thanks To Teachers

September is National Food Safety Edcuation Month

For the past twenty years, September as been recognized as National Food Safety Education Month.  The theme for this year is “Notorious Virus”.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses, with about 20 million people getting sick each year.  The most common source for norovirus is ready-to-eat foods and shellfish from contaminated water.  Once a person is sick it is easily spread to others.

Of course, the best way to prevent the spread of norovirus is simply washing your hands correctly. Other tips include:  avoid bare-hand contact; purchase food from approved suppliers; encourage employees to stay home when sick; clean up spills properly; and clena and sanitize food-contact surfaces.  Handwashing is the number one way to prevent infectious disease so from the children in your care, to the providers and food handlers this is something to put great emphasis on.

To learn more about Food Safety Education or to find activities for children visit:

https://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/features-month/september/national-food-safety-education-month

 

Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day Activities for Children

Did you know the first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City?  10,000 workers took an unpaid holiday to march in the first Labor Day parade. The holiday was founded when many in America worked 16 hour days in harsh work environments.  It was considered a day to recognize the challenges and the rights of workers.  The first Labor Day was really a rally for the adoption of eight hour work days and other suitable work conditions.

Labor Day the last big holiday of the summer months and first holiday of Sept.  It is a special day to honor people who work.  Labor Day is a time to pay tribute to the workers who have made America what it is today.  Since work is children’s play how can you help them learn about this holiday?

There are various sites that can provide some great activities to help children learn about Labor Day.  I decided to include one link for your review and hope you will be able to use some of the activities with your children.  These are geared toward preschool, but may be modified to work with other ages too.

Celebration Station – Preschool

Labor Day Art

• Thank You Cards
• Community Helper Mural
• Worker Collage
• Classroom Worker Badges

Labor Day Games

• Hats off to Workers
• Tool Match Up
• Dramatic Play
• Movement Fun
• Guess the Worker

Labor Day Language

• Alphabet Jobs
• Thank You Notes
• Occupation Books

Labor Day Social Studies

• Community Field Trips
• Worker Visits
• About the Holiday

Labor Day Snacks

• Workers Lunches
• Snacktime Helper

Labor Day Songs & Rhymes

• Occupation Rap
• Oh, The Workers Go to Work
• When I ‘m Grown Up
• Workers on Parade

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/celebration-station09/labor-day.shtml

(C) Jean Warren http://www.preschoolexpress.com

 

Pokémon Go Safely!

Pokémon – Who is it?  What is it?  Why is it such a popular activity for children and adults? I have been trying to find out more about this new obsession.  It is in the news, there are people waling around Savannah looking for Pokémon and all the digital characters, so what is all this about?  I decided I need to learn more and thought some of you are probably as lost as me.  With the new increased awareness of Pokémon, I have decided to include some information about it.   I know you are working with young children; however you might also be a parent, have a niece or nephew or know other families that might benefit from this material.  A special thanks to UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Keishon Thomas for sharing this article.  Please pass the information on to families and your community.  This phenomenon seems to be moving quickly across our communities and while having fun, safety is a real issue.

During the past several weeks, a new technology craze has invaded our towns and cities. People appear to be wandering around aimlessly looking at their phones, but they are actually playing Pokémon Go. One of our collaborators, Ms. Keishon Thomas, the Macon-Bibb County Extension agent has come to our rescue to help us understand this new trend, and at the same time alert our readers about the importance of getting involved with the game, but in a safe way. Let’s review what Thomas says and get active!

The game’s developers, Niantic Laboratories, stated the intent was “to get players out and explore the world around them, explore their neighborhoods in a different way and get exercise”.  In this case, your phone shows the animated Pokémon and other characters in real time in your real environment.

The object of the game is to catch “Pokémons”, small animated characters that come in a variety of shapes and colors.  Players ‘hunt’ Pokémon by walking in their real environment armed with “Pokéballs”. Players are directed to landmarks called “Pokéstops”, where they re-up on Pokéballs and other tools to catch Pokémon characters. The Pokéstops are everywhere; parks, churches, government buildings and even at your neighbor’s yard. Because catching those little characters is distracting, players sometime put themselves into dangerous situations as a result of being unaware of their surroundings.

Be alert at all times. There have been reports of people walking into trees, traffic and even falling while playing.

Never go illegal to capture Pokémon. No trespassing or jaywalking. “Pokemons” can appear anywhere. Be safe and use common sense.

The animated characters appear on your phone in a real environment. They can appear in your car and they move to avoid capture. Driving requires your full attention and hunting Pokémon while driving is a no-no.   Arrive alive!!!

Download the right app from a trusted source such as the Apple Store or Google Play. There have been reports of fake apps that have malware that could harm your device.

Children should never play alone. They get distracted easily.  It’s rewarding to play along with your child and capture characters while exercising.

Monitor your data usage. The game utilizes GPS and therefore eats data for lunch and dinner.  It won’t be so fun when you receive your phone bill.

Players should also be mindful of in-app purchases. While the game app is free, there are in-app purchases within the game and they have a cost.  My children have been told not to purchase anything online unless they have permission for the purchase. The same goes for the Pokémon Go game.

Monitor the weather and stay hydrated. It’s hot outside and pop-up storms can hamper hunting.  Avoid complications from heat; carry water with you, take breaks in shaded areas, and wear sunscreen.

Lastly, Pokémon Go is a great way to connect generations, get active and have fun while doing so.    Good luck and catch‘em all!!!

 

 

More Painting Ideas

Painting with various medium is a great way to increase children’s eye-hand coordination. There are so many items you can use, be creative and just try your ideas.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started.  The possibilities with paint are unlimited.

Alphabet Block Prints

Using alphabet blocks with raised letters, dip in thick paint and press on manila paper.

Pine Needles

Dip the tips of the needles in white paint and stroke across black construction paper, or they can be dipped in colored paint and stroked on manila paper.

Fingertip Prints

Place a sponge on a plate and put paint over it.  The child then presses one finger at a time on the sponge and applies it to paper.

Colored Chalk

Here are two different methods for you to try.

1.  Child dips the end of the chalk in water and then applies it to manila paper.
2.  Child immerses manila paper into a pan of water and removes it immediately.  Dry  colored chalk is then used.

Ice Cubes

Start by placing a blog of thick paint on manila paper or finger paint paper.  Have children push the paint across the paper with an ice cube.  A paper napkin or paper toweling may be wrapped on the top of the ice cube to make it less cold for little hands.

Sports Ball Prints

Using golf, tennis, ping-pong balls, etc. dip them in thick paint and printed or stroke over manila paper.

Painting with Toy Cars

The wheels of the car are dipped in tempera paint that is mixed with liquid starch.  The car is then wheeled over manila or other paper.

Potato Prints

Cut potatoes in half and carve a shape on them.  Instruct your child to dip a half-potato into thick paint and press it on manila paper.

Fruit Prints

Using two apples, the first is cut in half from top to bottom; the second is cut in half around the middle.  Let the child dip an apple-half into thick paint and press it on manila paper.

 

Painting with Cotton Swabs

There are many items that you can use for children to explore with art.  Here is some economical, creative ideas for art activities.  Provide the materials and the children will create beautiful works of art.  Remember art looks different to everyone.  Let the children explain what their art means rather than labeling their work for them.  You may be surprised at their explanations!

Painting with Cotton Swabs (Eye-Hand Coordination)

Materials                                                                                         Two or three colors of tempera paint, plastic bowls to hold the paint, cotton swabs and manila paper.

Procedure                                                                                     Cotton swabs are place in or near each bowl of paint. The child dips the end of a cotton swab into the paint and then applies it to a sheet of paper.

Note: Cotton swabs can become overloaded with paint. They should be replaced with fresh ones when this happens.

My next blog will provide additional ideas for painting or printing using uncommon implements.  Stay tuned.

Baby/Toddlers – What are they learning from ART?

Creative people are often resourceful and thoughtful. If a baby feels safe and trusts her/his caregiver and the surroundings, they are more eager to explore and find out more.  Creativity is invaluable and should be encouraged in children.  A secure relationship with caregivers can provide a strong foundation for creativity.

There are a variety of art experience you can provide for children.  Babies have opportunities to use their senses to explore and create.  The process of squishing finger paint in their hands, tearing paper or scribbling with crayons is satisfying for babies and toddlers.  They are developing eye-hand coordination, and are making choices to change the way a drawing looks.  You can provide crayons, chalk, play dough and other materials for creativity and pre-writing skills.

At this age, children’s creations do not usually represent real objects unless we, as adults, label them so.  As they grow, children will attempt to create what they see in real life.  For now, they are simply enjoying the pleasure of creating and exploring the materials.

Teachers should use descriptive language as we discuss a child’s creations (“This painting has circular stokes:, “This color is bright!”)  By encouraging discussion about what has been made, we support children’s language development.  We focus on specific aspects (“How did you make this line so squiggly?”)  We strive to help them feel their work is respected and valued.  We often post the children’s creations for everyone to enjoy.

Teachers often encourage children to explore different art media. We might hang some sticky paper on the wall and have children enjoy sticking items to it to make collages. W e might have children paint with their bare feet.  These experiences let children explore real materials with their senses.  This is how babies and toddlers learn best.