LeMars Toddler Center A April 2013
Parents:
Teacher Tidbits
We have been busy doing many activities in
Early Head Start. Since March came in like a
lamb, we decorated lambs by gluing cotton balls on them. We made shamrocks by mixing different colors into shaving cream. The children then pressed on a
piece of paper and the design came out on the paper. We then put a shamrock shape
around the design. We also have been busy counting, naming colors and our shapes.
We have also been singing many songs including the stoplight song!!
For our nutrition activities we made green eggs. Each child cracked their own egg,
we scrambled them, added green food coloring, sent them to the kitchen to be cooked
and then enjoyed them for lunch that day. We also explored cabbage and then ate it
cooked for lunch also.
For a science activity we have a sweet potato in water and have been watching it
grow "legs." We plan on planting it in a bucket of dirt and then watch it grow this summer.
Julie and I want to thank-you for your time for the home visits. It is always nice
visiting with all of you and letting you know how your child is doing.
We still go outside every day, so please continue sending boots, hats and gloves
with your child. Hopefully it won't be long before we can go without the boots, hats and
gloves!!!
Enjoy every day with your child! Julie and I enjoy watching your child grow every
day. They are so proud of what they can do!!
Think Spring!!
Vicky and Julie
Falls
Falls are one of the most common causes of emergency department visits. As a
parent, you may believe that your home is a safe haven; however, it can be a place
of potentially dangerous falls. Stairway falls make up a large percentage of home
falls. The stairs should be always cleared of toys and clutter, as your toddler is
still mastering the art of stair climbing. A hardware gate that requires screws to
install is recommended at the top of the stairs. These gates can swing open like
doors. A pressure gate, on the other hand, requires no hardware to install. They
should never be used at the top of the stairs because they are easily toppled over
by young children. Doors to any dangerous areas should be locked.
Furniture or anything a child can climb should be kept away from
windows. Do not depend on window screens to keep your child from
falling out of a window. Install window guards on windows that are
above the first floor.
Notes From The Nurse:
Cook’s Corner
Family Advocate Tidbits
CHILDREN LEARN BY DOING & LISTENING
Think About Timing......

Children learn about the world around them by
exploring, questioning, touching, moving, and
discussing. Children also learn about the world by
watching and listening.
Introduce only one new food at a time. Offer a
very small amount of the new food.

Offer new foods at the beginning of the meal
when children are hungry.

Allow them plenty of time to look at and examine
the new food.
Be Positive.......
We can make television viewing a learning experience
by participating along with the show or by being
thoughtfully engaged in the things we see and hear.
Make TV time a learning
time by watching TV with
your children and
encourage them to play
along and listen carefully.

Have a positive attitude towards the food. Be sure
that the adults are eating the same food to set
examples.

Serve a new food with familiar foods. Point out
the similarities between the two foods.

Praise the children when they try new foods.
Keep Trying....

New foods need introduced six-twelve times before they will decide to like it or not.

If a food is still not accepted after several tries,
change the way it is prepared and/or served.

If they accept a new food, serve it again soon so
they become accustomed to it.
Yarn Bug This will be the cutest bug you'll find around your house!
You need: * Colored Yarn
* Pink, Yellow, Black and Orange Foam Scrap
Two 3/4" White Pompoms / Two 1/2" Pink Pompoms / Three Green Pipe Cleaners
2-1/2" Styrofoam Balls / 5" Square of Cardboard / Tacky Glue / Scissors
Instructions:
Family Fun Activity:
Make a pompon by wrapping yarn around floppy disk (or heavy cardboard) as least 100 times. Cut a
6" piece of yarn and slide it under wrapped yarn. Tie tightly into a double knot. Turn floppy over and
cut completely through yarn on this side. Turn yarn blob sideways and smooth down strands. Ask on
adult to slice off the bottom of the Styrofoam ball so it stands on end. Cover the top and sides of the
ball with tacky glue. Separate the strands
of the pompon to fit the Styrofoam egg up inside. Press
pompon into place. Arrange yarn. Cut pipe cleaners in half.
Poke through yarn and into Styrofoam ball. Bend four for legs.
Gently curl the two for antennae. Glue two white pompoms for
eyes, and two pink pompoms for antennae tips. Punch holes
out of craft foam and glue on all around bug. Glue two black
holes on pompom for pupils on the eyes.