Elizabeth's Home Daycare

Summer is in full swing!  Every morning the kids can barely wait to get outside and start playing ~ they try to tell me that they aren?t hungry and want to skip breakfast so they can get down to the business of playing! 

Everyday we observe the growing flowers and trees. They especially gravitate towards the sand box, swings, and wading pools (sometimes in quick succession). No wonder they get so tuckered out!

The themes have really been a hit ~ I have regular requests for "calendar time" from the children which is extremely encouraging.

Last month we practised the letter Ww. I read stories with the word "wolf" in it and the older children knew when I made the "w" sound to say wolf. We all had a lot of fun with this.

We read about Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. We even made a red riding hood girl and a wolf character that the children enjoyed playing and story telling with. I used this opportunity to gently speak to the children about potentially dangerous situations so as not to frighten or stress out the children, but to ALERT them to situations and actions by strangers. We did this by singing the Stranger Song.

Stranger Song by Karen Lewis

(To the tune of Brother John)

If you see a stranger

If you see a stranger

walk aaaaaaaa way

walk aaaaaaaa way

never look for puppy's

never look for kitty's

never say your name

never say your name

If you see a stranger

If you see a stranger

walk aaaaaaaa way

walk aaaaaaaa way

never take their money

always call for MOMMY

run aaaaaaaa way

run aaaaaaaa way

Stranger Safety Tips

These are good rules to review as your children get older and more independent.

1. Share a secret code word.
2. Stay away from strangers.
3. Grown ups should NOT ask kids to do things that other adults can do for them.
4. If you lose your parents in a public place, like a store or a park, do not go looking for them.
5. Always ask your parents or a grown up in charge before going anywhere with anybody; leaving the yard, play area, or going into someone's home; getting a ride home with someone other than your bus driver or usual ride; and/or getting into a car or going somewhere with somebody even if it is someone you know.
6. Once you have permission from your parents, tell them where you are going, how you will get there, who will be going with you, and when you will be back.
7. If someone follows you on foot or in a car, stay away!
   

What's New

I have purchased a bulletin board for the mud-room / laundry room. It is above the hooks where the bags and coats are stored. Check out out often to find our menus, lesson plans and othe rrelevant information.

We all need to drink plenty of water to stay healthy and active - especially during the summer. I have a small cooler to keep with us outside where the kids know their drinks are kept cool. They are invited to help themselves (or I offer drinks more frequently to our younger friends) to ensure they stay hydrated.

Holidays & Events this Month

July 1 ~ Canada Day

July 10 ~ Teddy Bear Picnic Day

July 15 ~ Ice Cream Day

July 18 ~ Cow Appreciation Day

July 20 ~ First Moon Landing (1969)

July 24 ~ Amelia Earhart's birthday

July 28 ~ Beatrix Potter's birthday

July 26 ~ Parent's Day

Themes

July 6 - 10 ~ Picnic & the letter "B" for Bear

July 13-17 ~ Ice Cream & the letter "I"

July 20-24 ~ Astronau & the letter "E" for "Earth"

July 27-31 ~ CLOSED

Safety First ~ Sunscreen

The children spend a lot of time outdoors and it is important that they have protection from the sun. Please apply a generous coating of sunscreen on your child prior to bringing them to childcare . I will reapply with their sunscreen as needed throughout the day.

We will be enjoying a variety of outdoor water activities several times a week. Please bring a swimsuit for your child to keep in their daycare bags, a towel, and change of clothing during the summer months.