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Reasons for Recess

booksWhile our society develops, spending more time on computers and indoors meeting math and reading standards, our children still have the need for sun and wind, and outside play. There are so many reasons for outdoor play, including:

  • Children learn at young ages when their whole body is involved, which is best accomplished through play
  • Play allows children the opportunity to relax without interruptions from from adults
  • Children work out emotions through unstructured play
  • Children develop skills from empathetic play, including cooperation, helping, sharing, and problem solving
  • Outdoor play encourages the use of all senses, not just touch and site, like books and computers do
  • Children learn to navigate safely through their environment when they are allowed outdoor play

Recess and the Importance of Play

National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education
Recess and the Importance of Play highlights the significance of play in development.

Read the full article.

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Perhaps the World Ends Here

booksOne aspect of our program that is so important to our day is gathering around the table. We begin and end our preschool days by eating breakfast and lunch around out communal table, sharing moments together and chatting about our day.

The poem, Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo, describes beautifully why we gather together around the table.

Perhaps the World Ends Here

by Joy Harjo

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live.

The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.

We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teethe at the corners. They scrape their knees under it.

It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers.

Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table.

This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory.

We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here.

At this table we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray of suffering and remorse. We give thanks.

Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.

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Dirty Bill from Vinegar Hill

musicOne great song we love to sing is Dirty Bill from Vinegar Hill. Here are the words so you can sing along with your child at home.

Dirty Bill from Vinegar Hill

Chorus
Scrub, scrub, splash, splash, splash
Scrub, scrub, splash, splash, splash
(rub one arm, then the other, then pretend to splash someone)

I’m dirty Bill from Vinegar hill,
I never had a bath and I never will!
I’m dirty Bill from Vinegar hill,
I never had a bath and I never will!

Verse 1
Catch him, snatch him, put him in the tub,
(pretend to catch child)
Dump in the water and rub, rub, rub.
(pour water in tub)

Chorus

Verse 2
Put him in the bathtub, put him in the sink
(put imaginary child in tub and sink)
Wash away the dirt and the stink, stink, stink.

Chorus

Verse 3
We’re going to wash him up, and wash him down,
(lift imaginary child up and down)
Wash him around and around and around.

Chorus

Scrub, scrub, splash, splash, splash
Scrub, scrub, splash, splash, splash
(rub one arm, then the other, then pretend to splash someone)
Pull the plug, glub, glub, glub.

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Don’t Let Them Take Away Play

Don’t Let Them Take Away Play

Jeff and Tasha Johnson

“Play is the foundation of all early learning; children learn by playing with their environment. Their fingers, toes, and mouths are their first playthings. As knowledge of the world grows, so does the list of items integrated into their play: stacking cups, blocks, paint, crayons, dolls, pots, pans, and cardboard boxes. They also learn by playing with ideas, feelings, and language. Play is an amazing and natural process.”

Read the full article.

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Valentine Craft Roundup

Valentine's Crafts

Valentine's CraftsWe’ve scoured the internet to find you some great, fun crafts you can do with your little ones for Valentine’s Day. Check these out!

There are also tons of printable Valentine’s Day Cards for your little one to make for friends.

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Valentine Craft – Crayon Heart Sun Catchers

Crayon Hearts

Crayon HeartsAre you looking for a fun and easy Valentine craft to do at home with your little one? Crayon melt sun catchers are a great choice! They make pretty decorations and are fun to give out as Valentine cards.

What You’ll Need

  • Waxed paper
  • Crayons
  • Crayon sharpener
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Paper bag or craft paper
  • Thread (optional)

Basic Directions

  1. Take a sheet of wax paper and fold it in half.
  2. Unfold the sheet.
  3. Place crayon shavings from the sharpener evenly on one side of the wax paper (try not to pile them on too thickly).
  4. Fold the clean half of the wax paper back over the shavings.
  5. Place your craft paper or paper bag on your ironing board to protect the board from wax and then place the wax paper shaving sandwich on top of it.
  6. Place another paper bag or craft paper on top to protect your iron.
  7. Iron on medium eat until crayon shavings have melted completely (check every few passes).
  8. Let it cool.
  9. Trace a heart shape on the melted shavings sandwich and cut it out.
  10. String a thread through the heart for hanging.

You can use any color shavings you’d like. And, use different shapes for different holidays. When you hang these in front of a window, they make pretty, colorful displays.

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Preschool Fair

Preschool Fair

Preschool FairIn a Child’s Path Farm Preschool will be participating in the Multnomah County Preschool Fair. Join us for information about our amazing farm preschool.

The fair will be held at the Gresham Library on February 23.

Details

When: Sat, 02/23/2013 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Where: Gresham Library – Meeting Room – Large, 385 N.W. Miller Avenue, Gresham OR 97030.
More Information: Gresham Library Website

We hope to see you there!

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Cardboard Gingerbread House

Cardboard Gingerbread HouseChristmas break is just around the corner and fun, festive crafts are a great way to make memories and keep the kids busy. A cardboard gingerbread house can easily be made with all kinds of things you have just laying around the house. The best part is that you’ll have a treasure that you can bring out and enjoy year after year.

What You’ll Need

  • Cardboard box (cereal boxes work great)
  • Scissors
  • Glue or Tape
  • Gingerbread House Template

Basic Instructions

  • There are many gingerbread house templates available for free online. Find your favorite template and cut the shapes out of the cardboard.
  • Glue the house together and allow to dry.
  • Decorate your gingerbread house. Things that work well for decorating: Markers, stickers, construction paper, glitter, beads, poms, chenille craft stems.
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SnickerDoodles

SnickerdoodlesBaking is a great way to get your kids involved in the kitchen and build on all kinds of skills: mixing, measuring, learning about ingredients, etc. The bonus is that the sweet treat at the ends means the fun keeps on going.

These cookies are quick, fun & easy to make! Substitute nonpariels or colored sugar for the cinnamon topping and create festive cookies for any holiday!

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • ½ cup butter or margarine, softened
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Topping

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 400°F.
  2. Cream together 1 1/2 cups of the sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in a large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
  3. Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  4. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Makes 4 dozen cookies

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Local Holiday Events

If you are looking for a great way to spend some family time around the holidays, check out these local holiday events.

Sandy and Boring

Sandy Tree Lighting – November 30, 6pm, Pioneer Square
Breakfast with Santa – December 1, 7am – noon, Sandy Senior Center
Holiday Craft Show – December 1, 7am – 1pm, Sandy Senior Center
Pictures with Santa at Gerens – December 15, 11am-3pm, Geren’s Farm Supply, 33680 SE Kelso Rd

sandy holiday

Gresham Area

Wood Village Tree Lighting – November 30, 6pm, Wood Village City Hall
Gresham Tree Lighting – December 1, 6:00pm, Center for the Arts Plaza
Troutdale Tree Lighting and First Friday Art Walk – December 7, 5:45pm, MAyors Square Park