SUMMER SAFARI

The Brown County Landfill was our big hit for the month of June. The children were able to see a trailer house and cars being crashed.

It’s hard to believe that July is already here. There is so much going on during July. This will be are last month at the Learning Tree before we move to our new building. Wal-Mart, QQP, and Northern Plaines Vet Clinic are just some of the area businesses that we will be touring this month. On the 26th, we will be going to Ipswich pool. Watch for more information to come. Please pay close attention to the days when your child will need a sack lunch as we will be eating out three times. On July 3rd we will be having Little Caesar’s for lunch. On July 24th, we will have Wendy’s. McDonald’s is on July 30.

We are also going to Richmond Lake this month (July 19th, 29th, 31st). Your child will need a swimsuit and towel on these dates.

Please remember, your child needs a water bottle every day!

We love Summer Safari!!
Miss Marissa, Miss Sarah, Miss Sophie & Miss Ariel

FOR OUR CALENDAR THIS MONTH, CLICK HERE.

FIREFLIES

June is gone and July is here!! Summer is as busy as usual! Especially with the highly anticipated move ahead of us! Inside the building we are working on LEFT and RIGHT, positional words (First, second, third, etc.), manners, remembering our birthdays and social and emotional development. This year we have started our summer themes a little early. When you walk into our room you will see we are busy talking about the ocean and learning what things swim in the deep blue.

A new room brings new challenges to some preschoolers. When a child becomes overly excited, frustrated, or is having a hard time getting his/her point across the preschooler may choose to bite. Remember if this happens to your child (the biter or the bitee) you need to talk with your preschooler. Make things simple and remember not to blame either child. Simply state that biting hurts and your child is not allowed to do it. It might be rather frustrating but a harsh punishment is not always the answer, sometimes this will actually make preschoolers more likely to strike out again. Remember to tell your child to come tell a teacher when they are upset and the right choice is to use their words!

We have begun our trips to Storybook land theatre every Tuesday! Please have your preschooler here by 8:30. We are encouraging the children to bring water bottles, hats or visors, sunglasses, etc. anything that helps them keep cool!!

July will be a busy one as we will be moving this month and we plan not to close! Please be watching for official dates of when your child will need to be dropped off at the new location! Lots of BIG changes ahead of us! Thanks for being patient as we are learning as well.

Thanks!
Miss Amy, Miss Kaitlin, Miss Jacky, Miss Kara, Miss Brittany, Miss Alison and Miss Jacquee

FOR OUR CALENDAR THIS MONTH, CLICK HERE.

GRASSHOPPERS

Imagine this…A young girl is in the water, 5 feet from her mother who is busy playing and helping a younger sibling, as a life guard comes barreling towards the mother and grabs the daughter. The mother stunned by the fact that she didn’t even realize her own daughter was drowning right next to her. Drowning does not happen like in the movies, a violent, splashing call for help; instead it is a deceptively quiet event. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls of help of any kind.

Instinctive drowning response includes: physiologically unable to call out for help, the victims mouth alternately sink below and reappears above the water’s surface, arms extended laterally and press down on the water’s surface with non-voluntarily movement controlling their arms, and the victims’ bodies remain upright in the water with no evidence of a supporting kick. (Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning, taken from Aberdeen Aquatic Center Facebook). At this time of year we feel it’s important to pass on important information especially when everyone flocks to the water when we finally have a nice day. It’s important to realize that when at the pool or lake or even in a home pool, it is not the time for adults to relax! And remember, one of the best things one can do if their child has a drowning experience, is to get them back in the water as soon as possible to help with the fear of water and/or drowning.

We will be continuing our learning about the ocean this month, along with a Park Day on July 12 and Lake Day on July 26. Please remember a sack lunch both days! Storybook Land Theatre is on Tuesdays and swimming is EVERY Thursday!

Happy Birthday to Grandma Joyce and Lexus this month!

Happy July from the Grasshopper staff!
Miss Amanda M., Miss Shelley, Miss Shannon, Miss Karly, Miss Amanda S., & Grandma Joyce

FOR OUR CALENDAR THIS MONTH, CLICK HERE.

CATERPILLARS &
DRAGONFLIES

Pretend games are a special part of childhood that will conjure many a cherished memory for our little ones. From simple role-play games to dressing up and make believe, there are many ways to inspire little minds to explore their imagination.

Imaginative games help children to be creative and develop exciting new ideas, providing a perfect opportunity to lose themselves in imaginative new places and characters. These types of games are also a quick and easy break from the hum-drum of daily routines and give our kids a free opportunity to explore lots of fun and enriching role-play ideas. Most children have a natural affinity for pretend play - how many times have you seen them chattering away to themselves in their bedroom, making 'vroom vroom' noises with their toy cars or insisting that dolly drinks tea with the rest of the family? Pretending through play is a great exercise for the mind and perhaps more importantly, it allows them to grow and develop in ways that define their personal interests.

Video games and the Internet has changed the way our children play today, but investing time in traditional games is so important for children’s social and emotional development as it encourages them to foster their own ideas, find solutions to problems and think independently. In fact, it's largely through pretend play that they can also learn those basic and important skills of sharing and taking turns.

Younger children will love to dress up or mimic their favorite characters whilst older children might prefer role-play games (such as those suggested below) or creating pretend characters and stories with toys and friends.

You can help build their pretend world with plenty of props, toys and outfits. Try some of the following ideas:
• Fill the dressing up box to broaden their choice of outfits. You don't need to splash out on tons of ready-made outfits, get thrifty instead with old fabrics and home-made dresses/skirts, trousers and hats. There are stacks of great ways you can breathe new life into old (and unused) clothes or why not try your local charity shop?
• Keep toys and dolls to hand out (they make great role-play additions) at tea time, play time or trips to the store.
• Have a good supply of art materials for them to put their fantasy worlds down on paper.
• Keep old telephones and magazines on hand - they make perfect props for mimicking mom and dad!

Dragonfly staff
Miss Shana, Miss Dana, Miss Nikki, Miss Sarah, Miss Kayla, Miss Karen and Grandma Karen

Caterpillar staff
Miss Robin, Miss Trisha, Miss Jennie, Miss Mackenzie, Miss Meghan and Miss Erika

FOR OUR CALENDAR THIS MONTH, CLICK HERE.

HONEYBEES &
LADYBUGS

Did you know that babies at any age can learn how to sign? The ability to sign comes before the ability to use verbal communication. All children can really benefit from using baby sign language. One of these benefits is to be able to communicate with their parents or caregiver as to what they want. The child can then express their needs and thoughts with the ones that they love or with those who are taking care of them. It is also a way for young children to start and partake in conversations. Signing can also help the baby to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

By expressing to the adult what they want they are able to communicate and not just wait for the adult to assume what it is that they want. Others can also benefit from learning to sign with a baby. By everyone in a child’s life learning to sign, a parent or caregiver and other siblings, a child can have many positive encounters with those surrounding them and therefore have even more positive affirmations each day.

In the Honeybee room, we have been teaching the children to sign, “please” and “more” before they get their food and then again when they want more food.


Ladybugs and Honeybees will be having a Pajama Day on the 26th. Happy Birthday to Melissa on the 19th!

Have a Fun and Safe 4th of July! Happy July from the staff in the Honeybee and Ladybug classrooms!
Miss Melissa, Miss Savanna, Miss Deanna, Miss Tia, Miss Brandi, Miss Amber, Miss Nicole, Miss Megan, Grandma Arlene and Grandma Mae

FOR OUR CALENDAR THIS MONTH, CLICK HERE.

SUMMER UPROAR

Finally, the weather has been good enough for the children to get wet and wild in outside activities. In the picture above, Joe Volzke & Owen Deutsch squirt water at other boaters while enjoying time at Thunder Road. The Summer Uproar kids have been enjoying their summer participating in many different camps. They have gotten to do things such as bumper boats, roller blading, waterpark, Webster Museum and pool, and Mina lake.

JULY CAMP THEMES:
July 1-5 Camps:
Filthy Fun, Challenge Yourself, Best of Broadway

July 8-12 Camps:
Rainforest Adventures, Ultimate Spy, Wacky Water Week

July 15-19 Camps:
Mission Impossible, Moovin’ and Groovin’, Let’s Get Cooking

July 22-26 Camps:
Sports Extravaganza, Summer X-Games, Darwin Wolf Artist

July 29- Aug 2 Camps:
Once Upon a Time, The Great Outdoors


WELCOME KAYLEY VALSVIG & BROOKE LOGAN!

Meet Kayley Valsvig! She will be taking over as the Youth Outreach Director! She is excited to start this new journey with the children as she has worked the past three years over at the YMCA with the after school program, youth, and youth sports! Kayley has many ideas for the upcoming school year as we expand into the new Youth Development Center and has a positive outlook on things for the rest of the summer! She hopes to meet all of you in person soon, as she officially takes over on Monday, July 1st, 2013.

You can reach Kayley at (605) 229-1300 or via email at kvalsvig@aberdeenymca.org


Meet Brooke Logan! Brooke will be taking over as the Youth Coordinator. Her duties will consist of assisting Kayley in planning activities, supervising staff, youth sports, gym scheduling, and interacting with parents.

Brooke just recently got married and enjoys working with children. She has been involved in many youth activities at the YMCA for the past 2 years! She will be a great asset to the Uproar childcare program.