This document provides information from the monthly newsletter of the Bridgeport Child Development Center. It includes the center's calendar for June, details on classroom activities and curriculum focus, and tips for parents on making nutrition fun and promoting exercise for children. Classrooms are exploring topics like trees and recycling. The center encourages families to incorporate physical activity and healthy eating at home.
This document provides information from the monthly newsletter of the Bridgeport Child Development Center. It includes the center's calendar for June, details on classroom activities and curriculum focus, and tips for parents on making nutrition fun and promoting exercise for children. Classrooms are exploring topics like trees and recycling. The center encourages families to incorporate physical activity and healthy eating at home.
This document provides information from the monthly newsletter of the Bridgeport Child Development Center. It includes the center's calendar for June, details on classroom activities and curriculum focus, and tips for parents on making nutrition fun and promoting exercise for children. Classrooms are exploring topics like trees and recycling. The center encourages families to incorporate physical activity and healthy eating at home.
This document provides information from the monthly newsletter of the Bridgeport Child Development Center. It includes the center's calendar for June, details on classroom activities and curriculum focus, and tips for parents on making nutrition fun and promoting exercise for children. Classrooms are exploring topics like trees and recycling. The center encourages families to incorporate physical activity and healthy eating at home.
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Brldgoporl Chlld Dovolopmonl Conlor A program of One Hope United
3053 S. Mormol Avonuo, Chlcogo, lL 60616 312.842.5566
Monthly Calendar Monthly N ews B ulletin YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION ConneCt with us onehopechilddevelopment.org facebook.com/1hopeunited twitter.com/1hopechildcare H e a l t h y
L i f e s t y l e s
C u r r i c u l u m Overall HealtH exercise NutritiON eNvirONmeNtal sustaiNability The Gift of Words: Reading and Games F o u r
C o m p o n e n t s
o f
t h e Some children start kindergarten with double the vocabulary of others. Knowing many words and understanding them are important in developing thinking skills and in getting ready to read. Here are some ways to add to your childs school readi- ness with the gift of new words. Its never too early to start! Reading Read often to your child, both old favorites and new books from the library. Comment on new words you hnd ln books or whorovor you como ocross lhom. Use place words such as up, down, right, left. Talk about opposites: in and out, up and down, on or off, hot or cold, fast or slow. Use synonymswords that mean the same thing. If your child talks about the time after din- ner, respond using the word evening. Pick out a new word, and tell your child what it means. Use it in a clear context frequently, even over-using it for fun! If the days word is excel- lent, use it for anything that day thats good. lho noxl doy, hnd onolhor lo hovo lun wllh- llko mognlhconl. Carry a small book or two in your car, purse, or backpack to use during those waiting times. Visit your library for books on subjects that interest your child. Many children love books about animals or machines, and these books can introduce new words. Games Play simple word games. Try a yes-no game to teach about questions. Are you purple? Can a tree talk? Let her try asking you questions. Play a mystery game. Give clues and let your child guess. Its yellow. We buy it at the grocery store. You throw away the outside and eat the inside. Add clues until she guesses banana. She comes to our apartment every day. She usually leaves something. She wears a uniform. He guesses mail carrier. Try read- lng o dohnlllon lrom o chllds dlcllonory ond letting him guess the word. Turn it around. Is a vehicle a person, a building, or a car? Play with categories, differences, and similari- ties. How is a banana different from an apple and an orange? How are they alike? Sing simple songs and recite nursery rhymes together. Enter into your childs games. Have fun playing house, with her playing the mommy or your son playing the daddy. Talk about what different members of the family do. Article from: Illinois Early Learning Project http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/gift-reading.htm Juno 2013 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Parent Committee Meeting 13 14 5toll In-5orvico-Contor Closes at 2:30p.m. NoAltor-5chool Program 8PI 8lock Porty 2:30-4:30 p.m. 15 16 Fothors Ooy 17 18 Parent Meeting 4:30 p.m. 19 20 21 22 23 24 CP5 lost doy ol school 25 5ommor Program begins 26 27 28 29 30 Juno 2013 Introduction to classroom activities Spring is in the air, and all of the classrooms at BPCDC I are kicking into high gear. As more time is spent outdoors, the children have been asking great questions about the change in sea- sons, and they are also becoming more excited about the warm weather. Several classes chose to do a study of trees and the activities have explored topics from the different types of trees to edible things that grow on trees. Room 5 concluded their exciting reduce, reuse, recycle study this month. As the study ended, the classroom was able to answer some of the questions they formed when they began. The children now know and understand: how trash and garbage affect the community, and how |unk ls rousod or rocyclod. As o hnol oxporl- ence, the class talked about what would make the world wonderful. After the discussion, they read the story What a Wonderful World and listened to the coordinating song by Louis Arm- strong. Students worked collaboratively to draw a picture of what they thought made the world wonderful. Other rooms continue to engage in a tree study. The children have been using links to measure the width of a tree and are taking note to whether the tree is thin, short, tall or wide. Together the teachers and students read stories, such as Up, Down and Around, by Katherine Ayres and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin. They have also been learning about what grows on trees such as peaches, apples and coconuts. The students had the experience to discover how a coconut tastes during an activity called Mystery Box. The children then began to talk about how they might open the coconut. Some suggested lhoy lhrow ll on lho Noor lo brook ll. Clhors suggested they use a hammer to break it into pieces. The teacher was able to open the co- conut with the hammer and the children tasted the fruit inside. June Focus Nutrition: Making food fun for children and parents Food is an essential part of life and very important in almost every culture. Here at BPCDC I our students are fed a variety of healthy foods. We always encourage our students to try all the items on their plates, even if they are unfamiliar. We hope you use this month to include your children in choosing food items and prepar- ing meals at home. Speak with them about some of the foods they enjoyed at school and the foods they enjoy at home. All of our classrooms have the opportunity to participate in a monthly food experience and the recipes are posted in the rooms newsletters. As part of a par- ent/child activity, you can recreate the recipe and serve it to your family. As the weather is warmer you can allow your child to accompany you at your local grocery store, and pick a new fruit or vegetable to try. Children are of- ten very excited about creating things in the kitchen. Lets continue to foster that creativity, and make food fun! Here at BPCDC I, we hope that you and your family have felt supported by all of the staff members efforts to encourage and engage you in the education of your child. It is important to us that you feel that we are pro- viding quality services to you and your family. Head Start programs build relationships with families that support: family well-being and positive parent/child relationships; families as learners and life-long educators; family engagement in transitions; family connections to peers and community; and families as advocates and leaders. ln lho lomlly supporl sloll olhco, lhoro ls o Communlly Resource Directory. This directory was put together to help provide various resources to parents and children durlng lho onllro yoor. ln lhls dlroclory, you con hnd ln- formation on housing, medical and dental facilities, legal assistance and so much more. Please reach out to our Family Support Staff when you are in need of assistance with a service that BPCDC I does not provide. Family Support Staff, as well as administrative staff, are very knowledgeable about the community and the available resources. HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Exercise: Jump into It Everyone is excited that spring is here, and the warm weather is approaching. As a Head Start Program, we promote physical activity and healthy eating. We would like to share with you a couple of way you can encourage physical ocllvlly wllh your chlld. lho olhco ol hood slorl is also promoting a program called Lets Move Child Care. Although it is center-based focused, it also supports parents in living a healthy and active lifestyle with their children. The four main points include: Physlcol Acllvlly: Provldo 1-2 hours ol physical activity through out the day, including outside play when possible. Screen Time: For two-year-olds and up, olm lor no moro lhon 1-2 hours por doy of quality screen time at home. Food: Try to serve fruits or vegetable at every meal. Eat meals family-style when- ever possible. Avoid serving fried foods. Beverages: When possible, give water during meals and throughout the day. Avoid sugary drinks. Two years old and up, sorvo low-or non-lol mllo ond 4-6 ounces maximum. All of these points line up with the services provided at BPCDC 1. Use the warm weather as an opportunity to exercise with your children. Visiting the local park is always a great way to enjoy active play with your children. For infants and toddlers, try water play or sand play at the beach or at home in a small pool. With preschool and school age children, incorporate more complex moving during play like stopping a starting quickly or jumping and spinning. You can also introduce outdoor play items like a jump rope. Engage in activities that both you and your children will love. It is important for both child and parent to stay active and healthy during these warm weather months.