Early Childhood Explorer- June 2023
"A monthly MPS Family Resource Center Newsletter"
Join our MPS Family Resource Center Play Groups
Did you know that the Milford Family Resource Centers offer weekly play groups for toddlers? Our family resource centers are located at Pumpkin Delight and Calf Pen Meadow Elementary Schools. Two play group sessions occur each day one at 9:30 and one at 10:45 . If you are interested in learning more about our play groups, please contact Kathy Aspinwall (kaspinwall@milforded.org) or Judy Lodbell ( jlodbell@milforded.org) at mfrc@milforded.org
Caterpillar STEAM Activities and Song
At- Home Steam Activities to further support learning about the butterfly lifecycle;
1. Read the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Make an egg carton caterpillar using a section of an egg carton, red paint, green paint, construction paper, and wiggly eyes. Provide time for your child to retell the story with your assistance using the egg carton caterpillar as a prop.
2. Butterfly Life cycle- Using a paper plate, divide it into four section using a marker. Use an Orzo bean for the caterpillar egg; Use rotini pasta for the caterpillar. Use a pasta shell for the chrysalis ( cocoon) and farfalle pasta for the butterfly.
3. Break Out Chrysalis- have your child stand still with their arms at their side; loosely wrap toilet paper around your child. Tell your child that their caterpillar body is down growing and they are now a beautiful butterfly. Have your child break out of their chrysalis and spread their beautiful butterfly wings.
4. Chromatography Butterfly- You will need coffee filters, markers , a spray bottle with water, and pipe clears. Have your child decorate the coffee filter with markers. When they are done coloring/drawing, have them use the spray bottle to wet the coffee filter. Provide time for the coffee filter to dry, When dry twist a pipe cleaner around it to make two wings and an antenna.
Read for Twenty Minutes or More- Children's Reading Foundation
Tips for Reading with your child and selecting books can be found using the following link:
www.readingfoundation.org/download/ZEnFeA
The Children's Reading Foundation has a resource hub for families where you can find additional tools for supporting reading at home . The link is:
Making the Most Out of Playtime Article
Playing is critical during the first three years of life. To a baby and toddler, playing daily is their work. Through play , children explore their own creativity and imagination, learn how to communicate, build relationships with people, learn how to problem solve, and most importantly make meaning of the world.
As your child's parent, you are their first and absolute favorite playmate. Play time is critical to supporting healthy development.
We encourage you to read the article " Make the Most of Playtime" as it contains a wealth of information and ideas for playing with your child.
A link to the full article can be found here;
Milford Duck Race- June 3
Milford 21st annual Pirate's Day- June 4
Dress like a pirate and rock out with Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate.
A Midsummer's Night Fairy Frolic- June 21st
Wee little ones are encouraged to dress in their finest fairy attire and wings.
Our fairies have found at home at Walnut Beach. Find as many as you can, take pictures, and draw pictures of the fairies that you see.
Follow this event on www.walnutbeachassociation.com
Summer Happenings In Connecticut
https://mommypoppins.com/family-neighborhood-guide/new-haven
Camp Sparkler- download the free Sparkler app to your device . Enjoy participating with your child in weekly themes- stories from around the world, space, etc..