Play, Grow, and Glow
A monthly MPS Family Resource Center Newsletter- November
Join a Family Resource Center Play Group
Do you have an infant, toddler, or preschool aged child?
Registration for our play groups is now open. During play group sessions, children participate in a variety of learning experiences focused on the healthy development of skills needed for intentional play, personal development, relationship building, and executive functioning. Families and caregivers that participate in play group sessions receive direct coaching and support.
In addition to play group sessions, our family resource center provides a continuum of care for families and children including workshops, seminars, connections to community resources/groups that support healthy development and well-being, home visits, and support with school based processes.
If you are interested in learning more about our Family Resource Center or joining a play group session,
please contact either Kathy Aspinwall ( kaspinwall@milforded.org) or Judy Lobdell (jlobdell@milforded.org).
Building A Block Tower
Providing opportunities for children to build with blocks , creates opportunities for them to practice the following skills;
1. Problem solving- ex. " If I want to make this go higher, what can I use?"
2. Imagination - children can develop their own plan or work with a peer to create their vision or idea.
3. Self- expression- Children utilizes expressive language to describe the building process while also using receptive language skills to respond to questions or comments from others about their building.
4. Mathematics- one to one number correspondence, height, width, estimation, symmetry, and balance.
5. Continuity and permanence
6. Creativity- blocks and other materials can be utilized in countless ways to expand or add on to existing work.
7. Science- create a design plan ( using words or drawings) , test out design plan ( by building) , and adapt design plan based on the experience of building.
8. Self- esteem
9. Social and emotional growth- children learn to share materials, model for a peer how to build something, listen to ideas from others, and build their attention span.
10. Further development of fine and gross motor skills
Spider Web Weaving
We were so proud of the marvelous spider webs that we created.
Foil Painting with Color Combinations
We were excited to observe what happened when the two colors merged together!
Using cotton swabs to paint helps us practice our pincer grasp ( using the forefinger and the thumb together to pinch or grasp an object). The pincer grasp is a critical fine motor skill that children need in order to feed themselves, button or zipper clothing, or write with a utensil ( pencil, marker, or crayon).
Thanksgiving Tale- Sparkler App Activity
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, here is a great activity to support your child's love of reading by creating a fun Thanksgiving tale about the foods we love to eat!
Instructions:
1. Let's think about all the foods we love to eat!
2. Every time I say a food I love to eat, I’ll say, "mmm-mmm!" and rub my belly.
3. You do it, too, if you love the food!
Extension - Now you say a food you love- let's take turns and go back and forth!
What You Can Do:
Read and make up stories with Your child. This helps him/her/them build vocabulary and literacy skills.
Suggested Book to Read:
Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell
Primary Skill Link:
Creating a list of different foods builds the child's vocabulary and its the beginning of telling a story!
Stretch:
Let's draw or write together a story or Thanksgiving menu about the foods we talked about.
Simplify:
Model how to rub your tummy- help your child rub his/her/their tummy! Suggest foods for your child to say.
Words to Use:
Thankful
Grateful
Delicious
Tasty
Ingredients
Sparkler App Tip- We Have Routines for a Reason
Routines — like naps and reading stories before bedtime — help Your child feel safe and stable.
They make his/her/theirworld more predictable, which helps to improve behavior and self-control, and build other important skills.
With all the fun celebrations of the season, it's easy to miss a nap or delay Your child's dinner to eat with the group.
Your child may be really excited by the music, presents, and extra attention!
All the excitement might also be overwhelming.
Your child might not be able to tell you when he/she/they's hungry or overtired.
It might be hard for him/her/them to express that he/she/they needs a break from the action.
Avoid meltdowns and tantrums by sticking with Your child's regular schedule and routines.
Try to go to sleep and eat meals at the same, regular time.
Don't forget bath time. Eat healthy foods, and incorporate play time and time to read stories together.
When you maintain routines, you will help your child to do his/her/their best, and everyone will enjoy the
holidays even more!
Leaf Man at Ansonia Nature Center- Nov. 19th at 1:00 p.m.
Register online for this free family event.
Glow Wild at Beardsley Zoo- Now through Dec. 2 from 5:30-9:30
Adult tickets ( ages 12 and up) are $22.00
Children ( 11 and under) are $20.00
Children age 2 and under and adults 76 and older are free
Wheelchairs and strollers will be available to rent on a first come first serve basis.
Thanks for Giving- Oct. 30th- Nov. 10th
Please help us help others during the upcoming holiday season.
Sparkler- Free App sponsored by our Family Resource Center and the CT State Department of Education
Families with children ages birth to five years old, please register for the FREE Sparkler app. Sparkler helps support the healthy growth and development of our students with engaging activities for families to complete a home and share with us. Use our unique access code MILFORDFRC when registering.
We would like all of our families to register for the FREE SPARKLER App. We can send you activities to complete with your child at home.