The Power of Play

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/09/01/the-decline-of-play-in-preschoolers-and-the-rise-in-sensory-issues/

Your Child's Self Esteem

http://www.babycenter.com/0_ten-ways-to-build-your-childs-self-esteem_65569.bc

The Power of Play-dough

Why is play-dough important in your child's development?  There are more reasons than you think.  More information---

http://families.naeyc.org/learning-and-development/music-math-more/playdough-power

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/craft-activities/playing-play-dough

MCP's favorite play-dough recipes---

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/lots-and-lots-of-playdough.html

MCP Centers 2016

We talk a lot about learning through play at MCP.  How will your child learn this year?

We love playdough---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/lots-and-lots-of-playdough.html

Creative art is a huge part of MCP---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-art.html

Students color and cut to create unique bulletin boards at MCP---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-bulletin-boards.html

Pencils, paper and stickers are in our writing center---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-writing.html

Blocks for building and more---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-building.html

We call it our Discovery Center.  It's the place for puzzles, ABC's, 123's and more---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-discovery-center.html

We do more than just play house at MCP---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-dramatic-play.html

We call it a Messy Tub---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-messy-tub.html

We work on letters and numbers every day through play---
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/08/mcp-centers-letters-and-numbers.html

Reading Readiness

At MCP, reading readiness is woven into our program in many ways.  What is reading readiness?  A lot of things...recognizing letters,  making sure books, magazines and other reading materials are available for your child.  To learn more---

A wide variety information for parents from Scholastic Books---

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/

Home Ideas---

http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/tips-developing-good-reading-habits-home

Here are few things we do at MCP---

*children will learn to recognize their name

*alphabet recognition and beginning letter sounds (we introduce the sounds)

*literary units with crafts, projects and activities

*retell stories

*act out stories

*books are placed in places other than the library (blocks, dramatic play, etc.)

*children will dictate reports and stories

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2013/11/young-authors.html

*centers activities encourage reading

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2013/04/weather-words.html

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2014/03/north-america.html

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2015/03/when-irish-eyes-are-smiling.html

*our room has words and labels everywhere with picture clues

*my favorite books

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-top-108-childrens-books.html

*plus a whole lot more!  Take some ideas and use at home with your child!

Last Child in the Woods

"What would our lives be like if our days and nights were as immersed in nature as they are in technology?"

Richard Louv-The Nature Principle

A great read for parents, grandparents and all...

IGNITE Peoria 2016

Peoria Civic Center

Saturday, August 13th

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission and parking---FREE

More info---

http://www.ignitepeoria.com/

https://www.facebook.com/IgnitePeoria/

http://www.pjstar.com/entertainmentlife/20160805/ignite-peoria-returns-to-civic-center-on-aug-13

Go Out on a Limb

Don't hesitate to go out on a limb sometimes---

after all, that's where the fruit is.

Evan Esar

Want S'More?

Plan ahead...

National S'Mores Day is Wednesday, August 10th.  Grab some grahams, chocolate and marshmallows and get fired up for this super sweet summer holiday!