We're Goin' to the Zoo!

 

June is National Zoo and Aquarium month.  

Here are some ideas and activities for you and your child to make the most of June!

Zoo books---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/06/gone-wild.html

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/06/put-me-in-zoo.html

Local and area zoos---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/06/walk-on-wild-side.html

Arts and crafts---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/06/wild-things.html

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2012/06/animal-arts-and-crafts.html

The Books of Summer

Summer is a great time to read.  I do more reading in the summer than any other time of year because my schedule is more flexible than during the school year.

Get your child's books off the shelf into their play!  We place books in our block center and dramatic play to encourage children to pick up a book. For example, books about trucks or animals might be included with blocks. In our dramatic play, books about space are placed with our rocket ship and  books about sea life are at the beach. We do this with most of our dramatic play.  Think outside the book shelf!

*Create a basket of books to take outside during play.
*Place a basket of books in the back seat of the car. 
*A bookshelf with a lot of books can be overwhelming for a young child.  Take some books and place them on a table in your family room.
*Take books to the beach or the pool!

Book ideas and 'how to create a literate home'---

The Literate Home---http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/reading-language/reading-tips/how-to-create-a-literate-home-young-child-and-kindergartner/

My Top 108 Favorite Children's Books---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-top-108-childrens-books.html

Summer Book Ideas---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2013/06/books-for-summer.html

Reading Lists for Children---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-reading-list.html

Open a book and read with your child this summer.

The Heart of a Woman

 

 Dr. Maya Angelou

1928-2014

Women should be tough, tender, 

laugh as much as possible,

and live long lives.

 

 

It's Officially Summer!

Memorial Day is over and summer has officially started.  What are your plans? I found when my boys were little to get the most out of summer we needed to do some planning. Here are a few ideas to get you started---

*Many central Illinois towns have festivals---Old Settlers in Metamora, Washington's Cherry Festival, The Tremont Turkey Festival, The Olde English Faire at Jubilee State Park, Steamboat Days on the Peoria Riverfront are just a few local fairs.

*Love baseball?  Dozer Park in Peoria and the Corn Crib in Normal are a great way to see a game with family.

*Love music?  Check out local park districts. Many park districts offer free concerts during the summer.

*Pay it forward with this activity called Hidden Fortunes---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/06/hidden-fortunes.html

*Plan some water play in the yard for you children or the entire neighborhood---http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2010/06/water-play.html

That should get you and your child started on some summer fun.  More ideas soon!

Because I'm Happy

We started our Happy Feet fundraiser earlier this year and we have met our goal! Thank you!  We have started to prep the room for new flooring and a fresh coat of paint. We are looking forward to everyone seeing the 'new MCP room' later this summer.  Thank to anyone and everyone who donated and helped with  fundraisers.  If you would still like to donate, please send your donation to MCP  P.O. Box 928 Metamora  IL 61548   Our room remodel will continue and be completed next year.

Thank you so much to everyone who donated. We are so very grateful for all your support.

Want a sneak peek of the new room?
http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-feet.html

PBS Child Development Tracker

This is a great website on child development and a whole lot more.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/

What I've Learned

"I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did, 

but people will never forget 

how you made them feel."

Dr. Maya Angelou