FAMILY BUZZ
Summer Fun & Learning Ideas
Art - inside or outside, find things to create with… sticks, rocks, leaves, crayons, markers, scissors, glue, “junk” for sculptures (milk lids, styrofoam, popsicle sticks, etc.) Paint the sidewalk with water… what happens?
Bowling - Children ages 2 -15 years can sign up for free bowling! KidsBowlFree.com
Build - make a blanket fort, what can a cardboard box be?
Farmer’s Markets - there are many to choose from in Minneapolis. SNAP accepted, spend $10 using SNAP & receive $10 extra to spend on more fruits & veggies.
Garden - plant flowers, herbs, veggies. If you don’t have a yard, plant lettuce in a pot. Children are more excited to eat something they’ve helped to grow.
“I Spy” Neighborhood walks - Take walks often, each time looking for something different: numbers, letters, colors, animals, insects, traffic signs, etc.
Journal - keep a small notebook of things you do this summer. Children can draw pictures and dictate the words to be written down.
Library day - designate one day a week as “library day” Check out the website to see when story time is at your local library www.hclib.com READ EVERYDAY!
Museums - Children's Museum (EBT cardholders $3), Mill City Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Art (free), Science Museum ($15 family membership for those on assistance), Walker Art Center (kids free, EBT cardholders $2)
Parks - check out different parks/playgrounds in the area. Visit the wading pool. Have a picnic lunch or dinner. Check out movies and concerts in the park too! www.minneapolisparks.org www.ThreeRiversParks.org
Playdate - call a friend to meet at the park or come over to play.
Relax - lay in the grass… What do you see, hear, feel? Take time to rest!
Sculpture Garden - Free! www.walkerart.org See the spoon & cherry and so much more! Create your own sculpture at home afterwards.
Come to Calvary’s “Start the Party” Vacation Bible School, June 18-20, 5:30 - 7:30 PM, dinner included, contact amy@calvarychurchmpls.org for more info or to register. Ms. Ann will be there! Or check out your neighborhood church!
Woodlake Nature Center - Free! www.WooklakeNatureCenter.org 6710 Lakeshore Dr. Richfield Explore the great outdoors and visit the nature center. They have a great indoor area for rainy days.
Zoo - Como Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul is free!
Additional Resources: familyfuntwincities.com
Calming Kits
In preschool, we are learning about social/ emotional awareness, including how to name our emotions/feelings and how to calm ourselves when needed. Our friends from Meetinghouse Church in Edina put together calming kits for our families to have at home. They have similar items to what we use in our classrooms at Whittier Wildflowers Preschool.
Suggestions:
Keep the calming kit in a special place to be used as needed.
Practice the calming techniques when your child is calm.
“How are you feeling?” If the child is not able to say how they feel, “It looks to me like you may be feeling…”
Model calming techniques to your child. “When I’m feeling upset, I take deep breaths.”
Calming Ideas:
Comfort item - blanket, stuffed animal, etc.
Draw an angry/happy/sad picture,
Take a break - be by oneself for a while, look at a book
Cuddle, rocking chair
Sensory input - “Do you need a tight squeeze?”, play with playdough, water, sand
Taking deep breaths
Blow a pinwheel
Blow bubbles
5 finger breaths - run one finger up and down the fingers on your other hand slowly taking a breath in as you go up the finger and blow out slowly as your finger goes down.
More ideas for kids (and grown ups):
Take care of your basic needs
Take deep breaths
Drink water
Take a rest
Have a healthful snack
Move your body - stretch, take a walk/run
Sunshine
Mental health - therapy
Connect with yourself
How am I feeling right now?
Journal
Pray/ meditate
Be creative - write a poem, paint, knit, draw, build…
Connect with others
Call a friend
Meet for a walk/ playdate
Nurture relationships within a community, like in a faith-based community or neighborhood
Connect with nature
Garden/ have indoor plants
Pause to watch the sun rise or set
Notice the nature around you
Listen to the birds, water flowing, play meditative music
Navigating Transitions - Big & Little
Today, at Parent Connect, we talked about helping our kids navigate transitions. These can be little transitions, like getting ready for school in the morning, to big transitions, like moving, welcoming a new baby to the family, or going to Kindergarten. Below are a few thoughts. We’ll continue the conversation at our next Parent Connect on Wednesday, April 24th.
Children thrive on routine and structure. When children are aware of what to expect, they are more comfortable and less stressed. Keep to the same routine and schedule as much as possible.
Suggestions:
Let children know when a transition is coming. “In 20 minutes it will be time to leave for school.” Then again at 10 and 5 minutes. Perhaps use a timer.
Talk often about what to expect. At the beginning of the day, talk about what’s happening that day. “Today’s a school day and then we’ll stop at the grocery store on the way home.”
Have a visual cue or pictures (pictures of the day’s routine, a picture of your new home or school)
Have a countdown on a calendar or a paper chain until the big event (moving, last day of school, etc.)
Read books about the upcoming event (new baby, starting Kindergarten, etc.).
Role play - play with a baby doll and practice what it will be like when baby comes
Go visit before hand (visit your new Kindergarten over the summer and play on the playground)
Ask children how they’re feeling? “How are you feeling about going to Kindergarten?”
Family Schedules & Activities: Engaged But Not Overextended!
Thoughts from Parent Connect on 2/28/24
How are you currently feeling about your family schedule/activity level?
How is your calendar a reflection of your priorities/values?
Suggestions:
Take time as the adults in your household to have a conversation about your family's schedules. What are your values/priorities/goals? Does your family schedule reflect that?
Think about having regular routines/ time blocks for certain things (morning routine, sharing a family meal together, chores, free play time, exercise/outdoor time, screen time, bedtime routine, etc.).
Have a shared family calendar, so everyone knows what’s planned.
Having regular, intentional family time gives everyone something to look forward to. Examples: Pizza & movie or game night, Saturday morning donut & library day, time with faith community, Sunday dinner with extended family/friends
Free Activities to explore:
Inner City Tennis Super 4005 Nicollet Ave. S. Saturdays, ages 3+ https://innercitytennis.org/youth-tennis/super-saturdays-program/
Library free play areas and story time https://www.hclib.org/
Rosedale Mall play area, 1595 Highway 36 W Roseville
Minneapolis Parks & Rec- indoor and outdoor play areas https://www.minneapolisparks.org/
Ms. Ann’s Family Pizza Night Recipe
Our pizza nights evolved from frozen pizza’s to homemade pizza over the years. There’s something very soothing about making homemade dough! Store bought naan also makes an easy, tasty crust. Kids LOVE adding their own toppings!
Ingredients:
1/4 ounce package of active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons oil
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour
Makes 2 large thin crust pizza’s or 6 mini pizzas. It can be mixed by hand in a large bowl or with a stand-up mixer with the kneading attachment.
Dissolve the yeast in warm water and stir. While stirring add sugar, salt and oil. Begin adding the flour by a half cup at a time.
Knead by hand on a floured surface, if making by hand, for about 2 minutes, or in the mixer.
Cut the dough into the number of pizzas you want. On a floured surface, roll them very thin.
Place them onto a greased baking sheet, pizza stone or baking grate. Top as you’d like: sauce, pepperoni, veggies, cheese, etc.
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes.
Potty Training Tips
We’ve put together some information from The Mayo Clinic and from Whittier Wildflowers staff with helpful tips on potty training.
Potty training is a major milestone. Get the facts on timing, technique and handling accidents. By Mayo Clinic Staff
Potty training is a big step for kids - and their parents. The secret to success? Timing and patience.
Potty training success hinges on physical, developmental and behavioral milestones, not age. Many children show signs of being ready for potty training between ages 18 and 24 months. However, others might not be ready until they're 3 years old. There's no rush. If you start too early, it might take longer to train your child.
Is your child ready? Ask yourself:
Can your child walk to and sit on a toilet?
Can your child pull down his or her pants and pull them up again?
Can your child stay dry for up to two hours?
Can your child understand and follow basic directions?
Can your child communicate when he or she needs to go?
Does your child seem interested in using the toilet or wearing "big-kid" underwear?
If you answered mostly yes, your child might be ready. If you answered mostly no, you might want to wait — especially if your child is about to face a major change, such as a move or the arrival of a new sibling.
Your readiness is important, too. Let your child's motivation, instead of your eagerness, lead the process. Try not to equate potty training success or difficulty with your child's intelligence or stubbornness. Also, keep in mind that accidents are inevitable and punishment has no role in the process. Plan toilet training for when you or a caregiver can devote the time and energy to be consistent on a daily basis for a few months.
When it's time to begin potty training:
Choose your words. Decide which words you're going to use for your child's bodily fluids. Avoid negative words, such as dirty or stinky.
Prepare the equipment. Place a potty chair in the bathroom or, initially, wherever your child is spending most of his or her time. Encourage your child to sit on the potty chair in clothes to start out. Make sure your child's feet rest on the floor or a stool. Use simple, positive terms to talk about the toilet. You might dump the contents of a dirty diaper into the potty chair and toilet to show their purpose. Have your child flush the toilet.
Schedule potty breaks. Have your child sit on the potty chair or toilet without a diaper for a few minutes at two-hour intervals, as well as first thing in the morning and right after naps. For boys, it's often best to master urination sitting down, and then move to standing up after bowel training is complete. Stay with your child and read a book together or play with a toy while he or she sits. Allow your child to get up if he or she wants. Even if your child simply sits there, offer praise for trying — and remind your child that he or she can try again later. Bring the potty chair with you when you're away from home with your child.
Get there — Fast! When you notice signs that your child might need to use the toilet — such as squirming, squatting or holding the genital area — respond quickly. Help your child become familiar with these signals, stop what he or she is doing, and head to the toilet. Praise your child for telling you when he or she has to go. Keep your child in loose, easy-to-remove clothing.
Explain hygiene. Teach girls to spread their legs and wipe carefully from front to back to prevent bringing germs from the rectum to the vagina or bladder. Make sure your child washes his or her hands afterward.
Ditch the diapers. After a couple of weeks of successful potty breaks and remaining dry during the day, your child might be ready to trade diapers for training pants or underwear. Celebrate the transition. Let your child return to diapers if he or she is unable to remain dry. Consider using a sticker or star chart for positive reinforcement.
If your child resists using the potty chair or toilet or isn't getting the hang of it within a few weeks, take a break. Chances are he or she isn't ready yet. Pushing your child when he or she isn't ready can lead to a frustrating power struggle. Try again in a few months.
Nap time and nighttime training typically takes longer to achieve. Most children can stay dry at night between ages 5 and 7. In the meantime, use disposable training pants and mattress covers when your child sleeps.
To handle accidents:
Stay calm. Don't scold, discipline or shame your child. You might say, "You forgot this time. Next time you'll get to the bathroom sooner."
Be prepared. Keep a change of underwear and clothing handy, especially at school or in child care.
If your child seems ready for potty training but is having difficulties, talk to your child's doctor. He or she can give you guidance and check to see if there's an underlying problem.
Dec. 11, 2021
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/potty-training/art-20045230
Show References
1. Turner TL, et al. Toilet training. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 16, 2019.
2. Toilet training. American Academy of Pediatrics. https://patiented.solutions.aap.org/handout.aspx?gbosid=156575&resultClick=1. Accessed July 16, 2019.
3. Berkowitz CD. Toilet training: In: Berkowitz's Pediatrics: A Primary Care Approach. 5th ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2014.
From the WWP staff:
Potty Training at Whittier Wildflowers Preschool
We will work with you and your child as you are potty training. Ideally, we’d like all of the children to be potty trained before starting in the Caterpillar Class (3 year olds). Since we are caring for a whole class full of children, we are not able to spend as much time on potty training and changing after accidents as you can at home. We have set up some guidelines to make it easier for everyone.
As we change diapers we:
Ask “Are you wet? Dry? Poopy?”
Encourage the child to help pull down and up their pants, teaching that important skill.
Invite the child to sit on the toilet and see what their body needs to do.
Celebrate when they do try and when they do go potty on the toilet. You’re so big! You went pee/poop on the toilet!
When a child is keeping their diaper dry on a regular basis and using the toilet, then we’re ready for them to wear underwear at school.
Padded underwear/ training pants are helpful to start, so they don’t get their shoes and everything wet with an accident.
The teachers will remind the child to use the bathroom frequently.
Please have several changes of clothing available for your child, in case of accidents.
Have your child wear pants with an elastic waist, that are easy to pull up and down themselves. No snaps or buttons, please.
Please know that we are not able to rinse out poopy underwear, because of our health regulations. We will bag up soiled clothes and send them home to be washed.
We have child sized toilets in the preschool. We are not able to use potty chairs.
Pull-Ups:
Sometimes they add one more, unnecessary step in the process, because the child doesn’t feel uncomfortable when they are wet.
If your child does wear pull-ups, be sure they are the kind that can be refastened on the sides, otherwise the child has to take off their shoes and pants to put on a fresh one. This takes a lot of extra time.
Communication between parents/caregivers:
It’s helpful for everyone who cares for the child (parents, other family members and teachers) to all be consistent when working on potty training. Have conversations, so that everyone is “on the same page”.
Please, don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions or need some advice on next steps with potty training. Your child is growing! We are thankful to partner with you in this milestone in your child’s development.