Issue: # 56April 28, 2014
                        

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."

~Henry David Thoreau

News
 
Campus Kids Summer Program

You won't want to miss the fun this summer at the Children's Place. Each week features a theme with activities, crafts, field trips and much more.

  

Here are just a few of the fun-filled weeks we have planned this summer.

  

Painter's Paradise
Prepare to get messy this week as we use unique painting techniques to create masterpieces. Flyswatters, pendulums, and spaghetti are just a few of the fun tools we'll use to paint with.  

   

Heroes and Superheroes
Have you ever wanted Superhero powers? This week we'll look at our inner superhero. Pick your superpower. We'll also learn about what makes someone a hero. Who's your hero?

 

Goin' Green
Save the planet! Hug a tree! We're going to learn about how to be nicer to the planet we live on. We will recycle, but maybe not always the way you think. Check out our recycled art exhibit.

 

KAMSC Sizzling Summer

This summer we will once again partner with the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center (KAMSC) for hands-on science.

 

For more information on our summer programs, visit our website or talk with Kathy.

Preschool 
Busy at Work
 

Growing Butterflies

Although we are still learning exciting things about buildings, this week we turn some of our focus to butterflies.

 

The process of a caterpillar changing to a butterfly has intrigued preschoolers for years.

We use scientific inquiry skills to peak their curiosity about how a butterfly goes through this process. "Larvae", "chrysalis", and "habitat" are just a few of the words we learn this week. First we learn about the stages of the life cycle and then we will grow our own butterflies in our butterfly habitat. Once we observe this scientific process, we will release the butterflies on the playground. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the book we focus on while learning the life cycle.

 

 Focus Questions: "What are buildings made of?" and "What makes them strong?"

Toddler
Outdoor Fun!
 
Toddler Socialization

Children are not born learning how to share, take turns or wait patiently. These developmental milestones take time and practice to establish.

As a parent, it can be distressing to watch your toddler unsuccessfully or inappropriately interact with other children. However, with a little time and patience, children can learn skills and strategies needed to play with peers and interact with adults.  

 

Learning to socialize is a lifelong process, one that toddlers are now experiencing firsthand. Around the age of two, toddlers start to actively reach out to other children, learning how to socialize with others through trial and error. Toddlers live in the moment and can't envision anything beyond it, so the concept of taking turns - of waiting to play with a toy until after a friend has had a chance - is meaningless to them. The same is true for sharing and cooperating in everyday tasks.

 

As toddlers gain experience around other children, they can start to build some of these social skills. Parents and caregivers can support this development by modeling expected behavior, showing children positive ways to interact with others and build relationships.


                  

Phone: (269) 387-2277                                    
Email: [email protected]
Website: wmich.edu/childcare                                       
In This Issue
Summer Program
Preschool
Toddler
Important Dates
Things To Do
Campus Kids Summer Program
KC Ready 4s
Important Dates 
Billing for 
Apr. 21-May 2
Due Apr. 22
  Late by May 2
 
 

          

Rocks and Minerals, A World of Color 

May 2-4, 2014

  

Kalamazoo County Expo Center

2900 Lake Street

 

Friday 4-8 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

 

*The Gold Mine!

 Mine for gems, fossils & "gold"

*The Wheel of Fortune

*Beading

*Educational activities presented by WMU and Calvin College

*Gold Panning

*Geode Cracking

*Petoskey Stone Polishing

*Hourly Door Prizes!

 
Looking Ahead to Summer

Are you taking classes this summer?  

 

Are you looking for fun opportunities for your child?

 

Do you want to keep your child's skills polished through the summer?

 

Now is the time to sign up for our great summer programs!

 

Summer programs

are available for toddlers, preschool and school-age children.

Will Your Child be 4 years old by Oct. 1, 2014?
  
The Children's Place Learning Center is a KC Ready 4s and GSRP approved site. These programs offer tuition assistance to attend our Preschool Program.
  
Please see Kathy for an application or more information.