December is here already and with it colder temperatures. As we think about all the ways we prepare for the colder temperatures we also discuss what animals do in colder climates to stay warm. Some animals will migrate to warmer places while others hibernate. Some grow thicker coats while we wear warmer clothes. Please be sure your child has a weather and size appropriate change of clothes in their cubbies. Outside playtime is not only required by Missouri State Child Care Licensing but it is also a proven component of healthy living habits. Please be sure your child comes to school prepared for outside play every day. If there is snow on the ground, boots and a change of dry shoes or slippers for inside play are strongly encouraged. Warm hats and gloves also help to keep the children comfortable while playing outdoors in chilly weather. Please label them with your child’s name so we know who to return lost items to.
Some animals live in cold climates year around, such as Polar bears, Penguins and Moose. These are just a few of the animals that we will be focusing on through December 9th. We will be talking about how each of the animals live, what they eat and what they do to stay warm. We also have some real fur scraps from Alaska as well as a real moose antler that the children will have the opportunity to touch, talk about, and compare the textures of .
On Monday December 12th we will begin our preparations for the holidays. Some of us celebrate Christmas while some of our families celebrate Hanukkah. This year Hanukkah begins on December 24th and goes through January 1st. On Thursday December 29th and Friday 30th we will be reading some Hanukkah books and making Latkes (potato pancakes) for lunch. Tuesday and Wednesday Dec 27 & 28 will be “Show & Share”/ Pajama party days. Please encourage your child to bring a new toy, book or movie that they received for Christmas that they can tell us about and are willing to share with their friends. The children also love having Pajama party days. Staff and kids are encouraged to wear their comfy Pjs on these days.
When school resumes after the New Year Holiday on Tuesday January 3rd we will be focusing on Favorite Fairy Tales. If your child has any movies or books related to this theme feel free to bring them in.
One of our favorite fairy tales is always the Gingerbread man. we will be using all of our senses to explore this story through Gingerbread playdo, Gingerbread puffy paint and creating our own Gingerbread man that will magically escape from the oven during nap time leaving us on a fun game of hide and seek so we can gobble him up for afternoon snack.
HAFH will be closed Monday 12/26 & Monday 1/2