Pumpkin Exploration

This fall at Scott we have had many different invitations set up for the children to explore. 

One of the many has been pumpkins.

First, we cut open all the pumpkins and emptied them out.   Once empty we put all the pumpkin seeds, etc. into a clear ziploc bag.  The children were then able to get a close look at what is inside a pumpkin.

Next we painted a few of the pumpkins and tried out an activity called "drip-painting." The activity uses acrylic paint so it is important to wear old clothes or a paint shirt to avoid stains.  The children were given a squeeze bottle of the paint .  They started at at the top of the pumpkin and squeezed out some paint and watched as it dripped down the sides of the pumpkin.  This can be continued with as many colours as desired around the entire pumpkin. 

Lastly, we tried pumpkin-cano’s. The pumpkin was placed in the bottom of the water table for an easy clean up. (Note: a tray or large dish would work as well.) The children then poured enough baking soda into the pumpkin to just cover the bottom of the pumpkin.  They added a few drops of dish soap (optional) and then poured vinegar into the pumpkin and watched the "science" happen! The children loved the erupting pumpkin-cano’s so much we repeated it several times each taking turns dumping and pouring different measurements of the ingredients into the pumpkin. 

Doing Science experiments with children help to develop math skills while they measure and experiment with different measurements.  They begin to develop critical thinking by seeing what happens if they change what ingredient is added first, etc. (For example: adding the vinegar before the baking soda, etc). Pouring and dumping the various ingredients also develops both fine and gross motor skills. 

As winter is quickly approaching be sure to come to our locations to see what new changes are happening. Also be sure to check out the November calendar to stay updated. 

Laura Bieber

Country Fair

Yes it is true! Laura's Country Fair is traveling to a Centre near you!

Come on out to enjoy some old time fun. There will be games such as: a fishing pond, ring toss, sack races, etc. plus a photo booth, ball pit, snacks and a pie eating contest that will be at 10:45 am!

Miller's Country Fair- Thursday October 22 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Dr. Hanna's Country Fair- Saturday October 24 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
 
Hope to see you there for a good ol' time!
 

Laura Bieber



Magic Milk

This week we had some fun experimenting with science and art.

What you need:

Milk

Larger tray/dish

Food colouring

Dish soap

Q-tips

Pour a little bit of milk into your dish (enough to cover the bottom). Next create a design with the food colouring in the milk (we covered all the milk). Lastly dip a q-tip into the dish soap and stick it into the middle of the tray. Watch the magic happen!

Experiment and explore as long as you want. 

After we were done we pressed a piece of paper into the tray to create a “water colour like” painting. 

Children of all ages were amazed with this neat science/art experiment. Guaranteed hours of fun. 

Laura Bieber

Fall at the Early Years

Welcome to Fall. The Early Years Centres are open weekly Mondays to Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Dr. Hanna Location only Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Since summer is officially over, many of our regular programs have returned to the Early Years Centres. Be sure to check out our October calendar to be updated on the schedule changes.

If you visit the Dr. Hanna location you will see Chelsey. Chelsey is enjoying her new role at the Centre and meeting all of you that visit.

At the Scott location you will meet Laura who has been at the Centre for over a year and enjoys the work she does with all the families that she meets throughout her day. You will also see Jessica three times a week at the Scott location. She is employed with Catholic Family Services and is bringing a variety of programs to the Scott location. Be sure to check out the calendar and pre-register for her programs if interested.

Visit Linda at Miller who has vast daycare experience and has created a warm and calm atmosphere to play and work in.

Lynn is very passionate about Triple P and the other programs she offers families in and around the Early Years Family Centres. Lynn firmly believes that, "an ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure!"

You may also see Danica on one of your visits. She will be in and out of the centres for the next few months and then will be facilitating the Triple P program as well.

A huge thank you to Lynda who makes it all happen for our centres as the Site Developer.

Be sure to check out our October calendar and drop-in for a play to see each centres new Fall looks!

Laura Bieber