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

Together we make a family

This fall at Scott we made family trees. Laura had the tree trunks already painted and the families wrote the names of their family members on real oak tree leaves.  They then glued the leaves on top of the tree trunks.  The finished trees were hung and displayed for all to see.    

The family trees reinforced the idea that there are many people who can support us with whatever we may need help within our daily lives. They also showed those who may visit daily, weekly, monthly or just once in awhile the friendship, diversity and support they will encounter at the Centre.  

We greatly appreciate all "our" families who come in and make our programs successful. We would not be doing the work we do without you!

Thank you for your continued support!

Laura Bieber

Creating Marbleized Paper

Our facilitator provided children with an opportunity to explore colour mixing but with a twist. 

Children were provided with three containers that contained vegetable oil, food colouring and a little bit of water. They were then invited to add drops of colour onto a black tray and to swirl the colours together.  Mixing on the black tray meant that you couldn’t really see how the colours were mixing until you pressed the blank sheet against the surface and then pulled it away to see your masterpiece. 

         

                                              

                                           

The children (and adults) were delighted to turn over their papers to discover how their colours had mixed and the patterns that were created.  One young friend stayed at this activity for over 30 minutes and experimented with different strategies and techniques.

 “Children use their senses, their minds and their bodies to find out about and make sense of what they see, feel and experience in the world around them. They gather information and develop new skills, including thinking skills. They form ideas and theories and test these out. They refine their ideas through exploring their environment actively and through interacting and communicating with adults and with other children. Much of this happens through play and    other experiences that allow children to be creative, to take risks, and to make discoveries. As they learn, they retest their theories adjusting them to take on board new discoveries and new experience”  National Council for Curriculum and Evaluation

Lynda Gellner 

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



Tim Horton's Smile Cookie Program

We are thrilled to share that the Early Years Family Centres have been selected as the recipient of the Regina Tim Horton's Smile Cookie Program this month.  The program runs Sept 14th to 20th and 100% of the cookie sales will be directed to the EYFC.  These funds will help us continue to offer drop-in and scheduled programs at our three wonderful spaces for the children and families in our community.  You may or may not know that  we currently operate on short term grants and projects dollars as well as in-kind support from several organizations so fundraising opportunities like this are essential to our future.   I would invite you to consider how you might be able to support this campaign - perhaps a treat for yourself, treats for a meeting you have planned during that time, sharing this news with others. 

Laura Bieber 

August Sensory Make and Take

The August Sensory Make and Take was a four week pre-registered program that provided parents insight on how easy making child activities can be with things you most likely have around home. No need buy expensive toys!

Week One - Jello Hunt 

Follow directions on back of Jello box. Use little bowls/containers, put a candy or toy at the bottom and fill with Jello until covered.  I used gummy worms.   Put in the fridge and let it set. Then have fun finding the hidden treasures. 

Week Two - Flubber 

In a big bowl:

2 cups - Elmers glue
2 cups - water
Couple drops of food colouring or water colour

In a smaller bowl:
1/2 cup - Borax
2 cups - boiling water
Stir slowly, letting all the Borax dissolve. This is a good way to practice patience.

Once Borax is dissolved pour into the big bowl.
Slowly stir and the mixture will start to clump together.
You may need to use your hands to finish mixing the water with the glue. Be careful as the water can still be hot.
Once most of the water is mixed with the glue it is done.

Week Three - Sidewalk Chalk Paint 

1/2 cup - cornstarch

1/2 cup - water
1 Tbsp - tempera paint

Optional - a squirt of dish soap for a greater washability

Stir well and have fun creating! 

Week Four - Edible Finger Paint

There are several ways to make non-toxic edible finger paint. We chose to use shaving cream and water colour. 

Squirt the desired amount of shaving cream into a bowl.  We used glass jars with lids so it was easier to take home.  However, I would not recommend this as it was much harder to mix. Squirt a couple drops of food colouring/water colour on the shaving cream.  We used water colour as it doesn't stain. 

Mix well. 

This paint can be used on paper. Also is great in the bathtub making clean up easy! 

Sad you missed this program? No need to worry – another Make and Take program using household items such as popsicle sticks, paper plates, paper bags, etc. will be back in September with some new and different ideas. Call Laura at Scott (306) 523-3512 to register.

Laura Bieber

Best Flubber Recipe Ever!

Today we experimented with this flubber recipe.

This is what we found worked best:

In a big bowl:
2 cups Elmers glue
2 cups of water
Couple drops of food colouring or water colour

In a smaller bowl:
1/2 cup Borax
2 cups boiling water
Stir slowly, letting all the Borax dissolve. This is a good way to practice patience.

Once Borax is dissolved pour into the big bowl.
Slowly stir and it will start to clump together.
You may need to use your hands to finish mixing the water with the glue. Careful as the water can still be hot.
Once most of the water is mixed with the glue- It is done.

Once done it is fun to make "Flubber bubbles" or put in a strainer and let it ooze out of the holes and cute with scissors. This is endless fun!

Laura