APRIL 2019
Greetings!

WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD
Each April, NAEYC dedicates a week to celebrate young children through Week of the Young Child. Each day will represent a different theme and your child can “dress up” accordingly.

  • Monday, 4/8—Crazy Hair Day
  • Tuesday, 4/9—Favorite color Day. Dress in your favorite color(s)
  • Wednesday, 4/10—Wacky Wednesday- Wear your wackiest clothes (backwards, inside out, mismatched - whatever you think is wacky!)
  • Thursday, 4/11— Favorite Sports Team Day  
  • Friday, 4/12—P.J. and Favorite Stuffed Animal Day
CENTER HAPPENINGS
TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
We would like to honor our fantastic teachers with a special luncheon on Tuesday, April 9 . There will be sign-up sheets located at the parent counter if you would like to contribute food for this event. Feel free to drop off your food item in the morning. The teachers look forward to this yearly event and greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness.
PARENT REMINDERS
SCHEDULED HOURS
Often children and family schedules change as the weather gets warmer. At EFC, we schedule our teacher’s hours based on ratios in the classrooms. If you will have a schedule change (whether just for a day or a permanent change) please let your child’s teacher and/or Bri/Kate know so we can schedule accordingly. Also, as a friendly reminder, children’s hours should not exceed 10 hours/day. Thank you!
SPRING
Spring is finally here! As the warmer weather continues please also remember that spring can be unpredictable in Minnesota! Please remember to send the appropriate weather clothing for outdoors. It would also be helpful to have at least one set of extra clothes at school, as sometimes clothing can become wet through the snow pants, boots, etc. We bring the children outside as much as possible to run and play! Thank you for your help with this. 
CONFERENCES
EFC will host conferences during May so please watch for the sign-up sheets by your child’s classroom. We look forward to meeting with each family to discuss your child’s progress this year.

EFC CLOSED—IN-SERVICE DAY AND HOLIDAY
EFC will be closed on Friday, May 24, for our Staff In-service Day, as well as Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day.  
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENCE



To the person the child has noticed, silencing the conversation also sends the message “there is something wrong with you, or I am not comfortable with who you are.” That person is aware of her difference, she lives it every day. So having a child point it out is not a surprise. But what might be a very welcome surprise would be to hear a response that acknowledges that difference while also celebrating her personhood. “Yes, she is in a wheelchair because her legs might not work like ours do. But did you know that people in wheelchairs can do jobs just like people who aren’t?” Or, “People in wheelchairs often ride in or drive special cars made just for them – isn’t that cool?” Or perhaps, “You remember Nana has a wheelchair too. Lots of people use wheelchairs to help them move around.”


  • Respond honestly and simply.
  • Validate their observation and respond with tolerance for others.
  • Not all strangers will want to engage in a conversation, but if the person seems open to it, encourage your child to talk with him/her directly.

TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS

Now-4/30 Farm Babies , MN Zoo, Apple Valley
Now-5/12  Wild Kratt's Creature Power! The Exhibit , MN Children's Museum, St. Paul
4/7   Goldy's Gallop Kids Run , TCF Bank Stadium
4/12-5/12 The Most Magnificent Thing , Stages Theatre, Hopkins
4/20 Family Arts Blast , Ordway, Minneapolis
4/20   Earth Day Clean Up , multiple locations throughout Minneapolis
4/27   Get in Gear Half Marathon, 10k and 5k , Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis 

SUMMER PLANS

We are excited about what’s to come at Especially for Children this summer! We plan to spend a lot of time outdoors, taking advantage of the warmer weather months. If you have any summer vacations planned, please fill out this THIS FORM to let Bri and Kate know what dates your child(ren) will be gone. Thank you!
Especially for Children
3370 Coachman Rd. 
Eagan, MN 55121 
(651) 452-0043 

Center Directors:
Bri Dieffenbach and Kate Beck
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