MARCH 2024

PHOTO GALLERY | MENU/CALENDAR

Dear Angie,


Happy Women’s History Month “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion”

This month we would like to give a shout out to a few women who have made a great impact on our history, culture, and society. 


Happy March Birthday, Ladies!!

*Gladys Spellman: American congresswoman (1st) 

*Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Poet (6th)

*Josephine Cochrane: Invented the Dishwasher (8th)

*Margret Murray Washington: African American Educator and Activist (9th)

*Amanda Clemet: Baseball Umpire (20th)

*Pearl Bailey: American Actress and singer (29th)

*Liz Claiborne: Fashion Designer and Businesswoman (31st) 

CENTER HAPPENINGS

March is also National Reading Month and in honor of this, we would like to invite parent readers into our toddler and preschool classrooms this month. You may bring a favorite book you enjoy reading to your child or pick one from our library. There will be a signup sheet with available days/times posted on each classroom door. Please see Kathy if there is another time that works better for you. 

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Parent Valentine Cards: What a great turn out we had last month for the Valentines! We want to thank the parents who took the time to decorate a special Valentine for their child/ren. It brightened up the halls and the kids absolutely loved seeing them as they walked by. Thank you for making it a huge success. 

FAMILY RESOURCES

Here is a fun Rainbow Spritzer to make for Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17th!

 

• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries

• 1/2 cup chopped peeled kiwifruit

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh pineapple

• 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries or fresh raspberries

• 1 cup chilled ginger ale

• 1/2 cup chilled unsweetened pineapple juice

• 1/2 cup chilled lemonade

In 4 tall glasses, layer blueberries, kiwi, pineapple and strawberries. In a 2-cup glass measure or small pitcher, mix remaining ingredients; pour over fruit. Serve immediately.

FAMILY REMINDERS

Please make sure your child has labeled weather appropriate clothing! We love going outside and are finding some children are missing certain items or they are getting mixed up due to not being labeled. 

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS

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BUILDING RESILIENCE IN CHILDREN THROUGH CONNECTION


My family of four has gotten hooked on the game Code Names, and we try to get in a few sessions of play each week. Our daughters are 8 and 11, so I recognize that the days of them piling onto our bed to play a game may be short-lived; I am not taking this ritual for granted. The game itself is a fun mental challenge, but I also believe that the time together, away from work, homework, sports and, of course, screens, provides all of us with a sense of connection that forms the foundation of our family. And, importantly, this connection is a tool for building resilience in our children as they grow. 


Connection is one the seven “C”s of resilience, as developed by pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg, M.D., MS Ed, FAAP:


Connection

Developing close ties to family and community creates a solid sense of security that helps lead to strong values and prevents alternative destructive paths to love and attention. You can help your child connect with others by:


  • Building a sense of physical safety and emotional security within your home 
  • Allowing the expression of all emotions, so that kids will feel comfortable reaching out during difficult times 
  • Addressing conflict openly in the family to resolve problems
  • Creating a common area where the family can share time (not necessarily TV time)
  • Fostering healthy relationships that will reinforce positive messages


Last night as we played, there was a disagreement about the rules that created some feelings of tension and frustration. Given the low stakes of the outcome, it was a good opportunity to practice allowing our daughter to express her emotions while working to calmly resolve the conflict. The space of connection allowed for a healthy response to the minor disagreement, and hopefully helped build skills for emotional expression and conflict resolution in the future.


Learn more about the 7Cs of resilience here:

https://www.fosteringresilience.com/7cs_parents.php

TWIN CITIES

FAMILY EVENTS

2/29-3/31: Alice in Wonderland, Children's Theatre, Minneapolis

3/2: Kids' Film Fair 2024, Walker Art, Minneapolis

3/10: Härdsmälta Pond Skim and Festival, Hyland Hills, Bloomington

3/16: St. Patrick's Day Parade @12PM, Downtown Saint Paul

3/16: St. Patrick's Day Parade @6PM, Columbia Heights

3/17: An Irish Day of Dance, Landmark Center, Saint Paul

3/22-4/14: The Name Jar, Stages Theatre, Hopkins

3/23: Holi Celebration, Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

3/23: Hot Dash & Kid’s Tater Trot, Minneapolis

Especially for Children - Bloomington

5133 - W. 98th St. 

Bloomington, MN 55437

(952) 831-1435

efc15@especiallyforchildren.com

Center Director

Kathy Hane