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Early Care and Education Professionals 
February 2017
In This Issue
Important Dates
this Month Are:

2/02:  Groundhog Day

2/03:  Wear Red Day

2/14:  Valentine's Day

2/17:  Caregivers Day

2/20:  Presidents Day

Creative Recipes
It's Snack Time!

"Remember that many children experience their first allergic reactions in child care settings.  Watch children closely following exposure to new foods and always avoid foods that may cause a reaction for a child who has a known allergy."

Carrot Stars,
a high protein snack with a little carrot goodness.

 

Ingredients:
(Makes 14 Stars)
1 ½  packages of grated carrots
½ cup water
½ cup of grated cheddar cheese
2 eggs
4 tbsp flour

Instructions:
  1. Ask the cook to pre-heat the oven in the kitchen to 350F
  2. Mix the grated carrots and water in a bowl, cover and microwave on high for 3 mins
  3. Drain the carrots and then place them on a clean cloth / absorbent paper and squeeze out the liquid. (Carrots should be very dry)
  4. Place the carrots back in the bowl and mix with the remaining ingredients (the children enjoy helping with this step)
  5. Prepare a baking sheet with baking paper or use a silicon baking sheet
  6. Using a cookie cutter without sharp edges, form star shapes of the mixture onto the sheet
  7. Bake for approximately 13 minutes (until crispy on the sides)
When you serve the snack to the children, talk about how delicious it is and how healthy snacks help their bodies grow strong and healthy.

Until All Children Are Safe


Recommended Reading


I Love You
Through and Through
-by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak

A toddler and his teddy bear illustrate a young child's happy side, sad side, silly side, mad side, and more! Babies and toddlers will feel loved all over when they hear this declaration of adoration and affection!

     

     

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Activity!
Confetti always looks festive so why not use it to create a colorful valentine for someone special? This craft works best with confetti made with a hole punch and card stock!

Confetti Hearts


Material Needed

1 sheet of white card stock
Several sheets of pastel colored card stock or construction paper
Hole punch
Elmer's glue
Baker's twine
Heart cookie cutters in varying sizes (optional)


Instructions:
Start by assisting children with making their confetti from the pastel colored card stock with the hole punch. Trace hearts onto the white card stock using the cookie cutters. If you don't have heart cookie cutters you can draw the hearts free hand, directly on the white card stock.  If you are doing this activity with younger children, prepare the confetti and draw the hearts on the card stock in advance. )

Fill in the hearts completely with glue and sprinkle the confetti over the hearts. Once the glue is completely covered with confetti let the glue dry. To make the hearts look like balloons, consider gluing pieces of baker's twine onto the card stock; starting at the base of each heart and running down to the same point at the bottom of the page. Encourage the children to sign share their cards with someone that's special to them.

     
Debbie's Corner
Do you promote a healthy heart in your classroom?
It is never too early to begin introducing healthy eating habits.  With the rise in childhood obesity, it is becoming more important to educate children on making healthy choices at an early age.  There are simple activities you might consider adding to your classroom routine that will help the children learn to make better choices.  Keep a bottle of water on your desk or teacher workspace.  Let the children see you drinking the water during the day.  Encourage them to get a drink of water throughout the day.
 
Interact with the children while on the playground and encourage them to run and play.  You might offer an organized game they can choose to participate in during outdoor time. 
 
You are the greatest example for the children.  When they see you making healthy choices, they will want to follow your lead! 


Debbie Johnston   
Vice President, Partnerships



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