1. family and parenting
2. children

EARLY YEARS DISCOVERY CENTER
DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER
Contact Information
Linda Bakken (218)329-2000
linda@earlyyearsfm.com
Jennifer Tornell (701)799-9413
jenny@earlyyearsfm.com
Kalynn Lerud (701)356-0499
discoverycenter@earlyyearsfm.com
WEEKLY LESSON PLAN THEMES FOR
DECEMBER
 December 8th – 12th
Christmas Trees & Trees
 December 15th – 19th
Reindeer
 December 22nd – 26th
Santa’s Village
 December 29th – January 2nd
Happy New Year
UPCOMING TUITION REMINDER
Friday, December 5th
Friday, December 19th
If you are interested in our automatic
payment option please let the Director
know. You have the option to choose from
Credit Card or Checking Account.
CENTER CLOSED
Early Years will be closed on Wednesday,
December 24th & Thursday, December 25th
in recognition of the Holidays!
UPCOMING EVENTS & REMINDERS FOR
DECEMBER
December Field Trip- Giraffes and Kangaroos will
be going to Santa’s Village on Thursday, December
4th ….our appointment with Santa is at
9AM….please ask your child’s lead teacher for
more information!
Pajama Day- Pajama Day will be on Friday,
December 26th ……it will always be on the last
Friday of the Month!
Room Christmas Parties- Room Christmas parties
will be on Wednesday, December 23rd …..Each
room will be sending out more information soon!
Outside Reminders- As a reminder we go outside
twice a day unless it is raining or the temp is below
zero….please make sure you are sending your child
to the center everyday with Coat, hat, mittens,
boots & snow pants.
Year-End Statements- will be in your child’s
mailbox on January 9th! All families need to have a
zero balance on their account as of December 31,
2014.
GIVING TREE
The “Giving Tree” is up. Parents are able (if they
would like) to take and ornament and then donate
that item on the ornament to their child’s room.
You can wrap the items if you would like. All
rooms will open their “Giving Tree” items on the
day of their Family/Child Holiday parties. The
“Giving Tree” will be located on the counter by the
main door. If you have any questions please feel
free to ask your child’s Lead Teacher or our
Director/Assistant Director. All giving Tree items
will be opened up at our room Christmas parties
on Wednesday, December 23rd!
CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS &
TWOS
Tasting & Preparing Food
The idea of involving young children in food
preparation may see a bit strange. However, one of
the reasons that preparing food appeals to children is
that it is a meaningful, grown-up activity. Participating
in activities that your child observes you doing every
day is exiting for them.
In our program, we build on children’s interest in food
experiences because they help your child develop
many concepts and skills.
What you can do at Home:
Let your child help with the food preparation and talk
about the foods and what each of you is doing!
Room Emails
Kalynn/Elizabeth- koalas@earlyyearsfm.com
Sara- hippos@earlyyearsfm.com
Ashley- monkeys@earlyyearsfm.com
Kristina- kangaroos@earlyyearsfm.com
WEATHER CLOSING REMINDERS
The decision to cancel Early Years will be made by the
Early Years Executive Director or designee and an
announcement will be made. If you child is School
Age, you must call the center to see if we meet the
child to staff ratio in order to accommodate children
that are not normally in attendance for a full day. The
decision to close will be based first on meeting our
licensing requirements, the safety of the children,
travel conditions and law enforcement advisories. In
those cases of inclement weather, the center may
choose to remain closed, open late, close early or
encourage early pickup. Regardless of these
announcements, whenever travel and weather
conditions deteriorate, you may pick up your child at
any time. Please use your best judgment for you and
your family. Parents should check WDAY at
www.wday.com. There will be a notice posted to the
Early Years Facebook Page. A discount to families will
be determined after three consecutive days in which
the business is closed.
CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR PRESCHOOL & UP
Cooking
Cooking is an important part of our
Curriculum. When children cook, they have an
opportunity to learn about nutrition, to be
creative, and to prepare their own healthy
snacks. Cooking teachers a lot of academic
skills too.
Cooking is a very special part of our program.
It is one of the few activities children get to do
that is also done by adults.
What you can do at Home:
Since Cooking is already a part of your home
life, think about involving your child. Start
your child on simple tasks like stirring batter,
squeezing lemons, adding spices, or shaping
meatballs. Discuss what you are doing
together while cooking. The beauty of cooking
with children is that they learn skills and have
fun at the same time you ate attending to a
household chore. What could be better than
that!