Fall Has Arrived!

Fall is one of the most magical times to be outside! The leaves are changing right before our very eyes! We cozy up in scarves and mittens and enjoy the crisp fresh air and crunching leaves. It is also a time to enjoy some simple and easy fall songs with our lil' ones...

 

Here are some wonderful favourites that we have collected from books and online resources...

 

 

Pumpkin poem

When all the cows were sleeping
And the sun had gone to bed,
Up jumped the pumpkin,
And this is what he said:

I'm a dingle dangle pumpkin
With a flippy floppy hat.
I can shake my stem like this,
And shake my vine like that.

Have You Ever Seen a Pumpkin

tune of "Have You Ever Seen a Lassie"

Have you ever seen a pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin,
Have you ever seen a pumpkin, that grows on a vine?
A round one, a tall one, a fat one, a small one.
Have you ever seen a pumpkin, that grows on a vine?

The Wind

"Come, little leaves," said the wind one day,
"Come o'er the meadows with me and play:
Put on your dresses of red and gold -
For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Fall Leaves

Down, down, yellow and brown,
Fall the leaves over the ground.
Rake them up in a pile so high,
Until they reach up to the sky.
Adapted Traditional

　

5 Little Leaves

Five little leaves so bright and gay (Hold up five fingers)
Were dancing about on a tree one day. (Wiggle fingers on one hand)
The wind came blowing through the town. (Cup hand around mouth and make wind noises)
Ooooooooo……………Ooooooooooooooo………
One little leaf came tumbling down. (Bend down one finger)

Four little leaves so bright and gay, (Hold up four fingers)
Were dancing about on a tree one day. (Wiggle four fingers)
The wind came blowing through the town, (Cup hand around mouth and make wind noises)
Oooooooo…………….Oooooooooooo……………….
One little leaf came tumbling down (Bend down another finger)

Three little leaves so bright and gay……………………etc.
Two little leaves so bright and gay………………………etc.
One little leaf so bright and gay…………………………..etc.
Author Unknown

　

The Leaves on the Tress

Tune: "The Wheels On The Bus"

The Leaves on the trees are yellow and brown,
Yellow and brown, yellow and brown.
The leaves on the trees are yellow and brown,
All through the town.

The leaves on the trees are falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
The leaves on the trees are falling down,
All through the town.

The leaves on the trees make a crunching sound,
Crunching sound, crunching sound.
The leaves on the trees make a crunching sound
All through the town.

Let’s rake all the leaves into a mound,
Into a mound, into a mound.
Let’s rake all the leaves into a mound
All through the town.

The children in the town jump up and down,
Up and down, up and down.
The children in the town jump up and down
On the leaves on the ground.
Jean Warren

Discovering the Impossible!

Welcome back to school everyone! We are all looking forward to another fabulous year of growing, learning, discovering and exploring! Each year we watch the children build new friendships, strengthen new skills, experience new perspectives and challenge themselves to meet goals and reach for their dreams!
We see these little people become more independent, more self-confident and more ready for the 'big' world around them. They learn, through play, how to build social skills and develop peer connections, how things work and why they do what they do!
As early childhood educators, we are fascinated by observing the vast amount of knowledge each child acquires throughout the year!
We care for them, ensure their safety and help gently structure their environment, we provide activities, equipment and supplies for them to safely and effectively learn and grow all on their own! They lead the way for their own learning and discovery, they do the 'work', we provide the surroundings, support and supervision for children to become leaders and build their own dreams and goals.
If you sit back and let a child lead the way, you will be amazed at what you will discover! Amazed about what you can learn about our world through a child's eyes and heart.
If we are busy trying to form their vision of what we expect and what we know of the world, we miss out on such a magical and natural way of seeing what's around us. Simple discoveries and ideas that are so easily missed in our busy 'adult world.' Allowing the children to investigate their learning, gives the possibility of exploring and discovering what we thought was impossible!
We are always there for support, understanding, encouragement and guidance if needed. However, the wisdom that is shared throughout the year is the wisdom from the mind of a child, a child that sees our world without prejudice, without barriers, without limits, without fear of failure. They see our world full of hope, full of dreams and full of a knowledge we can only imagine. They are the ultimate teachers in our world... if we stop to watch and listen.

Helping Your Child Learn to Share!

Sharing -- Help Your Child Learn

        ~ Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Discipline Solution

Does your child have a hard time sharing her toys with others? Children get very attached to their possessions, and they don't understand how sharing will affect them or their toy. In order to get a better understanding of these feelings, think for a minute about one of your most prized or important possessions - perhaps your computer, camera, cell phone, or car. Now think of having a friend take it away to use for a day... That feeling of apprehension and uncertainty, (plus a child's inexperience) is at the root of reluctance to share. Sharing is a complicated social skill that takes guidance and practice to develop.

What to do?

Demonstrate how to share.
Share things with your child and point out that you are sharing. For example, "Would you like a turn on my calculator? I am happy to share it with you."

Encourage your child to share with you.
It's easier for a child to share with a parent, since you'll be careful and you'll give the toy back when you're done. It makes for good sharing practice. When you hand her toy back, explain what happened, "You shared nicely, thank you!" That way she has a good feeling about what it means to share.
 
Give your child choices.
Instead of demanding that your child share a specific toy, give her some options. For example, "Sarah would like to play with a stuffed animal. Which one would you like to let her play with?"

Create situations that require sharing.
Your child can get good practice with sharing when given toys or games that require two or more people to play, such as board games, sports equipment or yard toys. Also look for activities that have plenty of parts for everyone, such as modeling clay or art projects, or building with blocks.

Let your child know what to expect prior to a sharing situation.
Before a friend's visit let her know how long the friend will be there, and reassure her that all her things will still be hers after the friend leaves. Allow your child to put away a few favorite things that don't have to be shared.

Praise good sharing moments.
Watch for good things that happen - no matter how briefly - and praise your child for sharing nicely.

What not to do

Don't shame your child for not sharing.
If your child isn't willing to share he needs to learn more about the process. Teach, rather than punish.  

Don't embarrass your child with a public reprimand.
Even if you've given lessons, prepared your child, and set up a good situation for sharing, your child might still refuse to share. When this happens, take him to another room and discuss the issue privately, and then set a plan.

Don't force your child to share special toys, gifts or lovies.
Some things should be exempt from sharing rules, such as a favorite doll, a stuffed animal he sleeps with, a fragile toy, or a gift recently given to him.
 
~~~~ 

       
               Excerpted fromThe No-Cry Discipline Solution (McGraw-Hill) by Elizabeth Pantley

Preschool Farewell

At the end of the summer we say farewell to many of our amazing little preschool friends as they head off to kindergarten! We have watched them grow, shine and discover and now they carry on, with firm foundations, into the 'big' world. We wish them all the best, as their journey of learning leads down a new path filled with even more fascinating experiences and adventurous explorations.

 

Kindergarten Here We Come!

Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Kindergarten, here we come!

We know we'll have lots of fun.
Lots of things to make and do.
Reading, writing, counting, too.
Kindergarten, here we come!
We know we'll have lots of fun.

VIEX 2012

Yay! The VIEX, Vancouver Island Exhibition, starts today and lasts all weekend!

Come on by and say Hi!

We have a booth set up at the tradeshow and we would love to see you!

Swing by for a visit and enter to win a

$100 Thrifty Foods Gift Card!

For more info about the VIEX visit:  www.viex.ca

Childcare Space Available in Nanaimo

Childcare Space Available in Nanaimo

Can you believe that there are only 4 weeks left before school starts? We want to let you know that the time is now to register your children for childcare. Space is limited at our Nanaimo locations and it's filling up fast! We know, we know, it's so busy right now and you haven't got time to think about it, but we really encourage you to get your spot now. Then you can enjoy the rest of your summer worry free, knowing that your child has a registered space in a high quality childcare centre. Don't miss out on an opportunity to check one more thing off your to-do list! It's so easy!

Registration in for Victoria Location

If you will be needing childcare within the next 6 months to a year we strongly encourage you to have your name on our Registration List. Each day that passes, more and more families are putting their name on our list to get a spot when they need it! Here's why:

1. They understand that high-quality childcare and education is so important!
2. They want to know their child is in a safe, secure environment.
3. They know that our experienced team of educators and caregivers provide a fun and age-appropriate program everyday along with providing attentive and loving care to each child.
4. They see that our facilities provide child-sized equipment for safety and encouraging self-help skills along with toys and supplies that encourage learning and growth.

There is no fee or commitment to be on the Registration List, this just allows us to know when you need a space and to contact you as soon as that space is available. We encourage you to do as soon as possible to ensure that you are at the top of the list for the space you need! 

For all locations and both applying for available space or Registration list, simply go to www.jollygiant.ca and fill in the online registration form. This sends your info directly to the centre of your choice! The manager will call you to go over details, and answer any questions you may have. Yes... it is that easy!

Fun Ocean Songs!

I know, I know! It's been a while since our last post! But here are some fantastically fun songs to share with your lil' ones while enjoying the summer and hopefully the ocean!

A Sailor Went To Sea

A Sailor went to sea, sea, sea.
To see what he could see, see, see.
But all that he could see, see, see.
Was the bottom of the deep blue sea, sea, sea
(Have your children repeat this getting faster and faster.)

Fish Story
One, two, three, four, five -
Once I caught a fish alive.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten -
Then I let it go again.

Why did I let it go?
Because it bit my finger so.
Which finger did it bite?
The little finger on the right

Catch a Fish (Sung To: Row, Row, Row your boat)
Catch, catch, catch a fish,
Hook it on your line.
Reel it, reel it, reel it,
This one will be mine.

Five Little Fishes Swimming in the Sea
Five little fishes swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. shark you can't catch me
Along came Mr. shark (softly) as quiet as can be
He snapped a fish up right out of the sea.

Four little fishes swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. shark you can't catch me
Along came Mr. shark (softly) as quiet as can be
He snapped a fish up right out of the sea.

Three little fishes swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. shark you can't catch me
Along came Mr. shark (softly) as quiet as can be
He snapped a fish up right out of the sea.

Two little fishes swimming in the sea

teasing Mr. shark you can't catch me
Along came Mr. shark (softly) as quiet as can be
He snapped a fish up right out of the sea

One little fish swimming in the sea

teasing Mr. shark you can't catch me
Along came Mr. shark (softly) as quiet as can be
He snapped that fish up right out of the sea

Now there’s no little fishes swimming in the sea

No little fishes saying can’t catch me
Along comes Mr.Shark (softly) as quiet as can be
He spit those fish right back in the sea!

Fish in the Sea
The fish in the sea go swim, swim, swim
swim, swim, swim, swim, swim, swim
The fish in the sea go swim, swim, swim
All through the Day

The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch

pinch, pinch, pinch, pinch, pinch, pinch
The lobsters in the sea go pinch, pinch, pinch
All through the Day

The octopus in the sea go wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
The octopus in the sea go wiggle, wiggle, wiggle
All through the Day

The crabs in the sea go click, click, click
click, click, click, click, click, click
The crabs in the sea go click, click, click
All through the Day

Other ocean creatures to try...
The sea horse in the sea rocks back and forth...
The whale in the sea goes quirt squirt squirt...
The clam in the sea goes open and shut...
The crabs in the sea go click click click...
The jellyfish in the sea go "bloop bloop bloop"!
The Sharks in the sea go chomp, chomp, chomp…

Slippery Fish
Slippery fish, slippery fish
swimming in the water
A slippery fish, a slippery fish
gulp, gulp, gulp
OH NO! He's been eaten by a

Tuna fish, a tuna fish
swimming in the water
A tuna fish, a tuna fish
gulp, gulp, gulp
OH NO! He's been eaten by an

Octopus, an octopus
swimming in the water
An octopus, an octopus
gulp, gulp, gulp
OH NO! He's been eaten by a

Great White Shark, a great white shark swimming in the water
A great white shark, a great white shark
gulp, gulp, gulp
OH NO! He's been eaten by an

Enormous Whale, an enormous whale
Spouting in the water
Enormous Whale, enormous whale
Gulp, gulp, BURP!
Excuse ME!

Have you earned your $100 from the 'Jolly Giant' yet?! Did you know that referring another family to JGC and sharing the love of our care and programs, earns you $100! Not only does it earn you $100, it earns the other family $100 too! What would you do with an extra $100 this month?

New Referral Program! Spread the Word About Jolly Giant Childcare!

"Why do you have a referral program?" It’s simple really…

• We appreciate your continued support and we want to give something back to you!
• Word of mouth from happy clients is the most effective form of advertising and avenue in gaining new clients within our community.
• Current families and friends that are happy with our programs and spread the word, keep our advertising costs down. In turn, we can put that advertising money right into our facilities and programs, thus maintaining the upmost quality care in equipment and supplies that you are accustom to.
• Why give the newspaper and advertising agencies money to promote our programs, when we can give that money to our Jolly Giant families and friends for helping to keep our programs full by spreading the word through our community?

"Who should I give the card to?" Anyone that who you have heard say…

• ‘My current provider closes when it snows, I’m so frustrated!’
• ‘My current provider isn’t providing healthy enough snacks or physical activity.’
• ‘My current provider doesn’t support my concerns or accommodate my child’s individual needs.’
• ‘My current provider doesn’t offer enough structure or programming.’
• ‘My current childcare centre isn’t very clean or organized.’
• ‘My current care provider works alone, so when she’s away or sick, she’s closed!’
• ‘My current provider has high fees and doesn’t even provide snacks, or go on field trips, or anything extra such as a Christmas Concert.’

 "How does it work?" Check this out…

• Pick up Referral Cards at any one of our locations, keep the referral cards close at hand when you are out and about.
• Talk to people, spread the word! Give them a card!
• If they sign up, we give you $100!

Central Vancouver Island Farmer's Markets!

It's Market season! And I couldn't be more excited to see what's new and exciting this year! I just love the live music, the relaxed or casual atmosphere, the friendly faces and the interesting finds! There are a few local markets to check out this summer and if I hear of others I will add them to the list! Click the links for all the details for each market!
Grab your reusable market bag and head on out to support our local vendors! Good times!

Nanaimo Downtown Farmer's Market Opens today! On Fridays from 10-2
https://www.facebook.com/NanaimoDowntownFarmersMarket

The Cedar Farmer's Market Opens on Sunday, Mother's Day! Sundays' 10-2
http://www.cedarfarmersmarket.com/

Bowen Road Farmer's Market Opens Wednesday May 16th
http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/markets/marketdetails.asp?marketID=117

The Errington Farmer's Market is now Open on Saturdays 10-1pm
http://www.erringtonfarmersmarket.ca/w1/

The Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market on Saturdays is now Open
http://qbfarmersmarket.com/

Exuse This House

Excuse This House

Author: Unknown

Some houses try to hide the fact
That children shelter there,
Ours boasts it quite openly,
The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges are on the doors
I should apologize, I guess
For toys strew on the floor.

But I sat down with my child
And we played and laughed and read
And if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
His eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I’m forced to choose
The one job or the other,
I’d like to cook and clean and scrub,
But first I’ll be a mother.

Just Playing by Anita Wadley (1979)

When I’m building in the block room,

Please don’t say I’m

JUST Playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play;

about balance and shapes.

Who knows, I maybe an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up,

Setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don’t get the idea I’m

JUST playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,

Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,

Please don’t let me hear you say “she’s JUST playing"

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me
“Reading” to an imaginary audience,
Please don’t laugh and think I’m

JUST playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I fi nd,
don’t pass it off as

JUST play.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,

or some plaything at my school,
Please don’t feel the time is wasted in playFor, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,

Please don’t think that because I enjoy it,
it is JUST playFor, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run,
and move my body,
Please don’t say I’m

JUST playing.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I did at school today,

And I say,

“I JUST Played”,

Please don’t misunderstand me.
For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I’m a child and my work is play

Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers, oh, how we love you!
Mother’s for all that you do and all that you are, know that you are loved and cherished! Even on the days when you feel like you are invisible, feel like pulling your hair out, feel that you have been unheard, feel that you don’t have enough hours in the day, not enough days in the week. We know how hard you work, how big your heart is and how we don’t know what we would do without you! You are special in every way and this Mother’s Day, know that you are really loved, cherished and appreciated. Happy Mother’s Day!

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. ~Rajneesh

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. ~Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

A mother understands what a child does not say. ~Author Unknown

Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother. ~Oprah Winfrey

Mom Says
(Original Author Unknown: Sung to: "Twinkle, twinkle little star")
Sometimes, Mom says, "Don't do this,"
Sometimes, Mom says, "Don't do that,"
She still loves me, that I know.
Why? Because she tells me so.
Sometimes, Mom says, "Let's do this!"
Sometimes, Mom says, "Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

A Song for Mothers
(Original Author Unknown: Sung to: My Bologna Has a First Name)
Oh, my mother has a special name.
It s M-O-M-M-Y!
My mother has a special name.
It s M-O-M-M-Y!
Oh, I love to hug her every day.
And when I kiss her, I will say,
Mommy, mommy, I love you!
I L-O-V-E Y-O-U!

Creepy Crawlers!

Oh, it’s a creepy crawlie world out there! Bugs, bugs, bugs! We may stay clear of them but children are fascinated by them! Here are some great creepy crawly bug songs that have been tried and true, shared and reshared!

Did You Ever See?

Did you ever see a worm, a worm, a worm?

Did you ever see a worm move this way and that?

Move this way and that way and this way and that way?

Did you ever see a worm move this way and that?

Did you ever see a spider, a spider, a spider?

Did you ever see a spider climb this way and that?

Climb this way and that way and this way and that way?

Did you ever see a spider climb this way and that?

Did you ever see a bee, a bee, a bee?

Did you ever see a bee buzz this way and that?...

Did you ever see a ladybug, a ladybug, a ladybug?

Did you ever see a ladybug crawl this way and that?...

Did you ever see an ant, an ant, an ant?
Did you ever see an ant march this way and that?...

Did you ever see a mosquito, a mosquito, a mosquito?

Did you ever see a mosquito fly this way and that?...

 

Big Bugs,Small Bugs Sung to: "Frere Jacques"
Big bugs, small bugs, big bugs, small bugs,
See them crawl on the wall?
Creepy, creepy, crawling, never, never falling.
Bug, bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs, bugs.

Flutter Butterfly sung to: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Floating in the summer sky.
Floating by for all to see,
Floating by so merrily.
Flutter, flutter, butterfly,
Floating in the summer sky.

Bugs Go Sung to: "The Wheels on the Bus"
The firefly at night goes blink blink blink
Blink blink blink blink blink blink
The firefly at night goes blink blink blink
All around the town
The bees in the flowers go buzz buzz buzz...
The ants in the grass go march march march...
The crickets in the leaves go chirp chirp chirp...
The caterpillar in the field goes creep creep creep...

Can you move with me? Sung to: "Do Your Ears Hang Low"
Can you wiggle like a worm?
Can you squiggle? Can you squirm?
Can you flutter? Can you fly like a gentle butterfly?
Can you crawl upon the ground
Like a beetle that is round?
Can you move with me?

Can you flip? Can you flop?
Can you give a little hop?
Can you slither like a snake?
Can you give a little shake?
Can you dance like bee
Who is buzzing round a tree?
Can you move with me?

Pardon Garden Rhyme
What do you suppose?
A bee sat on my nose!
and what do you think?
He gave me a wink!
And said, “I beg your pardon...
I thought you were the garden!”

Key Principles of Safe Sleep to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

We are posting these links with important information to ensure that we have spread the word! For Parents and Caregivers! Helping to protect the safety of the precious babies in our world :)

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/safe_sleep_for_babies

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/stages-etapes/childhood-enfance_0-2/sids/pdf/bsse-essb-eng.pdf

Fun Activities to Help Your Child Learn, Say and Write Their Name!

Your preschool is on their way to kindergarten within the next year, can they recognize their name? Can they identify the letters in their name? Can they write their name? These early learning concepts will give your child a fantastic jumpstart to their school career! But where do you start? Keep reading!
The key word throughout this blog is encourage, try not to force or put pressure on your child, ensure that this is fun or you can possibly teach your child that learning is not fun and this can create a more difficult learning process in the future.

Introducing their name by sight

• Wooden Letters for the wall
• Label snack containers, cups, etc. with their name (alphabet stickers are a great way to do this and your child can help you by placing them on the item)

Saying the letters of their name

• Write your child’s name in sidewalk chalk and get them to say the letter as they step on each one
• Sing the song ‘Bingo’ and replace the letters with the letters of your child’s name

 Recognizing their name as individual letters

• Looking in a book ~ ‘Can you spy the letters of your name?’
• Driving in the car ~ ‘Can you spy the letters of your name?’
• Sitting in the grocery cart ~ 'Can you spy the letters of your name?'
• Have activities easily accessible and in various ways, allowing your child to become familiar and comfortable with the letters and be able to place them in the correct order
• Refrigerator magnets
• Foam Bathtub letters
• Cut letters out of magazines and have your child glue them in the right order
• Paint rocks with the letters of your child’s name
• Wooden alphabet blocks – have more than what’s is in your child’s name, this allows them to seek out the letters they need
• Alpha-bits cereal or alphabet soup, moving the letters around to create name
• Letters cut out of felt, you can use a felt board to stick them on or simple a rectangle piece of felt placed on a table or sometimes a couch will work too!
• Alphabet stickers

Writing the letters of their name

Make it fun! Not work! Have their own very special pencil, maybe allow them to pick it out at the store, or surprise them with a fancy one. There’s just something so great about a brand new, freshly sharpened pencil! Make this time quality time, ensure that when your child is first starting out that there is no pressure to be perfect, it’s all about the process of learning at this stage, not the final product.

• Write the letters on a piece of paper and encourage your child to trace over them
• There are many educational websites for preschoolers that allow you to type in your child’s name and it will print out their name in dot form, for great tracing practice
• Write the letters clearly at the top of a piece of paper with lines on it, encourage your child to copy the letters and continue to copy them until they reach the bottom
• Encourage them to write or create their name in a variety of ways, not just with pencil and paper
• During a shower write with soap on the shower door
• Use bathtub crayons to write it along the tub
• Sidewalk chalk outside
• Form letter shapes using play-dough
• Write out their name across a piece of cardboard or stiff paper and encourage them to use buttons and glue them along the shape of their name letters

This list is just the starting point, a little motivation to help you get going. The possibilities of fun letter and name activities is endless once you get started! Soon, you will be finding many new creative ways to inspire your child to recognize and write their name, they may even surprise you with discovering new ways to practice!

Easter Songs and Activites!

Fun Easter Ideas!

• Create a map for each child leading to their Easter Basket! Or have their empty Easter basket by their bed with a map in it, and along the way they find things with their map too special treasures to add to their basket! Make sure if you have more than one child that you mark them somehow (such as with a specific color, or initial) so those items get left for the specific child.

• If you are hiding the eggs outside, have someone go by under the window outside with bunny ears, and see if the children spy them from the window! They will be so excited to run outside and try and catch the Easter bunny before he hops away!

• I came across a really fun one on Pinterest! Do a night time hunt with activated glow bracelets inside plastic eggs! It looks really awesome! Have to try this one!

Easter Songs!

Sleeping Bunnies

See the bunnies sleeping til it’s nearly noon

Come let us wake them with a merry tune

Oh so still, are they ill?

Wake up little bunnies, hop, hop, hop

Wake up little bunnies hop and stop!

Little Peter Rabbit

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose,

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose,

Little Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose,

And he flicked it and it flew away!

Continue with Peter Rabbit having a fly land on other body parts (head, arm toes)

Easter Bunny (Itsy Bitsy Spider)

The little Easter Bunny is hopping on his way

Coming to your house on Easter Sunday

He’ll hop and hop and hop

Until all the eggs are gone

Some are hidden by the house

And others on the lawn

The little Easter Bunny is hopping on his way

Hiding eggs for you to find on Easter Sunday!

Easter Eggs (Three Blind Mice)

Easter eggs, Easter eggs

Red and Blue, Green ones too

The Easter bunny hid them well

Where he hid them, he won’t tell

We’ll have to search and then we’ll yell

Easter Eggs! Easter Eggs!

Did you ever see a Bunny? (Did you ever see a lassie?)

Did you ever see a bunny, a bunny, a bunny?

Did you ever see a bunny hop this way and that?

Hop this way and that way and this way and that way?

Did you ever see a bunny hop this way and that?

Little Bunny Foo Foo – talk the part in italics, sing the other part

One morning Little Bunny Foo Foo woke up and said,

"Oh what a beautiful day! I think I will take a walk!"

Little Bunny Foo Foo went hoppin’ through the forest

Scooping up the field mice and tapping them on the head

Down came the good fairy and she said,

‘Little Bunny Foo Foo I don’t like your attitude

Scooping up the field mice and tapping them on the head.

I will give you three chances, and if you don’t stop,

I will turn you into a goose!’

The next morning Little Bunny Foo Foo woke up and said,

"Oh what a beautiful day! I think I will take a walk!"

Little Bunny Foo Foo went hoppin’ through the forest

Scooping up the field mice and tapping them on the head

Down came the good fairy and she said,

‘Little Bunny Foo Foo I don’t like your attitude

Scooping up the field mice and tapping them on the head.

I will give you two more chances, and if you don’t stop,

I will turn you into a goose!’

The next morning Little Bunny Foo Foo woke up and said,

"Oh what a beautiful day! I think I will take a walk!"

Little Bunny Foo Foo went hoppin’ through the forest

Scooping up the field mice and tapping them on the head

Down came the good fairy and she said,

‘Little Bunny Foo Foo I don’t like your attitude

Scooping up the field mice and tapping them on the head.

I will give you one more chance, and if you don’t stop,

I will turn you into a goose!’

The next morning Little Bunny Foo Foo woke up and said,

"Oh what a beautiful day! I think I will take a walk!"

Little Bunny Foo Foo went hoppin’ through the forest

Scooping up the field mice and kissing them on the head

Down came the good fairy and she said,

‘Little Bunny Foo Foo I really like your attitude

Scooping up the field mice and kissing them on the head!

BUNNNY

I know a rabbit with long, pink ears and Bunny is his name-o

B-U-N-N-Y, B-U-N-N-Y, B-U-N-N-Y

And Bunny is his name-o!

Continue with other body parts such as:

Twitchy nose

Soft, white fur

Floppy feet

Fluffy tail

April Fools Day Fun!

April's Fools Day is April 1st! Do you have a sweet little prank to pull on unexpecting loved ones or friends? Personally, I have always been at the 'pranked upon' end of things, I'm hoping that this year, you know with a 4 year old and a 1 year old in the house, that I just might be able to be on the otherside this year and have a little fun :)

Here are some fun ways to celebrate April Fools Day with your family!

http://familyfun.go.com/april-fools-day/practical-jokes/

Oh, the giggles and the screams! What fun, ha, ha, ha! They will never see it coming!

We would love to hear in the comments section what you have done in the past to fool your family or what you are doing this year! Or what someone has done to you in the past! Are you seeking revenge this year?

Here's my best story: (funny now of course, not so much in the moment)

My sister, a travel agent, texts me that April morning in 2009.

Little does she know that I am in the emergency room at the hospital with a sick toddler (fever 104) and have been there since the wee hours of the morning waiting for tests and comforting an unwell baby. So, as you can imagine, I'm in no awareness of it being April Fools Day nor am I in any mood for a good joke.

So anyway, she texts and says that the airline that we are traveling to Hawaii on in 4 days, went bankrupt overnight and has since basically vanished. So, all of our flights are cancelled and we are out all the money for our tickets. But not to worry because she is going to try and find us new tickets on another flight, however we are looking at spending about another $1500.00.

Now, the story behind this is that this isn't just any trip to Hawaii, my sister is getting married there in a week!

So, already I'm panicking because I have a sick baby and don't know if we can even make the trip because of that, and now she's telling me we are out all of our money and will be spending another $1500.00 to see her get married!

So... as you can imagine, I lost my mind.

I phoned my parents, as they obviously must also be in hysterics about the bankrupt airline. After my long panic-stricken vent to them about what is happening, there is a pause.

'Well, um... hunny, I don't think your sister knew you were in the hospital with G.'

I'm thinking, What?! What does that have to do with anything?! She just told us we are out thousands of dollars and with no flights and we are supposed to leave in a few days to see her get married!

'Kel, what day is it today?'

What? I don't know, Wednesday? Thursday? I've been at the hospital since 3am I'm really not aware of the calendar at the moment, why?

'Well, I think your sister may have been playing a little April Fools prank on you.'

Oh, she did not!

Oh, she did.

Here are a few more great St. Patrick’s Day songs!

Here are a few great songs I found in Holiday Piggyback Songs compiled by Jean Warren! They all have a familiar tune so they are super fun and easy to sing!

St. Patrick’s Day is Here – Tune: The farmer in the dell

St. Patrick’s Day is here,

St. Patrick’s Day is here.

Let’s give a clap and dance a jig,

St. Patrick’s Day is here.

Eensy, Weensy Leprechaun –You know the tune!

An eensy, weensy leprechaun

Came out St. Patrick’s Day

To look for the fold

That was hidden far away

Over the rainbow

Was there he was told,

So, with a wink of this green eye

He ran to get the gold.

St.Patrick's Day Art Activities!

• Green Shamrock shapes ~ glue green sparkles on them  
• Shamrock mobile! Simply use a hanger with different lengths of string and tape or glue little shamrocks on the strings! If you really want to get fancy you can twist green ribbon around the hanger!
• Buttons in various sizes and colors ~ glue (or wire through the holes) buttons together starting from largest on the bottom to smallest on the top, creating a rainbow tree shape! Rainbows intrigue the leprechauns to come to your house!

• St. Patrick’s Day headband! Measure a strip of paper around your child’s head (you may need to strips taped together) Tape the band together when you have the right size. Next you have several options! You can create a mini leprechaun hat with black paper and tape/ glue it on the front of the band. Or you can take two green pipe cleaners and tape them on each side of the band (creating antennas) and tape shamrocks to the top of each one!

• Take 7 small jars (baby food jars are awesome, or spice jars) ~ fill them with water ~ using only red, blue and yellow food coloring ~ create a rainbow! Mix the primary colors to create the secondary colors. This is a great science experiment too! Each jar will have one color of the rainbow, place in a sunny window for a beautiful decoration!

• Glue/ tape four green hearts into the shape of a shamrock and hang in the window!

• Shamrock rings ~ use green pipe cleaners ~ shape the middle of the pipe cleaner into a ring to fit on finger, then using the rest of it, twist into a shamrock shape, ( two loops for each end of the pipe cleaner and then push in the top of the loop slightly to create each 'petal') twist the end under the ‘ring’ to secure in place.

St. Patrick's Day Fun Activities

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! Here are some fun ways to celebrate!

 

Fun Ideas:

• Green toilet bowl water
• Painted mini feet around the environment ( make your hand into a fist, pain the side of your hand green and stamp, use your fingertip dipped in paint to create toes)
• Create an environment that looks like a ‘mischievous’ leprechaun may have visited – turn chairs upside down, turn picture frames backwards, move things into areas they wouldn’t typically be in! Really have fun with it!
• Create a leprechaun trap (http://littlehandslotsoflove.blogspot.com/2011/03/leprechaun-trap.html) , and in the morning leave a map inside so the children can see they didn’t catch the leprechaun but he left them a map! Have a hidden ‘treasure’ of some sort at the X marks the spot! (Some great treasure ideas include: Lucky Charms cereal, Shamrock stickers, 'gold' coins, anything with a rainbow on it such as pencils, erasers, stickers, etc. or anything green! Such as socks (silly leprechaun!)
• Have fun with rainbows, put crystals in the window, make rainbow cupcakes or pancakes, use rainbow sprinkles on things such as the rim of their milk glass

Cool Games:

• Duck Duck Goose! Variation – Leprechaun, Leprechaun, Rainbow! (Or Gold!)
• Doggy Doggy Where’s Your Bone? Variation – Leprechaun, Leprechaun where’s your gold
• Shamrock Search - Cut out many shamrock shapes and hide them around the room. Have the children search for them like an Easter Egg hunt.

Great Songs and Fingerplays:

Where or Where? Sung to "Where oh Where has my Little Dog Gone?"

Where, oh where has my pot of gold gone?

Oh Where, Oh Where could it be?

It's black and big and full of gold,

Oh Where, Oh where could it be?

Did You Ever See a Leprechaun? (Did you ever see a lassie?)

Did you ever see a leprechaun, a leprechaun, a leprechaun

Did you ever see a leprechaun go this way and that?

Go this way and that way and this way and that way

Did you ever see a leprechaun go this way and that?

I'm a Little Leprechaun To the tune of I'm a Little Teapot

I'm a little leprechaun dressed in green
the tiniest man that you've ever seen.
If you ever catch me so it's told
I'll give you my pot of Gold!

Five Little Shamrocks 

1 green shamrock, in the morning dew,

Another one sprouted, and then there were two.

2 green shamrocks, growing beneath a tree;

Another one sprouted and then there were three.

3 green shamrocks, by the cottage door;

Another one sprouted,

And then there were four.

4 green shamrocks, near a beehive

Another one sprouted,

And then there were five.

5 little shamrocks, bright and emerald green,

Think of all the luck these shamrocks will bring.

Spring Craft Ideas!

Those of you who are crafty and love doing activities with your children will be especially inspired by the sunny weather! The sunshine seems to give us a renewed energy and a wonder of new things and new ideas!

Here are a few springtime activities to get you started!

Spring Blossom Tree

This one is super cute! Just pop some air pop popcorn (don’t use microwave ones with the buttery stuff on it) Then cut out a tree shape (just the branches no leaves)Glue the tree shape to a piece of colored paper and then glue the popcorn on resembling blossoms! Option – you can toss the popcorn in a plastic/ paper bag with some pink powder paint and give it a shake to make pink cherry blossoms!

Spring Wind Sock

I love this one because it’s so easy and they turn out so awesome!
What you will need:

• stickers,
• construction paper,
• tissue paper (or streamers),
• tape,
• string

What to do:

• Place stickers all over the paper leaving a couple inches on one short side because it will be covered when you roll up the paper anyway (we like spring stickers such as flowers and bugs and sunshines!) When that is all done, turn the paper over and place strips of tissue paper along the bottom long edge of the paper and tape them down.
• Next, roll the paper into a large tube by bring both short ends together and over lapping until you get the size you want, place a long piece of tape along the edge to hold it together.
• Next take a string (approx. 6 inches) and tape each end inside the tube on the top to create a hanger.
• Done! So cute and perfect in a sunny window!

Button Blossoms

This one is super easy and gives you a little start on blossoming blooms before the real ones arrive!
You just need some colorful buttons and some thin wire.http://littlehandslotsoflove.blogspot.com/2011/02/button-blooms.html

Spring Twig

This is so pretty! Put a few small drops of brown watered down paint at bottom of a piece of paper. Blow with a straw up and over a little left and right to create a pretty shaped branch with lots of twigs. Then take spring color tissue squares (such as pink or light green) and pinch in the middle and glue on like a blossom or bud along the twigs, remembering to get some on the ends of the twigs. Really beautiful on your wall! This also looks beautiful if you do it on white paper and then glue it on a larger piece of paper that matches the tissue paper, it creates a really sweet frame! If you are really inspired – I have done this project on a canvas so it’s ready to hang!

Check back throughout Spring to see more ideas popping up!

Other craft websites for Spring ideas!

Love this site!

http://familyfun.go.com/spring/spring-crafts/

Spring!

It is a beautiful sunny day on the coast of Vancouver Island! It is only February but, wow, does it feel like Spring! Today will be a day spent outside soaking up all that sunshine we have been deprived of for several cloudy and grey months. And what better way to spend a beautiful early spring day than to sing a few songs and talk about this fabulous weather?!

Spring Songs and Poems

What the Robin Told

The wind told the grasses,
And the grasses told the trees.
The trees told the bushes,
And the bushes told the bees.
The bees told the robin,
And the robin sang out clear:
Wake up! Wake up!
Spring is here!

Springtime

(This would make an awesome felt board poem!)

A small green frog
On a big brown log;
A black and yellow bee
In a little green tree;
A red and yellow snake
By a blue-green lake,
All sat and listened
To red bird sing,
"Wake up, everybody,
It's spring! It's spring!"

First I was

(Tune Johnny Works With One Hammer)

First I was a raindrop, raindrop, raindrop
First I was a raindrop, pitter and patter
Then I was a puddle, puddle, puddle
Then I was a puddle, splash and splatter

Then I heard the children, children, children

Then I heard the children laugh and play
Then I saw the sunshine, sunshine, sunshine
Then I saw the sunshine and dried away

The Little Caterpillar
(Sung to "Itsy, Bitsy Spider")

The little caterpillar crawled up into a tree,
Spun his cocoon and slept so quietly,
All through the winter he didn't make a sound,
He dreamt of his new life when he'd be flying all around.
While he was sleeping the snow did gently fall,
Winter came and went, then he heard the robin's call,
Come on Mr. Butterfly, out of your cocoon
Spread your wings and fly for me, while I sing my tune.

Check back soon for Spring Craft Ideas!

References
Canteach.ca

Everythingpreschool.com

Valentine's Day Songs!

Sharing the love...

Love, Love, Love (tune: 3 Blind Mice)

Love, love, love,
love, love, love
See how it grows,
See how it grows.
I love my friends and they love me.
We love each other it’s plain to see.
There's plenty for a big family.
Love, love, love, love, love, love.

I'm a Happy Little Heart (I'm a Little White Duck)

I'm happy little heart
I’m pink and white and red.
A happy little heart with lace around my edge.
I have three words on the front of me.
That say I love you! Oh, can't you see?
I'm a happy little heart
I’m pink and white and red.
Happy little heart with lace around my edge!

H-E-A-R-T (Tune: Bingo)

There is a shape and it means love

And heart is it's name-o.
H-E-A-R-T, H-E-A-R-T, H-E-A-R-T,
And Heart is it's name-o!

Continue leaving out a letter on each repeat and use a clap in place of the letter.

As a felt song have five heart shapes with a letter on each that 5 children hold in front of the group and turn over as that letter is left off.

Do You Know My Valentine? (Muffin Man)

Do you know my Valentine,

My Valentine, my Valentine?
Do you know my valentine?
His/her name is _________.

Five Pretty Valentines

Five pretty valentines waiting at the store.
(Insert child's name) bought one and then there were four.

Four pretty valentines shaped like a "V"

(Insert child's name) bought one and then there were three.

Three pretty valentines said "I love you"

(Insert child's name) bought one and then there were two.

Two pretty valentines, this was so much fun.

(Insert child's name) bought one and then there was one.

One pretty valentine, sitting on the shelf.

I felt sorry for it, so I bought it for myself!

New Year’s Resolution: ‘Spend More Quality Time with My Child!’

Have you started this resolution yet?

Life gets busy. As parents we all want to slow down and spend more time with our children. It makes us feel good and it makes them feel good. It creates lasting memories and close relationships with each other.

However, we all know how busy life can be! Work, school, dinners, chores, baths, etc. It’s busy and it’s exhausting!

How do we create time and make this time priority on our list everyday? We make it easy!

Two things often prevent us from spending that time with our children:

1. Exhaustion
2. Busy, busy, busy (checking off to-do lists!)

Exhaustion

You may be feeling like you just want to relax at the end of your day! Not run around playing hide and seek. Well, surprisingly, children enjoy that down time too! It doesn’t matter what you do, it doesn’t have to be a big, thought out project and it doesn’t mean packing up and going out to the park or the pool.

Busy, busy, busy!

I know that some of you are saying, ‘I have too much to do! I can’t sit and play cars or build blocks, or play store. I need to get things done!’ Fair enough, the time for a parent is not enough and the list is always way too long.

So how do you compromise? How do you accomplish tasks or relax and not miss out on precious time with your child?

Let’s figure out how you can be together without exerting a ton of energy that you just don’t have, or delaying things on your list that will take your focus away from enjoying any other activity with your child.

No energy?

Find some things to do that you can sit down and not have to pour a lot of preparation and planning into…

• Sit and read stories, or have your child read to you
• Cuddle together and watch a show or a movie
• Cuddle and talk! Talk about the day – likes/ dislikes. Talk about what you want to do tomorrow. Talk about anything!
• Do a puzzle with a cup of tea and a snack
• Create a sticker book! So fun! (we use a binder with those plastic protectors, then we put stickers on colored paper and just slide them in!)
• Color! Easy, easy, easy!
• Look through cookbooks and sticky note the recipes you want to try together

What’s on your list?

Tasks can easily incorporate your child’s assistance and company if you think creatively about how to do it! It’s also a lot more fun to do together, it gets done faster, sometimes, and your children love being with you, regardless of what you are doing, if it’s together and you are having fun doing it, they will love it and you will to when you realize just how much time you can spend together! Children love to help!

• If the dishes really can’t wait? Let your child stand on a chair and rinse the dishes, or help unload the dishwasher and place things on the counter.
  
• Doing laundry? Children are great at putting clothes in front loading washers, they enjoy putting the soap in the dispenser and pushing the start button. Children can also easily fold face clothes and tea towels (it doesn’t matter if they are not perfectly folded)
  
• Writing out Thank You notes or birthday cards? Bring out the markers and paper and let you child create their own thank you notes!
  
• Need to mail bill payments? Go for a walk to the mailbox together
  
• Making lunches for the next day? Children can help with this! They can pick out fruit to add to each lunch kit, spreading peanut butter on bread, adding juice boxes, etc. Even toddlers can be involved by using step by step instructions (find an apple, pick it up, put it in!)
  
• Getting coffee ready on the timer for the morning? Children love to scoop and pour the coffee grinds
  
• Grocery shopping? Preschool children love to ‘Spy’ the next item! (We are looking for…. Let’s see who can spy them first!)
  
• Dusting? Put on some tunes and slide some socks onto your child’s hands, easy way for them to help with the dusting! Especially those awkwardly low baseboards!

When you make spending time with your child the focus, you will realize how to easily make quality time together a priority! And soon you will wonder how you ever did anything without them! And you will look forward to that down time when you can relax and reconnect with each other after a busy day or week.

We are the Educators But YOU are the Expert!

Our staff at Jolly Giant Childcare are educated and experienced caregivers. We provided quality care and programming for your child, and we are here as child development resources and guidance support for families.

However!

We are not the experts, you are.

You are the key most valuable resource when it comes to your child. No one knows your child better than you do and we highly value this parental expertise!

We understand that you are the most important adult in your child’s life! You know what their needs are, you understand them, you love them more than anyone, and you need to be highly valued by the caregiver you choose to care for your child when you are away!

If you have concerns about your child ~ if you feel they can benefit from a different approach when they are upset or won’t sleep or won’t eat, if they did not sleep well or have had an incident happen that may cause unusual behavior for the day ~ we want to know because we recognize that your thoughts and opinions are crucial to providing the best care for your child and their needs. We also believe that it’s so important to continue the same successful strategies you do at home in order to maintain consistency and help your child feel secure in our care and environment.

Children and their families are our first priority at Jolly Giant~ Your family is why we are here! Why we are in business! We want to ensure that we are providing the high-quality care that your child and your family deserve!

• If your baby needs to be rocked to sleep, we will gently rock your baby to sleep.
• If your child has had a rough night sleep and needs extra comfort, we will comfort
• If your child has special dietary needs that have to be followed, we will follow them.
• If something has happened outside of daycare that may cause your child to have unusual behaviour (upset, etc.) during their day with us, we will ensure that we meet your child's extra needs and provide the special care your child might need that day
• If your child is up very early and doesn’t have time for breakfast before their early daycare drop off, bring it in and they can have it when they arrive.

At Jolly Giant Childcare, we value the significance and uniqueness of your individual family. We appreciate you, and the knowledge you share about your child. We respect you as the educator and as the most important resource for your child.

Shouldn’t every childcare provider?

Contact us and let’s help you ensure that you and your family are getting the respect and care you deserve from a care provider. www.jollygiant.ca