EARLY CHILDHOOD NEWSLETTER

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS Crossroads for Families that Co-Parent– Tuesday, September 3rd; 4:30-8:30pm @ Community Partnership in Divide. Registration Fee

required. Contact Amy Stewart to RSVP: AmyS@cpteller.org or 686-0705.

Cooking Matters for Parents of Preschoolers– Six Tuesday sessions, September 3rd-October 8th; 5:30-7:30pm @ Mountain View United Methodist Church in Woodland Park. Learn how to prepare and shop for healthy, low-cost meals. Meal and childcare provided. Contact Amy Stewart to RSVP: amys@cpteller.org or 686-0705.

Active Parenting First Five Years– Four Wednesday sessions, September 4th-September 25th; 9:30-11:30am @ Community Partnership in Divide. Discussion series for parents with children prenatal-5. Meal and childcare provided. Contact Amy Stewart to RSVP: AmyS@cpteller.org or 686-0705.

Divide Saturday Playgroup– Saturday, September 14th; 10:00-11:30am @ Made for More Project in Woodland Park. Messes are encouraged so dress for a mess! Move from station to station exploring and engaging in unique sensory experiences. Cost $5 per child. Contact Jessica for more information: Jessica@cpteller.org or 686-0705.

50s & 60s Golden Oldies Concert– Saturday, September 14th; 11:00am-12:30pm @ Midland Pavilion next to Woodland Park Library. The Nostalgics at 11:00 am. Listen to live music and enjoy the summer sun.

Bike the Night– Saturday, September 14th; 6:00pm @ Memorial Park in Woodland Park. $5 registration fee, Mountain Top Cycling Club will have races for young children ages 2 - 5 on balance bikes; older children up to age 8 can ride on the sidewalks around the park for trophies.

Parent Advisory Committee– Thursday, September 22nd; 5:00-7:00pm @ Community Partnership in Divide. Caregivers of children of all ages are welcomed to have a voice about CP programming and community needs. Meal and childcare provided. Contact Cory for more information: Cory@cpteller.org or 686-0705.

Cooking Matters in Your Community– Friday, September 27th; 10:00-11:00am @ Aspen Mine Center in Cripple Creek. Find out how to get the best use from your Commodities Day food box items. Food demonstration and snack provided. Contact Denise to RSVP: 719-689-3584.

GED Registration– Friday, September 27th; 11:30am-2:00pm @ Aspen Mine Center in Cripple Creek. Contact Katy to RSVP: Katy@cpteller.org or 686-0705.

National Public Lands Day: Free Day– Saturday, September 28th; All National Park entrance fees are waived on September 28th. Find a National Park and volunteer events: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm

The Big Aspen Happenin’ Fall Festival– September 28th & 29th; 12:00-10:00pm @ Bennett Ave and 3rd St., Cripple Creek. There will be a HUGE street party with an entire city block of inflatable fun, featuring a massive slide, a gigantic obstacle course, bounce houses, live music, plenty of street vendors and art inspired by Mother Nature’s fine fall handiwork. https://visitcripplecreek.com/event/fall-festival/

**All events and programs are FREE and for all ages, unless otherwise noted**

Monthly Focus: Social Emotional Development September 2019

When you shop at Amazon Smile you

benefit Community Coalition for Families

& Children dba: Community Partnership

2019 Annual Playgroup Trip to the North Pole

Friendships and Peer Interactions

By the time children are toddlers, they are already interested in other children. In preschool, peer interactions become more coordinated and

intentional. For example, by age 5 many children can: share pretend play, make up rules for games, respond to each others questions, and

coordinate their behaviors during play.

One-on-one friendships

Your child has preferences for friends she wants to play with. Some of these friendships could last for a year or more. At this age, children interact

differently with friends than with non-friends. When they are friends, they behave more positively toward each other. They cooperate more on

problem-solving tasks. In these friendships, children begin learning about sharing, taking turns, cooperation and fairness. They handle conflicts

and aggression. Studies show that children’s interactions with their peers is related to later personal adjustment, mental health, and success in

school.

Group Experiences

In a peer group, no one is automatically accepted. Membership must be earned. The quest for membership will lead to either acceptance or

rejection. Being accepted can help children develop an identity. Rejection can leave them feeling isolated. Both of these are normal experiences.

Children often compare themselves to others in their group. This can cause them to either feel competent or embarrassed about their abilities,

looks, or achievements. Peer groups also teach young children about cultural values and gender roles. When your child is in a group, there will be

lots of negotiations. Things are not handed down from one person to another like in a parent child relationship. Instead, peers discuss and

debate. These interactions can lead to either feelings of dominance or feelings of submission, depending on how well your child handles the

interactions. Your child’s experiences in a group affect how they think about themselves. This can also impact their interactions with others later

on. Groups help your child gain valuable skills—how to solve problems, make and follow rules, communicate, share, win (and sometimes lose) at

games, and endure disappointments.

Parents As Teachers

If you have children prenatal to kindergarten age, you

can learn how to become your child’s first and best

teacher from the comfort of your home or at our

center. Through monthly home visits and social

group connections, developmental screenings, and

fun and interactive activities, you will learn about your

child’s development and health and celebrate their

growth. You’ll hone your parenting skills and tap into

local resources so you can be the best parent you

can be for your little one.

For more information on upcoming events,

contact

Jessica Bartholomew at Jessica@cpteller.org

719-686-0705

2019 PAT Appreciation Party Parachute Fun PAT Activity—Scrap Sculpture PAT Activity—Finger Painting

AT THE PARK

STOP AND GO

While at the park, play a game of Stop

and Go with your child. When you say

“go” you both run, dance, and jump

around. Then, when you say “stop”

everybody freezes. After a few rounds,

let them be the one to shout the

commands.

BRAINY BACKGROUND

Playing Stop and Go helps your child

focus, remember the rules, and not go on

autopilot—important skills for success in

school and in life.

Download the app or visit the website

www.vroom.org

GO ACTIVITY: RHYTHMS

HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, AND TOES

1. Start off with children sitting or standing

facing you.

2. Sing the song, “Head, Shoulders,

Knees, and Toes” while touching each

body part:

“Head, shoulders, knees, and toes

Knees and toes

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes

Knees and toes

Eyes and ears and mouth and nose

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes”

3. Perform the song slowly until the

children are touching the correct body

parts.

4. Gradually sing and move faster, you

could even try crossing arms as you

touch the correct body parts.

https://catchinfo.org/about

Family Charades: Pretending and Exploring Perspectives How do we do it?

1. Explain that you’re going to play a game where you pretend to be someone else in

your family. Ask your child which family member they want to be.

2. Encourage them to act, dress, and speak like the person they chose. Help them

gather things they need to “become” that person. Ask, “What does Mommy wear?” or

“What does she like to do?”

3. Follow your child's lead as you play along. You can act like yourself or choose to be

another person in the family.

4. Keep these roles as long as your child is interested, then try picking a different per-

son. “What do you notice about Grandma? What does she say to you?”

Observe your child as you play. You can gain lots of insight into your child’s thinking

when they pretend to be someone else!

What’s in it for us?

Social Emotional:

A. When children pretend to be someone else, they identify the characteristics of the

that person that they think are important.

B. This activity helps children take another person’s perspective. They become aware

of other people’s thoughts and feelings. This is the beginning of empathy.

C. Staying in character can be hard. Practicing this skill helps children express and reg-

ulate their feelings. Children who immerse themselves in pretend roles tend to score

higher on tests of emotional understanding.

Connecting Across Development:

Motor: Walking in shoes or wearing clothes that are too big takes balance and

careful motor control.

Language: Speaking like someone else helps children learn different speech pat-

terns. Playing with tone and pitch lets children have fun while they exercise their vocal

chords.

Cognitive: To gather props based on what others do, children need to remember

familiar routines. This helps them organize and interpret their everyday experiences.

2019 Playgroup Fieldtrip to Florissant Library for StoryWalk

Teller County Playgroup is FREE to any Parent or Caregiver with children ages 5 & under.

Location: Mondays and Wednesdays @ Community Partnership in Divide unless otherwise stated.

Cancellation Policy: Divide Playgroup follows the WPSD calendar and weather cancellation policy. During summer months, check Facebook for cancellations or email jessica@cpteller.org 719-686-0705.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/playgroupndivide Website: www.cpteller.org

Divide Playgroup Calendar

September 2019

Contact Information: Jessica 719-686-0705 or Jessica@cpteller.org

WEEKEND PLAYGROUPS: 2nd Saturday of the month

SATURDAY, September 14, with Jackie

Messy Art Studio Play @ Made for More Project

10:00-11:30AM

COST $5 per child. Address: 109 W Midland Ave, Woodland Park, CO

Messes are encouraged so dress for a mess! Move from station to station exploring engaging and unique sensory experiences.

Monday – Divide Wednesday – Divide 2. NO PLAYGROUP

4. Jamie

Storytime Yoga with Mrs. Sara

9:30-11:00AM

Travel on an imaginary journey using music, story and kid-

friendly breathing techniques and yoga poses! This helps

children regulate their energy levels.

9. Jackie

Play Dough People

9:30-11:00AM

All about ME! Identifying and celebrating personal traits.

Understanding what makes your child look and feel unique

gives them a sense of who they are.

11. Jessica

Spinners

9:30-11:00AM

We will decorate cardboard spinners, a fun and easy way to

help children learn to relax and calm down.

16. Jessica

Calm Down Kits

9:30-11:00AM

Calm down sensory items are most often used to help calm a

child when their emotions become overwhelming. We will make

a fun “on the go” calm down kit.

18. Jamie

Floam Slime

9:30-11:00AM

Sensory experiences lend themselves to talking about how

something feels, which helps children begin to understand and

express emotions.

23. Jamie

Harvest Day

9:30-11:00AM

We will make mini pizzas from our garden harvest. Positive

cooking experiences build self-confidence and teach life skills.

25. Jessica

Stomp out Dinosaur Feelings

9:30-11:00AM

Pretend to play, walk and eat like a dinosaur! Pretend play

helps your child understand the world around them.

30. Jackie

Pasta Faces

9:30-11:00AM

Discussing emotions with pasta faces. Identifying expressions

helps children connect with their own emotions.

This month’s playgroup activities and discussions

will focus on Social-emotional Development: a

child’s ability to understand the feelings of others,

control their own feelings and behaviors, get

along with peers, and understand who they are.