tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41497855665350951242024-03-13T21:49:37.342-07:00My CMLC News!Keeping Creative Minds families connected.Creative Mindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07641092894550420818noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-27365028314463579802018-03-02T14:34:00.000-08:002018-03-02T14:34:37.429-08:00Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss! March 2nd is Dr. Seuss' Birthday!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_91L03YSCw/WpnNYKoGEAI/AAAAAAAABGo/XHsF4FTIEl0TTA62pdU6DMdPYQsMEdDfwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_91L03YSCw/WpnNYKoGEAI/AAAAAAAABGo/XHsF4FTIEl0TTA62pdU6DMdPYQsMEdDfwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1101.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
His books are well known and well loved at all of the CMLC schools. To celebrate his birthday, each year we do a Pajama day and sometimes serve a vegetarian "Green Eggs" afternoon snack with dyed green yogurt and a vanilla wafer "yolk"! Today, kiddos and teachers brought in their favorite Dr. Seuss books and shared them during show and share. Our creative teaching team did different art projects such as coloring our own Hats from <u>Cat in the Hat</u>, making hand-print flowers from <u>The Lorax</u>, hand-print Thing 1 and Thing 2, and more!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBHcNeU5mwg/WpnNoSG12II/AAAAAAAABGs/LWWK3iL59lMR01NVJq2OtHCXeEdQwqbYACLcBGAs/s1600/28685181_10155206773756641_3404065573254284724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mBHcNeU5mwg/WpnNoSG12II/AAAAAAAABGs/LWWK3iL59lMR01NVJq2OtHCXeEdQwqbYACLcBGAs/s320/28685181_10155206773756641_3404065573254284724_n.jpg" width="179" /></a>Dr. Seuss Books have helped our teachers bring up important teaching points in classrooms, and shows a fun and different way to teach them. <u>One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish</u> helps early learners understand their colors and numbers in a fun and rhyming way, <u>Green Eggs and Ham</u> brings up different foods in different cultures, <u>The Lorax</u> lends itself to talking about Global Warming, and <u>Marvin K. Mooney:Will You Please Go Now!</u> talks about how he wants to be alone and it is ok to have those emotions!<br />
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Thank you families and teachers for bringing in your treasure trove of Dr. Seuss books! It was a great way to celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday and to read in our PJs all day!CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-40909685516700298342018-02-02T13:26:00.000-08:002018-02-02T15:00:30.822-08:00The Love and Logic Philosophy at Creative Minds Learning Centers<div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-vt3XXyMzo/WnTW4p3j5mI/AAAAAAAABGI/n0NJreHfAdI4jFaxfgK-p6jzne4clKO8wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-vt3XXyMzo/WnTW4p3j5mI/AAAAAAAABGI/n0NJreHfAdI4jFaxfgK-p6jzne4clKO8wCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_9556.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">Love and Logic is a philosophy of raising and teaching children. The goal is to allow adults to have more skilled interactions with children that allow the empower adults to create respectful and positive relationships with children. The Love piece encourages children to grow and learn from their mistakes. The Logic piece teaches children the natural consequences of their actions, and to deal with that in a healthy and positive way. CMLC schools and teachers are certified in this behavioral approach, and offer seasonal courses for teachers and parents, bridging the home-school connection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>The Foundation: </b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">These are the core ideals of the Love & Logic Philosophy</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Shared Control </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">- Control is shared with the adult and the child. The adult gains control by giving away the control they don’t need (and often the control they didn’t have to begin with) </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Shared Thinking/Decision Making</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> - The adult provides opportunities for the child to do the greatest amount of thinking and decision making. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Equal Shares of Consequences with Empathy</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> - The Adult meets the child with empathy and consequences, not punishments. An absence of anger causes a child to think and learn from his/her mistakes. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Maintain the Child’s Self-Concept</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> - Increased self-concept and sense of self/core beliefs leads to improved behavior and higher achievement.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>“Wait… What is the difference between consequences and punishment?”</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Consequences expressed with empathy will place a child in the thinking/decision-making mode and the problem will become the issue, not the adult. Punishment usually elicits an emotional response, and a desire on the part of the child to rebel rather than engage in more responsible choices. In turn, the adult becomes the issue, not the problem which can lead to unnecessary power struggles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>The Guiding Rules:</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> There are two basic rules in Love & Logic:</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Adults set firm limits in loving ways without anger, lecture, threats, or repeated warnings. Love and Logic suggests that adults set limits using enforceable statements, and regard mistakes as learning opportunities, and resist the temptation to nag.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 7px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When children misbehave and problems arise, adults hand these problems back in loving ways. Provide empathy before describing consequences, use few words and more loving actions, delay consequences when necessary, and give kids the gift of owning and solving their problems. </span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>In Action:</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Adults should follow these 5 steps to guiding children to own and solve their problems</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Empathy</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> </b>- “How sad.” “I bet that’s tough.”</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Send the Power Message</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> </b>- “What do you think you’re going to do?”</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Offer Choices</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> </b>- “Would you like to hear what other kids have tried?</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Have the child state the consequence</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> </b>- “And how will that work?</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b></b><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Give permission for the child to either solve the problem or not solve the problem</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> </b>- “Good luck. I hope it works out”</span></li>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlTQbUNnK_g/WnTW71y3VwI/AAAAAAAABGM/fq1SKsN4oQwv7JGnBxpQO5Gonjktmps6ACLcBGAs/s1600/12513877_10153302458146641_1707025833037537123_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1032" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KlTQbUNnK_g/WnTW71y3VwI/AAAAAAAABGM/fq1SKsN4oQwv7JGnBxpQO5Gonjktmps6ACLcBGAs/s320/12513877_10153302458146641_1707025833037537123_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Tips and Tricks of the Trade:</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Follow these tips to get the hang of using Love & Logic every day with your child or the children that you work with! </span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Always say what you are going to do, not what you think the child should do.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Only speak from your perspective because you are the only one you can control.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Make sure you can actually enforce the statement you are making. <br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Delay the Consequences</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Delaying the consequence gives you time to think of an appropriate one and allows you the chance to get ideas from other people and get the support you will need to carry out the consequence. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">When a problem arises and you need to delay the consequence, simply say: “Oh no. This is sad. I’m going to have to do something about this. But not now, later. Try not to worry about it.” </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Let the child think they’ve gotten away with it, and then make a plan with help from others and carry out the plan if the child refuses to solve the problem on their own. <br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Give Choices</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Give as many choices as you can while the price tag is small so you maintain control when the stakes are higher. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Only give choices you can be incredibly happy about. Kids need to believe (whether it’s true or not) that your life will go on and you’ll be happy no matter which choice they make. Never give a choice after they have argued with your original decision. This shows the child that they can manipulate you.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When giving choices, begin with phrases like: </span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">“What would be best for you…” </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Would you rather…”</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">“Feel free to…”</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">“You can either...” </span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Love & Logic One-Liners:</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b> </b>Use one-liners when an explanation is either not necessary or it will only cause an argument. Don’t be afraid to be a broken record.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Pick one or two that work for you and try them out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">- “Nice try”<br />
- “Probably so”<br />
- “I love you too much to argue”<br />
- “Could be”<br />
- “It probably seems that way to you” </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Miscellaneous Tips </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFLw4y5nUy8/WnTWsRQqJvI/AAAAAAAABGA/_jClz1OWyS4oN8_l19xYg4SmvAqgGbbswCLcBGAs/s1600/17098548_10154262911741641_8602960428577791261_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EFLw4y5nUy8/WnTWsRQqJvI/AAAAAAAABGA/_jClz1OWyS4oN8_l19xYg4SmvAqgGbbswCLcBGAs/s400/17098548_10154262911741641_8602960428577791261_n.jpg" title="" width="225" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">The question we want our students and children to ask themselves is “How is the next decision I make going to affect me?” Surround your behavioral management around this concept. Children don’t learn to make decisions when their decisions are made for them by teachers, parents, or caregivers. Then, when they are faced with a situation and need to make a decision, they do not make it on what is right. Instead, the child makes a decision based on who is going to find out, how that person will react, and how they can hide it from that person. A child needs to feel they have an investment in something in order to take it seriously, so create the space for them to become invested and encourage them to do so. Don’t make this choice for them, they will choose the most important things to them if given the chance, and that chance comes from the adults allowing the child to access these things. Talk about things your student/child likes to do and explain exactly what you need to see from him/her in order to gain access to those things (this happens when a misbehavior has occurred). This will help the child realize what decisions they want to be making. It will help them remember the rules, and it will also help them make positive choices because they know what is important to them, and they know the consequences if they misbehave or face challenging behavior. Children are smart enough to remember if it’s important to them, so don’t nag or remind. Just tell them and encourage them to be invested and make the best choices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Often, we must pick our battles wisely. Not many things are worth fighting over. If you are faced with something and find yourself getting into an argument with the child, take a step back and delay the consequence to center yourself. You will not win an argument with a child. Instead, focus on holding the child accountable for knowing the rules. Talk about things your student/child likes to do and explain exactly what you need to see from him/her in order to gain access to those things (this happens when a misbehavior has occurred). Use empathy when doing this, and focus on making the behavior the problem, not the child. It is best to have these conversations in calm waters when everything is going fine. You can ask them to come up with solutions of what should happen when misbehavior occurs. Have a back-up plan in case they don’t follow through with their end of the bargain when a problem arises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Finally, when using the 5 steps, do your part and walk away. Don’t hang around for what could turn into an argument. Go back to what you were doing to show that your life goes on and that you are not worried. Smile through these interactions! It is a tough job that is very challenging and trying, but with Love & Logic you will avoid power struggles, providing the responsibility to the child, and they will rise to the occasion.</span><br />
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All CMLC parents and staff are invited to participate in our annual Love and Logic Training Course, coming Spring 2018! Keep an eye out in your emails for our invitation to the class, we hope to see you there!<br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For more information regarding the Love and Logic philosophy, visit <a href="http://loveandlogic.com/">LoveandLogic.com</a></span></div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-26689700405910004342017-02-01T10:50:00.000-08:002017-02-01T10:58:48.379-08:00Wow... 20 Years! <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">My oh my, how time flies! </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9voO31ffsvs/WJIkpFs-hgI/AAAAAAAABFY/Wq6wbfl3-qIcC6XBOxqvVrOmwhUBP3yfACEw/s1600/Pic%2BCMLC%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9voO31ffsvs/WJIkpFs-hgI/AAAAAAAABFY/Wq6wbfl3-qIcC6XBOxqvVrOmwhUBP3yfACEw/s320/Pic%2BCMLC%2B11.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over 20 years ago, Jaqueline and Ken Mckinster were searching for a preschool for their children. They discovered that quality educational programs and child care was difficult to find and were at a loss when presented with the available options. This struggle was the catalyst that drove them to put all of their time, faith, money, heart and soul into developing Creative Minds Learning Centers, which came to be in February, 1997. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9dy1iu1NLI/WJIkqnJe-II/AAAAAAAABFY/4juI1dkjMEsUl9DN5a9PEtHwGMUL4NNYACEw/s1600/Pic%2BCMLC%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9dy1iu1NLI/WJIkqnJe-II/AAAAAAAABFY/4juI1dkjMEsUl9DN5a9PEtHwGMUL4NNYACEw/s320/Pic%2BCMLC%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Through education and after countless hours of hard work, the Mckinsters opened the first Creative Minds school in 2000, with CMLC’s very first student, their son, KJ Mckinster. The schools are dedicated to the memory of KJ, who passed away on April 11th, 2008. He was a straight A student and a high achiever with a passion for life and being kind to others. Creative Minds continues to thrive as KJ’s spirit lives on through the hallways of the schools </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">KJ Mckinster, CMLC's First Student</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">20 years later, there are 7 Creative Minds Learning Center locations! Creative Minds is home to over 400 families and 100 plus employees with</span><b style="font-family: '"arial"', '"helvetica"', sans-serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif;">sights set on opening more schools in the near future. The school is committed to providing exceptional education and child care for children, to best serve the needs of families in the community. We strive for a warm and creative environment, where children can safely explore and learn about the world around them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"> The school will be having a month-long tribute of events, community fundraisers and tuition specials to celebrate the milestone while looking back</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(248, 251, 103); color: #f8fb67;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">on the many memories shared over the years. These are highlighted by participating in a Diaper Drive, benefiting the PDX Diaper Bank as well as having weekly celebrations in honor of the school’s Anniversary! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The entire Creative Minds Team is so thankful to all of the students and families that we have served throughout the years. The children and surrounding community really help make Creative Minds an amazing space to achieve our three main goals. We aim to help students develop social and emotional skills, to help them prepare for their elementary education. Additionally, we focus on intellectual development and the acquisition of meaningful and useful academic skills. We believe that children are naturally capable and willing to learn and typically begin reading at the Pre-Kindergarten stage. </span><br />
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These goals could not be achieved without the dedication and creativity of our Teaching Team. We pride ourselves on having an open and supportive environment not only for the families that we serve, but also for our Teachers. We love our teachers at Creative Minds and are extremely thankful for them every day! </span><br />
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<br />CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-34257888318237087832016-12-28T15:00:00.000-08:002017-01-02T16:03:09.313-08:00When you have to go to work... <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal;">
For working parents, the work/life balance seems harder and harder to achieve these days. Between all of the daily tasks that need to be done, work, and having fun with your family, it can be tough to find quality time with your children. An increasing number of parents are working throughout their child’s early years of development and don't want to miss those early milestones such as, first steps, first words, rolling over, sitting up, giggles, art projects and more.</div>
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This is one reason why working in childcare is so wonderful - you get to spend all day with your child who is also enrolled at that same school. The parents that work with Creative Minds share this special relationship with their child every day. And this relationship spans generations; for example the mother of our bookkeeper also works for our schools. </div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Working in the childcare center or Preschool that your child attends provides you an opportunity to see those milestones first hand while also bringing home a paycheck. Not to mention the generous childcare discount that teachers and staff receive. Many of our team members have their kids with them every day at that same school, from our directors to our maintenance team members. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of the most exciting things is that this ability to work where your children are, is that it empowers women to return to the workforce after having children. Mothers and fathers who would otherwise be stay at home parents, are able to spend quality time with their children and see first hand what their day encompasses, while also working and fulfilling a desire to remain in the workforce, if they so choose. </span></div>
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Take Kayla, for example. She has been working with Creative Minds for over 7 years and has three children enrolled at our schools. She started out as a Teacher and has been promoted over the years into her role as our Area Director.<br />
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She writes about working with Creative Minds and having her children enrolled:<br />
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: "helvetica"; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 11px;">“I can’t express how grateful I am to work for a company that fully supported me through all three of my pregnancies and maternity leave periods. Due to the amazing childcare discount that CMLC offers, I to get to bring my children with me to work and know that they are in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment. I feel so blessed to be able to pop into my kiddos’ classrooms throughout the day and have them share something exciting that they did for art or curriculum or to say hello and give them a hug. I’m constantly telling people that I have the best of both worlds. I get to work full time and be a full time mom. It doesn’t get better than that!”</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11px; text-align: start;">-Kayla's son Clay reading to his class!</span></td></tr>
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Many of our teachers, directors, and team members take advantage of our Child Care Discount Benefit Program at CMLC.<br />
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One of our CMLC teachers shares, "It is wonderful to know exactly what kind of environment you child is spending time in, because you are there too" and that he is "very thankful for the opportunity to serve others' children as well as [his] own." </div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Not many employers offer on-site childcare and Creative Minds is happy to be one of the few!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Check out our current open positions on our <a href="http://www.creativemindslearningcenter.com/employment/" target="_blank">Employment Page</a>. or call (503) 252-0004 ext. 0 to learn more about enrolling your child in our program. </span></div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-70202962274365906922016-09-29T11:50:00.000-07:002016-09-29T11:51:15.162-07:00Creative Minds Curriculum! <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HwxLf6Nl-Y/V-1hM5LMElI/AAAAAAAABDI/VOq4uvQ676ouGN1BlfwZijol68lQMmfMgCLcB/s1600/14224918_10153794338471641_1488700538341177225_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3HwxLf6Nl-Y/V-1hM5LMElI/AAAAAAAABDI/VOq4uvQ676ouGN1BlfwZijol68lQMmfMgCLcB/s320/14224918_10153794338471641_1488700538341177225_n.jpg" title="" width="240" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">And just like that, it is nearly October. We started our first day of curriculum this past month, and want to share with you what exactly that entails. It can be difficult to see how curriculum can impact or shape an infant classroom, and can look an awful lot like play time and arts and crafts in Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms. We are hoping to demystify our curriculum, and provide you with some of the details of what your child will learn this school year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have three different core curriculums at our schools, dependent on the age of the student: 1) Starfall Curriculum, 2) The Creative Curriculum, and 3) Every Day Counts Curriculum. We also have Creative Outlets 4 Kids, which is an a la carte-style supplemental active curriculum, to help kids learn about movement, yoga, and dance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“provides the materials and guidance teachers need to skillfully and joyfully incorporate research-based reading and language arts skills and strategies, integrate social studies and science, and meaningfully employ technology in their classrooms.” </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It integrates math, science, health, creative arts, social studies, physical movement, early literacy, and social-emotional development into imaginative play and guided instruction. It does this through teacher demonstration and one-on-one partnership between the student and teacher. The lessons are designed to ensure that curiosity will spark within the student, and give the student the skills to express themselves both verbally and in writing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Creative Curriculum is what Creative Minds Learning Centers use in the Infant through Preschool Classrooms. It focuses on exploration and discovery by the student, so the student will gain confidence while building their creativity and critical thinking skills. It is all designed to help the student prepare for preschool or kindergarten, providing the essential building blocks that students need in their educational foundation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The Every Day Counts Curriculum enriches daily math instruction in the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms. It is a supplemental curriculum that incorporates calendars, practice counts, and partner games into daily activities to build mathematical fluency, reasoning, and a conceptual understanding of computing numbers. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOTbA86OnFE/V-1hPOL-YGI/AAAAAAAABDM/8tzSsiUv6704fwCHPbGFTeFCCGVpJ1yJQCLcB/s1600/14358742_10153827856151641_295109619757650604_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOTbA86OnFE/V-1hPOL-YGI/AAAAAAAABDM/8tzSsiUv6704fwCHPbGFTeFCCGVpJ1yJQCLcB/s320/14358742_10153827856151641_295109619757650604_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition, we provide a Reggio-inspired art program. This program is based off of the Reggio Emilia approach, which values each child as “strong, capable, and resilient; rich in wonder and knowledge.” It is not a method, but a value system within the school. Our art program is thus student-driven, as children are capable of constructing their own learning. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The three curriculums give our schools the core goals that our teachers are meeting each year. The teachers enhance the curriculum with their own energy and personality, creating daily lessons that cultivate a positive learning environment. The curriculums do incorporate a lot of art and play, but that is because part of our mission is to help children explore their interests in a creative and artistic setting. Our goal is to help guide children in a structured setting while also providing them with vital learning opportunities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For more information on our the curriculum and program that CMLC follows, visit our <a href="http://www.creativemindslearningcenter.com/childcare-program.htm" target="_blank">Program Page</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sources: </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">creativecurriculum.net</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">starfall.com</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">hmco.com</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">aneverydaystory.com</span></div>
CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-58256378821547438492016-07-13T23:29:00.000-07:002016-07-18T19:17:56.741-07:00When A Kiddo Runs Away From You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJGKHhJm9uc/V4coavtlX7I/AAAAAAAABBI/eHMSQ30PRhIVsKTdNL8Sh8I6tbn8f2QggCLcB/s1600/children-450925_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bJGKHhJm9uc/V4coavtlX7I/AAAAAAAABBI/eHMSQ30PRhIVsKTdNL8Sh8I6tbn8f2QggCLcB/s320/children-450925_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Nothing can get your heart going like losing sight of your child even for a moment or having them dart toward the street. Here are a few ideas for helping keep these moments to a minimum!<br />
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My go-to expert, <a href="http://www.janetlansbury.com/" target="_blank">Janet Lansbury</a>, <a href="http://www.janetlansbury.com/2015/07/how-to-stop-your-runaway-toddler/" target="_blank">recommends</a>- as she does for any challenging scenario- calming ourselves and starting from a place of emotional stability.<br />
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When kids test limits, they don't benefit from caregivers breaking down or giving in, but instead need leaders who can calmly and confidently handle them. This helps children find the limits of acceptable behavior, and these limits help them feel safe and secure.</div>
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Lansbury says:</div>
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<i>"...running away (like all testing) is typical, normal behavior rather than a sign that we’re inept parents or have an unruly child that hates us. But since a toddler on the run in any situation is potentially unsafe, this is the type of testing we should do all we can to prevent from happening."</i></blockquote>
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<h3>
Things To Try</h3>
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<b>Before:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Give her lots of space to run free in safe spaces.</li>
<li>Set her up for success by asking, <i>"When we get to the mall, do you want to ride in the stroller/hold my hand or walk?"</i> When she excitedly says "walk!" it's the perfect time to remind her of what you'll expect of her.</li>
<li>You can try learning <a href="http://pbskids.org/video/?guid=a4bf9cfb-92fe-464c-a34c-88d855133e32">songs</a>/reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-About-Safety/dp/098940711X?ie=UTF8&hvadid=42080882643&hvdev=c&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvpone=11.05&hvpos=1t1&hvptwo=15&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1193428121562287617&ref=pd_sl_6s8n50kg2y_e&tag=googhydr-20">books</a> about being safe, but it's most important to practice appropriate behavior out and about when it counts.</li>
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<b>During:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Engage and entertain her as much as possible during errands.</li>
<li>Set clear, non-negotiable limits: <i>"Remember that you need to hold my hand."</i> Then enforce as necessary while doing your best to acknowledge and connect: <i>"I know you want to run right now, but it's not safe to run away so you need to stay right near me or I'm going to hold your hand. Later, when we're at the park you'll be able to run a lot!"</i> </li>
<li>Don't keep offering warnings or count to three. If he refuses to comply, gently and immediately physically enforce your limit: <i>"I can't let you run away. I'm going to pick you up now to make sure you're safe."</i> (If they struggle: <i>"When your body and voice are calm, I'll know you're ready to try walking with me again." </i></li>
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Share Your Experience</h3>
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What's working for you? What's got you ruffled? </div>
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Leave a comment, or stop by your office or classroom to talk about your triumphs or your travails when it comes to your kiddos making a break for it. I love talking about positive discipline with families of our Honeysuckle Junior Toddlers at CMLC Sellwood! </div>
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Much Love,<br />
Teacher Suzanne<br />
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P.S. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/janetlansburyElevatingChildCare/" target="_blank">Janet Lansbury's Facebook Page</a> is awesome! She shares incredibly helpful conversations among parents on a daily basis.</div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-50594491795260267132016-06-28T22:57:00.003-07:002017-04-15T00:00:43.925-07:00 The Tough Stuff<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hello Creative Minds Family!</h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m Suzanne, one of the Junior Toddler Teachers here at CMLC! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">I recently felt the call to start writing on our blog to help share information and create a supportive space for our families and my fellow teachers.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I consider what hardworking parents and teachers really want and need, I think it’s simply more happy time with their kiddos! </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">That might entail spending fewer hours figuring out how deal with the day-to-day issues that can really eat away at precious time, and that left unchecked can leave us exasperated and exhausted. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I decided to focus on bringing you the CliffsNotes from the best blogs, books and social discourse out there right now for dealing with the most challenging issues we face as caregivers.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can frequent the sources (which I’ll always link to), and/or you can check here for the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gist of it</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">! I know when I’m looking for help with a specific issue, I feel like, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Somebody, just tell me what to try!</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So please jump in, share what you want to hear about, and what’s working for you!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upcoming topics include ideas for keeping calm and compassionate when dealing with:</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://mycmlc.blogspot.com/2016/07/when-kiddo-runs-away-from-you.html" target="_blank">When A Kiddo Runs Away From You</a></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aggression & Anger</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Testing Limits</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sibling & New Baby Issues</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magic Words and Phrases for Parents & Teachers</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diaper Change Shenanigans</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eating Issues</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And More! :)</span></div>
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</ul>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leave a comment with another topic that’s big for you right now, or share the one you’re most looking forward to discussing!</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Much Love,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teacher Suzanne</span>CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-2584260199688882222016-04-04T11:27:00.001-07:002016-04-04T11:27:48.579-07:00Rolling through the Ball Study<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c08nF9pe_Xg/VwKx9tjfT8I/AAAAAAAABAo/-G0H3dcBJLUvyEj_Aa1GI3zU1JgfhiI_g/s1600/julia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c08nF9pe_Xg/VwKx9tjfT8I/AAAAAAAABAo/-G0H3dcBJLUvyEj_Aa1GI3zU1JgfhiI_g/s320/julia.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUJm4yvwxQc/VwKyC2_eqEI/AAAAAAAABAs/VfdJjZjTHAciw57h35fA8j6q5SzHEJxVw/s1600/getPart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUJm4yvwxQc/VwKyC2_eqEI/AAAAAAAABAs/VfdJjZjTHAciw57h35fA8j6q5SzHEJxVw/s320/getPart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Gateway’s Pre-K class has had so much fun with our Ball study this month. The study has allowed for a lot of hands-on learning along with discussions and stories. For our last week we are focusing on balls that are unconventional: hot air balloons, balloons, eyeballs, cotton balls, etc. Today we created our own Hot Air Balloons and discussed what we thought it would be like to ride in one. CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-31718245112046730332016-02-05T16:36:00.000-08:002016-02-05T16:36:48.128-08:00Building Study Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8htv8nJGn4/VrU_fT9XXaI/AAAAAAAABAI/MjDMhItt7ZU/s1600/get-attachment-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8htv8nJGn4/VrU_fT9XXaI/AAAAAAAABAI/MjDMhItt7ZU/s320/get-attachment-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Gateway’s Pre-K class had a blast starting off the Building Study with “The Three Little Pigs”. We <i>huffed</i> and <i>puffed</i> our way through the construction of all three houses and quickly learned why some materials are better than others. It was a cooperative experience with building and reenacting a much loved story.CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-32904108026291389582016-01-26T22:58:00.000-08:002016-01-26T22:58:05.113-08:00Creative Sensory Play in Sellwood Infant Classrooms!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We all know our littlest CMLC friends love to explore new things, and we
have been doing just that through implementing a various number of
sensory and art play throughout our curriculum. Artwork with our young
ones should be nothing less than a messy good time, and we have been
achieving just that. Our younger infant class (Huckleberry) has been
busy with lots of messy and fun painting projects thanks to the creative
minds of Teachers Jazmin and Kaleigh. Between sticky hands and colorful yarn
play, these younger infants have been exploring so much about their
senses and the textures around them (as well as having a pretty good
time in the process). Alongside them, our older infant class
(Blackberry) has been spending a lot of time working with different
sensory play options such as beads, sound “shaker” bottles, crinkle
papers, glitter water, shaving cream, and more, thanks to the help of
Teachers Megan and Alex! We think it’s easy to say that shaving cream
will forever be a top favorite among the kiddos. <br />
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We love our Sellwood infants!<br /><br />-Teacher Alex<br />(Older Infant, Blackberry Class)CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-87680573235732675442016-01-24T12:44:00.002-08:002016-01-24T12:44:55.275-08:00The Ivy Room at Happy Valley takes a look at what learning looks like in slums of Nairobi<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-family: "arial narrow";">Nelson Mandela once said:
"education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the
world." Now, I know that when he made that statement we wasn't
specifically thinking of the Mathare Valley Slum of Nairobi Kenya, but I
couldn't think of any other place where this statement rings more true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I ( Teacher Marisa from the Happy Valley School) wanted to take the time to
share about a very special place that is dear to my heart. From looking at the
picture above this place isn't anything luxuries or glamorous, in fact on any
given day this place is overwhelming, crowed, filthy, and despair seems to
spread from shanty to shanty...or at least that's what the surrounding city of
Nairobi Kenya would want you to think. The place I am referring to is the
Mathare Slum. This slum is no more than two miles long by a mile wide, yet is
home to more that 850K people living within this valley. You would think for a
place where houses(shanty) are made out of tin, where there was no heat,
running water or electricity that the people living within this valley would be
down and out, depressed or even ready to give up. However, if you were to walk
through this valley, you would come to find something much more different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thanks to two Kenyan natives who
saw a need and wanted to do something to empower their brothers/sisters to find
hope, they started an organization called Missions of Hope International("MOHI"),
"Hope" is the key word here. What started with one school and 50
students in 2000, is now a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mecca</st1:city></st1:place>
of hope with 16 schools and over 12,000 students. MOHI has partnered with this
valley to work along side of these families as they empower themselves and seek
hope, from helping children go to school, helping mothers and fathers learn a
trade to provide and income for their family, to helping them get the medical attention
they may need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was very lucky in getting the
chance to partner with MOHI last year. I got to spend some time traveling to
six different schools providing them with a library. Now, this may not seem
like a big deal, in fact most of us have a small library within our own houses
( I've got two book shelves full of books I've collected over the years), the
idea of a library is something new and exciting for these schools. You see
these teachers, are starting to learn, some for the first time what its like to
read aloud to a classroom of eager kids. Students are excited to see pictures
of things that they are actually studying. Most of their learning is done by
the teacher writing a lesson on the blackboard and the students copying it into
notebook. Teachers are also learning what its like to put together an
interactive lesson, where not just a lecture is given but reading, and teaching
tools and questions are involved. Students are getting excited about their
studies again. As students and teachers are getting more and more excited about
teaching and learning, families are getting excited about how they can make
changes in their own homes and community. HOPE is finding a way back into the
slum, through the form of education. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, why am I taking the time to
write to you about a place that you probably will never visit? Well, this March,
myself and a group of educators are headed back to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mathare</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>
to provide six more schools with libraries. They will spend a little over two
weeks training teachers how to use the library, providing them with books that
will go with the units they are already studying, spending time reading aloud
to classrooms, and encouraging teachers to keep up all the hard work they are
doing in their classrooms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How can I help you may ask?!
What a great question! Although this trip is an exciting one, it comes with a
lot of expenses. To help cut the cost, the team is asking for help. We need
help with supplies that we use to cover the books that we are taking to the six
schools ( covering the books with contact paper will help them last longer in
these dirt floor classrooms). We need donations to help purchase the wood to
build six bookshelves that are being built to house all the books and teaching
supplies. Not only will this provide jobs for the community, it gives the
community a chance to be involved in the education of their children, and what
lesson wouldn't be complete without some sort of craft! 45 different classrooms
between these six schools need crayons to help do this art project. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";">Its
so exciting when a community starts getting excited about the education of
their children. Providing a library isn't going to end the problems within this
slum, but providing teachers with more tools to teach their students and to get
their students excited about learning is a really good place to start! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Happy Valley Families,
especially those in the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IVY classroom, keep
a lookout these next couple months as we learn more about what schools look
like around the world and learn more about our friends in the Mathare Valley
who are going to school and learning their one, two, threes and ABCs just like
us! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";">Supply
List:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";">*
5- 60ft rolls of Contact Paper <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";">*
6 Book Shelves: $200 each<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial narrow";">*
Boxes of Crayons: enough to supply 45 classrooms with a classroom set ( 4-5
boxes of the 800 set boxes of Coloration Crayons) </span><br />
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-20888291164657056932015-12-17T16:23:00.000-08:002015-12-17T16:23:53.973-08:00Creative Minds Learning Centers New Fall/Winter Menu and Tribute to Our Cooks<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5Ll7J546Zg/VnMbg4Eo7rI/AAAAAAAAA8o/HslTeZuT18Q/s1600/101_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5Ll7J546Zg/VnMbg4Eo7rI/AAAAAAAAA8o/HslTeZuT18Q/s320/101_0866.JPG" width="320" /></a> Our schools have recently switched to our Fall/Winter menu, which includes items like homemade corn muffins, new black bean, cheese and veggie tostadas, and the much loved whole wheat, marinara pasta. Our all time favorite cheesy pita pizza remains on the menu, and the kiddos are eatin' it up! As per request from our families during our recent school survey, we have added more variety to this menu. The children really seem to be enjoying the mixture of new menu items and old favorites.<br />
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<b> Check out the full new Fall/Winter menu here:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.creativemindslearningcenter.com/menus/2015-12-CMLC-Fall-Menu.pdf" target="_blank"> http://www.creativemindslearningcenter.com/menus/2015-12-CMLC-Fall-Menu.pdf</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yP7FWRf0Y1Y/VnMKf41SxRI/AAAAAAAAA78/vhy98T_T1fY/s1600/IMG_20151215_120916713.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yP7FWRf0Y1Y/VnMKf41SxRI/AAAAAAAAA78/vhy98T_T1fY/s400/IMG_20151215_120916713.jpeg" width="224" /></a><br />
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Creative Minds' snacks and meals are prepared with the freshest ingredients, including local and seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. All of the dairy products served at our schools are locally made and Hormone-free. Daily, our students enjoy nutritious Organic milk with their lunch.<br />
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We pride ourselves on serving your child the very best ingredients available in their healthy meals while giving them delicious and kid-friendly options. Creative Minds offers wholesome meat free meals with flavor and color that get children excited about healthy eating.<br />
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The amazing cooks at Creative Minds Learning Centers work hard to ensure that our children receive high quality snacks and meals every day. We honor and celebrate their dedication to our children and schools and are proud to be able to feature their accomplishments.<br />
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Khoi Nguyen is our Broadway school Cook. She has been with CMLC for over 6 years! Her favorite CMLC menu item is the homemade blueberry muffins. When not at work, Khoi loves to spend time with her husband <br />
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Our Happy Valley Cook is Trinh Nguyen. She has been with CMLC since January 2013. Trinh's favorite CMLC menu item to make is the cheesy, veggie pasta bake. Trinh takes a lot of pride in keeping her school kitchen very tidy and neat. She enjoys exercising and cooking Vietmanese food for her family in her free time. <br />
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Alana Hardy helps out with the cook duties at our newest Tualatin school. She has been with CMLC for over two years, and has a daughter that attends the Tualatin school. Alana loves being outdoorsy, and her favorite menu item to make (and eat) is the pita pizza.<br />
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Thuan Pham has been the Woodstock cook for over four years. She loves to make the pita pizza (adding her own special spice blend, which includes some chili pepper for flare) and the cheesy black bean rice bake. In her free time, Thuan enjoys spending time with her kids and husband. She likes to <br />
work out, and cooks for her own Vietnamese restaurant that she runs with her sister.<br />
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Our Sellwood cook is Allison Elix. She has been with CMLC Sellwood since our opening in June 2011. Allison's favorite menu item to make is the blueberry muffins as she enjoys to bake. She loves to go hiking on our beautiful Oregon trails and read in her spare time. <br />
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Emily Taylor acts as Director and Cook at our Gateway school. Emily has been with CMLC for over five years. She enjoys baking, which makes the banana bread, muffins, and blueberry crisp her favorite CMLC menu items to make. Emily enjoys being crafty and getting outdoors when she is not at school. <br />
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Emily Linden runs the kitchen at CMLC Westmoreland.She has been with CMLC since September 2015. Emily's favorite menu item, like many others', is the cheesy pita pizza. Emily's hobbies include: crocheting, her dog, hiking, video games, writing, and listening to all kinds of music.<br />
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A huge thank you to our cooks! We appreciate your hard work and ability to make great food for our kiddos!</div>
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<br />CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-41152406132339536672015-12-15T11:17:00.000-08:002015-12-15T11:17:37.831-08:00CMLC + Sunshine Division<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Creative Minds Learning Centers is honored to be partnering with Sunshine Division to help provide food for families and individuals in the Portland area this holiday season. Through their food drives, the Sunshine Division serves over 1,200 families a month! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Sunshine Division is a long standing and successful program in Portland, dating back to 1923! Volunteers and uniformed police would deliver holiday baskets around Portland to those in need and were dubbed the Sunshine Boys because they spread sunshine to houses they visited! While the Sunshine Division has grown quite a bit from its early days, its mission has stayed the same: to provide emergency food and clothing relief year-round to Portland families and individuals in need.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Want to read more about the history of the Sunshine Division? </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Check out the story in full: <a href="http://www.sunshinedivision.org/about/history/">http://www.sunshinedivision.org/about/history/</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Today the Sunshine Division has many programs that help provide free food and clothing to those in need. Head over to their <a href="http://www.sunshinedivision.org/about/programs/" target="_blank">website</a> to read about other incredible programs they support, like their onsite clothing store “Threadz,” which allows those elligible to take home a bag of clothes, a coat, and a pair of shoes for everyone in their household or Izzy’s Kids ‘Shop with a Cop,’ which pairs up 500 low income children with an officer to provide a super cool shopping experience for school clothes!</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Stay in the loop with the </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division’s<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunshinedivision/?fref=ts" target="_blank"> facebook page</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>We are proud to contribute to another successful year for Sunshine Division! Don’t forget to drop off donations in our school bins until the 21st! </b></span></span></div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-72114761254339080692015-12-11T15:57:00.001-08:002015-12-11T16:05:05.337-08:00Creative Curriculum at Creative Minds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are so excited to provide our families with more information about The Creative Curriculum used at all of our CMLC schools! Communication with families is so important to us and we know there are some days that you have brought home a Daily Communication Report Sheets and wondered “What are Mighty Minutes?” or “What exactly does a Large Group Discussion entail?” or “What curriculum concepts did my child learn about today?” We would like to give you more information about our curriculum; how the lessons are designed, what your kiddos are learning, how they are learning, as well as fun activities that they participate in at school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We start off the school year with a beginning of the year study that helps teachers and children get to know each other. It shows students where to locate and find things in the room, what activities are available, how to explore different interest areas, and outlines expectations for the teachers and kiddos for the year. Based upon teacher observations, teachers are able to choose from a variety of different accredited curriculum concepts within The Creative Curriculum, including but not limited to; Trees, Clothes, Buildings, Reduce/Reuse and Recycle, and a school wide favorite, the Balls Study. Each one focuses on that specific topic for six weeks, engaging them by things like Questions of the Day, which asks something as simple as “Where can you see trees around your neighborhood?” This gets the ball rolling with a concept discussion, engaging them to talk as a group about trees. Then, basic concepts evolve and turn into more complex and academic based learning opportunities. Our Large Group Discussions commonly proceed from this. There are different developmental activities on the curriculum’s intentional teaching cards that focuses on exploration and discovery in several learning areas: Social and emotional, literacy, mathematics, physical, and library. Each age group has an age and developmentally appropriate goal. Often these are our Small Group Activities where the children are able to create, explore, and use critical thinking skills with a teacher-lead project that meets each child’s individual needs. This can range from learning how to follow or create a recipe, showing students how to express their feelings, even acting out a story they have read for read aloud time. </span></div>
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Mighty Minutes help create additional learning opportunities during transitional times of day such as waiting in line. It promotes language, math, and learning with movement when the students need a little wiggle time. These can be used as great tool for grabbing the students attention when needed.<br />
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<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Here is a glimpse of some of our current studies in action! The kiddos are exploring the Clothing/Textile Unit at our schools. They’re examining things like buttons, fabrics etc. What are they used for? Interest area activities designed for dressing baby dolls. Are their clothes smaller or bigger than ours? Seeing things like clothes in sensory bins to find what different clothes feel like. Even trying them on in our Dramatic Play areas. During an art activity we had kiddos learn how to describe things, telling their peers what their favorite piece of clothing looks like then creating it during art time. We are even lucky enough to have our families partner with our teachers to come in and show us what clothes from other countries and cultures look and feel like! </span><br />
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-91623006472820010572015-11-23T12:16:00.002-08:002015-12-08T17:25:33.773-08:00Westmoreland's New Outdoor Space!<div class="" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>FUN at the Westmoreland School's NEW Outdoor Natural Play Space!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">This is a beautiful space located across the street behind Merritt Health and Wellness. The space offers climbing/balancing stumps and logs, rosemary bushes, trees, fun outdoor equipment, and coming soon, picnic areas and a brand new garden area for the kiddos to plant and grow during the season!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We are so excited to utilize the outdoor space for activities such as scavenger hunts, hide and seek, and duck-duck -goose! As well as exploring plants, like the Rosemary bush or taking our magnifying glasses outside and closely examining the leaves, sticks, tree stumps or ladybugs we find! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The outdoor space provides the kiddos a great place to develop their gross motor skills, explore nature, get outdoors, garden, and more! This is a great way to teach the children about their environment and how to care for it! It is also a beautiful spot to take curriculum outside! Right now our PK/PS class is learning all about “Trees”. They are SO excited to get outside and collect samples! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be outside playing and learning soon! Watch for upcoming pictures on Facebook page!!</span></div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-65241960054384848792015-10-14T11:46:00.002-07:002015-10-14T11:52:23.459-07:00<div align="left" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<b>Continued Education and Training for our Team is Highly Valued at CMLC!</b><b><br /></b></h2>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJqfZbKdWqk/Vh6iSaXfd5I/AAAAAAAAA0I/vy6R_7Q3ipg/s1600/IMG_4174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJqfZbKdWqk/Vh6iSaXfd5I/AAAAAAAAA0I/vy6R_7Q3ipg/s320/IMG_4174.jpg" width="320" /></a>A Thank you to our CMLC Families!</div>
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All of us at Creative Minds would like to thank you for supporting our CMLC team in our continued education and training! Our Teacher Development Day was a huge success with a great team turnout! Child Care Resource and Referral instructors facilitated highly educational courses with helpful techniques that our teachers can apply to their classrooms and with our kiddos. We enjoyed learning about fostering independence and helping to develop critical thinking skills for children!<br />
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We have had a great start to our school year here at CMLC and are looking forward to all of our exciting and fun Fall activities and events! We have our Zoo Critter In-House Special Guests, Harvest Party Celebrations and our School Family Potlucks coming up just around the corner. Please see your school's Director for more information and details on our upcoming Fall activities and programs.<br />
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We look forward to seeing you all at our Fall events and to the many memories to come at Creative Minds this school year!<br />
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Again, we appreciate all of your support and are so fortunate to have you and your kiddos as a part of our Creative Minds family!</div>
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Warmly,<br />
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Brittany Galego</div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-67045008637982217952015-08-14T14:38:00.001-07:002015-08-14T14:39:30.783-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On behalf of the entire CMLC family, we can't wait to have you all back and see you guys for a brand new school year. Not only is that exciting, but we are also going to be opening our new school located in Tualatin. We are having an open house tomorrow on August 15, 2015, a ribbon cutting with the mayor on the 22nd, and the grand opening on the 31st. We are offering $100 off your registration fee if you sign up before 8/31. This is an offer to all Tualatin families and we are looking forward to seeing our CMLC families back and some new CMLC families.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The art program that we offer is incorporating Reggio Emilia Art into your child's art class every day. Reggio Emilia was started in Italy after WWII because people thought that children needed a new way of learning. It using a lot of light and creativity. It is used a lot for young children because it helps them use their imagination and it is commonly used. If you check out our pinterest you can see many art ideas and other ideas in general. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are going to blog more often and let you know what is going on to keep you in the loop! We will let you know what is going on, if there are important events or just about our schools in general! Thank you all so much for being a part of the Creative Minds family and supporting us! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like to check you our other social medias I will list them below. It would be greatly appreciated! Please copy and paste...</span><br />
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https://twitter.com/CreativeMindsOR<br />
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Minds-Learning-Center/119370476640?fref=ts<br />
https://instagram.com/creativemindslearningcenters/<br />
https://www.pinterest.com/mycmlc/CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-34394029409640793562014-07-17T18:04:00.001-07:002014-07-17T18:05:20.965-07:00Sign Language in WM Jr. Toddler class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to Westmoreland Creative Minds Teacher Amika!</div>
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Teacher Amika is our new Jr. Toddlers Teacher! We are very excited to have the wonderful opportunity to have Teacher Amika as part of our staff. Today in Jr. Toddlers we learned some Sign Language, check out how smart we are!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Kelsey teacher cracker</td></tr>
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<br />CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-81546159218994828512014-07-08T17:46:00.000-07:002014-07-08T17:46:49.020-07:00 Summertime at CMLCWhat a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u>HOT</u></span> but beautiful sunny summer we are having! It is so wonderful to hear about the trips to the park, zoo, farmers market and the camping trips that our families are taking together!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a walk with my friends!</td></tr>
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When school lets out for the summer we are so excited to "Go to the park!" Our mornings are spent sharing with one another during circle time and station time. Then we have art and snack, next it is time to sunscreen up! We get our shoes on and head to the park!<br />
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Our Toddlers,Jr. Toddlers and Infants have had the opportunity to get out and run on the playground! They love the sunshine and watching the big kids run around! The infants favorite thing to do is walk and explore with bark chips!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At QFC, our first walking field trip!!!</td></tr>
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Our Westmorland PK/PS has been doing something new and exciting this year! We have been exploring our community by taking walking field trips to local businesses. so far, we have visited QFC, we have had a field day at the local elementary school followed by a picnic where we were able to bring our own lunch to school! And we are going to visit our local Post Office this week! This has been a great experience we have learned a lot about our local community, different jobs that people do plus we get to get out and explore!<br />
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We have a few more things to do this summer. Penny's Puppets will be at Westmoreland on July14th to perform a puppet show for our Older Infants through PK kiddos on the WIld ,Wild West. We will also be visiting the zoo! This is our BIG field trip and we can't wait<br />
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Thank you parents! We appreciate the sunscreen that you put on in the morning before school, the hats and tennis shoes that you bring for the playground and all the volunteering and extra help that you do for your child!<br />
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-13927423424351326852014-04-28T15:38:00.001-07:002014-04-28T15:38:05.447-07:00 Eco - System collages at Westmoreland!On Friday April 25th we held a Show - n - Share that summarized and review our study of the Eco - Systems! We had our parents help our PK/PS kiddos work on a homework assignment! We gave each one of them a week to come up with a collage about one or more eco - system and bring it toschool for show - n - share and talk about it! They all did a great job on their collages and the ocean was the most popular, however we had several wonderful themes! Take a look below!<br />
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<br />CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-87265451312924496332014-04-22T14:36:00.001-07:002014-04-22T14:36:47.008-07:00Westmoreland's PK/PS Earth Day ProjectWe had so much fun on Earth Day! We learned about gardening, recycling, composting, and the water cycle. We would like to thank Ms. Peggy and Portland Nursery for the wonderful donation of indoor and outdoor plants and soil! Our thank you card will be sent to them soon! This will soon become a new class job in Preschool / Pre- K. Check out our pictures from our fun Earth day below! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you card to Portland Nursery from Pre- K / Preschool </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging in the dirt is so much fun! </td></tr>
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<br />CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-26939666861715577212014-03-24T11:35:00.003-07:002014-03-24T11:47:43.039-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Going Natural At CMLC!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Creative Minds Learning Centers are dedicated to providing the best practices and continuing to cultivate imagination and growth in our kiddos on a daily basis. Using natural playscapes at our schools is just one of the many ways that we are incorporating the latest trending research to help us achieve these goals. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>What is a natural playscape? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The natural playscape (or natural playground) is defined as a space with
as little man made components as possible. Using native plants, rolling
hills, lots of trees; playscapes represent a natural place such as a
forest. Playscapes are designed with the intent of bringing children and
people back to nature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playscape</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Happy Valley's New Natural Playscape</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Benefits of using natural playscapes in early childhood environments: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1.) Spending Time in Nature (including natural playscapes) supports human health and development: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <a href="http://gardenandplaytucson.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/1a_case_for_natural_playscapes.pdf" target="_blank">A Case for Natural Playscapes</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JULuq81OKw/UzB5qwq8kVI/AAAAAAAAArQ/fhQniS1Fp-I/s1600/Childrens-Playhouse3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7JULuq81OKw/UzB5qwq8kVI/AAAAAAAAArQ/fhQniS1Fp-I/s1600/Childrens-Playhouse3.jpg" /></a>“Spending time in nature is an important component of human health and
development. For many, nature inspires curiosity, creativity and a sense
of freedom. And playing in natural landscapes provides opportunities
for motor development and sensory experiences not available in the
classroom or even on traditional playgrounds.” Natural playgrounds
allow for more creativity than traditional playgrounds, because the
children are able to manipulate their environment through the loose
materials found in nature. In one study, children who played on natural
playgrounds scored higher on standardized motor skill tests than
children who regularly played in traditional playgrounds. Because
nowadays it is more difficult for children to experience nature, a
natural playscape is important because it provides “a sensory
experience” that can “strongly impact physical and cognitive
development.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://gardenandplaytucson.wordpress.com/play/importance-of-play-notes/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>2.) Children who use natural playscapes tend to be more active and use their imaginations more. </b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121011135036.htm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>3.) Natural playscapes strongly support gross motor development. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0f9d_OT95w/UzB5q5dnQVI/AAAAAAAAArg/Cr2AbOyiNS8/s1600/Childrens-Playhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0f9d_OT95w/UzB5q5dnQVI/AAAAAAAAArg/Cr2AbOyiNS8/s1600/Childrens-Playhouse.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "A rough and diverse landscape is perfect for improving a child’s
motor fitness. In one study, it was proven that children who played in
natural playscapes showed considerable improvements in motor fitness
than those who only played in traditional playgrounds. Not only do
natural playscapes improve the health and concentration of children, but
the children prefer these playscapes to traditional playground
equipment."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://gardenandplaytucson.wordpress.com/play/importance-of-play-notes/ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>4.) Natural playscapes connect young children with nature and instil in them a sense of sustainability. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7qIshrdZU0/UzB5rBs1tyI/AAAAAAAAArU/UvBxZ1DToek/s1600/Childrens-Playhouse2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7qIshrdZU0/UzB5rBs1tyI/AAAAAAAAArU/UvBxZ1DToek/s1600/Childrens-Playhouse2.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Early childhood is a unique and critical time for connecting with nature.
Sadly, in today's society children are spending less time outdoors than
ever before. Natural playscapes are a way to reconnect our young
children with their natural world. If we provide synthetic outdoor playspaces and place more importance on
indoor play, what will children grow up knowing and feeling? As
educators we need to help young children build a relationship with their
natural environment so that they are invested in it's future."<b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">http://www.letthechildrenplay.net/2010/01/why-natural-outdoor-playspaces.html</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To Learn more about natural playscapes and how to incorporate natural playscapes into your home, visit: http://www.childcareexchange.com/catalog/pdf/natural_playscapes.pdf </span></div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-12303586914565819232014-03-11T14:29:00.002-07:002014-03-11T14:29:33.958-07:00What Happens When...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What Happens When is the theme for March! At Westmoreland we have been busy seeing what happens when....</div>
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We explore what magnets do! </div>
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Exploring textures and solids with playdough!</div>
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Making frozen fruit with berries, melons and water! Thanks families for the donations!</div>
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Mixing colors! Fun with water and food coloring! </div>
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This is such a fun theme! We will be exploding a diet coke, we have 2 egg projects, a gravity project,we will be making veggie soup and we will see what happens wen our volcano explodes! We look forward to blogging more soon!</div>
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CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-79275015282197620202014-03-04T15:12:00.000-08:002014-03-04T15:13:00.693-08:00Happy Valley's New Natural Play Space!<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy March Creative Minds families! </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The kiddos at Happy Valley have been welcoming in the new month by enjoying the warmer weather, and extra outdoor play time. We recently added a new natural play space to the Happy Valley school. This play space features a wooden play structure and a wood playhouse complete with a garden roof. The kiddos have already had so much fun playing out there and we are all looking forward to making many more great memories here at the Happy Valley School!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Wooden play structure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Playhouse complete with garden rooftop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Playhouse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some fun pictures of our toddler class enjoying their new space!</span></div>
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<br />CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149785566535095124.post-48891028809813592892014-02-25T16:41:00.001-08:002014-02-25T16:42:14.726-08:00CMLC Mail at Westmoreland!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Remember when you opened your lunch and found a note from home. It was so reassuring to see those words, "I love you" or "Can't wait to see you when you get home." It always made your day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Well now you can do the same for your child, teacher or staff! In our front lobby we have an adorable mailbox with pens and paper ready to go! Just stop by and jot down a quick little note and pop it in the mailbox! Our friendly PK/PS letter carriers will deliver the mail to all classrooms after PM snack!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is also a great way to have your child write letters at home to friends or teachers and bring them in the next day. What a great pre-writing skill to practice with your child. This teaches communication, fine motor, vocabulary and so much more. Plus it is fun to "get mail" from someone special!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So have fun with this! Send letters to family, friends, teachers, and staff. We can't wait to see our mailbox get full! </span></div>
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<br />CMLC Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202588272889673785noreply@blogger.com0