Ivy Learning Resource & Referral Newsletter | July 2024

Jul 17, 20245 min read

SUMMER IS IN FULL SWING!

And whether its playing in water, digging in sand, or creating in a mud kitchen; summertime fun for children is magical. Staying physically active over the summer months is important for a child’s overall growth and development. Regular physical activity outdoors allows children the opportunity to use movement to explore new things such as jumping rope or learning to skip. It also builds socialization and self-esteem skills through collaborative play with others and can have a positive impact on a child’s mood.

These are all great benefits, but how do we achieve them? See below for a list of ideas to keep children busy and moving this summer.

Summer activity ideas

Neighborhood scavenger hunt: Try this with the whole group. Split up into teams with the same list of items to find in a specific area. A scavenger hunt can even be done indoors if it is raining. Write clues and hide them around your home or center. Each child can race to find each clue, leading them to a small prize at the end.
Hide-n-seek: This classic game will keep everyone moving. Even the little ones can be involved by pairing up your younger children with older children or adults to help teach them the rules of the game.
Gardening: Stay busy all summer by planting a garden. Get started by picking out seeds or starter plants. Help them keep the area free of weeds, regularly water the plants, and enjoy the results the plants will produce. This combines movement with science for even more brain development benefits.

More ideas: Keep children learning all summer long

As you find yourself outside more, it is important to stay safe. When playing outdoors in the summer months, be sure to pay attention to the temperature.

Tips to stay cool while enjoying the outdoors:

Stay in shaded areas during peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Use sunscreen and sun-protective clothing. Use both as directed.
Drink water frequently to stay well hydrated.
Find fun ways to play in the water: Set up the sprinkler or fill a water table.

Summer is a fun-filled time with many activities that come around once per year. Get outside and enjoy all your favorite activities while staying safe.

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Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children

From infancy on, play is an important part of a child’s life. For babies and toddlers, simple, playful interactions with adults help develop sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience. Through games and playful activities, children can practice and strengthen important executive function skills that will help them throughout their lives, including learning to focus their attention, strengthening their working memory, and developing basic self-control. The following handout series, developed with support from the LEGO Foundation, provides suggestions games and play-based activities based on a child’s age. The activities for younger children are designed for adults to engage in with children. Activities for later ages allow the adults to step back, enabling children’s independence to blossom as they transition to playing more often with peers. To see the Handouts click Here.

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Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know

Many toddlers―curious, active and eager to explore their surroundings―are attracted to water. It shines, ripples, splashes, and can even make things float! But, they don't understand that water can be dangerous and aren't old enough yet to do what is needed when in trouble. So, it's essential to protect them from water hazards where you live and where you visit. Read the Entire Article.

Extreme Heat: Tips to Keep Kids Safe When Temperatures Soar

By: Dele Davies, MD, MS, MHCM, FAAP

Usually, playing and exercising outside boosts a child's physical and mental health in many ways. However, a heat index at or above 90°F, as identified by the National Weather Service, poses a significant health risk.

High temperatures and extreme heat can cause children to become sick very quickly in several ways. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. High heat can also make everyone more irritable. And with extreme heat increasing in areas of the United States due to climate change, "eco-anxiety" can cause emotional distress.

Full article here

Reading corner

Infant/Toddler

Little Blue Boat Chunky Lift-a-Flap Board Book

by Ginger Swift (Author), Cottage Door Press (Author), Zoe Persico (Illustrator)

When you take the high seas with the Little Blue Boat, your baby or toddler will meet all kinds of ocean animals including dolphins, seals, otters, sharks, and more in this adorable lift-a-flap board book. Simple sentences reinforce future language structure while grasping and lifting the sturdy flaps helps develop fine motor skills. A perfect first book!

You can purchase the book on Amazon Here.

Preschool

I'm NOT just a Scribble… 

by Diane Alber (Author, Illustrator)

A story about kindness and inclusion. Scribble, the book's main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, after being left out because he didn't look like everyone else, Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are. Which enables them to create amazing art. This book not only has illustrations that any child can personally recognize but it also addresses inclusion without boundaries so that anyone can relate to it. Each book comes with 100 stickers so that children can create their very own Scribble. They will be able to learn different emotions (that were discussed in the book) as well as associate colors with feelings in a fun creative way.

You can purchase the book on Amazon Here.

School Age

Your fantastic elastic brain: a growth mindset book for kids to stretch and shape their brains. Author: JoAnn Deak Ph.D.

Learn how much your brain can grow! The perfect introduction to growth mindset, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It is:

A growth mindset book for kids

A teacher must-have for classrooms

The best resource for anyone to teach growth mindset

Did you know you can stretch and grow your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns? Awarded as one of the best growth mindset books for kids, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It teaches all the ways that the brain can develop with exercise, just like the rest of our bodies.

Educator and psychologist Dr. JoAnn Deak offers a fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain that will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their fantastic, elastic brain!

Looking for award-winning picture books for curious kids? Your Fantastic Elastic Brain is the perfect fit. Dr. Deak shares information in ways that are accessible for parents, teachers, and children alike. Delightful illustrations with accurate details foster motivation to learn and grow in new ways. This book is an excellent companion to Beautiful Oops, The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, I Can't Do That YET, The Most Magnificent Thing, and Bubble Gum Brain.

Events

Events and Trainings

See upcoming events here!

Thrive Meeting North Central in Ponca City, July 13th and August 3rd each meeting is 10:00am-2:00 pm. Please email thinton@ivylearning.org for more information.

Thrive Meeting Northeast in Tahlequah, July 22nd and August 24th Email rsierra@ivylearning.org for more information.

Events and Trainings

Ivy Learning is here to serve you!

Ivy Learning Child Care Resource & Referral serves the North Central and Northeast Regions of Oklahoma, which includes 19 counties. For more information and to contact your regional representative, expand the section below.

North Central Region: Kay, Lincoln, Logan, Noble, Nowata, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Rogers and Washington Counties

Northeast Region: Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Ottawa & Sequoyah Counties

Request Technical Assistance from our Resource and Referral Specialists

Ivy Learning Child Care Resource and Referral can provide technical assistance to childcare providers. Technical Assistance services help providers improve or enhance the quality of childcare through structured and intentional services which supports the development of specific skills and practices. As a result, providers will be able to implement knowledge about quality in their individual care giving situations.

Request Technical Assistance