Growing Up WILD: 09/30/11, 9A-1:30P

Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. The workshop will provide early childhood educators with basic wildlife content, introduce activities in the guide, and build skills and confidence needed for teaching young children in outdoor outings.  The twenty-seven activities in the guide are designed for children ages 3-7 and have been correlated to the Head Start domains, the NAEYC Accreditation Standards, IN Foundations for ages 3-5, and the Indiana Academic Standards for grades 1-2. 

Participants will receive the Growing Up WILD activity guide as part of the workshop.  There is a fee of $20.00 for this workshop.  Please make checks payable to the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation.

Agency:
Project WILD

Phone:
317-562-1338

Audience:
This workshop is intended for public preschool teachers, Head Start teachers, private child care providers and kindergarten teachers

Costs:
$20.00

Credits:
Contact hours: 4.5

Contact for Registration:
Natural Resources Education Center
email for details 

Last Weekend for Fun on the Farm

May 29, 2011 - August 28, 2011
'Family Fun on the Farm' at Stonycreek Farm in Hamilton County.
New in 2011: the Stonycreek Zipline (a pulley system of cables mounted on an incline). Giant jumping pillow, pedal go-carts, pumpkin train, farm animals, more. May 27 to Aug. 28: Fri-Sun, 10 AM to 5 PM. Info: See Web site or call 317-773-3344. Location: Stonycreek Farm, 11366 State Road 38 East, Noblesville, Hamilton County. www.stonycreekfarm.net

LAST WEEKEND: Indiana State Fair (August 5th - 21st)

Friday, August 19-21, 2011, 8:00 AM. 155th Indiana State Fair at the State Fairgrounds. One of the largest and best state fairs in the nation draws nearly one million visitors to the fairgrounds each summer. Aug. 5-21: Hours and activities vary daily. Info: See Web site below or call 317-927-7500. Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Marion County. www.in.gov/statefair/fair/index.html

 Friday, August 19-21, 2011, 8:30 AM. Ride the WFMS Fair Train at the Fishers Train Station. Ride the train to the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 5-21. 10 departures daily, 8:30 AM to 10:30 PM. 10 returns daily, 9:15 AM to 11:15 PM. Open seating, no reservations. Info: See Web site or call 317-773-6000. Location: Fishers Train Station, 11601 Municipal Drive, Fishers, Hamilton County. www.itm.org/events/fairtrain.htm

Help in the Kitchen

Have a "picky eater" at home? Having your preschooler help you in the kitchen is a good way to get your child to try new foods.

Kids feel good about doing something “grown-up.” Give them small jobs to do. Praise their efforts. Children are much less likely to reject foods that they helped make.

As preschoolers grow, they are able to help out with different tasks in the kitchen. While the following suggestions are typical, children may develop these skills at different ages
 

At 2 years: • Wipe tables • Hand items to adult to put away (such as after grocery shopping) • Place things in trash • Tear lettuce or greens • Help “read” a cookbook by turning the pages • Make “faces” out of pieces of fruits and vegetables • Rinse vegetables or fruits • Snap green beans   At 3 years: All that a 2 year old can do, plus: • Add ingredients • Talk about cooking • Scoop or mash potatoes • Squeeze citrus fruits • Stir pancake batter • Knead and shape dough • Name and count foods • Help assemble a pizza	At 4 years: All that a 3 year old can do, plus: • Peel eggs and some fruits, such as oranges and bananas • Set the table • Crack eggs • Help measure dry ingredients • Help make sandwiches and tossed salads   At 5 years: All that a 4 year old can do, plus: • Measure liquids • Cut soft fruits with a dull knife • Use an egg beater

Make sure that they wash their hands before helping.