Hello EC Families!

I wanted to share a great craft idea from one of our Halloween parties this week! The students used playdough, sequins, pipecleaners, and googly eyes to create their own monsters. The best part of this activity was that children could take their monsters apart and create new ones for as long as they were engaged in the activity! Thus, the children were entertained by this activity for longer!

This activity could also be modified for other parties. For instance:

• Christmas -- build a snowman or decorate a Christmas tree
• Valentine's Day -- create a love bug
• Easter -- make an Easter egg or a bunny
• End of the Year Party -- make your own sea creature!

Another awesome idea for this activity is to put all the materials in individual ziploc bags for the students so they can take them home after the party! That way, they can still have fun with them at home OR if we run out of time at the party, the children can still do it when they get home!

Blessings,
​Mrs. Soldner

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One way we can calm down when we are feeling upset is to try different breathing strategies. A simple one we use at school is called "Flower and Candle Breaths." 
Pretend you are holding a flower. Smell the flower to breathe in.
Pretend you are holding a candle. Blow the candle out when you breathe out.
​Keep going back and forth a few times or until you feel better/calm.

Hello EC Families!

My husband came across something that I wanted to share with you in case you were interested in reducing the amount of sugar your child consumes on/around Halloween. There is something called Switch Witch that is kind of like Elf on the Shelf, but for Halloween. The idea is that children can switch out candy for a toy. There is a book that goes along with it, which explains that witches need the candy to power their brooms and heat their bath water. If you would prefer not to use witches, you could create a different character such as a Candy Fairy or a Giant Pumpkin. One part I do not like is that in the story, witches will only exchange candy for toys for kids who are good. However, I do not believe the exchange needs to be tied to good behavior, so that is another piece you could choose to modify depending on what works best for your family.
There is also another version of Switch Witch that is less like Elf on the Shelf, but still involves switching out candy for something better. Children leave their candy by their jack-o-lantern and the Switch Witch trades it in for a special toy/book/other item. I like this book a little bit better. It is by Charity A. O'Neill-O'Kane.

The article my husband found lists some other potential modifications: 

• Switch out the candy for an activity/experience or cash
• Offer healthier sweets instead (such as xylitol suckers)
• Instead of using a character for the switch, use it as an opportunity to learn about finances (probably more for older children)

I just thought I would share this information in case there are any families who are interested in limiting sugar. Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Blessings,
​Mrs. Soldner

One of the first skills we learn at school for regulating our emotions is the STOP skill. This skill is essential because it helps lead us to use our other skills so we can get back to the Green Zone.

S - STOP 
First, if you notice you are feeling upset, STOP. Just freeze. 

T - TAKE A BREAK
Next, take a break. In our classroom, we go to the Cozy Corner to take a break. But you can also find a quiet spot at home or somewhere else to take a break if you need one.

O - OBSERVE (or LOOK/LISTEN)
Then, look and listen to what is happening around you. Pay attention to how your body feels. Put a name to how you are feeling right now.

P - PROCEED MINDFULLY (or MAKE A GOOD CHOICE)
​Finally, make a good choice. If you are ready, you can go back and join the activity. Or, you can use one of our calm down strategies to feel better.