Christmas Art Activites

 

Snowman Melt

This fun action rhyme is perfect for a sunny, yet snowy day!

(sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")

 

Sunshine, sunshine, go away;                                Hold arms rounded above head.

Come to shine another day.                                    Shake finger.

If I see a single ray,                                                 Shade eyes with hand.

My snowman will melt away.                                   Droop.

Sunshine, sunshine, go away;                                 Hold arms rounded above head.

Come to shine another day.                                     Shake finger.

 

Little Stockings

Here's a festive song that encourages counting skills.

(sung to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")

 

One little, two little, three little stockings;

Four little, five little, six little stockings;

Seven little, eight little, nine little stockings

Hanging on Christmas Eve.

 

Santa puts goodies in the stockings.

Santa puts goodies in the stockings.

Santa puts goodies in the stockings.

Hanging on Christmas Eve.

 

 

Books I recommend reading.

 

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer By Eileen Daly

Snowmen At Night By Caralyn Buehner

Frosty's New Friends By Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins

A letter to Santa By Janet Craig

Oh, What A Christmas! By Michael Garland

Santa's Sled Race By Classic Christmas Collection









Christmas Tree Activities

Here's a poem to read to the children.

 

Trees

 

Trees are short, and trees are tall,

And some drop leaves to scuff in

Fall.

 

Trees are fat, and trees are thin,

With windows where the sun looks

in.

 

Trees are big, and trees are small,

But Christmas trees are best of all. 

After your decorating the tree with the children you could read them a story book about a Christmas tree such as "One Little Christmas Tree" By The Curto Family and Rusty Fischer & "Little Tree" by Mary Claire Smith 

 

 

 

Small-Group Activity

A Musical Match

Give each child a tree math mat and provide a supply of decoration cards. Lead students in singing the song below, inserting the name of a child in the final line. Invite that child to announce the number and type of decorations he'd like to put on his tree. Then have the other children in the group follow his directions and place the appropriate decorations on their trees.

(sung to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus")

 

Oh, how will you trim your tree today,

Tree today, tree today!

Oh, how will you trim your tree today?

Tell us, [child's name].

December Recipes

NEED HELP FEEDING CHILDREN NUTRITIOUS MEALS

Perhaps you are a home, LLEP, center, ministry child care provider with several years experience but never received accurate information about the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Perhaps you are a newly licensed or certified child care provider needing monetary reimbursement to off set your food cost while building your business.

PCCASI Nutrition Program can assist you in getting started on the Child and Adult Care Food Program. We are always happy to sponsor new providers.

For more information call 1-812-589-8013 or 812-890-4553

Fall Leaves

Encourage children to observe nature using their senses. Take a nature walk, observe and collect leaves. To create a classroom collage.

Art Projects

Paint with Pine Needles

Pines and many other evergreen conifers have needle-like leaves. If pines or similar trees grow in your area, you may highlight the unique shape of their leaves by making paint brushes from their needles. Gather needles from the ground beneath a tree and use a strong rubber band to create bundles of "bristles." Attach a stick handle, if desired. Let's paint!
Leaf Prints

Provide paper, stamp pads and/or paints and brushes, and a variety of leaves at an at station. Encourage children to make prints by pressing leave onto stamp pads or painting them, then pressing onto paper. What shapes and patterns can they make?

Leafy Critters

Use different leaves to create animal shapes.

Leaf Rubbing

Give each child a piece of white paper, a leaf, and a pencil. Have children place leaves vein side up on a flat surface, put paper over the leaf, and rub the side of the pencil on the paper over the leaf. Encourage them to describe what happens. Who can explain why the pencil created the pattern it did? Let them trade leaves and do another rubbing. Have children compare the results of the two rubbings.

The Five Senses

(To the tune of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes")

Point to eyes, wiggle fingers, point to mouth, point to nose, and point to ears as you sing the sings.

See, touch, taste, smell and hear, smell and hear
See, touch, taste, smell and hear, smell and hear
                 Senses observe things far and near.
                 See, touch, taste, smell and hear.

Leaf Poem

See the leaves:
Green
Golden
And Brown
Feel the leaves:
Fuzzy
Smooth
Bumpy
Smell the leaves:
Spicy
Fresh
And Crisp
Hear the leaves:
Rustle
Crackle
Crunch
Pile the leaves:
Run, Jump
Laugh
And Roll

Incredible Edible Leaves: Ask the children can you eat leaves? Have a leaf tasting day.

Suggestion: Different types of lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swish Chard and Cabbage.

Leafy Wraps: Use a lettuce leaf to wrap rice noodles or whole-grain spaghetti and a variety of other ingredients. Which combinations taste best? Encourage children to describe and compare and contrast the flavors of leaves.

Literacy Suggestions:
It's Fall! -  Author Linda Glaser
Autumn's First Leaf - Author Steve Metzger
The Leaves on the Trees - Author Thom Wiley
We're going on a Leaf Hunt - Author Steve Metzger

Acitivites For The Fall Season

The fall harvest is in, and it's time to take a trip to the pumpkin patch! From carving Jack o' Lanterns to baking pies, pumpkins are a favorite topic. Use this craft to celebrate them!

Sing-Aloud
(Sing to the tune of "Itsy-Bitsy Spider")
The itsy-bitsy pumpkins
are growing on the vine
Now they're getting bigger,
sitting in a line.
Different shapes and sizes,
which one will you pick?
A giant orange pumpkin-
that will do the trick!

Pumpkin Parfait

1 cup pureed pumpkin
2 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt (divided)
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup granola
1 cup crushed graham crackers

Combine pureed pumpkin. 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix well. In small glasses or cups, alternate layers of yogurt, granola, pumpkin/yogurt mixture, and crushed graham crackers.

Selection of books for the pumpkin theme.
I like Pumpkins - Author Jerry Smath
Joey and the Jack - O' - Lantern - Author Janet  Craig
The Bumpy Little Pumpkin - Author Margery Cuyler
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever - Author Steven Kroll



Good nutrition is essential for a child's growth, development and learning.

PCCASI plays a critical role ensuring children's nutritional needs are met while they are in the care of a child care provider.

August Activities

You also could do Wiggle, Wiggle, Worm!

 

 

You also could read the book to them called The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle!

Summer ideas

As summer is coming to end here is some fun ideas to do.

 

August Recipes

Mom messages

Start early with whole grains

It's easy for your child to get in the habit of enjoying whole grains if he starts eating whole grains when he is young. A simple way to eat more whole grains is to buy whole wheat bread instead of white bread.

How can I find a whole wheat bead?

Read the label. Choose bread with 100% whole wheat or 100% whole grains listed first in the ingredient list. You are your child's favorite teacher. Eat whole wheat sandwiches together. Help him learn to love whole grains.

"PCCASI Nutrition Program is a Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponser with the Indiana Department of Education"

PCCASI is a non-profit organization that ensures low-income children receive healthy nutritious meals.

PCCASI goal is to ensure children an opportunity to learn healthy eating habits by educating and assisting childcare providers and parents in sound nutrition practices.

PCCASI administering the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) benefits licensed and certified childcare facilities by monthly monetary reimbursements.

Get your child on the path to healthy eating.

Focus on the meal and each other.

Your child learns by watching you. Children are likely to copy your table manners, your likes and dislikes, and your willingness to try new foods.

Offer a variety of healthy foods.

Let your child choose how much to eat. Children are more likely to enjoy a food when eating it is their own choice.

Be patient with your child.

Sometimes new foods take time. Give children a taste at first and be patient with them. Offer new foods many times.

Let your children serve themselves.

Teach your children to take small amounts at first. Let them know they can get more if they are still hungry.

Cook together.

Eat together.

Talk together.

Make meal time family time.

 





Happy Birthday, USA!

(sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle")

Happy Birthday, USA!

March in a parade today
And hold our flag up high
Watch its colors gently wave
On the Fourth of July!

Happy birthday, USA!
It's our special day.
We celebrate our country's birth
On Independence Day!

July Activites

Parachute Play

July is a great month for a picnic! Grab a large sheet, pack a health lunch, and head outside for a change of scenery. Before dipping in, arrange the children in a circle and have them each put both hands on the sheet, which will serve as the parachute. Create a merry-go-round by circling to the left and then to the right. On the count of three, have everyone raise their arms to lift the parachute. While the sheet is raised, call out two names and have them switch spots. Get creative -- the possibilities are endless when it comes to Parachute Play!

Spray and Count

Program an inexpensive shower curtain liner with numbers, Attach the liner to a fence or other structure in your outdoor play area and place squirt bottles filled with water nearby. Name a number and have the child spray that number a matching number of times.

July Recipe

Perfect Picnic Dip
1 can black beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
1/4 cup low-fat cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon vinegar
Baby carrots or tortilla chips for dipping

Mash or blend black beans to desired consistency. Mix in cheese, spices, and vinegar until ingredients are well incorporated. Serve with baby carrots or tortilla chips for dipping.

June Activites

June Juggling

What kid isn't fascinated by the sight of a juggler? The key to getting them started is to keep it light. The objects to be juggled, that is! By using tissues or lightweight scarves, children can learn the art of juggling without gravity brining them down. Start each child out with one tissue or scarf. Have them practice tossing with one hand and catching with the other. After getting the hang of one, add in a second or pair them up to juggle with a friend. Celebrate National Juggling day with this great exercise in hand eye coordination!

Don't forget June 29th is International Mud Day!

Basket Toss

 

Place a laundry basket about three feet away. Take turns tossing balls into the basket.

 How may balls can you toss into the basket?

Try tossing balls into different targets-boxes, buckets, pails and baskets.

 





June Snacks

Blended Summer Favorite
4 cups frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and/or blackberries)
1 banana, peeled and broken into chunks
1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice

Combine all ingredients together and blend until smooth. And if necessary , add more orange juice or yogurt to reach the desired consistency.

Other snack ideas:
Cantaloupe cubes wrapped in prosciutto or thinly sliced low-sodium ham.

Baked corn chips with mild salsa for dipping.

Rainbow Kabobs (strawberries, peaches, bananas, kiwi, blueberries), served with low-fat milk.

Rice cakes spread with peanut butter and topped with banana slices.

Introduction

PCCASI Nutrition Program is a Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) sponsor with the Indiana Department of Education which provides reimbursement each month to help pay for meals and snacks served to children in child care.

Who is eligible to participate? Any licensed daycare home provider, center ministry or certified legally license exempt home provider and center who enters into an agreement with PCCASI Nutrition Program

Who benefits from participating in a CACFP program? Busy parents benefit from the food program. Parents save time and money by not having supply food for child care.

Children benefit from the food program.
Children in licensed or certified child care that participate in a CACFP program stay healthy and have better attendance.

Licensed or Certified Child Care Providers Benefit.
Providers participating in a CACFP program receive monetary reimbursement based on the number of eligible meals served times the applicable reimbursement rates.

For More Information about

PCCASI Nutrition Program
Contact:
Laura Parker lparkerpccasi@aol.com
812-589-8013
Diana Skomp dskomppccasi@yahoo.com
812-890-4553
The USDA is a equal opportunity employer.


 

PCCASI Nutrition Program

This is a blog about our Food program for PCCASI Nutrition Program.