Here’s an easy outdoor activity for toddlers to play outdoors on a nice spring or summer day…..

Bubble Blowing

Seems simple enough, but blowing bubbles is actually a tricky skill for preschoolers to master. Their lips have to be in just the right position and they have to blow the correct way in order to form bubbles. Most kids aren’t able to do this proficiently until about age 3 or so. Handling the wand and the bottle can also get frustrating for kids — both can get slippery and can spill easily.

So start off easy. Offer a variety of homemade wands (fly swatters, berry baskets and pipe cleaners all work well) and show your child how to dip the wand and wave it to make bubbles.

Also a fun family activity — making your own homemade bubble solution:

What You Need

• 1/2 cup dishwashing liquid
• 4-1/2 cup water
• 4 tablespoons glycerine
• container with lid

Gently mix 1/2 cup (500 mL) liquid dishwater detergent, 4-1/2 cups (4.5 L) water, and 4 tablespoons glycerin (60 mL) in container.

The mixture may be tinted with food coloring, but keep in mind that bubbles with color may stain clothing and/or some surfaces.

Community Capacity Building refers to the means by which a community can tap into its own strengths and resources. 

The overall goal of Bright Beginnings is to support new programs in communities that have not yet had time to develop solid relationships with future partners.  Once the program is successfully established, our hope is that group participants will promote the benefits of the program to others in their community and use existing relationships within a community to establish further partnerships.

Community Partnerships come in varying forms.  Whether small or large, any and all partnerships are sure to make a huge impact in your programming.

Some ideas for Community Partnerships include:

• Invite local government officials to your group - Town Councillors, Reeve, Mayor, School Trustees, etc.  Are they aware of the number of preschool children attend your programming?  How can they help?
• Invite community partners to visit - Public Health Nurse, RCMP, firefighters, Recreation Director, the local librarian, doctor or dentist.  Many new parents are not aware of the services and programs that are offered in your community; OR
• Plan an outing - visit the local library, school playground, fire hall, or RCMP station.  Most of these organizations are happy to have visitors!
• Ask your local grocer or restaurant to contribute to your snack program - These partners may not be able to support your program on a regular basis, however, most are likely to support a one-time event or yearly holiday celebration.  Your group can acknowledge its support through word-of-mouth through your community.  It’s a win-win!  Your group gets free snacks and your local grocer gains more customers just for being community program-friendly!
• Communicate with your local schools, daycares and Nursery Schools - These partners may have left over craft supplies they are willing to share with your group.  They may even permit your group to use space, equipment, toys and/or certain office supplies, such as photocopiers, fax machines, computers and internet.
• Partner with your local community club or church - Your group may be able to assist with large community events and in return, your group may be offered space rent-free or at a reduced rate.
• Ask participants of your group for their ideas - Do any of those who attend your program have any special skills to share with your group?  You may be able to incorporate a new learning component for families! 
• Ask participants of your group if they know of anyone else who can help - It’s possible that someone in your group has a spouse/relative/friend/neighbor who may be a business owner looking to donate to charitable organizations!
• Connect with your local senior citizens housing complex - This intergenerational relationship will reap huge rewards for both young and old!
• Options are Endless - What other resources do you have in YOUR community?

These efforts will help not only us, but your group as well.  Further partnering will not only allow us to fund other worthy programs throughout the region, but it will also benefit you by bringing together the many strengths and resources located within your OWN community to help your group grow and become more sustainable in the years to come!

Learning and literacy is a family affair and it can be fun!

It is never too early to read to your child.  An early start helps to develop their learning skills and improve their chances for success! 

Make every day a learning day!

Ask your child to help you make a shopping list, read recipes with them, encourage them to develop stories and help write them down.  Visit the public library often.  Libraries are an excellent place to discover the magic of books! 

Rhyme Spotlight:

BOOKS ARE SPECIAL

**Sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Books are Special, Books are Fun

We can read them, one by one!

Open a Book, Turn the Page

Books are Fun at Any Age!

Books are Special, Books are Fun

Let’s get started, READ ME ONE!

Rhyme Spotlight:

HERE IS THE BEEHIVE

Here is the Beehive
(make a fist with one hand)But where are the Bees?

(point to fist)

Hidden inside where Nobody sees!

Soon they’ll come creeping out of their Hive,
(open hand, one finger at a time) 1-2-3-4-5

Please click on the link below to access Community Services offered in the North Eastman region!

Community Services Listing