The Orchards Newsletter Feb 2014 | Página 5

Beating the Winter Blues at The TreeHouse The year 2014 has had a cold start, with temperatures so low that school has been canceled and The Tree House kids can’t get outside to play. As with any child, our students begin to feel cabin fever the longer they have to say inside. To keep our children engaged we have b een coming up with many creative activities to keep them busy. Our favorite new activity is making creations out of home made play dough! The staff at the TreeHouse attended a professional development session entitled “Rolling in the Dough,” where we learned that the use of play dough can be used in every domain of early childhood education. You can participate in our favorite new activity by following the recipe below and beating the stress of the winter blues by playing with play dough! Play Dough Recipe 2 cups plain flour (all purpose) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup salt 2 tablespoons cream of tartar Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right) food coloring Teacher Spotlight Ruth Benedetto Miss Ruth works as the assistant teacher in the infant room at The TreeHouse and has been employed here since August of 2011. She is 44 years old and currently resides in East Liverpool, Ohio with her husband Frank. Ruth is the mother of two children, Jessica and Josh Benedetto. She also works part time at Garfield Elementary School in Wellsville, Ohio as the kitchen supervisor. Miss Ruth’s favorite part of her job as a child care professional is how her day brightens when she sees the children and staff at The TreeHouse. She also loves building relationships with the families enrolled in our center. Valentine’s Day Poems By: Various Authors Veggie Valentine You may not "carrot" all for me The way I care for you. You may "turnip" your nose When I plead with you But if your "heart" should "beet" with mine Forever "lettuce" hope There is no reason in the world Why we two "Cantaloupe." Kiss Me Not Roses are red Violets are blue Please do not kiss me ‘Cause I have the flu! 5 Little Valentines Five little valentines were having a race The 1st little valentine was frilly with lace. The 2nd little valentine had a funny face. The 3rd little valentine said, “I love you”. The 4th little valentine said, “I do too”. The 5th little valentine was sly as a fox. He ran the fastest to the valentine box.