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Exploring the World with Baby Animals
It's springtime, the time of year when the world starts to turn from gray to green as new life begins. This is also the time of year for baby animals! Many children see animals in nature and as pets in the home and can benefit from forming relationships with them.
Children have a natural desire to learn about the world around them. Animals are another living being, just like them. You can encourage their scientific minds by studying animals. Children as young as two can learn about the biological features they share. Even one-year-olds have been shown to prefer looking at animals that are asleep behind an enclosure over playing with toys in their room. That's a strong connection!
Did you know even small children think baby animals with their big eyes and round faces are cute, just like adults do?
How can you include animals in early learning? 
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Incubate and hatch baby animals from eggs (butterflies, praying mantises, chicks)
- Check out this case study of a teacher in Toronto hatching chicks from eggs with her class!
- Go on nature walks
- Invite a veterinarian or zookeeper to visit
- Keep a classroom pet
- Show & tell about kids' pets from home
Children of all abilities can feel the excitement of discovery as they learn about animals!
Safety tip! Make sure to be aware of any allergies or regulations before bringing animals into your classroom.
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Bonding through Books
Can you remember your child being drawn to an animal? Maybe it was a cuddly kitten, a playful puppy, or a scampering squirrel? Children and animals are often naturally interested in one another.
When you and your child are outside, look and listen for animals. Call attention to animals and observe them together. Reading books with children about animals can also build the bond between them.
Bonus Baby Animal Book! Lucky Ducklings, by Eva Moore, is the (true!) story of a mother duck who leaves her family's pond one morning for breakfast. Mama and her ducklings get separated but are eventually rescued by three firefighters. This charming story gives families an opportunity to talk about how we take care of animals and to develop the habit of empathy.
Source:
WAKE Up and Read
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Readers' Corner
Featured Book: Farm Animals
Edited by: James Mitchem
Highlights: Find out about chirping chicks, fluffy ducklings, and all their farmyard friends. Then, learn how to build a model farm, make a woolen sheep, and even mix up a tasty milkshake. This book presents facts about such farm animals as chickens, sheep, and cows, complemented by creative projects.
Best for: Pre-K, ages 3-5
Links: To find more books for Beginning Readers in the library catalog, click Optional Filter on the Advanced Search screen. Under Collection, select Beginning Reader, then click Find. You're all set!
Literacy Tip: Introduce your child to nonfiction. The information feeds their curiosity and builds a base of knowledge about the topic. This increases how much they understand and retain!
April's book selected by the Preschool Librarians of Wake County Public Libraries.
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Wake County SmartStart
(919) 851-9550
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Building Blocks
A newsletter about early childhood in Wake County
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Want FREE books for your child under 5? Sign up for the Imagination Library today!
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Each month we celebrate the child care facilities that have recently obtained or retained a five star rating!
Congratulations to:
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Snack Time
Puppy Dog Wrap
A meal so cute you could just eat it up! Take a cue from the baby animals theme and transform your wrap or quesadilla into a smiling puppy dog.
Visit this site for instructions on how to turn your lunch into a work of arf...whoops, art.
Check out recipes & more on our Pinterest Boards.
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Training
Visit CCSA's training calendar for all upcoming events.
Solutions to the Dilemma: Reducing Suspension & Expulsion in ECE Programs
April 12, 6:30 - 8pm
CCSA Chapel Hill
To register, click here.
Designing High Quality Infant Toddler Care Environments
April 12 & April 18, 6:30 - 9pm
Wake County SmartStart
To register, click here.
Health & Safety for Infants & Toddlers CEU
April 14, 9am - 3pm
CCSA Chapel Hill
To register, click here.
ITS SIDS
April 23, 6:30 - 8:30pm
CCSA Durham
To register, click here.
Toddler CLASS Observer Certification
April 25-26, 8:30am - 5pm
CCSA Durham
To register, click here.
Supervision of Young Children
April 26, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Telephone Seminar - Call In Number
To register, click here.
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Animal Balloon Herding
Have you ever tried to herd a flock of sheep? This different kind of balloon animal makes it fun to try!
With a little creative decorating, markers and some construction paper can turn balloons into animals. Sheep, pigs, and chickens come to life as your children "herd" them around a park, yard, or large room. Decide where their pens are, or just move them as a group back and forth.
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