20 Dec ez Write at EFC
We introduced the ez Write curriculum for handwriting at our centers earlier this year. See how ez Write is helping children learn to write in a fun, creative and effective way! You can learn more about the program here. ...
EFC Parent Blog
28 Nov Our Favorite Holiday Books
The holidays are upon us, and one of the best things about the season is the chance to share stories - whether real or imagined. We asked our center managers to tell us their favorite holiday books for children. Here's our list:Christmas Trolls by Jan...
04 Nov New Videos on EFC’s Website!
Posted at 13:24h in activities, child care, child development, education, especially for children, infant 0 Comments
We recently added 4 new videos to our website. The videos help parents learn more about EFC and our programs. Below is our About Especially for Children video. You can find the Infant, Toddler and Preschool Program videos on our YouTube Channel. We hope you...
29 Sep Field Trips at EFC
One of the very unique features of our program at Especially for Children is that we take field trips on a regular basis. In addition to being incredibly fun experiences for children, field trips enhance the curriculum by providing hands-on learning opportunities. Field trips also...
02 Sep What children learn through art
Most young children naturally delight in art. They love the process of applying paint to paper, gluing things together, and pounding a lump of clay. Art enables children to learn many skills, express themselves, appreciate beauty and have fun – all at the same time!!Children...
01 Aug What children learn from sensory play
Watch our latest video blog on sensory play. It is a wonderful way for children of many ages to make new discoveries about the world....
31 May Dramatic Play and Development
The dramatic play area is a popular place at our centers. Not only do the children have fun creating stories and role-playing different characters, they also develop many important skills while engaging in dramatic play including:Social/Emotional: cooperation, negotiationPhysical: small muscle skillsCognitive: imaginationLanguage: explanation, asking questionsRead...
27 Apr Stories come alive at EFC
At Especially for Children, we love books! Each day you will see:Teachers reading and telling stories to groups of childrenTeachers reading and telling stories to individual childrenChildren reading and telling stories on their ownWe learn new vocabulary and many facts from stories. Stories stretch our...
31 Mar The Infant Experience
In our infant classrooms, we provide a caring and safe environment for children and a program that challenges infants to achieve new developmental goals. Our toys are developmentally appropriate and encourage curiosity and self-discovery. We use small structures to promote large motor skills. We love...
21 Feb Building with (Ice!) Blocks
EFC, as a company, follows The Creative Curriculum by Diane Trister Dodge. A major part of The Creative Curriculum is the emphasis put on different interest areas, one of which is blocks. Building with blocks (in this case, ice blocks) teaches children many different math...
20 Jan New Blog Feature: Video!
Physical development is one of the core components of our early childhood program at Especially for Children. As children participate in physical activities, they are also developing cognitively and socially. Watch three different age groups dance to the music of the I AM MOVING I...
30 Dec Why Playing Together Matters
It is often fascinating and fun to watch your child learn to play with others. You may not realize all that is happening in their brains as they are stacking blocks, cooking "breakfast" or passing a ball back and forth with you or another child.The...
29 Nov Just Breathe
A guest blog post from EFC Edina parent, Mary Lou Wichlacz: I’ve always thought it is a bit ironic that the first breath of life is, in the best of situations, accompanied by a piercing cry. A cry means the child is healthy,...
27 Oct The things I wish someone had told me when I was a new parent
In the March 2010 edition of Work and Family Life there is a great article that I want to share with you. While you are in the midst of the ever-challenging job of being a parent, it's helpful to stand back now and then to...