Summer 2002

Parent Information

School’s Out for the Summer!

Schools out for the summer, which means parents, need to find summer time activities to keep their youth busy and entertained. Unfortunately quite often youth will find their own source of entertainment in front of a television set if allowed. While a little television watching is okay, parents should find other ways to keep their youth adequately entertained. Some suggestions might include day camps, overnight camps, library reading programs, visits to a swimming pool, art and craft classes, play dates with friends, or sporting activities. Youth between the ages of 5 and 7 vary in abilities, interests and skills. Nevertheless, they will only enhance their skills by putting them to work. Active play with siblings or friends is a great way for youth to use their imaginations and creativity.

In addition to keeping your youth entertained, don’t forget to include some summer time chores into your child’s schedule. Completing household and summertime chores is a great way to teach your child the importance of responsibility. Some chores may be as simple as watering outdoor plants, pulling weeds from the garden, washing windows and sweeping floors, to feeding pets, and folding laundry. No matter what the task, keep your youth involved in activities that promote important life skills. Remember active minds and bodies make healthy minds and bodies.

Prepared by Johnna Jennings, Unit Educator-Youth Development, DeKalb Co. Unit

Make Family Summer Trips "Food Safe"

"Car food" is as much a part of family summer trips as swimsuits, theme parks and fun. It is important to keep food safety in mind as you pack the car for a summer trip of one day or several days.

"Food-for-the-road" is a way to have snacks and small meals available without the cost of roadside fast food or convenience stores. You need to take some precautions and only pack foods that travel well. Pack non-perishables like cut-up vegetables, fruits, crackers, cereal or cereal mixes, peanut butter, hard cheeses and nuts. Freeze water in a clean jug, it will stay cold and you will have water to drink as it melts.

Any food like meat, poultry, eggs or milk or foods containing those ingredients needs to be refrigerated. A well-stocked cooler can be used for a short time if you stop to replenish the supply of ice often. Frozen juices can be used to keep foods cool and then used as cold drinks later as they begin to thaw. A full cooler will stay cold longer and food should be surrounded with ice if possible. Keeping the cooler inside the car rather than in the trunk will also keep foods cold longer.

Keeping clean is another part of a "food-safe" trip. Families should pack moist towels or wipes to use for wiping hands before eating. Any utensils should be washed with hot soapy water at the next stop.

Packing safe foods, keeping foods cold and surroundings clean will help ensure that food borne illness is not an uninvited guest on this year’s summer trip.

Prepared by Barbara Farner, Extension Educator-Nutrition and Wellness, Matteson Extension Center

Cloverbud Family Resources

With summer coming, reading may not be at the top of your priority list. However, it is important to a child’s development – it gives them quality time with an adult, an opportunity for quiet time, ways to explore new ideas and thoughts, and just plain fun.

Each week, I pick up the Sunday Chicago Tribune. There is always lots of reading in this edition of the newspaper. One of the features I regularly look for is the "books section." Each week, Mary Harris Russell reviews children’s books. She highlights books for children of all ages. After reviewing her findings, I would like to suggest the following books as resources to Cloverbud families. As you can see, these books relate to topics being studied by Cloverbud groups throughout the year.

Citizenship & Civic Education

Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book by Alexander Stadler
Magdalenka’s Dog by Peter Sis

Community Expressive Arts

Angel Face by Sarah Weeks
The Magic Hat by Mem Fox
Mr. Wolf and the Three Bears by Jan Fearnley
Song of the Circus by Lois Duncan
Stella, Fairy of the Forest by Marie-Louise Gay

Personal Development

A Far-Fetched Story by Nancy Carpenter
Bippity Bop Barbershop by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
The Brave Little Seamstress by Mary Pope Osborne
Benny and the Binky by Barbro Lindgren

Plants & Animals

This Little Chick by John Lawrence
Do Like A Duck Does by Judy Hindley
The Marvelous Mouse Man by Mary Ann Hoberman
Fix It Duck by Jez Alborough
Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin

Science & Technology/Environmental & Earth Science

Cars at Play by Rick and Ann Walton
Seasons: A Book of Poems by Charlotte Zolotow

I hope you find these books enjoyable and stimulating as well as relative to your child’s learning. Reading as a family provides quality time together, and it can spark your child’s interest in books. If you get a chance, next Sunday pick up the Chicago Tribune and check out Mary Harris Russell’s section – you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Reading!

Prepared by Deanna Roby, Unit Educator-Youth Development, DuPage Co. Unit

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