SUMMER!

This is our kick off week to summer! Today we wore sunglasses because...

"Our future is so bright we have to wear shades!"

Summer Safety

According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, a few serious sunburns can increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. Kids don’t have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they’re outdoors. Below the CDC has given a few suggestions on how to stay safe this summer:

Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it’s best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief after it’s happened.

Cover up. When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing certified under international standards comes with information on its ultraviolet protection factor.

Get a hat. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don’t protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.

Wear sunglasses. They protect your child’s eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

Apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB protection every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don’t forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet.

Take sunscreen with you to reapply during the day, especially after your child swims or exercises. This applies to waterproof and water-resistant products as well.

Follow the directions on the package for using a sunscreen product on babies less than 6 months old. All products do not have the same ingredients; if your or your child’s skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or call a doctor. Your baby’s best defense against sunburn is avoiding the sun or staying in the shade.

Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow kids to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Try combining sunscreen with other options to prevent UV damage.

Too Much Sun Hurts

Turning pink? Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun’s UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. So, if your child’s skin looks “a little pink” today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun.

Tan? There’s no other way to say it—tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child’s skin after time outside—whether sunburn or suntan—indicates damage from UV rays.

Cool and cloudy? Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them—and sometimes only slightly.

Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are outdoors unprotected for longer than expected. Remember to plan ahead, and keep sun protection handy—in your car, bag, or child’s backpack.

For more information please visit the CDC at:

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/children.htm

For more information about our program, please visit us at:

https://hollytreechildcare.com

Pre-K Prom

Friday night, we had our annual Pre-K Prom! We do this to get all of the children and parents together to celebrate all of their hard work and them soon graduating from preschool and starting a new adventure in kindergarten. Pre-K Prom is the kick off to a summer filled with fun, Kindergarten Bootcamp and finally graduation. This year, the prom was held outside! The first of many events to be held in our new event space! The theme was Rain Forest Adventures. We had dancing, food, face painting, and a "Make Your Very Own Tropical Bird" craft station. The outfits were amazing, the parents were excited, but the BEST part was that the children had a BLAST! Seeing those smiling, painted, cupcake filled faces laughing and singing is why we work so hard each and every day! Enjoy!

Animal Tales

Animal Tales came to visit this week! And I think the teachers had just as much fun as the children! We learned all about the different types of animals and even got to hold a snake! Here are some fun pictures from our adventure through the animal kingdom! To find out more about Animal Tales, please visit their website www.animaledzoocation.com

Almost Summer...

We are gearing up to start our summer program. This year's theme is Growing with God. We have lots of exciting things in store! Our Pre-K friends are helping make their mark on our new addition! More coming soon...for now enjoy these cuties!

Look at that concentration

Painting is serious business.

What is it going to be look like?

The finished product!

And one just for fun:)