Splash Child Enrichment Centre Newsletter 2025

Buffalo Plain

Holiday Luncheon

Splash EC hosted another successful holiday luncheon this year. We were honoured to welcome several guests who serve our community and centre with meaningful purpose and great respect, including representatives from Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre (WinGardner Place), North End Initiatives, and Councillor Ross Eadie.

As a gesture of appreciation, the children and educators worked together to create handmade gifts for our guests. One of these projects was hand-rose bouquets. The children painted both of their hands using two different primary colours—red, blue, or yellow—then gently rubbed their hands together before placing them onto paper. Through this hands-on experience, the children explored primary colours and discovered how mixing them creates secondary colours. Their autonomy was encouraged as they independently rubbed their hands together and made their own prints. Educators later assembled the handprints into beautiful rose bouquets, creating a meaningful and heartfelt gift.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious homemade meal prepared by Sharon and Janel, including perogies, stuffing, ham, chicken, cider, buttered corn, carrots, cranberry sauce, and homemade chocolate cupcakes. The food was enjoyed by our guests, while educators had the opportunity to sit, eat, and engage in meaningful conversations with the children. Splash EC looks forward to another successful and joyful holiday luncheon next year.

Winter Outdoor Play

With the snow finally here, the Buffalo group has begun enjoying the many winter activities the season offers. At the park, children are reminded to be mindful of slippery structures and encouraged to participate only in activities that feel comfortable for them. Sledding in the courtyard, building snowmen at the park, digging in the snow, and making snow angels have been some of their favourite winter experiences.

Educators have also been encouraging the children to practice putting on their snow gear independently and asking for help when needed. The children have made wonderful progress, and we are hopeful that many of them will be dressing independently by the end of winter.

As temperatures dropped in early December, we also brought winter indoors. Snow sensory bins allowed children to explore snow without mittens, offering a full sensory experience. One favourite activity involved using pipettes filled with coloured water to drip onto the snow, observing how the colours spread and blend, turning the bin into a vibrant rainbow while strengthening fine motor skills.

Building Self-Help Skills

We continue to focus on building strong self-help skills that support independence and confidence. Families can support this journey by encouraging children to walk to and from the car, carry their own backpacks, put their lunches away, remove outdoor boots, and change into indoor shoes.

As winter progresses, educators will assist with ski pants and winter boots when needed, while still encouraging each child to try first. Starting zippers and allowing the children to pull them up independently is a wonderful way to build both confidence and fine motor strength. With patience, encouragement, and praise, these everyday routines help children feel capable and proud of themselves.

Compassion Among Children

We continue to witness many moments of kindness and compassion among the Buffalo children each day. They are learning to recognize the feelings of others and respond with care, offering help, sharing toys, using kind words, and checking in on friends who may feel sad or frustrated.

Educators model empathy and guide children through social situations by encouraging turn-taking, gentle communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Through group discussions, storytelling, and daily interactions, the children are developing a deeper understanding of respect, patience, and inclusion. These experiences support strong social-emotional development and help create a caring classroom community where every child feels valued.

Making Holiday Decorations

As the holiday season approaches, the children have been engaged in creating festive decorations. Activities included making popsicle-stick snowflakes, painting cardboard stars, candy canes, and Holiday trees, and designing colourful light bulbs. These projects allowed children to engage in holiday cheer while strengthening fine motor skills such as hand–eye coordination, cutting, and pincer grasp.

The activities also encouraged creativity and self-expression, allowing each child to showcase their personal preferences and imagination. The primary goal was for children to feel proud of their work, and they were eager to share their creations with peers, educators, family, and friends. Each piece of artwork is displayed throughout the classroom, inviting everyone to celebrate and appreciate the children’s incredible efforts.