Splash Child Enrichment Centre Newsletter 2025

WOLVES

Outdoor Exploration in the Winter Sun

The warmer weather invited us to head outdoors and take advantage of the snow for hands-on learning and exploration. We brought along shovels, snow saws, upcycled dried-out markers, and buckets to support open-ended play.

The children eagerly used the buckets to collect and build with snow, experimenting with different ways to pack, lift, and overturn it. One child noticed that when a bucket of snow was tipped over, water gathered at the bottom and appeared a darker grey. This observation sparked curiosity and thoughtful discussion about melting, colour changes, and how snow transforms as it warms. Engaging in these discoveries nurtured scientific thinking and strengthened their abilities to observe, question, and draw conclusions from the world around them.

Some children explored painting directly onto the snow with the dried-out markers, delighting in how colours appeared differently on a cold, textured surface. This activity encouraged creativity, fine motor coordination, and sensory exploration, allowing the children to experiment with artistic expression in a novel environment.

The children were also challenged to search for the biggest ice block they could find. After proudly discovering a large piece, one child exclaimed that it was the “biggest snow pizza,” bringing laughter and imaginative thinking into the experience. Through these activities, children developed language skills as they described their discoveries, worked cooperatively to solve problems, and practiced critical thinking in playful, natural ways.

Lunar New Year Celebrations

On February 17th, our CC School Age group joyfully celebrated Lunar New Year with a day full of creativity, culture, and delicious food. The children crafted beautiful lanterns and dancing dragon puppets using a variety of materials, bringing their ideas to life with ingenuity and care. These creative tasks not only honed fine motor skills but also encouraged patience, persistence, and the satisfaction of completing a project.

As part of the celebration, the children sampled traditional foods, including soup with rice and chives, and later enjoyed homemade dumplings. Tasting and discussing these foods gave them a tangible connection to cultural traditions, expanding their awareness and understanding of different communities and ways of life. Through these experiences, the children learned to respect diversity, share experiences, and communicate their thoughts and feelings in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Celebrating I Love to Read Month

February has been a month full of stories, imagination, and a shared love of reading at our CC School Age Centre. We were fortunate to welcome special guests who generously shared their time and passion for books with our children. Adrian, our Knowledge Keeper, joined both the Nursery/Kindergarten and school-age groups to read meaningful stories and connect through storytelling. Trevor from our local WPS Foot Patrol also visited during lunchtime to read with our school-age children, offering an opportunity to engage with community helpers in a warm, relaxed setting.

The children gathered eagerly to listen, ask questions, and participate in discussions about the stories, strengthening their listening skills, comprehension, and vocabulary. Through these experiences, they were able to make connections between the stories and their own lives, sparking imagination and empathy. Sharing the joy of reading also reinforced the importance of literacy as a lifelong source of pleasure and learning, building confidence and a sense of belonging within the school community.

Celebrating Festival du Voyageur

We celebrated Festival du Voyageur by introducing children to festive treats such as Beaver Tails, which were sweet and delicious,

and Tourtière tarts, a savory meat pie. Our favorite treat was the toffee made from pure maple syrup on fresh snow – a truly special experience!

The children also enjoyed fiddle music and had the chance to try jigging, a traditional dance, and finger knitting to create their own festive sashes. Through these activities, children explored cultural traditions while developing a range of skills. Finger knitting supported fine motor development and hand-eye coordination, while jigging encouraged gross motor skills, rhythm, and movement. Experiencing traditional foods and music enhanced cultural awareness, and sharing treats and participating in group activities promoted cooperation, communication, and social interaction. Overall, the festival provided a fun and meaningful way for children to engage, learn, and celebrate together.

Looking Ahead to Nutrition Month

March marks the start of Nutrition Month, and we are excited to continue exploring new recipes with our Kitchen Ninjas! Cooking provides an immersive, multi-sensory learning experience, engaging children in smelling, touching, tasting, and observing the transformation of ingredients. Preparing healthy foods allows them to gain a deeper understanding of nutrition and how different ingredients interact, fostering problem-solving and practical life skills.

Our “eat the rainbow” challenge encourages children to explore a variety of colourful fruits, vegetables, and new spices, promoting curiosity, creativity, and an appreciation for healthy eating habits. Working together in the kitchen nurtures teamwork, responsibility, and self-confidence, as children take pride in creating meals they can enjoy and share. Beyond nutrition, these activities also strengthen fine motor skills, decision-making, and independence, showing children how their actions and choices can directly impact their health and wellbeing.