Welcome. Nature and Nurture is a Preschool Age Class offered in collaboration with the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District. On our website, you can find this week's lesson plans, this month's snack menu, upcoming events, our policies, and more. Please have a look around.







Saturday, September 29, 2012

Oat Fruit "Cookies"

I call these cookies for lack of a better word. They are not muffins or bars but they are considerably more nutritious than your average cookie.

You could easily substitute vegan shortening and 1 Tbsp flaxseed mixed with 3 Tbsp water for the egg if you wanted to make these vegan. Some vegans do not consume honey but other liquid sugars such as agave nectar could be used in place of the honey.

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 c flaxseed
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups oats
1 apple, cored and chopped
1/2 c raisins

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, honey, egg* and vanilla until smooth. Combine the whole wheat flour, 1/4 c flaxseed, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats, apple and raisins. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

*If you are using flaxseed as an egg substitute, mix 1 Tbsp flaxseed with 3 Tbsp water in a small bowl and let sit for two minutes before adding it to the other ingredients. 

Friday, September 28, 2012

Baby Bumble Bee

I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee
won't my mommy be so proud of me
I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee
ouch, it stung me!

I'm squashing up my baby bumble bee
won't my mommy be so proud of me
I'm squashing up my baby bumble bee
yuck, all over me!

I'm wiping off my baby bumble bee
won't my mommy be so proud of me
I'm wiping off my baby bumble bee
look, all done!

Lesson Plans 10/1/12 - 10/5/12

Songs: Baby Bumble Bee
           ABCs
Sensory: Cotton Balls

Monday 10/1
Book  Curious George's First Day of School
Circle Graph Making: What colors are you wearing?
Art     Liquid Watercolor Butterflies

Wednesday 10/3
Book First Day Jitters
Circle Science Experiment: Germs
Art     Bag Painting

Friday 10/5
Book Someone Says
Circle Simon Says
Art     Tempera Paint with Brushes

We will begin introducing some ASL signs. Both songs this week will use sign language and we will learn the signs for "more" and "all done"

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Lesson Plans 9/24/12 - 9/28/12

Songs: Old MacDonald Had a Farm
           Rocking Fishies
Sensory: Ice

Monday 9/24
Book  Curious George Plants a Tree
Circle Taste Testing Pasta Salad Ingredients
Art     Scratch Art
Other Planting Flowers in our Garden

Wednesday 9/26
Book The Little Pea
Circle Freeze Dancing
Art Painting on Plates
Other Science - Sink or Float

Friday 9/28
Book Food for Thought
Circle Patterns
Art Marble Painting