July 18
Parents and caregivers of young children know that early years matter yet may not be sure how to encourage early learning. Or they may feel they don’t have time to do what it takes to help their child start school ready to succeed.
But it’s the simple things that build a child’s foundation for future success – like making the Saturday grocery trip into a treasure hunt for colors or shapes, or turning bath time into a silly song about body parts. Even dinner can become a learning opportunity, with a toddler building math skills by counting eggs.
Even family outings can be easily turned into learning opportunities. It’s time again for the Porter County Fair, a fun filled event jam packed with “teachable moments”.
Due to a newly formed partnership between the Porter County Fair and United Way of Porter County’s new “Success By 6” initiative Day Care Day at the fair will now last an entire week!
All day care centers are encouraged to consider taking advantage of special days at the Porter County Fair designed for young people that might be under your care. From Monday, July 26th thru Friday, July 30th from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. the Porter County Fair will set aside some time on their carnival midway for the youth of our area to enjoy their own special time on the midway. All members wanting a discount must be part of a daycare program and reservations are required. The cost of the ride wristband for the six hour time slot on the midway has been set at $10.00 (normally $15.00) for young people affiliated with day care centers. The wristbands for the young people can be purchased between the hours of 11:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. when the group arrives at the fair at the main gate carnival ticket office window; a daily guest list of those who have RSVP’d and qualify for group purchases of the discounted wristbands. The Day Care Day wristbands will qualify the young person wearing the wristband for all rides designed for their age group and size and, and this year, qualifies the youngster to receive a free hot dog and cold drink provided by designated carnival concessions compliments of North American Midway Entertainment.
It is hoped that the special week provided as a cooperative venture between the United Way of Porter County’s Success By 6 initiative, North American Midway Entertainment and the Porter County Fair Board will be of interest to day care center staff and young people. At the fair they can enjoy all the free entertainment, or visit the TSC Porter County Barnyard exhibit , 4-H exhibit building and 4-H animal exhibits that are on the grounds. There will be plenty of food and drinks available for purchase for everyone and the new Indiana Furniture Central Picnic Park is available for groups to meet and to have food and drink, if they choose. Picnic meals are acceptable if a group wishes to bring their own.
There will also be a born learning trail that will be set up and open for all children (not just those in day care groups). The born learning trail begins at the United Way tent and goes throughout the fairgrounds. Parents can pick up a map at the Silent Auction area and the Power of Youth volunteers are available to act as guides if necessary. Call 464-3583 to make a reservation for your daycare center’s day at the fair.
