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NAEYC Radio: Did you know?
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NAEYC Radio - Did you know the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Body, Mind and Child have partnered to bring you NAEYC Radio? Rae Pica and Mark Ginsberg host the program which focuses on a different topic each month. Body, Mind and Child was developed by early childhood professionals to bring the best and latest insights and knowledge directly to parents. Listen to NAEYC Radio at http://www.naeyc.org/about/radio/ On NAEYC Radio this month: Mimi Brodsky Chenfeld, Encouraging Creativity in Children http://www.naeyc.org/about/radio/Send us your best tips! Email Christine at crb16@psu.edu or contact the Better Kid Care Program at 814-865-7894 or 800-452-9108. |
The change of seasons is like a tap on the shoulder from nature as if to say, "Remember me?” It is with good reason we are reminded of nature. The number of hours children spend outside has decreased significantly. A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the average American child spends 44 hours per week (more than 6 hours a day) experiencing electronic screen time ...
References found at the end of the article
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Research-Based Early Childhood Information |
Crisis in the Kindergarten: Why Children Need to Play in School, a report from the Alliance for Childhood - The importance of play to young children’s healthy development and learning has been documented beyond question by research. Yet play is rapidly disappearing form kindergarten and early education as a whole. This report is meant to bring broad public attention to the crisis in our kindergartens and to spur collective action to reverse the damage now being done. View the report at http://www.allianceforchildhood.org/sites/allianceforchildhood.org/files/file/Kindergarten_8-page_summary.pdf
States Expand Newborn Screening for Life-Threatening Disorders - Regardless of where they are born in the United States, nearly all newborns now receive mandated screening for many life-threatening disorders, a remarkable public health advance of the last four years, according to a new report issued by the March of Dimes. Find more information at http://www.marchofdimes.com/aboutus/22684_51920.asp
Connecting Neurons, Concepts, and People: Brain Development and Its Implications - This paper from The National Institute for Early Education Research provides a synthesis of the research on early neurobiological development and suggests various policy recommendations. While the study of human brain development is still in its infancy, several new technologies are allowing for more direct examination of brain functioning than older approaches. This policy brief summarizes what is known about early neurobiological development. http://nieer.org/resources/policybriefs/17.pdf
Distance Education Highlights
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Are you aware that Better Kid Care provides comprehensive curricula in early childhood development? The Better Kid Care curriculum follows the PA Core Body of Knowledge and offers multiple course titles to choose from. Each course offers numerous Distance Education lessons, providing a well-rounded approach to obtaining your professional development. View the entire Better Kid Care Distance Education curriculum on line and choose your course of study today! Register for a lesson or try an entire course!
WE CARE! |
The Family Child Care Course
The Family Child Care course includes the following three 1-hour lessons. Try the entire course or simply choose your favorite lesson!
Getting the Word Out: Marketing Your Family Child Care -Explore how to market your home child care business, whether you are just starting out or have been caring for children for a while. Discover why marketing is an important part of your business and how to present yourself to families and the community as a professional child care provider.
Running Your Child Care Home as a Business - Look at the personal and business benefits of operating a family child care home. Examine what this career choice means for you and your family.
Professional Development Records (PDR) – A Valuable Tool for Child Care Providers - Research shows that well trained, skilled child care providers offer the best care for children. The Professional Development Record (PDR) lists what child care providers need to know and what skills they should have to offer quality care. In this lesson, you will explore how to use a PDR, where to get a PDR, and how the PDR will support your work and professional development.For more information please call 800-452-9108
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Autism Speaks, in partnership with the Ad Council and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, launched an educational tool kit, Talking to Parents about Autism, designed to promote early intervention and encourage educators to speak to a child's parents if they suspect a developmental delay. This is the first program to provide teachers with tools to prepare to begin this critical dialogue. The new kit includes a Talking to Parents about Autism training DVD that features information and advice about how educators can best broach the topic of a potential developmental delay. Also included in the tool kit is an Early Childhood Milestone Map, which can be printed and distributed to parents so that they can more easily track their child's progress against the typical, age-specific developmental milestones. Research has shown that early detection and intervention can make a significant difference in the life of a child with autism. Educators, who interact with and observe children on a daily basis, are in the ideal position to know if a child's development seems delayed. The entire kit, available in both English and Spanish, is available at http://www.autismspeaks.org. |
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Roxaboxen, by Alice McLerran and Barbara Clooney, published by HarperTrophy, ISBN 0060526335, celebrates how children and their imaginations to make fanciful things become magically real and make them last forever. Those Summers, by Aliki, published by HarperCollins, ISBN 0060249374. Aliki offers vivid memories of childhood summers spent at the ocean with her cousins, parents, aunts, and uncles. The family engages in activities that are common to any beach outing: building sand castles, swimming, and drawing pictures in the sand. A Log’s Life, by Wendy Pfeffer, published by Aladdin, ISBN 1416934839, introduces readers to the life cycle of a tree. The informative, lyrical text is complemented by stunning, three-dimensional paper sculptures that showcase the forest ecosystem, inspiring readers to take a close look at the trees -- and logs -- in their own backyards. More to read: |
Are you looking for articles to share with your families? Do you need information for your parent/family bulletin board?
Family Time / Work Time shares easy-to-read articles for busy parents and caretakers with a focus on Building Strong Families.
You are welcome to print and share these publications with your friends, family, and other child care providers.
How to Help Your Child When Bad Things Happen Happy times and sad times are a part of life. Parents naturally want to protect their children from bad things that happen, but that is not always possible. Children do need to learn how to deal with times when sad or bad things occur. Read more in this month's issue of Family Time/Work Time. |
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Mark your calendar now! |
May 14, 2009
Sparking Kids' Curiosity
K2C2 topic code 11 / CDA Competency 2 /
PA Early Learning Standards Key Learning Area: Approaches to Learning
What's so great about curiosity? Explore how to help kids to grow curiosity. Uncover clever materials to spark children's creative thinking and learning.
About participating . . . Each workshop lasts two hours, including satellite broadcast time, discussion, and group activities. If you live in Pennsylvania, contact your local extension educator for information to attend a workshop in your area. Outside Pennsylvania view Out-of-State Information link.
Each satellite broadcast can also be viewed online as either a Live Satellite Broadcast or choose Past Satellite Broadcast video links.
Visit the Satellite Workshop link for more information. Missed a show? Visit the Past Satellite Workshop page to view video online. If you live in Pennsylvania, contact your local extension educator for information to attend a workshop in your area. Outside Pennsylvania view Out-of-State Information link.
Want to share your ideas from past satellite sessions or ideas for future satellite sessions? Contact Better Kid Care by emailing us at betterkidcare@psu.edu or by phoning 800-452-9108 to share your comments
Need CDA help? Visit Better Kid Care’s CDA Information link and get answers to your CDA questions! Call Christine at 800-452-9108 or email your CDA questions to Christine at crb16@psu.edu.
CDA: Becoming a CDA Advisor – A CDA Advisor is a professional in early childhood education whose role is to observe the CDA candidate and complete the CDA Assessment Observation Instrument. Individuals interested in becoming a CDA Advisor must meet the eligibility requirements outlined by the Council http://www.cdacouncil.org/CDA_ADV.htm, have an approved waiver, or complete a Waiver Request Form. Interested persons may request the Advisor Registry Consent Form from the Council at the address given below or may download the Advisor Registry General Information Packet. Completed forms should be accompanied with a copy of a current resume and submitted to:
Council for Professional Recognition
Attention: Advisor Registry
2460 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-3575
Advisors are encouraged to view and practice recording observations and ratings using the "How to Use the New CDA Observation Instrument" DVD, which highlights key points to assist the Advisor in completing the Observation Instrument. This video also includes six observation practice segments. The DVD is available on a two-week loan basis and may be copied before returning it to the Council. To request the DVD, email your name and mailing address to tamiekaw@cdacouncil.org or telephone 800-424-4310 or 202-265-9090 and ask for the Office Operations Department.
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Professional Development Highlights |
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
In Pennsylvania:
Other:
Workshops for Kindergarten Teachers across the Commonwealth - The Office of Child Development and Early Learning is excited to announce a full-day professional development opportunity for kindergarten practitioners for 2009.
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Announcements of Interest |
EARLY EDUCATION
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Visit the Better Kid Care Web Site for Additional Resources
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