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Discoveries for those caring for children…
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Alert: Crib Recall from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). More info here.
“Parents and families are not just the people the children go home to after the end of the day or session; they are the mainstay of the children’s lives.” ” —Janet Gonzalez-Mena & Anne Stonehouse, Making Links
Children's Learning: The Gift of Shared Responsibility As providers, each of us plays an important role in planning for children's success - but we are not alone. Children learn from multiple experiences and in a variety of settings, not just in our programs. These learning experiences will continue and change across a child's lifetime, bringing multiple people and programs into the child's world. A child’s learning and care becomes a shared responsibility.
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 at www.betterkidcare.psu.edu and choose your course of study today!
Featured Course: Getting to Know Your Families
All parents are alike in one way — they all want the best for their children. Working with children means learning to work in partnership with their parents. The more you know about each family, the better you can work together to meet the needs of their growing baby. This unit will help you learn more about how parents of babies think and feel. You’ll learn some common problems that come up between parents and childcare providers, and what a family provider can do to make a good relationship with parents.
Getting to Know Families with Toddlers (K5C1) CDA 4
The parents of the toddlers in your care are at a challenging time in their lives. Changes in their toddler’s behavior bring new challenges practically every day, especially if this is a first child. The more you understand about parent development, cultural differences, and your role as a caregiver, the better job you can do in building a true partnership with parents. You’ll learn some common problems that come up between parents and childcare providers, and what a family provider can do to make a good relationship with parents.
Getting to Know Families with Preschoolers (K5C1) CDA 4
Getting to know parents takes effort on your part, but if you begin by using active listening skills and asking many questions, you will learn a great deal about the child and family. This unit is about how to work together with families to best meet the needs of the preschool children in your care. Learn how to communicate well with adults and build strong relationships with the families of the children in your care.
For information call 800-452-9108.
Family Engagement: A Shared Responsibility
Harvard Family Research Project’s M. Elena Lopez, Heidi Rosenberg, and Helen Westmoreland discuss how families, schools, and communities can create a shared responsibility for children’s learning and academic success. The three dimensions of this approach include creating opportunities for family engagement, building co-constructed roles that outline families’ and schools’ responsibilities, and learning about effective ways to engage families in children’s learning. Read more here.
How Do Families Matter? Understanding How Families Strengthen Their Children’s Educational Achievement
In this annual report the Foundation for Child Development, the FCD’s PreK-3 Initiative poses how to better understand families, especially low-income ones, can strengthen the education achievement of their children. What aspects of parent engagement matter for outcomes? Read the report here.
InspirationsTranslucent Sparkle
Materials: Self Stick paper, sparkly materials, interesting cut papers, windows allowing light through
Explorations: Cut contact paper into desired shapes (discuss with children desired shapes). To help plan size, think about where you will display, such as a window. Talk about qualities such as transparent, translucent, opaque, shiny, and sparkly. Embellish self stick paper with shiny and translucent materials. Beautiful!
Children
A Chair for My Mother, by Vera Williams, published by Greenwillow Books, ISBN 0688040748
The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant, published by Aladdin, ISBN 0689717385
Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti, by Anna Grossnickle Hines, published by Sandpiper, ISBN 0899197949
Families, by Ann Morris, published by HarperCollins, ISBN 0688171982
Adults
Beyond the Bake Sale: The Essential Guide to Family/School Partnerships, by Anne T. Henderson, published by New Press, ISBN 1565848888
The Essential Conversation: What Parents and Teachers Can Learn from Each Other, by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, published by Ballantine Books, ISBN 0345475801
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 childcare providers.
Family Times
By Nancy Wilson,
Early Childhood Program Specialist
Times spent with your family are important times. These family times provide security for your child and give you an opportunity to teach your values. You can also teach your child how to communicate well with others. This will help your child get along well with others in life.
Click on the image to read or download the entire article. Spanish version
NEW! Essential Elements: A Youth Development Curriculum Just For You!
Essential Elements 4-H Youth Development Programs: Key Ingredients for Program Success
Essential Elements is a nationally approved curriculum and professional development program developed by a team of youth development experts as part of the 4-H National Learning Priorities Initiative. It is designed to help youth development professionals understand the importance of positive development by presenting the 4-H Essential Elements as central to helping young people become competent, contributing adults.
The Essential Elements curriculum provides a wealth of resources to 1) engage youth development professionals (e.g., 4-H agents/educators) in building the capacity of volunteers, and 2) perpetuate the Essential Elements in programs.
4-H intentionally designs successful youth development programs and services around eight specific ingredients called essential elements, which are vital to the positive development of youth. The Essential Elements training curriculum provides an understanding of each of these eight essential elements and how to incorporate them in on-going youth development programs.
The Essential Elements training curriculum consists of 10 modules. Each module can be taught as a stand-alone session of one hour or combined together for a 10-12 hour course. Each session of the Essential Elements training includes a description of key concepts, best practices, resources, and activities that were tested successfully among youth development professionals. A facilitator can use this training not only with 4-H volunteers, but with a host of others working in youth-serving organizations.
Professionals and volunteers who participate in 4-H Essential Elements training will gain greater understanding of the developmental theories that ground positive youth development and the effective strategies that enrich the youth settings (e.g., clubs, special interest groups, camps, school enrichment programs and afterschool groups, etc.) with elements that foster positive youth development.
Review the Essential Elements Fact Sheet.
Download Essential Elements Curriculum for FREE! Downloaded entire curriculum or individual modules here.
Are you CDA Renewal Ready?
CDA Credentials are valid for three years from the date of the initial award, or five years from the date of renewal. Purchase a Renewal Packet from the Council for Professional Recognition http://www.cdacouncil.org/CDA_renew.htm . The Packet includes a Procedures booklet, application form, recommendation form, and waiver request form.
All CDA Renewal Candidates must meet the following criteria:
3 Steps to CDA Help from Better Kid Care:
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
December 4-6 - Zero to Three’s National Training Institute, Dallas, Texas, http://www.zttnticonference.org/registration.aspx
December 4- PennAEYC: NAEYC Updates and Helping Your Staff Understand Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Carlisle, www.pakeys.org
December 5 – Let’s Explore, WQLN, Erie, PA, contact 814-217-6001 or email kcarducci@wqln.org
December 11 - Sign Language for Beginners (part 1 of 2) , Penn State Extension, http://centre.extension.psu.edu/second.asp?county=Centre&table=Children
December 11 - PennAEYC: NAEYC Updates and Helping Your Staff Understand Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Lancaster, www.pakeys.org
December 12 – What Do You Do With the Mad You Feel? WQLN, Erie, PA contact 814-217-6001 or email
kcarducci@wqln.org
January 9 – Teaching Across the Curriculum with Your Favorite Authors, WQLN, Erie, PA contact 814-217-6001 or email kcarducci@wqln.org
January 15 - Families in Society, Penn State Extension, http://centre.extension.psu.edu/second.asp?county=Centre&table=Children
January 23 – Early Years are Learning Years Conference, Penn State Extension, 814-355-4897
January 23 – Learning Discipline, WQLN, Erie, PA contact 814-217-6001 or email kcarducci@wqln.org
February 19 - Language-based Approaches to Teaching Children with Autism, Fogelsville, PA, http://www.cscinc.org/events/events_detail.php?id=12
March 19-21 – 3 Day Institute with Margie Carter and Deb Curtis, Chester, Ohio, http://daytonayc.org/ThreeDayInstitiute.aspx
April 10 - Central Susquehanna AEYC Conference, Williamsport, shmondanipour@stepcorp.org
PA Keys to Quality - Professional Development Training Calendar
Are you looking for training specifically in your area? Visit the PA Keys to Quality web site to locate and search the professional development training calendar.
Locate the PA Key Training Calendar in 4 easy steps:
Early Education
Resources on Autism Spectrum Disorders - The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders has posted a number of resources for the public on their Web site, including: (1) Evidence-Based Practices for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders; (2) Autism Internet Modules; and (3) Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders Online Course content. To learn more, go here.
Nature Explore provides a wealth of information about design consultations, workshops, and components for creating and enhancing nature-rich outdoor classrooms. You'll find resources for families, information on years of research, and outreach opportunities through groups such as the World Forum Foundation’s Nature Action Collaborative for Children. Visit the new Nature Explore Web site .
Families
ZERO TO THREE -Want the heads up when new parenting materials are available on the Zero to Three Web site? Here you’ll find science-based information and tools designed to help parents and caregivers nurture their young children’s development.
Healthy Homes is a downloadable, reproducible resource designed to promote healthy lifestyles for young children and their families from the Head Start Body Start, the National Center for Physical Development and Outdoor Play. Each month Healthy Homes includes a fun movement activity, nutrition message, and healthy recipe. View the PDF here.
Nature
Backyard Conservation shows you how conservation practices that help conserve and improve natural resources on agricultural land across the country can be adapted for use around your home. These practices help the environment and can make your yard more attractive and enjoyable. Most backyard conservation practices are easy to use. America's farmers and ranchers have been using these practices successfully for decades. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/
Butterflies in Space - This month, Painted Lady butterflies will fly aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station. The butterflies will spend several months in space as part of an exciting experiment to observe their life cycles and behaviors in microgravity. Classes are invited to participate by registering for updates about the mission. Teachers can download a free Teacher's Guide and engage students in concurrent activities with their own butterflies. Photos and videos will be transmitted back to Earth and made available online. Learn more here.
Health and Well Being
Crib Recall– The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, today announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo.
CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side. Click here for detailed information. Or, contact the Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772.
Yoga for Kids! - Many kids learn best through movement and play, which makes them ideal students of yoga. Find out how downward dog and sun salutations can help your child balance both body and mind.
Flu Help from the Government– The federal government has a web site offering Guidance on Helping childcare and Early Childhood Programs Respond to Influenza during the 2009-2010 Influenza Season.
Grants and Funding
In partnership with Scholastic, Welch’s will support school garden programs through Welch’s Harvest Grants. You can get involved by encouraging your child’s teacher to apply for a Welch’s Harvest Grant by visiting scholastic.com/harvest. Winning schools will receive a customized indoor or outdoor garden package filled with a variety of tools, seeds, educational materials, and more.
Expanding Breakfast Grants are available to schools participating in the National School Breakfast Program. The grants will help schools implement their wellness policies through the establishment of an alternative breakfast service method designed to increase breakfast participation. Child nutrition directors from schools participating in the National School Breakfast program are eligible to apply. http://www.dairymax.org/expanding_grants.aspx
New subscribers can join by clicking this link: http://eepurl.com/dRhWg..
View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters here.
Reflections…
Let's hear from you! Email your ideas to crb16@psu.edu or call 814-865-7894.
Disclaimer: Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.
