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“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” — Dr. Seuss
Early literacy: 10 views to Contemplate
What we know about early literacy is expanding; new research, new reports, new standards, new public policies, all leading to more information on what works in supporting children's early literacy development. Contemplating new information helps refresh our teaching as well as provides current knowledge and focused direction for our work. In building effective early literacy programming, consider the 10 early literacy views presented below.
Are you aware that Better Kid Care provides comprehensive curricula in early childhood development?
The Better Kid Care curricula 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 Distance Education: Learning to Read Before 6???
Young children learn about reading and writing from a very young age. Teaching children to read in a developmentally appropriate way means that we teach each child differently depending on his or her own stage of development. This lesson enables childcare providers to identify developmentally appropriate practices in teaching young children to read. It will show ways in which the childcare provider can create a language-rich environment in their program. View Learning to Read Before 6??? here.
More Early Literacy Lessons:
To order any Distance Education lesson call 800-452-9108 or visit us on the web at www.betterkidcare.psu.edu
Research Collections: Early Literacy
Early Literacy: Policy and Practice in the Preschool Years
As early childhood education moves front and center in the public policy debate, more attention is being paid to early literacy. Early literacy plays a key role in enabling the kind of early learning experiences that research shows are linked with academic achievement, reduced grade retention, higher graduation rates and enhanced productivity in adult life. This policy brief synthesizes the body of professional knowledge about early literacy and offers research-based recommendations. http://nieer.org/docs/?DocID=143
Early Beginnings: Early Literacy Knowledge and Instruction
This booklet is intended as a guide to help early childhood administrators, supervisors, and professional development staff provide teachers with the support and training needed to increase their knowledge base and refine current literacy practice. View the booklet here.
Brain Based Suggestions for Teaching Reading
Scientists’ understanding of how our brains enable us to read has advanced significantly in the past two decades. In Reading in the Brain: The Science and Evolution of a Human Invention, French neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene points out that although caution is necessary when applying the science of reading in the classroom, certain elements of how we learn to read are firm. The Dana Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that supports brain research through grants and educates the public about the successes and potential of brain research. Visit http://www.dana.org/printerfriendly.aspx?id=24206.
InspirationsComplimentary Resources to Inspire You!
New! Enjoy resources for your work with young children, including Tips, Lunch & Snacks, and Activities that will inspire many new ideas. Download for free the following resources:
Tips
Lunch & Snacks
Activities
Turn the PageInteresting Graphic Designs and Clever Stories
The following books have interesting graphics and captivating illustrations that invite the reader to turn the page!
Charley Harper ABCs, by Charley Harper, published by AMMO Books, ISBN 1934429074. Although this book is often described as a classic alphabet book, the colorful, interesting wildlife illustrations of Charley Harper, American illustrator, also make it a work of art!
Little One, by Ann Rand, published by Chronicle Books, ISBN 0811850048. Originally published in 1961, this picture book was illustrated and designed by Paul Rand, one of the most influential graphic designers of the twentieth century. The text by Ann Rand is filled with witty wordplay and not only tells the charming story of Little 1 and his quest for a friend, but makes learning numbers and simple addition extremely fun.
I Know a Lot of Things, by Ann Rand, published by Chronicle Books, ISBN 0811866157. I Know a Lot of Things is a celebration of all the new and intriguing knowledge children delight in possessing. Written from the straightforwardness of a child's perspective, with plain-but-powerful text, and illustrated with graphic designer Paul Rand's colorful, lively artwork.
Bruno Munari’s ABC by Bruno Muanri, published by Chronicle Books, ISBN 0811854639. In this creative and whimsical story of ABC, acclaimed artist, designer and children's author, Bruno Munari shows how fun letters can be.
Counting with Wayne Thiebaud by Susan Goldman Rubin, published by Chronicle Books, ISBN 0811857204. Counting to 10 has never been so sweet! Interesting paintings, etching and drawings by Wayne Thiebaud make this much more than a first book of numbers.
All Kinds of Families by Mary Ann Hoberman, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, ISBN 0316146331. With lots of rhyme and great graphics, Mary Ann Hoberman shows readers that families, large and small, are all around us. From celery stalks to bottle caps, buttons, and rings, the objects we group together form families, just like the ones we are a part of.
Spoon by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, published by Hyperion Book CH, ISBN 1523106857 Meet Spoon. He's always been a happy little utensil. But lately, he feels like life as a spoon just isn't cutting it. He thinks Fork, Knife, and The Chopsticks all have it so much better than him. But do they? And what do they think about Spoon? A book for all ages, Spoon serves as a gentle reminder to celebrate what makes us each special.
More great Graphics and stories:
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.
Keep your Child from Choking
By Nancy Wilson,
Early Childhood Program Specialist
Babies and toddlers put things in their mouths. This is normal. It’s a fact of life, but it does put them in danger of choking on something. Choking is preventable, but parents need to be vigilant to prevent it from happening. Children can choke on many things, including foods, toys with small pieces, balloons, and many other small objects found around the house and in other places. Parents need to be aware and do all they can to prevent it from happening. It’s up to parents and other adults to keep infants and young children away from things that are not safe. Read more here.
School Age childcare National AfterSchool Association: Code of Ethics
According to Judy Nee, former NAA (National AfterSchool Association) President and CEO, "a professional code of ethics enhances a sense of community among members of a profession and of belonging to a group with common values and a common mission. NAA is such a community and we are thrilled to have taken one more step toward building the identity and maturity of the afterschool profession."
A professional code of ethics is set of standards, rules, guidelines, and values that govern and guide ethical behavior of a profession's members, interactions among its members, and interactions between its members and the public.
A professional Code of Ethics:
The purpose of the NAA Code of Ethics is to raise awareness of our personal commitment to ethical conduct as we carry out our professional responsibilities, conforming to accepted professional standards of conduct. The NAA Code of Ethics adheres to the highest standards of integrity and honesty in all public and personal activities to inspire public confidence and trust in the afterschool profession. Download the Code of Ethics.
Get CDA Help from Better Kid Care:
From the Council for Professional Recognition
CDA Council Online Bookstore – The Council for Professional Recognition (CDA Council) offers a variety of materials related to the education of Child Development Associates and the improvement of early childhood programs at their on-line bookstore. Some of the materials are essential for all CDA Candidates participating in the credentialing process (See the CDA Assessment Materials section of the Bookstore). Other publications focus specifically on information to help Candidates prepare for their assessments and to help students in early childhood education classes gain knowledge about their role as teachers of young children (See the CDA Training Materials section of the Bookstore). View this and further resources, as well as ordering information on the Council’s online bookstore at http://www.cdacouncil.org/shop/index.html
Visit the CDA Council for Professional Recognition online at www.cdacouncil.org.
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
May 6 – NAEYC Updates - Developmentally Appropriate Practices working with Infants and Toddlers, Days Inn, Clearfield, PA, 6-8 pm. Register on-line at www.pakeys.org, or contact Amber Ruch at aruch@pennaeyc.org or 717-599-0026.
May 7 – NAEYC Updates - Developmentally Appropriate Practices working with Preschool Children, United Way, Erie, PA, 1-3 pm. Register on-line at www.pakeys.org, or contact Amber Ruch at aruch@pennaeyc.org or 717-599-0026.
May 8 – NAEYC Updates - Developmentally Appropriate Practices working with Preschool Children, Days Inn, Clearfield, PA, 10-12 am. Register on-line at www.pakeys.org, or contact Amber Ruch at aruch@pennaeyc.org or 717-599-0026.
May 4-7 – Children, Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR) Conference 2010, San Francisco, sponsored by 4-H National Headquarters, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), visit http://www.certain.com/system/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x8671618c74
May 6-8 – Reflective Teaching: Learning with Young Children, Annapolis, MD, contact info@ecetrainers.com or 717-378-4676
May 7 – The Joy of Learning: Supporting all young children’s learning from toddlerhood through preschool, The Children’s League Center, Columbus, OH, contact 614.253-6933 or email suzannes@childhoodleague.org
May 14-15 – Pittsburgh AEYC, Creativity: Where the Future Begins, Pittsburgh, PA www.pghaeyc.org , http://www.earlyarts.net/conference.html
May 21 – NAEYC Updates and Helping Your Staff Understand Developmentally Appropriate Practice, CAECTI, Harrisburg, PA, 12:30 - 3:30 pm. Register on-line at www.pakeys.org, or contact Amber Ruch at aruch@pennaeyc.org or 717-599-0026.
May 21 – Toddler Communication (Part 2 of 3), Penn State Extension, State College, PA, contact 814-355-4897
May 24-25Higher Education Diversity Institute, State College, PA, http://www.pakeys.org/pages/get.aspx?page=EarlyLearning_Diversity
June 4 – Shake Rattle, and Roll (Part 3 of 3), Penn State Extension, State College, PA, contact 814-355-4897
June 5 – 2010 Spring Early Literacy Conference Creativity: Building Block to Early Literacy, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Homestead, PA, contact Barbara Stolarz at 412-361-8560 or visit the Beginning with Books website. http://www.beginningwithbooks.org/
June 6 – NAEYC National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development, Phoenix, AZ, http://www.naeyc.org/institute/
June 14 – 2010 Wisconsin Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Conference, Geneva, Wisconsin, http://www.wiimh.org/education/conference_2010.htm
June 29-July 1 – RIISA Balanced Leadership Summer Institute, Rutgers University, http://www.gse.rutgers.edu/riisa/site/projectinfo/genTopicsDetail~CGUID~%7BB8BEA6FB-877F-454C-B2EC-8568F378AF7B%7D.asp
July 11-14 – Second Annual National Principals Conference for Elementary School Principals, Columbus, OH, 617-354-3820
July 11-16 – PA Governor’s Institute for Early Childhood Educators, Huntingdon, PA, http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/early_childhood/8705/front_page_announcements_main_page/522276
July 12-15 – Infant Massage, international trainers of Infant Massage USA, Penn Stater Conference Center, located at University Park, State College, visit http://ceup.psu.edu/infantmassage
June 21-25 – Summer Institute for Educators, WQLN, Erie http://www.wqln.org/main/Education/default.aspx
July 25-30 – PA Governor’s Institute for Early Childhood Educators, La Plume, PA, http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/early_childhood/8705/front_page_announcements_main_page/522276
October 13-15 – Early Childhood Education Summit, State College, PA, http://www.earlychildhoodsummit.org/
October 17-20 – Connecting Children with Nature Action Forum, Nebraska City, Nebraska, visit http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wf2010_nature/index.php
October 29-31 – The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) annual conference, contact, wendymmilne@aol.com.
Nov. 18-20 – Big Tent Conference (Better Developmental Outcomes for our Youth), Houston, Texas, http://www.bigtentconference.com/
December 9-11 – Zero to Three National Training Institute, Phoenix, Arizona, http://www.zttnticonference.org/
The Early Education Initiative seeks to promote a high-quality and continuous system of early care and education for all children, birth to age 8. Much of the focus is on pre-K and up through 3rd grade. Their work is made possible through generous grants from the Foundation for Child Development, the W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation, and the Strategic Knowledge Fund, co-funded by the Foundation for Child Development and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Sign up for Early Ed Watch's bi-weekly email newsletter and other newsletters from the Education Policy Program.
The ABC’s of Teaching Reading – If reading came naturally, teaching reading would be a much easier job. Reading must be taught. For many children, reading must be taught explicitly and systematically, one small step at a time. Find resources to support teaching early literacy at Reading Rockets, http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching
ParentFurther is here to help you raise caring, healthy, responsible, successful kids. Their easy-to-use, comprehensive resource seeks to build a unique community that provides access to support and practical, everyday steps to help with a wide range of parenting issues. Behind their advice and approach are research-based information and tools that have been put to the test in the real world. The cornerstone of their approach is Search Institute’s Developmental Assets: 40 common sense, positive qualities and experiences that help influence the choices kids make. Visit http://www.parentfurther.com/
Parent Portal – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched Parent Portal, an encyclopedic website with links to information from all areas of CDC. Here you will find a wealth of information from across all of CDC, covering everything from safety at home and the community to immunization schedules and developmental milestones. Let the CDC Parent Portal help you keep your child healthy and safe! Visit the portal on the CDC site: www.cdc.gov/parents
Dig it! The Secrets of Soil – Discover the amazing world of soils with images and information from the Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. While the physical exhibition is now closed, the exhibition content will be available on this web site indefinitely and new web content will be added over the coming months including a new soil blog. Visit http://forces.si.edu/soils/index.html.
Great American Backyard Campout June 26 – Create lasting memories under the stars! Join the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout on June 26th! Make sure to register online for camping tips, recipes, songs and more!
We Love Birds – The Natural Resources Defense Council has partnered with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to bring a new site to the bird community. Welovebirds.org will provide a space for bird enthusiasts to meet each other, interact, and share. Become a member of WeLoveBirds.org and invite your friends and followers to join as well.
When Families Grieve – When Families Grieve will launch with the premiere of a one hour primetime television special on PBS featuring Katie Couric and the Sesame Street Muppets. The special, produced by Sesame Workshop, in association with Worldwide Pants Incorporated and Lookalike Productions, presents families’ personal stories about coping with the death of a parent, as well as strategies that have helped these families move forward. When Families Grieve is available to order for free at www.sesamestreet.org/grief and through Military OneSource either by phone 1-800-342-9647 or website.
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month – Adults who care for children and staff with allergies and asthma can be prepared to help. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient group in the world. Find out more at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America at http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=10&sub=99&cont=457
Renovating, repairing or painting your home, center, or school? – Federal legislation to be enacted in April 2010 requires childcare centers that contain lead or were built before 1978, and are planning to renovate, repair or paint, be educated by their contractor about the risks involved in undertaking such a task. A new pamphlet, Renovate Right, Important Lead Hazards for Families, childcare Providers and Schools, can answer your questions about how to choose the right contractor and how to best prepare for the project. Click here to download this pamphlet (3.3MB PDF).
Grants, Funding, & Opportunity
Ready-to-Learn Television Program is designed to facilitate student academic achievement by supporting the development and distribution of educational video programming for preschool and elementary school children and their parents and develop and disseminate educational outreach materials and programs that are designed to promote school readiness, are interactive, and use multiple innovative technologies and digital media platforms. Information is online at http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2010-1/032210b.html
Hidden thoughts of LD Art Competition – Join the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) in sharing "Hidden Thoughts of LD" for our 2010 annual art competition. Help NCLD in showcasing artwork that tells what life is like for those with learning disabilities (LD). They are looking for works of art, photography and poetry that express what life is like for individuals with Learning disabilities (LD). If you or someone you know has been affected by LD, please help us in promoting our art competition! Visit http://www.ncld.org/events/hidden-thoughts-of-ld-art-competition-2010
Attorney General's Children Exposed to Violence Demonstration Program – On March 31, 2010, the Department of Justice announced more than $5 million in available funds to address the high incidence of American children’s exposure to violence. The Department has made these funds available through six grant solicitations targeting planning, outreach, research, and best practices. This announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to provide leadership and federal assistance to reduce the incidence and impact of children’s exposure to violence across the country. For more information go to http://www.ojp.gov/funding/solicitations.htm.
The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services has recently published a discretionary research funding announcement titled childcare Research Partnership Grants. Applications are due June 4, 2010. Applicants may apply for project periods up to three years and will be awarded up to $400,000 for each year of funding. If you have questions regarding this announcement, please email the OPRE childcare research grant review team at CCRP2010@icfi.com or call 1-877-301-6977. The full announcement is available online at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-OPRE-YE-0003
CVS Caremark Charitable Trust was established with a goal of creating a positive impact on populations of people in the communities where CVS stores are located. The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust focuses primarily on supporting nonprofits that are making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities. Grants are also provided to organizations focused on providing health care to uninsured seniors, adults, youth, and children. The Trust’s funding priorities and an online application are available at the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust website. http://info.cvscaremark.com/community/our-impact/charitable-trust/how-apply
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and libraries that offer literacy programs in communities served by Dollar General in 35 states. Back to School Literacy Grants will support school libraries and media centers in meeting some of the financial difficulties they face in implementing literacy programs. Youth Literacy Grants support schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations that work to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s website contains funding guidelines for each of the programs. http://www.dollargeneral.com/dgliteracy/Pages/landing.aspx
The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation – The mission of The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation is to build strong and vibrant communities, improve the quality of life, and make a positive impact in locations served by the bank. Grants will be awarded to nonprofits in bank communities served by the bank as well as selected national organizations. The Foundation’s areas of interest include education, community development, health and human services, arts and culture, the environment, and civic affairs. Requests may be submitted throughout the year. Visit the bank’s website http://tinyurl.com/WFFoundation to take the required eligibility quiz and submit an online application.
The 2010 Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award recognizes and supports youth gardening programs focused on teaching about our environment, nutrition and hunger issues in the United States. During 2010, 30 organizations will receive a $500 gift certificate. Click here for more details. http://www.kidsgardening.org/grants/healthysprouts.asp
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.
Feature article – Early Literacy: 10 Views to Contemplate
This article was developed by Christine Belinda, Early Learning Specialist, for the Penn State Better Kid Care Program.
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