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Notable Quote
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
— Dr. Seuss
Feature Article
Program Transitions Part 1: The Summertime Blues … first “Good-bye”
By Roxie Nestlerode, Early Learning Specialist
Summer into fall is a time of many transitions. It is a time of good-byes and hellos; moving in, moving up, and moving on; packing up and setting up. It can be hard to keep up with who’s coming and who’s going – you may even feel that you don’t know if you are coming or going! As you enter this time of transitions, it’s important to prepare the children and yourself for changes. Celebrating children and staff who are leaving helps to bring closure and gives everyone the chance to prepare for upcoming changes. Welcoming new children and staff into your program starts the process of building new relationships and creating a sense of community.
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Distance
Education Highlights
Are you aware that Penn State Better Kid Care provides comprehensive curricula in early childhood development? The curriculum follows the Pennsylvania 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 meet your professional development needs. Two types of lessons are offered: on demand web lessons and lessons by mail. You can view the comprehensive list of professional development web lessons and lessons by mail. To access the entire Penn State Better Kid Care Distance Education curriculum on line, visit us at www.betterkidcare.psu.edu and choose your course of study today!
For more professional development lessons, view Penn State Better Kid Care’s comprehensive list of on-demand web lessons and lessons by mail.
New On Demand Lessons Coming in August:
Creating the Bond: Attachment – This lesson focuses on the importance of attachments and what early childhood caregivers can do to help children develop secure attachments. (1 hour)
Understand and Help Stressed Children – This lesson explores stress in children and how to help them deal with stress. Topics include stressful situations in child care homes an tips of involving parents. (1 hour) Available as on-demand web lesson. To complete this lesson on your computer and receive credit and a certificate, you will need to register.
Research Collections:
Quality
in Early Care and Education Programs
Impact of child care quality for children
A recent survey, On
the
Home Front (PEW Center on the States) of military
family members with young children showed that access to child
care is a major concern in their everyday life -- even more so
than health care -- and that when choosing a provider, quality
of the staff and facilities is their highest priority. This
emphasis is wise, given new research on the importance of
child care quality for children who come from more stressful
home environments.
In the study Double
Jeopardy (Child Development) of
more than 700 children from across the country, researchers
examined how differences in the quality of both home
environments and child care settings affect social-emotional
development during the early years. The researchers found that
children from a healthy home environment demonstrated slightly
better social-emotional outcomes after experiencing
higher-quality child care than after low-quality care.
However, among children who came from less supportive homes,
high-quality child care was found to provide a substantial
boost. These children had fewer behavioral problems than peers
who suffered the "double jeopardy" of coming from a poor home
environment and experiencing low-quality care.
In the report Early
Experiences
Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development (Harvard University Center on the Developing
Child Working Paper Series), new scientific research shows that
environmental influences can actually affect whether and how
genes are expressed. Thus, the old ideas that genes are “set
in stone” or that they alone determine development have been
disproven. In fact, scientists have discovered that early
experiences can determine how genes are turned on and off and
even whether some are expressed at all. Therefore, the
experiences children have early in life—and the environments
in which they have them—shape their developing brain
architecture and strongly affect whether they grow up to be
healthy, productive members of society. This report from the
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child summarizes
in clear language why this growing scientific evidence
supports the need for society to re-examine the way it thinks
about the circumstances and experiences to which young
children are exposed.
Inspirations
How does your garden grow?
Whether you have outdoor space to
plant a garden or are land-locked, the children can “grow” a
flower garden, adding brightness and a touch of summer to your
environment! Paint, sculpt, print, cut, glue, draw … paper,
dough, coffee filters, foil, tissues, pipe stems, paper tubes
… there are endless ideas for creating inside flower patches!
Put out a variety of materials and see what the children will
do!
Turn
the Page
Moving On
The Berenstain Bears’ Moving Day by Stan Berenstain, published by Random House. ISBN: 0394848381
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, published by Tanglewood Press. ISBN: 1933718005
Lions Leaving: Counting from 10 – 1 by Amanda Doering Tourville, published by Magic Wagon. ISBN: 1602702640
My New School by Kirsten Hall, published by Children’s Press. ISBN: 0516255053
Saying Good-bye, Saying Hello…When Your Family Is Moving by Michaelene Mundy, published by One Caring Place. ISBN: 0870293931
Starting School by Allan Ahlberg, published by Puffin. ISBN: 9780140508437
We Are Best Friends by Aliki, published by Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 068807037X
We’re Moving (First Time Stories) by Heather Maisner, published by Kingfisher. ISBN: 0753457393
Family Time / Work Time
Changes
Beginning July 2011, Family Time/Work Time will no longer be published. Over the past 14 years, Nancy Wilson, Early Childhood Specialist, has written an extensive collection of articles covering a wide variety of topics for families. She has created a diverse databank of helpful articles for practitioners to share with families. Although there will not be any new issues this year, past issues are archived. You are welcome to continue to print and share past publications with families and other child care providers.
View archived Family Time/Work Time articles for great ideas to share with parents.
Caring I.D.E.A.S. for Children from Military-Connected Families:
Information,
Developmental understanding,
Educational resources,
Action ideas, and
Supportive practices
Caring for children from military-connected families requires a comprehensive understanding of their unique needs and strengths. Each month, Caring I.D.E.A.S for Children from Military-Connected Families features research-based information to support and increase the quality of caring for children from military-connected families. This month’s highlight is on …taking a positive view of stress.
Stress: Seeing with Optimism
Developed by Christine Belinda, Early Learning Specialist
“The way we think about stress and what we choose to do about it can affect the impact of a stressful event.” -American Academy of PediatricsWhat if we were to consider looking at stress through a different lens, finding empowerment as opposed to worry? What if we were to try to look at stress with optimism?
Read the full article in the newest Great Ideas Resource Page Stress: Seeing with Optimism.
More for You:
Visit the CYTTAP website to find out even more information as well as access helpful resources.
School Age childcare
Social and Emotional Learning
School-Family Partnership Strategies to Enhance Children’s Social, Emotional, and Academic Growth Schools and families have essential roles to play in promoting children’s positive development and academic performance. When educators and parents work together as partners, they create important opportunities for children to develop social, emotional, and academic competencies. This brief from the National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, Education Development Center, Inc., provides educators with strategies to promote children’s social, emotional, and academic development using school-family partnerships.
More School Age Resources –
Military Youth on the Move - Resources and information for elementary school children who are moving.
Smart Hearts: Social and Emotional Learning – This video, from Edutopia.org, presents an overview of programs being used in schools to teach and assess social and emotional skills to help children develop emotional intelligence.
Better Kid Care On Demand Web Lesson
Building Relationships with Children and Youth Who Challenge Us – Some children are more difficult to work with that others. This lesson will help you to take an honest look at children and your feelings about them. Explore what professionals can do to build positive relationships with all children – even the ones who challenge us.
To complete this lesson on your computer and receive credit and a certificate, you will need to register.
School-Age Resources available from Better Kid Care
CDA Notions
CDA + Better Kid Care = Success!
CDA Information from Better Kid Care - Updates
Better Kid Care has many resources to help you as you work through the CDA process. Our CDA resources have been updated to reflect the recent revisions made by the CDA Council and the addition of our new on-demand web lesson system.
Penn State Better Kid Care and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs are teaming up to bring you "Go Green for Kids," a monthly tip to help you provide a healthier and safer environment for the children in your care. IPM works to promote healthy alternatives for pest management to lower children’s exposure to both pests and pesticides through a variety of educational programs. Resources for children, teachers, and parents are available on the IPM website. This month's focus is on… stink bugs. Phew!
Contributed by Amber Brunskill, PA IPM Program, abrunskill@psu.edu, 814-865-7994
What's that smell? The
stinkbugs are back!
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an insect native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan that was accidently introduced into Pennsylvania in the late nineties. It is becoming an important agricultural pest in Pennsylvania, but it’s also a nuisance to building occupants. The “stink” in stinkbug refers to the insect’s scent glands that release a foul odor as a defense and when they are squashed. Although they are present throughout the spring, summer, and fall, it’s in the early fall when they begin to come into buildings looking for a warm, protected place to overwinter. They may also be seen in large numbers on the side of a building in the warm sun. Stinkbugs are not known to cause harm to humans and don’t reproduce or cause damage while inside a building. However, it can be distressing to have large number of them flying around inside, not to mention a bit smelly if they are squashed. The best way to deal with stinkbugs is to prevent them from coming into the building in the first place. Practice integrated pest management (IPM) when dealing with stinkbugs.
Prevention: Inspect the building
Management: If stink bugs enter the building
For more information about IPM and steps you can take to prevent pests, check out the attached IPM brochure and visit the website of the Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program (www.paipm.org). You can now follow us on Facebook and Twitter too.
Professional Development Highlights
The following information highlights upcoming professional development opportunities available for early childhood practitioners:
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. Go to PAKEYS.ORG and Log in, Click on Calendar, Search the Calendar, and Contact the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality office with any questions at 800-284-6031.
Oct. 17-18 – School’s Out Washington - 9th Annual Bridge from School to Afterschool and Back Conference: Connect. Act. Transform., Seattle, WA. Bridge Conference 2011 conference information
Nov. 2-5 – 2011 NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo, Orlando, FL. (Registration open July 1, 2011) NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo conference information
Nov. 6-8 – Parents as Teachers 2011 Conference – Early Childhood’s Role in the Education Continuum, St. Louis, MO. Parents as Teachers 2011 Conference registration information
November 11-12, 2011 – 14th Annual Penn SACCA Conference, Harrisburg, PA.
Nov. 17-19 – DEC2011: The 2th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Special Needs & Their Families, National Harbor, MD. DEC2011 conference information
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 – Save the Date! 2011 Early Childhood Education Summit: Keeping Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Programs Strong!, State College, PA. http://earlychildhoodsummit.org/
Dec. 9-11 – Save the Date! 26th Annual National Training Institute: Zero to Three Conference, Washington, DC. Zero to Three Conference conference information
Dec. 9-13 – Save the Date! 28th Annual Head Start Parent Conference, New Orleans, LA. (Registration open July 1, 2011) Head Start Parent Conference conference information
March 28 – 31 (2012) – ACEI 2012 – Annual International Conference: Global Summit on Childhood, Washington, DC. ACEI 2012 Annual Conference information
March 30 – April 2 (2012) – 9th Annual National Training Institute on Effective Practices/Supporting Young Children’s Social and Emotional Development: Addressing Challenging Behavior, Clearwater, FL. Addressing Challenging Behavior National Training Institute registration information (Registration is limited)
April 2-4 - Save the Date! 2012 NAA Annual Convention, Dallas, TX. 2012 NAA Convention information
Great Resources
By topic: Early Education, Families, Nature, Health and Well Being, Grants, Funding, and Opportunity
The dog days of late summer is a great time for cool learning with water activities! The Investigator Club has teaching resources for inquiry-based learning. Check out the Investigations activities for Wet and Wonderful Water.
Videos: Emotional Intelligence
Webcast recording of Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child, presented by Dr. John Gottman from the Talaris Institute and Parenting Counts.org
An interview with David Brooks about his book The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement from the Charlie Rose Show.
National
Public
Lands Day: Helping Hand for America’s Lands - September
24,
2011
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Last year, 170,000 volunteers worked at over 2,080 sites in every state, the District of Columbia and in many U.S. territories. The activities performed on NPLD can also help keep you and your family fit and active. Consider taking the President’s NPLD Challenge.
This year, NPLD also is supporting the Let’s Move Outside Initiative. Let’s Move Outside was created to get kids and families to take advantage of America’s great outdoors. Kids need at least 60 minutes daily of active and vigorous play, and outdoor play is an easy and fun way to meet this goal.
MyPlate – The United States Department of Agriculture has some new materials for introducing MyPlate to children and family. Here are two of the print materials that could be used by child care programs.
Grants, Funding, & Opportunity
Early Childhood Reading
We Give Books (http://www.wegivebooks.org/) - A new digital initiative that provides access to award-winning children’s picture books for reading to young children online. The program was created by the Penguin Group and Pearson Foundation.
Reading Resource Project Free books for preK-2 literacy programs. Programs pay for shipping. Deadline: Rolling
Verizon Foundation – Grants for education and literacy programs. Grant applications available here: http://www.verizonfoundation.org/ Deadline: Rolling
Field Trip Grants
Target Community Outreach – Educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, and classified staff of these institutions must be willing to plan and execute a field trip that will provide a demonstrable learning experience for students. Must have a curriculum component. Award: Grants are up to $700. Grant applications are available here. (Applications available August 1) Deadline: September 30.
Gardening
People’s Garden Grant Program - The People's Garden Grant Program (PPGP) is designed to facilitate the creation of produce, recreation, and/or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas, which will provide opportunities for science-based informal education. This program is a joint initiative supported by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Food and Nutrition Service, Forest Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, in addition to NIFA. Successful applicants will provide micro-subgrant support to smaller local projects. Award: Up to $150,000. Deadline: August 26.
Green Thumb Challenge - The Green Thumb Challenge from the Green Education Foundation (GEF) aims to connect children with nature and the healthy benefits of gardening. GEF provides schools and youth groups with beginner-friendly resources to plant gardens of any size, in addition to fun activities and standards-based lessons linking the classroom to the garden. Sign up to participate and start planting! Award: All participants have the opportunity to be awarded a $5,000 grant in recognition of their garden project. Deadline: September 30.
Feature article references:
Bowlby, John. Attachment, 2nd edition. New York, NY: Basic Books, 1983.
Erikson, Erik. Childhood and Society. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co., Inc., 1986.
Maslow, Abraham. Motivation and Personality, 3rd edition. New York, NY: Addison-Wesley, 1987.
Gallagher, Kathleen Cranley and Kelley Mayer. “Enhancing Development and Learning through Teacher-Child Relationships.” Young Children 63, no. 6, (Nov. 2008): 80-87. DC pp- 80 -87. Nov.
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Reflections…
Let's hear from you! Email your ideas to Roxie or call (814) 867-4687.
Disclaimer: Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Cooperative Extension is implied.
