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Welcome to this month's issue of the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter - A newsletter for those caring for children.
Notable Quote: "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." -- Pablo Picasso
In response to recent events, the Disaster Resource page is available for information to assist children and providers affected by Hurricane Katrina.
The following tip is from the American Library Association - It's not too late!
Library Card Sign-up Month -- September
"The Smartest Card. Get it. Use it. @ your library®"
September is Library Card Sign-up Month - a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all.This year, Library Card Sign-up Month is being celebrated with Public Library Association's (PLA) advocacy campaign. To learn more about "The Smartest Card" campaign, visit the PLA Web site .
Where do you find the best ideas on caring for children? From child care providers, of course! Do you have a great tip or good thing? Send us your best tips in writing and your tip may end up in our newsletter! If your tip is chosen for the newsletter, you will receive a little something from the Better Kid Care Program. Mail tips with your return address, place of work, and the number and ages of those you care for to:
Better Kid Care Program
c/o Christine Belinda
Tips from Child Care Providers
253 Easterly Parkway
State College, PA 16801
E-mail to: crb16@psu.edu
by Christine Belinda
Painting in early education and care is a part of its natural landscape. We can visualize the easel filled with an array of vivid colors just waiting to be explored. What does painting with young children really offer? On the surface we see a picture, but we know there is more. As early educators, we need to know the value of painting with young children.
Caregivers may plan a painting experience to fill part of the schedule, but what most providers discover is that painting becomes much more than just a simple activity. The blank paper, beautiful colors, and interesting tools to paint with become an invitation to discovery for both adult and child.
Painting is a way for children to do many important things: convey ideas, express emotion, use their senses, explore color, explore outcomes, and create aesthetically pleasing works and experiences. Children form connections and ideas of how the process of painting works for them, as well as what it means or what they may enjoy about it.
Observing and listening to children while painting give adults insights into their thoughts, developmental abilities, and interests. We may begin to understand the way a child perceives an idea or discover an interest or individual need.
Watch a child painting and you will see a fully engaged and focused child. By observing, we can almost see children's thoughts, such as, “When I push the brush flat, my line gets fatter,” or “My color is changing. When I mix red with more red and orange, I get fire color!” Through experimentation, children are encouraged to think, consider, and explore.
The soothing process of painting is often what is interesting to young children. The pleasant feeling of painting over and over, possibly even using two brushes or their fingers, is what is important. Providers need to encourage the experience where it interests the child. The child may not even get the paint on paper, but enjoy stirring or mixing. The adult may be interested in the outcome, but the child is usually interested in the process. As children develop, they become more focused on creating representations and conveying ideas.
It is important to match the painting experience to the development and interest of the child. Young children need large pieces of paper (to have full range of motion) and larger brushes (for easier control). Consider offering smaller quantities of paint so children can manage, have fewer spills, and can mix color without ruining a large container of paint.
Painting areas should support children's physical abilities. Easels should be at correct height or sturdy platforms added to support height. Move chairs from table to allow children to stand and paint if they wish. Teach children how to prepare to paint independently (clip paper to easel, choose brushes, place on drying rack or drying space, clean up, etc.) or give them the opportunity to ask to paint and request materials.
Color is important to both young and older children. Offer primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) as well as white and black. Offering these shades allows children to mix and discover new shades. Offer extra containers to mix in, such as yogurt cups, recycled plastic pudding cups, or plastic water bottles with the tops cut off. Allowing a clear view supports the color mixing process.
Depending on motor development, many different materials can be used to paint with and to paint on. Listen to the children's ideas and interests. Adults and children alike can be inspired by artists (famous or not!), books, museums, environments, and nature. It is important for adults to become familiar with tools used in painting, such as different papers, brushes, and the variety of paints safe for young children. Good resources include craft stores, art museums, art books, local artists, resource catalogues, art teachers, and your own creative ideas!
Responding to and encouraging children's work is important, but takes careful thought and reflection. Adults need to take time to observe and to see if the invitation is open.
A good way to reflect on a child's painting is to describe what you see. “I see blue lines and large orange patches” or “You have been painting a long time!” Pause and wait for reaction from the child. The child may want to share more information or just want to return to her painting. Interrupting may interfere with the child's painting process.
When children are ready to share, think of supportive, thought-provoking questions. “I see you used red and green. Are you going to use any other colors?” or “This part of your paper is filled with pink and white spots and green wavy lines. Would you like to tell me about it?” Ask about color, space, lines, shapes, organization and placement (your circles are beside the blue lines), tools and process (how did you make this squiggle?).
Adults can also ask what children would like to do with the painting. Should we display it, send it home, or possibly even mail it to Grandma? As providers, we are constantly learning ways to be respectful and support children's ideas.
Painting is a fantastic opportunity to involve interactions with others. Offer invitations for group experiences. Place two easels side by side or large mural-type paper on a table with the invitation, “Who would like to paint together?” “Would you like to ask a friend to paint with you?” or “There's room for a few children to share and work together on this painting.” Remember to gently guide the process by encouraging the children to talk about their ideas and asking one another if they are in agreement. If they don't agree, ask what they can do. This is a great way to encourage problem solving.
Connecting with families is always important. Many parents do not have a background in early education and often appreciate the information and valuable ideas providers have. Share why painting is valuable at different levels of development and how your program encourages and supports this. Share your information in newsletters, family bulletin boards, “display panels,” or in conversations.
Most early educators agree that the value of painting with young children is one of great importance (and fun!). Painting is an experience that should be consistently offered and easily accessible. And remember, there is more to the picture than just the painting!
Enjoy the following highlights from one of the many Better Kid Care Distance Education Lessons. Participate in Distance Education training in the convenience of your home.
Better Kid Care Distance Education Program awards:
Good communication between parents and child care providers is important. Start by introducing yourself to families who have shown an interest in your child care program. Have a packet of information ready to share with interested new families. Tell them what you think is important for children and how you do things on a daily basis. This lets parents know right away what to expect. The ten minutes that you take to discuss your policies with parents at the time they are considering enrolling their child can prevent many problems later on.
Once a child comes to child care, begin good daily communication with the parents. When a parent comes to pick up a child, the first thing each parent wants to know is how the child's day was. Take time to look for the children's accomplishments, large and small, every day. Honest, positive things to say are easy to find if you take time to enjoy the children's growth. Sharing your genuine love and concern for the child with the parent makes the two of you real partners, working together to help the child grow and develop.
If you are interested in learning more about the secrets to good communication with parents, what you should do when you have problems that you need to discuss, and what needs to take place at a meeting with parents, the Distance Education lesson, How to Get Through to Parents will help you be prepared to build those important communication bonds with families. Click on the link to read this lesson in its entirety
To view a complete listing of all distance education lessons and additional information and resources, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
Stuttering can be normal for preschoolers. The Stuttering Foundation provides free online resources, services and support to those who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering. Visit The Stuttering Foundation of America Web site or contact by telephone: (800) 992-9392 or email: stutter@stutteringhelp.org
The Penn State Better Kid Care Program has developed a new and exciting season of interesting, helpful satellite topics for 2005-2006. Join with many other caregivers in experiencing live satellite training workshops, offered through the Penn State Better Kid Care Program, in Pennsylvania and across the United States . To participate in these workshops, visit the Satellite Workshop link.
Reading aloud with children is a wonderful activity. Children of all ages love to be read to. Support the love of reading for children in your care by trying the following books:
The Dot, by Peter Reynolds, ISBN 0763619612, published by Candlewick Press. Join this story of a path from doubt to success. A child learns that making one mark (a dot) can lead to many more paths (even when he thinks he cannot draw at all!). An inspirational story for all!
Matthew's Dream, by Leo Lionni, ISBN 067987318X, published by Dragonfly. Matthew (a mouse) attends a trip to an art museum and is lucky enough to discover his passion and dream in life--to be an artist!
The Art Lesson, by Tomie De Paola, ISBN 0699115724, published by Putman Juvenille. Read a somewhat autobiographical story of a young “Tomie” who anticipates art class in school, only to be left feeling confused and frustrated about the art teacher's techniques. Discover Tomie's love of art, family, and how his dilemma is solved.
Dreaming Pictures: Adventures in Art, by Paul Klee, ISBN 3791318756, published by Prestel Publishing. Explore, through bright colors and interesting children's descriptions, the work of Paul Klee - dreaming pictures. A pleasure for all ages.
Contact your local children's library or your local Penn State Cooperative Extension office to find out about more books on making friends and child care. Reading with children creates lifelong readers. Enjoy your time reading with children!
Do you have questions about caring for other people's children, such as:
Call the Better Kid Care Mentoring Line at 800-859-8340 or e-mail your questions to betterkidcare@psu.edu for information about child care and children's issues.
The New Staff Orientation curriculum is now available to child care centers in Pennsylvania. This curriculum is specifically designed for new staff members in child care centers. Included are a thirty-page workbook and thirty units on seven videotapes. The easy-to-understand information is reinforced with activities and assignments. Units are designed to be used during naptime or other small blocks of time as staff/child ratios permit. Meets the Keystone STARS Performance Standards.
Meets the Keystone STARS Core Series Training Requirements - This three part series shows how to establish, run and maintain a successful child care business and presents important information about understanding and supporting the developmental needs of each child.
- Part 1 - Family Child Care...It's a Business
- Part 2 - Understanding and Supporting
Children's Physical and Cognitive Development- Part 3 - Understanding and Supporting
Children's Language and Social/Emotional Development
Receive the videos and workbooks in the mail. Complete the entire series and return assignments to the Better Kid Care office for review to earn six Department of Public Welfare training hours.
To order: 1-800-452-9108 or betterkidcare@psu.edu
Do you provide care for children in your home? The kit, which is free for Pennsylvania residents, includes booklets with activities, child care ideas, information about distance education training, a children's development chart, and much more. Complete our on-line registration form or call 800-452-9108 to order.
The University of Maine has a new resource for child care providers, titled Growing Ideas Tipsheets. Be sure to check out this quick reference tip sheets on many relevant topics related to early childhood care and education.
PA Pathways Professional Development for Child Caregivers has information, training, and educational opportunities for child care providers across Pennsylvania. Visit PA Pathways or call toll-free 800-492-5107.
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View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters
Look for information on the Dance of Kindness - promoting goodwill in your program.
We would love to hear from you! We want the Better Kid Care E-Newsletter to be informative, useful, and inspiring to you! Please contact the Better Kid Care Program with your ideas. Is there something you want to see more or less of? What information is most important to you? What topics are you interested in? How is the newsletter helpful to you? E-mail your ideas to crb16@psu.edu or call 814-865-7894.