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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: “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” ~ Albert Einstein
Enjoy the following tip from home child care early educator Melinda Dutrow of Centre Hall , PA.
Communicating with Parents
I have a child enrolled in my home child care whose parents have recently divorced and now share visitation and custody, thus drop-off and pick-up of the child. While I have an excellent rapport with both mom and dad and sympathize with their situation, I've found communication to be a bit tough (missing or lost items, missed events, not up-to-date information, etc.).
To remedy this situation, I began communicating in written form. I write about our day: entertaining and/or specific comments the child makes, kind things they did, concerns, observations, special activities, etc. The information is placed in a three-ring binder (plastic page covers are a good idea) and given to whichever parent picks up the child at day's end. Parents take the binder home and are responsible for reading the information, commenting, signing the sheet, and returning the binder the next morning. This seems to work well and has become a saving grace for me (I know what I told to whom, thus allowing for no interpretations or cases of pointing the finger).
This idea has become such a success that I now do this for all children enrolled in my home child care. I also include children's drawings, writings, and photographs showing their work and interactions. Each binder has a see-through front and back cover, and children are encouraged to color or draw pages for insertion to make their binder personal.
I've found that even the kids are used to the routine of taking the binder home and bringing it back so the initiation of this idea has not only helped with communication but has also encouraged the starting phases of responsibility in the toddler years and reinforced responsibility in the preschool and school-aged years.
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
Isabel took the marker lid off and started to make careful, intricate circles. Her work in drawing the circles encompassed a good part of her morning play time. Her head was close to the paper and she held her black felt marker tightly. There was a humming, almost chanting sound coming from Isabel. She was lost in her work.
She had filled her paper with intricate works of circles; circles within circles, circles with wobbly lines attached, and circles of varying shape and size. After some time passed, she seemed to come out of another world. Taking a deep breath, her face popped up from the table, full of smile and awe, as if to say, "Wow! I'm tired! I've just worked so hard and it was fun! I think I might draw circles some more!"
Some adults may think, "That's great!" and leave it at that. But in looking closely at Isabel and her work, we see a few more important concepts. She is enthralled with fine motor activities lately; she draws for long periods of time and has shifted from schematic scribbling to formative shapes and creates drawings that show many forms of representation. She continually is making attempts at using scissors with her favored hand and will also spend large chunks of time, with great effort, attempting cutting.
With a lot of time spent observing, taking notes, and documenting the child's efforts, one can see that Isabel is in a mastering stage of cutting and drawing; a mastering and developing stage of fine motor skills. Young children often spend long periods of time working on skills they are mastering and want to repeat the activity often.
The early childhood professional caring for Isabel has also noticed she is more emotional lately. She has started to cry when Mom or Dad say goodbye, which she never did before. In fact, when the teacher asked Isabel about her circle drawings, she identified all her family (representational drawing) and added that the one that is "Isabel" is crying. "She wants her mommy," she said.
Another connection has been made for the teacher: Isabel is growing and changing in her emotional development. She is more aware of complex feelings and is showing signs of needing support in managing emotion, as well as being comforted. Some researchers believe that when children are mastering new skills (cutting, potty training, reading, etc.) they may become physically tired and drained. This may contribute to Isabel's emotional changes.
To be able to acknowledge effort, we need to be able to see the effort. Children are in a constant state of attempting and exhibiting effort. Not only are they in constant states of "doing their own thing," but they are often processing things we tell them to do!
When we think about how much children have experienced and the vast amount of learning that is occurring, it may put things into perspective. They have been here only one, two, three, or maybe four years! And in that short time, they are constantly developing new abilities and acquiring brain development, which requires great effort. Therefore, they show effort in almost everything they do! It's up to our eagle eyes and keen thoughts to recognize these moments, their importance, and what they mean to the child, as Isabel's teacher did.
Natural progression and development plays a role in effort as well as desires. For example, a baby's physical development will bring forth crawling, but she will want to crawl even more to get to that shiny, sparkly toy that makes sounds.
How do we as early educators look closely so that we may see children's efforts? First, we need to step away from our own thoughts and ideas and carefully look at the child's ideas, thoughts, and efforts. In recognizing the variety of efforts children put forth, ask the following questions:
Dictionaries show acknowledgement to mean: to express recognition of, to admit existence, reality or truth, to recognize as being valid. This is what we need to give children; to see their efforts as something valid and truthful.
How can we meaningfully respond to children's efforts? In acknowledging children's efforts, consider the following:
One of the most valuable forms of acknowledging children's efforts is to offer ample time for their work and play. Be flexible and provide plenty of time for children's efforts, even if you have to adjust the schedule.
Polishing our skills of recognizing children's efforts and acknowledging such efforts will help guide children to discovery and self reflection, as well as contribute to meaningful experiences.
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:
Learn how you can really get to know the children in your care through observing them. Observation can help you solve behavior problems and plan great activities for children.
Each child is one-of-a-kind. While all children go through the same stages in development, each child does so in his or her own unique way. You spend more time with many of these children than their parents do, and you have many opportunities to observe each child at play, during eating and sleeping times, and when parents pick up and drop off. Observing the children carefully during different times of day can give you clues to help you better understand them.
Take some time. When we are caring for children, we run from one thing to another all day long. It's easy to forget that part of our job is to simply observe a child carefully. Experienced caregivers take time to observe each child.
The secret to getting to know each child better is to ask yourself some questions about that child, then carefully observe that child to find the answers. To help you remember what you observe, you can write quick little notes about anything you find interesting. Observing, and recording your observations, gives you a chance to look for patterns in behavior. Discovering these patterns can give you the clues you need to solve problems. When you want to plan successful activities, observe how each child is responding to the activities you plan. It will help you decide which activities are worth doing more of to draw out a child's special strengths.
To learn more, view the complete Distance Education lesson Getting to Know the Kids through Observation.
To view a complete listing of all distance education lessons and additional information and resources, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
Questions or concerns about Distance Education? Contact Patty Wells at plw8@psu.edu or phone (814) 865-9837.
Use the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site to contact your health department about local fish advisories.
The Penn State Better Kid Care Program will post its new satellite season full of exciting and inspiring workshops in early childhood education this July. To view past satellite workshops go to 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: Go"Frog" Wild!
Frogs, by Gail Gibbons, published by Holiday House, ISBN 0823411346. Enjoy discovering the life cycle of frogs and many related factors, such as habitats, feeding habits, and the difference between a frog and a toad.
All About Frogs , by Jim Arnosky, published by Scholastic Reference, ISBN 0590481649. Arnosky shares his talents as writer, illustrator, and naturalist in a book about frogs. Details abound in the many facets of a frog.
Five Green and Speckled Frogs , by Priscilla Burris, published by Cartwheel, ISBN 0439354897. Delight in rhyme as five green and speckled frogs sit on a speckled log, eating some most delicious bugs...yum! Yum! Children count down from five, four, three, two, and one...until all the frogs are in the pool (familiar song).
Hop Jump , by Ellen Stoll Walsh, published by Harcourt, ISBN 0152928715
The Frog Alphabet Book, by Jerry Pallota, published by Charlesbridge Publishing, ISBN 0881064637
Frog and Toad Together, by Arnold Lobel, published by Harpertrophy, ISBN 0064440214
An Extraordinary Egg, by Leo Lionni, published by Dragonfly Books, ISBN 067893857
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!
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.
Enjoy the following from Family Time / Work Time:
By Nancy Wilson
Parents need to spend time with their children to form loving bonds and to teach them many things. Younger children need close supervision and lots of individual attention. As children grow, they become more independent and can do many things for and by themselves, but you still need to supervise your child. You need to know where your child is, what he is doing, and who he is playing with. Set guidelines to keep your child safe...
Click on graphic to read entire publication
Providers in the CDA (Child Development Associate) Program Better Kid Care Distance Education Lessons are now coded in a format to help in planning CDA training (based on the 120 hours of formal education /training needed and the eight content areas). View codes and lesson titles in the Penn State Better Kid Care Distance Education Brochure.
For information regarding Child Development Associate, contact Christine at 814-865-7894 or email: crb16@psu.edu.
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.Click on the New Staff Orientation link for more information and to view the materials online (also available in Spanish).
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
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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.