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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: "Play is Mother Nature’s clever way of insuring that young people (and old) become educated of their own accord. It is always a form of experimental inquiry, and the very business and lifeblood of childhood" ~ Neville V. Scarfe (1908-1985)
Safe Bird Feeder
Uncut peanut butter may be difficult for birds to handle/swallow. Birds have no salivary glands. You can make it easier on them by mixing peanut butter with lard, cornmeal, or grit. Your birds will appreciate drinking water too, from a bird bath or trough. Try the following when making peanut butter bird feeders:
Peanut Butter Bird Feeder
1 part peanut butter
1 part lard, grease, or suet (or combination)
1 part plain cornmeal
Bird seed, pinecones
P. S. Many people recommend shutting down bird feeders in the fall, partly because of the large quantities of natural feed available and to encourage birds to migrate. They have been known to stick around too late because of overly available food sources. Contact your local adult and children’s public library for more information.
-- Contributed by Vivian Yonkey, Children's Programming and Outreach Specialist, Lawson McGhee Public Library, Tennessee
Where do you find the best ideas on caring for children? From early educators and practitioners, 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, 253 Easterly Parkway, State College, PA 16801or E-mail crb16@psu.edu
by Christine Belinda
The element of play has been researched and continues to be researched for its immense value in early education and care. Play is essential to young children in learning and making sense of their world. It connects and establishes all areas of development for young children. Play, for children, is the primary basis for understanding. As adults caring for children, how do we shape good play?
Where do we start?
Play comes from imagination of inward ideas being expressed outward. It is the “inward,” therefore, that we must tap into to create magical, enriching play schemes that invite and welcome children to play. With young children this is exciting because their “inward” or real world is very close to their fantasy world.
Look at concepts relative to the child’s real world to develop play ideas: family members, pets, animals, community members (firefighters, police officers, construction workers, athletes), favorite story characters, favorite toys, materials (paint, cars, etc.), and concepts (insects, colors, etc.).
Prepare and research
Magic will happen in play, but it will more likely happen for those who have planned and researched. This doesn't mean planning an elaborate play activity, but rather finding valuable information to support play.
We know the environment is important. Environments themselves will be a guide to play. It is beneficial to prepare environments that spark imagination, creativity, problem solving, and self expression. Provide safe space, both inside and out, with interesting materials for children of differing abilities.
Consider the developmental ability (cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and overall background) of each child. What developmental milestones are they working on? What is hard for them? What is easy? What is their overall temperament?
Theorists in early education have labeled stages and development of play:
| Solitary Play - Child plays alone/independently; one of the earliest stages of play |  |
| Onlooker Play - Child observes (play) around him, may ask questions, but doesn't enter the play |  |
| Parallel Play - Children play side-by-side or even use same materials, but do not interact or collaborate |  |
| Associative Play - Children play togetherloosely in an unorganized way; they may share material but do not make connections or work together |  |
| Cooperative Play - Children work together, collaborating and exchanging ideas and materials |  |
By reviewing development and stages, we can consider the skills children need to actually do the play we are planning. Matching the play to the child’s overall ability is important for successful, joyful play.
Play time tips:
Unlocking our memories of play helps connect us to play with the children. List some of your favorite and most enjoyable play times. Where were they? Why do you think they were successful? Why was it fun? What materials did you use? Did you play alone or with others? What did you learn? Another way to gain perception on play is to actually play! When the children are not there, try sitting down and playing with the materials and see what ideas surface.
Stage the play - Walk through your door into the space where you will be caring for children and see if you can choose at least three areas where play can easily begin. Try staging the area by strategically placing materials to entice play:
May I come in? Our role in the play is important, but it doesn't mean we are constantly “in” the play. Like a mirror, we are to provide reflections that may extend the play, help build the play, connect knowledge, and allow for expression. At times, children may want
our physical presence for reassurance, but really do not want our interaction. Look for cues from the children as to how involved you become.
When play is going well, use this opportunity to observe and record information about the play (and the child) or to subtly add materials to enrich the play. Respecting children’s play, without interrupting and interjecting our thoughts, keeps the play authentic.
Rules to play by:
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This month's highlight features new changes and additions to the Distance Education program
New Look to Our Web Site
In case you haven't noticed, the Better Kid Care site has been redesigned and now has a search feature and additional resources. Be sure to visit and come back often. We are continually adding new lessons and updated information, articles, activities and ideas.
New Changes to the System
As of November 1, 2006 there have been several changes. A new Web-based system for registering and accessing Distance Education lessons began. Better Kid Care also started charging nominal fees for ordering and reviewing distance education professional development. Information about the new fees and links are listed below:
Mail-Based Lessons (2-hour) -- $5.00 each
Price includes educational video, workbook, and coupon for one free review of each lesson ordered.There is a separate $3.00 charge for review of lesson assignments submitted without a free coupon.
Web-based Lessons (2-hour and 1-hour) -- $5.00 each
Price includes online access to educational materials and review of each lesson ordered.If you currently have BKC distance education material, please visit the Distance Education link to download new forms that are now required to submit assignments for review and for updated information on the ordering and review process.
New Staff Orientation curriculum is specifically designed for new staff members in child care centers. Meets the Keystone STARS Performance Standards. Order at no cost by calling 800-452-9108. Prepayment for review of each Orientation is $5.00. If you received materials before November 1, 2006, please download new Instructions and REQUIRED Forms.
Home-Based Caregiver Orientation - Meets the Keystone STARS Core Series Training Requirements. Order at no cost by calling 800-452-9108. Prepayment for review of each Orientation is $5.00. If you received materials before November 1, 2006, please download new Instructions & REQUIRED Forms.
New Distance Education Lessons!
Better Kid Care has developed four new distance education lessons to add to your professional development record. These titles are available as mail-based and web-based lessons. … and only available to order in DVD.
Preview new lessons by selecting title:
How to Work with Active Children - K2C1 CDA 3
Avoid Behavior Problems -- Teach Self-Control - K2C2 CDA3
Parents: Friends or Foes? - K3C1 CDA4
How to Get Parents on Your Team - K3C2 CDA4
Check for Discontinued Lessons: Please be aware that we can no longer issue professional development hours for Discontinued Lessons that are no longer offered through the Better Kid Care Distance Education Program.
Better Kid Care will continue to develop high quality resources to meet your professional development requirements. If you have any questions or experience problems accessing mail- or Web-based registration forms, please contact the Better Kid Care Office at 800-452-9108 or email: betterkidcare@psu.edu.
Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose (sugar) to enter body cells and be used for energy. Nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes. It is the fifth deadliest disease in the U.S. and it has no cure.
Every November, the American Diabetes Association encourages the public to learn more about diabetes and the risks associated with the disease. Visit the American Diabetes Association Web site or call: 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).
Or write:
American Diabetes Association
ATTN: National Call Center
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Turn the Page 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 on play and imagination:
Elizabeti's Doll , by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen, published by Lee & Low Books, ISBN 1584300817. Elizabeti wants a doll so she can be just like her mother, who has a new baby. With a powerful imagination, Elizabeti turns an ordinary rock into a doll named Eva. Discover the celebration of life, love, and imagination in this tender story about a girl from Tanzania.
The Squiggle, by Carole Lexa Schaefer, published by Dragonfly Books, ISBN 0517885794. While on a walk with her teacher, a young girl spies a “squiggle” on the ground. With cleverness and imagination, the young girl twirls, twists, and turns the long red ribbon, which originally was the squiggle, into dragons, thunderclouds, and much more.
Ernst, by Elisa Kleven, published by Tricycle Press, ISBN 1582460531. Ernst is an interesting little crocodile with wonderful “what if” questions, such as “What if the school bus could sing?” A story to jump-start the imagination!
If I Had a Tail , by Karen Clemens Warrick, published by Rising Moon Books, ISBN 087357812. Each page begins with the title “If I Had a Tail” and turns to an identified creature: peacock, horse, lizard, skunk, and more! A story to encourage children to imagine a tail of their own!
More stories sparking imagination:
The Line Up Book, by Marisabina Russo, published by Greenwillow, ISBN 0688062040
Harold and the Purple Crayon , by Crockett Johnson, published by HarperTrophy, ISBN 0064430227Let's Pretend , by Debbie Bailey, published by Annick Press, ISBN 155037558X
Galimoto, by Karen Lynn Williams, published by HarperTrophy, ISBN 0688109918
The Boy Who Wouldn't’t Go to Bed, by Helen Cooper, published by Puffin, ISBN 014057712
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!
Interested in professional development opportunities? Take a look at the following professional development training available for early childhood practitioners:
Did you know? In order to receive Act 48 credits, you need to access the Pennsylvania Department of Education Web site at www.pde.state.pa.us to receive your PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. Bring this number to your professional development workshops and conferences.
For more professional development opportunities, visit the PA Keys online calendar.
Send Us Your Questions - Do you have a question on any of the satellite workshop topics listed below? Send them to us! If your question is chosen to be read and answered during a satellite broadcast, you will receive a gift certificate to Redleaf Press. Submit questions two weeks prior to the satellite broadcast date via e-mail (enter Subject Line: Satellite Question), fax 814-865-7893 or mail directly to Better Kid Care, 253 Easterly Parkway, State College, PA 16801.
December 7, 2006
Obese Kids: They are what they eat
K7C2 - Topic Code 79 / CDA 1
Childhood obesity is a national problem. What children eat is critical to their health. It doesn't matter if you care for children in a center or a home, every adult who works with young children needs to be aware of what children are eating. This workshop will have lots of ideas to get children to eat healthy snacks and lunches and tips to share with parents.
The Penn State Better Kid Care Program has developed a new and exciting season of interesting, helpful satellite topics for the 2006-2007. Join with other early childhood practitioners in experiencing satellite workshops, offered in Pennsylvania and across the United States. To participate in these workshops, visit the Satellite Workshop link
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: December 2004
Play is Fun and So Much More!
By Nancy Wilson
When children play, they have fun, but there is so much more going on. Children learn to think, use their imaginations, try out ideas, practice grown-up behavior, and learn self-control while playing.
Click on graphic to read entire publication
Providers in the Child Development Associate (CDA) Program
Better Kid Care can help you obtain your CDA -- Although Better Kid Care does not offer a CDA program at this time, we offer professional development training accepted by the Council for Professional Recognition to meet the 120 hours of formal early childhood education required to obtain a CDA credential. These one- and two-hour distance education lessons are coded and categorized for CDA. To view a complete listing, please visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
Apply Soon -- CDA Infant/Toddler Scholarship Applications available through Northampton Community College, deadline November 22, 2006. This Web-based program begins January 16, 2007. Download CDA Infant/Toddler Scholarship application or contact Adurey Shuey, ashuey@pattan.net
For information regarding Child Development Associate, visit our CDA page or 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.
Better Kid Care Kit - Need ideas in your work caring for children? When you enroll in the Better Kid Care Program and sign up for the Better Kid Care Kit, family child care providers will receive several free publications in the mail. Family home child care providers will also receive The Basics of Caring for Children in your Home notebook to organize and store your Better Kid Care publications. Have you signed up to receive a Better Kid Care Kit yet? Complete our online registration form or call 800-452-9108 to order.
Notebook Contains: Tip Sheets, Activities Pages & Lunch and Snack Ideas
All publications are available online to print and share with your friends, family, and other childcare providers. Select issues are also available in Spanish.
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View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters
Upcoming December E-Newsletter:
Look for information on connecting Play to Learning
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.
