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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: "A mother understands what a child does not say ." ~ Jewish Proverb
Happy Mother's Day!
On behalf of Provider and Teacher appreciation week, THANK YOU for all that you do in caring for our children. Better Kid Care celebrates your efforts!
Beautiful Cards
Joan Flechtner, from Winchester Thurston in Pittsburgh, makes beautiful cards and unique works of art out of children's drawings. You can do this by copying children's original drawings to meet the size you want (card size). You can easily shrink, enlarge, or print on a basic copying machine. (Be sure to document the child's name and ideas in the drawings.)
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Once you have your desired size, print the image on quality card stock paper found at craft, art, or paper supply stores. Position your copy on the printer to allow the card to be folded in half. (Buying card stock in bulk reduces the cost.) |
Another format in making cards is to cut children’s paintings into smaller squares to mount onto cards using acid-free glue. Collect paintings with lots of color and coverage (of course, ask child’s permission first). Adults can smooth any wrinkles out the cards by lightly ironing with a protective towel between the card and the iron.
This is a wonderful idea for gifts, fund raisers and can even be used in your writing centers. Make your set of cards more beautiful by gift wrapping them in paper painted by children.
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! Email Christine at crb16@psu.edu or contact the Better Kid Care Program at 814-865-7894 or 800-452-9108 (within PA).
by Christine Belinda
*This is part 2 of a two-part article on "Transitions." Part 1 was in the April E-Newsletter.
In caring for children, one thing you can be certain of is change. To change means to transition: changing from one state, stage, place, or subject to another. Transitions require young children to put forth great amounts of effort, not only physically, but emotionally, socially, and cognitively; all areas of development. No wonder transitions can be challenging!
Visual clues
Try using visual clues to help children transition. Visual clues help children understand, predict, and anticipate what may happen. Try making a chart of the schedule with pictures or photographs (and labels) of each transition that occurs in your day: "Let's look at our picture chart and see what’s after snack time." Visual schedules and clues can also be used at the end of the day to review what happened.
Use photographs and pictures in helping children decide where to play or what to play with. Take photos of all play areas and materials and make them available for children in a photo album, individual photo books, or a display. Photographs help children manage in smaller contexts: Instead of looking at the whole room, they can individually look at ideas. Visual clues also help children who are developing language skills.
Verbal clues
Infants respond well to transition through verbal clues. When facing changes with infants, use a nurturing voice or softly sing to them about the transition. Do so while gently holding the infant and having eye contact. It’s important to talk to children before a change occurs.
Singing with children is pleasant and invites them to join in. By singing, children are focused on the transition experience, especially if the song is about the transition. Consider using songs and music to engage children. Avoid any loud or abrupt announcements of change.
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Try using a soft, calm voice when speaking to children about transitions; almost a whisper. It gets their attention and your calm voice can model calm in the transition.. |
Involve the children
When children are physically, mentally, and emotionally part of the transition, they will make the transition more easily. If a child is just told what to do for a transition, he is 
much less involved. Try directing with problem solving and questions: "Soon it will be clean-up time. What will you need to do to get ready for clean-up?" "After story time, it will be rest time. What will you need to get ready?" Asking open-ended questions helps children start to plan and problem solve on their own. Also encourage the children to help, such as pass out cups at snack time or prepare their own resting place.
Introduce strategies to children that help in preparing for change. One caregiver brought in a wind chime and introduced it as "the whisperer." When changes were about to happen or needed to happen, the children would tap the chime and announce what change was coming (along with any tips shared by the adult). This gentle announcement helped children plan for the upcoming changes.
Communicate with Families
Inform families of how your program runs and let them know of any big changes and how you will be preparing for them. Communicating with families allows the changes to be supported at home. Parents also will be able to provide you with information that may support their child through transitions. After all, parents know their children best.
Through the eyes of a child
It’s important to remember that even though you may be well prepared, transitions may bring about stress, discomfort, and even challenging behaviors. Looking at the transition from the child’s perspective helps us be patient. We may begin to see why it is difficult if we think of how this transition feels to the child. We can authentically listen and respond to help children face the many transitions throughout their day.
Enjoy the following highlights from one of the many Better Kid Care Distance Education Lessons.
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Avoid Behavior Problems: Teach Self-ControlProfessional Development Code K2C2 CDA 3 |
Helping children learn to control their behavior and their bodies are important goals for adults who work with young children. Self-control is a skill that children need when they start school and throughout life. The distance education lesson Avoid Behavior Problems: Teach Self-Control includes a self-assessment of knowledge about the developmental progression of learning self-control skills. The video portion of this lesson presents the developmental progression of learning self-control from infancy through preschool and activities to do with children to promote self-control.
Preview and order the distance education lesson Avoid Behavior Problems: Teach Self-Control.
To view a complete listing of all Distance Education Lessons and additional information and resources, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page.
New Distance Education Lessons
Five new one-hour lessons are now available to complete online as web-based lessons. Preview new One-Hour lessons by selecting titles
Update Forms and Instructions -- If you have received educational materials prior to November 1, 2006, please download REQUIRED updated forms to use when submitting assignments and also check the list of discontinued lessons that are no longer accepted for professional development.Learning Through Play with Table Toys (K2C1) CDA 8
Fun Ways to Improve Behavior (K2C1) CDA 5
Kitchen Science (K2C1) CDA 2
Increasing Physical Activity
Physical activity is just as important as nutrition. Whether it's running, dancing, or tumbling, regular physical activity is an important part of health. With a little thought and help, you can get children to exercise each day to promote their healthy growth and development.
Great Books to Read with Children
Enjoy the following stories sharing the joy of rain: jumping in puddles, wearing your favorite rain boots, creating and recalling wonderful memories of rainy days
Red Rubber Boot Day, by Mary Lyn Ray, published by Harcourt Children’s Books, ISBN 0152137564. This story shares a rainy day experienced by a little boy, from the smell to both indoor and outdoor play. It’s sure to bring back many memories.
Rain Feet, by Angela Johnson, published by Scholastic, ISBN 0531068498. Read the wonderful story that combines a slicker, boots, rain, a little boy, and his very loving family.
Rain, by Robert Kalan, published by Margaret K. McElderry, ISNB 0689504969. Enjoy a walk in the rain with a little girl and her dog; listen to the fat raindrops fall, look at the tiny holes the rain makes in the dirt road, and smell the rain dust. Rain explores our many senses.
Come On Rain!, by Karen Hess, published by Scholastic Press, ISBN 0590331256. The whole neighborhood waits for the rain as thunder is heard and clouds are rolling in. An urban rainstorm is beginning. The long-sought-after storm brings rain, dancing, and four young girls together.
Umbrella, by Taro Yashima, published by Puffin, ISBN 0140502408. Will it rain today? A little girl cannot wait for rain so she can use her red rain boots and umbrella she received on her third birthday.
Other books about rain:
Listen to the Rain, by John Archambault, published by Henry Holt and Co., ISBN 0805006826.
Rain Drop Splash, by Alvin Tresselt, published by HarperTrophy, ISBN 0688093523.
A Drop of Rain, by Wong Herbert Yee, published by Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 0395715490.
The Puddle, by David McPhail, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, ISBN 0374460302.
Magic Raincoat, by Ryan David, published by Front Street, ISBN 1932425683
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.
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Getting Along with Your Child Click on graphic to read more about getting along with your child. |
Better Kid Care would like to thank you for a great satellite season! We are looking forward to another exciting satellite season in 2007-08. Stay in touch with Better Kid Care to find out about the upcoming satellite season dates and topics. Announcements will be made in BKC e-newsletters and on the BKC Web site. Visit the Satellite Workshop link for more information.
Missed a show? Visit the Past SatelliteWorkshop page to view video on-line. If you live in Pennsylvania, contact your local extension educator for information to attend a workshop in your area. Outside Pennsylvania view Out-of-State Information link.CDA News! (Child Development Associate credential)
What is a CDA Credential?
The Child Development Associate credential (CDA) is a national credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition to individuals who have successfully completed the CDA assessment process.
How Can Better Kid Care Help?
CDA News! The Council for Professional Recognition has updated its Web page. Updates include a link to Council Updates, where important news and information is posted regarding the Council for Professional Recognition.
Get CDA Support!
Call Better Kid Care today at 800-452-9108. Talk with someone who can help you get started in the CDA credential process.
E-mail your CDA questions to Christine at crb16@psu.edu
For more information visit the Better Kid Care “What is the CDA?” link.
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.
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.
Interested in professional development opportunities? Take a look at the following professional development training available for early childhood practitioners:
For more professional development opportunities, visit the PA Keys online calendar.
National Provider Appreciation Day, May 11, 2007
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, May 6-12, 2007
What Providers Should Know About Child Care Unification
By June 2007, all Pennsylvania families that qualify for help with paying for child care will get that help from the local Child Care Information Services (CCIS) agency. This includes families that currently receive help from the local County Assistance Office (CAO). Child Care Unification is an initiative of the Department of Public Welfare to unify the child care subsidy program by making the CCIS responsible for managing payments and provider agreements for all families who qualify for child care. The local CCIS will provide additional information when unification is implemented in your county. A county map including Go-live and enrollment effective dates is available in PDF format through PACCA's Web site.
Help spread the word! Share your thoughts about Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts with your local school district superintendents and state legislators. You can find contact information for superintendents on school district Web sites. For contact information for your state legislators and more ideas on how to share your thoughts, visit the Pre-K Today website at www.prektoday.org. |
Did you know? In order to receive Act 48 credits, you need to access the PA Department of Education Web site to receive your PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. Bring this number to your professional development workshops and conferences.
New subscribers can join by sending an email to:
BetterKidCareNews-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.
View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters
Upcoming June E-Newsletter:
Reflections to Move Forward: Gaining insights from your work
Reflections…
We would love to hear from you! E-mail 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.