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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 a happy talent to know how to play." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Soothing Choices
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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).
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Play: "Can You Hear Me Now?" Listening to the Voice of Playby Christine Belinda |
"The importance of play" is a theme that arises repeatedly in child care books, magazines, and professional development resources. There are even organizations whose single purpose is to help project the important voice of play and play-based practices. What are the voices of play trying to tell us?
Play: "Can you hear me now?"
Those listening to what is currently being said about play will hear many voices. Most voices of play are based on child development and in uncovering the roles, relevance, and knowledge connected to play.
Research in play suggests that not only is play needed for the healthy development of young children, but play supports higher level cognitive thinking, language development, self regulation, social skills, and physical development. Play also has been defined as one of the optimal ways children learn compassion, self confidence, and self-motivation. On the flip side of play research is mounting evidence that play is diminishing in the lives of young children.
Educators, health professionals, and researchers know how important play is in the lives of children, but many are clearly seeing the consequences of diminishing play. Authentic, pure forms of play are often replaced with electronic time, toys and materials lacking in creative value, structured activities, expectations for educational outcomes, and the hurried shuffled lives of busy families.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed a clinical report titled "The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds." This report offers guidelines on how pediatricians can advocate for children by helping families, school systems, and communities consider how best to ensure play is protected as they seek to create the optimal developmental setting for children. To view report online go to: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/119/1/182
The voice of play
The voice of play is ever present when you are an early educator. Children will turn any time and anything into play (this alone can portray the magic and value of play). We've all watched play's phenomena unfold right in front of us. Think of the child at snack time that has lined up all her crackers and has given voices, names, and actions to each dancing cracker and initiates a conversation with you (of course, in a "dancing cracker voice"!). For children, play is in everything, on everything, a part of everything....play is children.
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Educator Leo Bascaglia says: "It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them." |
Passionate early educators are always listening to the voice of play. But maybe it is time to turn up the volume a bit and campaign for children's play and balance what we bring to children. Maybe by listening to the voice of play we will hear the children.
A little bit of help for listening to the voice of play:
New Staff Orientation REFRESHER!
The New Staff Orientation Refresher gives experienced educators in a new position an opportunity to review the most basic information in caring for children.
Visit the New Staff Orientation REFRESHER page for more information on how to order and view material.
To view a complete listing of all distance education lessons and additional information about how to register, visit the Better Kid Care Distance Education page or download the NEW! Distance Education Brochure:
Brochure can also be requested by calling 800-452-9108
Treating Kids' Colds Without Drugs
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) applauds the decision to withdraw cough and cold medicines for infants and children. These medicines are ineffective and can have serious side effects. Several studies show that these products are not effective in children under six and can have potentially serious side effects. Dosage guidelines for cold and cold mixtures are based on adult data and thus inaccurate for children. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has information on the cough and cold medicines that are being withdrawn. To read more visit: http://www.aap.org/new/kidcolds.htm
Turn the PageGreat Books to Read with Children: Wonderful Winter! |
The Snowflake, by Kenneth Libbrecht, published by Voyager Press, ISBN 0896586308. Microphotographs of real snowflakes that show the amazing beauty and science behind nature's own snowflake.
Millions of Snowflakes, by Mary McKenna Siddals, published by Clarion Books, ISBN 0395715318. The snow is falling all around a girl and her dog. Read of the child's delight to count, touch, and taste the snowflakes as she is all bundled up and enjoying the snow.
First Day of Winter, by Denise Fleming, published by Henry Holt and Co., ISBN 0805073841. This book follows the pattern of the Twelve Days of Christmas with such lines as "On the first day of winter, my best friend gave to me…a red cap"
The Three Snow Bears, by Jan Brett, published by Putnam Juvenile, ISBN 0399247920. Aloo-ki comes across an igloo and, being a curious girl, she looks inside. Find out who lives inside the igloo and what happens when Aloo-ki goes into the igloo (think about the story of the three bears).
Flannel Kisses, by Linda Crotta Brennan, published by Houghton Mifflin, ISBN 06187529. A rhyming poem of the wonderful outdoors of winter as well as the warm and cozy inside of winter.
More stories of winter. . .
The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, by Shirley Neitzel, published by Mulberry Books, ISBN 0688127711
Snow, by Uri Shulevitz, published by Sunburst Books, ISBN 0374468621
In the Snow: Who's Been Here?, by Lindsay Barrett George, published by HarperTrophy, ISBN 0688170560
When It Starts to Snow, by Phillis Gershator, published by Amazon Remainders Account, ISBN 0805054049
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.
Quality Time with Your Kids |
Better Kid Care Satellite Season 2007-08
Welcome to the 2007-08 satellite season! Satellite workshops offer opportunities for child care providers to learn form experts and to share their experiences with other child care providers nationwide. Professional development hours are available. Mark your calendars now with the following dates and topics:
Next up! March 13, 2008
Science for Young Thinkers
Professional Development Code K2C1/ Topic Code18 / CDA 2
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to help future scientists learn the basics. Find out how to make science activities really fun for children and adults.May 15, 2008
Improving Transition Times
Professional Development Code K2C2 / Topic Code 13 / CDA 1
Moving from place to place, activity to activity, is often filled with tears, screaming, and tantrums. Learn how you can smooth transitions to make them productive, fun times for children and stress free for adults.
Visit the Satellite Workshop link for more information.
Missed a show? Visit the Past Satellite Workshop page to view video online. 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)
Coming soon from the Council for Professional Recognition: Online Assessment! The Council's Online Assessment is expected to debut in September 2008, and information about the system is now available online at: http://www.cdacouncil.org/CDA_online.htm. There you can access a brochure and a video about the new process.
Visit the Better Kid Care "What is the CDA?" newly revised link and get answers to your CDA questions! Find easy-to-follow information on what you need to know to get started toward earning your CDA credential. Best of all, the Better Kid Care Program has a live contact person who can answer your CDA questions! Get CDA Support! Call Christine at 800-452-9108. E-mail your CDA questions to Christine at crb16@psu.edu.
Interested in professional development opportunities? Take a look at the following professional development training available for early childhood practitioners.
In Pennsylvania:
Other:
Outside Pennsylvania:
More professional development resources:
Week of the Young Child 2008: Bring Communities Together for Children – Children Bring Communities Together -Week of the Young Child is April 13-19, 2008! Check out these resources and start planning ways to bring your community together for children!
Week of the Young Child 2008 Event Planning Handbook
Share Your WOYC 2008 Plans
Key Facts
Community Partners
Suggested Activities
WOYC Resources
Frequently Asked Questions http://naeyc.org/about/woyc/feedback.asp
WOYC in the News
PA Department of Education
Early Childhood Education - Attention Early Learning Program Directors: Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts pre-kindergarten program could bring quality pre-kindergarten to more than 11,000 three- and four-year-olds next year. Learn more by downloading Flyer
Use Updated Vaccine Schedules
Every January the nation's experts release an updated schedule of the vaccines that children should have. Look for this schedule on the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov/vaccines The 2008 Immunization Schedule was released 1/2/2008 and posted at www.cispimmunize.org/.
Influenza Season Is Here - Use Updated Resources
To cope with the influenza season, educators will find guidance, fact sheets, posters
(cover-your-cough and hand washing) as well as other materials on the Web site of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu. Look for the heading "Info for Specific Groups." Under that heading, click on "Schools & Childcare Providers." Many materials are available in different languages.
Where Do the Children Play? - This new 55-minute PBS documentary, produced by Michigan Television, is now available for public showings by schools, universities, and community organizations. The brainchild of Elizabeth Goodenough, the film examines the social and technological trends that conspire to rob children of their birthright: time and opportunity for unstructured, spontaneous play, especially outdoors in nature. For more information, e-mail Pam Lotz, pam@allianceforchildhood.org, or call 301-779-1033.
Brainy Kids Online - Online science resources for kids, parents, and educators. Visit: http://www.dana.org/resources/brainykids/
American Star of Teaching - The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative is accepting nominations for 2008 American Stars of Teaching until March 31. Parents, students, colleagues, school administrators, and others can nominate an exemplary teacher who they believe has the qualities to be an American Star of Teaching. We are seeking nominations of teachers across the United States who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies in the classroom, and making a difference in the lives of their students. Teachers across all grade levels and disciplines will be honored as 2008 American Stars of Teaching this fall. To nominate a teacher, go to: http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/tools/initiative/index.html.
Power of Play: Learning Through Play From 0-3 - Booklet exploring how play supports children's development in all areas. Offers age-based information for parents on the benefit of play from birth to three. Available online at Zero To Three Web site booklet links:
ECELS - The Early Childhood Education Linkage System - Healthy Child Care Pennsylvania of the PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, welcomes your e-mail and phone questions on health, safety, and nutrition in early learning and school-age programs. Staff will respond to your questions within 24 hours. Call ECELS toll free at 800-243-2357 or email: ecels_techassistance@paaap.org For more information visit: http://www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org/index.cfm
Bright Futures
In December 2007, the AAP issued a policy statement called Bright Futures, which includes a new schedule for routine check-up visits. The AAP recommended that health professionals perform developmental measurements at 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months. Thereafter, well child visits should include looking for signals of risk for developmental delay and need for more developmental and behavioral screening. The clinician should do an autism-specific screen at 18 months and again at 24 months. The AAP added a 30 month visit to the schedule of well child visits to provide more time over the course of early childhood checkups to focus on developmental issues in addition to all the other services health providers offer to families American Academy of Pediatrics Web site access: http://brightfutures.aap.org/web/
The Medicated Child - With more than four million children now on behavior modifying medications--some starting as young as two years old—"Frontline" continues its investigation into the controversial practice of medicating kids. Are the drugs safe? How young can you detect mental illness in a child? Is medication really the answer? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/medicatedchild/
Grants for In-School Music Projects - The Mockingbird Foundation is offering grants for in-school music projects that promote creative expression through music. Applications are encouraged to be diverse or to include unusual musical styles, genres, forms, and philosophies. Deadline: February 1, 2008.
http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/guidelines.html
Nutrition & Your Child is a research-based newsletter produced by the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at Baylor College of Medicine and electronically distributed in cooperation with USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) to enhance the research base for educational programming. It is sent only to individuals who have subscribed to the newsletter. View this issue as a "newsletter formatted" Adobe file at: http://www.kidsnutrition.org/images/pdfs_nyc/2008/vol1.pdf .
Time to Prepare for Pennsylvania's One Book, Every Young Child Campaign - The Pennsylvania One Book, Every Young Child kick-off is less than three months away—April 1! The planning committee is pleased to announce that the Verizon Foundation will again fund the distribution of a copy of the book and poster for each child care, Head Start, Family Literacy, and PA Pre-K Counts facility in the state. The books will be mailed to programs in March. The web site (www.paonebook.org) will go live in February. Programs and organizations also have another opportunity to buy paperbacks, hardbacks and big book editions. The attached order form is due February 1. This will likely be the last chance to order books for the spring.
Action Requested -- Volunteers Needed for Child Development Study
Early Childhood Practitioners are needed for a study looking at the effects of a social-emotional assessment called SEAM. The study involves early childhood providers participating in:
2-hour training on how to use a social-emotional assessment (SEAM) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), using the SEAM and ASQ with at least one parent of a child who is 6 to 36 months (estimated time to administer is under 60 minutes), and completing a brief practitioner demographic form and satisfaction survey.
For information contact Dr. Marisa Macy, the Pennsylvania Field Coordinator, at mmacy@psu.edu or call (814) 232-0342. Free SEAM & ASQ training, materials, and compensation will be provided.
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.
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.
New subscribers can join by sending an email to:
BetterKidCareNews-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.
View archived Better Kid Care E-Newsletters
Upcoming Feature Article in
February E-Newsletter:
Play with Clay
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.
